Small / medium estate - auto - under £17k
Discussion
We are having a baby and so need a bigger car. We would like a small estate - wife is an inexperienced driver and we live in London, so a great big heffalump isn't going to work.
The requirements:
- Small / medium (no bigger than a Focus estate).
- Petrol (MG5 no good as we do long journeys without stopping).
- Automatic.
- Roof bars (I think everything has these).
Nice to haves:
- Reversing camera or beepers (preferably both).
Things we don't care at all about:
- MPG.
The priorities:
- Reliability.
- Comfort / refinement.
- Sensible RPM at indicated 80mph (current car does about 3500rpm and it is annoying).
The budget:
- Under £18k but could spend more if necessary. Just don't see much point in spending a lot on a car that will do 5k a year and never for fun.
The contenders:
- Fabia: I thought this would be our choice, as it is about 40cm shorter than a Focus but fits us and our baby stuff. However, reading about the (dry) DQ200 gearbox has put me right off.
- Clio: the only other small estate option (Ibiza has been ruled out - see below). Seems like the engine and gearbox are fairly reliable, but the newest ones available are from 2012, so you get a very dated interior and maybe rust?
- Focus: bigger than we would like, but it seems if we avoided the DCT gearboxes and got something with a torque converter it should be relatively reliable, whether 1.0 or 1.5, assuming it was 2017+.
- Civic: bigger than we would like, but less of a bonnet than Focus, which probably would suit wife. Seems very reliable (would be 1.8 NA and torque converter). Can't get anything as new as we would ideally want. Dated interior. Told 1.8 has to be thrashed a bit to make progress.
- i30: assume reliable but unsure if they come with a torque converter or not. Quite rare, so hard to try / source.
- Mégane: assume unreliable, perhaps unfairly. 2.0 model quite tempting and seems good value. Concerned about DCT in a Renault. Quite rare, so hard to try / source.
- Golf: same DSG concerns as for Fabia (I understand you can't get an automatic gearbox other than a DQ200 in a petrol Golf unless you get an R, and I don't want an R as the insurance in London would be painful).
- Octavia: see above re DSG.
Ruled out:
- 308: head rest doesn't fit me (I am 6ft 7).
- Astra: ruled out on grounds of prejudice against Vauxhalls.
- Ceed: wife doesn't like looks, so ruled out.
- Corolla: see above.
- Leon: see above.
- Ibiza: see above.
Are they any cars I should be considering which I am not, and do you have any thoughts?
At the moment it seems like the Civic and Focus are frontrunners (having overtaken the Fabia).
The requirements:
- Small / medium (no bigger than a Focus estate).
- Petrol (MG5 no good as we do long journeys without stopping).
- Automatic.
- Roof bars (I think everything has these).
Nice to haves:
- Reversing camera or beepers (preferably both).
Things we don't care at all about:
- MPG.
The priorities:
- Reliability.
- Comfort / refinement.
- Sensible RPM at indicated 80mph (current car does about 3500rpm and it is annoying).
The budget:
- Under £18k but could spend more if necessary. Just don't see much point in spending a lot on a car that will do 5k a year and never for fun.
The contenders:
- Fabia: I thought this would be our choice, as it is about 40cm shorter than a Focus but fits us and our baby stuff. However, reading about the (dry) DQ200 gearbox has put me right off.
- Clio: the only other small estate option (Ibiza has been ruled out - see below). Seems like the engine and gearbox are fairly reliable, but the newest ones available are from 2012, so you get a very dated interior and maybe rust?
- Focus: bigger than we would like, but it seems if we avoided the DCT gearboxes and got something with a torque converter it should be relatively reliable, whether 1.0 or 1.5, assuming it was 2017+.
- Civic: bigger than we would like, but less of a bonnet than Focus, which probably would suit wife. Seems very reliable (would be 1.8 NA and torque converter). Can't get anything as new as we would ideally want. Dated interior. Told 1.8 has to be thrashed a bit to make progress.
- i30: assume reliable but unsure if they come with a torque converter or not. Quite rare, so hard to try / source.
- Mégane: assume unreliable, perhaps unfairly. 2.0 model quite tempting and seems good value. Concerned about DCT in a Renault. Quite rare, so hard to try / source.
- Golf: same DSG concerns as for Fabia (I understand you can't get an automatic gearbox other than a DQ200 in a petrol Golf unless you get an R, and I don't want an R as the insurance in London would be painful).
- Octavia: see above re DSG.
Ruled out:
- 308: head rest doesn't fit me (I am 6ft 7).
