In the good/bad situation of needing to replace two cars

[darrenham]

After my previous thread (https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&f=&t=1762117) the wife and I now both want a new car in the new year and not sure how to best meet our needs given this clean slate.

Current cars:

08 Civic 1.8 Petrol Hatch (gearbox is getting on a bit)
66 Octavia VRS Diesel DSG Hatch (lease ends in Feb)

Total top-end budget = £28k, ideally more like £26k, no particular split one way or the other.

Info:
- Both cars must be reliable
- One car cavernous (like the Octy) and comfortable for 3hr motorway slogs, but not too big as both cars get parked in tiny multistories
- Smaller car needs 4/5 doors and room for a rather large child's car-seat, plus buggy in boot
- Both cars Auto (bad back plus laziness)
- My car needs to be interesting, quick and a bit fun (like the Octy) with semi-auto/flaps for the fun-times
- Mine will do a 24mile total daily commute in urban traffic too though, the other will do 2 x 8min comutes a week.
- The wife would prefer "her" car be an SUV, and not ugly.
- I'd prefer Petrol all round as we'll be holding onto them for a while all being well

Sporty one can be the big one or the small one, SUV can be the big one or the small one. Could be a sporty SUV even. It will just depend which will work best for both of us.

Current cars we're considering (in some combination):
- Mazda CX-5
- Mazda 3
- Mazda 6 (we both really like the Mazdas)
- Octavia VRS
- Newer style Tiguan
- Qashqai (would rather avoid because: yawn)
- Golf (GTI if mine)
- Leon (Cupra if mine)
- BMW 1 series (although not keen on BMW's dated dash)
- BMD 3 series (although not keen on BMW's dated dash)
- Focus ST (naff interior)

Anything else I should be looking at?

[S54Love]

For the SUV, I would consider a Sportage for it's 7 year warranty:
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
The looks are marmite, I personally think it looks great especially in the GT Line.

Otherwise, if you have the ability to charge it up I would consider an Outlander PHEV. For an 8 minute journey, fuel costs should be negligible/non-existent.

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

[GreatGranny]

I'd go GTI for you and PHEV for wife as suggested above.

Would never need to use any petrol for her commute.

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

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

[ZX10R NIN]

For me it would be the Mondeo in Titanium trim which has the space & pace side covered it's also the best FWD in class so if having a decent steer is a big factor then this is the car, both cars being Auto rules out the ST.

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

When it comes to the OH's car that's where you can have some fun.

Seat Leon FR

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

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

Alfa Romeo Giulietta in Sportiva/Veloce/QV Line these cars are very robust & reliable so would be one of my first ports of 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...

The Kia Cee'd in 4 Tech trim is the sensible option with three years these cars are loaded with kit & you'll still have three years of warranty left.

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

Another option is the Lexus CT200h is SE-L Premier trim but only look at this if your OH has no interest in cars also check the boot as you may find it a bit small.

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

A much better Lexus would be an IS250 the only item of note is that it's worth changing the water pump at around 80k & get one with the Nav as that includes the very good Mark Levinson stereo.

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...

[darrenham]

S54Love said:

For the SUV, I would consider a Sportage for it's 7 year warranty:
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
The looks are marmite, I personally think it looks great especially in the GT Line.

Otherwise, if you have the ability to charge it up I would consider an Outlander PHEV. For an 8 minute journey, fuel costs should be negligible/non-existent.

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

I think the Sportage is fine, will definitely add that to the list, we also know someone who owns a Kia dealer, so should be able to get a decent price.

I don't think the Outlander would tick the looks box for the wife, it's a bit too old-school SUV rather than the modern hatch on stilts look like the Sportage/CX-5/Tiguan

I'm also marginally concerned about PHEV as far as servicing and battery life goes. Should I be?

[darrenham]

GreatGranny said:

I'd go GTI for you and PHEV for wife as suggested above.

Would never need to use any petrol for her commute.

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

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

See above re: PHEV, I'm not sold (yet). Plus I'd need to get her something a little prettier and modern looking than the Outlander I think.

I'm not sure I'd go for a GTI over a VRS, unless someone can tell me I'm wrong? The extra space is always useful, plus you seem to get a newer/lower mileage VRS for the money due to badge/desirability, which (having driven a VRS for nearly 2years) doesn't bother me at all.

