One for the wife?

Author
Discussion

Fruitcake

Original Poster:

236 posts

126 months

Monday 1st September 2014
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Hi,
We're thinking its about time we invested in a decent car for the wife rather than buying cheap runarounds which I end up having to spend my weekends sorting out.
So far I think we've narrowed it down to a few, but the budget can stretch to around £10k if the perfect car was found. But ideally we'd rather not go that high.
In the past she's been very nervous driving in the snow so 4x4 would be a bonus. Due to family being dotted around the country we quite regularly travel relatively long distance, and with 3 kids a 7 seater would make life a little easier.
I'd like it to be relatively simple to work on or for servicing to be straight forward, and of course have as high MPG as possible so not looking to go too far over a 2.0, most likely diesel.
I'm leaning towards the 307SW Diesel (although not 4wd), she loves the Ford Kuga (4wd versions). Other options seem to be the Kia Sedona, Hyundai Santa Fe.

Any input, or preferably some horror stories would be appreciated.
Thanks

imagineifyeswill

1,224 posts

165 months

Monday 1st September 2014
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In my opinion the 307 is the worst car Peugeot have ever built horrendous unreliable piece of garbage, Kia Sedona ok when going and loads of space but horrendously expensive for any parts which have to come from Kia themselves, Hyundai Santa Fe similar which just leaves the Kuga which would definately be my pick from that four.

Mr2Mike

20,143 posts

254 months

Monday 1st September 2014
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imagineifyeswill said:
In my opinion the 307 is the worst car Peugeot have ever built horrendous unreliable piece of garbage
Not had much experience of the Korean SUVs but I have to agree with this. Complete bag of st.

golfer19

1,564 posts

132 months

Monday 1st September 2014
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What about a Toyota RAV4.
Reliable and easy to run.
Get one with nice spec eg leather and it makes a nice family wagon.

Lozw86

871 posts

131 months

Monday 1st September 2014
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Volvo XC 90 diesel, 7 seats, 4x4, comfy interior. Seems to fit the bill

Bill

52,473 posts

254 months

Monday 1st September 2014
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Lozw86 said:
Volvo XC 90 diesel, 7 seats, 4x4, comfy interior. Seems to fit the bill
Just don't get a pre-06 one. Quashgai +2 seems good too. SMax is the best of the people carriers, and winter tyres sort the snow worry.

LadfromManc

94 posts

124 months

Monday 1st September 2014
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Skoa Yeti? Doesn't have the 7 seats and you'll pay a bit extra for the 4wd but it's a tough capable car.

markCSC

2,987 posts

214 months

Monday 1st September 2014
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LadfromManc said:
Skoa Yeti? Doesn't have the 7 seats and you'll pay a bit extra for the 4wd but it's a tough capable car.
+1 for the Yeti. Great car and fun to drive

thepeoplespal

1,615 posts

276 months

Monday 1st September 2014
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As someone who has taken a 307 2.0 HDi from 22k to 132k over 7years and a 307 petrol 1.6 16v estate nearly 50k. (Sucker for punishment driving a 307 for over 9 years), I think in this instance I might for once be qualified to answer whether you should go for a 307SW HDi. You mention the need for reducing the need for fixing things at the weekend. A 307 might not be for you with that criteria, although The one thing about a 307 to its advantage is that it is very cheap compared to other cars.

Overall if you could DIY it would really help, but you will need to account for the following if you go down this road: ill fitting carpets, regular replacement of suspension drop links & wishbones, replacement of indicator stalk (was a recall, but not honoured by Peugeot these days), alternators and pulley wheel failure, replacement window switch, fans which stop working (normally preceded with it not working on a couple of settings - well known dash out £300+ fix) collapsing seat bolsters (although I'm an EFB). Also had issues with ABS sensors, coil pack.

All these problems have rarely left me stranded, the pulley wheel sheering off the alternator being about the only one, so over 160k miles I'd say it can be an option, but not one I'd really advocate to someone given the other options available.

g7jtk

1,756 posts

153 months

Monday 1st September 2014
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Toyota urban cruiser diesel 4x4

Edited by g7jtk on Monday 1st September 23:21

Who me ?

