5-10K First child Compact SUV?
Discussion
Well, it's happened.
My wife is pregnant with our first child so it's boring car time!
I'm selling an 06 Boxster (daily) and a ZC31S Swift Sport (track fun/winter hack) to fund a family car.
Usual criteria really, needs to be safe, reliable, roomy in the back.
Bonus points for anything remotely fun or interesting!
The big caveat is size.
We will be living for the first year of family life in our apartment in Manchester, with relatively small parking spaces, limited by big supporting pillars.
As an example, the Range Rover Sport which is parked, has to pay for 2 spaces as width wise it straddles the lines.
A neighbor drives a Toyota CH-R(a GR Sport, it's a nice looking thing) and that fits just nicely.
Use case is mostly 15 - 30 minute drives to the shops/in-laws, then 2 hours of motorway driving to visit my family every few weeks.
We need to be able to fit a decent size pram and all the usual gubbins that come with spawn.
I like the idea of a compact SUV, with relatively small footprints but decent load space for a pram etc, though I'm open to other ideas.
Top of the list currently is a 2015/16 Mazda CX-5. The styling is fine and for around £8k I can get a decent spec model from a dealer.
The reason I haven't pulled the trigger is horror stories of the Mazda 2.2 diesel causing big bills, which is the last thing I need.
Can spend upto 10k for the right thing, would rather spend 5k and keep some back for a nice track toy when we eventually buy a house and have the space!
Any pointers greatly welcomed.
My wife is pregnant with our first child so it's boring car time!
I'm selling an 06 Boxster (daily) and a ZC31S Swift Sport (track fun/winter hack) to fund a family car.
Usual criteria really, needs to be safe, reliable, roomy in the back.
Bonus points for anything remotely fun or interesting!
The big caveat is size.
We will be living for the first year of family life in our apartment in Manchester, with relatively small parking spaces, limited by big supporting pillars.
As an example, the Range Rover Sport which is parked, has to pay for 2 spaces as width wise it straddles the lines.
A neighbor drives a Toyota CH-R(a GR Sport, it's a nice looking thing) and that fits just nicely.
Use case is mostly 15 - 30 minute drives to the shops/in-laws, then 2 hours of motorway driving to visit my family every few weeks.
We need to be able to fit a decent size pram and all the usual gubbins that come with spawn.
I like the idea of a compact SUV, with relatively small footprints but decent load space for a pram etc, though I'm open to other ideas.
Top of the list currently is a 2015/16 Mazda CX-5. The styling is fine and for around £8k I can get a decent spec model from a dealer.
The reason I haven't pulled the trigger is horror stories of the Mazda 2.2 diesel causing big bills, which is the last thing I need.
Can spend upto 10k for the right thing, would rather spend 5k and keep some back for a nice track toy when we eventually buy a house and have the space!
Any pointers greatly welcomed.
I’ve got a 2018 CX-5, but with a petrol engine. I think your suggested 2015 will be the slightly earlier model, although again, I think it might just be a facelift, rather than full overhaul.
Positives:
Loads of kit inside, decent speakers BOSE, Apple AirPlay, electric everything
Leather seats - fully electric
And probably some more stuff make it a pleasant place to be inside when driving along
It’s a nice looking car, especially in the metallic red that I really like. Also cheap to service and maintain so far
Sits and cruises when on motorways when up to speed.
Negatives:
The engine is pretty weak, especially with aircon on, which really matters as I live abroad and use it 10 months of the year. It needs to be revved to get anything out of it.
Feels a bit like sitting on a blancmange when pushing on.
The main reason I bought it is twofold. Where I live the roads are very hit and miss, although have improved recently with a lot of resurfacing. However, there is a large chunk of gravel tracks that I occasionally use and this gives me good clearance and works well over the dozens of speed bumps that are scattered around the main roads here.
One note of caution is that they’re not that small a car. Certainly bigger than a Qaahqai, smaller than an X-Trail to give rough guidance on sizing. The CX-3 is considerably smaller and still a nice looking car. I’m not sure how big the parking spaces are, so just worth a mention.
Positives:
Loads of kit inside, decent speakers BOSE, Apple AirPlay, electric everything
Leather seats - fully electric
And probably some more stuff make it a pleasant place to be inside when driving along
It’s a nice looking car, especially in the metallic red that I really like. Also cheap to service and maintain so far
Sits and cruises when on motorways when up to speed.
Negatives:
The engine is pretty weak, especially with aircon on, which really matters as I live abroad and use it 10 months of the year. It needs to be revved to get anything out of it.
