Subaru Forester comes to mind, should get a good 'uk a few years old.

Subaru Forester or Outback would do the trick and should prove reliable, probably get a Diesel in your budget or a good petrol which you could sensibly have LPG converted...though tank would idealy be mounted in full size spare wheel well, you then have the problem of what to do with spare....remember to check VED if considering a petrol turbo or any other petrol....in fact check VED before signing on the line for any heavy vehicle you might find a nasty surprising bill for £470 for the year.

If you cover big mileage, full size 4x4's can and do have a serious drink problem.

Not sure Disco's normal reliability would see it as becoming your best mate, if you want a full size 4x4 consider Landcruiser or Patrol, but expect 27 to 30 mpg at best unless driven like a saint.

Probably get a current Hyundai Santa Fe in budget too, good 2.2 Diesel giving decent economy.

Supercharged petrol RR Sports have been showing around 13mpg average on the display when i've driven them to give you an idea.

Edited by gordonbennet on 19/11/2012 at 13:53

The Discovery IIIs and IVs have costly to repair air suspension like the Audi Allroad, Freelander IIs are reliable (by LandRover standards!) and are a pleasure to drive.

Edited by SteveLee on 19/11/2012 at 21:36

The Discovery is reputed to be the most unreliable car available. I'd avoid and go Japanese.

The D3 or the D4 ? They don't have the same reliability record just as Freelander 1 and 2 have very difference reliability records.

Irrespective - woudl you recommend anyone to a Land Rover mdel who needed to drive several tens of thousands of miles each year for business; especially if they were not buying new with a warranty?

Yes - a Freelander 2 - Ford did a good job with it as that's where all it's development and engineering expertise came from - and built in a Ford factory, albeit now transferred to JLR.

That's why it's so very different to the Freelander 1, designed and built by LR.