What car, for my dad

[Shermanator]

So my dad doesn't like the Toyota Urban Cruiser he currently has (despite it being the nicest car he's ever owned) and wants a new one. Thanks to a bit of extra money coming in he has a slightly higher budget than he usually would so is actually going to buy something he wants, rather than just what he can afford.

Criteria:
£5-8000, mum would prefer it to be the lower end of this though.
He prefers a larger car, mainly spawning from when my sister and I were younger. So even though he doesn't need it now he wants a Mondeo sized car (willing to go down to Focus size though).
Doesn't like automatics, so manual is crucial
Petrol, his commute is short. I refuse to allow him to buy a diesel like the Toyota and previous Picasso.
He doesn't paid a lot, so high running costs are a major no-no

Desirable:
4WD

As a Parts Guy I also refuse to allow him to get a car which is a faff to get parts for; so the following makes are out:
Dacia (body panels always arrive damaged and need work)
Infiniti (the fact they are pulling out of the country further strengthens this)
MG (the new MGs have got a dreadful parts process)
Isuzu (doesn't really fit his criteria but though I'd throw it in anyway)
Ssangyong (really low quality parts)

My current thinking is a Volvo V40, but that might be swayed by my love of Volvo.

So, any suggestions?

[Fittster]

Pass on 4WD and get the Mondeo that hits pretty much most of his wish list.

[SteBrown91]

Mondeos are available in 4wd but perhaps not in your budget

[Stuart70]

Mondeo is pretty damn big these days. Focus would do it, new ones are looking sharp.

Skoda might be a brand option - Octavia would be spot on, a Superb if he insists on being able to transport all his worldly possessions around on any given Tuesday.

VW are another option although I feel there is a badge premium, even before you get to Audi, Jaguars, Merc.

Seat are an option, but they didn’t feel as nicely made to me, subjective view only.

Good luck with your Dad: a nice problem for him to have .

[The Mad Monk]

Shermanator said:

I also refuse to allow him to get a car.....

How old is your Dad?

I will have a large wager that I am older than him

and/so/however

No one would "refuse to allow me to buy....."

Perhaps you were using those words as a figure of speech?

Edited by The Mad Monk on Sunday 9th June 12:04

[mikeyr]

Yeti seems a decent size and have nice reputation to drive I believe?

[Down and out]

mikeyr said:

Yeti seems a decent size and have nice reputation to drive I believe?

I'll agree with this. As a side note where have all the Roomsters gone? Don't see any nowadays.

[soad]

Did the 1.6 ecoboost get replaced by a newer 1.5 unit?

[Pica-Pica]

The Mad Monk said:

Shermanator said:

I also refuse to allow him to get a car.....

How old is your Dad?

I will have a large wager that I am older than him

and/so/however

No one would "refuse to allow me to buy....."

Perhaps you were using those words as a figure of speech?

Edited by The Mad Monk on Sunday 9th June 12:04

Agree. No-one would dictate what car I could/could not have. They may say ‘why not X’ or ‘car Y is nice’. As he is driving, I assume he is compos mentis, so suggestions may be welcome, but ‘refusing to allow him’ to buy a particular car is a no-no. Never mind, Fathers’ Day soon.

[J500ANT]

mikeyr said:

Yeti seems a decent size and have nice reputation to drive I believe?

Keep an eye out for rusty doors and tailgate on a Yeti, and stretched timing chains on earlier cars.

As I've got one, Kia Soul is quite a versatile thing if a higher seating position required?

[ZX10R NIN]

Giulietta Sportiva/Veloce

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

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1.6T 150 Focus Titanium X

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

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180

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

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[kieranblenk]

Mondeo or Octavia would be where I'd be looking, but don't discount the Seat Altea, especially the XL which is more of an estate car size - my dad had two standard ones and seriously rated them both.

Other options include,

Mazda 6
Honda Accord
Toyota Avensis
Nissan Pulsar/Qashqai
Hyundai i30/i40
Kia Ceed

Vauxhall Insignia could be an option too - fantastic VFM and we've had 4 now in the family and they've all been great barges - just avoid the 1.8 petrol and try and seek out a 1.4T model. The Astra with the same engine is also worth a look.

[Shermanator]

Pica-Pica said:

The Mad Monk said:

Shermanator said:

I also refuse to allow him to get a car.....

How old is your Dad?

I will have a large wager that I am older than him

and/so/however

No one would "refuse to allow me to buy....."

Perhaps you were using those words as a figure of speech?

Edited by The Mad Monk on Sunday 9th June 12:04

Agree. No-one would dictate what car I could/could not have. They may say ‘why not X’ or ‘car Y is nice’. As he is driving, I assume he is compos mentis, so suggestions may be welcome, but ‘refusing to allow him’ to buy a particular car is a no-no. Never mind, Fathers’ Day soon.

It is supposed to mean that should he buy something like a new MG he'll never hear the end of it and I won't be helping with anything for it. Exactly like I did when he had the Xsara Picasso (which was hateful, and he had it for 7-8 years!). Whereas as I like the Toyota (and hopefully the new car) I'm far more likely to help etc

It's all in jest anyway, hence why I'm actually being consulted.

[Shermanator]

I hadn't though of the Yeti! I'll start looking.

I won't respond to everyone, simply because it seems unnecessary but I am reading them.