Can't get over car prices, need help up to £12k
Discussion
As title.
I'm trying to find an Auto, Diesel, which can easily carry a double pram, 2 babies, 2 adults and all the luggage in the boot.
Euro doesn't matter, Leeds isn't on the agenda for a tightening of rules yet.
We managed to get rid of the MG ZS my partner had and got 12k for it - a fair price given condition.
Yet, I'm from the other end of the spectrum, paid £1100 for my Octavia 1.9 and can't see any value in basically anything at the moment to possibly say "yep, that's the car".
We've considered - Qashqai (high spec, but expensive, we've got one on the list FSH 1 owner for 11k - it's far away, though). Also, space, severely lacking.
Octavia - too expensive, I don't trust the VW DCT box, happy to be proven wrong. On a low-ish mileage, would be very little room for emergencies if anything went wrong
V70 - too old and would need to fit isofix ourselves (partner doesn't like idea of that). Later ones are too high mileage for the price, D5 seems overkill
XC60 - absolutely on edge of budget for something ok - but spec can be lacking and repair bills will be silly, diff, etc.
Sportage - again, upper end of budget, looking at 2012-13 for that, and spec isn't great. AWD - overkill, tax is a bit high, and MPG isn't great
Astra - only a couple worth considering, and then they're over 9k for a 15 plate?
S-Max/Focus/Mondeo - number of reasons but no to all
Avoiding anything Peugeot / Citroen (I know Vauxhall now under same tree but they weren't when cars we are looking at were produced).
My sweetspot is 7k, with either good service history or, cheap enough to get a complete service done with inspection etc. I don't want to leave my partner stranded somewhere with a car that cost 12k, and no provision for any kind of repair.
So ultimately, tax matters, cheaper the better. "Basic" would be good - ubiquity of parts and cost of repairs (we can do this ourselves). And space - has to last us atleast 5 years and all that entails in terms of more "stuff" lugged around.
Sorry if this is a bit of a minefield - I just can't get my head around anything because of the stupid prices!
I'm trying to find an Auto, Diesel, which can easily carry a double pram, 2 babies, 2 adults and all the luggage in the boot.
Euro doesn't matter, Leeds isn't on the agenda for a tightening of rules yet.
We managed to get rid of the MG ZS my partner had and got 12k for it - a fair price given condition.
Yet, I'm from the other end of the spectrum, paid £1100 for my Octavia 1.9 and can't see any value in basically anything at the moment to possibly say "yep, that's the car".
We've considered - Qashqai (high spec, but expensive, we've got one on the list FSH 1 owner for 11k - it's far away, though). Also, space, severely lacking.
Octavia - too expensive, I don't trust the VW DCT box, happy to be proven wrong. On a low-ish mileage, would be very little room for emergencies if anything went wrong
V70 - too old and would need to fit isofix ourselves (partner doesn't like idea of that). Later ones are too high mileage for the price, D5 seems overkill
XC60 - absolutely on edge of budget for something ok - but spec can be lacking and repair bills will be silly, diff, etc.
Sportage - again, upper end of budget, looking at 2012-13 for that, and spec isn't great. AWD - overkill, tax is a bit high, and MPG isn't great
Astra - only a couple worth considering, and then they're over 9k for a 15 plate?
S-Max/Focus/Mondeo - number of reasons but no to all
Avoiding anything Peugeot / Citroen (I know Vauxhall now under same tree but they weren't when cars we are looking at were produced).
My sweetspot is 7k, with either good service history or, cheap enough to get a complete service done with inspection etc. I don't want to leave my partner stranded somewhere with a car that cost 12k, and no provision for any kind of repair.
So ultimately, tax matters, cheaper the better. "Basic" would be good - ubiquity of parts and cost of repairs (we can do this ourselves). And space - has to last us atleast 5 years and all that entails in terms of more "stuff" lugged around.
Sorry if this is a bit of a minefield - I just can't get my head around anything because of the stupid prices!
I think something like this probably ticks the boxes you’ve listed…
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202301303...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202301303...
McLarenLad said:
I found the Qashqai awful.
Admittedly it was a 1.6 petrol, but the clutch went after only 30k. Apparently they use parts from a Renault Clio, for a car twice the size.
Essentially a rebadged Renault? Don’t expect Japanese reliability.Admittedly it was a 1.6 petrol, but the clutch went after only 30k. Apparently they use parts from a Renault Clio, for a car twice the size.
Yes, current prices do sting. Older motors still need maintenance.
having owned both a qashqai and an xtrail leave them well alone, although the latter was ok space wise the engine blew up at 37000 miles and 3 years old costing us £4000 to rectify.
Renault s
te.
older maybe a saab 9-3 estate, bmw or merc?
