Which SUV/Family Car

[Kingdom35]

So the story is...we have a 6mth old and 2 3 door cars...plus I have a bad back.

Were looking to get rid of my partners 3 door Corsa (cant wait, hate the thing - gutless and boring - 06 plate 104k - decent condition and well looked after)....and upgrading to an SUV....the missus hates estates and saloon's so basically no point in even talking about them.

So far Sportage, CX-5 and Merc B Class are on the list (B Class is her favourite).

Budget is £12k, usuage 8-10k miles a year.

Ive been looking at the Sportage Trim 2 in Petrol (after the recent VED changes) 2014 (facelift, nicer alloys) no more than 40k
CX-5 around 45-60k - Petrol - hoped for the Sat Nav version or Lux (not a fan of the 19s on the Sport) - 63reg
B Class - Petrol 1.6 - heard the Sport is horrible to drive due to suspension, but love the look.

Main aspects desirable - best kit as standard, Sat Nav isn't a must, Parking sensors are, rear camera a bonus, boot space anything over 450L (I have a Civic 3 door and cant see anything that matches that space but 3 door Type S), decent ride not too firm or spongey, practical, kid friendly (we will have another in the 2 years).

Head says Sportage, prefer the CX-5 as I believe the petrol is more punchy and more economical.

Just seeing what else is out there and peoples thoughts...ive looked at real mpg on Honest John and tbh not sure how accurate that is but anything above 35mpg would be good.
In the week it will get a few 10mile runs, weekends anything from 50miles to 500-600 on a long weekend away

Thoughts and experiences welcome.

[Kingdom35]

seadragon said:

Well I would avoid the Merc, unless you can afford the servicing/parts prices.

I went down the suv/estate decision route over a long few months and ended up with an estate, which I love, but I researched all the cars you mentioned too. I have a bad back and the estate is easier for loading stuff on the roof and for getting in and out of.

It comes down to what you can afford, which fuel etc etc. I wanted petrol and am glad I went for it.

Of the SUVs I looked at the top ones were the Cx5 (great reviews) and also the Renault Kadjar and Nissan Qashqai. The Renault and Nissan are the same car underneath.

Not sure about the Sportage, but they generally aren’t that great on fuel consumption in recent years. The Skoda Yeti Outdoor doesn’t grab everyone, but I kinda like it.

I would go for the CX5 if I had to choose an SUV (assuming I didn’t have the money to buy a Porsche Macan GTS haha).

Good luck

Thank you. Makes sense. Like you, I like to do my research...what I have found is over the last few months prices seem to have jumped a little on the second hand market...perhaps its my sole focus now on petrol, whereas before I was angling at diesel and then to prevent the dpf clogging id drive the car to work a few days a week...but overall that's defeating the object.

Ive seen a few petrol examples of the CX-5 under 13k (was hoping they would be closer to the 12k mark, then negotiate down a little)...which doesn't fill me with much confidence il be able to obtain one.

Sportage Trim2 the same...

B Class - I see your point, this is the angle I would be coming from to justify to the wife.

Trouble here is I don't mind estates and for my budget I could get a host of decent ones - Audi Avant, Merc C and BMW 3 Series...but then were still stuck with a 3 door for the wife.

All fun and games I guess though and looking to purchase End of May/Beginning of June so still time for the prices to lower after the latest reg.

My friend is getting a new Sportage on a decent Lease deal at £210 but me personally I hate wasting money and don't care about the "owning a new car" view. Although the cars you can get and the tech levels had me tempted a bit.

[Kingdom35]

seadragon said:

Well you seem to know your stuff too. I wasn’t a fan of estates, as very few grab me. I need to have the looks as well as the practicality. I ended up with a Golf R estate and I really like it. It was a one off chance to get something special and plus I got a 20% discount from new, so it was too good to pass up.

If I was spending your money, I would either go for the CX5 if I wanted the SUV. For the estate, the Seat Exeo has always appealed. I have seen one or 2 sporty ones that look pretty good.

Edited by seadragon on Monday 20th March 16:07

Edited by seadragon on Monday 20th March 16:08

Thanks...I used to have a Mk4 Golf myself, loved it...love the brand. That estate sounds great and 20% discount exceptional.

For me its a case of Kia 3yr old 4 years left of the warranty against a CX5 out of warranty and about 15k (1-2yrs extra mileage on) for the same money.
Its difficult, I think we will be fine with either...I was just seeing if there was an Alternative. Tiguans all seem to be diesels, CRV very uneconomical and Qash well I'm not keen.

[Kingdom35]

ZX10R NIN said:

With your budget I'd actually suggest a Mazda5 rather than a CX5 you'll get a fully loaded one with Nav/Leather/Electric sliding doors (handy when you;ve got your hands full) in Sport Venture Trim you'll have to find one but I think they fit your requirements & it's more practical than the CX5.

2014 Mazda 5 Sport Venture 28k FMSH

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2017...

Edited by ZX10R NIN on Monday 20th March 21:41

Thanks...didn't think about one of these...probably not going to be our cup of tea to be honest. But il take a look none the less :-)

[Kingdom35]

seadragon said:

Yes it’s a tough choice for sure. My gf has had a sporty Audi cabrio, trucks etc etc, but she swears her favourite car so far was the Kia Sorrento. Yes they don’t look amazing, but felt like a proper luxury vehicle.

