Which car to do anything and everything?

[BTB 500]

Was that the generation which was jointly engineered as the Ford Galaxy and Volkswagen Sharan? I only ever drove the Galaxy but I really enjoyed it, it was a great car possibly my favourite of all MPVs.

I had the Sharan, although it was a rare 2.8 V6 Carat 4Motion rather than the more normal 1.9 TDi. This drove well and was deceptively quick, with a manual 6-speed gearbox that allowed you to let the engine sing a bit when you were in the mood The electrically heated windscreen was great in cold weather. I mostly ran it as a 2-seater with all 5 of the rear seats removed ... this was to accommodate the dogs in the back but also saved a *lot* of weight.





Not just Collies back then!

Obviously it was no big butch offroader but it was frequently used in some fairly nasty conditions which it coped with when other vehicles needed pulling out



Towed the caravans fine although the fuel consumption could drop into single digits if 'pressing on'




My proudest achievement while towing with it was overtaking a dawdling Porsche 911 on a single carriageway A road

In 2007 it was replaced by the Vito as by then I needed to fit in children and even more dogs!

 

[Bobby Dazzler]

I had the Sharan, although it was a rare 2.8 V6 Carat 4Motion rather than the more normal 1.9 TDi. This drove well and was deceptively quick, with a manual 6-speed gearbox that allowed you to let the engine sing a bit when you were in the mood The electrically heated windscreen was great in cold weather. I mostly ran it as a 2-seater with all 5 of the rear seats removed ... this was to accommodate the dogs in the back but also saved a *lot* of weight.

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View attachment 148402

Not just Collies back then!

Obviously it was no big butch offroader but it was frequently used in some fairly nasty conditions which it coped with when other vehicles needed pulling out

View attachment 148398

Towed the caravans fine although the fuel consumption could drop into single digits if 'pressing on'

View attachment 148401

View attachment 148400
My proudest achievement while towing with it was overtaking a dawdling Porsche 911 on a single carriageway A road

In 2007 it was replaced by the Vito as by then I needed to fit in children and even more dogs!

I remember you mentioning Sharan 4motion, so much so I always think of you when I see a Sharan. I had no idea it was green though - taht’s a very Aston Martinesque hue too

 

[BTB 500]

I remember you mentioning Sharan 4motion, so much so I always think of you when I see a Sharan. I had no idea it was green though - taht’s a very Aston Martinesque hue too

It was a rarely seen VW colour called 'Green Collection' (?!) ... I'd had a silver Vauxhall MPV before and fancied a change!

 

[Gollom]

You are all mistaken of course. The S211 E-class is in many ways the perfect vehicle

Comfortable
Commodious
Luxurious
Reliable
Can shift when needed
And so handsome - utterly ageless

Just so right

 

[markjay]

Wasn't the Range Rover meant to be the "car to do anything and everything", when it was first introduced? For those who can afford one, obviously.

Somewhat more affordable, the VW Golf was once described by Jeremy Clarkson as "the only car anyone will ever need" (or words to this effect).

However, I have owned neither, and therefore they are not valid entries in this thread....

 

[Mactech]

I think the W164 is really good shout for the Swiss knife of cars. We had ours for 7 years and my wife loved it, only a late 80's 124 estate had been in the family as long. It was V6 wood burner so it was quick enough, refined enough and frugal also.



I've enjoyed many more specialised cars which excelled in one or two specific areas, but as an allrounder my current Macan manages to do most things very well. Really surprisingly, it even does a passable impression of a sports car if required

 

[Mactech]

Wasn't the Range Rover meant to be the "car to do anything and everything", when it was first introduced? For those who can afford one, obviously.

Somewhat more affordable, the VW Golf was once described by Jeremy Clarkson as "the only car anyone will ever need" (or words to this effect).

However, I have owned neither, and therefore they are not valid entries in this thread....

The Range Rover probably fits the bill with caveat of 'when it is actually working properly'
The Golf is so good at most things it is memorable for almost nothing, and who ever believed anything Clarkson said?
I have owned both amongst 73 others....

 

[markjay]

I have owned both amongst 73 others....

Clearly you don't believe in long term relationships.....

 

[Mactech]

Clearly you don't believe in long term relationships.....

Except..... I shall be celebrating something golden next year.....

 

[Mactech]

View attachment 148402

Not just Collies back then!

That's a proper Wag'n'Woofs Wagen!
Did the thought of a Collie and Poodle cross ever cross your mind?

 

[Will]

It’s a difficult choice because the one car that does everything wouldn’t necessarily be my favourite. But my current family wagon is probably one of the best all-round do anything cars I can think of.

GL63
7 seats
557hp
Four wheel drive
Air suspension
Loads of useful features (and plenty of nice options)
Goes anywhere
Practical
Comfortable
Safe
Even with all seven seats up it has decent luggage space, but as a five or six seater it has plenty more to offer, and you can fold the lot down for those DIY/furniture/moving moments giving you the flexibility of almost a small van like load area.

It’s a great car, but it doesn’t have the same sort of appeal obviously as a weekend toy/collectable/classic.

More than capable of a decent turn of speed but it can be deceptive in that you’ll be going quicker than you realise and once you put your foot down you run out of road!

I’ve had it four or five years now, not sure what I’d replace it with really - what could I buy for the same money or better than does as much as this does?

I think the E-class estate is also a great shout, if you don’t need the extra size or seating of the GL. I loved every one of mine that I’ve had.

Might be just me, but I don’t see that many of the new shape GLS around? Would be the logical replacement in future but mine is perfect for what I use it for at the moment

 

[Bobby Dazzler]

It’s a difficult choice because the one car that does everything wouldn’t necessarily be my favourite. But my current family wagon is probably one of the best all-round do anything cars I can think of.

