Very dull average family car post.

[Mothersruin]

Sorry - anyways. Are we going/barking up/down the wrong tree/road.

I've a Nissan X-Trail Snotter that gets filled full of all sorts of wet crap on a regular basis - doesn't owe us a penny so we keep it trucking on. Very happy with it, but it's no good for distance.

Wife, at 45, has just passed her test (never needed to drive before). We have a little Fiat Punto that is fine but isn't liked and we'd like to get a car that will be the 'family' car, potter around but also be able to be comfy for longer trips every now and again. She's happy in a bigger car providing it has parking sensors. I'd be happy providing it has Electric Seats with at least two memories - She's 5ft, I'm 6ft. She want's an auto, I'm happy with that.

Budget - around £10k

Because of the 'potter around' bit, I've discounted Diesel due to the DPF issues, and tax is more, fuel is more, modern Petrols are almost as efficient, and they're much quieter. Am I restricting us because of that? Am I wrong in any of the things just said?

While boring as buggery, one car that keeps popping up that I think would tick all the boxes is a 2012 facelift Ford Mondeo 2.0 EcoBoost Titanium X Sport Powershift - Hatch or Estate.

That seems to be the benchmark for the money - Am I missing anything else?

Mucho gracias in advanciaso.

[Zad]

Some petrols are nearly as economical as diesel - mostly the smallish 3 cylinder turbos. But that particular one is nowhere near. A really good car and a very good match for your needs, but cheap on fuel it isn't.

[Longtime Lurker]

Just on the “tax is more”…. I have a 2012 Mondeo, Estate, Titanium X Sport – 2.0 Diesel £120.00 a year tax.

Petrol - FORD Mondeo Model Year Post 2012¾ 2.0 Duratec EcoBoost (203PS) Estate = £250.00 for 12 Months.
Diesel - FORD Mondeo Model Year Post 2012¾ 2.0 Duratorq (163PS) Estate = £120.00 for 12 Months.

[Francis85]

Don't worry. Petrol is a safe bet.

That whale Mondeo is a nice car.
I would take a look at the Mazda 6 and Volvo S60 too.

Spend some time touching, feeling and driving them.

[Summit_Detailing]

Skoda Superb estate was my first thought.

Lots to choose from, none are bad choices ime as everyone has different buying criteria -
Mondeo
Insignia
Mazda 6
Volvo V70
Hyundai I40
Honda Accord
Seat Leon
VW Passat

Cheers

Chris

[kurt535]

Second hand buy:

Toyota 1.8 auto estate t3 model upwards 2010 onwards
Honda Accord estate.

Toyota better value.

[Mothersruin]

Thanks for the replies so far guys.

[ZX10R NIN]

I would recommend the Mondeo it's a very good car & is my go to when people are looking for a reliable sweet steer too so you may find this cars not so dull.

Titanium X Sport

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

Here's my alternate recommendation after the Mondeo it's not a the greatest steer but it's a smooth relaxed drive & will give you decent economy considering the engines size, it also comes loaded with kit (parking sensors/reverse camera/heated & air cooled seats Nav etc) & will be very reliable:

Infiniti M Hybrid

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

Now there are some alternatives some more interesting than others:

Vauxhall Insignia VXR (now these are a performance car, imo they're the equivalent of an Audi S4 & handle the same with this in mind the tax is higher so are the running costs but are worthy of consideration)

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

Skoda Octavia VRS (these are good cars not as good a steer as the Mondeo & a less punchy engine)

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

Now if you want dull then this car fits the bill:

Accord EX

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

Lexus IS250 (these are a nice car a little smaller than the cars above so you may want to try one for size, they're a decent steer so are worth a look) F Sport:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

IS250 Advance

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

I hope this helps.

[ninjag]

This would be a good shout and it's worth trying to find a 2013+ one as it had a facelift then with various improvements. The 2.4 petrol is a lovely and bullet proof engine, hit the VTEC at 6,000rpm and you will be grinning every time! The 2.0 is also excellent. Must be an EX model though for the toys.

Or for something different, very rare, very comfortable and loaded with toys there's the Honda Legend.

You'll spend very little maintaining either of these cars.

[Mothersruin]

Again, many thanks. Appreciated.

ninjag said:

This would be a good shout and it's worth trying to find a 2013+ one as it had a facelift then with various improvements. The 2.4 petrol is a lovely and bullet proof engine, hit the VTEC at 6,000rpm and you will be grinning every time! The 2.0 is also excellent. Must be an EX model though for the toys.

Just to clarify, which car was this?

[Terzo123]

From personal experience the Seat Leon 1.4 is a cracking little family car. Obviously not in the same size category as a Mondeo, but big enough.

I've got a family of 4 with me being 6.4 and fit with no issues.

20 quid a year to tax, 50 + mpg on a motorway run and 36 when used as a town car.

[Mr Tidy]

Mothersruin said:

Again, many thanks. Appreciated.

ninjag said:

This would be a good shout and it's worth trying to find a 2013+ one as it had a facelift then with various improvements. The 2.4 petrol is a lovely and bullet proof engine, hit the VTEC at 6,000rpm and you will be grinning every time! The 2.0 is also excellent. Must be an EX model though for the toys.

Just to clarify, which car was this?

If it has VTEC it must be the Accord!

I bought a dull average car earlier this year and am still enjoying it - a 2006 BMW 325i Touring.

It would work as a family car for a normal family - it was even fine for a week away in July for me, my mother, sister, niece and a wheelchair!

[ZX10R NIN]

So OP do any of the alternatives listed so far tick your boxes any better than the Mondeo?

[ninjag]

Mothersruin said:

Again, many thanks. Appreciated.

ninjag said:

This would be a good shout and it's worth trying to find a 2013+ one as it had a facelift then with various improvements. The 2.4 petrol is a lovely and bullet proof engine, hit the VTEC at 6,000rpm and you will be grinning every time! The 2.0 is also excellent. Must be an EX model though for the toys.

Just to clarify, which car was this?

Opps, yeah the Accord lol

[nickchallis92]

I second the Skoda Superb vote. Great cars.