[darrenham]

ZX10R NIN said:

SNIP

Thanks, again.

Maybe I'm too looks biased, but that Mondeo looks boring plus black estate = hearse

I was also hoping the fun would be had in my car really, she's after an SUV type thing ideally.

The Giulietta looks to have 0 leg room in the back, which might cause problems with the car seat (it's one of the 360 rotatey ones)

The Ceed looks good actually, good value for money. But again, not sure it ticks either the sporty box or the weekend bus box, so the other car would need to be big and a bit of fun for me.

The Lexusesused would also be a difficult sell as they look dated. The CT200h is ok, but that "zero interest in cars" comment makes me want to ask why?

[ZX10R NIN]

Okay here's another crack at it, I'll kick off with the leftfield option:

New shape IS250:

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

SUV's:

Kuga Titanium X very good cars & are often overlooked

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

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

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

Tiguan R Line/(it would be hard for me to recommend one of these over a Kuga)Match

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

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

Toyota RAV4

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

CR-V (both this & the Toyota are good robust cars but for me the Kuga has them covered)

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

Audi Q5 S Line (maybe it's a Q5 thing but washing them seems to be a thing you don't do)

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

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

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

My leftfield choice is the 3.0si X5 these are very good cars & you can land one for very good money which hopefully keeps the OH happy & also gives you a bigger (I'd put 1k aside to make sure everything is tip top for her) budget.

M Sport

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

SE

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

Grand Cherokee SRT with your OH doing such low miles the fuel won't be a big factor

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

For yourself the fun can come in various guises so you'll have to work out where comfort comes into when you take your back into account:

Insignia VXR these are underrated & the £500 tax is a bit stiff but this side of an S4 they're very hard (only do able if the OH goes for the X5) to beat.

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

Infiniti M 3.5h (0-60 in the 5's) this for me is a better option than the Lexus 450h

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

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

Jaguar XFR

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

Premium Luxury

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

Leon Cupra

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

V60 T5 SE Lux

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

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

Mondeo Titanium Hatchback

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

Octavia VRS

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

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

Giulietta Quadrifoglio Verde

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

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

The Infiniti is a very good car the change from electric to engine isn't as seamless as the Lexus but it's a stonking car I've supplied two of these & one Q50 version in the last month fuel is low to mid thirties as long as you're not making to much use of the V6.

It would probably be my sensible pick from the above with the XFR being my other choice & if it has to be a hot hatch then the Alfa gets the nod.

[darrenham]

@zx10R NIN

A LOT of cars to go through there, thank-you.

A few however are older (or not much younger) than the wife's Civic which I won't be able to sell to her, it won't feel (to her) like she's getting a new car, and I'd be tempted to say better-the-devil-you-know as far as reliability goes.

Personally I really like the IS250, and it's gone on my list if she ends up with a smaller SUV. Not sure how sporty it'll feel but it does look the part, and looks comfy and well equipped (oh and it's a V6!)

The Ford interiors still really bother me how did they get through the design phase with all those buttons? But the Kuga looks like a good choice. The mrs still prefers the looks of the Tiggies Qashqais and CX-5s, would you advise against the latter two?

The RAV4 is probably too industrial for her too. CR-V is sellable. The Q5 and X5 are a bit old I think.

For me, I don't like the looks of the Infinitis a bit blobby. The Lexus wins on looks by a mile. I'm not sure I'm old enough for a Jag (31) but I've saved it as it's definitely an option. I'd prefer a newer Volvo s60 over the v60, but added that too, and coming from a VRS they are my safe fallback, as are Mondeos to be honest. The Giulietta would only be a decent option if the mrs goes for a big SUV, but the legroom (/carseat-room) in the back looks like ti might be an issue.

[ZX10R NIN]

I can't fault the QQ they do the job but if you find the Ford interior a bit uninspiring then you won't like the QQ.
The CX-5's are very good cars but they didn't come in auto form with a petrol engine until the facelift, the CR V's are good but you have to work the engine hard due to it being N/A which also means you don't get the greatest fuel numbers.

The IS250's handle well & the do look good & would be my pick for the OH if you can swing her away from an SUV, if you can find some F Sport alloys they make the car look much better.