GL63
7 seats
557hp
Four wheel drive
Air suspension
Loads of useful features (and plenty of nice options)
Goes anywhere
Practical
Comfortable
Safe
Even with all seven seats up it has decent luggage space, but as a five or six seater it has plenty more to offer, and you can fold the lot down for those DIY/furniture/moving moments giving you the flexibility of almost a small van like load area.

It’s a great car, but it doesn’t have the same sort of appeal obviously as a weekend toy/collectable/classic.

More than capable of a decent turn of speed but it can be deceptive in that you’ll be going quicker than you realise and once you put your foot down you run out of road!

I’ve had it four or five years now, not sure what I’d replace it with really - what could I buy for the same money or better than does as much as this does?

I think the E-class estate is also a great shout, if you don’t need the extra size or seating of the GL. I loved every one of mine that I’ve had.

Might be just me, but I don’t see that many of the new shape GLS around? Would be the logical replacement in future but mine is perfect for what I use it for at the moment

View attachment 148407View attachment 148408

Great car, and you’re right, finding a replacement other than another one will be a challenge.

 

[Bobby Dazzler]

I think the W164 is really good shout for the Swiss knife of cars. We had ours for 7 years and my wife loved it, only a late 80's 124 estate had been in the family as long. It was V6 wood burner so it was quick enough, refined enough and frugal also.

View attachment 148405

I've enjoyed many more specialised cars which excelled in one or two specific areas, but as an allrounder my current Macan manages to do most things very well. Really surprisingly, it even does a passable impression of a sports car if required

Handsome spec in that colour with those wheels

 

[Bobby Dazzler]

We had one of the last first gen XC90s. Got it just before the all new one came out and kept it 4 years which is a long time for me. It coincided with us having three kids that all needed some sort of child seat and short of an MPV was just about the only car that fitted the bill. Massively helped by the integrated middle child seat that they all come with. It was a little agricultural (2.4l 5 cylinder turbo diesel) but was very safe, well equipped, roomy, felt like it was hewn from granite and would go pretty much anywhere. Most importantly, my wife liked it too. Had some great family adventures in that car.

View attachment 148397

The XC90 is popular with families for good reason. Not had a go in the current generation yet though.

 

[Bobby Dazzler]

You are all mistaken of course. The S211 E-class is in many ways the perfect vehicle

Comfortable
Commodious
Luxurious
Reliable
Can shift when needed
And so handsome - utterly ageless

Just so right

E-Class estate. The definitive posh estate

 

[MikeInWimbledon]

Wasn't the Range Rover meant to be the "car to do anything and everything", when it was first introduced? For those who can afford one, obviously.
Somewhat more affordable, the VW Golf was once described by Jeremy Clarkson as "the only car anyone will ever need" (or words to this effect).
However, I have owned neither, and therefore they are not valid entries in this thread....

Clarkson has rightly, said that the Golf GTI, BMW 3 series touring, and the 5 series touring are each "the only car anyone will ever need." (Presumably dependent on the size and age of the buyer).

But since when is "need" "want?"

And then Clarkson "seems" to spend most of his time in an L322. (When he's not driving something that he's reviewing.)

After eight MB V8's and twelve BMW petrol 6's, I do have just one favourite:

 

[roviw1]

It’s a difficult choice because the one car that does everything wouldn’t necessarily be my favourite. But my current family wagon is probably one of the best all-round do anything cars I can think of.

GL63
7 seats
557hp
Four wheel drive
Air suspension
Loads of useful features (and plenty of nice options)
Goes anywhere
Practical
Comfortable
Safe
Even with all seven seats up it has decent luggage space, but as a five or six seater it has plenty more to offer, and you can fold the lot down for those DIY/furniture/moving moments giving you the flexibility of almost a small van like load area.

It’s a great car, but it doesn’t have the same sort of appeal obviously as a weekend toy/collectable/classic.

More than capable of a decent turn of speed but it can be deceptive in that you’ll be going quicker than you realise and once you put your foot down you run out of road!

I’ve had it four or five years now, not sure what I’d replace it with really - what could I buy for the same money or better than does as much as this does?

I think the E-class estate is also a great shout, if you don’t need the extra size or seating of the GL. I loved every one of mine that I’ve had.

Might be just me, but I don’t see that many of the new shape GLS around? Would be the logical replacement in future but mine is perfect for what I use it for at the moment

View attachment 148407View attachment 148408

I have numerous vehicles , one of which is an earlier 2008 GL420, very versatile and comfortable car and huge carrying and towing abitilty. When people talk to me about the cars i have on, most occasions, said that if I had to have just one vehicle then it would probably be a much newer GL, or GLS as they now are, and in AMG spec

 

[BTB 500]

Did the thought of a Collie and Poodle cross ever cross your mind?

No, but a friend of ours has had them for years. Apart from competing in agility they also do a lot of film/TV work.

Our current ten dogs - the one second to left is a Collie/Beardie x Papillon. Apart from him and the Sheltie to his left the others are all Border Collies (six of them home bred ... four generations in this picture). Hence needing a van

 

[MikeInWimbledon]

No, but a friend of ours has had them for years. Apart from competing in agility they also do a lot of film/TV work.

Our current ten dogs - the one second to left is a Collie/Beardie x Papillon. Apart from him and the Sheltie to his left the others are all Border Collies (six of them home bred ... four generations in this picture). Hence needing a van

View attachment 148412

Nurse ! Smelling salts, please !

And I thought having two children was more than enough.

 

[m80]

That's a proper Wag'n'Woofs Wagen!
Did the thought of a Collie and Poodle cross ever cross your mind?

View attachment 148406

Would that be a Coodle called Pollie?

Mrs Me reckons a Great Dane crossed with a **** a Spaniel would be good.