I need a new car, can you advise the makes/models available
which meet these (rather odd) requirements?:

WIDTH (outside, overall)
          7ft 3 ins absolute maximum
HEIGHT(outside, overall)
          6ft 0 ins absolute maximum
GROUND CLEARANCE
          the more the better
LEGROOM (driver)
  I'm 6 ft 4in tall
4x4 DRIVE
   negotiates bumpy wet grass
PETROL engine
FLAT LOAD SPACE
BODY HATCHBACK or ESTATE
5 DOORS first choice
HARD TOP
  Sunroof unnecessary (Its England!)
LOCATION
  I live in Dorset on the South Coast of England
INTERIOR TRIM
  We are used to spartan surroundings.
AVAILABILITY
  Easily available in UK

Every day we drive 500 yards down a deep-rutted Cart track
(Ground Clearance) where we have to turn round in a bumpy grass field
that can be very wet (4x4). The car is kept in a garage with
automatic door (Height) at the end of a narrow drive
(Width). I am the only driver and am tall with long legs
(Legroom). Two people need to carry a good load of tools and 
full plant pots (Flat load space, 5 doors, rear door access).
I much prefer a manual gear shift. I can afford a good
quality car (up to £18,000). Annual mileage is low (petrol).

In the past I have found these specifications useful:
Legroom: Adjustable steering wheel position, drivers seat
slides back and tilts
Width: "Foldable" power door mirrors.
Flat load space: Back seats that fold flat even when the
   drivers seat is pushed right back.

Can you help?

Howdy doxeyman!

As you have probably already found out, your choices with your
specifications are limited.

The best choices you have appear to be between the comparable:
- Land Rover Freelander sports utility vehicle 2.0 TD4 WAGON
- Honda CR-V sports utility vehicle 2.0 SE

Below, I have listed the pertinent specifications.  The web site
links provided have additional specifications.

The Hornberg Jaguar web site has the Freelander specifications.
http://www.hornburg.com/body_3flspcs.htm

Tilt steering wheel
Reclining, front seats with adjustable lumbar support
Permanent All-wheel drive with center Viscous Coupling Unit (VCU)
Four-wheel Electronic Traction Control (4ETC)
Overall width 71.1 in. (1805 mm)
Overall height 69.2 in. (5 ft. 9.2 in./1757 mm)
Head room, front/rear 38.4/38.9 in. (977/988 mm)
Shoulder room, front/rear 55.9/53.1 in. (1420/1350 mm)
Leg room, front/rear 41.8/36.8 in. (1062/934 mm)
Cargo Space With Rear seat up: 19.3 cu. ft. (0.54 m3)
Cargo Space With Rear seat folded: 46.6 cu. ft. (1.32 m3)
Ground clearance Under front suspension:  7.3 in. (186 mm)
Ground clearance Under rear suspension: 8.4 in. (214 mm)
Ground clearance Under frame: 8.7 in. (220 mm) 

The price quoted through the Virgin Cars web site: £16501.75
http://www.virgincars.com/cars 

The New York Time web site has specifications on the Honda CR-V
sports utility vehicle 2.0 SE.
http://edmunds.nytimes.com/new/2003/honda/crv/100194922/standard.html

Four wheel drive  
Tilt-adjustable steering wheel
height adjustable driver seat 

http://edmunds.nytimes.com/new/2003/honda/crv/100194922/specs.html

Width 70.2 in.
Height 66.2 in.
Front Head Room 38.9 in.
Front Shoulder Room 56.9 in.
Front Leg Room 41.3 in.
Luggage Capacity 33.5 cu. ft.
Maximum Cargo Capacity 72 cu. ft.
Ground Clearance: 8.1 in. 

The price quoted through the Virgin Cars web site: £16443.48
http://www.virgincars.com/cars

To get price quotes at the Virgin Cars web site, select the
Make and Model and click the search button.

It looks like both cars can be purchased with manual shifting,
but that might not be a readily available option.  There is
a wait to get the Freelander at the best price.


Search strategy:

Personal knowledge of the Virgin Car web site.

If you have any need of clarification, feel free to ask!

Looking Forward, denco-ga

SUBARU