Going around in circles - estate or suv? Skoda/Honda!?
Discussion
Hi all, sorry to do another "help me find a car" thread but I've just trawled through 20 odd pages of this forum and got myself all confused.
My 54 yaris has just been sentenced to death by the MOT and I'm looking to get a bigger car that will last us a fair while as a growing family. We're looking to spend about 10k.
I was fairly set on an estate as our parents live 3hrs away and we cart a lot of stuff (buggy/travel cot etc) and intend to start camping again. And I was fairly set on a Skoda estate, either Fabia or slightly older Octavia for that price. But this morning I read a thread on here of someone searching for an estate and they ended up buying a CRV and I didn't realise you could get a 2013/4 one for 10k. But they don't get very good write ups.....
It seems that the CRVs were coming up cheaper than even Ford CMaxs etc which I was surprised at.
I just want something reliable, 3-4 years old, £10kish, lots of boot space, decent rear seat space (because of 0-4 car seat), petrol.
Any help appreciated.
My 54 yaris has just been sentenced to death by the MOT and I'm looking to get a bigger car that will last us a fair while as a growing family. We're looking to spend about 10k.
I was fairly set on an estate as our parents live 3hrs away and we cart a lot of stuff (buggy/travel cot etc) and intend to start camping again. And I was fairly set on a Skoda estate, either Fabia or slightly older Octavia for that price. But this morning I read a thread on here of someone searching for an estate and they ended up buying a CRV and I didn't realise you could get a 2013/4 one for 10k. But they don't get very good write ups.....
It seems that the CRVs were coming up cheaper than even Ford CMaxs etc which I was surprised at.
I just want something reliable, 3-4 years old, £10kish, lots of boot space, decent rear seat space (because of 0-4 car seat), petrol.
Any help appreciated.
Vconfused.com said:
Hi all, sorry to do another "help me find a car" thread but I've just trawled through 20 odd pages of this forum and got myself all confused.
My 54 yaris has just been sentenced to death by the MOT and I'm looking to get a bigger car that will last us a fair while as a growing family. We're looking to spend about 10k.
I was fairly set on an estate as our parents live 3hrs away and we cart a lot of stuff (buggy/travel cot etc) and intend to start camping again. And I was fairly set on a Skoda estate, either Fabia or slightly older Octavia for that price. But this morning I read a thread on here of someone searching for an estate and they ended up buying a CRV and I didn't realise you could get a 2013/4 one for 10k. But they don't get very good write ups.....
It seems that the CRVs were coming up cheaper than even Ford CMaxs etc which I was surprised at.
I just want something reliable, 3-4 years old, £10kish, lots of boot space, decent rear seat space (because of 0-4 car seat), petrol.
Any help appreciated.
An estate will tend have a bigger boot than an SUVMy 54 yaris has just been sentenced to death by the MOT and I'm looking to get a bigger car that will last us a fair while as a growing family. We're looking to spend about 10k.
I was fairly set on an estate as our parents live 3hrs away and we cart a lot of stuff (buggy/travel cot etc) and intend to start camping again. And I was fairly set on a Skoda estate, either Fabia or slightly older Octavia for that price. But this morning I read a thread on here of someone searching for an estate and they ended up buying a CRV and I didn't realise you could get a 2013/4 one for 10k. But they don't get very good write ups.....
It seems that the CRVs were coming up cheaper than even Ford CMaxs etc which I was surprised at.
I just want something reliable, 3-4 years old, £10kish, lots of boot space, decent rear seat space (because of 0-4 car seat), petrol.
Any help appreciated.
SUVs will tend to use a bit more fuel due to their size
Estates will tend to handle better being lower down.
An estate will be bigger inside than an SUV, and it will likely be more frugal with it's more slippery shape. If you have a family though, a Yeti might be a good call, as the interior is just great, with three separate seats and a big square boot.
It is easier to shove a kid into a seat in an SUV than an estate as you don't tend to hit your head on the roof while fighting with the seat belts of the little ones... unless the estate is raised a bit like an Outback, Octavia Scout, Volvo Cross Country etc.
It is easier to shove a kid into a seat in an SUV than an estate as you don't tend to hit your head on the roof while fighting with the seat belts of the little ones... unless the estate is raised a bit like an Outback, Octavia Scout, Volvo Cross Country etc.
Subaru Outback. Perfect blend of SUV and 4x4 estate. Loads of room, entertaining drive, 'proper' mechanical 4x4 system, well spec'd as standard, always scores highly in owner/reliability surveys. Only downsides are that they are a bit thirsty and the styling might not be to everyone's taste.
if you don't need the ground clearance then just buy a normal estate. all you'll be doing buying an SUV is buying something that's worse value, slightly less practical and more costly to run.
if boot size is your concern then you could easily google boot sizes for focus-sized cars or larger mondeo/accord-sized cars. if not then just get whatever you like the look of as all will be competent enough.
