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Powderhead |
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Powderhead Trackday Trickster
Joined: 06 Mar 2018 Karma :
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Posted: 23:18 - 07 May 2019 Post subject: Family car? |
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I'm umming and ahing about what car to buy. Baby Powderhead is here now and I'm driving a VW Fox at the moment which is way too small for us.
Got 12-15 grand to spend on something low mileage, and no older than 4 years old. Needs to be quiet on the motorway, suitable for a family of 4, have pretty decent trim and a few techie toys, be quick-ish, and can't be a diesel because diesels make me want to kill myself.
Considering a Focus Estate. Maybe a 3-series. Maybe even a Toyota Auris, since I live in Kingston and fully expect Sadiq Khan to fuck me over for not having a hybrid at some point in the future
What do? Any suggestions of things I haven't thought of? ____________________ "Now at inspector level!" |
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autistboi |
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autistboi Banned
Joined: 28 Apr 2019 Karma :
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Sister Sledge |
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Sister Sledge World Chat Champion
Joined: 17 Aug 2018 Karma :
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BTTD |
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BTTD World Chat Champion
Joined: 22 Nov 2012 Karma :
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Posted: 08:41 - 08 May 2019 Post subject: |
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https://stock.mercedes-benz.co.uk/used/vehicle-details/c-180-estate/WDD2042312G268996/104
Mercedes C Class estate.
Friend bought one a few years back. Not that fast, but very comfy on motorways. He rates it highly as an everyday car.
I have an E class estate, but they're pretty much all diesels when you look at them second hand. If you can find a petrol E class, and it's within your budget (I think it'll be £20k plus), it has a massive boot and is a great family car.
I would suggest Subaru outback or legacy petrol models, but I don't think you'll find one at that price. Nice cars though if you can. |
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weasley |
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weasley World Chat Champion
Joined: 16 Oct 2010 Karma :
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Posted: 09:06 - 08 May 2019 Post subject: |
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You are a couple with one new baby, right? You don't need an estate and/or SUV (you appear to agree with this but others are suggesting otherwise). We had a Mk2 Focus when our first one arrived and it was perfectly up to the job. The Honda Civic is another good choice, if you can stomach looking at it. SEAT Leon offers a lot for your money, same with Skoda Octavia. Volvo V40? VW Golf is an obvious one, but none the worse for it. Audi A3 sportback or A4 if you have the money.
Having said you don't need an SUV, a cross-over type can be useful, not really for extra space but for the extra height - wrestling a child into their seat is far easier if you can do it without stooping. Something like a Qashqai, RAV4, B-Class, Yeti, Karoq, Ateca et cetera ad nauseum.
Cars we had through our kids' growing up:
Ford Focus mk2 - perfectly adequate; had this from newborn kid 1
BMW 130i (alongside the Focus although we did use it sometimes and it was fine - had this from newborn kid 1)
Volvo V50 - awesome family car; had this with newborn kid 2 plus toddler kid 1
Merc B-class (mk1) - adequate but disappointing; had alongside the Volvo and used the Volvo when possible
Skoda Yeti - very awesome family car.
Currently in a SEAT Leon (this would work OK I think, although the boot isn't as big as I remember the Focus being) and a Volvo XC60 (great car but big and spendy).
Key things you need to know:
- does a rear-facing car seat fit in the back with the front seat in a decent position?
- does your buggy/stroller fit in the boot and can you both lift it over whatever lip there might be, one-handed?
- is the interior wipe-clean? ____________________
Yamaha XJ600 | Yamaha YZF600R Thundercat | KTM 990 SMT | BMW F900XR TE |
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grr666 |
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grr666 Super Spammer
Joined: 16 Jun 2014 Karma :
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Posted: 09:28 - 08 May 2019 Post subject: |
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Honda CR-V ____________________ Currently enjoying products from Ford, Mazda and Yamaha
Ste wrote: Avatars are fine, it's signatures that need turning off. |
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LustyLew |
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LustyLew World Chat Champion
Joined: 19 Apr 2004 Karma :
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BTTD |
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BTTD World Chat Champion
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Riejufixing |
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Riejufixing World Chat Champion
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grr666 |
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grr666 Super Spammer
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BTTD |
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BTTD World Chat Champion
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Diggs |
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Diggs World Chat Champion
Joined: 03 Apr 2007 Karma :
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Posted: 13:18 - 08 May 2019 Post subject: |
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The kids called it the 'window-licker', but my old Berlingo was a perfect family car, and we had 3 kids plus a mutt. Bought it new in 2005 and only sold it last month, it was that useful. 120k on the clock, still going strong. ____________________ Now - Speed Triple, old ratty GS550, GSXR750M
Gone (in order of ownership) - Raleigh Runabout, AP50, KH125, GP125, KH250, CBX550, Z400, CB750FII, 250LC, GS550, ZXR750H1, Guzzi Targa, GSX750F, KH250 x2, Bimota SB6R and counting... |
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Powderhead |
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Powderhead Trackday Trickster
Joined: 06 Mar 2018 Karma :
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Posted: 14:16 - 08 May 2019 Post subject: |
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Thanks for the replies all.
Sister Sledge wrote: | I know a diesel isn't what you want because charges but remember too that they've moved on a fair bit since 10 years ago. |
Maybe I just need to try a more modern one, it has been a while since I've driven a diesel! But it would also be good to avoid silly amounts of road tax - I pay enough tax to the bastirts as it is, and I can only see it getting worse inside the M25
jnw010 wrote: | Mercedes C Class estate/E class estate/Subaru Outback or Legacy |
Good options, but unfortunately they're all over my budget, I'd need more like £18k to get those I reckon.
weasley wrote: | You are a couple with one new baby, right? |
Wrong. I should've said! One new baby and one two year-old. I expect we'll eventually want another kid as well sometime, but I guess at that point we'll need to be looking at 7-seaters anyway.
weasley wrote: | You don't need an estate and/or SUV (you appear to agree with this but others are suggesting otherwise). |
I don't really need an estate, but it would certainly be handy for the extra luggage space. And I don't want an SUV because I still want to enjoy driving the thing!
