Family Car Advice

[Challo]

My friend is looking to replace his old 1.4 Octavia with something newer. He is not a car guy, and just wants a reliable family car, not fussed on brand but has a budget of upto 8k.

5dr for the family.
Decent boot as his golf clubs are always in their, but needs space for the kids bits and bobs.
Only does 8k a year, but mostly short journeys
Not fussed on body shape. Hatchback, Estate or SUV
Reliable and ok to take a bit of punishment from the kids.
Not looking for anything huge either, as the Octavia has been perfect size for what they need.

His neighbour has a Sportage which he likes, and you can get them in his price range but they are diesel. Putting in the above details into Autotrader you don't get much choice really. Everything in that price range seems to be diesel, which I'm trying to avoid.

Worse case I have said if gets a diesel he will need to take it for a run every few weeks to clear the DPF.

Any recommendations? His car is off the road so he is looking for something quickly.

Thanks

[Mr Tidy]

Does he do enough miles to justify a diesel?

Alternatively does he live anywhere like London where a diesel that isn't Euro 6 compliant might get expensive if he enters the Congestion Zone?

Depending on that, I would have thought a newer petrol Octavia would be a good choice!

[ninjag]

8th gen Honda Accord Tourer could be worth a look. Very reliable petrol engines and it's a good looking estate. Built in Japan and not Swindon and have double wishbone suspension which is good for the crap UK roads.


http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2019...

[sjc]

What about an MG6?
Similar size.I just had one as a courtesy car and was pleasantly surprised, it did everything “ok”.
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

Edited by sjc on Saturday 6th July 06:15

[Challo]

I found a nice Avensis and Accord local and sent those across to see what he thinks.

No MG near us to look at, only the small MG3 hatchback. He did message about about a Focus he has seen, and I'm going to suggest a Honda Civic as well,

Only Skodas are the TSI engine version. I'm sure I read these had issues, but not sure.

[browna]

mondeo of some sort Shirley?

Zx10r NIN will be along soon with some nice examples. im "busy" in work lol

[ZX10R NIN]

Mondeo Titanium X Sport

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

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

Or your friend could get the newer Mazda6 Sport

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

Or the older 2.5

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

If your friend wants an SUV then the Kuga is the place to look:

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

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

IS250 SE L/F Sport

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

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

Edited by ZX10R NIN on Saturday 6th July 11:51

[Challo]

Top man.

[ZX10R NIN]

Forgot to say I'd say the Mondeo followed by the Mazda, but there is this Insignia that is cracking value (for the spec & low miles) & your friend really won't go wrong with one:

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

[Challo]

Thanks. I like all 3 but struggling to find good examples if any locally. Most of the Vauxhall are the 1.8, and only found 1 ecoboost mondeo.

Mazda6 seem to be more local which is good. Medium to large petrol cars are thin on the ground.

He saw a golf estate earlier, but its a 1.6tdi and with his commute and local running around for the kids he will kill the engine.

[ZX10R NIN]

Tell your friend to be prepared to travel, he's spending decent so why limit your market by just staying local.

Personally at that price I'd be willing to travel up to 4 hours for a car.

[remould]

For family transport try the Tipo,yep it's not a drivers car but they're cheap,61 on Autotrader all no more than 8 grand

[Challo]

Quick update. Found a 1.0 Focus Ecoboost in Titanium X trim with only 18k on the clock at a local Toyota Dealer.

Deal signed and he picks up Tuesday. We looked at the estate version but this was cheaper, younger and less miles.

He is chuffed and suits his needs for the moment.