Advice on best low-cost, fuel efficient car for gardener

[JackJJW]

Hi there,

I'm looking to buy my first car for personal use (I've driven 18 years but always rented as in London) but as part of my job I often need to lug gardening equipment around like tools, compost, plants and pots. I'd like to buy a car rather than a van, and I'll be using it for long distance trips regularly too to visit family in the north of the country. Some cars I've been looking at include the Ford Focus, VW Golf and a QashQai. But I wondered if anyone can advise me better. I know a Kangoo is recommended but I'm not a fan of its look.

The main things I'm looking for are:

- fuel efficient
- large fuel capacity for long journeys
- can put seats down for a large amount of storage space for gardening equipment

I'm leaning more toward buying something 2-3 years old on an interest free loan rather than leasing.

Thank you and help much appreciated!

[FlabbyMidgets]

I'd say Skoda Octavia Estate. I drive one quite often with the 1.0 petrol and dsg box. It's quick enough for what I use it for. 1.5 is also an option. Plenty of space, fuel efficient and comfy.

Also how are you getting an interest free loan?

[ZX10R NIN]

I'd say you should be looking at an MPV the seats fold flat put some plastic sheeting down & you should be able to keep it relatively clean inside with that in mind two cars spring to mind:

Mazda5 Sport Venture 1.6d

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

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

Or the Ford Galaxy:

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

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/202...

[blue al]

So disappointed with this thread already
I was hoping you were buying for your gardener When I read the title

[JackJJW]

Flabbymidgets - good question haha, I think I made that up about the loan - in my head you could get cars on 0% APR but I think I am wrong! Is the Skoda good for long distance drives for fuel economy? In the future I am going to have to travel from London to Yorkshire fairly regularly.

[JackJJW]

Thanks ZX10R NIN, it seems like I need to look into people carriers more - thank you for these two suggestions, I'll research these and the skoda more.

blue al - haha, if only I had the money, but as I am our gardener, I guess that's what I am doing

[jwilco]

There's definitely nothing wrong with going for a Golf estate. I think some people don't suggest them here because they seem the 'obvious', stock choice. The follow-up response then becomes - why not look at the Octavia? It's built on the same platform, but with even more space and generally costs slightly less. Again - nothing wrong with that suggestion. The benefit is there is lots of choice out there in either of these cars...

I would put the SEAT Leon into the mix too because it's again built on the VW MQB platform but like for like costs less than the Golf. However, given your particular criteria, the Octavia probably makes more sense anyway.

If you need more room than you know what to do with, then you could look at Skoda Superb as well. There are other obvious contenders like the Ford Mondeo, but you didn't say you needed a decent steer.

[Pothole]

My cousin's a keen gardener and uses his vehicle as you describe you'd like to. He uses a Honda Stream. Might be too old and too juicy for you, though....cheap...

[Justin Case]

Peugeot Partner? A friend has the later version, it is very car-like from the passenger seats, they regularly go from Pembrokeshire to Aberdeen without complaining. It is also economical (diesel) and huge inside, they originally got it to also use for carrying bales of hay. They've had it a few years, so the earlier ones should be quite reasonable by now.

Edited by Justin Case on Monday 15th June 19:20

[ZX10R NIN]

JackJJW said:

Thanks ZX10R NIN, it seems like I need to look into people carriers more - thank you for these two suggestions, I'll research these and the skoda more.

blue al - haha, if only I had the money, but as I am our gardener, I guess that's what I am doing

The reason I say MPV is because they have a slightly higher roof line which will be handy when your putting lager/taller items in.

[JackJJW]

Thank you, I've been investigating MPVs - can they be as fuel efficient? Wary not to have diesel in London

[codenamecueball]

JackJJW said:

Flabbymidgets - good question haha, I think I made that up about the loan - in my head you could get cars on 0% APR but I think I am wrong! Is the Skoda good for long distance drives for fuel economy? In the future I am going to have to travel from London to Yorkshire fairly regularly.

I have a Seat Toledo with the 1.0 3-cyl engine and it did 50mpg from London to Edinburgh, averaging 65mph from memory. Got slightly worse economy on the way down though, about 47-48. Does similar in town as well, though if you're doing short bursts it can creep down to 35. Tank averages driven mostly in town sit around 40mpg. Toledo is 1115kg vs Octavia Estate at 1193kg.

[ZX10R NIN]

JackJJW said:

Thank you, I've been investigating MPVs - can they be as fuel efficient? Wary not to have diesel in London

They're fuel efficient & due to them being Euro6 compliant non will fall of ULEZ tariffs.