Newer i think a superb estate would fit the bill but obviously there is the transmission to think about.
Renault s
te.older maybe a saab 9-3 estate, bmw or merc?
Newer i think a superb estate would fit the bill but obviously there is the transmission to think about.
Just get an Astra estate or even an Insignia if you want to be super sure of having enough space in the coming years. Some PHers are a bit sniffy about Vauxhalls but if you want a decent value car that works and are sensible enough to want to avoid the badge/SUV tax then they will do you fine. They cost what they cost, there's no point harking back to pre-covid times as you'll never buy anything.
C Class Coupe for 2 adults, 2 babies, luggage and a large buggy? OK…..
I found the QQ too small so went for a CX-5 and it was fine. Petrol was a bit asthmatic but more reliable than the diesel. Now in an X-Trail which has plenty of space and is decent value. I keep looking for something nicer but given how trashed it gets inside (food, mud, sand etc) I think I’ll just keep running it as it does the job we need it to.
I found the QQ too small so went for a CX-5 and it was fine. Petrol was a bit asthmatic but more reliable than the diesel. Now in an X-Trail which has plenty of space and is decent value. I keep looking for something nicer but given how trashed it gets inside (food, mud, sand etc) I think I’ll just keep running it as it does the job we need it to.
Its no looker but if you want space for kids & kid stuff then:
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202206156...
Vauxhall Antara
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202206156...
Vauxhall Antara
egor110 said:
Why aren't you considering Mondeos ?
Titanium spec estate is a pretty nice place to be and parts are cheap
Yes it's a shame you have ruled this out. With two babies and a double pram you may be better off with an estate rather than an SUV with the longer boot while back seats are up.Titanium spec estate is a pretty nice place to be and parts are cheap
Taz1111 said:
As title.
I'm trying to find an Auto, Diesel, which can easily carry a double pram, 2 babies, 2 adults and all the luggage in the boot.
Euro doesn't matter, Leeds isn't on the agenda for a tightening of rules yet.
We managed to get rid of the MG ZS my partner had and got 12k for it - a fair price given condition.
Yet, I'm from the other end of the spectrum, paid £1100 for my Octavia 1.9 and can't see any value in basically anything at the moment to possibly say "yep, that's the car".
We've considered - Qashqai (high spec, but expensive, we've got one on the list FSH 1 owner for 11k - it's far away, though). Also, space, severely lacking.
Octavia - too expensive, I don't trust the VW DCT box, happy to be proven wrong. On a low-ish mileage, would be very little room for emergencies if anything went wrong
V70 - too old and would need to fit isofix ourselves (partner doesn't like idea of that). Later ones are too high mileage for the price, D5 seems overkill
XC60 - absolutely on edge of budget for something ok - but spec can be lacking and repair bills will be silly, diff, etc.
Sportage - again, upper end of budget, looking at 2012-13 for that, and spec isn't great. AWD - overkill, tax is a bit high, and MPG isn't great
Astra - only a couple worth considering, and then they're over 9k for a 15 plate?
S-Max/Focus/Mondeo - number of reasons but no to all
Avoiding anything Peugeot / Citroen (I know Vauxhall now under same tree but they weren't when cars we are looking at were produced).
My sweetspot is 7k, with either good service history or, cheap enough to get a complete service done with inspection etc. I don't want to leave my partner stranded somewhere with a car that cost 12k, and no provision for any kind of repair.
So ultimately, tax matters, cheaper the better. "Basic" would be good - ubiquity of parts and cost of repairs (we can do this ourselves). And space - has to last us atleast 5 years and all that entails in terms of more "stuff" lugged around.
Sorry if this is a bit of a minefield - I just can't get my head around anything because of the stupid prices!
You have to get into the mindset that the prices are what they are & that they're likely to stay that way for a while, once you've got your head around that it'll be easier to buy.I'm trying to find an Auto, Diesel, which can easily carry a double pram, 2 babies, 2 adults and all the luggage in the boot.
Euro doesn't matter, Leeds isn't on the agenda for a tightening of rules yet.
We managed to get rid of the MG ZS my partner had and got 12k for it - a fair price given condition.
Yet, I'm from the other end of the spectrum, paid £1100 for my Octavia 1.9 and can't see any value in basically anything at the moment to possibly say "yep, that's the car".
We've considered - Qashqai (high spec, but expensive, we've got one on the list FSH 1 owner for 11k - it's far away, though). Also, space, severely lacking.
Octavia - too expensive, I don't trust the VW DCT box, happy to be proven wrong. On a low-ish mileage, would be very little room for emergencies if anything went wrong
V70 - too old and would need to fit isofix ourselves (partner doesn't like idea of that). Later ones are too high mileage for the price, D5 seems overkill
XC60 - absolutely on edge of budget for something ok - but spec can be lacking and repair bills will be silly, diff, etc.
