Car for family - Advice required

[Fade_Away]

Hi Folks

I am in market for medium level car under £10K. My drive is around 15-20 miles a day max, mostly short trips and long trips (around 40 -60 miles over weekend). I do need decent boot size though. So for I have shortlisted below who fall under my budget.

Models 2016 & above

1- Mazda 3 - 2.0
2- Honda Jazz 1.3
3- SEAT Leon 1.0 TSI Are they underpowered ? please share your experience)
4- SEAT Toledo - I believe same as Leon with a boot ?
5- Suzuki Vitara (1.6 or 1.0 ?)

Key parameters are fuel economy, low maintenace cost and reliability

Would really appreciate good suggestions

[edc]

It all depends on what you prioritise and need, how big your family is, their ages even, and what clobber you carry. I've had Seat Arona, Merc B class and Citroen C4 Grand Picasso all as "family" cars.

[Terzo123]

Leons are decent.

Why limit youself to the 1.0?

The 1.4s are good. Cheap to tax and deliver good economy and decent power depending on variant.

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/2023020339...

[Fade_Away]

Thank you, family of two adults and two kids (8 and 3 years old). I have limited parking space so need to limit myself to medium size car.

[Fade_Away]

Terzo123 said:

Leons are decent.

Why limit youself to the 1.0?

The 1.4s are good. Cheap to tax and deliver good economy and decent power depending on variant.

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/2023020339...

Thank you for feedback, 1.4 seems perfect, but couldn't find any decent in 2016 or above model. About old 1.4 there are stories of streching timing chain.

[stevemcs]

Honda Civic, Toyota Auris, Ford focus, Vauxhall Astra would all be on my list

Edited by stevemcs on Monday 20th February 13:11

[edc]

At 8 and 3 both possibly still in child seats. If you ever need to fit 3 in the back with 2 child seats then something like a Citroen C4 Picasso with it's 3 individual seats will give you a lot of flexibility.

[defblade]

The Skoda Rapid Spaceback was the best compromise for me, worth a look.

[Fade_Away]

edc said:

At 8 and 3 both possibly still in child seats. If you ever need to fit 3 in the back with 2 child seats then something like a Citroen C4 Picasso with it's 3 individual seats will give you a lot of flexibility.

Thanks for suggestion, the elder one meet the height requirement and does not requires child seat, only one child seat.

[GreatGranny]

Auris

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202301273...

[Fade_Away]

Thank you everyone for replies. I am drawn toward SEAT Leon or Toledo, are decently reliable ? Any things to look for while buying a 2016/2017 model ?
I know a Jazz or Auris will be more reliable but they are very dull to drive. Want to have turbo.

[zedx19]

MilL has a Nissan Note for years, never had a single problem with it and she takes our 4 kids out in it (10 - 3) without a problem, boots bigger than you think for a small car.

[stevemcs]

Fade_Away said:

Thank you everyone for replies. I am drawn toward SEAT Leon or Toledo, are decently reliable ? Any things to look for while buying a 2016/2017 model ?
I know a Jazz or Auris will be more reliable but they are very dull to drive. Want to have turbo.

The Leon or Toledo are not exactly thrilling, a Focus will drive better than both, as will a Fiesta.

[Pica-Pica]

defblade said:

The Skoda Rapid Spaceback was the best compromise for me, worth a look.

It’s replacement Scala is decent to sit in, I’ve not driven one. It would have to be the 1.5 TSI engine. Not sure you would get one for that price.

[flatso]

Auris estate,
Civic estate,
Mazda 5 could be a great alternative, sliding doors, 6 seats or great luggage space in a compact package. Technically its a Mazda 3 with a different body so it should be decently reliable.
Ford C Max

[colin86]

A would say auris or civic would be a good choice. But what about a Dacia ? They seem great value and could get a newer car for well under budget ?

[Fade_Away]

flatso said:

Auris estate,
Civic estate,
Mazda 5 could be a great alternative, sliding doors, 6 seats or great luggage space in a compact package. Technically its a Mazda 3 with a different body so it should be decently reliable.
Ford C Max

Thank you great suggestions indeed. My limitation is I can only accmodate a medium car roughly around auris hatchback, Leon. For C Max I never considred, will do check it out

[Fade_Away]

colin86 said:

A would say auris or civic would be a good choice. But what about a Dacia ? They seem great value and could get a newer car for well under budget ?

Actually quite a few appeared in search, but couldn't find any model matching my requirement other than duster. It look like mini pickup though.

So for it appears Auris is most recommended car in this thread.

[georgeyboy12345]

Fade_Away said:

Hi Folks

I am in market for medium level car under £10K. My drive is around 15-20 miles a day max, mostly short trips and long trips (around 40 -60 miles over weekend). I do need decent boot size though. So for I have shortlisted below who fall under my budget.

Models 2016 & above

1- Mazda 3 - 2.0
2- Honda Jazz 1.3
3- SEAT Leon 1.0 TSI Are they underpowered ? please share your experience)
4- SEAT Toledo - I believe same as Leon with a boot ?
5- Suzuki Vitara (1.6 or 1.0 ?)

Key parameters are fuel economy, low maintenace cost and reliability

Would really appreciate good suggestions

Out of your list, I'd go for the Mazda 3, then the Seat Leon (or Toledo).

I thought a Seat Toledo was a Leon with a boot (with some of the older generations this was the case), but it's actually a size down, being more akin to a Seat Ibiza with a boot. It's based on the same platform as the Audi A1, VW Polo, Seat Ibiza, Skoda Fabia and Skoda Rapid.

Both Leons and Toledos made after 2013 are reliable. As you are looking at 2016+ cars you'll be alright.

You might find the Honda Jazz a bit on the small size, a Civic might be better.
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202301273...


As mentioned, I'd pick the 1.4 TSI Leon over a 1.0 or 1.2 - more power and still cheap to run
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202302174...

You can get the same engine in a Golf
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202302084...

If you want decent sized boot, look no further than a Skoda Octavia, again with the same 1.4 TSI motor
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202209240...

You can get the engine in a slightly more premium package in this Audi A4 1.4 TFSI
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202301073...


Other ideas

Kia Ceed 1.6 GDi
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202302104...


Very low mileage Vauxhall Astra 1.4i Turbo SRi
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202212232...


Renault Megane 1.2 TCe
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202302144...


Volvo V40 T2
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202212162...


Ford Focus 1.6
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202302174...


BMW 318i
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202209229...

[ZX10R NIN]

Fade_Away said:

Hi Folks

I am in market for medium level car under £10K. My drive is around 15-20 miles a day max, mostly short trips and long trips (around 40 -60 miles over weekend). I do need decent boot size though. So for I have shortlisted below who fall under my budget.

Models 2016 & above

1- Mazda 3 - 2.0
2- Honda Jazz 1.3
3- SEAT Leon 1.0 TSI Are they underpowered ? please share your experience)
4- SEAT Toledo - I believe same as Leon with a boot ?
5- Suzuki Vitara (1.6 or 1.0 ?)

Key parameters are fuel economy, low maintenace cost and reliability

Would really appreciate good suggestions

Have to say with your requirements these would be on my list:

1.4T Astra Elite Nav:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202302084...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202302144...

Estate:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202208108...

1.5T Focus Titanium:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202302084...

1.4T Fiat Tipo Lounge Estate:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202302154...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202302164...

Tipo:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202302174...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202302144...

1.6T Infiniti Q30 Premium in Touch:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202302154...

SE:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202302074...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202302013...

Kia Ceed GT:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202302144...