- Astra: ruled out on grounds of prejudice against Vauxhalls.
- Ceed: wife doesn't like looks, so ruled out.
- Corolla: see above.
- Leon: see above.
- Ibiza: see above.
Are they any cars I should be considering which I am not, and do you have any thoughts?
At the moment it seems like the Civic and Focus are frontrunners (having overtaken the Fabia).
TheInternet said:
Not sure what age Civic you're looking at, but have you sat in a Mk.9 to check you fit? And if it is one of those are you sure you need the estate, the hatch has a fairly big boot for a car in that segment.
It would be the newest I could get (so 2017/18).I haven't been able to sit in one yet. Fitted in Fabia, Focus, Golf and 308, so would be a bit surprised if I didn't fit in the Civic but will obviously try before I buy. Is there not much headroom?
As to the boot, yes I am sure we will need an estate. We have a colossal pram and the wife is small, so the flat loading area of an estate will help her.
seamet100 said:
We are having a baby and so need a bigger car. We would like a small estate - wife is an inexperienced driver and we live in London, so a great big heffalump isn't going to work.
The requirements:
- Small / medium (no bigger than a Focus estate).
- Petrol (MG5 no good as we do long journeys without stopping).
- Automatic.
- Roof bars (I think everything has these).
Nice to haves:
- Reversing camera or beepers (preferably both).
Things we don't care at all about:
- MPG.
The priorities:
- Reliability.
- Comfort / refinement.
- Sensible RPM at indicated 80mph (current car does about 3500rpm and it is annoying).
The budget:
- Under £18k but could spend more if necessary. Just don't see much point in spending a lot on a car that will do 5k a year and never for fun.
The contenders:
- Fabia: I thought this would be our choice, as it is about 40cm shorter than a Focus but fits us and our baby stuff. However, reading about the (dry) DQ200 gearbox has put me right off.
- Clio: the only other small estate option (Ibiza has been ruled out - see below). Seems like the engine and gearbox are fairly reliable, but the newest ones available are from 2012, so you get a very dated interior and maybe rust?
- Focus: bigger than we would like, but it seems if we avoided the DCT gearboxes and got something with a torque converter it should be relatively reliable, whether 1.0 or 1.5, assuming it was 2017+.
- Civic: bigger than we would like, but less of a bonnet than Focus, which probably would suit wife. Seems very reliable (would be 1.8 NA and torque converter). Can't get anything as new as we would ideally want. Dated interior. Told 1.8 has to be thrashed a bit to make progress.
- i30: assume reliable but unsure if they come with a torque converter or not. Quite rare, so hard to try / source.
- Mégane: assume unreliable, perhaps unfairly. 2.0 model quite tempting and seems good value. Concerned about DCT in a Renault. Quite rare, so hard to try / source.
- Golf: same DSG concerns as for Fabia (I understand you can't get an automatic gearbox other than a DQ200 in a petrol Golf unless you get an R, and I don't want an R as the insurance in London would be painful).
- Octavia: see above re DSG.
Ruled out:
- 308: head rest doesn't fit me (I am 6ft 7).
- Astra: ruled out on grounds of prejudice against Vauxhalls.
- Ceed: wife doesn't like looks, so ruled out.
- Corolla: see above.
- Leon: see above.
- Ibiza: see above.
Are they any cars I should be considering which I am not, and do you have any thoughts?
At the moment it seems like the Civic and Focus are frontrunners (having overtaken the Fabia).
"- Petrol (MG5 no good as we do long journeys without stopping)."The requirements:
- Small / medium (no bigger than a Focus estate).
- Petrol (MG5 no good as we do long journeys without stopping).
- Automatic.
- Roof bars (I think everything has these).
Nice to haves:
- Reversing camera or beepers (preferably both).
Things we don't care at all about:
- MPG.
The priorities:
- Reliability.
- Comfort / refinement.
- Sensible RPM at indicated 80mph (current car does about 3500rpm and it is annoying).
The budget:
- Under £18k but could spend more if necessary. Just don't see much point in spending a lot on a car that will do 5k a year and never for fun.
The contenders:
- Fabia: I thought this would be our choice, as it is about 40cm shorter than a Focus but fits us and our baby stuff. However, reading about the (dry) DQ200 gearbox has put me right off.
- Clio: the only other small estate option (Ibiza has been ruled out - see below). Seems like the engine and gearbox are fairly reliable, but the newest ones available are from 2012, so you get a very dated interior and maybe rust?
- Focus: bigger than we would like, but it seems if we avoided the DCT gearboxes and got something with a torque converter it should be relatively reliable, whether 1.0 or 1.5, assuming it was 2017+.
