Help Please, Volvo XC90/Discovery 3/Honda CRV/Outlander?
Discussion
Looking for a bit of advice and help please fellow PH'ers.
Currently have a 06 vw passat sport estate and a 56 vw golf gti DSG.
In March next year we will be expecting the arrival of our little nipper, and with the missus being on maternity leave and her need for a bigger and safer car, we are looking to downscale to one car, albeit a big 4x4 which the missus quote "can survive a car crash in".
We're looking at around the £10-12,000 mark, Must be an automatic, under 100,000 miles, leather seats (we have a dog so it's easier to get the hairs off) and be reasonable on fuel economy(no petrol v8's!!). 7 seats would be a nice extra. We've yet to test drive any vehicles as i want to wait until the new year so that the prices will hopefully drop off a bit for 4x4's, but looking at the options, in our price bracket are the Honda CRV, Discovery 3, Volvo XC90, Outlander or a BMW X3.
I understand that servicing will cost a lot more than our cars currently due to them being big bulky vehicles with lot's of tech, and that MPG won't be much greater than 30mpg. But will the fact we're downscaling to one car instead of paying for 2 x car tax, 2 x insurance etc, offset the raised prices in this area?
What are they like to live with everyday? Is there any you'd recommend or any i've missed?
So far i've found the following options:
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2013...
XC90 Ocean Race Special Edition
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2013...
Discovery 3
Any help would be appreciated!!
Currently have a 06 vw passat sport estate and a 56 vw golf gti DSG.
In March next year we will be expecting the arrival of our little nipper, and with the missus being on maternity leave and her need for a bigger and safer car, we are looking to downscale to one car, albeit a big 4x4 which the missus quote "can survive a car crash in".
We're looking at around the £10-12,000 mark, Must be an automatic, under 100,000 miles, leather seats (we have a dog so it's easier to get the hairs off) and be reasonable on fuel economy(no petrol v8's!!). 7 seats would be a nice extra. We've yet to test drive any vehicles as i want to wait until the new year so that the prices will hopefully drop off a bit for 4x4's, but looking at the options, in our price bracket are the Honda CRV, Discovery 3, Volvo XC90, Outlander or a BMW X3.
I understand that servicing will cost a lot more than our cars currently due to them being big bulky vehicles with lot's of tech, and that MPG won't be much greater than 30mpg. But will the fact we're downscaling to one car instead of paying for 2 x car tax, 2 x insurance etc, offset the raised prices in this area?
What are they like to live with everyday? Is there any you'd recommend or any i've missed?
So far i've found the following options:
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2013...
XC90 Ocean Race Special Edition
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2013...
Discovery 3
Any help would be appreciated!!
Phil Dicky said:
I've had an XC90 and loved it..only thing to check is the 4 x 4 system, they do fail and can be 1k to fix. Disco can have high bork factor.
Not sure a CRV or Outlander are any bigger than the Passat, just a bit higher up.
Be an XC90 for me
Are they relativly reliable then? I know tyres cost a lot, what are the service intervals/costs?Not sure a CRV or Outlander are any bigger than the Passat, just a bit higher up.
Be an XC90 for me
I've heard all now, a Passat estate not big enough for one baby!
Seriously though,as you appear to like VW's ,what about the Touareg? I've looked at them in the past and they seem better put together than most competitors,except Landcruisers obviously, but unless you're driving across deserts or own horses that could be overkill.
Edited to add, I didn't see the above post when I posted this!.Will expect commission though !
Seriously though,as you appear to like VW's ,what about the Touareg? I've looked at them in the past and they seem better put together than most competitors,except Landcruisers obviously, but unless you're driving across deserts or own horses that could be overkill.
Edited to add, I didn't see the above post when I posted this!.Will expect commission though !
Edited by infradig on Thursday 7th November 09:31
kapiteinlangzaam said:
XC90s are great. I love mine.
I wouldnt buy a pre-facelfit car though. All the niggly (and big) problems such as the AWD issues etc were fixed with the 2006 facelift.
A pre-facelift XC90 is a bit of an invitation to emptying your wallet im afriad!
