Talk Morgan Forums Community Vehicle Talk (non-Morgan) need a bit of inspiration - car choice

My 4/4 is currently in the classifieds - I'm looking to buy a house this year so need to liquidate an asset (in was one of the strings swmbo attached to mog purchase 4 years ago!)

What I am struggling with is: if and when it sells what will I get instead. I do currently have an pld merc W202 estate as a rainy day/trips to the dump/towing the boat car. I guess I could just keep this, but tbh its a bit dull, and needs a few jobs doing - the cost of which would probably exceed its value. It would be nice to have something that fulfils both the fun and practical.

I currently commute 1000 miles a month, so with non work travel my monthly mileage is probably 1500 a month.
I tow our dinghy pretty much each weekend
I sometimes need enough room in the car to carry 2 kids and their associated equipment (guitars, cricket/hockey/tennis kit)

So the options are:
1. just keep the old merc til it stops or fails MOT
2. Keep merc and use some of the proceeds of the Morgan for a cheap fun car (budget cheap as poss but up to3-4k)
3. Offload merc as well and find something that has some character, but can tow and withstand mileage (cheap as poss but up to 4-5k)

for option 2 I have had a couple of thoughts - eg MGF, lotus elan, porsche 924/944, ford puma
but I am really struggling for option 3

The wife would love a vw camper - but that wont liberate the readies (probably the opposite actually

Mazda MX5/Eunos, there are stacks around, cheap enough and great to drive!

Colin

Cheers Colin.
Been there done that.....

I should have read your post properly, it's Option 3 you're struggling with. That is a tough one!

mind you, if you can get a tow hitch on an mx5 you might be on to something - I had one on my mk1 mr2 years ago

Too many toys? My solution = keep dinghy, trade in the Mog and Merc, look for a workhorse family estate; The Volvo V70 td. A 2005/6 year model might set you back about £5500, punches 180bhp. has six gears and driven wisely returns 45/50mpg, tows a boat or caravan, has boot big enough to sleep in, is built like a tank.

I spotted a volvo xc70 in the local classifieds last night. Was a bit miley though.
Thinking along similar lines i suppose subaru legacy might fit the bill, or possibly an alfa estate.
In truth the only cars I aspire to own are tvr cerbera and lotus elise. Neither of which present the opportunity to liberate the house cash

Honda Accord estate with Oil engines seem good value, well made, cost little to run, quiet.

Audi A4 with 3L V6 Diesel and Quattro.

Shoguns can be had for peanuts and built like brick outhouses but also go like them.

Subaru Foresters were also good value and had a fine noise from the flat four engine.

I have rejected audi on the grounds of Dullness - I have been disappointed by TTs in the past.

forester is a good shout, I have had one before - could try an impreza I suppose. One of the local dealers has an outback with the 3.0 engine which might be interesting, although it hasn't got a towbar....

Option 3 - how about a Skoda Octavia VRS? Quite a number about. An example here . But not sure it would fill the "character" requirement...