- Civic: bigger than we would like, but less of a bonnet than Focus, which probably would suit wife. Seems very reliable (would be 1.8 NA and torque converter). Can't get anything as new as we would ideally want. Dated interior. Told 1.8 has to be thrashed a bit to make progress.
- i30: assume reliable but unsure if they come with a torque converter or not. Quite rare, so hard to try / source.
- Mégane: assume unreliable, perhaps unfairly. 2.0 model quite tempting and seems good value. Concerned about DCT in a Renault. Quite rare, so hard to try / source.
- Golf: same DSG concerns as for Fabia (I understand you can't get an automatic gearbox other than a DQ200 in a petrol Golf unless you get an R, and I don't want an R as the insurance in London would be painful).
- Octavia: see above re DSG.
Ruled out:
- 308: head rest doesn't fit me (I am 6ft 7).
- Astra: ruled out on grounds of prejudice against Vauxhalls.
- Ceed: wife doesn't like looks, so ruled out.
- Corolla: see above.
- Leon: see above.
- Ibiza: see above.
Are they any cars I should be considering which I am not, and do you have any thoughts?
At the moment it seems like the Civic and Focus are frontrunners (having overtaken the Fabia).
I would imagine this will change once your little one arrives.
Martyn76 said:
seamet100 said:
We are having a baby and so need a bigger car. We would like a small estate - wife is an inexperienced driver and we live in London, so a great big heffalump isn't going to work.
The requirements:
- Small / medium (no bigger than a Focus estate).
- Petrol (MG5 no good as we do long journeys without stopping).
- Automatic.
- Roof bars (I think everything has these).
Nice to haves:
- Reversing camera or beepers (preferably both).
Things we don't care at all about:
- MPG.
The priorities:
- Reliability.
- Comfort / refinement.
- Sensible RPM at indicated 80mph (current car does about 3500rpm and it is annoying).
The budget:
- Under £18k but could spend more if necessary. Just don't see much point in spending a lot on a car that will do 5k a year and never for fun.
The contenders:
- Fabia: I thought this would be our choice, as it is about 40cm shorter than a Focus but fits us and our baby stuff. However, reading about the (dry) DQ200 gearbox has put me right off.
- Clio: the only other small estate option (Ibiza has been ruled out - see below). Seems like the engine and gearbox are fairly reliable, but the newest ones available are from 2012, so you get a very dated interior and maybe rust?
- Focus: bigger than we would like, but it seems if we avoided the DCT gearboxes and got something with a torque converter it should be relatively reliable, whether 1.0 or 1.5, assuming it was 2017+.
- Civic: bigger than we would like, but less of a bonnet than Focus, which probably would suit wife. Seems very reliable (would be 1.8 NA and torque converter). Can't get anything as new as we would ideally want. Dated interior. Told 1.8 has to be thrashed a bit to make progress.
- i30: assume reliable but unsure if they come with a torque converter or not. Quite rare, so hard to try / source.
- Mégane: assume unreliable, perhaps unfairly. 2.0 model quite tempting and seems good value. Concerned about DCT in a Renault. Quite rare, so hard to try / source.
- Golf: same DSG concerns as for Fabia (I understand you can't get an automatic gearbox other than a DQ200 in a petrol Golf unless you get an R, and I don't want an R as the insurance in London would be painful).
- Octavia: see above re DSG.
Ruled out:
- 308: head rest doesn't fit me (I am 6ft 7).
- Astra: ruled out on grounds of prejudice against Vauxhalls.
- Ceed: wife doesn't like looks, so ruled out.
- Corolla: see above.
- Leon: see above.
- Ibiza: see above.
Are they any cars I should be considering which I am not, and do you have any thoughts?
At the moment it seems like the Civic and Focus are frontrunners (having overtaken the Fabia).
"- Petrol (MG5 no good as we do long journeys without stopping)."The requirements:
- Small / medium (no bigger than a Focus estate).
- Petrol (MG5 no good as we do long journeys without stopping).
- Automatic.
- Roof bars (I think everything has these).
Nice to haves:
- Reversing camera or beepers (preferably both).
Things we don't care at all about:
- MPG.
The priorities:
- Reliability.
- Comfort / refinement.
- Sensible RPM at indicated 80mph (current car does about 3500rpm and it is annoying).
The budget:
- Under £18k but could spend more if necessary. Just don't see much point in spending a lot on a car that will do 5k a year and never for fun.
