What SUV upto £7k
Discussion
Having previously been tempted by a newer hybrid, I've changed my search a little and I'm now tempted to get something a bit older.
Requirements:
- Appeal: Not too plain or boring
- Interior: Nice interior with exec spec; heated seats essential (missed them in the last few cars)
- Frugality: Ideally mixed consumption of 35mpg or more. Anything that can get 50mpg on an eco long drive is a positive
- Boot space: 500L minimum, based on the current Zaff shed being near the minimum space we'd need
- VED: Nothing that gets near the £500 per year rate. Even if the economics work out against purchase cost, I couldn't abide it.
I don't really have it in me to list cars that I have ruled out, so I'm not really looking for a list of alternatives such as a plethora of Nissans or the like. It's more of a case of "why not" any of these, if anyone can help? I've added some of my thoughts, which might be unfounded, as I've only driven the XC60 and X5 in the past (but not owned).
E83 X3 3.0d example: https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
Pros: Decent engine/performance, pricing seems reasonable
Cons: Hit & miss on styling, most seem to say they have heated seats but can't see that it's the case from looking at the photos?
F25 X3 2.0d example: https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
Pros: Better economy & VED; Much better styling
Cons: Few in budget, heated seat issue again?
E53 X5 3.0d example: https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
Pros: Better styling than the X3, seem to have better spec, roomier
Cons: Older styling
XC60 D5 example: https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
Pros: Better looking and possibly more robust, very good load capacity
Cons: Have read about some of the more common failures, which could be expensive
They aren't necessarily the only options, and coming in under budget would be a bonus, but I would certainly like a more premium drive. A year or so ago, I had a ~2004 Maverick 3.0 V6 and drove a ~2005 X5 4.4; obviously it went like stink in comparison, but you could "feel" why it was a much more expensive vehicle from new, just from driving it a short distance. It felt like a very high quality machine. I'm not sure if much is lost in the diesel equivs though.
Same with the Volvos really - the XC90 is far too fugly for me to be drawn in by it, but the XC60 is a good looking and safe motor, with the D5 being a decent motor (although with some foibles). In that area, there is (for example) the drivE versions, but they seem to be a bit poverty spec - which from my experience of the C30 made a big difference to the feel of the car (the lower spec/ford engined versions felt awful in comparison).
The budget is the absolute ceiling. If I go above it, I'll be better to revert to the hybrid option as it'll offer economy. This lower budget is simply allowing me to use the rest of what I'd spend on other areas of life.
Requirements:
- Appeal: Not too plain or boring
- Interior: Nice interior with exec spec; heated seats essential (missed them in the last few cars)
- Frugality: Ideally mixed consumption of 35mpg or more. Anything that can get 50mpg on an eco long drive is a positive
- Boot space: 500L minimum, based on the current Zaff shed being near the minimum space we'd need
- VED: Nothing that gets near the £500 per year rate. Even if the economics work out against purchase cost, I couldn't abide it.
I don't really have it in me to list cars that I have ruled out, so I'm not really looking for a list of alternatives such as a plethora of Nissans or the like. It's more of a case of "why not" any of these, if anyone can help? I've added some of my thoughts, which might be unfounded, as I've only driven the XC60 and X5 in the past (but not owned).
E83 X3 3.0d example: https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
Pros: Decent engine/performance, pricing seems reasonable
Cons: Hit & miss on styling, most seem to say they have heated seats but can't see that it's the case from looking at the photos?
F25 X3 2.0d example: https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
Pros: Better economy & VED; Much better styling
Cons: Few in budget, heated seat issue again?
E53 X5 3.0d example: https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
Pros: Better styling than the X3, seem to have better spec, roomier
Cons: Older styling
XC60 D5 example: https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
Pros: Better looking and possibly more robust, very good load capacity
Cons: Have read about some of the more common failures, which could be expensive
They aren't necessarily the only options, and coming in under budget would be a bonus, but I would certainly like a more premium drive. A year or so ago, I had a ~2004 Maverick 3.0 V6 and drove a ~2005 X5 4.4; obviously it went like stink in comparison, but you could "feel" why it was a much more expensive vehicle from new, just from driving it a short distance. It felt like a very high quality machine. I'm not sure if much is lost in the diesel equivs though.
Same with the Volvos really - the XC90 is far too fugly for me to be drawn in by it, but the XC60 is a good looking and safe motor, with the D5 being a decent motor (although with some foibles). In that area, there is (for example) the drivE versions, but they seem to be a bit poverty spec - which from my experience of the C30 made a big difference to the feel of the car (the lower spec/ford engined versions felt awful in comparison).
The budget is the absolute ceiling. If I go above it, I'll be better to revert to the hybrid option as it'll offer economy. This lower budget is simply allowing me to use the rest of what I'd spend on other areas of life.
ninjag said:
Honda CRV and Subaru Forester both tick all boxes, have big enough boots and will leave plenty of change. The Honda is nicer inside but the Subaru will be better off-road.
I don't need to go off road, and having worked in a Subaru service environment I wouldn't touch anything they make with a bargepole. Edited by ninjag on Tuesday 6th November 20:57
I appreciate the reply, but those cars are the kind of thing I'd only consider if I'd had my soul sucked out. I'd go as far as saying that I hate Japanese cars.
Having since done a bit of research, though, it seems that the XC60 might be the only useful option - seems the BMWs have issues and poor economy.
cj2013 said:
I don't need to go off road, and having worked in a Subaru service environment I wouldn't touch anything they make with a bargepole.
I appreciate the reply, but those cars are the kind of thing I'd only consider if I'd had my soul sucked out. I'd go as far as saying that I hate Japanese cars.
