What SUV upto £7k

[SlowV6]

What is your annual mileage and how is that made up? Do you do mainly long runs or mainly short runs with a few long trips?

I don't think you will get 50mpg out of an SUV and one big (probably diesel related) bill will wipe out any cost savings over something NA petrol.

Another vote for the Lexus RX400H for me (unless your mileage is made up mainly of long runs in which case a diesel would be better)

[cj2013]

samj2014 said:

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.

So what do you need an 'suv' for?

Because I'd like a Sporty-looking utility vehicle?

Would you rather I said that I'd like an estate car with more ground clearance and load height, like we're playing a game of Taboo and the chosen phrase is "SUV"?

(the majority of SUVs are branded "not suitable for off-road purposes" by their manufacturer)

ZX10R NIN said:

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.

Thanks - yeah I've considered it, but an old boss of mine had one and found parts very difficult to get hold of. Maybe things have changed, I don't know. I just can't say that I would feel overly enthralled by an American car, despite having looked at the Voyager/Cherokee/Compass types in the past.

ZX10R NIN said:

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...

The link was just an example, to be honest. There seem to be lots of decent ones around, but with prices varying from £4.5k to £7k - for very little reason at all (not link to mileage, but just the whim of the seller).

nunpuncher said:

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.

I haven't seen any that look rusty yet - I'd assumed they follow the Ford trends, with the whole rustiness thing dying out in the mid 00's?

As for the X3, as previously mentioned, the spec just seems to be very rare in terms of the heated seats. I know it's not an issue to many, but it'll sow a seed of regret if I don't get something with them. The change is more of desire than requirement, so it's easier to not bother than to get something that isn't really what I want, if that makes sense?

SlowV6 said:

What is your annual mileage and how is that made up? Do you do mainly long runs or mainly short runs with a few long trips?

I don't think you will get 50mpg out of an SUV and one big (probably diesel related) bill will wipe out any cost savings over something NA petrol.

The commute is only between 10-20 miles per day (depends on which day and route I take), but as I'm in the South West, any trip out on the weekend/weekdays is to Bristol or Swindon, so a 40-60 mile round trip, and we regularly travel to the North West (400-500 miles round trip).

What made me want to change from the Maverick (3.0 petrol) was the concept that a trip to the cinema (Bristol) was £20+ in fuel, and a trip to the North West was £120 in fuel. I know it doesn't make a huge difference in the grand scheme of things, but the old Zafira barely scrapes 40mpg on the long runs, yet I'd like to think that it's possible to maintain somewhere near that economy, even if it is only for a dozen trips in a year (we might do more, but I used to get put off going too regularly, as I couldn't justify spending hundreds per month in just petrol).

dmsims said:

RX400h

SlowV6 said:

Another vote for the Lexus RX400H for me (unless your mileage is made up mainly of long runs in which case a diesel would be better)

Had looked at them - they're interesting in terms of the powertrain, but I can't quite get over the Ssangyong levels of styling (looks vaguely like an amphibious car).




At the moment I'm somewhere between the idea of an XC60 (ideally a decent spec FWD DRIVe), or the CX-7. The Mazda is especially interesting to me due to be uncommon and the pretty side of "interesting" in terms of the styling.

[dmsims]

cj2013 said:

The Mazda is especially interesting to me due to be uncommon and the pretty side of "interesting" in terms of the styling.

Every single car in this thread is at least a 2 paper bagger

[cj2013]

dmsims said:

Every single car in this thread is at least a 2 paper bagger

Potentially!

I think the XC60 is a nice looking one, even more so when parked next to a '90

I would consider a Kuga, but only the Titanium X comes with the heated seats, and they are a silly premium.

[SlowV6]

With your budget you'll be in a leggy XC60 with either the Ford/PSA 2.0 diesel or the D5. You'd only want the D5 with the automatic and this means no chance of anything like 50mpg even on a run. Neither motors are very inspiring IMHO (have driven both) but I would probably opt for the Ford/PSA engine with a manual if economy is the priority. XC60s are handsome inside and out and have a big boot, which is all good, but a bit meh to drive.