The contenders:
- Fabia: I thought this would be our choice, as it is about 40cm shorter than a Focus but fits us and our baby stuff. However, reading about the (dry) DQ200 gearbox has put me right off.
- Clio: the only other small estate option (Ibiza has been ruled out - see below). Seems like the engine and gearbox are fairly reliable, but the newest ones available are from 2012, so you get a very dated interior and maybe rust?
- Focus: bigger than we would like, but it seems if we avoided the DCT gearboxes and got something with a torque converter it should be relatively reliable, whether 1.0 or 1.5, assuming it was 2017+.
- Civic: bigger than we would like, but less of a bonnet than Focus, which probably would suit wife. Seems very reliable (would be 1.8 NA and torque converter). Can't get anything as new as we would ideally want. Dated interior. Told 1.8 has to be thrashed a bit to make progress.
- i30: assume reliable but unsure if they come with a torque converter or not. Quite rare, so hard to try / source.
- Mégane: assume unreliable, perhaps unfairly. 2.0 model quite tempting and seems good value. Concerned about DCT in a Renault. Quite rare, so hard to try / source.
- Golf: same DSG concerns as for Fabia (I understand you can't get an automatic gearbox other than a DQ200 in a petrol Golf unless you get an R, and I don't want an R as the insurance in London would be painful).
- Octavia: see above re DSG.
Ruled out:
- 308: head rest doesn't fit me (I am 6ft 7).
- Astra: ruled out on grounds of prejudice against Vauxhalls.
- Ceed: wife doesn't like looks, so ruled out.
- Corolla: see above.
- Leon: see above.
- Ibiza: see above.
Are they any cars I should be considering which I am not, and do you have any thoughts?
At the moment it seems like the Civic and Focus are frontrunners (having overtaken the Fabia).
I would imagine this will change once your little one arrives.
You sit on top of the fuel tank in those Civics so you might find the headroom tight. The estate versions are also quite long and you might as well just get a (shorter but wider) CRV instead. If you really do want a small/medium sized car I'd start with a sensible sized pram though.
Edited by TheInternet on Tuesday 22 August 10:53
elanfan said:
Thanks. Forgot this one.We sat in one at the weekend. The, fixed, head rest was barely high enough for me and the boot was surprisingly small (I guess much of the length of the car is bonnet). Also a surprisingly dated interior. Comfy seats though!
consider the van based MPVs,
Ford Tourneo Connect
Vauxhall Combo life
Wont be many petrol auto's but they're a different option to an estate, shorter and taller.
edit: i assume by ruling out a corrolla you also mean auris, otherwise a good option
Ford Tourneo Connect
Vauxhall Combo life
Wont be many petrol auto's but they're a different option to an estate, shorter and taller.
edit: i assume by ruling out a corrolla you also mean auris, otherwise a good option
Edited by andburg on Tuesday 22 August 13:29
Edited by andburg on Tuesday 22 August 13:33
Not sure if these are big enough but it's another option not on your list.
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/2023081106...
We ended up with a small mpv when our child was born. Had it 7 years and it's done great service. Loads of space but a small footprint. Cool it is not.
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/2023081106...
We ended up with a small mpv when our child was born. Had it 7 years and it's done great service. Loads of space but a small footprint. Cool it is not.
seamet100 said:
We are having a baby and so need a bigger car. We would like a small estate - wife is an inexperienced driver and we live in London, so a great big heffalump isn't going to work.
The requirements:
- Small / medium (no bigger than a Focus estate).
- Petrol (MG5 no good as we do long journeys without stopping).
- Automatic.
- Roof bars (I think everything has these).
Nice to haves:
- Reversing camera or beepers (preferably both).
Things we don't care at all about:
- MPG.
The priorities:
- Reliability.
- Comfort / refinement.
- Sensible RPM at indicated 80mph (current car does about 3500rpm and it is annoying).
The budget:
- Under £18k but could spend more if necessary. Just don't see much point in spending a lot on a car that will do 5k a year and never for fun.
The contenders:
- Fabia: I thought this would be our choice, as it is about 40cm shorter than a Focus but fits us and our baby stuff. However, reading about the (dry) DQ200 gearbox has put me right off.
- Clio: the only other small estate option (Ibiza has been ruled out - see below). Seems like the engine and gearbox are fairly reliable, but the newest ones available are from 2012, so you get a very dated interior and maybe rust?
- Focus: bigger than we would like, but it seems if we avoided the DCT gearboxes and got something with a torque converter it should be relatively reliable, whether 1.0 or 1.5, assuming it was 2017+.
