Big Family Car - Premium SUV

[russy01]

Due to changing circumstances my wife is going to need a new family car pretty quickly - within a month. She currently has an Evoque, but with another child onboard and a dog in tow it needs to be considerably bigger.

We are flexible with how we purchase, but I am at a complete loss on where to start. My ideas/thoughts so far. The last couple cars we have had have been Business Contract Hire - but I dont want to do this again as its non flexible.

- Spend £30-35k cash on a Disco 4 and own the car.
- Spend £35-40k cash on a X5 30d/40d and own the car.
- PCP New Disco 5 or X5. (Cant afford to spend £50-60k to buy outright)
- Go cheap and buy or PCP Disco Sport (only just big enough.)
- Consider Estates as cheaper and nearly as big - yet we'd both prefer a decent SUV.

Criteria is lots of space. We will have 2 young children (one with a pram) and a dog - she wants to be able to divide the boot for dog one side and pram/shopping the other. It also has to be relatively pokey as we both drive fairly quickly, ideally a minimum 3.0derv so its smooth and pulls reasonably well. We also have the potential of doing quite a few miles, so like the idea of owning the car and being away from mileage restrictions totally.
Finally with a couple kids and a dog I am concerned about wear and tear - whilst I look after my cars, a couple nippers & a dirty dog can soon wreck a car. Id probably sleep easier if I owned the car and dont need to return it in tip top condition...

Currently been looking at the RRS deals on freedom contracts, but over 3years it works out at £25-30k before it all starts again and I was hoping to get away from the Contract Hire etc if possible.

Thanks.

[Pistonheader101]

Buy outright with 2 years warranty.

Try out the x5, surprisingly spacious.

[Croutons]

New shape XC90 from 35K.

ETA new V90 for less, you only list X5/ Disco so assume looks an issue, in which case the V90 cross country has the chunky look, and useful raised ride height, and the fab new interior.

I wouldn't limit myself to a 3.0D, those are the rapid choices in the cars you list, but that's because they're old tech. Seriously, try a Volvo, you'd be surprised.

Edited by Croutons on Monday 23 April 22:32

[ZX10R NIN]

Some alternative options:

ML350 Sport

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

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

Grand Cherokee Overland/Summit These often get overlooked but they're a good car loaded with kit as well as being a (with these you'll have 2 years Manufacturers Warranty left & you can add another 3 years at the end of that) reliable practical SUV.

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...

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

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

Does it have to be diesel because the SRT8 makes a lot of sense

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

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

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

Edited by ZX10R NIN on Tuesday 24th April 07:37

[russy01]

Croutons said:

New shape XC90 from 35K.

ETA new V90 for less, you only list X5/ Disco so assume looks an issue, in which case the V90 cross country has the chunky look, and useful raised ride height, and the fab new interior.

I wouldn't limit myself to a 3.0D, those are the rapid choices in the cars you list, but that's because they're old tech. Seriously, try a Volvo, you'd be surprised.

Edited by Croutons on Monday 23 April 22:32

Thanks for your input, but not a Volvo man I am afraid. We looked last time around and were not fans, they were ok to waft around in - but considering I like to drive a bit I found them dull and flat compared to say an X5. Whilst the 3.0d are "Old Tech" by your reckoning, they are considerably nicer to drive than a 2.0d in a >2ton car.

[russy01]

ZX10R NIN said:

Some alternative options:

ML350 Sport

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

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

Grand Cherokee Overland/Summit These often get overlooked but they're a good car loaded with kit as well as being a (with these you'll have 2 years Manufacturers Warranty left & you can add another 3 years at the end of that) reliable practical SUV.

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...

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

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

Does it have to be diesel because the SRT8 makes a lot of sense

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

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

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

Edited by ZX10R NIN on Tuesday 24th April 07:37

Thanks buddy... The Merc is defo on my list, going to have a look this weekend.

Jeep - Whilst I am a pretty big fan of these, its going to be a hard sell with the Mrs. One of her best friends had one for a few months, hated it and slagged it off daily before changing it for a RRS - for that reason alone she's going to turn her nose up! The SRT8 is great, just not suited for the UK!!

[rich12]

I'd much rather have the new XC90 over a similar X5.
I love them and think they're the perfect all rounder.

[russy01]

rich12 said:

I'd much rather have the new XC90 over a similar X5.
I love them and think they're the perfect all rounder.

Have you driven both?

[Pothole]

I know you said premium, but then you said Disco..

Skoda Kodiaq?

http://cc-cloud.skoda-auto.com/CarCard/124342226

[ZX10R NIN]

Get her in one (as we both know her mate slagged it off is because she wanted the RRS in the first place! ) or arrange a 24 hour test drive the OH hostility to it should inspire Jeep to give you an extended test drive, you may just win her over.

[troika]

Why not consider a large estate, such as an E Class or A6, which will also drive better than a heavy 4x4 (unless you actually need a big, heavy 4x4 of course).

[russy01]

ZX10R NIN said:

Get her in one (as we both know her mate slagged it off is because she wanted the RRS in the first place! ) or arrange a 24 hour test drive the OH hostility to it should inspire Jeep to give you an extended test drive, you may just win her over.

Whilst I like the looks of them they are a bit crap compared to the German alternatives to drive, spec and also build quality. But I'll defo take a look - trying to be as open as I can...

As far as her mate, she came into the Jeep from a Vogue as her 2 big dogs were wrecking it. After the jeep I think they decided that 2 dogs were going to wreck anything - hence going and getting another RR and not worrying about it.

[Vixpy1]

We have the same debate, and whichever direction we try to go in, it always ends up in the same position, An X5.

