Clueless. New driver- need help deciding what car to buy
Clueless. New driver- need help deciding what car to buy
Author
Discussion

SallyDecker

Original Poster:

5 posts

100 months

Monday 19th June 2017
quotequote all
First time posting; it's worth getting eaten alive if it means I leave with an ounce more information than I came in with biggrin

I recently passed my test *punches air* but I am old, so very old- all the new driver advice is aimed at teenagers and seems to revolve around cheap insurance and not snorting coke off the dashboard with your friends. Neither of those things are available to me.

I have two young kids and a tall husband to ferry around, I commute to work and live in London so will be regularly stuck in traffic. Husband will be getting an automatic license and I'm lazy, so an auto makes sense. Has to be petrol as diesels will likely be banned in London I believe?

I want an elevated driving position and something roomy which will fit a lot of stuff in. Contrast this with my bambi-levels of confidence and I'm getting a bit stuck. I appreciate that I have a contradictory wish list biggrin I also want to not have to think about it, so leasing or PCP deals appeal. Could do £250ish a month.
Could also buy second hand, budget up to £10k.

Currently looking at second hand qashqai (natch) which seems to fit the bill, but have heard that the autos have problems... or a new Renault Kadjar; this only comes with a 1.2 engine though, which is putting me off. Can it go up hills?

Am I on the right lines here? Should I be looking at other cars you have loved? Or avoid ones you've hated?

mr_spock

3,368 posts

233 months

Monday 19th June 2017
quotequote all
I'd suggest looking at the mid size MPVs rather than the small SUV style. You still get the elevated position but you also get more interior space and load space, and will find something for less money. As a new driver in town, you WILL have scrapes. So don't blow all your cash on something new (all IMHO).

I'd suggest taking a look at nearly-new Ford S-Max, C-Max and (one of my faves) the Citroen C4 Picasso and Grand Picasso.

Random example: http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2017...

ZX10R NIN

29,507 posts

143 months

Monday 19th June 2017
quotequote all
Remember any petrol you buy will have to be 2006 onwards you can get a diesel but it'll have to be a 2015 onwards to clear the ULEZ.

I'd say if you want to have an SUV then get a Ford Kuga but they're heavy on the road tax.

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2017...

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2017...



But I'd go for an MPV it seems to suit your needs better:

Mazda5:

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2016...

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2017...

S Max Titanium X Sport

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2017...

Titanium

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2017...

Also by getting one of these when your husband passes you can get a smaller auto as the family transport will be covered so something smaller would work like a Clio:

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2017...

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2017...




SallyDecker

Original Poster:

5 posts

100 months

Monday 19th June 2017
quotequote all
Thank you smile

I take your point about the scrapes- have also thought that I can get a PCP deal at any time, whereas getting out of a three year contract in order to buy a second hand car would be trickier.

Interesting about the Citroen... is value for money its strongest selling point? I have had a few people suck air through their teeth when French cars are mentioned biggrin I'm starting to take this with a pinch of salt and realise that everyone has their own preferences...

Edited by SallyDecker on Monday 19th June 22:14

SallyDecker

Original Poster:

5 posts

100 months

Monday 19th June 2017
quotequote all
Thanks also NIN.

I'm not sure I want a 7 seater... MPVs are a whole new world biggrin

Do quite like the Kuga though. Would you say this is a better option than say a 2012 Qashqai? It's certainly cheaper! What's the reliability like?


Deerfoot

5,084 posts

202 months

Monday 19th June 2017
quotequote all
Yeti?

ZX10R NIN

29,507 posts

143 months

Monday 19th June 2017
quotequote all
SallyDecker said:
Thanks also NIN.

I'm not sure I want a 7 seater... MPVs are a whole new world biggrin

Do quite like the Kuga though. Would you say this is a better option than say a 2012 Qashqai? It's certainly cheaper! What's the reliability like?
Lol I was just throwing it out there the Mazda5 is a decent sized car, the Kuga imo is a better car they're a very good car & as a first car it's a good place to start.



Willy Nilly

12,511 posts

185 months

Monday 19th June 2017
quotequote all
you will still have to check insurance because you have no driving history.

A Citroen Cactus might be worth a look for you, you'll get a nearly new one for your budget.

SallyDecker

Original Poster:

5 posts

100 months

Monday 19th June 2017
quotequote all
The lower safety rating put me off the cactus... perhaps I should reconsider?

Having sat in a yeti, I found it a bit boxy. Again, I will reconsider and take one for a spin, thanks.

Insurance is insane for any car that meets my needs- new driver in London with street parking. I'm seeing it as part of the cost of the car, TBH.

Have been told so many bad things about fords, but really like the look of the Kuga. To be fair, it seems that no car is beyond criticism- I think I need to grow a thicker skin.

Any thoughts on the Peugeot 2008?

ZX10R NIN

29,507 posts

143 months

Monday 19th June 2017
quotequote all
Fords are reliable like any car if it's not looked after then it won't last. Go for a few test drives & see what you like.

mr_spock

3,368 posts

233 months

Monday 19th June 2017
quotequote all
We've had 2 of the previous Citroen C4 Grand Picasso (and a Clio a long time ago). All completely reliable up to the end of the 3 year lease. There are some weak points, like the air suspension on the back of the upper models, but it's all cheap to fix. The petrol doesn't suit the EGS gearbox, 2.0 diesel was much much better. Superbly comfortable, well screwed together, good toys, robust interiors with the kids and dog. The latest model lost a lot of the cubby storage, and we didn't need the 7 seats so switched to B class Mercs, but would have a used C4 any day if I needed one. The ventilation and steering weight were both much better than the Fords, which are also good cars.

Willy Nilly

12,511 posts

185 months

Monday 19th June 2017
quotequote all
SallyDecker said:
The lower safety rating put me off the cactus... perhaps I should reconsider?

Having sat in a yeti, I found it a bit boxy. Again, I will reconsider and take one for a spin, thanks.

Insurance is insane for any car that meets my needs- new driver in London with street parking. I'm seeing it as part of the cost of the car, TBH.

Have been told so many bad things about fords, but really like the look of the Kuga. To be fair, it seems that no car is beyond criticism- I think I need to grow a thicker skin.

Any thoughts on the Peugeot 2008?
The safety ratings are all relative. Modern cars are really safe which ever one you buy, they won't just fold up on you in a crash. Not something i'd worry about.

Take as many as possible for a test drive, only then will you know what suits best and, importantly as you've got street parking, that you can park it!

A lot of the reliability will come down to you maintaining it properly.

SallyDecker

Original Poster:

5 posts

100 months

Monday 19th June 2017
quotequote all
Fair points, well put. I need to get test driving.

I planned on going to some 'car supermarket' type places to test drive a few different cars, but soon found out that although they're happy to sell me a car, they won't let me test drive any of them as I have had my license for under a year furious

MorganP104

2,605 posts

148 months

Tuesday 20th June 2017
quotequote all
SallyDecker said:
Have been told so many bad things about fords, but really like the look of the Kuga. To be fair, it seems that no car is beyond criticism- I think I need to grow a thicker skin.
Not sure who's been badmouthing Fords to you - they've been making good cars since they got shot of the Escort, and started making the Focus.

The Kuga's a particularly good car, but please don't confuse it with the EcoSport (which looks similar if you squint). Having just told you that Ford make good cars these days, avoid the EcoSport, which is a "could do better" kind of a vehicle. laugh