Feels a bit like sitting on a blancmange when pushing on.
The main reason I bought it is twofold. Where I live the roads are very hit and miss, although have improved recently with a lot of resurfacing. However, there is a large chunk of gravel tracks that I occasionally use and this gives me good clearance and works well over the dozens of speed bumps that are scattered around the main roads here.
One note of caution is that they’re not that small a car. Certainly bigger than a Qaahqai, smaller than an X-Trail to give rough guidance on sizing. The CX-3 is considerably smaller and still a nice looking car. I’m not sure how big the parking spaces are, so just worth a mention.
Carguy44 said:
That's very cheap. But I'm guessing there is more to it than just the £129 a month?!
https://www.cars2buy.co.uk/personal-car-leasing/da...[quote=__]
So it's from £5k for 2 years. I suppose that's not too bad for a new car, but I don't think it's suitable for this guy. Carguy44 said:
That's very cheap. But I'm guessing there is more to it than just the £129 a month?!
https://www.cars2buy.co.uk/personal-car-leasing/da...Carguy44 said:
So it's from £5k for 2 years. I suppose that's not too bad for a new car, but I don't think it's suitable for this guy.
Perhaps not, but as a lease car with 2yr service intervals it’s all in. A 9k 2015 cx5 will be £330 tax, >£250 servicing / repairs, depreciation 3k, x finance charges.
Disco You said:
A focus/golf/octavia will be plenty big enough for one child and you don’t need to worry about parking space size Go for an estate if you really want extra space.
If the only limitation is space width an estate version of a relatively small car might be a good option. However if the spaces are short as well as narrow, something like a Golf estate may not fit.The Yeti has a surprisingly small footprint and (for one of those pretend SUV things) does have a bit of character. Whilst with Skoda, if you're happy to take space efficiency over everything else, it's worth looking at a Roomster as well - possibly the weirdest looking car ever made but incredibly practical.
Other things to look at (not styled as a SUV but similar inside space ratio to exterior footprint because of the vertical sides) would be a B-Max, Citroen Nemo or Peugeot Bipper Teepee.
Realistically though, with only one child you're just as well off with a Fiesta or similar and leaving one of the seats down for the buggy. Far nicer to drive and probably cheaper too...
LukesLog89 said:
Well, it's happened.
My wife is pregnant with our first child so it's boring car time!
I'm selling an 06 Boxster (daily) and a ZC31S Swift Sport (track fun/winter hack) to fund a family car.
Usual criteria really, needs to be safe, reliable, roomy in the back.
Bonus points for anything remotely fun or interesting!
The big caveat is size.
We will be living for the first year of family life in our apartment in Manchester, with relatively small parking spaces, limited by big supporting pillars.
As an example, the Range Rover Sport which is parked, has to pay for 2 spaces as width wise it straddles the lines.
A neighbor drives a Toyota CH-R(a GR Sport, it's a nice looking thing) and that fits just nicely.
Use case is mostly 15 - 30 minute drives to the shops/in-laws, then 2 hours of motorway driving to visit my family every few weeks.
We need to be able to fit a decent size pram and all the usual gubbins that come with spawn.
I like the idea of a compact SUV, with relatively small footprints but decent load space for a pram etc, though I'm open to other ideas.
Top of the list currently is a 2015/16 Mazda CX-5. The styling is fine and for around £8k I can get a decent spec model from a dealer.
The reason I haven't pulled the trigger is horror stories of the Mazda 2.2 diesel causing big bills, which is the last thing I need.
Can spend upto 10k for the right thing, would rather spend 5k and keep some back for a nice track toy when we eventually buy a house and have the space!
Any pointers greatly welcomed.
I'd take a look at the EX30d they're ULEZ/CAZ compliant, they're a very nice place to be & they're reliable (it's the same engine that Nissan use on their vans) too:My wife is pregnant with our first child so it's boring car time!
I'm selling an 06 Boxster (daily) and a ZC31S Swift Sport (track fun/winter hack) to fund a family car.
Usual criteria really, needs to be safe, reliable, roomy in the back.
Bonus points for anything remotely fun or interesting!
The big caveat is size.
We will be living for the first year of family life in our apartment in Manchester, with relatively small parking spaces, limited by big supporting pillars.
As an example, the Range Rover Sport which is parked, has to pay for 2 spaces as width wise it straddles the lines.
A neighbor drives a Toyota CH-R(a GR Sport, it's a nice looking thing) and that fits just nicely.
