Usable 5 seater - under £15K

[anonymous-user]

Out of my comfort zone here.

Looking for secondhand car with usable 5 seats for two adults/three kids (9,10,12).Sometimes one adult will need to go in the back (eldest gets car sick and is better in front).

Have £15K budget.

Not worried about engine size etc. Would rather not have a diesel as will be used in London and think a surcharge will soon be with us for diesels.

Age - anything up to 12 years old, rather buy on condition than age. Mileage - would like to stick to 70K or less but again condition more important.

Any ideas? X5 has been mooted but don't know much about them.

[MorganP104]

If you live in London, I'm going to assume an automatic gearbox would be useful for you.

Also, what attributes appeal to you in a car. For instance:

- Do you like an elevated driving position (i.e. SUV, MPV)?
- Do you like a premium badge (e.g. BMW, Mercedes, Audi, Jaguar, Lexus, etc.)?
- How big do you need the boot to be? Saloon, hatchback, or estate?

What attributes do you dislike in a car, so we can discount those.

[anonymous-user]

MorganP104 said:

If you live in London, I'm going to assume an automatic gearbox would be useful for you.

Also, what attributes appeal to you in a car. For instance:

- Do you like an elevated driving position (i.e. SUV, MPV)?
- Do you like a premium badge (e.g. BMW, Mercedes, Audi, Jaguar, Lexus, etc.)?
- How big do you need the boot to be? Saloon, hatchback, or estate?

What attributes do you dislike in a car, so we can discount those.

Good point, auto is a good idea.

TBH I don't really have a lot of preferences as I like driving lots of different cars and embracing their differences. Once had a Subaru Impreza STI and a DC2 Integra Type R which most people 'love one and hate the other' whereas I thought they were both amazing, but different.

Not really fussed about premium badging as long as its well engineered, but not adverse to it either.

Estate or SUV would be good for the boot size.

In terms of attributes I like/dislike I'm not too fussy really... not keen on underpowered cars though.Tried an S-Max the other day and it was OK, but so slow I was worried I wouldn't get there ;-)

[KevinCamaroSS]

Just go out, try a few cars and see what you like. I am sure you will have your own preferences rather than rely on random internet peoples' preferences.

[anonymous-user]

KevinCamaroSS said:

Just go out, try a few cars and see what you like. I am sure you will have your own preferences rather than rely on random internet peoples' preferences.

Agreed, but it's hard to see from specs and pics which have 5 usable seats. That's the key really I guess. It's not something I've ever had to consider before.

[Deerfoot]

cb1965 said:

Estate or SUV would be good for the boot size.

Skoda Superb Estate should fit the bill if you're OK with the DSG gearbox.

[tejr]

We went with a CR-V as the middle seat is pretty big.. Petrol engine is a bit weedy from what I hear though.

[anonymous-user]

Deerfoot said:

cb1965 said:

Estate or SUV would be good for the boot size.

Skoda Superb Estate should fit the bill if you're OK with the DSG gearbox.

That's a good suggestion, hadn't thought of that. Thanks.

[anonymous-user]

tejr said:

We went with a CR-V as the middle seat is pretty big.. Petrol engine is a bit weedy from what I hear though.

I like Hondas, but think the lack of power would get to me.

[ZX10R NIN]

I'd say the Mondeo in Titanium spec with the 240bhp & an Auto box one of these will be more than upto the job, even in hatchback form the boot is huge.

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

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

If the above doesn't have the grunt you're looking for then the Insignia VXR is another one worth considering:

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

or the more subtle 240bhp 2.0T VX Line

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

Mercedes E350 Sport

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

If fuel isn't a problem what about a Jaguar XF Portfolio in N/A 5.0 engine

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

A leftfield option but no less worthy of consideration is the Infiniti M37S Hybrid model (especially if you're heading into central london) it's a well kitted out car with room to spare.

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

Lexus GS250

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

[BluePurpleRed]

Maserati Quattroporte for an extra grand? :P

I am not being silly. I got one for £16k and its awesome.

