Help Please. New or Used 7 seat SUV under £35k advice

[Nessie1812]

Hi,

Long time lurker and first time poster so please go easy.

Wife is expecting our third child and as we now need 3 booster/isofix seats our current family mondeo is no longer fit for purpose. We need to trade in or sell it hopefully raising circa £9-10k and will finance or PCP the remaining £25k to fund a bus.

Being vain we are really trying to avoid MPV's and are drawn to SUV's. We do a lot of driving both up north and down south (Cornwall/Devon) with the occasional trip to France (very occasional and probably unlikely any time soon with a baby) and will rack up between 10-15k miles per year. There will be no towing but will have the car full of kids junk and the wife's ever growing wardrobe when we go away on staycations so need a fairly decent engine to lug it all about(I had thought about 2l diesel for economy).

Ideally we want leather upholstery or half leather, pano roof (we have this now) and preferably a manual gearbox (not a dealbreaker if its a decent auto). Our current car is fully loaded with tech so would like something similar in spec. Lane assist, electric memory seats, etc

We've looked at both new and nearly new and have shortlisted the following:
- Kia Sorento KX-3 (car wow quotes at just over £30k new and local arnold shark has a 2015 for under £20k) love the space in the back but with seven/six seats up the boot space is ravaged.
- Skoda Kodiaq (carwow quotes on this run about £30k but im concerned about the wait time for a new car which ive been quoted at around 20wks, local parks and skoda telford have a sportline with minimal miles, 2018 model for just about £30k)

We really liked the tiguan allspace but has less space than the two above so its a non starter plus theres a 5 month wait for a new one.

In terms of used:
Volvo XC90 - Seems to have all the space we need and frugal engine but we can only afford a 2016/2017 model and reliability scares me. Keep reading about issues with tech and software and theres only a 1 year volvo selekt warranty on these.
Audi Q7 - again seems to have the space we need but we cant afford a new one and with only a year or so warranty Im worried about reliability and repair bills.

We need boot space for a buggy so Disco 4 is out and again the reliability of these really puts me off as does the general running costs and then theres the no manual option to contend with. Disco sport is just too small and so are the other marques from Peugeot, etc.

Am I missing anything? Does anyone have these cars or been in this dilemma that can offer any advice? Am I worrying unnecessarily about reliability of used? Any help very much appreciated.

[ZX10R NIN]

Firstly you can extend the warranties further should you wish too on those cars your talking about, I must say I'm surprised you haven't looked at the GL as it pretty much ticks every box.

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

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

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

[Legend83]

ZX10R NIN said:

Firstly you can extend the warranties further should you wish too on those cars your talking about, I must say I'm surprised you haven't looked at the GL as it pretty much ticks every box.

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

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

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

Middle seat is a bench though - will he get 3 car seats across? That is our biggest challenge.

[ZX10R NIN]

In my experience yes he will unless he has some very big child seats.

[tonyb1968]

Go look at the Peugeot 5008, GT spec will have everything on it you need, GT line will still cover most of your requirements, EAT6 auto isnt bad but the EAT8 is a superb 8 speed unit, very smooth, the 2ltr derv suffers hardly any issues, its a very reliable unit, the 180 will come with the GT or the 150/160 with the GT Line (whether you go for a new or used model, bhp increased by 10 horses).

7 seats, huge boot, panoramic roof with sun roof is optional on some models but standard on the GT and GT Line premium.
What car voted this best in its price range this year so its got something going for it

Example below (note the isofix on all of the rear seats)

https://www.usedcars.peugeot.co.uk/buy-used-car/pe...

Edited by tonyb1968 on Friday 22 February 14:01

[Liggle]

We had very similar criteria and ordered a Kodiaq in the end, you can just fit 3 car seats on the middle bench but only the outer 2 have ISOFIX. We've added ISOFIX to the front passenger seat as a compromise. I'm 6 foot 2 and can just squeeze in the very back. We are 3 weeks in to our 21 week wait for a factory build!

