Another day, another what car...
Discussion
Can't even offer you an exciting twist or anything! Sorry!
So, this isn't for me this is for my parents. My father works abroad and on his next trip home he is thinking about changing his car. I want to give him some advice when he goes looking because in the past he's bought some stinkers! (and this is a man who was one of the first to own the Escort RS Turbo in Essex white in the 80's). He bought his last car in 2008. It was a nearly new Lexus IS220d SE. However, it was useless in the snow so not much later he added a 51 plate Suzuki Vitara 3 door to the drive. My mother, being of the "4th gear is fine thank you" and "petrified of HGV's" persuasion uses the Suzuki as her main mode of transport because it is dog slow and high up. Apart from rotting exhausts, this car has needed nothing. It just works, although 60 mph is actually a struggle.
This means the Lexus, which had < 2k miles on it when he bought it, has less than 20 k miles on it. Happily at the time things like DPF's weren't common place. If he bought a new diesel now and carried on as they do, they'd have blocked one of those up in no time I bet.
So I am going to try steer him away from another diesel. He just doesn't need one. They also don't need two cars. One car which can handle a bit of snow will do. I suggested something of the mini-SUV variety like a Ford Kuga. Before anyone asks, the high up cars are better for my mother with her twin hip replacements. Low cars are a struggle.
I would wager he will be buying nearly new again (good experience last time round). My mother has decided she likes the Audi Q3. Heres the list:
Audi Q3 - Advised them to try one without the S-line suspension. They don't want or need a bone hard ride.
Mercedes B Class - No idea why they shortlisted this.
Ford Kuga - Probably rides well, steers well and goes well.
BMW X3 - Q3 rival.
and my suggestion - Skoda Yeti. Apparently rides beautifully and is well put together. A 1.8 TSI with AWD would be good (no DSG option!)
Any others? any problems with the above choices?
The problem I see is that the vast majority of nearly new examples will be diesel. I just don't think they should get another diesel. It will surely cause them problems later and probably cost them more in fuel in the long run.
So, this isn't for me this is for my parents. My father works abroad and on his next trip home he is thinking about changing his car. I want to give him some advice when he goes looking because in the past he's bought some stinkers! (and this is a man who was one of the first to own the Escort RS Turbo in Essex white in the 80's). He bought his last car in 2008. It was a nearly new Lexus IS220d SE. However, it was useless in the snow so not much later he added a 51 plate Suzuki Vitara 3 door to the drive. My mother, being of the "4th gear is fine thank you" and "petrified of HGV's" persuasion uses the Suzuki as her main mode of transport because it is dog slow and high up. Apart from rotting exhausts, this car has needed nothing. It just works, although 60 mph is actually a struggle.
This means the Lexus, which had < 2k miles on it when he bought it, has less than 20 k miles on it. Happily at the time things like DPF's weren't common place. If he bought a new diesel now and carried on as they do, they'd have blocked one of those up in no time I bet.
So I am going to try steer him away from another diesel. He just doesn't need one. They also don't need two cars. One car which can handle a bit of snow will do. I suggested something of the mini-SUV variety like a Ford Kuga. Before anyone asks, the high up cars are better for my mother with her twin hip replacements. Low cars are a struggle.
I would wager he will be buying nearly new again (good experience last time round). My mother has decided she likes the Audi Q3. Heres the list:
Audi Q3 - Advised them to try one without the S-line suspension. They don't want or need a bone hard ride.
Mercedes B Class - No idea why they shortlisted this.
Ford Kuga - Probably rides well, steers well and goes well.
BMW X3 - Q3 rival.
and my suggestion - Skoda Yeti. Apparently rides beautifully and is well put together. A 1.8 TSI with AWD would be good (no DSG option!)
Any others? any problems with the above choices?
The problem I see is that the vast majority of nearly new examples will be diesel. I just don't think they should get another diesel. It will surely cause them problems later and probably cost them more in fuel in the long run.
I think the Yeti and the Kuga are the stand-out choices for me. The latter is certainly a fine little car, drives exactly how you'd expect a modern Ford to (well) and has a good range of engines. The Yeti is pretty well liked by every reviewer I've come across, and not so long ago the waiting list was huge.
Krikkit said:
I think the Yeti and the Kuga are the stand-out choices for me. The latter is certainly a fine little car, drives exactly how you'd expect a modern Ford to (well) and has a good range of engines. The Yeti is pretty well liked by every reviewer I've come across, and not so long ago the waiting list was huge.
Yeah. Plus I think they are about to ruin the Kuga as the car is becoming one with the US ford escape I think and it looks awful. So picking up an older model will be fine.They had a Rav4 in the past. For me it was one of their stinkers. s
t engine, hard ride and absolutely awful refinement. I have never been in such a harsh sounding car. Awful hard plastics everywhere, I really did wonder what they were smoking when they passed up an A6 avant for that.Mother likes the Juke... But she's on her own there! Though my father might put up with it. Are they 2WD though? ( not that it really matters for the little bit of snow we get, but no doubt my mother will insist on AWD)
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