I think I may have solved the OH's car issue, I took a client to look at one of these today, they had a swivel baby seat & they found it fitted just fine obviously this means the budget for your car is reduced but it does put her in a peach of a car that should last you many years & you'll be able to extend the Manufacturer's Warranty when it runs out, it also has a high seating position not quite QQ high but close enough that it may sway your OH, it's worth swinging past a showroom to see one.

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

It means you go over budget slightly (before any haggling is done) but you both get good cars that will last, as for the old man image on the Jags I think that has passed with the newer designs plus you won't care what anyone thinks once you start it & drive it because make no mistake they're a drivers car. Put a private plate on it if the age is an issue.

SV8 brings you back in budget

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

XFR less so

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

5 Door S5 it means a 1k budget creep but you both end up in very good cars & the image may be a better fit , also you won't have to worry about any issues with the Infiniti, which leaves you with a bit more of a maintenance budget for your car.

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

More sensible options:

Mondeo Titanium with the XPack

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

VRS

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

R36 Passat

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

2.0T Passat CC

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

[Jonny_]

darrenham said:

Thanks, again.

Maybe I'm too looks biased, but that Mondeo looks boring plus black estate = hearse

I was also hoping the fun would be had in my car really, she's after an SUV type thing ideally.

The Giulietta looks to have 0 leg room in the back, which might cause problems with the car seat (it's one of the 360 rotatey ones)

The Ceed looks good actually, good value for money. But again, not sure it ticks either the sporty box or the weekend bus box, so the other car would need to be big and a bit of fun for me.

The Lexusesused would also be a difficult sell as they look dated. The CT200h is ok, but that "zero interest in cars" comment makes me want to ask why?

It's not bad actually, we've used one as sprog transport (our 6yo and sometimes 2yo niece as well) for the last year and a half, it's no S Class but never struggled for space in the back. Lovely car to drive and to look at as well, and surprisingly solidly built.

CT200h is a posh Auris Hybrid, other than the badge and a nicer interior the Auris is the more practical choice.

Edited by Jonny_ on Thursday 15th November 20:29

[darrenham]

OK running through these with mrs last night it sounds like she doesn't know what she wants (who's surprised? anyone? no, not me either).

She's a bit scared of having the "big car". She got a Kuga as a courtesy car a while back and it felt massive given her driving history of Kia Pride, Renault Clio and the current Civic. But she till wants a taller car for the purposes of getting little one in and out of the back (the Civic has a sloping back door and the seats are low so you have to stoop quite a bit to get under the door frame.)

Long story short she's set on an SUV, but she's umming and ahhing over a smaller SUV like (Mazda again) CX-3 (the petrol autos are in reach here) or a medium sized one like the CX-5/Tiguan/QQ.

I've told her to decide and I'll buy a car around that, if she goes small I'll go something bigger (Octy estate, Mondeo etc.), if she goes bigger I can then consider the saloons with smaller boots or something a bit more boy-racer.

I'm assuming my sensibilities telling me to avoid Diesel for the Mrs's 4mi daily commute is the right idea? If she has the bigger car it would get a run pretty much every weekend which I'm guessing should sort out any DPF nonsense, but will it be doing the engine harm running it cold for the other 5 days of the week?

[darrenham]

That Infiniti is very nice though, bloody thing's in Newcastle and I'm in the West Mids, but I might see if I can get her in one.

[ZX10R NIN]

Get her in one locally & if she likes then Infiniti will transport it to your nearest dealership.

Getting her in a full size diesel SUV will be fine as long as it's getting a run at the weekend Jeep Grand Cherokees (preferably in Overland spec) are a very good choice but if she found the Kuga big I'm not sure she will like something this big.

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

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

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

[ninjag]

darrenham said:

Long story short she's set on an SUV, but she's umming and ahhing over a smaller SUV like (Mazda again) CX-3 (the petrol autos are in reach here) or a medium sized one like the CX-5/Tiguan/QQ.

The CRV is very popular for having seats at the same height as your batty, which means you simply slide into the car rather than step up or bend down. The rear doors open almost 90 degrees as well which makes dealing with child seats much easier and unlike the Bavarian types the bonnet isn't about the 1/3 of the car's length, so there's tons of legroom and the boot is big. The n/a petrol lacks low rev performance as expected, but it's fine for keeping up with traffic. 4000rpm+ and it will shift, you just don't get that misleading diesel shove. The auto suits the car more and they hold their value well despite the 5th Gen being out now. Good suspension setup, deals with the crap UK roads well.

