Reckon will need to get new to me car next year. Major snag is that I'm nowhere near major car dealers to go do some serious checking out - if I did, I'd have less dosh to buy the vehicle. So, I'm hoping you good people might be able to make suggestions.
Bit of background info about requirements: annual mileage around 7,000 with a ratio of roughly 30% on single track roads with passing places; 45% on A roads (mainly in Scotland which are twisty for the most part); 20% on m-ways and 5% on forestry tracks/off-road. The latter is important to me as a volunteer with the Red Cross and a radio safety marshal.
Other requirements are good ground clearance, fold flat seats, capacity to take white goods like washing machine or carry sheep or calves in the back (I'll sort the protective gear!!) and a reasonable fuel consumption rate - I'm not expecting miracles. And it needs to be a manual.
Unlike the perceptions of certain folks, not all females are yummy mummy drivers. I am a driver; I love it and I need a car to survive and also enjoy hobbies. I like a radio in the car but cannot be a***ed with a lot of the techie stuff we're all supposed to be unable to do without and I hate twee and pink things. I'd like something I don't need a degree in IT or engineering to be able to do basic maintenance.
And don't advocate electric/hybrid - many of my long journeys involve me using my car over long mileages in short spaces of time.
So what would you recommend I look at?
Bit of background info about requirements: annual mileage around 7,000 with a ratio of roughly 30% on single track roads with passing places; 45% on A roads (mainly in Scotland which are twisty for the most part); 20% on m-ways and 5% on forestry tracks/off-road. The latter is important to me as a volunteer with the Red Cross and a radio safety marshal.
Other requirements are good ground clearance, fold flat seats, capacity to take white goods like washing machine or carry sheep or calves in the back (I'll sort the protective gear!!) and a reasonable fuel consumption rate - I'm not expecting miracles. And it needs to be a manual.
Unlike the perceptions of certain folks, not all females are yummy mummy drivers. I am a driver; I love it and I need a car to survive and also enjoy hobbies. I like a radio in the car but cannot be a***ed with a lot of the techie stuff we're all supposed to be unable to do without and I hate twee and pink things. I'd like something I don't need a degree in IT or engineering to be able to do basic maintenance.
And don't advocate electric/hybrid - many of my long journeys involve me using my car over long mileages in short spaces of time.
So what would you recommend I look at?
