Suggestions on my new motor

[akbmcf1]

Hi guys and gals,

First off, I'm a long-time lurker, but first time poster so be gentle with me!

Am having a bit of a brain fog on options for a new motor, so thought I'd ask the Pistonheads collective for its suggestions.

Criteria:

Big enough for a family (got a littl' un plus the associated kit and caboodle)
Under £2k
Reasonable insurance (I'm 30, wife is 26)
Reasonable economy (doesn't have to be diesel, although I do miss my previous oil burner....)
Meets with the approval of the missus (admittedly, you won't know, so I can vet the replies!!)


We currently have a 2000MY Mazda 323 1.8 GSi (BJ shape) but am finding it doesn't have quite enough boot space, especially when we go away! My wife fancies a 4x4 SUV thing (CR-V, Freelander, etc?) but I'm open to all suggestions.

Ta in advance for your help!
Andrew

[Gargamel]

I had a CRV - put 150,000 miles on it, never boke down, never needed anything beyond fluids. Awesome machine.

Don't pay under 2k for a freelander, virtually bound to be a dog at that money.

Jeep Cherokee? they tend to last - although a bit dated now.

[akbmcf1]

Cheers for that, Gargamel! Honda reliability, eh? ;-) What was it like for economy? It's exclusively the 2.0-litre B20 engine in the CR-V isn't it (well, the earlier ones, at least!)?

[300bhp/ton]

akbmcf1 said:

Hi guys and gals,

First off, I'm a long-time lurker, but first time poster so be gentle with me!

Am having a bit of a brain fog on options for a new motor, so thought I'd ask the Pistonheads collective for its suggestions.

Criteria:

Big enough for a family (got a littl' un plus the associated kit and caboodle)
Under £2k
Reasonable insurance (I'm 30, wife is 26)
Reasonable economy (doesn't have to be diesel, although I do miss my previous oil burner....)
Meets with the approval of the missus (admittedly, you won't know, so I can vet the replies!!)


We currently have a 2000MY Mazda 323 1.8 GSi (BJ shape) but am finding it doesn't have quite enough boot space, especially when we go away! My wife fancies a 4x4 SUV thing (CR-V, Freelander, etc?) but I'm open to all suggestions.

Ta in advance for your help!
Andrew

CR-V probably isn't a bad shout.

Frontera's are also a better buy at this money, but they are pretty rubbish off road and not any better on it. But they are a 4x4 if you want one.

Car wise, how about something like a Rover 75 or MG ZT? Well built and usually well specced. They are also a good drive and look nice inside and out.


Lastly, and available for around £2k, how about a Subaru Forrester?? MPG might be an issue though, mid 20's I would suspect.

[chrisispringles]

How about a Mercedes E300 TD estate, there's a few kicking around under 2k but watch out for rust. Other than that I'd say Audi A6 1.9/2.5 TDi estate or Range Rover 2.5 DT.

[Tazio1]

Subaru Forrester would be worth a look.

[Mr Dave]

CRV is a good sensible car. Comfy enough and big inside for the kids.

Dont see anything wrong with that as a choice.