Family car, big boot required, up to 15k budget

[Jimmay]

Looking for a reliable family car to last us a good few years. Needs to be comfortable for me, the wife, plus 2 young kids.
I also do a lot of fishing so need a big boot, plus some of the places I go can have some rough terrain.

Obviously I like the idea of an estate because of the big boot and plenty of legroom for the kids, but on the other hand being higher off the ground in something like an SUV appeals as better visibility and easier to get in/out of, but not sure what most of these are like for space? Maybe there's something out there that has the best of both?

Some of the cars I've been considering:
Skoda Superb Estate
Some kind of Land Rover(Discovery?)
Toyota Land Cruiser
Mondeo Estate

Open to any suggestions really. I have no idea what makes a good car these days.

EDIT: Requirements changed a bit. See next post by me further down

Edited by Jimmay on Monday 21st August 14:36

[Willy Nilly]

http://usedcars.honda.co.uk/en/used-cars/approved-...

[NDA]

I recently bought my Mrs a Skoda Yeti - I have to say it's very good. Could you find a decent 2nd hand one within your budget?

[ZX10R NIN]

Do you need an estate both the Mondeo & Octavia both have large boots as hatchbacks.

Mondeo Titanium 240bhp

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

Insignia VXR 325bhp

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

Insignia VX Line 250bhp

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

Octavia vRS 220bhp

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

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

Mazda6 Sport 165bhp

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

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

Leftfield:

R36 Passat 300bhp

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

Edited by ZX10R NIN on Friday 4th August 21:17

[Deerfoot]

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

I'd be looking at something like this...

[Teebs]

You'll just about squeeze into a new shape Superb for that budget.

I have the hatch version and they really are good vfm. Spacious, cheap to run, good dealer network.

[SilverSixer]

This sounds like a job for a Subaru Outback.

[LM95]

I think with the budget available and the broad requirements I think you need to set aside some weekend time to view some of these cars highlighted as most cars 2/3 years old will all be very capable and it mostly come down to personal preference. I am a big fan of the Volvo XC70 and the less rugged V70 which would also do the job and these are constantly seen with well in excess of 100,000 miles so treated right they will last. You can also get an Audi A4 Avant with quatro for 15k which would be alright but there are also some very good suggestions above by ZX10R NIN so I wont repeat them. I mean who does not want a 300+ BHP Turbo Insignia estate. I know I would and with the depreciation they suffer they are a performance bargain.

Volvo XC70

An SUV does not offer a great deal over a large estate, boot space will be similar and on the whole the driving dynamics are compromised. However it is where manufacturers put a lot of their money nowadays so they are pretty good. I find that they do have some more rear room, We have a 2015 Nissan X-trail at the moment and it feels bigger in the rear and all together more roomier than an Audi A6 Avant for example - useful for 3 kids! Some of them you can also get with 7 seats which also can come in handy and fold in to the floor when not required so no real hindrance. Of the below the Ford stands out as good value being fully loaded but the Honda's reliability may sway a personal purchase. I have had no issues with my X-trail but with this one being low spec and a ? over how long a 1.6 diesel will last in such a big vehicle may be too much to take when handing over £15k over your own money.....

Honda CRV

Nissan X-Trail

Ford Kuga

Like I said I think you will have to try and seek out a bad car / SUV with £15k to spend so really have a sit in them, drive them and you may find the higher driving position of an SUV becomes preferable or that driver involvement means an estate would suit better.

happy hunting!!

Edited by LM95 on Friday 4th August 13:14

Edited by LM95 on Friday 4th August 13:16

[peld]

I have a wife, two kids and do a lot of fishing.

I have a new Skoda Superb estate and it certainly fits the bill.
Wouldn't touch a Land Rover for 15k.

I also had a Kia Sorento previously and can vouch that as a good option

[talksthetorque]

Jacked up estate sounds like the ideal compromise -
Volvo XC70, Audi Allroad, Octavia Scout.

[Countdown]

Jimmay said:

Looking for a reliable family car to last us a good few years. Needs to be comfortable for me, the wife, plus 2 young kids.
I also do a lot of fishing so need a big boot, plus some of the places I go can have some rough terrain.

Obviously I like the idea of an estate because of the big boot and plenty of legroom for the kids, but on the other hand being higher off the ground in something like an SUV appeals as better visibility and easier to get in/out of, but not sure what most of these are like for space? Maybe there's something out there that has the best of both?

Some of the cars I've been considering:
Skoda Superb Estate
Some kind of Land Rover(Discovery?)
Toyota Land Cruiser
Mondeo Estate

Open to any suggestions really. I have no idea what makes a good car these days.

Ford S-Max?

[C70R]

Have you given any thought to a pickup? Something like a L200 or Hilux would seem to fit the bill - some of the new ones are approaching SUV-like levels of comfort (with more utility/flexibility).

[Chestersaurus1]

I was looking with similar criteria, and pretty much all the bases are covered above.
Volvo XC70 and Skoda Superbs are really hard to ignore; Superb hatch is also pretty huge.

One to throw in the pot : VW Touareg , from late 2010 onward e.g.

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

Massive spec (heated seats, cruise, nav, pan roof), off road capable, loads of space, adjustable rear seats, 3ltr engine pulls like a train.
It feels premium inside, comfy and quiet. If you can find an Altitude spec nearby go check it out. For the money it's tough to overlook.

[Jimmay]

Thanks for all the replies.

Been looking around some local garages since my original post above and our requirements have changed slightly. Almost certainly looking for an SUV now rather than an estate. Really like the higher driving position and extra clearance.

Also some further things needed:
- Sat nav
- Low milage(max 40k I think)
- Automatic
- Fairly new(no more than 4 years old preferably)
- Would prefer a diesel but not too fussed
- Would prefer 4 wheel drive or AWD, but again not a massive priority

Been looking at:
- Toyota Rav 4
- Mazda CX-5
- Honda CR-V
- Kia Sportage (although the boot of these seems quite small due to a full size spare wheel)
- Land Rover Freelander 2
- VW Tiguan

Anything to look out for with the above cars?
And also...
Any others worth considering in my budget?

Edited by Jimmay on Monday 21st August 15:18

[ZX10R NIN]

I'd say don't discount the Ford Kuga they're a very capable car:

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

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

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

[Teebs]

Hyundai Tucson?

[Jimmay]

Teebs said:

Hyundai Tucson?

Possibly... What's good about it? How does it compare to others?

[ZX10R NIN]

The Tucson is the same size as the Sportage (they're the same car different cloths) but the Kia Sorento is another good shout:

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

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

Or the Santa Fe:

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

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

These are no better or worse than anything that's been listed but they do benefit from having 2-3 years warranty left on them, they're also loaded with kit.

[Shaoxter]

£15k for a 5 year old Kia???
Come on this is PH, surely you have to get a Cayenne Turbo.

[Jimmay]

ZX10R NIN said:

The Tucson is the same size as the Sportage (they're the same car different cloths) but the Kia Sorento is another good shout:

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

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

Or the Santa Fe:

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

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

These are no better or worse than anything that's been listed but they do benefit from having 2-3 years warranty left on them, they're also loaded with kit.

Thanks. I like the Santa Fe, shame not many seem to have Sat Nav though