Having since done a bit of research, though, it seems that the XC60 might be the only useful option - seems the BMWs have issues and poor economy.
I didn't realise that of Subaru's, are they really that bad? I appreciate the reply, but those cars are the kind of thing I'd only consider if I'd had my soul sucked out. I'd go as far as saying that I hate Japanese cars.
Having since done a bit of research, though, it seems that the XC60 might be the only useful option - seems the BMWs have issues and poor economy.
The CRV isn't the most fun car for sure although I wouldn't class Volvo as a hoot either but looking past the reliability issues I do like the XC60 and considered one myself when looking. I wanted petrol though and there weren't any near me. I also wanted a chain and not a belt.
Next time the 'family head' is going straight under the guillotine and it'll probably be something like the Cayenne Turbo. Sod it, what's the worst that can happen.....
ZX10R NIN said:
Kia Sorento
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
Vauxhall Antara SE
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
Again, thanks for the reply, but no.https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
Vauxhall Antara SE
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
No chance I'd call an 11 year old Kia 'premium', nor worth £540 worth of VED. Nor the Vauxhall. I'd pretty much want something that felt significantly better than the old Zafira I've been shedding around in (which is what you'd get with an X5 or XC60, but with very little else of that age/bracket).
The only other type of thing I've been considering has been the 508 SW/RXH or something like a 2008 or DS5, based purely on the spec and quality of the interior, even if the exteriors and reliability might be questionable.
ninjag said:
I didn't realise that of Subaru's, are they really that bad?
They're up there with me for cars that you'd only hear good things about, until you work at a dealer for them (like VW, for another).The "support" from Subaru (or, more accurately, IM Group) is appalling, and parts are a PITA to get hold of in comparison to other marques. What I basically learnt from 6 months in a Subaru environment was that they all seem to corrode in places they shouldn't (more underneath than visibly), break where they shouldn't, and offer very little value in terms of running costs (not that the owners seemed to suggest this, as they paid another £1200 for another annual service on a Subaru Popemobile).
I was surprised how easily the owners would spend £800+ on utter turds, with interiors like something you'd get in an Isuzu (another IM Group brand). I always thought I'd own an Impreza until I saw the reality of how the ownership seemed to go (no matter how good they sound).
ninjag said:
The CRV isn't the most fun car for sure although I wouldn't class Volvo as a hoot either but looking past the reliability issues I do like the XC60 and considered one myself when looking. I wanted petrol though and there weren't any near me. I also wanted a chain and not a belt.
Next time the 'family head' is going straight under the guillotine and it'll probably be something like the Cayenne Turbo. Sod it, what's the worst that can happen.....
I'm not necessarily looking for fun - since moving South I've lost my passion for driving - but more of comfort and refinement on long motorway jaunts. I would like to feel like I've spent the money on a much better product though, rather than changing just to get something newer/different.Next time the 'family head' is going straight under the guillotine and it'll probably be something like the Cayenne Turbo. Sod it, what's the worst that can happen.....
I'd potentially have been tempted by a bigger thirsty petrol (X5 4.4 or Cayenne) if I didn't have the long jaunts so often, but I can't be doing with spending £200 on fuel every time we need to go 200 mile up the road and back.
Mazda CX-7 comes under my "list of cars I didn't know existed".
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
Well priced and spec'd for the later diesels - just a shame even the extra-urban mpg doesn't crack 40.
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
Well priced and spec'd for the later diesels - just a shame even the extra-urban mpg doesn't crack 40.
Having had an X5 3.0diesel I can say for a fact that you'll get nowhere near 50mpg from it, tbh I would be amazed to see anything higher than mid 30's and around town 28-30mpg. It's a big heavy car, very nice inside and nice to drive but def not an eco mobile!
Have you considered a VW Tourag diesel? Well equiped, not too common? Still won't get anything like the mpg your after though. Cayennes are good, I had a turbo S and can be had for silly money now, but very high maintenance costs.... a bit more mainstream, but a Ford Kuga titanium spec? Much better on the economy aspect...
Have you considered a VW Tourag diesel? Well equiped, not too common? Still won't get anything like the mpg your after though. Cayennes are good, I had a turbo S and can be had for silly money now, but very high maintenance costs.... a bit more mainstream, but a Ford Kuga titanium spec? Much better on the economy aspect...
If you're considering a X5 then the Jeep Grand Cherokee is worth considering:
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
You'll see 30's with mixed driving which is the same as the X5 but they both weigh a lot.
The Mazda is a good pick but the engine from that era wasn't the (they did improve it so it may be worth checking when the update came out) best when it came to reliability but apparently an oil flush every other service helps matters as does going for the latest one possible:
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 want to spend around 5.5k like the one you linked to, why not go for one with nearly half the mileage:
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
You'll see 30's with mixed driving which is the same as the X5 but they both weigh a lot.
The Mazda is a good pick but the engine from that era wasn't the (they did improve it so it may be worth checking when the update came out) best when it came to reliability but apparently an oil flush every other service helps matters as does going for the latest one possible:
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 want to spend around 5.5k like the one you linked to, why not go for one with nearly half the mileage:
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
If you think Subaru's rust in places they shouldn't then wait until you experience Mazda rust.
It doesn't meet a lot of your requirements and the looks are a bit subjective but I cannot really see past the 3l petrol X3. Decent level of comfort and a nice smooth engine that is more economical than you would think (mid 30s with ease). I'd buy one over a 2l diesel every time.
It doesn't meet a lot of your requirements and the looks are a bit subjective but I cannot really see past the 3l petrol X3. Decent level of comfort and a nice smooth engine that is more economical than you would think (mid 30s with ease). I'd buy one over a 2l diesel every time.
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