Use case is mostly 15 - 30 minute drives to the shops/in-laws, then 2 hours of motorway driving to visit my family every few weeks.
We need to be able to fit a decent size pram and all the usual gubbins that come with spawn.
I like the idea of a compact SUV, with relatively small footprints but decent load space for a pram etc, though I'm open to other ideas.
Top of the list currently is a 2015/16 Mazda CX-5. The styling is fine and for around £8k I can get a decent spec model from a dealer.
The reason I haven't pulled the trigger is horror stories of the Mazda 2.2 diesel causing big bills, which is the last thing I need.
Can spend upto 10k for the right thing, would rather spend 5k and keep some back for a nice track toy when we eventually buy a house and have the space!
Any pointers greatly welcomed.
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202210200...
They're nigh on the same size as the CX-5.
ZX10R NIN said:
I'd take a look at the EX30d they're ULEZ/CAZ compliant, they're a very nice place to be & they're reliable (it's the same engine that Nissan use on their vans) too:
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202210200...
They're nigh on the same size as the CX-5.
That is surprisingly reasonably priced, although it is ten years old and absolutely gopping. https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202210200...
They're nigh on the same size as the CX-5.
A hatchback would be fine for your needs.
Astra is good value and they look good IMO.
This one is in Manchester.
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202209209...
Altrincham
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202211292...
High spec one just up the M61 just outside Preston.
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202211141...
Astra is good value and they look good IMO.
This one is in Manchester.
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202209209...
Altrincham
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202211292...
High spec one just up the M61 just outside Preston.
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202211141...
I was in a similar boat recently, looked at and tested all sorts of stuff, Yeti, Vitara, Duster, CX-5, MG ZS, loads of other cars too. I was all set on a Duster as its a really practical car for something with a footprint so small.
Then I spotted a Logan Stepway 0.9T in the Dacia dealership. The boot is absolutely huge and is no wider than a Fiesta. It actually comes with plenty of kit too, not the spartan interior people imagine. It will also be newer for the budget than most other cars mentioned. The raised ride is handy for loading, getting kids in and out and is comfy on the crappy roads around here. I even do some regular light off roading in it despite being 2wd, mostly forestry/farm tracks and over the moors.
For the budget its what I would and did go for. There are a fair few for sale, though they have gone up a bit. Mines gone up in value since I bought it by nearly 10%. The Jogger mentioned above is also an interesting option, its probably what I will be replacing my Logan with.
Heres an example on autotrader of a petrol Logan.
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/2022110714...
Mine.
Then I spotted a Logan Stepway 0.9T in the Dacia dealership. The boot is absolutely huge and is no wider than a Fiesta. It actually comes with plenty of kit too, not the spartan interior people imagine. It will also be newer for the budget than most other cars mentioned. The raised ride is handy for loading, getting kids in and out and is comfy on the crappy roads around here. I even do some regular light off roading in it despite being 2wd, mostly forestry/farm tracks and over the moors.
For the budget its what I would and did go for. There are a fair few for sale, though they have gone up a bit. Mines gone up in value since I bought it by nearly 10%. The Jogger mentioned above is also an interesting option, its probably what I will be replacing my Logan with.
Heres an example on autotrader of a petrol Logan.
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/2022110714...
Mine.
Firstly congratulations! First child for lots usually means lots of overthinking, certainly was for us.
I can't help a lot with the car choices but you may (or not) find dropping any in here might influence the decision when the cargo is suddenly much more precious.
https://www.euroncap.com/en/
I can't help a lot with the car choices but you may (or not) find dropping any in here might influence the decision when the cargo is suddenly much more precious.
https://www.euroncap.com/en/
scot_aln said:
Firstly congratulations! First child for lots usually means lots of overthinking, certainly was for us.
I can't help a lot with the car choices but you may (or not) find dropping any in here might influence the decision when the cargo is suddenly much more precious.
https://www.euroncap.com/en/
Word of warning with ncap, you really need to go through them properly and look at the results. For Example when the Grande Punto went on sale it scored 5 points. Skip forward to a couple of years ago, the Punto was tested, which is essentially an updated Grande Punto with more safety kit. That car scored a zero because the goalposts had changed! There are quite a few cars that are safe in an accident but score low because they are not pedestrian friendly or might be missing a warning bong or an active safety device.I can't help a lot with the car choices but you may (or not) find dropping any in here might influence the decision when the cargo is suddenly much more precious.
https://www.euroncap.com/en/
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