Being driven slightly mad! Am I missing something?

[MrB.]

Ok, keep with me here. MrsB and I are adding a small one to our partnership (adoption, so not a baby) and I am giving up work to become a full-time dad. Our fleet currently has MrsB's Jeep Grand Cherokee, my 150k mile BMW X3 and my lovely old Bentley T2. Financially, going down to one salary means making a few sacrifices, hence the Bentley now being for sale, and I've just sold her 2014 Grand Cherokee.

My X3 is fine for me doing school runs and local running with the little 'un, but we need to find a replacement for the GC for a budget of £10k. So far, priorities are:

1. Must be auto
2. Cannot go above £10,000
3. Must have 5 doors, proper rear seats for 3
4. Wants to be an elevated driving position

We've looked at a BMW X1 (although I'm not sold on the looks, this was my front runner) but she found it "perfunctory" inside. Next candidate was either a Mini Paceman/Countryman. We've ruled out the Paceman because of 3 doors, and I'm nervous she'll find the Countryman too far a downward step from the GC to be really comfortable. She doesn't want an X3 like mine (although she quite likes mine), and I have an issue with cars that look like 4x4s that aren't (although I have suggested a Volvo V40 XC, but I fear that isn't high enough).

I suggested older, larger 4x4s (X5, ML) but I think she rather have a newer, lower mileage (I'd say no older than 2010/2011, with less than 60k).

I'm thinking Skoda Yeti, or perhaps revisiting the Countryman. Am I missing something else? Any thoughts? The GC goes this Saturday and I really want to sort something by next week.

[ZX10R NIN]

Firstly kudos to you for adopting as someone who was you will never know how much of a change you're making to that child's life but it'll be massive & appreciated (not all the time though) by them.

Right back to the car my suggestion is leftfield but it's a reliable option with a great amount of kit with very good fit but they are hard to find.

I know your budget is a hard 10k but haggling will get you bang on budget:

Infiniti EX

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

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

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

If you don't mind having something with more miles I think you could get this one for between 8.5-9k:

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

Or a Grand Cherokee Limited

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

Hyundai Santa Fe Premium

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

[FlatToTheMat]

ZX10R NIN said:

Hyundai Santa Fe Premium

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

I have one of these currently albeit a 3.5 Petrol as I live in the Middle East. We've had it a year so feel qualified to give some feedback.

My wife likes it, fairly car like to drive if a little wallowy in the corners, by no means a sports car but it is comfortable and very practical. Not all that big so easy to place as its not that wide. Its proven reliable and when it has needed things its been cheap to sort.

They are AWD but drive like a heavy FWD 90% of the time. 3rd row seats is surprisingly spacious and comfortable imo, i'm 5'10 and fit back there well enough for a couple of hours, 2nd row seats dont slide but the backrests are adjustable. Only the two outer rears on the middle row seats are isofix.

The one link by Ninja isnt a 7seater as per the ad, id personally seak out the 7 seater over the 5, the 5's boot is no bigger, only gaining a little space under the floor. Our 7 seater has a seperate ac blower that switched on and off from the front but controlled from the back. Its very strong and especially good for kids in the sun (May well be a ME option, ive not seen it on UK cars)

For the money I think they are hard to beat, although dont expect it to be exciting!

Edited by FlatToTheMat on Wednesday 30th January 12:48

[anonymous-user]

I have a V40 CC D3 and the extra 40mm over the normal model does make a difference. I have been over a few fields and down a few unmade tracks and it has coped well. There is a 4x4 version, but it is only in the T5 model.

[GreatGranny]

XC60?

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

They take the mileage very well.

I've had a few Volvos and 3 (XC90, V70 & 240) were on 100k+ miles when bought and I had zero issues.

[SWoll]

Avoid the Countryman like the plague. Bought one last year for the wife (54 plate Cooper SD) and it's a hateful thing that we will be getting rid of soon. Poor build, noisy, horrible steering and ride. Only positive thing I would say is that it is far more practical than I would have thought, basically a tardis on wheels.

How about a VW Tiguan or Touareg?

