What Car?
Author
Discussion

Herbs

Original Poster:

5,131 posts

259 months

Monday 7th January 2013
quotequote all
With a baby due in 4 weeks we need to get a shuffle on and sort out our car situation. We currently have a Q7 and a SLK which both will be going. I'll start a separate thread at a later date for the more fun car.

So first on the list is a replacement for the SLK.

Requirements:
4/5 door
Auto
2004 or newer
Good sized boot (ideally without a big lip so she can get the buggy in and out easily)
Economical
Isofix

extras such as parking sensors a nice option.

So far, a 2006/7 Civic is winning the race as it looks like a coupe but with good rear access and the buggy fits in the boot ok.

We have discounted a Focus as she doesn't like them and a C4 (i like them but she doesn't, we have also looked at 3 series/5 series A4/A6 estates but ideally something a bit smaller and more funky (read pretty/girly). Use is a cross of dual carriageway and country lanes.

Budget of around £4 - £7k for this one.

Over to the PH Oracle smile

Herbs

Original Poster:

5,131 posts

259 months

Monday 7th January 2013
quotequote all
bump.

Any suggestions?

Deerfoot

5,252 posts

214 months

Monday 7th January 2013
quotequote all
Honda Civic is not a bad shout.

We found the rear door window line quite high up, it`s not a problem initially but kids like to look out of the windows when they`re old enough.

Oh, rearwards vision isn`t great either.

Herbs

Original Poster:

5,131 posts

259 months

Monday 7th January 2013
quotequote all
Thanks, we tend to change cars every year or so, so that shouldn't be a problem smile

dav123a

1,220 posts

189 months

Monday 7th January 2013
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What about a Mazda 3?

psychoR1

1,114 posts

217 months

Monday 7th January 2013
quotequote all
Qashqai or what ever is best in that class at the mo.
Kids are much quieter when they can see something!

Herbs

Original Poster:

5,131 posts

259 months

Monday 7th January 2013
quotequote all
Mmmm Mazda 3 haven't thought of those - just had a quick browse and seems big enough although the boot access may be a bit on the tight side however the only way to know is to go and have a look at one.

I like the Qashqai however our neighbours have just bought one so wouldn't choose the same. The mrs did like the Rav 4 from outside but not the interior so much.

Keep em coming!

Deerfoot

5,252 posts

214 months

Monday 7th January 2013
quotequote all
You can get a B-Class for your budget although it'll have a CVT gearbox as opposed to a conventional torque converting auto.

Might be worth a look if you're happy with the three pointed star.

stormy22

793 posts

167 months

Monday 7th January 2013
quotequote all
For 6-7k you can get a Volvo S60 2.4D or a 2.0 T 2008 or 2009, around 40-70,000 miles

Edited by stormy22 on Monday 7th January 18:33

psychoR1

1,114 posts

217 months

Monday 7th January 2013
quotequote all
Xtrail or murano then?

djfaulkner

1,103 posts

248 months

Monday 7th January 2013
quotequote all
C or S Max

Buff Mchugelarge

3,316 posts

180 months

Monday 7th January 2013
quotequote all
Nissan CashCow..?

I hired a 1.5d one a while back and after much piss taking and 400 miles I was sold!.
Loads of kit, loads of room, fairly pokey and entertaining enough.

Prices are fairly keen at the moment too.
We had an '07 '+2' model with ALL the gear for a nats cock under 9K a while back.

Herbs

Original Poster:

5,131 posts

259 months

Monday 7th January 2013
quotequote all
psychoR1 said:
Xtrail or murano then?
Murano a good shout - anyone have any real world MPG?

Herbs

Original Poster:

5,131 posts

259 months

Monday 7th January 2013
quotequote all
Deerfoot said:
You can get a B-Class for your budget although it'll have a CVT gearbox as opposed to a conventional torque converting auto.

Might be worth a look if you're happy with the three pointed star.
Suprisingly enough the boot is nowhere near big enough as we had one as a courtesy car a couple of months back which she liked but just not suitable.

Herbs

Original Poster:

5,131 posts

259 months

Monday 7th January 2013
quotequote all
djfaulkner said:
C or S Max
Ideally want to stay away from Ford and not something so family based (ironic considering what we want it for hehe )

mattnunn

14,041 posts

191 months

Monday 7th January 2013
quotequote all
The civic's rear door are 3/4 size, they're roomy inside and boot is good, but we got rid of ours because getting the kids in and out of the rear doors in baby carrier thing was a pain. (as well as the engine melting down).

As with all the what familly car threads the answer is Volvo V70, there is an engine to suit every driving style, incredibly large, well equipped, comfortable and classy.

Herbs

Original Poster:

5,131 posts

259 months

Monday 7th January 2013
quotequote all
mattnunn said:
The civic's rear door are 3/4 size, they're roomy inside and boot is good, but we got rid of ours because getting the kids in and out of the rear doors in baby carrier thing was a pain. (as well as the engine melting down).

As with all the what familly car threads the answer is Volvo V70, there is an engine to suit every driving style, incredibly large, well equipped, comfortable and classy.
Off to look at V70's ...... thumbup

edo

16,699 posts

295 months

Gizmoish

18,150 posts

239 months

Monday 7th January 2013
quotequote all
I was in a similar position a while back. A170 or B200 CDI manual was favourite and all I had to do was find one... Then the cause went away.