This is what I was told when looking for one last year by a Volvo Specialist. Facelift is the way to go. I wouldnt buy a pre-facelfit car though. All the niggly (and big) problems such as the AWD issues etc were fixed with the 2006 facelift.
A pre-facelift XC90 is a bit of an invitation to emptying your wallet im afriad!
I ended up buying a 3.0TDI A6 Avant.
I went for an RX400h. It was between that and a newer CRV for me. The extra power and toys swung it for me.
It's been faultless, very refined and has an awesome stereo system, dvd's too.
Not going to chuck it down a b road though, but that's not what it is for, it's for wafting about. Does about 30mpg. No 7 seats though.
It's been faultless, very refined and has an awesome stereo system, dvd's too.
Not going to chuck it down a b road though, but that's not what it is for, it's for wafting about. Does about 30mpg. No 7 seats though.
Not sure why you want a big 4x4 with one child but I can advise on the XC90.
Our main car is a pre-facelift 06 which I bought not knowing about pre/post facelift but its been 100% reliable since we bought it May 2012.
It doesn't do huge mileage, maybe 10k since we've owned it but it tows our 1400kg caravan with ease and is pretty spacious but TBH the boot isn't a huge amount bigger than the Mondeo estate I had years ago.
I have a lifetime warranty on mine which was reasonable and I made sure it covers the 4x4 system if not much else.
I bought tyres on Ebay (Kankook) for £120 each and a local garage fitted them for £15 each including balancing.
Tax is the biggy, its top rate so £480? but my commuter is only £20 so man maths averages out at £250 per car :-)
It only needed a gater for its MOT and my local Polish mechanic does a service for £150.
Heavy on fuel, wife gets 28 but it mainly short journeys, longer trips will see 32-34.
WE looked at Outlanders but with 3 kids the 3rd row seats were too small for regular use but it was ideal apart from that.
mate has the XC60 and its a lovely car and much cheaper to run than the XC90.
They are within your budget now as well.
OP-I would go for the smaller SUV with only 1 child.
Our main car is a pre-facelift 06 which I bought not knowing about pre/post facelift but its been 100% reliable since we bought it May 2012.
It doesn't do huge mileage, maybe 10k since we've owned it but it tows our 1400kg caravan with ease and is pretty spacious but TBH the boot isn't a huge amount bigger than the Mondeo estate I had years ago.
I have a lifetime warranty on mine which was reasonable and I made sure it covers the 4x4 system if not much else.
I bought tyres on Ebay (Kankook) for £120 each and a local garage fitted them for £15 each including balancing.
Tax is the biggy, its top rate so £480? but my commuter is only £20 so man maths averages out at £250 per car :-)
It only needed a gater for its MOT and my local Polish mechanic does a service for £150.
Heavy on fuel, wife gets 28 but it mainly short journeys, longer trips will see 32-34.
WE looked at Outlanders but with 3 kids the 3rd row seats were too small for regular use but it was ideal apart from that.
mate has the XC60 and its a lovely car and much cheaper to run than the XC90.
They are within your budget now as well.
OP-I would go for the smaller SUV with only 1 child.
Unfortunetly its not me who wants the bigger car. I would be perfectly happy just selling the gti as the passat is a perfect size for what we need. But the wife has got it in her head that the bigger the car, the better chances of survival in a crash (believe me, i've tried to point her towards ncap safety ratings and that you dont have to have a tank to be safe on the roads etc, but i think its her motherly instinct kicking in and i can't win lol!)
I wasn't aware of the pre facelift issues with reliability......i was looking at older models due to the lower tax band but maybe the saving won't be worth it. Its good to see a few owners having good experiences and recommending it though, will be keeping this on my list. I think the landie is off though, i can't justify having nearly 3 tons of brilliant off road capability for the odd puddle or two, and the unreliability that seems to come with it.
Maybe i should try and send her down the path of the x3, or something a bit smaller?
I wasn't aware of the pre facelift issues with reliability......i was looking at older models due to the lower tax band but maybe the saving won't be worth it. Its good to see a few owners having good experiences and recommending it though, will be keeping this on my list. I think the landie is off though, i can't justify having nearly 3 tons of brilliant off road capability for the odd puddle or two, and the unreliability that seems to come with it.