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

Edited by SWoll on Wednesday 30th January 16:34

Edited by SWoll on Wednesday 30th January 16:41

[Earthdweller]

We have a 17 plate countryman and it’s ace, really good car

Excellent build quality, really good handling, comfortable very economical and practical with sliding rear seat

It’s basically the same car as the new X1, built in the same factory in the Netherlands

Edited by Earthdweller on Wednesday 30th January 16:35

[eybic]

SWoll said:

Avoid the Countryman like the plague. ............ . Poor build, noisy, horrible steering and ride.

Edited by SWoll on Wednesday 30th January 16:34

Is it on Run Flats? they can lead to noise/ handling issues

[SWoll]

eybic said:

SWoll said:

Avoid the Countryman like the plague. ............ . Poor build, noisy, horrible steering and ride.

Edited by SWoll on Wednesday 30th January 16:34

Is it on Run Flats? they can lead to noise/ handling issues

Nope, and the ride is only a small part of the problem. It just feels horribly cheap and IMHO doesn't meet the OP's needs anyway (5 seats, elevated driving position)

[Iamnotkloot]

We got a Lexus RX 400h for family duties; you might be able to get an RX450h for your money.
Big, practical, luxurious and well built but a bit wallowy
- does what we wanted and surprisingly efficient.

[SWoll]

Earthdweller said:

We have a 17 plate countryman and it’s ace, really good car

Excellent build quality, really good handling, comfortable very economical and practical with sliding rear seat

It’s basically the same car as the new X1, built in the same factory in the Netherlands

Edited by Earthdweller on Wednesday 30th January 16:35

But not in budget? Cheapest 2nd gen 2017 onwards countryman is about £18k

Edited by SWoll on Wednesday 30th January 16:50

[MrB.]

ZX10R NIN said:

Firstly kudos to you for adopting as someone who was you will never know how much of a change you're making to that child's life but it'll be massive & appreciated (not all the time though) by them.

Right back to the car my suggestion is leftfield but it's a reliable option with a great amount of kit with very good fit but they are hard to find.

I know your budget is a hard 10k but haggling will get you bang on budget:

Infiniti EX

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

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

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

If you don't mind having something with more miles I think you could get this one for between 8.5-9k:

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

So, first of all, apologies for the late responses. We were down visiting our new daughter’s (still feels weird!) foster family. Thank you for your kind words!

The Infiniti just came onto my radar this morning! They deserve a closer look, so many thanks.

We’ve had an XC60 (changed it for the GC) and MrsB is a massive fan. It was a D5, so naturally, I only looked at them. Will maybe look at a D3 now.

The long journey we did today in the GC made us realise that downsizing isn’t for us, so the Countryman idea has faded. Thanks again everyone, big help with the suggestions! Keep them coming if you have any other thoughts!

[ZX10R NIN]

MrB. said:

So, first of all, apologies for the late responses. We were down visiting our new daughter’s (still feels weird!) foster family. Thank you for your kind words!

The Infiniti just came onto my radar this morning! They deserve a closer look, so many thanks.

We’ve had an XC60 (changed it for the GC) and MrsB is a massive fan. It was a D5, so naturally, I only looked at them. Will maybe look at a D3 now.

The long journey we did today in the GC made us realise that downsizing isn’t for us, so the Countryman idea has faded. Thanks again everyone, big help with the suggestions! Keep them coming if you have any other thoughts!

The EX is a very good car the bad part is finding one as they didn't sell loads & those that did seem to hold onto them, the D3 is okay but you do tend to work it harder than you'd expect, I like both but the Infiniti is where I'd look first, with the GC second.

[VAGLover]

MrB. said:

Ok, keep with me here. MrsB and I are adding a small one to our partnership (adoption, so not a baby) and I am giving up work to become a full-time dad. Our fleet currently has MrsB's Jeep Grand Cherokee, my 150k mile BMW X3 and my lovely old Bentley T2. Financially, going down to one salary means making a few sacrifices, hence the Bentley now being for sale, and I've just sold her 2014 Grand Cherokee.

My X3 is fine for me doing school runs and local running with the little 'un, but we need to find a replacement for the GC for a budget of £10k. So far, priorities are:

1. Must be auto
2. Cannot go above £10,000
3. Must have 5 doors, proper rear seats for 3
4. Wants to be an elevated driving position

We've looked at a BMW X1 (although I'm not sold on the looks, this was my front runner) but she found it "perfunctory" inside. Next candidate was either a Mini Paceman/Countryman. We've ruled out the Paceman because of 3 doors, and I'm nervous she'll find the Countryman too far a downward step from the GC to be really comfortable. She doesn't want an X3 like mine (although she quite likes mine), and I have an issue with cars that look like 4x4s that aren't (although I have suggested a Volvo V40 XC, but I fear that isn't high enough).