Worth a look, cheers. I'm sort of anti-SUV and anti-diesel, but maybe I need to abandon my prejudices and remember that it's supposed to be a family car
I'm out of touch with the car market these days. What manufacturers offer the best value without being too "cheap"? I'd rather have a well-equipped Skoda than a barebones Audi any day of the week.
The Mrs is only concerned by colour, which is fortunate! The more I think about it the more I'm convinced that an estate is the way to go ____________________ "Now at inspector level!" |
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grr666 |
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grr666 Super Spammer
Joined: 16 Jun 2014 Karma :
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Posted: 14:54 - 08 May 2019 Post subject: |
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I should add I'm only considering the 2.0 petrol V-tec variant. Don't want diesel. I've driven the 2.0 petrol before, they
go well enough for a dog wagon. Got the bike for when I want to go fast. BTW, most of the 2.0 petrols are FWD only the range
topping EX trim level gets (part time quattro style) 4wd on the petrol version. Been looking at these for a while.
I am however also considering the Mazda equivalent, the CX5 in its 2.0 sport guise which is a more 'dynamic' car than the
Honda, with a more engaging drive. Only 2wd available in the petrol variant there as well. ____________________ Currently enjoying products from Ford, Mazda and Yamaha
Ste wrote: Avatars are fine, it's signatures that need turning off. |
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B5234FT |
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B5234FT Brolly Dolly
Joined: 28 Sep 2009 Karma :
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Polarbear |
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Polarbear Super Spammer
Joined: 24 Feb 2007 Karma :
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Posted: 15:59 - 08 May 2019 Post subject: |
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I like estates. I bought mine (Jaguar XF estate) because of the versatility and is still a nice drive with all the toys.
Perforated heated leather seats however do not mix with baby puke as Lusty Lew already mentioned
I did look at a Skoda estate and a Volvo but in the end heart ruled head and I got the Jaaaaag.
I would certainly go for an estate or something similar. My previous car was a Ford C-Max petrol. It had awsone amounts of room in it and in the back. I had the 2 litre auto petrol. It was a drinker but the 1800 manual is meant to be loads better.
It's also based on the Focus chassis believe it or not so it handles well for a big lump.
Later ones have rear sliding doors which wifie says they are a godsend with rugrats and car seats. ( I wouldn't know, they go in the boot with the dog when I take them anywhere ) ____________________ Triumph Trophy Launch Edition |
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BrownTrousers |
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BrownTrousers Trackday Trickster
Joined: 08 Sep 2013 Karma :
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Posted: 16:00 - 08 May 2019 Post subject: |
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I am led to believe the Nissan Qashqai is the default option for a family car these days. Has been popular for a while so second hand ones should be widely available in your price range. Top end ones have some toys, plus it's Japanese so should be reliable....
Having said that, in similar situation a couple of years back i went for a Volvo V40. Not as big as a crossover (or estate) obviously but i only have one child to ferry around so has been perfectly big enough. Bit nicer to look at and more luxurious inside than the Qashqai my sister bought at the same time. ____________________ Bikers make great organ donors - add your name to the register
Ducati Multistrada 950 | Triumph Tiger 800 XR | Honda CBR500R | Yamaha YBR 125 Custom |
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c_dug |
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c_dug Super Spammer
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Grubscrew |
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Grubscrew Scooby Slapper
Joined: 23 Dec 2018 Karma :
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stevo as b4 |
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stevo as b4 World Chat Champion
Joined: 17 Jul 2003 Karma :
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P. |
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P. Red Rocket
Joined: 14 Feb 2008 Karma :
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Posted: 21:40 - 08 May 2019 Post subject: |
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Don't buy these. Bad bad bad car. |
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Ste |
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Ste Not Work Safe
Joined: 01 Sep 2002 Karma :
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wr6133 |
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wr6133 World Chat Champion
Joined: 31 Dec 2013 Karma :
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Posted: 22:44 - 08 May 2019 Post subject: |
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I had a driver buy one of these (petrol, I think 2015 or 16). He got rid after 3 months, was thirsty as hell and he said the seat was crippling him. His truck was an Actros so if the seat was worse than that it must be forged in Hell. |
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mentalboy |
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mentalboy World Chat Champion
Joined: 05 May 2012 Karma :
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Diggs |
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Diggs World Chat Champion
Joined: 03 Apr 2007 Karma :
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Posted: 09:44 - 09 May 2019 Post subject: |
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mentalboy wrote: | 15K is a lot of money to spend on something that'll be ferrying around two grubby crotch goblins, get something that you can hose out with a pressure washer and won't mind eventually selling on for a major loss because they've trashed the back of the cabin! |
Absolutely right. Remember that after the spilt bodily fluids stage comes the mud and food/drink stage. By the time you are doing lifts back from football/rugby, the back seats of your car will look like Verdun circa 1916... ____________________ Now - Speed Triple, old ratty GS550, GSXR750M
Gone (in order of ownership) - Raleigh Runabout, AP50, KH125, GP125, KH250, CBX550, Z400, CB750FII, 250LC, GS550, ZXR750H1, Guzzi Targa, GSX750F, KH250 x2, Bimota SB6R and counting... |
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Old Thread Alert!
The last post was made 4 years, 354 days ago. Instead of replying here, would creating a new thread be more useful? |
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