Can someone recommend me a good car?

[Jimbooo]

A nice lady drove into the side of my Honda Jazz on Friday and it looks like it's going to be written off, so I'm on the hunt for a new car (pretty damned sharpish).

I'm looking for something a bit bigger... any recommendations? I have a family (wife, 3yr old, 1yr old) and found the Jazz a bit tight when going on holiday etc (plus the clubs only just fit in the boot ).

I quite like Honda, the Jazz has been very reliable and quite economic to run.

Budget is probably maxed at £7-8k. Quite like the look of a Honda HR-V (good reliability, not bad space, 4wd (handy for where I work) although fuel economy not too great). Also like the look of the Hybrid Civic CVT (great fuel economy, not bad space, good reliability, but small boot and afaik the back seats dont fold down due to the batteries so could be a deal breaker).

Any other recommendations for a reliable family-sized car (good space, pref good fuel economy but not a deal breaker) would be very much appreciated!

Cheers

 

[chrisd]

Smiffy doesn't look like he could get a game today, judging by his post count today. He's a car salesman and should be the man who knows

Sorry to hear about the accident James


Chris

 

[Aztecs27]

Ford Mondeo MK4. Huge, reliable and you get loads for your money. I love ours.

You can pick up a top spec Titanium or Titanium X model that's 3-4 years old for that money.

 

[gripitripit]

http://www4.autotrader.co.uk/classi...page/2/radius/1501/postcode/cb236bu?logcode=p

http://www4.autotrader.co.uk/classi...radius/1501/postcode/cb236bu/page/1?logcode=p

http://www4.autotrader.co.uk/classi...red-listing/dealer/27723/usedcars?logcode=flp

http://www4.autotrader.co.uk/classi...page/8/radius/1501/postcode/cb236bu?logcode=p

http://www4.autotrader.co.uk/classi...page/1/radius/1501/postcode/cb236bu?logcode=p

http://www4.autotrader.co.uk/classi...radius/1501/postcode/cb236bu/page/1?logcode=p



There is a few to have a look at.

 

[Andy]

Last option looks like a hearse. Rank!

 

[RGDave]

I like japanese cars, it must be said. Sadly i'm stuck with a puma full of water in the footwells and a bmw that's filling the engine bay and cabin with exhaust fumes. Thank goodness for the old mitsubishi which is saving us at the moment.
I'd have a look at honda or toyota - if you want fuel economy then they both do diesels.

 

[Piece]

Nissan QashQai?

 

[bladeplayer]

VW Jetta , great room , great boot space , most reliable VW out there , very safe if in accident , top family car all round , Test drive one before you buy anything ,

 

[big_russ]

I have a Megane Scenic and it has loads of room in it. Easily takes 2 sets of clubs and all the trimmings for me and the lad and regularly carries me, wife and 3 12 year old around.

 

[Captain_Black]

Don't buy anything French!!!

 

[RGDave]

Don't buy anything French!!!

Not long term anyway.....

French cars seem destined to live a certain length of time and no more. Two of my friends have Citroens, one after the other and love them. Thing is though, they buy new, and chop in for new next time.

Anyone buying a 3 y.o. and expecting to nurse it through to 6-8 years old needs their head examining, or large dose of good fortune.

Even German cars are dodgy in the 5-8 y.o. category.

 

[Smiffy]

Nissan QashQai?

Nice cars but you'd be pushing it to find a decent one for £7k. And they aren't the most economical in the world (I know, I sell 'em). I've been using a 1.6 petrol one recently and have been getting an average of 38mpg. Not too bad considering it's size. But the 1.5dci disappoints, only returning about 42-45mpg on average. I would have expected a bigger difference between the two. And it's noisy (the diesel that is). It's the old Renault engine they fit to it. Not the best in the world. The new 1.6 diesel engine that has just come out is streets ahead. Much quieter, very (very) nippy for the size and much better economy. But of course, you will only get one of those brand new, and they start about £19k or more.

What would I buy if I had £7-8k to spend, wanted something decent sized but value for money and economical????

Skoda Octavia or if I could find one, a Skoda Superb. Either model, in a Diesel, would provide a good, family sized car.

 

[PNWokingham]

Nice cars but you'd be pushing it to find a decent one for £7k. And they aren't the most economical in the world (I know, I sell 'em). I've been using a 1.6 petrol one recently and have been getting an average of 38mpg. Not too bad considering it's size. But the 1.5dci disappoints, only returning about 42-45mpg on average. I would have expected a bigger difference between the two. And it's noisy (the diesel that is). It's the old Renault engine they fit to it. Not the best in the world. The new 1.6 diesel engine that has just come out is streets ahead. Much quieter, very (very) nippy for the size and much better economy. But of course, you will only get one of those brand new, and they start about £19k or more.

What would I buy if I had £7-8k to spend, wanted something decent sized but value for money and economical????

