OP
accordfire
Bill, many thanks again. I'm in rutland so quite Rural an could expect to find myself on quite a few farms. I still have no idea on what style i'd like to go for. Whether somthing like the Santa Fe or Sportage (the later being more my price range); base Nissan Navara with Avenger work-style canopy or the VW Transporter 102 van or combi. I'm more confused now than what I was at the start, a true lost cause!!!
Same - and hence, I guess, why I still haven't made a decision about something I'm going to have to live with for the next three years, in which I expect my "role" in the business to change significantly.
At present, I still have a need to carry tools, stock, and so forth, but I also have to project an image which represents a business capable of dealing with the customers we do deal with, and ultimately, that will be my role full time - I'm already probably 75% sales and admin, and only 25% on the tools. Yet without that 25% of "actual work", we'd sink. So for now, it's days of shovelling tools and stock in, or out, as the situation dictates!
Rutland is pretty rural! Given the job, and the likely clientele - I'd say to you that 4WD is pretty essential. Not so much for summer, but it will only take one call out in the middle of winter, to get stuck somewhere, or not be able to get out in snow, or something.
Given that info, I'd say your choice was a double cab. The base Navara is well specced - even has bluetooth, and on a contract hire would cost you around £205 a month plus the VAT for 10k miles no maintenance. That's a four year agreement. The canopy would be an on top cost.
This link will give you an idea of costs, spec, and so on.