What bigger car? 12k to spend

[Silvs]

The time has come for a bigger car, I need room for 2 young children and all the stuff that they bring. I am currently looking at the Nissan Qashqai, the top spec diesel models are floating around my budget with about 30k miles on. They seem to have reasonable running costs and insurance.

My concern is that the Diesel engines are Renault which could cause reliability issues later down the line. I will be looking to keep the car for 5 years. I have looked at Kuga's but they are a little pricey and I'm not that keen on the styling.

Freelander is too expensive in the day to day as is the CRV because of the 2.2 ltr engine.

Have I missed anything obvious before I commit!

Thanks.

[kiethton]

Is diesel necessary - if you do lower mileage/a lot of stop start/short journeys maybe a petrol would be better...

Other benefit then is that they are cheaper to buy so more for your money!

My cash would likely go towards a Volvo XC60 or older Lexus RX though

[Silvs]

In reality I don't do the mileage, maybe 12k a year tops. I could go petrol which I think are Nissans own in the Qashqai, would rule out the Renault issue.

Just used to owning diesel, and like the waft.

[kiethton]

Silvs said:

Just used to owning diesel, and like the waft.

Fair enough, just watch out for gunked up EGR's and DPF's in that case....

If the mileage is as you say they were doing nissan cashcow's at under £200pm on lease which would make that another persons problem?

[Willy Nilly]

You'd be tripping over S-Max's and Mondeo's for that money.

[MrsThatcher]

Silvs said:

The time has come for a bigger car, I need room for 2 young children and all the stuff that they bring. I am currently looking at the Nissan Qashqai, the top spec diesel models are floating around my budget with about 30k miles on. They seem to have reasonable running costs and insurance.

My concern is that the Diesel engines are Renault which could cause reliability issues later down the line. I will be looking to keep the car for 5 years. I have looked at Kuga's but they are a little pricey and I'm not that keen on the styling.

Freelander is too expensive in the day to day as is the CRV because of the 2.2 ltr engine.

Have I missed anything obvious before I commit!

Thanks.

You could pick up a e61 520d touring for 12k.

[A900ss]

Why are you looking at 4x4‘s?

They have small boots in relation to estate cars. (Spoken as a parent with 2 small children and have friends with mid sized 4x4‘s that now regret it)

My money would be on an S-Max at that price - great car. I did 55k in about 15 months in 2007/08.

Good luck.

[Silvs]

I like estates I'd have one without an issue, the wife however does not. I hate "people carriers" I know there practical and in the case of the S Max really good cars. I'm just too young to own one yet, Despite the sproglets. Both the Mrs and I prefer the SUV look.

[Jasandjules]

As above, estate cars are better - get buggies etc in the boot nice and quickly.

The 4*4s seem (to me) to have quite small boots for their size..

[A900ss]

Unless you go for Disco/XC90, I don't think you'll be getting a big car with lots of storage space then.

Best of luck though.

[Pesty]

Jasandjules said:

As above, estate cars are better - get buggies etc in the boot nice and quickly.

The 4*4s seem (to me) to have quite small boots for their size..

Yes but not all. X trails and crvs have big boots but quasquis ( spelling) are useless boot wise

[Silvs]

I don't need to get loads in there. A pram and the weekly shop is enough. The boot space in these crossovers seems fair. I can't get anything in the back of my Corsa!

[skyrover]

Qashqai's are pretty compact tbh... about the size of a ford focus.

Have you tried one? you might find it a little too constrained for your needs.

[lamboman100]

Black Dodge Nitro.

[conkerman]

Skoda superb estate. Big enough to live in.

CRV is a good shout. Don't be put off by the 2.2 its a very good engine.

[Edition87]

Im currently looking at Octavia VRS estate's for around the same cash, dont have the same needs as you but would like a much bigger car!

[TVRJAS]

You don't see as many on the roads as you do the Nissan but how about the Jeep range.

I Have never driven one personally but they just look like a good safe solid car for your family and get very good reviews from the owners.

Jeep compass http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2014...

Jeep Patriot http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2014...

[Tuvra]

Dacia or Kia 4x4?

[johnfm]

With £12k to spend I would get two cars. A £5k thing the wife can use and £7k on an e39 M5...

[GFraser]

Willy Nilly said:

You'd be tripping over S-Max's and Mondeo's for that money.

I bought a Mondeo when my little 'un arrived and it's been fantastic. The boot is enormous, for long journeys it swallows everything when packing the works, high chair, puschair, our suitcases etc etc, but we've never had to cram stuff into the cabin. There are hundreds of low mileage 2.0 diesels around, you can even get the 2.2 for that money! I wish I had but unfortunately at the time I just couldn't stretch to one. If you like a wafty diesel and want a ton of space then I can't recommend a Mondeo enough.

Here's a 2.2TDCi on 18k miles within budget.