[SWoll]

As above, get the XC90 in the spec you want and extend the warranty. Nicest car of all those being discussed.

Edited by SWoll on Friday 22 February 15:54

[Nessie1812]

ZX10R NIN said:

Firstly you can extend the warranties further should you wish too on those cars your talking about, I must say I'm surprised you haven't looked at the GL as it pretty much ticks every box.

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

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

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

Hadn’t considered a second party warranty. Any experience of claiming against these?

We had looked at the GL but there’s no way we could afford a new one and they seem very scarce. There’s only 1 at my budget within 100miles of where I live and it’s 8 years old with 90k on the clock.

[Nessie1812]

tonyb1968 said:

Go look at the Peugeot 5008, GT spec will have everything on it you need, GT line will still cover most of your requirements, EAT6 auto isnt bad but the EAT8 is a superb 8 speed unit, very smooth, the 2ltr derv suffers hardly any issues, its a very reliable unit, the 180 will come with the GT or the 150/160 with the GT Line (whether you go for a new or used model, bhp increased by 10 horses).

7 seats, huge boot, panoramic roof with sun roof is optional on some models but standard on the GT and GT Line premium.
What car voted this best in its price range this year so its got something going for it

Example below (note the isofix on all of the rear seats)

https://www.usedcars.peugeot.co.uk/buy-used-car/pe...

Edited by tonyb1968 on Friday 22 February 14:01

Problem we had with this is the boot space when 6/7 seats in use which is too small to fit the buggy. With only 3 kids we’d likelt have us up front 2 in row 2 and 1 in row 3. Long trips we’d have one of the kids up front one kid in row 2 with one of us and one in row 3 with the middle section of row 2 down so we could make sure he’s ok and pass him all the sugary treats a boy needs on a long journey.

[ZX10R NIN]

Nessie1812 said:

Hadn’t considered a second party warranty. Any experience of claiming against these?

We had looked at the GL but there’s no way we could afford a new one and they seem very scarce. There’s only 1 at my budget within 100 miles of where I live and it’s 8 years old with 90k on the clock.

When you're spending that kind of money I'd be prepared to travel so you get the right car on the Mercedes as long as it has FSH & you have the car inspected by Mercedes you can buy a warranty from them.

When it comes to WarrantyWise/Direct it depends on how well you read the small print so make sure the Labour rate is decent also check the maximum claim amount etc.

With my clients it's been a mixed bag with 65/35 split with the majority of claims being settled.

[tonyb1968]

Nessie1812 said:

tonyb1968 said:

Go look at the Peugeot 5008, GT spec will have everything on it you need, GT line will still cover most of your requirements, EAT6 auto isnt bad but the EAT8 is a superb 8 speed unit, very smooth, the 2ltr derv suffers hardly any issues, its a very reliable unit, the 180 will come with the GT or the 150/160 with the GT Line (whether you go for a new or used model, bhp increased by 10 horses).

7 seats, huge boot, panoramic roof with sun roof is optional on some models but standard on the GT and GT Line premium.
What car voted this best in its price range this year so its got something going for it

Example below (note the isofix on all of the rear seats)

https://www.usedcars.peugeot.co.uk/buy-used-car/pe...

Edited by tonyb1968 on Friday 22 February 14:01

Problem we had with this is the boot space when 6/7 seats in use which is too small to fit the buggy. With only 3 kids we’d likelt have us up front 2 in row 2 and 1 in row 3. Long trips we’d have one of the kids up front one kid in row 2 with one of us and one in row 3 with the middle section of row 2 down so we could make sure he’s ok and pass him all the sugary treats a boy needs on a long journey.

Yup its always going to be difficult getting a car that can fit them all in, but its got as much room with the rear seats up in the boot as that Merc, and the added extra of 3 isofix points on the 2nd row.
What I would do is go and see if your local dealer has a 5008 demonstrator in, take all the bits you need and try it out, its the only way you will really know which car will fit everything in or not

[kieranblenk]

I know it's not an SUV but how about a Caravelle or a Mercedes V Class? Yes, they're vans with windows but can be picked up in budget and in black with some nice alloys especially has presence.

