Petrol tow car

So you definitely want a second hand petrol? 

I’d certainly go for a diesel and the choice of second hand models is enormous.

Sorry, can’t help with recommendations for a petrol car.

Petrol for me is a no no, as we have used one for the last month (long story) and we are now in the process of getting diesel auto,the petrol version needed high revs 4000-5000 and above to climb hills (in the Cotswold)

That depends too on the capacity & amount of cylinders under the bonnet. My 3.0 V6 Omega was OK

I towed with petrol tow cars for over 40 years the last two being 2 litre Mondeos. Until I tried a used 2 litre diesel Kia Sportage I thought they were alright. However I needed a low gear on any significant hill and a lot of revs.

I would now never choose a petrol over a diesel because even though the power output of the Mondeos and the Kia were almost the same the Kia Diesel is far superior producing maximum torque at much lower revs. Even though the used Kia I bought was older than many of the new or nearly new petrol cars I had before even now at ten years old for towing it is way ahead especially on hill starts which were often a real problem with the petrol cars.

I should add I am towing a Coachman Wanderer 15/2 only a little less weight than the VIP 460/2.

What's wrong with 4000-5000 when the engine is redlined at over 7000rpm? The revs are there to be used.

We had a 2ltr diesel manual gearbox Kia sportage (great tow car) until i had a "mishap" with my right knee,which forced a change to an auto which resulted in us getting, by a mix up,a 2ltr petrol auto Sportage and although it has 160bhp is terrible for towing,so after a month of ownership the dealer has bought it back for what i paid and has supplied a 2ltr diesel Sportage KX4 auto with 180 bhp and loads of torque (missing in petrol version)

Not for me having those revs most of time when towing and 18-19 mpg,and 3rd & 4th gear unless on the flat then 5th never sixth which was normal with diesel at 2000 revs and 30+ mpg

 I think you would find plenty of diesel automatics in your price range, maybe a few even less. The problem with some larger diesel cars in auto form is that the VED is very high. Had I still had my last tow car, a Kia Sorento I think my road tax would have now been over £500 a year. Given that you were previously a motorhomer with I assume a diesel engine is there a reason for preferring petrol?

David

Thank you for the advice.

We were thinking that with all the bad press re diesels etc it was a good idea to get petrol. 

Also concerned re European cities and low emissions zones. 

However having read the comments maybe we need to rethink?!