Large family car + long journeys - Page 1 - Car Buying

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hertsguy

Original Poster

4 posts

78 months

Monday 9th March 2020

Hi All

After being a reader for a while, I decided to write a post asking for your help.

I have accepted a job offer that will require me to drive nationally once or twice a week. We are a family of 4 (plus a grandma) that would like a car that would be a large family vehicle on weekends for nature trips plus my commute car. My dear wife is fixated on a petrol car.

With a budget around £8k, I was initially obsessed with a petrol Honda CR-V.

Autotrader lists plenty of large estates and SUV's that will be newer and with lover mileage comparing to what CR-V will cost.

Could you please point me in a right direction with a different choices?

5,407 posts

112 months

Monday 9th March 2020

I'd get an E Class estate. Massive boot and probably a much nicer car to drive and own than a jacked up hatchback.

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

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/202...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/202...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/202...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/202...

5,407 posts

112 months

Monday 9th March 2020

Have a look at Touaregs too. Can't rate them highly enough

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/202...

Pegscratch

1,872 posts

137 months

Monday 9th March 2020

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/202...

Simple enough car that drives well. Think it's just mapping as well to take it to 165+ as per the Sport Nav if you're worried about performance, but it's a really nice motor to drive. Running costs are far more reasonable than some of the now-cheap-to-buy German machinery.

hertsguy

Original Poster

4 posts

78 months

Monday 9th March 2020

Many thanks for your replies!

5,407 posts

112 months

Monday 9th March 2020

Pegscratch said:

Set of tyres on the Touareg in 2 years and 40k. Now at 110k and 9 years old and still faultless. It cost £10k 2 years ago and would just about sell for that now, so it's been as close to free to own as it gets. If it was my money though and I just wanted good transport, I'd probably go for one of these. I'd bet even with the mileage it'd still be solid and reliable for a long time.

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

Edited by aaron_2000 on Monday 9th March 14:54

journeymanpro

921 posts

106 months

Monday 9th March 2020

skoda superb estate

Jag_NE

3,339 posts

129 months

Monday 9th March 2020

hertsguy said:

OP, it sounds like you will be doing really big mileage. If you are, the cost premium for running the petrol may be relatively significant to you. Something like an Insignia or Mondeo hatch or estate would be my choice, ideal for thudding up and down the motorways and you will get a reasonably new one for your money.

MissChief

7,970 posts

197 months

Monday 9th March 2020

Driving nationally in a petrol? Like driving several hundred miles twice a month? Diesel every day surely?

Ford S-Max TDCi? https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/202...

Edited by MissChief on Monday 9th March 15:59

flatso

1,364 posts

158 months

Monday 9th March 2020

Consider a Merc Viano with the 3.0CDI engine.
If you need to drive long distances it will allow you to take the odd break and have a good nap in it, which is pure life quality.
If you have 2 kids and grandma tags along most 2 row cars will not accommodate all these passengers and their gear (nature trips) comfortably. If you have no sporty pretentions from the car, something like this or a VW T6 will fit the bill perfectly.

dai1983

3,186 posts

178 months

Monday 9th March 2020

Could get a luxury JDM people carrier and LPG it. My favourite is the Honda Elysion and comes in a 3.0 v6 that isn’t much more thirsty than the 2.4. It shuts one bank of pistons off while cruising.

Failing that I’d look at an Accord or Avensis estate.

Pistonheader101

2,206 posts

136 months

Monday 9th March 2020

how about a range rover 2.7 plenty of room to lug stuff in the back and its super comfortable

dmsims

7,445 posts

296 months

Monday 9th March 2020

Pistonheader101 said:

how about a range rover 2.7 plenty of room to lug stuff in the back and its super comfortable

Which petrol version is that ?

ZX10R NIN

30,521 posts

154 months

Monday 9th March 2020

hertsguy

Original Poster

4 posts

78 months

Tuesday 10th March 2020

Thanks for your input everyone!

My missus is a self proclaimed anti diesel gal. Whilst realizing the benefits of having diesel, this will probably be a political compromise smile

I will claim mileage for business trips so petrol expense will be mitigated to an extent.

Fastdruid

9,360 posts

181 months

Tuesday 10th March 2020

Ford S-Max. Plenty of room for Grandma. Available with the glorious 2.5T and best and most car like of the "given up on life" MPV's wink

Pegscratch

1,872 posts

137 months

Tuesday 10th March 2020

Fastdruid said:

Ford S-Max. Plenty of room for Grandma. Available with the glorious 2.5T and best and most car like of the "given up on life" MPV's wink

k that right off, even the eco-warrior petrol lump can't make it into 30s for MPG.

ZX10R NIN

30,521 posts

154 months

Tuesday 10th March 2020

hertsguy said:

Thanks for your input everyone!

My missus is a self proclaimed anti diesel gal. Whilst realizing the benefits of having diesel, this will probably be a political compromise smile

I will claim mileage for business trips so petrol expense will be mitigated to an extent.

5,407 posts

112 months

Tuesday 10th March 2020

Pistonheader101 said:

how about a range rover 2.7 plenty of room to lug stuff in the back and its super comfortable

He'll need to set some money aside to buy the horses required to pull it as the 2.7 isn't up to the job

mikeiow

8,142 posts

159 months

Tuesday 10th March 2020

Mad to fix on petrol, IMHO.
High miles - diesel all day long. Why is she so fixated on "not diesel"?
Diesel will get decent 30-40+ mpg on long runs....petrol you'll be facing more like 25-30 tops.
For me, just the bigger range of the tank is worth having diesel when we go on long runs.

SMax 2.0 Titanium for sheer carrying capacity - get most bells & whistles on the titanium model, fairly comfy.
Volvo XC60 if you want *really* comfy seats - great on a long run, again get things like adaptive cruise (on whatever you get!) to make those miles more relaxing and safe.
In contrast to another comment earlier, I much prefer the higher up position, again especially on longer runs. Maybe it's my age hehe

Taken both those to the Alps on long runs: for me (main driver) I find the Volvo seats far more comfortable, but the SMax is good enough.

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