[Nessie1812]

tonyb1968 said:

Yup its always going to be difficult getting a car that can fit them all in, but its got as much room with the rear seats up in the boot as that Merc, and the added extra of 3 isofix points on the 2nd row.
What I would do is go and see if your local dealer has a 5008 demonstrator in, take all the bits you need and try it out, its the only way you will really know which car will fit everything in or not

Surely that can’t be right?? I thought the Merc had nearly 300l compared to 160 odd in the Peugeot.

Hadn’t realised it was wide enough for 3 isofix though so I’ll go to the Peugeot dealer tomorrow and see what’s what. Cheers

[Nessie1812]

kieranblenk said:

I know it's not an SUV but how about a Caravelle or a Mercedes V Class? Yes, they're vans with windows but can be picked up in budget and in black with some nice alloys especially has presence.

I’d quite happily have a caravelle, but the wife will drive it the most to drop off kids as she’ll be on maternity leave and I’ll be nipping around in my little banger (Suzuki swift sport) which I could afford to replace if I went for the Sorento at £20k...

Going to go to more garages tomorrow, test drive the kodiaq that’s available to buy now and have another look at the sorento and the Peugeot 5008. If there’s time I’ll maybe try and squeeze in the XC90 and see what the wife thinks of them all.

If anyone owns a 2016/2017 XC90 is really appreciate input in regards to reliability. Thanks

[morfmedia]

Have a look at Nissan X trail too. 7 seats, leather, 360 camera and great value 2nd hand

[SWoll]

Nessie1812 said:

If anyone owns a 2016/2017 XC90 is really appreciate input in regards to reliability. Thanks

They'll be as or more reliable than any other option you have and will still be under manufacturers warranty that can be extended. Not sure why you are getting so hung up on this TBH as seems to be the perfect car for your requirements?

Extending the warranty will also be a lot cheaper per year than the monumental depreciation on buying a new Peugeot 5008 for example.

[jonwm]

When our unexpected 3rd came along I went with the 5008 GT line on a cheap lease £224 a month on 3 and 23.
Love the car. Rarely use the 3rd row so find the boot more than enough.
Had a UK camping holiday and it swallowed everything just fine.
Dash is amazing. Tech is really good and the trays on the back of the front seats are brilliant for the kids going to try and extend mine or buy it

[SWoll]

jonwm said:

When our unexpected 3rd came along I went with the 5008 GT line on a cheap lease £224 a month on 3 and 23.
Love the car. Rarely use the 3rd row so find the boot more than enough.
Had a UK camping holiday and it swallowed everything just fine.
Dash is amazing. Tech is really good and the trays on the back of the front seats are brilliant for the kids going to try and extend mine or buy it

At that price (£5824) it might make sense. Unfortunately it's now £365 on a 3+23 for the 1.2 GT according to leasing.com (£9500).

[Nessie1812]

SWoll said:

They'll be as or more reliable than any other option you have and will still be under manufacturers warranty that can be extended. Not sure why you are getting so hung up on this TBH as seems to be the perfect car for your requirements?

Extending the warranty will also be a lot cheaper per year than the monumental depreciation on buying a new Peugeot 5008 for example.

Yeah it pretty much is the perfect car but as I say every owner review I’ve read and comments on the Volvo forum say they are horribly unreliable but I’m also conscious that people rarely comment on how great their cars are just how crap they have been.

Was hoping people with 2015/2016 models could comment on whether these comments are justified or just a minority of people with issues.

Last thing I want to do is spend that kinda money on a car for it to be constantly off the road due to software issues causing limp home, etc.

Do you have an XC90??

[Croutons]

3 kids, you, the wife, plus crap. Why do you need 7 seats (don't see it in your opinion), and what the hell do you think that's out there that's got 7 full seats AND room for the crap that is NOT a van???