I would be interested to hear your reports of a CX-7 vs XC60 test drive. You can get the CX-7 with the MPS petrol engine by the way!!

You mentioned X3s with the 2.0d engine. This will likely be the N47 so be wary. An M57 would be miles better but you won't get the mpg.

RX400H a bit old fashioned now and I get the amphibious car comment but they sure go well, are so quiet and refined, lovely inside with heated electric cow and if you find one with the Mark Levinson stereo that is superb. No diesel clatter either.

I think you need to drive some cars and report back. Good luck.

[cj2013]

SlowV6 said:

With your budget you'll be in a leggy XC60 with either the Ford/PSA 2.0 diesel or the D5. You'd only want the D5 with the automatic and this means no chance of anything like 50mpg even on a run. Neither motors are very inspiring IMHO (have driven both although in different cars) but I would probably opt for the Ford/PSA engine with a manual if economy is the priority. XC60s are handsome inside and out and have a big boot, which is all good, but a bit meh to drive.

There seem to be quite a range of examples of the '60 about for comfortably under £7k, all with the 5 pot diesel, but it seems like you have to choose between the 'D5' (full power 'trim' variant) or the '2.4D' - the latter being better on fuel and VED, less power, but more potential with the economics. Only issues is that you tend to get them in a bit of 'meh' spec. So it's a case of "is a nicer interior worth the extra mpg hit and VED hike".

I had the D5 in a C30 and really liked the engine, especially the sound of the 5 pot. I wouldn't be too keen on having a Volvo paired with a non-Volvo engine or box though, as it tends to ruin the feel of the whole car quite a bit. It's a bit of a shame that I've driven countless 2014+ versions, but never bothered to assess whether I'd want a '60, as they were £30k+ at the time.

SlowV6 said:

I would be interested to hear your reports of a CX-7 vs XC60 test drive. You can get the CX-7 with the MPS petrol engine by the way!!

Yes, the earlier ones (pre 2009 I think?) were all petrol, and the later all diesel. The petrol is the top VED bracket.

It's easy to get put off by some of the potential failures (read a bit about the timing chain tensioner), but a lot of cars will have weak points - especially if they're neglected. Just need to do some more reading on them.

SlowV6 said:

You mentioned X3s with the 2.0d engine. This will likely be the N47 so be wary. An M57 would be miles better but you won't get the mpg.

Yes, it's safe to say I'm no longer considering the X3. Stats fib about the car it is, tbh.

SlowV6 said:

RX400H a bit old fashioned now and I get the amphibious car comment but they sure go well, are so quiet and refined, lovely inside with heated electric cow and if you find one with the Mark Levinson stereo that is superb. No diesel clatter either.

I know this would be the case with a lot of brands, but I feel like the 'turn around' after parking is an important factor, and one I just wouldn't get with a lot of cars.

SlowV6 said:

I think you need to drive some cars and report back. Good luck.

Yes, I think this is likely to be the case. Thanks for the input

[cj2013]

SlowV6 said:

RX400H a bit old fashioned now and I get the amphibious car comment but they sure go well, are so quiet and refined, lovely inside with heated electric cow and if you find one with the Mark Levinson stereo that is superb. No diesel clatter either.

As an update to this, I've come around to the idea of an RX400h now - just a case of finding one that is appropriately priced/spec'd (again, there seem to be some adventurous dealers out there).

Saw one on facebook that wasn't too far away, half decent price, but not quite the right colour/spec. Does make me wonder why people put stuff like this in the ads though:

ad said:

Very good condition
Really well cared for.

...when the last MOT suggests the opposite, and implies it's a money pit:

[dmsims]

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

[cj2013]

dmsims said:

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

Unfortunately that's a good 200 miles away from me. I'm near Bath.

