In the good/bad situation of needing to replace two cars

[darrenham]

After my previous thread (https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&f=&t=1762117) the wife and I now both want a new car in the new year and not sure how to best meet our needs given this clean slate.

Current cars:

08 Civic 1.8 Petrol Hatch (gearbox is getting on a bit)
66 Octavia VRS Diesel DSG Hatch (lease ends in Feb)

Total top-end budget = £28k, ideally more like £26k, no particular split one way or the other.

Info:
- Both cars must be reliable
- One car cavernous (like the Octy) and comfortable for 3hr motorway slogs, but not too big as both cars get parked in tiny multistories
- Smaller car needs 4/5 doors and room for a rather large child's car-seat, plus buggy in boot
- Both cars Auto (bad back plus laziness)
- My car needs to be interesting, quick and a bit fun (like the Octy) with semi-auto/flaps for the fun-times
- Mine will do a 24mile total daily commute in urban traffic too though, the other will do 2 x 8min comutes a week.
- The wife would prefer "her" car be an SUV, and not ugly.
- I'd prefer Petrol all round as we'll be holding onto them for a while all being well

Sporty one can be the big one or the small one, SUV can be the big one or the small one. Could be a sporty SUV even. It will just depend which will work best for both of us.

Current cars we're considering (in some combination):
- Mazda CX-5
- Mazda 3
- Mazda 6 (we both really like the Mazdas)
- Octavia VRS
- Newer style Tiguan
- Qashqai (would rather avoid because: yawn)
- Golf (GTI if mine)
- Leon (Cupra if mine)
- BMW 1 series (although not keen on BMW's dated dash)
- BMD 3 series (although not keen on BMW's dated dash)
- Focus ST (naff interior)

Anything else I should be looking at?

[darrenham]

S54Love said:

For the SUV, I would consider a Sportage for it's 7 year warranty:
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
The looks are marmite, I personally think it looks great especially in the GT Line.

Otherwise, if you have the ability to charge it up I would consider an Outlander PHEV. For an 8 minute journey, fuel costs should be negligible/non-existent.

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

I think the Sportage is fine, will definitely add that to the list, we also know someone who owns a Kia dealer, so should be able to get a decent price.

I don't think the Outlander would tick the looks box for the wife, it's a bit too old-school SUV rather than the modern hatch on stilts look like the Sportage/CX-5/Tiguan

I'm also marginally concerned about PHEV as far as servicing and battery life goes. Should I be?

[darrenham]

GreatGranny said:

I'd go GTI for you and PHEV for wife as suggested above.

Would never need to use any petrol for her commute.

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

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

See above re: PHEV, I'm not sold (yet). Plus I'd need to get her something a little prettier and modern looking than the Outlander I think.

I'm not sure I'd go for a GTI over a VRS, unless someone can tell me I'm wrong? The extra space is always useful, plus you seem to get a newer/lower mileage VRS for the money due to badge/desirability, which (having driven a VRS for nearly 2years) doesn't bother me at all.

[darrenham]

ZX10R NIN said:

SNIP

Thanks, again.

Maybe I'm too looks biased, but that Mondeo looks boring plus black estate = hearse

I was also hoping the fun would be had in my car really, she's after an SUV type thing ideally.

The Giulietta looks to have 0 leg room in the back, which might cause problems with the car seat (it's one of the 360 rotatey ones)

The Ceed looks good actually, good value for money. But again, not sure it ticks either the sporty box or the weekend bus box, so the other car would need to be big and a bit of fun for me.

The Lexusesused would also be a difficult sell as they look dated. The CT200h is ok, but that "zero interest in cars" comment makes me want to ask why?

[darrenham]

@zx10R NIN

A LOT of cars to go through there, thank-you.

A few however are older (or not much younger) than the wife's Civic which I won't be able to sell to her, it won't feel (to her) like she's getting a new car, and I'd be tempted to say better-the-devil-you-know as far as reliability goes.

Personally I really like the IS250, and it's gone on my list if she ends up with a smaller SUV. Not sure how sporty it'll feel but it does look the part, and looks comfy and well equipped (oh and it's a V6!)

The Ford interiors still really bother me how did they get through the design phase with all those buttons? But the Kuga looks like a good choice. The mrs still prefers the looks of the Tiggies Qashqais and CX-5s, would you advise against the latter two?

