Insurance have written off my car!

Ian_W

Lucie wrote: »

Top of the current list is the Vauxhall Antara, but someone has today suggested the Mazda CX7, which I'd never heard of until then.

If you're considering compact SUVs the Antara wouldn't be on my list but the CX7 is like a sports car in a 4x4 body, terrific drive by all accounts but expensive to buy new and at 28mpg with tax band G [if they're not put on hold] will be very exy to run too. Considering they were only introduced in 07 if you can get one for £13K [almost half price] it may be cos they're not too popular because of running costs.
For compact SUVs I suggest you might also consider the Honda CRV or Toyota RAV4 but both were reworked last year or so and newer specs may not yet be within your budget. If you're going above it also check the Ford Kugga and Mitsu Outlander.

andybk

DirectDebacle wrote: »

Have a look at these. All from the same manufacturer, same body, different badge/cred but all of good quality.

Audi A4/VW Passat/Skoda Octavia. All good solid relible engineering and very economical in diesel. Skoda is not the laughing stock it used to be and very good value for money. I was considering one of these but bought a Volvo V70 estate in the end. Was tempted with an Octavia diesel estate though. Top of the range with leather/sat nav and all the other toys and about £6000 two year old on ebay.

will add seat toledo tdi , another of the same family but quite sporty ,fitted with cruise control lovely car for the money

Lucie_2

Ian_W wrote: »

If you're considering compact SUVs the Antara wouldn't be on my list

Can I ask why?

The Mazda CX7 only comes in a 2.3 litre petrol, so that's out on economy grounds.

I like both the Ford Kuga & the Mitsubishi Outlander, not so keen on the RAV4, but as you say, it will not be so easy to find one in my price bracket.

JonathanA

We like the Ford Kuga too, but since they are still so new, I doubt you'll be able to find one within budget (or if you can, ask if there are 2 and we'll have one of them!). Our local Vauxhall dealer is advertising brand new Antara 2.0 diesel E spec (base, but not badly equipped) for £13,999 driveaway, which is tempting.

Ian_W

Lucie wrote: »

Can I ask why?

Yep. Summer '07 we changed our previous SUV. I'm not sure the Antara was around but I test drove the Chevy Captiva which had just arrived and is the same chassis & motor but with different styling and instrumentation. It wasn't bad but certainly not in the same league IMO as the CRV, Rav or Freelander for driving and comfort. The Chevy is £17-£24K whereas the Vauxhall is

£19-£27K, so where you could make allowances for the Captiva being cheaper than Honda, Toyota etc the Antara isn't any cheaper and, IMO at least, isn't as good as them for handling, ride and general driving experience. Decided on the CRV and have not been disappointed in 15 months of driving. Looking to change again next Spring and will be trying the Kugga and Outlander but the CRV will take some beating.

JonathanA wrote:

Our local Vauxhall dealer is advertising brand new Antara 2.0 diesel E spec (base, but not badly equipped) for £13,999 driveaway, which is tempting.

At that price worth considering but see how it compares with the Captiva.

Lucie_2

JonathanA wrote: »

Our local Vauxhall dealer is advertising brand new Antara 2.0 diesel E spec (base, but not badly equipped) for £13,999 driveaway, which is tempting.

So the SE (top of the range) for £14,050 inc 12 months road tax is a fairly good deal then?

Ian_W

Lucie wrote: »

So the SE (top of the range) for £14,050 inc 12 months road tax is a fairly good deal then?

How old is it?
New list price with metalic paint is nearly £27K HERE. Though What Car target price is just over £23K, does look well spec'd for the money and as you've no P/Ex you may be able to beat them down further.

Ian_W

Alx_B wrote: »

Just out of curiousity have you done much off roading in your CRV? If so, how do you rate it compared to other 4x4s?

Very little and so I don't.
All the write-ups class it as a "soft" roader rather than a mud plugger which suits us fine, From what I've read, rather than personal experience, the Freelander and X trail seem much better equipped for the rougher stuff amongst smaller 4x4s.

Lucie_2

Ian_W wrote: »

How old is it?

It's a 57 plate with 10K miles on it

I "built" it on the Vauxhall website earlier & list price came up at £28,000 (give or take) for a brand new one.