I suggested older, larger 4x4s (X5, ML) but I think she rather have a newer, lower mileage (I'd say no older than 2010/2011, with less than 60k).

I'm thinking Skoda Yeti, or perhaps revisiting the Countryman. Am I missing something else? Any thoughts? The GC goes this Saturday and I really want to sort something by next week.

Great work on the adoption, I wish you and your new family as the best.

[MrB.]

Many thanks for all the kind words about the adoption chaps. Really means a lot.

However, this car saga continues!!!! OK, I looked at the Infiniti's and I do like them, but I'm not sure they are quite "us". MrsB feels the same. Going back down the Volvo route had us looking at XC90s at the weekend, however, she feels the car is little too long for her, and we definitely don't need 7 seats. Also, I think she feels going back to an XC60 is a step backwards, and so we went back to square 1 again. Here it gets interesting......

I showed her a few cars on Autotrader and threw a Range Rover Sport into the mix, and she appears to be quite up for this. Talking to a few people, the TDV6 is best avoided, and a mate has just changed his FF TD6 for a TDV8 and is raving about it. Budget is £10,500 and we can sneak into a TDV8, but then I start looking at t'internet and am worried about what I read about them. AND THEN, just as I thought I was settled, up pops a 2007 Porsche Cayenne S (petrol) with a FPSH locally to us bang on budget.

FFS!!!! I know its Pistonheads, but, given the choice, Range Rover or Cayenne? We don't do silly miles, so the petrol isn't really an issue, but I don't want to buy a mechanical money-pit. Should I be avoiding LR products of 2007/2008 vintage?

[ZX10R NIN]

The Porsche can suffer with propshaft issues & the odd electrical gremling, they're really no better or worse than the RRS.


S Cayenne avoid the 4.5's they're troublesome the 4.8 is the way to go.

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

RRS

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

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

All three are worth a look.

[Car-Matt]

Octavia Scout

[Bumblebee7]

If selling the GC was mainly to free up some funds then I would suggest buying a RR or Cayenne is a bad idea as they are not cheap cars to run/maintain. IMO it defeats the object of selling a newer, more reliable car to fund the purchase of a cheaper, less reliable car.

In your position I think I would have my sights set firmly on the Skoda Yeti, it doesn't have too big a footprint but is spacious inside. It offers a slightly elevated driving position and reliability which in my view is key if trying to save money. The Octavia suggested above is also a great idea but it does have a larger footprint. VW Tiguan is another option and you could also look at Honda CRV's and Toyota Rav 4's although the latter does feel a bit utilitarian. The Kia sportage is also worth considering as is the new Hyundai Tucson but I fear this model is quite newly released so will most likely be just out of budget (the previous IX35 will be well in budget, but doesn't look even half as good).

Good luck with the car purchase and all the best to you and your family.

[MrB.]

Its not so much running costs, but getting rid of the finance payment every month that was the main criteria. Anyway, I spoke to a friend who has worked for LR for a considerable length of time, and he advised me against the RRS, so I went to look at a Cayenne 4.8S yesterday. It was a peach. Full main dealer history, last serviced in August 2018 (so not due until 8/20) and a lovely spec. It just lacked heated seats, but that is liveable with (my X3 doesn't have them).

But then, I spotted something in the corner, and had a look at that. Yes, the old faithful Volvo XC60 D5. Cheaper in every way, nice spec, a known quantity, and what seems to be a nice place to do business with. Long discussions with MrsB last night (we also learned that our daughter arrives mid-March, so time is of the essence now!) and showed her the car on t'internet. It was like watching someone fall for their first love again.

So chaps, after all the deliberations and swaying between everything from an economical little MINI to a 4.8 V8 Porsche, we seem to have settled on our old favourite and I hope to have a deal done today.

Many thanks for all the help and suggestions, and kind words about our impending family. Here's to you all.

[ZX10R NIN]

Glad you got sorted OP & now you can concentrate on the little one, all the best you your OH & new arrival.