The RAV4 is probably too industrial for her too. CR-V is sellable. The Q5 and X5 are a bit old I think.

For me, I don't like the looks of the Infinitis a bit blobby. The Lexus wins on looks by a mile. I'm not sure I'm old enough for a Jag (31) but I've saved it as it's definitely an option. I'd prefer a newer Volvo s60 over the v60, but added that too, and coming from a VRS they are my safe fallback, as are Mondeos to be honest. The Giulietta would only be a decent option if the mrs goes for a big SUV, but the legroom (/carseat-room) in the back looks like ti might be an issue.

[darrenham]

OK running through these with mrs last night it sounds like she doesn't know what she wants (who's surprised? anyone? no, not me either).

She's a bit scared of having the "big car". She got a Kuga as a courtesy car a while back and it felt massive given her driving history of Kia Pride, Renault Clio and the current Civic. But she till wants a taller car for the purposes of getting little one in and out of the back (the Civic has a sloping back door and the seats are low so you have to stoop quite a bit to get under the door frame.)

Long story short she's set on an SUV, but she's umming and ahhing over a smaller SUV like (Mazda again) CX-3 (the petrol autos are in reach here) or a medium sized one like the CX-5/Tiguan/QQ.

I've told her to decide and I'll buy a car around that, if she goes small I'll go something bigger (Octy estate, Mondeo etc.), if she goes bigger I can then consider the saloons with smaller boots or something a bit more boy-racer.

I'm assuming my sensibilities telling me to avoid Diesel for the Mrs's 4mi daily commute is the right idea? If she has the bigger car it would get a run pretty much every weekend which I'm guessing should sort out any DPF nonsense, but will it be doing the engine harm running it cold for the other 5 days of the week?

[darrenham]

That Infiniti is very nice though, bloody thing's in Newcastle and I'm in the West Mids, but I might see if I can get her in one.

[darrenham]

Taking her shopping tomorrow. There's a Q30 fairly locally, otherwise I'm hoping she'll like the practicality of the CR-V enough for the looks (the rear particularly) to be looked over.

We'll do a Qashqai and visit the Mazda and Ford garages too.

Thanks for all your help, will feed back if anyone GsAS

[darrenham]

ninjag said:

Yeah the CRV backend isn't the prettiest, I preferred the previous generation. I guess it makes up for it by being a remote power open/close boot. I think the colour is important when it comes to the CRV and side steps also transform the look. I'm not a fan of the aluminium skid plate some have under the backend and at the front. Just doesn't suit.

It's got cornering lights also which I thought would just be a gimmick but are actually quite handy. They also seem to catch the eye of people about to cross the road you are turning into.

The RAV4 could be worth adding to your list? The boot is a little smaller and I don't think it has as much kit (?) but it's a nice looking car and should be very reliable.

Edited by ninjag on Saturday 17th November 19:55

I've got dynamic main headlights on the skoda which I love, but I've never really got the fog/corner types, just draws your attention to the floor when you should be looking round the corner. Good point about pedestrians though.

She likes modern looking cars, hence the 08 Civic and the 03 Clio before it, both were a bit ahead of the curve. Think that knocks the rav4 back a bit.

Going to Mazda, Ford and Honda today so we'll see what she says, I just want her to make a decision so I can get looking at/for mine!

[darrenham]

ZX10R NIN said:

So which one did she like out of the Infiniti/Ford/Mazda/Honda?

• sigh*

She loves the Mazda, but when even the salesman tells you not to risk their diesel autos on such short journeys I think it says a lot. She then starting thinking about the manuals, but I convinced her not to settle (partly because this would be our weekend wagon so I'd have to drive it. And driving an auto in the week would just make me want to buy a bigger auto and make my car the preferred choice... not ideal.

So, we're going to get her car's gearbox looked at even if it means spending Honda specialist money to get it sorted, I just replace my end-of-lease VRS, then we look at replacing hers later (possibly when the CX-5 petrol autos are within budget - she really is set on the CX-5, and to be honest I can see why).

So the question is back to the original one, what's my best bet to replace the VRS.

• sigh*

[darrenham]

That's one way of looking at it!

