Clueless person needs to change car, help greatfully appreciated !

Amarillo

Have finally decided that really we need to change our 10 year old Toyota Corolla after Christmas as we can fit the four of us plus my Mum in it. We've enjoyed 6 years breakdown free motoring with practically no repair bills which was a far cry from the Citroen Xantia we had before that. Can't face going back to worrying about the car all the time so need some advice on what to get.

My criteria is:

Reliable

Decent mpg

Road tax of £180ish , £210 tops under new tax scheme (if it comes in)

Minimum of 4 stars Encap rating.

Needs to be able to tow relatively light folding camper and fit the 5 of us in comfortably (two high backed booster seats)

Budget, well 3k would be lovely as I hate spending money on cars, but I guess we could do 5k or so.

Also, I'm rubbish at knowing how this second car buying thing works. Last time I looked up the price in the Parkers guide and it went from there. Is that still something to be done ? How much would you expect off the screen price ? What sort of mileage is considered high these days for a petrol and for a diesel ?

I won't be trading mine in as it is only worth a couple of hundred pounds really I think and I can pay cash.

Any advice would be very gratefully received and sorry to be clueless.

Conor_3

Go for another Toyota.

edde

Amarillo wrote: »

Budget, well 3k would be lovely as I hate spending money on cars, but I guess we could do 5k or so.

Also, I'm rubbish at knowing how this second car buying thing works. Last time I looked up the price in the Parkers guide and it went from there. Is that still something to be done ? How much would you expect off the screen price ? What sort of mileage is considered high these days for a petrol and for a diesel ?

Go on the auto trader etc or get a copy of parkers etc for an idea what cars should be worth a good rough guess is paying 5 to 10% less than asking price depends how over priced the car is or cheap etc.

Milage is estimated to be 12 to 14k k a year but it drops off in later car lives as high milage drivers change cars for running costs etc usually

100k is high in many peoples minds regardless of age but don't let than put you off cars are these days much better for massive milages. Age for me and condition are the bigger things to look for.

You sound like your wanting an MPV or similar though as three people in the back of many cars isn't that great a fit so if thats important then there loads out there just get a copy of parkers and go though the cars and don't discount anything just because it down't look or have a brand reputation for reliability as there often cheaper vs a better brand car and so just as reliable.

Amarillo

Thank you both. I spent ages going through reviews and figures last night and have come to the conclusion that the Toyota Corolla Verso 1.8 would be the sensible option.

What I can't decide on is whether I am better off long term going for a 02/03 with just under 70k on the clock or to push the budget and go for a lower mileage 05. We don't tend to change our cars unless they fall to pieces. Any thoughts ?

MX5huggy

How many miles per year do you do? If it's not many (under 10k) I would try to find a newer model with a higher mileage on it.

TiTheRev

Used Skoda diesel has to be worth a shout, plenty of torque in them for towing, good MPG (same engine as VW/Audi) but still got the name badge stigma so used prices are lower.

Amarillo

We do about 6-7k a year . I was thinking about an Octavia diesel estate but was worrying about whether we'd get the two car seats in plus an adult in the back. Also reading back some of the old posts on here I thought because most of our trips are short ones that we probably shouldn't get a diesel, am I right about that ?

Thank you all so much for your help, ridiculously the whole car buying thing had been stressing me out and I now feel much better about it.

jeannieblue

Amarillo wrote: »

Thank you both. I spent ages going through reviews and figures last night and have come to the conclusion that the Toyota Corolla Verso 1.8 would be the sensible option.

What I can't decide on is whether I am better off long term going for a 02/03 with just under 70k on the clock or to push the budget and go for a lower mileage 05. We don't tend to change our cars unless they fall to pieces. Any thoughts ?

Verso is the best option - you have already had your taste of french ..

If you can afford it, stick with the Toyota. You'll not better it - even tho it will cost more on the outlay, it'll cost you less in the future.

Good to come on here for advice, but think you already have made a good choice!!

Personally, I'd have a Land Cruiser - but I need to win the lottery first....:D

marshmallow79

We've just bought a nissan almera tino and it's fantastic!!! We got a 04 reg for £3250 and it's worth every penny. It has great milage (diesel model is better!) is very roomy and comfortable and has gadgets up the ying yang.
We got it mainly because of all the fantasic reviews it has on many sites on the web. I'd recommend reading reviews on any model before you buy one as they are usually spot on unlike todays secondhand car salemen!;)