A car for mum...

[EggsBenedict]

Mum's Kia C'eed diesel has just been written off in an accident (she's OK...), so she needs a new car...

Her driving is mixed, but importantly, she has a house in France which is about a day's drive away. So she needs a car that can cope on the motorway. We're probably looking at 2yr old cars. Must be reliable, solid, good on juice and reasonably mum-proof.

I started looking at Golfs before I realised that my knowledge of new-ish hatches was basically non-existent. I don't know if diesels are good or bad at the minute (got 2 diesels myself, along with the other 2 proper cars, but we won't be changing cars any time soon).

Anyone got any hints on what I should look for in the Golf-sized range?

Also particularly crap cars to avoid would be good

[Countdown]

Why not another Cee’d?

[steve-5snwi]

Or an i30... or a Focus. Buy the car based on the type of trips she does the most, don't go looking for something that offers 60mpg on a long run if it only does it once a year but spends 99% of the time covering 1 mile per day

[davamer23]

Another Ceed would be my choice, there’s loads of 2 year old models with the 1.0t Petrol in GT line spec.
That spec is really good and I think they look good too. Plus she will have the remainder of the 7 year warranty. With the new model out now there’ll likely be deals to be had.

[ZX10R NIN]

There are no really bad cars in this segment so it'll come down to what your mum likes best, personally I'd say another Cee'd they're very good cars & tick all the boxes in GT Line S form they come with pretty much every option ticked.

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

Auto

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

Or another great shout is the Astra in Elite Nav trim they're good VFM & as reliable as any Golf/Focus etc

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

Manual

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

BiTurbo

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

Focus Titanium X Nav

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

Alfa Giulietta QV Line

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

Collezione

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

Auto

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

If it has to be a VAG option then the Seat Leon FR Technology is the one to buy:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

[EggsBenedict]

Cheers guys, good thoughts...

Nobody saying Nissan Quashquai or Ford Ecosport?

Definitely look at another Cee'd then - sounds like a good option..

[davamer23]

Don’t let her buy an Ecosport.

[GreatGranny]

EggsBenedict said:

Cheers guys, good thoughts...

Nobody saying Nissan Quashquai or Ford Ecosport?

Definitely look at another Cee'd then - sounds like a good option..

They aren't for a reason :-)

What about an HR-V?

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

[EggsBenedict]

Good shout, thanks!

Some really good suggestions - I'll take mum out on Sat and have a look around. She's never had an SUV, but might be easier to get in and out of as she gets on, so that's why I put that type in as a possible.

[S54Love]

Thought about a CX5?

Petrols:
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

Diesels:
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

[Pica-Pica]

davamer23 said:

Don’t let her buy an Ecosport.

..and don’t let her buy a Qashqai.

[Pica-Pica]

EggsBenedict said:

Good shout, thanks!

Some really good suggestions - I'll take mum out on Sat and have a look around. She's never had an SUV, but might be easier to get in and out of as she gets on, so that's why I put that type in as a possible.

Don’t kill her off yet! I have seen plenty of 70 year olds, maybe 80 year olds in sports cars.

[HustleRussell]

Will keep an eye on this as I am looking for cars for my Mum too.

I have seen the Kia Rio recommended here as oft-forgotten sensible Korean. Overlooked in favour of the C'eed.

I drove an i30 hire car earlier in the year and couldn't fault it.

The Fiats are really cheap and apparently aren't as shonky as they were back in the day. I think my Mum would quite like the Punto, they're quite handsome really with unfussy styling unlike most other modern cars which look like transformers.

If you want an elevated driving position, Skoda Yeti? Kia Soul?

[kieranblenk]

davamer23 said:

Don’t let her buy an Ecosport.

Seconded.

[33q]

1.2 Yeti

Personally the DSG.....but there have been some issues so check it out

[HustleRussell]

Pica-Pica said:

davamer23 said:

Don’t let her buy an Ecosport.

..and don’t let her buy a Qashqai.

Just so I know, are these actually bad cars or is this just PH bias against 'soft-roaders'?

[irocfan]

I had a 500X as a courtesy car - hatefu, creaky thing

[EggsBenedict]

Pica-Pica said:

EggsBenedict said:

Good shout, thanks!

Some really good suggestions - I'll take mum out on Sat and have a look around. She's never had an SUV, but might be easier to get in and out of as she gets on, so that's why I put that type in as a possible.

Don’t kill her off yet! I have seen plenty of 70 year olds, maybe 80 year olds in sports cars.

Ha! I know: MX-5,right?

She's a spry old bird, but time has taken toll on knees and hips a bit. Lots of good suggestions - off down the Kia place now - there's lots of neighbouring other dealers too, so I'll have a look around.

[gareth_r]

In normal use, does the car always do trips that guarantee no DPF regen problems?

Auto or manual? If auto, would a DCT possibly be a source of expensive out-of-warranty failure?

[HustleRussell]

Did you reach a conclusion EggsBenedict?