Sportage - again, upper end of budget, looking at 2012-13 for that, and spec isn't great. AWD - overkill, tax is a bit high, and MPG isn't great
Astra - only a couple worth considering, and then they're over 9k for a 15 plate?
S-Max/Focus/Mondeo - number of reasons but no to all
Avoiding anything Peugeot / Citroen (I know Vauxhall now under same tree but they weren't when cars we are looking at were produced).
My sweetspot is 7k, with either good service history or, cheap enough to get a complete service done with inspection etc. I don't want to leave my partner stranded somewhere with a car that cost 12k, and no provision for any kind of repair.
So ultimately, tax matters, cheaper the better. "Basic" would be good - ubiquity of parts and cost of repairs (we can do this ourselves). And space - has to last us atleast 5 years and all that entails in terms of more "stuff" lugged around.
Sorry if this is a bit of a minefield - I just can't get my head around anything because of the stupid prices!
Infiniti EX30d, these are Q5 in size but are reliable & a nice place to spend the next 5 years, they're also CAZ/ULEZ (a bonus if the regs change) compliant:
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202206307...
At the top of your budget is the QX50 (these are a facelifted version of the above:
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202304246...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202303034...
When looking at the Vauxhalls I'd be looking at the Insignia, you'll get a nice 2016 for around 7k:
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202305177...
At the other end you'll get a nicely spec last gen Insignia SRI VX Line Nav 170:
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202305016...
KX4 Sportages are around 9k with sensible miles on, also the tax will be your smallest cost at around £30 a month:
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202305197...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202305167...
Q70 Saloon Premium given your requirements this is along with the last gen Insignia are the two VFM options but the Infiniti comes with a 1 year AUC warranty from Nissan:
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202305047...
Well, bad news, it's a Qashqai.
Justification was, it's FSH at a main dealer, 1 owner car. It's the 1.6 diesel with CVT, £30 road tax.
Hasn't left us with much to play with for maintenance but I've struggled to find much real evidence against either the engine or gearbox in this application (or, in any).
Ideally my partner will do the manual license in a year or two and open up better options.
Thanks for everyones input - I'd have got a low mileage 1.9 TDI Octavia estate myself.
Justification was, it's FSH at a main dealer, 1 owner car. It's the 1.6 diesel with CVT, £30 road tax.
Hasn't left us with much to play with for maintenance but I've struggled to find much real evidence against either the engine or gearbox in this application (or, in any).
Ideally my partner will do the manual license in a year or two and open up better options.
Thanks for everyones input - I'd have got a low mileage 1.9 TDI Octavia estate myself.
Ok, I've announced I'm not trusting of a Qashqai! This garage is just a sole trader, so would struggle with anything legal if the car developed problems. CVT seem riddled with issues at any mileage, regardless of service history.
There are a couple of Astra's on low miles, 2.0 CDTI Auto - seem ok?
Or a later one with the 1.6, Euro 6.
There are a couple of Astra's on low miles, 2.0 CDTI Auto - seem ok?
Or a later one with the 1.6, Euro 6.
Taz1111 said:
There are a couple of Astra's on low miles, 2.0 CDTI Auto - seem ok?
Or a later one with the 1.6, Euro 6.
I believe that Vauxhall use a traditional torque converter automatic which should helpfully be better.Or a later one with the 1.6, Euro 6.
Taz1111 said:
Ideally my partner will do the manual license in a year or two and open up better options.
My girlfriend only has an Auto licence, I can guarantee this will never happen. 30 seconds after trying to drive a manual she will decide it is "too hard" and "doesn't like it" and give up.Avensis?
Might be a bit older than you would like but pretty bulletproof given the number of diesels used as taxis with 200K+ on the clock.
Not the lowest tax bracket but if maintenance costs are lower than your other options could be an off-set.
£6.5K, 62-plate
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202303315...
£10.5K 64-plate:
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202303245...
if you put 60K miles on it, the 64 car would probably still be worth £6K in 3 years time.
Estates hold value well at lower price points - 20K miles/year @ £1.5K/year of ownership is hard to beat.
Might be a bit older than you would like but pretty bulletproof given the number of diesels used as taxis with 200K+ on the clock.
Not the lowest tax bracket but if maintenance costs are lower than your other options could be an off-set.
£6.5K, 62-plate
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202303315...
£10.5K 64-plate:
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202303245...
if you put 60K miles on it, the 64 car would probably still be worth £6K in 3 years time.
Estates hold value well at lower price points - 20K miles/year @ £1.5K/year of ownership is hard to beat.
Edited by OzzyR1 on Tuesday 23 May 21:47
Edited by OzzyR1 on Tuesday 23 May 21:57
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