The EX trim comes with lots of toys including: keyless entry and start, auto dimming rear mirror, remote power folding mirrors, auto high beam assist, auto lights, auto wipers, very good sound system + DAB and also with separate tweeters, hill descent, mood lighting inside, bi-xeon headlights, LED rear lights, pano glass roof, heated seats, one touch fold flat rear seats, sat nav, voice control, bluetooth & address book read etc. The AWD system is a lightweight one and it's open diffs: fine for most stuff she'll ever come across but not proper off-road. 5 star crash protection, soft touch trim and top notch reliability, especially for the petrol version.

There's also the 2nd Gen HRV which has a 1.5 petrol but I'm not a big fan of them and I'm not sure of the build quality. She may like it though.

[Weezywee]

Since most people have passed over the Mazdas, Ill give you a little feedback. Im in a 2015 Mazda 3 SE fastback, and its a nice little car. Its half decent MPG around 40, quick enough 9s 0-60, and quite torquey off the line since its NA. I do a 1.5hr commute each way every day across every road type (Yorks Moors to wigan) and it handles them all perfectly well. It can sometimes feel a bit laggy higher up because of no turbo but dropping a hear keeps it cruising well. Its very spacious in the 5 door, and has a great boot for all my needs when i need to load up. The CX-3 is tiny when you are actually in it since its based on the Mazda 2 platform misleadingly. The CX-5 is half decent but youre probably better off going for a Q3 or Tiguan for the same or better monthlies due to GFMV. Id avoid the QQ, dodgy Renault engines I believe.

[darrenham]

Taking her shopping tomorrow. There's a Q30 fairly locally, otherwise I'm hoping she'll like the practicality of the CR-V enough for the looks (the rear particularly) to be looked over.

We'll do a Qashqai and visit the Mazda and Ford garages too.

Thanks for all your help, will feed back if anyone GsAS

[ninjag]

Yeah the CRV backend isn't the prettiest, I preferred the previous generation. I guess it makes up for it by being a remote power open/close boot. I think the colour is important when it comes to the CRV and side steps also transform the look. I'm not a fan of the aluminium skid plate some have under the backend and at the front. Just doesn't suit.

It's got cornering lights also which I thought would just be a gimmick but are actually quite handy. They also seem to catch the eye of people about to cross the road you are turning into.

The RAV4 could be worth adding to your list? The boot is a little smaller and I don't think it has as much kit (?) but it's a nice looking car and should be very reliable.

Edited by ninjag on Saturday 17th November 19:55

[darrenham]

ninjag said:

Yeah the CRV backend isn't the prettiest, I preferred the previous generation. I guess it makes up for it by being a remote power open/close boot. I think the colour is important when it comes to the CRV and side steps also transform the look. I'm not a fan of the aluminium skid plate some have under the backend and at the front. Just doesn't suit.

It's got cornering lights also which I thought would just be a gimmick but are actually quite handy. They also seem to catch the eye of people about to cross the road you are turning into.

The RAV4 could be worth adding to your list? The boot is a little smaller and I don't think it has as much kit (?) but it's a nice looking car and should be very reliable.

Edited by ninjag on Saturday 17th November 19:55

I've got dynamic main headlights on the skoda which I love, but I've never really got the fog/corner types, just draws your attention to the floor when you should be looking round the corner. Good point about pedestrians though.

She likes modern looking cars, hence the 08 Civic and the 03 Clio before it, both were a bit ahead of the curve. Think that knocks the rav4 back a bit.

Going to Mazda, Ford and Honda today so we'll see what she says, I just want her to make a decision so I can get looking at/for mine!

[ninjag]

darrenham said:

but I've never really got the fog/corner types, just draws your attention to the floor when you should be looking round the corner. Good point about pedestrians though.

I know what you mean, I'm going to be changing the bulbs to led ones which should have a greater spread and see if it makes a difference. Will also help match them up to the main lights which I've just done to the fogs. What a difference decent LEDs can make!