£12-14k is the budget.

As long as it's comparable space to the VRS I'm happy. I'm really liking this (should I be bothered by the mileage?):

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

Saloon so the space is a bit less useable, but I'm pretty good at boot-tetris so 500l would work.

VRS and Mazda6 Sport are the other key alternatives, Mondeo on the the cards but doesn't appeal in the looks department,

Outside bet is this:

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

Edited by darrenham on Sunday 18th November 20:21

Edited by darrenham on Sunday 18th November 20:26

[darrenham]

https://www.whatcar.com/infiniti/q50/saloon/used-r...

Seems pretty damning at 1 star.

[darrenham]

ninjag said:

darrenham said:

So, we're going to get her car's gearbox looked at even if it means spending Honda specialist money to get it sorted

What's wrong with the gearbox? I remember something about an inherent flaw in the transmission with 2001 Civics but a 2008 model is surprising.

Personally, I'd look for a respected independent transmission specialist rather than go to Honda. If turbo repairs and reconditioning are outsourced then I'd be pretty sure transmissions will be outsourced also, with a hefty markup put on it.

It's very occasional crunching of or refusing to go into first and second. It's not all gears, and a double declutch gets you out of it. But she's losing faith in it so need to get it looked at.

[darrenham]

ninjag said:

I know this may be an obvious thing but have you changed the transmission fluid according to the schedule?

To be completely honest: I don't know, it's been fully serviced by a trusted garage (and once by myself and my mechanic friend) in line with the schedule since we've had it, and was full Honda servicing before then.

I'll look into it.

[darrenham]

ninjag said:

It should only be a half hour job, although probably billed at an hour. I'd go to your trusted garage but watch them or ask to see the old fluid to see what condition it's in. Genuine Honda fluid is a must though. Worth a punt for all the cost it will be.

Thanks for your help, will give it a go.

[darrenham]

Back on my car and have run the options by the Fleet Manager. Technically any cars used under our car allowance scheme are meant to be 2years old at time of purchase, however I've been assured this is only catch people out who're truly taking the piss.

I'm not sure I see the point as I could end up with a really leggy ex-company car with a 2016 plate that's been treated like st, or a 2012

So my requirements may have changed a bit as I'm working on a theory that 2014 or newer will be fine. I think this rules out the most interesting options.

[darrenham]

Bump from me,

Looking at 2016 XF R-Sport Auto (diesel) and have increased my budget to suit

Fallback cars are still Octavia VRS and Mazda 6 Sport. Nothing else really tickles my fancy.

[darrenham]

ZX10R NIN said:

2.2d or 3.0d

2.2d ideally the one with a bit more, but (I haven't looked too much into it yet) I'd imagine they're the same engine underneath and a tune will sort the lower one out.

I'd like a Portfolio spec but they don't look as young/sporty as the R-Sport which is a shame, plus you seem to pay a lot for the jump even in the used market.

I've seen a few around £17k with 30-40k miles. The budget IS stretched, but I get a car allowance and have to have a modern car. The car allowance will have paid for the car in 3-4 years which should leave me with at least a £9k valued car left over to either keep running, or sell on for the next one.

Edited by darrenham on Friday 18th January 09:59

[darrenham]

ZX10R NIN said:

Estate

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

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

Saloon

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

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

Thanks, 2 problems though. Work have a "no older than 2 years" thing in the car allowance handbook (I'm thinking I could stretch to 3 (2016) by sweet-talking the right director, but 4 will be an issue I'd imagine.

I also far prefer the infotainment in the 2016 cars.

This unfortunately pushes my budget even more at the moment, or means moon-miles, despite there being a good smattering of them before Christmas

[darrenham]

I'm beginning to think the same myself, but you know what it's like... (thank you @ZX10RNIN) I have that Mazda on my list, and a few Mondeos. (That Vignale is too brown...)

BMW Sport is the base spec isn't it? Keen to avoid sitting an cabin with blank buttons tbh, which is the sell of the Jags, they're very well equipped even in R-Sport or Prestige.

You've also only gone for estates, I'm happy with hatch/saloon as long as the boot is decent. I also need an auto really.

Edited by darrenham on Monday 21st January 12:42

Edited by darrenham on Monday 21st January 12:43