Good luck with your decision

Think the Sorrento would be the natural progression as our family grows

[Kingdom35]

ZX10R NIN said:

I know a MPV isn't the first choice but space spec (Sensors Nav DAB Xenons Heated Seats etc) & money wise it's hard to look past one.

I see your point, trouble is the only MPV to me that I like is the B Class and that doesn't have the greatest reviews at time. But then we shall see

[Kingdom35]

mightymouse said:

Have you thought about a Skoda Yeti 1.2 Petrol SE or even a higher spec one ?

Really not a fan....ive heard good reviews but they just look like a mobility vehicle for me :-/

[Kingdom35]

Willy Nilly said:

Smax by miles.

7 seater, Not for us. Thanks though

[Kingdom35]

ZX10R NIN said:

I hear you but as I said earlier get your buggy & seats visit a few local showrooms at which point you might just be surprised at how a Mazda5 type of car might be the car you need but not the car you want.

This is a fair point, its the stuggle of what you want against what you need I suspect. Weve visisted CarGiant so far as they have a wide selection but we only looked at the B Class, Sportage and Qashqai as you know what those places are like, packed and even then we spent 4hrs around the place

[Kingdom35]

ZX10R NIN said:

Yes that happens when you're browsing rather than looking at specific cars, I get it's a pain but go there with two sets of keys & the buggy the Mazdas are all in one section you can back to back between the CX5/Mazda5 etc so you could get in & out in an hour.

An alternative is a Mondeo estate in a high trim level.

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2017...

Or while you're at Car Giant take a look at the CX-7

2011 CX-7
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2017...

2012 CX-7
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2016...

That's a fair point, you know the system...2 lots of keys...id actually go as far as getting 4 lots of keys and going back and forth between say the B Class, CX5, Sportage and one other like the 5

We shall see...ive actually been offered a new shape Sportage Trim 2 (which they've upped their game - Apple Airplay and Sat Nav as standard compared to the old shape neither) for 17.5k brand new :-/

[Kingdom35]

ZX10R NIN said:

It seems like a good deal but it still depends on the space you'll require

Well we plan on having another baby in about a year/year and a half.
Its more easy of getting the kids in, nice trips away with no worries about boot space

Ive actually been contacted by a Kia Dealer after asking them about a pre-reg 17 ready for August and been offered one now with a max 2k mileage for £16.5k.
That's a 20% saving off list price with the car having done probably half the miles I would have done in that space of time.
I'm really tempted now to do that. As the deal can be secured with a £500 deposit, I have plenty of time to save the extra amount needed and possibly no loan.

But part of me thinks, is it worth now waiting as these deals maybe more common.
I will bend the ear of the local dealers at kia I think.
I worked out that I would probably be around £2k up on the depreciation levels also. As a current 2014 in 3 years has lost close to 40% depreciation.

[Kingdom35]

Kingdom35 said:

Well we plan on having another baby in about a year/year and a half.
Its more easy of getting the kids in, nice trips away with no worries about boot space

Ive actually been contacted by a Kia Dealer after asking them about a pre-reg 17 ready for August and been offered one now with a max 2k mileage for £16.5k.
That's a 20% saving off list price with the car having done probably half the miles I would have done in that space of time.
I'm really tempted now to do that. As the deal can be secured with a £500 deposit, I have plenty of time to save the extra amount needed and possibly no loan.

But part of me thinks, is it worth now waiting as these deals maybe more common.
I will bend the ear of the local dealers at kia I think.
I worked out that I would probably be around £2k up on the depreciation levels also. As a current 2014 in 3 years has lost close to 40% depreciation.

I was thinking the exact same....the above sounds good...but right now its the end of March...in time surely the offer would be better closer to August. So for me as I don't like the colour he is offering, I will dig around the local dealers and see what they can come up with on perhaps ex-demo's or pre-reg 17 plates....I will look at other cars like the Ateca and CX-5's as well

[Kingdom35]

ZX10R NIN said:

You'll probably find a better deal nearer to August

Stupid question coming up, but are you saying the dealers can pre-reg all the way up to August and so a deal that looks good now at the end of March, will look better come August (will be cheaper)...?!

[Kingdom35]

schmunk said:

If you're planning on having 3 modern car seats, you'll be best with one of:

• Ford S-Max (or Galaxy if you must)
• Citroen C4 (Grand) Picasso
• LR Discovery
• Volvo XC90
• VW Sharan / Seat Alhambra
• Kia Carens (but *why*?)

Almost every other car you can imagine will be a struggle.

Edited by schmunk on Friday 24th March 17:15

See your point. But the back seats will be exclusive for the kids...no one else so the Sportage will be enough for instance

[Kingdom35]

ZX10R NIN said:

No I'm saying you'll find ex demos & pre regs that haven't sold nearer to August.

I see, that's good then. I'm going to wait it out. See whats about. Thanks for the advice

[Kingdom35]

PomBstard said:

Having run the CX5's big brother, CX9, for a year, and looked at possibly getting a CX5 for Mrs PB I'd go for the Mazda. CX9 never felt less than completely reliable and tough, piece of cake to drive too for such a big thing and very well thought out inside. CX5 felt good too, and would be in the mix with a Forester if either were available over here with a decent petrol engine and manual box combo...

Not heard of the CX9 :-/