Skoda Octavia or if I could find one, a Skoda Superb. Either model, in a Diesel, would provide a good, family sized car.

Good call on the Skoda Smiffy - Octavia is a great car.
Also agree with Captain Black and RG Dave on French cars - the newish 3008 is the best French car for a decade (bar the sporty Renault's) but that is too dear - other French cars have generlly been poor on longevity, style and performance.

My advice would be to buy a 3yr old higher miler diesel (90k ish is no problem) to get more car for your money. I go in a lot of exec taxis and many have done 300k+ - keep them serviced regularly and cars can last - better to get a newer engine etc, improved eonomy and a newer plate than fewer miles. You might even stretch to an Octavia VrS 2 liter diesel - 168 bhp - spend 300 on a remap and you have 200bhp+, improved economy - decent performance and economy.

As Aztecs27 mentioned, the Mondeo is also a great car - 2 lite diesel is quite gutsy and ride/handling are superb.

I recently bought a 2008 BMW 325D with 9k for only a little over your budget - you could find a 57/08 177bhp 320D SE for around 8k with 80k+ on the clock - if there is enough space, this is the car to go for: 58mpg, 0-60 in 7.6 seconds, 128g/km Co2 = £95 tax for 1 year, servicing every 2 years - better handling and driving enjoyment than any oher option. Probably the Carlsberg of the second-hand car market - remember to get the 177bhp model from 57 onwards. A remap takes this to around 215bhp and improves economy!

 

[Jimbooo]

Thanks for all your replies everyone. I'll certainly be looking at all your suggestions. Not keen on French cars, but everything else is fair game. Had a look a friend's 1.9L CDTI Zafira today and size-wise its perfect and I love the extra 2 seats (perfect for kids friends, days out, etc). I'll have to see what's about locally - reckon I'm only going to get 2.5k write-off value for my Jazz (a grand less than the Glass guide advises).

Bloody insurance companies, I hate'em. Not only will I probably get less than the car's worth, they'll also take the courtesy car back after 7 days so unless I buy in a rush I'm buggered.

 

[sawtooth]

I recommend a Zafira. The wife is on her second Zaf the first reached 10 years old so it was time for a change and bought her a 1.9 diesel 07 (new shape) plate this year from the auction for £4700.

A high miler but meticulously clean inside out and with plenty of dealer stamps in the service book.

Economical, parts are relatively cheap and available online and those 7 seats come in handy.

 

[NWJocko]

Would echo the new mondeo.

We've got a 59 Titanium X and really is a superb car all round.

 

[Piece]

Nice cars but you'd be pushing it to find a decent one for £7k. And they aren't the most economical in the world (I know, I sell 'em). I've been using a 1.6 petrol one recently and have been getting an average of 38mpg. Not too bad considering it's size. But the 1.5dci disappoints, only returning about 42-45mpg on average. I would have expected a bigger difference between the two. And it's noisy (the diesel that is). It's the old Renault engine they fit to it. Not the best in the world.

As a 1.5dCi owner, I'll say it's not quite as you say. . Ours averages 49 and it isn't that noisy. I've an Audi diesel that puts the QashQai to shame! My niggle is that it has very little grunt, but I didn't buy it for horses. Also has an issue clearing condensation quickly. Kicking stereo though...

 

[Smiffy]

As a 1.5dCi owner, I'll say it's not quite as you say. . Ours averages 49 and it isn't that noisy. I've an Audi diesel that puts the QashQai to shame!

It must improve with age then!! Lol! I only get to drive brand new ones on a regular basis, my demonstrator is changed every 3 months or so. Have driven two 1.5dci's now and neither of them got anywhere near 49 despite me being very conservative with my right foot. But I have driven a customers 1.5dci in for service with 20k on the clock and that was reading 51mpg so it's got to be achieveable. I went into a 1.6 Juke petrol automatic for a while and was getting 46 to the gallon out of that which was more economical than my diesel Qashqai!! But the new 1.6 diesel is a stonking engine. Much quieter, and a lot, lot quicker through the gears. And great economy. I used it over a week-end a few weeks ago, went on a decent run in it and was returning a shade over 57mpg so that will be my next one. I still find the 1.5dci noisy though.

 

[need_my_wedge]

My family (read wife's) car is a Toyota Avensis TR. Not as good as the Hilux Surf we used to have, but a very nice car to drive and acres of room inside. My car is a Seat Leon, which I love, diesel 1.9 tdi, been getting 63MPG on the run to work.... Actually has quite a reasonable boot for regular luggage but do have to flip the seat down to slide the clubs in if I don't want to take out the Driver. I don't find this a chore. You can get some very nice deals on the Altea, which is the family size of the same car, with a bit more boot space

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/search/...rice-from/7000/quicksearch/true/price-to/8000

 

[harvey4banger]

Anything German