If you want to go completely crazy then buy yourself a Subaru forester STI. it'll still tick both boxes.
if boot size is your concern then you could easily google boot sizes for focus-sized cars or larger mondeo/accord-sized cars. if not then just get whatever you like the look of as all will be competent enough.
If you want to go completely crazy then buy yourself a Subaru forester STI. it'll still tick both boxes.
SUV is a nicer place to be. My guess is, buy an estate and every CRV or similar you see you will wish you had one of those instead. Resorting to consoling yourself with thinking how much better your estate handles while travelling all loaded up with kit and kids on route to grandma’s house.
Thanks for the responses and whoops for posting in the wrong forum!
We don't need 4wd (although I would love it for the once a year trip to Cornwall!) but I do like the idea of an elevated driving position as I'm not very tall. Also a good point re: putting the kids in the car, my back is wrecked already. I drove an SMax on holiday and it was a bit of a comedown getting into my Yaris.
I've been looking on autotrader a fortnight and very few Octavias that aren't 3-4 years old come up especially not Scouts. More like the 14k region I think, just out of budget.
From what I have seen so far, I would be looking at an older ford estate for around 10k? Doe it really matter, would you buy a 5yr old car plus for 10k? I don't need anything flashy or exciting to drive, just solid and economical. I also worry about skoda a resale/trade in value although this will car will hopefully be ours for many years.
We don't need 4wd (although I would love it for the once a year trip to Cornwall!) but I do like the idea of an elevated driving position as I'm not very tall. Also a good point re: putting the kids in the car, my back is wrecked already. I drove an SMax on holiday and it was a bit of a comedown getting into my Yaris.
I've been looking on autotrader a fortnight and very few Octavias that aren't 3-4 years old come up especially not Scouts. More like the 14k region I think, just out of budget.
From what I have seen so far, I would be looking at an older ford estate for around 10k? Doe it really matter, would you buy a 5yr old car plus for 10k? I don't need anything flashy or exciting to drive, just solid and economical. I also worry about skoda a resale/trade in value although this will car will hopefully be ours for many years.
LimaDelta said:
Subaru Outback. Perfect blend of SUV and 4x4 estate. Loads of room, entertaining drive, 'proper' mechanical 4x4 system, well spec'd as standard, always scores highly in owner/reliability surveys. Only downsides are that they are a bit thirsty and the styling might not be to everyone's taste.
Read the thread title and had exactly the same thought, mainly because I'm on my second Outback. The first a 2004 2.5 manual did 164K with a normal clutch replacing the squeaky Dual Mass one at about 100K, averaged about 28-30 mpg. Replaced with a 2010 2.5 CVT which has just passed 120K with no issues, it's actually better on fuel, averaging 30-32 mpg. Is OK to drive, carries loads of people/stuff, and is fantastic across fields and up snowy, hilly roads. Later cars will never win any styling competitions, though the earlier one I thought looked pretty good.My 2c.
In an SUV you gain boot height, but the actual length of the boot tends to be shorter. If you value boot space then an estate is probably your best bet.
I tend to find the SUV easier to get the child strapped in to, as you're not bending down as far and the higher roof means less chance of banging their head on the way in (i've never done that, honest).
We have a 0-4 seat in our Ford Kuga. Tried it in the Fiesta once and it wouldn't fit, even with the front seat fully forward. Makes me think it might not fit in a Fabia.
I tend to find the SUV easier to get the child strapped in to, as you're not bending down as far and the higher roof means less chance of banging their head on the way in (i've never done that, honest).
We have a 0-4 seat in our Ford Kuga. Tried it in the Fiesta once and it wouldn't fit, even with the front seat fully forward. Makes me think it might not fit in a Fabia.
Vconfused.com said:
Thanks for the responses and whoops for posting in the wrong forum!
We don't need 4wd (although I would love it for the once a year trip to Cornwall!)
You won't need a 4wd for Cornwall, we hardly ever get any snow. And on the very odd day we do, the roads get jammed with non 4x4 getting stuck on the hills.We don't need 4wd (although I would love it for the once a year trip to Cornwall!)
I think Kugas and Outbacks are out of our price range unless I'm looking at 6 year old car for 10k? Is a 6 year old outback a good punt? Also, would mileage be something you'd consider or if it had 100k and that age and price would it bother you?
The crv and outback have much bigger boots from what I can see than things like the qashqi et al that I had been considering pre estate options. I don't mind height instead of depth as long as it is decent. And compared to my Yaris it would be like have an extra room in the car.
The crv and outback have much bigger boots from what I can see than things like the qashqi et al that I had been considering pre estate options. I don't mind height instead of depth as long as it is decent. And compared to my Yaris it would be like have an extra room in the car.
Here's a curveball for you It sounds like you don't need a 4wd but want space with a slightly higher seating position than a regular estate which leads straight to the MPV segment.
The Mazda5 is a great car for this with a decent boot (as long as the extra seats aren't up) well equipped & reliable, the S max is the go to choice but they command a premium also the sliding rear doors are a very handy feature.
