Yet Another What Car?! - something special?

[fitz1985]

Potentially that time in the next few months. The next big bill will see the Vectra go, if It passes MOT ok in Jan I'll run it most of next year but want something in mind if it suddenly lets me down.

Budget is between £3-6K really, I'd go a little more for something with obvious long term benefits (IE really low mileage, new tech engine...etc)

My commute and most journeys are exclusively A roads, but I'd like something that makes me take the windy detour on a Friday evening. I like my Vectra so it doesn't 'have' to be a balls out fantastic car

Main Requirements
- Comfort / lack of roadnoise, My family are spread out so regularly do longer journeys.
- 40+ mpg, sadly due to my commute that is necessary, perhaps live with SLIGHTLY less for something special
- able to sit 4 adults when needed, doesn't need to be huge though and a reasonable boot as I carry a little bit for work regularly, don't need something as big as the Vectra though.
- No Fords (I had a recent bad experience and just don't like new models)
- I'd like to try and pay some homage to being environmentally considerate, doesn't mean I want a prius and its all about total impact, so if its a older car to run longer, or an engine that is likely to complete a higher mileage fine, basically all after real world impact not a marketing figure.
- Would need to be 'safer' than the Vectra B I have, and also have ISOfix in the rear.


I'm just after something that has a little something about it that makes it a bit special, It can be looks / design / engine / package. I don't drive fast so handling balance is FAR more important.

After some suggestions as my sensible and boring side basically says I like my Vauxhall's (sorry!) so options at the moment are a Late Astra H Estate, or stretch the budget for a CDTI Astra J estate and run it into the ground for years.

Had a look at a Clio today, and seemed ok but not sure I'd get on with the driving position (didn't take it for a spin) only thing that got me was I got the impression if you have anyone over 5'5 in the front seat you have literally no leg room in the rear. Panda 100HP looks great on paper but I need a bigger boot with the rear seats up.

So PH what you say? as an Idea i'm a little humble so I consider the chrome dial surrounds on a S60 a 'special' touch

Edited by fitz1985 on Saturday 5th October 16:43

[flatso]

Left field.....Citroen C5 ideally with the HP susprension. Strong HDI engines, amazing waftability, reliability is better than what is generally thaught and in my opinion the design (of the newer model) is rather attractive. It really is a special car amongst the hordes of appliances out there.

[fitz1985]

You bad man, I quite like a lot of the interior touches on the new one. Bit scared of expensive issues on one 70K+ miles? - much more so suspension / electronics than the HDI engine that's known to be good

[jamieduff1981]

Practically all of your requirements are at the opposite end of the scale to where most peoples' idea of a "special" car would sit

Toyota Prius?

A hybrid? Ticks all your boxes and has a technically interesting drivetrain...

[fitz1985]

jamieduff1981 said:

Practically all of your requirements are at the opposite end of the scale to where most peoples' idea of a "special" car would sit

Toyota Prius?

A hybrid? Ticks all your boxes and has a technically interesting drivetrain...

I think that is where I am stuck a bit really. There are a lot of cars that are a little fun and quirky for my daily commute, but are then absolutely rubbish at longer journeys, going on holiday in uk etc. A perfect opportunity for two cars, but sadly space and doubling up of fixed costs mean its not appropriate.

I think I really mean something with some nice touches like the C5 actually, just some nice design touches really and a little bit more interesting than say a 5 door astra / golf.

ETA: a new astra tourer with the new turbo charged 1.4 engine would be 'ideal' for me, they just don't sell it in the uk

[jamieduff1981]

Yep. It's not a sports car you need, so a non-obvious family car would fit the bill better

[flatso]

Two of the large german motoring magazines did long term tests on the C5 and it scored above average in reliability....and you know how keen they are to praise french cars. The HP suspension has been reliable for the past 10-15 years (guaranteed for 200 000km), and even if something does go wrong, the suspension spferes are relatively cheap.
Honestly, the ride comfort in these things is in a different league, the ride feels luxurious. They are cheap to buy as well now! If the tourer was a bit larger I would've had one long time ago.

Cheers