Maybe i should try and send her down the path of the x3, or something a bit smaller?
Mr Red Barron said:
Unfortunetly its not me who wants the bigger car. I would be perfectly happy just selling the gti as the passat is a perfect size for what we need. But the wife has got it in her head that the bigger the car, the better chances of survival in a crash (believe me, i've tried to point her towards ncap safety ratings and that you dont have to have a tank to be safe on the roads etc, but i think its her motherly instinct kicking in and i can't win lol!)
I feel sorry for you. The very fact she wants a big, heavy, high, softly sprung car for "safety" is the reason she shouldn't have one. Remind her that it will be fine as long as what ever she hits is smaller than her (assuming she doesn't have to take any quick avoiding manoeuvres, which tip the car over) but if she hits or gets hit by anything big enough to stop it, all bets are off. I trust she will be barging her way to the outside of the school on the zig zags to drop her precious cargo off when he/she starts school. It's the only way, her child is far more important than everyone else's.
Buy her a Fiesta and some defensive driving lessons.
The wife's Passat is a great all rounder.
In 100,000 miles ours has swallowed prams, pushchairs, huge amounts of luggage for hols, superb in the snow with its winter tyres on, feels like you are driving a tank, six air bags, very comfortable, 50+MPG most of the time, no slouch either and it just works...
Why saddle yourself with with a big off-roader?
I also have a small off-roader which is cheap to run, 40MPG, but way to small for a family...
If you must then a diesel CRV/x-trail may make sense.
Cheers
In 100,000 miles ours has swallowed prams, pushchairs, huge amounts of luggage for hols, superb in the snow with its winter tyres on, feels like you are driving a tank, six air bags, very comfortable, 50+MPG most of the time, no slouch either and it just works...
Why saddle yourself with with a big off-roader?
I also have a small off-roader which is cheap to run, 40MPG, but way to small for a family...
If you must then a diesel CRV/x-trail may make sense.
Cheers
I think you're mad.
Swapping cars costs money, probably £000's based on what your proposing - that's lost money in the act of swapping not the actual purchase price. The 2 cars you have now sound perfect for the job - safe, economic, practical and reliable. What happens when the child starts nursery, pre-school etc? We have to have 2 cars for this very reason as sometimes I drop off and Mrs JQ picks up and vice versa, so your downscaling could be quite temporary. Personally, if safety was my biggest issue, I'd rather have a small nimble car with a high NCAP than a massive 4x4, far more likely to avoid an accident that way.
If you're happy to accept there's no logic to your decision to chop in 2 pefectly good cars then I'd probably go for a Honda CRV, great car and very versatile - in terms of actual personal experience I'd have it over a Rav4, X-Trail and Touareg. Something like an XC90 is complete overkill for 1 child - several friends have 7 seaters and all seats rarely get used and even when they do, it's for the convenience of other people at the expense of their own. I'd rather have a V70 or A6 over an XC90. However, my wife would take an XC90 every time.
Swapping cars costs money, probably £000's based on what your proposing - that's lost money in the act of swapping not the actual purchase price. The 2 cars you have now sound perfect for the job - safe, economic, practical and reliable. What happens when the child starts nursery, pre-school etc? We have to have 2 cars for this very reason as sometimes I drop off and Mrs JQ picks up and vice versa, so your downscaling could be quite temporary. Personally, if safety was my biggest issue, I'd rather have a small nimble car with a high NCAP than a massive 4x4, far more likely to avoid an accident that way.
If you're happy to accept there's no logic to your decision to chop in 2 pefectly good cars then I'd probably go for a Honda CRV, great car and very versatile - in terms of actual personal experience I'd have it over a Rav4, X-Trail and Touareg. Something like an XC90 is complete overkill for 1 child - several friends have 7 seaters and all seats rarely get used and even when they do, it's for the convenience of other people at the expense of their own. I'd rather have a V70 or A6 over an XC90. However, my wife would take an XC90 every time.
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