Big boot, fun and reliable, not ruinous?
Discussion
Hello folks,
I currently drive a 13 year old Fabia Estate, which I bought a couple of years ago for £1500. It's not glamorous, but it's been solid, reliable and (so I thought) cheap to run.
I say cheap to run, but I've just looked through the receipts - it's cost me over £2.4k in two years in tax/ mot/ servicing/ consumables (cam belt, 4 tyres, rear pads & discs) and repairs! Even if it lasts another couple of years with minimal bills, that's approx £4.5k total for 4 years. That doesn't include fuel or insurance.
I'm looking toward its eventual replacement.
Single. No kids, none on the horizon. 12-15k a year personal miles, mostly long distance. Mostly 1 passenger + a bootload of climbing and camping junk. Occasionally 3 passengers but much less luggage. One trip a year to the Alps. I don't need a big car, I just need a big boot (and preferably one that's out of sight of thieves, so a hatchback with the seats folded down is not an option). I'm not a maniac, but I'd like something that can be driven 'with spirit' and overtake on the single carriageway. I like the pull of the turbo diesel.
What cars should I be looking at? I'm happy to buy new or used, spending anything between £1500 and £15000 cash, as long as it makes financial sense to do it. (But if I'm spending £15k, it had better not need another penny spent on it except servicing, and it had better depreciate slowly!)
I don't like the idea of leasing because a) I have the cash up front, b) I think I do too many miles, and c) I don't think I could keep a car in perfect nick.
The Octavia Scout appeals, but I'm probably deluding myself that I need a 4WD (although the higher clearance would come in handy for some of the rougher farm tracks and campsites). Haven't really looked at anything else.
I saw what seems to be a very good price on Drive the Deal for a Seat Ibiza SC at £8495, from a list price of over £12k, although the boot is way too small so that's out. I've never bought a new car before, but it seems like that could be very cheap motoring though?
I currently drive a 13 year old Fabia Estate, which I bought a couple of years ago for £1500. It's not glamorous, but it's been solid, reliable and (so I thought) cheap to run.
I say cheap to run, but I've just looked through the receipts - it's cost me over £2.4k in two years in tax/ mot/ servicing/ consumables (cam belt, 4 tyres, rear pads & discs) and repairs! Even if it lasts another couple of years with minimal bills, that's approx £4.5k total for 4 years. That doesn't include fuel or insurance.
I'm looking toward its eventual replacement.
Single. No kids, none on the horizon. 12-15k a year personal miles, mostly long distance. Mostly 1 passenger + a bootload of climbing and camping junk. Occasionally 3 passengers but much less luggage. One trip a year to the Alps. I don't need a big car, I just need a big boot (and preferably one that's out of sight of thieves, so a hatchback with the seats folded down is not an option). I'm not a maniac, but I'd like something that can be driven 'with spirit' and overtake on the single carriageway. I like the pull of the turbo diesel.
What cars should I be looking at? I'm happy to buy new or used, spending anything between £1500 and £15000 cash, as long as it makes financial sense to do it. (But if I'm spending £15k, it had better not need another penny spent on it except servicing, and it had better depreciate slowly!)
I don't like the idea of leasing because a) I have the cash up front, b) I think I do too many miles, and c) I don't think I could keep a car in perfect nick.
The Octavia Scout appeals, but I'm probably deluding myself that I need a 4WD (although the higher clearance would come in handy for some of the rougher farm tracks and campsites). Haven't really looked at anything else.
I saw what seems to be a very good price on Drive the Deal for a Seat Ibiza SC at £8495, from a list price of over £12k, although the boot is way too small so that's out. I've never bought a new car before, but it seems like that could be very cheap motoring though?
A friend of mine has had a few Imprezzas. He had trouble with them all, but I don't know if that's unlucky. Good call though. I hadn't thought of that.
MR2 - You must have travelled very light! Actually I'd thought of something like that, but I would have to learn to pack very efficiently. I do think I'd like to own something more fun than practical - at least once in my life - but at the same time it's a car that's going to take me to Scotland and the Lake District in all weathers, and with all manner of kit.
Depreciation - I had (perhaps naively) assumed that, with the right deal, I could buy a new car that would depreciate reasonably slowly. How about that Ibiza I mentioned? Anyone care to guess what that would be worth in 1/2/3 years?
MR2 - You must have travelled very light! Actually I'd thought of something like that, but I would have to learn to pack very efficiently. I do think I'd like to own something more fun than practical - at least once in my life - but at the same time it's a car that's going to take me to Scotland and the Lake District in all weathers, and with all manner of kit.
Depreciation - I had (perhaps naively) assumed that, with the right deal, I could buy a new car that would depreciate reasonably slowly. How about that Ibiza I mentioned? Anyone care to guess what that would be worth in 1/2/3 years?
Thanks for the suggestions. Keep 'em coming. The VAG estates are all on the list.
Absolute cheapest is not necessarily the aim - especially if it will come with big maintenance bills! Just 'good value'.
Had a look at that Honda. First impression is that it might struggle on rough ground!
Absolute cheapest is not necessarily the aim - especially if it will come with big maintenance bills! Just 'good value'.
Had a look at that Honda. First impression is that it might struggle on rough ground!
Hobojim said:
Octavia VRS with the better diesel engine. Boot is very well designed (largest in class?) and if you fold the rear seats down you can sleep in it no problem.
Huge boot, bigger than a contemporary Mondeo. Managed to squeeze in a double mattress with the sides squished up slightly. That's just the hatch.Funnily enough, when I had the same dilemma and did a lot of hiking/camping/mountain biking, I did that but I bought the petrol one. Depends on the miles you're doing but the petrol one's still not ruinous on fuel and I prefer it. It's no Elise and its weight counts against it a little in corners but it can be fun too.
£15k for one? Depreciate slowly?
Get an older one and enjoy it for what it's worth.Forester if the impreza doesn't float your boat.
Audi s6 or a big diesel. A8 will have a massive boot too.
Or a camper for weekends to avoid tenting and a small diesel (keep the fabia?) to cover the boring miles.
I really enjoy driving my van when heading out biking as I know where I'm heading is fun!
Audi s6 or a big diesel. A8 will have a massive boot too.
Or a camper for weekends to avoid tenting and a small diesel (keep the fabia?) to cover the boring miles.
I really enjoy driving my van when heading out biking as I know where I'm heading is fun!
Brand Spanking Skoda Octavia Scout on a Lease??
http://www.simpsonsskoda.co.uk/new-car-offers/octa...
http://www.simpsonsskoda.co.uk/new-car-offers/octa...
Hobojim said:
Octavia VRS with the better diesel engine. Boot is very well designed (largest in class?) and if you fold the rear seats down you can sleep in it no problem.
Rather than the VRS - have a look at the Octavia Scout Wagon - Haldex 4WD huge boot, higher ground clearance - (a little with suspension and then some with higher profile tyres) and if you can get one with the 1.9PD will be bulletproof. The 6 Speed diesel 140HP has good pickup with the turbo. There's also newer models with the 2.0 Turbo diesel, and later haldex systems. Cracking car...
Simes.
51mes said:
Hobojim said:
Octavia VRS with the better diesel engine. Boot is very well designed (largest in class?) and if you fold the rear seats down you can sleep in it no problem.
Rather than the VRS - have a look at the Octavia Scout Wagon - Haldex 4WD huge boot, higher ground clearance - (a little with suspension and then some with higher profile tyres) and if you can get one with the 1.9PD will be bulletproof. The 6 Speed diesel 140HP has good pickup with the turbo. There's also newer models with the 2.0 Turbo diesel, and later haldex systems. Cracking car...
Simes.
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