[anonymous-user]

ZX10R NIN said:

I'd say the Mondeo in Titanium spec with the 240bhp & an Auto box one of these will be more than upto the job, even in hatchback form the boot is huge.

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

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

If the above doesn't have the grunt you're looking for then the Insignia VXR is another one worth considering:

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

or the more subtle 240bhp 2.0T VX Line

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

Mercedes E350 Sport

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

If fuel isn't a problem what about a Jaguar XF Portfolio in N/A 5.0 engine

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

A leftfield option but no less worthy of consideration is the Infiniti M37S Hybrid model (especially if you're heading into central london) it's a well kitted out car with room to spare.

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

Lexus GS250

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

Thanks for those, are all of them good for 5 proper seats? I always worry that the middle rear seat looks like a bit of an after thought on a lot of these vehicles.

That E class is a lot of car for the money I have to say. I like that.

[fizz47]

BluePurpleRed said:

Maserati Quattroporte for an extra grand? :P

I am not being silly. I got one for £16k and its awesome.

What's the servicing and Bork factor costs like?

Would love to get one ...

[Dusty964]

A long wheelbase 7 series. I bought mine solely for seating three in the back seats.
It was a brilliant car.

[ZX10R NIN]

cb1965 said:

ZX10R NIN said:

I'd say the Mondeo in Titanium spec with the 240bhp & an Auto box one of these will be more than upto the job, even in hatchback form the boot is huge.

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

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

If the above doesn't have the grunt you're looking for then the Insignia VXR is another one worth considering:

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

or the more subtle 240bhp 2.0T VX Line

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

Mercedes E350 Sport

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

If fuel isn't a problem what about a Jaguar XF Portfolio in N/A 5.0 engine

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

A leftfield option but no less worthy of consideration is the Infiniti M37S Hybrid model (especially if you're heading into central london) it's a well kitted out car with room to spare.

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

Lexus GS250

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

Thanks for those, are all of them good for 5 proper seats? I always worry that the middle rear seat looks like a bit of an after thought on a lot of these vehicles.

That E class is a lot of car for the money I have to say. I like that.

All of those cars will take three adults in the back with ease & yes that E Class is well priced & worth a look.

[wack]

cb1965 said:

Deerfoot said:

cb1965 said:

Estate or SUV would be good for the boot size.

Skoda Superb Estate should fit the bill if you're OK with the DSG gearbox.

That's a good suggestion, hadn't thought of that. Thanks.

Consider the Yeti if your wife drives My wife loved ours , she liked the elevated driving position
Comfortable easy to drive, there's a reason they're so well liked by the owners if you can get past the badge, some can't

[wack]

fizz47 said:

BluePurpleRed said:

Maserati Quattroporte for an extra grand? :P

I am not being silly. I got one for £16k and its awesome.

What's the servicing and Bork factor costs like?

Would love to get one ...

A lot and a hell of a lot , unless you have the money in the bank for a potential 3k bill if the clutch goes asssuming it's a duo select for that money , or 4-5k for variators , some parts are interchangeable with Alfa so there is a saving to be made there .

An example, my 4200 has a small tear in the drivers rubber door seal, I thought I'll order a new one, £750 , maybe not then

If you want something with a bit of go in it , 2k over budget though

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

Edited by wack on Friday 7th July 22:17

[wack]

fizz47 said:

BluePurpleRed said:

Maserati Quattroporte for an extra grand? :P

I am not being silly. I got one for £16k and its awesome.

What's the servicing and Bork factor costs like?

Would love to get one ...

A lot and a hell of a lot , unless you have the money in the bank for a potential 3k bill if the clutch goes asssuming it's a duo select for that money , or 4-5k for variators , some parts are interchangeable with Alfa so there is a saving to be made there .

An example, my 4200 has a small tear in the drivers rubber door seal, I thought I'll order a new one, £750 , maybe not then

If you want something with a bit of go in it , 2k over budget though

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

Edited by wack on Friday 7th July 22:48