yes, fair point re petrol engines, hadn't considered that!

I would say though the depreciation on the new vehicle will cover an awful lot of fuel for one of your other vehicles! On a fully loaded petrol vehicle fuel consumption may not be that great, and, as above, you could reduce your diesel costs by mixing your diesel with cooking oil. Diesel is also cheaper than petrol in most countries.

I am rebuilding my old HJ60 at a cost in excess of £10000. some have suggested that's crazy because the car will never be worth that much, but my argument is a new car will never be worth what you paid for it either!!

Like you, I have a hilux and a landcruiser, but the hilux is a 2012 and build quality just isn't up there with Toyotas of old, and the engine is euro5 so needs low sulphur diesel, and , although I trust it's reliability, the complexity concerns me.

Attractions of the Hj60 for me are, I have owned the vehicle for 8 years, and intend to keep it for at least 20 years so depreciation isn't an issue. Linked with that I am familiar with the vehicle and it is tried and tested in the field. Build quality is incredible, it's totally over engineered and it's relatively simple and, err, sentimentality. Just can't bring myself to sell it, we've been through too much together!

BTW, I'm in Dorset too, where are you?