[Watchman]

cj2013 said:

dmsims said:

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

Unfortunately that's a good 200 miles away from me. I'm near Bath.

I never understand this. I live in Worcs and have travelled to Leeds, Glasgow and Chelmsford to buy a car. For something I'm like to keep and live with for a few years, a day out of my life to pick up a car seems worthwhile.

[cj2013]

Watchman said:

I never understand this. I live in Worcs and have travelled to Leeds, Glasgow and Chelmsford to buy a car. For something I'm like to keep and live with for a few years, a day out of my life to pick up a car seems worthwhile.

To pick up a car you haven't seen or driven??? Sounds quite reckless.

I've got a young family and don't get that much time when I'm not in work, so driving a 400 mile round trip would be potentially a waste of a day, but even if the car turned out fine, I'd have to do it twice to then pick something up.


I learnt my lesson about driving long distances to view a few years back when I was considering an SLK320 as my "last car before I have a family". We drove a few hundred miles to view, and no more than 5 minutes away the trader wouldn't answer the phone and sent a text saying he "couldn't make it". I've also had experiences where you turn up to find the car isn't there or has sold, despite checking before travelling. I also once left work in Essex to travel to Northampton to view/buy a car, then travel back home to Wilts. Had issues with the car and yet I had no hope of returning to the trader to rectify, as they were a 2 and a half hour drive away.

A combination of this experience, and what time I have free, means I would rather wait until something turns up locally.

[Watchman]

cj2013 said:

To pick up a car you haven't seen or driven??? Sounds quite reckless.

I do my research, speak to the seller and make the arrangements. I've not had one I've either failed to buy or subsequently regretted.

[cj2013]

Watchman said:

I do my research, speak to the seller and make the arrangements. I've not had one I've either failed to buy or subsequently regretted.

I'd say you're either buying new, or are very lucky.

Lucky in the fact that you're not having your time wasted by turning up to view cars that are in much worse condition than described, and lucky that you have someone willing to come take you there and come back if it doesn't turn out well. I've taken a train etc to buy cars before - leaves you with no choice other than to buy, though, in many circumstances.


Either way, I find it astounding that you "never understand" why someone wouldn't travel 200 miles to buy a 10 year old car without viewing/testing beforehand.

[Watchman]

Maybe it's the "10 year old car" thing. I tend to target newer cars - typically half that age.

[cj2013]

Watchman said:

Maybe it's the "10 year old car" thing. I tend to target newer cars - typically half that age.

Nearer warranty and bit higher in price, marque dependent, and you have more security.


Look at this, for example - I must be finding all the dodgy listings, but I sure as hell wouldn't turn up expecting it to exist at the price shown

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2010-10-Volvo-XC60-2-4-...




edit: Reported the listing as found the original car here - https://webcache.googleusercontent.com/search?q=ca...

Not sure what the benefit of these ads is, unless it's to prey on people who are so desperate for a bargain that they are prepared to buy without viewing

Edited by cj2013 on Saturday 10th November 22:34

[ninjag]

cj2013 said:

To pick up a car you haven't seen or driven??? Sounds quite reckless.

I've got a young family and don't get that much time when I'm not in work, so driving a 400 mile round trip would be potentially a waste of a day, but even if the car turned out fine, I'd have to do it twice to then pick something up.


I learnt my lesson about driving long distances to view a few years back when I was considering an SLK320 as my "last car before I have a family". We drove a few hundred miles to view, and no more than 5 minutes away the trader wouldn't answer the phone and sent a text saying he "couldn't make it". I've also had experiences where you turn up to find the car isn't there or has sold, despite checking before travelling. I also once left work in Essex to travel to Northampton to view/buy a car, then travel back home to Wilts. Had issues with the car and yet I had no hope of returning to the trader to rectify, as they were a 2 and a half hour drive away.

A combination of this experience, and what time I have free, means I would rather wait until something turns up locally.

