Two cars down to one.
Discussion
So my Volvo V50 has annoyed me for the final time. My fault to be fair, my journeys have changed so having a diesel with a DPF is just asking for trouble. Had to replace the DPF 16,000 miles ago and its playing up again so time to go.
Talked to the Boss and since she only does around 1500 mile per year in her Fiesta, it makes sense to sell mine and hers and buy just one car for us both. However...
It has to be an Estate/SUV as we have a large dog. Has to be petrol. Has to be auto (Mrs has an auto license only). Has to be a reasonable size as Mrs has only ever driven a Fiesta and says she wouldn't be comfortable driving or parking something too large, she's only been driving a few years. Budget is 7k give or take 1k as we don't really want to finance.
I've looked at a 2014 Focus Estate 1.6 which Mrs loved but a 1.6 petrol in a car that size seems abit underpowered to me. We go to Scotland 3 times a year (7+ hour drive) and I think that lack of go would quickly get very annoying to me.
Also looked at a 2011 Skoda Octavia 1.8TSI Estate. I loved it. Mrs though put off by the badge (Crazy if you ask me!) and thinks it was too big for her (again, crazy)
Trying to avoid anything French as bad past experiences and anything that would kill the wallet on servicing or repairs.
So... Anyone have any other suggestions? After 2 days trawling Auto Trader and EBay, I'm beginning to think it's a lost cause.
Talked to the Boss and since she only does around 1500 mile per year in her Fiesta, it makes sense to sell mine and hers and buy just one car for us both. However...
It has to be an Estate/SUV as we have a large dog. Has to be petrol. Has to be auto (Mrs has an auto license only). Has to be a reasonable size as Mrs has only ever driven a Fiesta and says she wouldn't be comfortable driving or parking something too large, she's only been driving a few years. Budget is 7k give or take 1k as we don't really want to finance.
I've looked at a 2014 Focus Estate 1.6 which Mrs loved but a 1.6 petrol in a car that size seems abit underpowered to me. We go to Scotland 3 times a year (7+ hour drive) and I think that lack of go would quickly get very annoying to me.
Also looked at a 2011 Skoda Octavia 1.8TSI Estate. I loved it. Mrs though put off by the badge (Crazy if you ask me!) and thinks it was too big for her (again, crazy)
Trying to avoid anything French as bad past experiences and anything that would kill the wallet on servicing or repairs.
So... Anyone have any other suggestions? After 2 days trawling Auto Trader and EBay, I'm beginning to think it's a lost cause.
Summit_Detailing said:
The first things to come to mind are -
Octavia TSi
Mondeo 2.0/2.5
Accord 2.0
Legacy 2.5
cheers
Chris
Legacy, yes; the 2.5... not so much. Lots of broken ones Octavia TSi
Mondeo 2.0/2.5
Accord 2.0
Legacy 2.5
cheers
Chris
Don't touch the diesels, either. But a 2 litre (a little underpowered compared to the others in the range, but nice handling still) or the 3 litre UK cars or the JDM 2 litre turbos are great 
There's plenty of room in them, but surprisingly "small" feeling to drive, they are just that bit narrower than many similar size cars.Trevor555 said:
For £8,000 I'd be looking at a Skoda Fabia 1.2 SE estate with DSG.
Get the 108bhp one.
Mk3 which is 2015 onwards.
Dirt cheap RFL, VW engineering.
Convince her to get over the badge.
Good call! Get the 108bhp one.
Mk3 which is 2015 onwards.
Dirt cheap RFL, VW engineering.
Convince her to get over the badge.
When I read it I thought 1.2 with just 108bhp.. Nah.
Looked at the actual figures though and it's surprisingly nippy with great MPG. Much better than the 1.6 Focus.
One to definitely add to the list. Thanks.
CoreyDog said:
Trevor555 said:
For £8,000 I'd be looking at a Skoda Fabia 1.2 SE estate with DSG.
Get the 108bhp one.
Mk3 which is 2015 onwards.
Dirt cheap RFL, VW engineering.
Convince her to get over the badge.
Good call! Get the 108bhp one.
Mk3 which is 2015 onwards.
Dirt cheap RFL, VW engineering.
Convince her to get over the badge.
When I read it I thought 1.2 with just 108bhp.. Nah.
Looked at the actual figures though and it's surprisingly nippy with great MPG. Much better than the 1.6 Focus.
One to definitely add to the list. Thanks.
My missus has one, albeit a manual version, and Monte Carlo spec.
Every time I drive it I still can't believe how good they are for a £20 Rfl car, and spacious for what is really supposed to be a small car.
Nippy, economical, very good standard spec.