- Civic: bigger than we would like, but less of a bonnet than Focus, which probably would suit wife. Seems very reliable (would be 1.8 NA and torque converter). Can't get anything as new as we would ideally want. Dated interior. Told 1.8 has to be thrashed a bit to make progress.
- i30: assume reliable but unsure if they come with a torque converter or not. Quite rare, so hard to try / source.
- Mégane: assume unreliable, perhaps unfairly. 2.0 model quite tempting and seems good value. Concerned about DCT in a Renault. Quite rare, so hard to try / source.
- Golf: same DSG concerns as for Fabia (I understand you can't get an automatic gearbox other than a DQ200 in a petrol Golf unless you get an R, and I don't want an R as the insurance in London would be painful).
- Octavia: see above re DSG.
Ruled out:
- 308: head rest doesn't fit me (I am 6ft 7).
- Astra: ruled out on grounds of prejudice against Vauxhalls.
- Ceed: wife doesn't like looks, so ruled out.
- Corolla: see above.
- Leon: see above.
- Ibiza: see above.
Are they any cars I should be considering which I am not, and do you have any thoughts?
At the moment it seems like the Civic and Focus are frontrunners (having overtaken the Fabia).
The Megane is actually a very good car the 1.6T GT Nav form is the pick if you can find one:The requirements:
- Small / medium (no bigger than a Focus estate).
- Petrol (MG5 no good as we do long journeys without stopping).
- Automatic.
- Roof bars (I think everything has these).
Nice to haves:
- Reversing camera or beepers (preferably both).
Things we don't care at all about:
- MPG.
The priorities:
- Reliability.
- Comfort / refinement.
- Sensible RPM at indicated 80mph (current car does about 3500rpm and it is annoying).
The budget:
- Under £18k but could spend more if necessary. Just don't see much point in spending a lot on a car that will do 5k a year and never for fun.
The contenders:
- Fabia: I thought this would be our choice, as it is about 40cm shorter than a Focus but fits us and our baby stuff. However, reading about the (dry) DQ200 gearbox has put me right off.
- Clio: the only other small estate option (Ibiza has been ruled out - see below). Seems like the engine and gearbox are fairly reliable, but the newest ones available are from 2012, so you get a very dated interior and maybe rust?
- Focus: bigger than we would like, but it seems if we avoided the DCT gearboxes and got something with a torque converter it should be relatively reliable, whether 1.0 or 1.5, assuming it was 2017+.
- Civic: bigger than we would like, but less of a bonnet than Focus, which probably would suit wife. Seems very reliable (would be 1.8 NA and torque converter). Can't get anything as new as we would ideally want. Dated interior. Told 1.8 has to be thrashed a bit to make progress.
- i30: assume reliable but unsure if they come with a torque converter or not. Quite rare, so hard to try / source.
- Mégane: assume unreliable, perhaps unfairly. 2.0 model quite tempting and seems good value. Concerned about DCT in a Renault. Quite rare, so hard to try / source.
- Golf: same DSG concerns as for Fabia (I understand you can't get an automatic gearbox other than a DQ200 in a petrol Golf unless you get an R, and I don't want an R as the insurance in London would be painful).
- Octavia: see above re DSG.
Ruled out:
- 308: head rest doesn't fit me (I am 6ft 7).
- Astra: ruled out on grounds of prejudice against Vauxhalls.
- Ceed: wife doesn't like looks, so ruled out.
- Corolla: see above.
- Leon: see above.
- Ibiza: see above.
Are they any cars I should be considering which I am not, and do you have any thoughts?
At the moment it seems like the Civic and Focus are frontrunners (having overtaken the Fabia).
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202306309...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202306299...
With the Focus the 1.5T is the pick as it's better suited to the car & the pick for longer runs, DT Line X:
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202305257...
Titanium X:
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202308150...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202305257...
1.4T i30 Premium SE 140:
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202307290...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202308040...
1.4T Kia ProCeed Lunar Edition:
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202307139...
andburg said:
consider the van based MPVs,
Ford Tourneo Connect
Vauxhall Combo life
Wont be many petrol auto's but they're a different option to an estate, shorter and taller.
edit: i assume by ruling out a corrolla you also mean auris, otherwise a good option
Has to be an estate I'm afraid - we need length not height.Ford Tourneo Connect
Vauxhall Combo life
Wont be many petrol auto's but they're a different option to an estate, shorter and taller.
edit: i assume by ruling out a corrolla you also mean auris, otherwise a good option
Edited by andburg on Tuesday 22 August 13:29
Edited by andburg on Tuesday 22 August 13:33
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