I'm in a similar situation myself, time is valuable to me. Unfortunately, in Scotland cars always seem to be more expensive and often by several thousand. Damn annoying, so I've traveled down to just outside Manchester on two separate occasions to look at and buy a car after doing some research on the dealers.

First time I got lucky and the car was perfect, Honda Accord 7th Gen 2.4.

Second time was a different, it was a Kia Sorento and the AWD system was knackered, which I found out by getting stuck in the middle of nowhere during the terrible April rain and storms we had. £2k just for the part with the potential of the rest going bad so I could have been looking at over £6-7k in parts. To be fair I don't think the dealer would have known as there's no warning lights etc, you'd only know by either test the AWD system or potentially by getting underneath and trying to manually turn the propshaft. Fortunately, the local dealer was very ethical and gave me a full refund. I know I had the law behind me but he could still have made it very difficult and I gave him a glowing review accordingly.

But I don't think I'd travel again for a car unless it was something exotic or exceptional circumstances. I bought locally despite having to pay a few extra grand.

[Pistonheader101]

Your budget is too low to realistically upgrade to a semi decent SUV.

Have you thought about leasing? The new Skoda kodiaq seems to tick all the boxes

[ZX10R NIN]

ninjag said:

I'm in a similar situation myself, time is valuable to me. Unfortunately, in Scotland cars always seem to be more expensive and often by several thousand. Damn annoying, so I've traveled down to just outside Manchester on two separate occasions to look at and buy a car after doing some research on the dealers.

First time I got lucky and the car was perfect, Honda Accord 7th Gen 2.4.

Second time was a different, it was a Kia Sorento and the AWD system was knackered, which I found out by getting stuck in the middle of nowhere during the terrible April rain and storms we had. £2k just for the part with the potential of the rest going bad so I could have been looking at over £6-7k in parts. To be fair I don't think the dealer would have known as there's no warning lights etc, you'd only know by either test the AWD system or potentially by getting underneath and trying to manually turn the propshaft. Fortunately, the local dealer was very ethical and gave me a full refund. I know I had the law behind me but he could still have made it very difficult and I gave him a glowing review accordingly.

But I don't think I'd travel again for a car unless it was something exotic or exceptional circumstances. I bought locally despite having to pay a few extra grand.

I've always travelled but I do it slightly differently, I normally have 3 I plan to view the first being the one I want to view the other two being possibles that are on my route back home, I'd say seven times out of ten I will get the first choice but I have picked up some second & third choice gems.

[cj2013]

Pistonheader101 said:

Your budget is too low to realistically upgrade to a semi decent SUV.

[cj2013]

ninjag said:

I'm in a similar situation myself, time is valuable to me. Unfortunately, in Scotland cars always seem to be more expensive and often by several thousand. Damn annoying, so I've traveled down to just outside Manchester on two separate occasions to look at and buy a car after doing some research on the dealers.

First time I got lucky and the car was perfect, Honda Accord 7th Gen 2.4.

Second time was a different, it was a Kia Sorento and the AWD system was knackered, which I found out by getting stuck in the middle of nowhere during the terrible April rain and storms we had. £2k just for the part with the potential of the rest going bad so I could have been looking at over £6-7k in parts. To be fair I don't think the dealer would have known as there's no warning lights etc, you'd only know by either test the AWD system or potentially by getting underneath and trying to manually turn the propshaft. Fortunately, the local dealer was very ethical and gave me a full refund. I know I had the law behind me but he could still have made it very difficult and I gave him a glowing review accordingly.

But I don't think I'd travel again for a car unless it was something exotic or exceptional circumstances. I bought locally despite having to pay a few extra grand.

I generally find that whatever I'm looking for will have the following algorithm:

x = ( m / d )
    ----------
        d

where x = sale price, m = mileage, and d = distance away from me. No matter where I have lived

So far, I've found the Lake District/Cumbria to have some decent looking bargains. I'll never really be on a winner buying/living down south, mind.