Standard equip even includes the auto emergency braking and smartlink for your mobile (puts google maps up on the touch screen)
Trevor555 said:
CoreyDog said:
Trevor555 said:
For £8,000 I'd be looking at a Skoda Fabia 1.2 SE estate with DSG.
Get the 108bhp one.
Mk3 which is 2015 onwards.
Dirt cheap RFL, VW engineering.
Convince her to get over the badge.
Good call! Get the 108bhp one.
Mk3 which is 2015 onwards.
Dirt cheap RFL, VW engineering.
Convince her to get over the badge.
When I read it I thought 1.2 with just 108bhp.. Nah.
Looked at the actual figures though and it's surprisingly nippy with great MPG. Much better than the 1.6 Focus.
One to definitely add to the list. Thanks.
My missus has one, albeit a manual version, and Monte Carlo spec.
Every time I drive it I still can't believe how good they are for a £20 Rfl car, and spacious for what is really supposed to be a small car.
Nippy, economical, very good standard spec.
Standard equip even includes the auto emergency braking and smartlink for your mobile (puts google maps up on the touch screen)
Volvo V60 T4- I would sell you mine but you have specified auto so that's out of the equation.
My rationale is petrol engine with 180bhp
plenty of boot space for the dog
comfortable ride
Mine on a 61 plate was around 8k with 61000 miles on the clock and although its slightly larger than your V50 it has front and rear sensors and reverse camera which makes for easy parking.
My wife seems similar to yours with her car experience, she has never had anything bigger than a focus really but she is happy driving my car because of the extra sensors and safety features which come with Volvos which appeal to her so the size doesn't put her off.
My rationale is petrol engine with 180bhp
plenty of boot space for the dog
comfortable ride
Mine on a 61 plate was around 8k with 61000 miles on the clock and although its slightly larger than your V50 it has front and rear sensors and reverse camera which makes for easy parking.
My wife seems similar to yours with her car experience, she has never had anything bigger than a focus really but she is happy driving my car because of the extra sensors and safety features which come with Volvos which appeal to her so the size doesn't put her off.
Thanks for all the great suggestions so far everyone.
Have to admit I'm taken with the Fabia and after showing Mrs a few pictures, she quite likes them aswell! Going to have to pass the dog test first but think he should just about fit.
James, got to admit if had been auto I may have taken your hand off. Unfortunately with Lizzie only having an auto license it limits us abit, especially when comes to petrol. Found hundreds of diesel estates that fit the bill but then I'd face same issue I'm having with my V50. I hate DPFs...
Have to admit I'm taken with the Fabia and after showing Mrs a few pictures, she quite likes them aswell! Going to have to pass the dog test first but think he should just about fit.
James, got to admit if had been auto I may have taken your hand off. Unfortunately with Lizzie only having an auto license it limits us abit, especially when comes to petrol. Found hundreds of diesel estates that fit the bill but then I'd face same issue I'm having with my V50. I hate DPFs...
I feel your pain noticed its very hard to find a decent size petrol estate, then to have, to have be auto as well that is a difficult search. I was looking for an estates not so long ago, but i have decided i can get away with a saloon. I personally think a Accord is a great shout out i know a couple of people with them one own a auto 2.4 petrol and the other a auto 2.2 diesel they both get around the same MPG on their drive to work what is 15 miles on A roads. The lad with the diesel wishes he got a manual as the auto box and diesel pairing ruins the MPG.
A legacy is a great shout i tempted myself with a JDM twin scroll. What about a Toyota Avensis?
A legacy is a great shout i tempted myself with a JDM twin scroll. What about a Toyota Avensis?
kieranblenk said:
+1 for the Fabia, my Monte Carlo hatch has been great in over 2 years and 22k miles.
Another option to look at is the similarly sized Seat Ibiza Sport Tourer - same engine and drive train but more stylish. Likewise, check out the slightly bigger Leon ST as they are cracking value.
Plus another for the Fabia. We have a 6 year old 1.2 Tsi. Cracking car.Another option to look at is the similarly sized Seat Ibiza Sport Tourer - same engine and drive train but more stylish. Likewise, check out the slightly bigger Leon ST as they are cracking value.
CoreyDog said:
Thanks for all the great suggestions so far everyone.
Found hundreds of diesel estates that fit the bill but then I'd face same issue I'm having with my V50. I hate DPFs...
Found hundreds of diesel estates that fit the bill but then I'd face same issue I'm having with my V50. I hate DPFs...
ninjag said:
defblade said:
Legacy, yes; the 2.5... not so much. Lots of broken ones Don't touch the diesels, either.
Really - I thought the Subaru's were pretty bomb proof & reliable (other than the diesels of course). Good to know as I was eying a 2.5 Outback for £6k on a 12 plate. Seemed cheap Don't touch the diesels, either. I'd say the Focus with the 1.6T 125 in Titanium trim is a good call:
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
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