Mazda5 Venture Edition
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
Petrol Version
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
TBH I'd probably save some £££'s & go for the last of the line 2.0d Mazda 5's as they have more go & don't need to be worked as hard as the 1.6d (or you could have the 1.6d remapped for around £300.00) with the extra torque they produce & they'll be no worse on fuel..
2.0d Mazda 5 Furano (Full Mazda History)
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
S Max wise you need to drop down on Spec to get the S Max in your year requirements :
S Max Titanium X Sport
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
2013 S Max Titanium
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
The Mazda5 is a great car for this with a decent boot (as long as the extra seats aren't up) well equipped & reliable, the S max is the go to choice but they command a premium also the sliding rear doors are a very handy feature.
Mazda5 Venture Edition
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
Petrol Version
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
TBH I'd probably save some £££'s & go for the last of the line 2.0d Mazda 5's as they have more go & don't need to be worked as hard as the 1.6d (or you could have the 1.6d remapped for around £300.00) with the extra torque they produce & they'll be no worse on fuel..
2.0d Mazda 5 Furano (Full Mazda History)
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
S Max wise you need to drop down on Spec to get the S Max in your year requirements :
S Max Titanium X Sport
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
2013 S Max Titanium
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
LimaDelta said:
Subaru Outback. Perfect blend of SUV and 4x4 estate. Loads of room, entertaining drive, 'proper' mechanical 4x4 system, well spec'd as standard, always scores highly in owner/reliability surveys. Only downsides are that they are a bit thirsty and the styling might not be to everyone's taste.
But bad real world emissions. Also a long car.See also
http://equaindex.com/equa-air-quality-index/
Forgot to say if you want a normal hatch (like a Fabia etc) it'd be hard to recommend anything other than the Kia C'eed but obviously this leads to a compromise on the space you were saying you needed.
Kia C'eed (with 2/3 years warranty left) 4 Tech (loaded with kit Panoramic Roof Leather etc)
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
Remember OP you can't put a price on comfort & if you're camping as well then I say the MPV's are still the place to look.
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
But they do come in Estate form with the same spec:
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/pl/track/click?condit...
Kia C'eed (with 2/3 years warranty left) 4 Tech (loaded with kit Panoramic Roof Leather etc)
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
Remember OP you can't put a price on comfort & if you're camping as well then I say the MPV's are still the place to look.
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
But they do come in Estate form with the same spec:
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/pl/track/click?condit...
Sorry to disappear! Thank you for all of your input and links, I looked at all of them.
So this morning I test drove a CR-V, having looked at photos and videos all week thinking "this is the car for us!" aaaaand we hated it ☹️ We test drove a 2012 and it whilst it was beautiful and spacious inside, the gear box we clunky and it was such a bumpy ride. My husband and I swapped sitting in the back and both felt every bump in the road and subsequently felt travel sick. The dealer said that's what all SUVs feel like due to harder suspension because it's high sided vehicle. Well, we were gutted but I can't imagine anyone surviving many journeys in the back without a sick bag.
We also went to an approved Skoda garage but they didn't have any petrol (or diesel) Octavia estates in and said they are quite hard to come by unless a lot older (there's a few on autotrader). We sat in the Fabia estate and it's a nice size to look at but feels very cramped inside and not unlike my old Yaris!
So, we are back to the drawing board. We are waiting to test drive an octavia estate and thinking of having a go in an Kia Sportage and a Mazda CX-5 although a review of those suggested a bumpy hard ride too. An SMax or similar really is too big for us at the moment.
We really do like the idea of an elevated driving positon but having seen that we can tax some Octavia estates for £30 as opposed to £150-200 plus of SUVs.......its difficult to ignore that.
So this morning I test drove a CR-V, having looked at photos and videos all week thinking "this is the car for us!" aaaaand we hated it ☹️ We test drove a 2012 and it whilst it was beautiful and spacious inside, the gear box we clunky and it was such a bumpy ride. My husband and I swapped sitting in the back and both felt every bump in the road and subsequently felt travel sick. The dealer said that's what all SUVs feel like due to harder suspension because it's high sided vehicle. Well, we were gutted but I can't imagine anyone surviving many journeys in the back without a sick bag.
We also went to an approved Skoda garage but they didn't have any petrol (or diesel) Octavia estates in and said they are quite hard to come by unless a lot older (there's a few on autotrader). We sat in the Fabia estate and it's a nice size to look at but feels very cramped inside and not unlike my old Yaris!
So, we are back to the drawing board. We are waiting to test drive an octavia estate and thinking of having a go in an Kia Sportage and a Mazda CX-5 although a review of those suggested a bumpy hard ride too. An SMax or similar really is too big for us at the moment.
We really do like the idea of an elevated driving positon but having seen that we can tax some Octavia estates for £30 as opposed to £150-200 plus of SUVs.......its difficult to ignore that.
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