What is the best kiddy friendly family wagon now?
Discussion
ZesPak said:
Fish said:
Skoda Yeti, Octavia Scout or Subaru Forester Deisel?
One of these three, but for the towing of the 944, I'd pick something secondhand and big (Landcruiser and the like) [/thread]
Having convinced her to buy cheaper (private and second hand) last time, I fear my words may fall on deaf ears
Like the idea though!
? Hmm the smallest thing I've ever towed some significant weight with was a Merc C220 (163Bhp iirc), I think few of the "cheap and cheerie" (panda looking thing, multipla, yeti, octavia,...), that are otherwise perfect for you, would feel comfortable towing near 2 tons. You'd be looking at the more powerful diesel engines, which will be noticeable in the price.
A911DOM said:
300bhp/ton said:
Not too sure about the 3 seats (or the towing actually).
Thanks for your help Is that Fiats new answer to the classic Panda 4x4 of questionable repute?
They're barely wide enough for two adults in the front.The 3 proper seat issue is a biggy. AFAIK (and I looked at the start of this year) none of the mid-size fake 4x4s have 3 proper seats, and most of the full size ones don't either.
We ended up in an S-Max as the wife's car. She likes it because it feels small and is far easier to park than either my estate or our campervan both of which are actually smaller.
And I have (grudgingly
) come to admire its abilities, although it's far from perfect around town.Bill said:
A911DOM said:
300bhp/ton said:
Not too sure about the 3 seats (or the towing actually).
Thanks for your help Is that Fiats new answer to the classic Panda 4x4 of questionable repute?
They're barely wide enough for two adults in the front.The 3 proper seat issue is a biggy. AFAIK (and I looked at the start of this year) none of the mid-size fake 4x4s have 3 proper seats, and most of the full size ones don't either.
We ended up in an S-Max as the wife's car. She likes it because it feels small and is far easier to park than either my estate or our campervan both of which are actually smaller.
And I have (grudgingly
) come to admire its abilities, although it's far from perfect around town.An S-Max again had crossed my mind before, but was sadly crossed off the list due to the expense.
One of the big issues we face is that even buying a used motor here is a stratospherically expensive undertaking. I have no idea (other than the fact that buying a new car here in Belgium also incurs a very jolly 'First Owner' tax equivalent to something like 10-15% of the cost
) why there is such a false market here, but thats the way it is! So in summary, its f
g expensive to buy 'anything' here 
Nobody has made any particular comments on the new offerings from Kia and Hyunadai etc... Are they still manufacturers to be feared and avoided, or with the decent warranties offered on the new ones, are they a viable (and maybe even pleasurable) owning prospect?
excel monkey said:
Qashqai worth a look if you stay away from the Renault DCI engines?
More interesting to look at than a Scenic or Verso, cheap to buy, reasonable fuel economy, holds value well for a mass market car, seven seat model available, British built, what's not to like?
If you need to fit 3 kids in then you will have to use one of the back row of seats and then you will have very little luggage space. Not my idea of practical. More interesting to look at than a Scenic or Verso, cheap to buy, reasonable fuel economy, holds value well for a mass market car, seven seat model available, British built, what's not to like?
ZesPak said:
OP, you're from belgium?
So am I. Look for second hand in germany, the market there is much much better filled, lots of choice and import is near costless while the cars are often 10-20% cheaper.
'fraid so... Not far from Brussels.So am I. Look for second hand in germany, the market there is much much better filled, lots of choice and import is near costless while the cars are often 10-20% cheaper.
I tried to convince the Mrs to let me buy a Touareg or some such from the UK the last time, but the idea of re-registering and the tax issues bringing in a vehicle which was 'new to us' even if not brand new, was enough to put us off on that occasion.
I need to do some more investigations re Germany or Luxembourg etc - presumably the Cert of Conformity wouldnt be an issue on a nearly new car - so just need to check out the 'import tax issue'.
Im not quite sure how the authorities get away with it here in Belg. As Im sure you know, buying a second hand car also means paying 'new owner' tax which has only been changed in name as it was found to be illegal by the courts for Belgium to be charging for 'new vehicle' tax on every car purchase/sale to a new owner
A911DOM said:
Waugh-terfall said:
Was going to suggest a Citroen C-Crosser, but you don't want French, so, Mitsubishi Outlander, VW Touran? Freelander TD4.e?
Outlander was one on my hit-list to look at - Any good??? Have you tried looking at something like the "What Car" site for reviews - lots of photos so you get some idea of what may work.
A911DOM said:
Waugh-terfall said:
Was going to suggest a Citroen C-Crosser, but you don't want French, so, Mitsubishi Outlander, VW Touran? Freelander TD4.e?
Outlander was one on my hit-list to look at - Any good??? More info on the 85% towing rule here...
http://www.caravan-advice.co.uk/what-can-i-tow.htm...
According to this site, it looks like it is 85% of max kerb weight or towing capacity, whichever is the lowest amount.
As an example the highest towing capacity of the Rover 75 is 1600KG for the diesel. The car is heavy weighing over 2 tonnes, so the safe towing weight of this car would be 85% of 1600 kg = 1360Kg.
http://www.caravan-advice.co.uk/what-can-i-tow.htm...
According to this site, it looks like it is 85% of max kerb weight or towing capacity, whichever is the lowest amount.
As an example the highest towing capacity of the Rover 75 is 1600KG for the diesel. The car is heavy weighing over 2 tonnes, so the safe towing weight of this car would be 85% of 1600 kg = 1360Kg.
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