7,455 posts

211 months

Monday 1st September 2014
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Lot of talk about 4x4 , but in winter is ir really necessary in this country. 4WD ,and a winter driving course might help, but I've passed LR stranded in snow in my litle Fabia. It's all about knowing how to drive in it, light right foot and as high a gear as possible. Another candidate is the Octavia Scout. Skoda diesel engines are highly refined torque machines.I'm also led to believe that the Insignia is available in 4x4 form. i always wonder about the safety of kids in the rear seats in a 7 seater, where the rear seats are too close to the rear hatch for my liking.

Chuffmeister

3,597 posts

136 months

Monday 1st September 2014
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The missus has had a 307 2.0XSI fir 7 years now. Whilst I agree it isn't the most reliable of cars, it hasn't cost her too much over that time, despite minimum servicing and plenty of short school journeys. Body work and interior is no problem, but you do need to look out for the electrics as they are shocking. Also check the multi-changer if it has one, as it will probably be cream crackered. BTW, spark plugs are a bd to change.

As for the electronics, there's nothing you can do yourself without the diagnostics or without replacing one part at a time. Even Peugeot struggle. I've been trying to get the other half to purchase another Chimaera, easier to repair by far! Also, avoid the model with the DMF. I think the change over year was 2003.


Edited by Chuffmeister on Monday 1st September 23:49

va1o

16,029 posts

206 months

Monday 1st September 2014
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£10k seems a huge amount to spend on a 307, it's more than 10 years old and available for a few hundred pounds now!

I'd be looking at the Skoda Yeti and VW Tiguan.

ShaunTheSheep

951 posts

154 months

Monday 1st September 2014
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I always think the only downside to a 4x4 is that it drives like a 4x4. Otherwise they're easy to live with - normally easy to work on too.

I'd go more car. Subaru Forester. Roomy, great visibility, solid. Outstanding 4wd system.

Chuffmeister

3,597 posts

136 months

Monday 1st September 2014
quotequote all
ShaunTheSheep said:
I always think the only downside to a 4x4 is that it drives like a 4x4. Otherwise they're easy to live with - normally easy to work on too.

I'd go more car. Subaru Forester. Roomy, great visibility, solid. Outstanding 4wd system.
Or the Quattro, also an awesome AWD system!

lord trumpton

7,320 posts

125 months

Tuesday 2nd September 2014
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bmw x3 2.0d

TWPC

838 posts

160 months

Tuesday 2nd September 2014
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I've always thought the past couple of generations of Hyundai Santa Fe were good cars.

7 seats, 4wd, diesel so not too thirsty.

See this one for example:
http://www.evanshalshaw.com/vehiclesearch/used/hyundai-used-car-wj57zng.html

dazwalsh

6,095 posts

140 months

Tuesday 2nd September 2014
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The OH has a Ford kuga, and i actually like the thing, generous spec in titanium flavour, comfy and can swallow a good bit of kiddy crap. One of the better looking SUV's out there. Great stereo too.

woody2846

1,367 posts

149 months

Tuesday 2nd September 2014
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I have just done 1000 miles in a 10 plate Kia Sorrento. Quite impressed to be honest!

Fastdruid

8,623 posts

151 months

Tuesday 2nd September 2014
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How many miles are you planning on doing?

Despite the higher mpg if she's doing few miles you won't recoup the higher purchase price of a diesel. That is of course ignoring all the common failures (eg DMF's are a consumable that will bite typically every 40-80k).
So you get a newer/higher spec'd petrol car for the same money or a cheaper one of the same spec/age.

As an example I bought a 5 year old petrol Mondeo, it was ~3k cheaper than the (slower) diesel version. Even with the lower (estimated) sale price when I come to sell it the overall cost is cheaper.

Obviously if she's doing 40k/year it's very different but do the sums before you assume that just because the diesel gets better mpg it's cheaper.