F15 3.0D and be done with it

[russy01]

troika said:

Why not consider a large estate, such as an E Class or A6, which will also drive better than a heavy 4x4 (unless you actually need a big, heavy 4x4 of course).

This is the last point in my OP. Going to look at E350, 530 and A6's this weekend... the 4X4 is handy as we do live in a small country village and was fab during "Beast of the East" - yet its not crucial.

[gazza5]

personally I would probably look at VW tourag - although not sure on the boot size for your requirements.

Tbh - I have never understood getting a flash car, to then pile it high with kids and dogs - but that is just me - please its not a dig at you in anyway. You spends your money make your choice.

How often do you have the dog and kids in the car together? Is it all the time - or about once a week?

Personally I wouldn't want a nice new range rover, with car seats etc potentially making the leather sag - or have indents on the leather from the car seats etc. Kids sticky fingers everywhere, potential sickness (a lot go through a car sickness stage at some point).

My own list would be

VW Toureg
Jeep Grand Cherokee (can't believe the prices of the v8 ones - lovely jubbly)
BMW x5
Older porsche cayenne - although again not sure on boot as think its linked to the toureg.

My personal choice would be Skoda Kodiaq / VW tiguin 7 seater thing as a family car because then I wouldn't really care if the kids wrecked it, and a estate for the dog (as in my house if we had a dog it would mainly be me walking it anyway!)

[russy01]

Vixpy1 said:

We have the same debate, and whichever direction we try to go in, it always ends up in the same position, An X5.

F15 3.0D and be done with it

This is my gut Charlie. I had a X5 40d courtesy car for a week a year or two ago and it was brilliant. Silly quick for a tank and all the space we ever needed, need to try a 3.0d.

[troika]

russy01 said:

troika said:

Why not consider a large estate, such as an E Class or A6, which will also drive better than a heavy 4x4 (unless you actually need a big, heavy 4x4 of course).

This is the last point in my OP. Going to look at E350, 530 and A6's this weekend... the 4X4 is handy as we do live in a small country village and was fab during "Beast of the East" - yet its not crucial.

Understand. An A6 Allroad would probably do the job. We live a mile down a track and an A4 Allroad is more than capable (don’t need as much space as you). A left field choice for something capable, spacious and durable would be a Subaru Outback. I get it if it’s not for you, but they are bloody good and great VFM. Generally driven by old money with a couple of black labs in the boot.

[russy01]

gazza5 said:

personally I would probably look at VW tourag - although not sure on the boot size for your requirements.

Tbh - I have never understood getting a flash car, to then pile it high with kids and dogs - but that is just me - please its not a dig at you in anyway. You spends your money make your choice.

How often do you have the dog and kids in the car together? Is it all the time - or about once a week?

Personally I wouldn't want a nice new range rover, with car seats etc potentially making the leather sag - or have indents on the leather from the car seats etc. Kids sticky fingers everywhere, potential sickness (a lot go through a car sickness stage at some point).

My own list would be

VW Toureg
Jeep Grand Cherokee (can't believe the prices of the v8 ones - lovely jubbly)
BMW x5
Older porsche cayenne - although again not sure on boot as think its linked to the toureg.

My personal choice would be Skoda Kodiaq / VW tiguin 7 seater thing as a family car because then I wouldn't really care if the kids wrecked it, and a estate for the dog (as in my house if we had a dog it would mainly be me walking it anyway!)

Dog & Kids most days. Will look to divide the boot into dog side and pram side...

Im not looking for it to be flash - it just happens to be that the very largest 4X4s are from more Premium brands (X5, Q7, Discoveries, RR's etc). If Ford or Vauxhall made a car to properly compete with the X5 or Discovery 5 then Id consider it - but all of these so called SUV's nowadays are simply Hatchback chassis's with a chunky body and an extra 50mm ground clearance!

Touareg is on the list as coming out good value now and lots of of options (massive lease deals on these a couple years ago will help)...

Will look at this Kodiaq thing as been mentioned a couple times...

[Pothole]

russy01 said:

gazza5 said:

personally I would probably look at VW tourag - although not sure on the boot size for your requirements.

Tbh - I have never understood getting a flash car, to then pile it high with kids and dogs - but that is just me - please its not a dig at you in anyway. You spends your money make your choice.

How often do you have the dog and kids in the car together? Is it all the time - or about once a week?

Personally I wouldn't want a nice new range rover, with car seats etc potentially making the leather sag - or have indents on the leather from the car seats etc. Kids sticky fingers everywhere, potential sickness (a lot go through a car sickness stage at some point).

My own list would be

VW Toureg
Jeep Grand Cherokee (can't believe the prices of the v8 ones - lovely jubbly)
BMW x5
Older porsche cayenne - although again not sure on boot as think its linked to the toureg.

My personal choice would be Skoda Kodiaq / VW tiguin 7 seater thing as a family car because then I wouldn't really care if the kids wrecked it, and a estate for the dog (as in my house if we had a dog it would mainly be me walking it anyway!)

Dog & Kids most days. Will look to divide the boot into dog side and pram side...

Im not looking for it to be flash - it just happens to be that the very largest 4X4s are from more Premium brands (X5, Q7, Discoveries, RR's etc). If Ford or Vauxhall made a car to properly compete with the X5 or Discovery 5 then Id consider it - but all of these so called SUV's nowadays are simply Hatchback chassis's with a chunky body and an extra 50mm ground clearance!

Touareg is on the list as coming out good value now and lots of of options (massive lease deals on these a couple years ago will help)...

Will look at this Kodiaq thing as been mentioned a couple times...

Seat also have their version coming at the end of the year.

[micloi]

If you don't necessarily need an SUV I heartily recommend the Skoda Superb 280 estate. Quick, spacious, 4x4, loads of extras and you could get a dealer demo one for your budget.