Selection criteria for cars

JamPot

Having now to replace an 11 year old car, I am totally out of knowledge both of the car market and what is available. I have of course read Martin's article on car buying as a start.

In that Parkers have on their website a feature where you can select certain features relating to your prospective car - it's essentially wizard-based, asking questions like what it will be used for; how many passengers; and types of road it will be used on, etc.

Though useful it is limited inasmuch as I would like to know if anyone knows of a more sophisticated, advanced version that goes to the level of things like Air Con included; engine size; and, particularly of interest to me, if there are three seats in the back of the car and they all have seat belts!!

If anyone knows of such an educational site, please let me know....

Thanks in anticipation.

:beer:

MX5huggy

I think all new car's and I don't know when it was from require all seats to have 3 point belts and most have 3 seats in the back. Most cars have air con now execept the poverty spec cheeper ones. Don't worry about engine size too much you should be looking at mpg and co2 levels as that decides the tax.

Basically wanting air con, 3 belted seats does not narrow down the field much! How much money have you got? are you looking new or used.

hethmar

We are thinking of getting a newer car.

Have to say I find it difficult too. Ive had a skoda fabia hatchback for 4 years (now 7 years old) and it hasnt given me a days trouble - just got through MOT again for £55 repair. Its just I still feel it doesnt have street cred, which is feeble, isnt it.

I asked the guy at the garage what car I should get next and he said stick with Skoda - I told him what I felt and he said the only other two he found reliable were Toyotas or Hondas.

So Im still dithering.

Mark_Hewitt

JamPot wrote: »

Though useful it is limited inasmuch as I would like to know if anyone knows of a more sophisticated, advanced version that goes to the level of things like Air Con included; engine size; and, particularly of interest to me, if there are three seats in the back of the car and they all have seat belts!!

You can find most of these things just by spending a couple of minutes at the manufacturers website and making some notes, a little bit of donkey work but it pays off!

But, I don't know of any cars these days where AirCon is *not* an option, increasingly it's becoming standard, in fact I wouldn't entertain getting a car without it.

And as far as I know all cars with back seats must have three point seat belts by law.

But, I'd say that you could point your finger at any new car on the market and it'll have pretty much anything you want in it, as long as you are prepared to pay. They are pretty feature rich these days, only varying in things like bluetooth and iPod connetions and in built sat-nav etc.

Mark_Hewitt

hethmar wrote: »

Have to say I find it difficult too. Ive had a skoda fabia hatchback for 4 years (now 7 years old) and it hasnt given me a days trouble - just got through MOT again for £55 repair. Its just I still feel it doesnt have street cred, which is feeble, isnt it.

Well, yes, it is! And I certainly don't think Skoda's still have bad street cred. Especially since the Fabia VRS' models. They are regarded as quite good quality, and quick, cars.

I asked the guy at the garage what car I should get next and he said stick with Skoda - I told him what I felt and he said the only other two he found reliable were Toyotas or Hondas.

If you've liked your Skoda, then why not stick with it. If you *really* can't stand the badge then try VW, after all they are pretty much the same.

hethmar

Thanks Mark, I did ask the garage chap about a newer VW Golf (which is what Ive always had in the past) and he shook his head and said that the newer ones have been a pain with their computer related probs.

May be a newer Skoda with leather interior (the cloth interior isnt great).

MORPH3US

As said in post two, the vast majority of cars come with aircon (sometimes as an extra), three seats and a variety of engines so I can't think of the point of having a wizard for that...

Why not just list on here exactly what you need the car for and what you want it to have and we can advise...

JamPot

Thanks for the responses guys.... just went off to do a little work!

Those were just ideas of the criteria I might want to search on - in fact a list of them wouldnt go amiss.

It used car, not new, we are looking at and in the current economic climate dont want to expose myself too much incase unemployment comes my way.

The deceased was a Renault Laguna which overall was ok without being stunning. But I liked it. The kids are grown up a bit now so something a bit smaller would be ok, but would like to retain the 3 seats at the back for offspring pickups (Dad's taxi!). Oh, and the eldest is muttering about learning (practising) in it for her test in a year or so.

Other than that nothing is decided. Offspring is partly disabled and we are unsure if a manual rather than automatic is suitable... any comments on that choice.

Also always driven petrol but what about diesel?

Think the only other criteria I have been informed about so far is the car CANNOT be white!


This is very much a work in progress.

goldspanners

JamPot wrote: »

Thanks for the responses guys.... just went off to do a little work!

Those were just ideas of the criteria I might want to search on - in fact a list of them wouldnt go amiss.

It used car, not new, we are looking at and in the current economic climate dont want to expose myself too much incase unemployment comes my way.

The deceased was a Renault Laguna which overall was ok without being stunning. But I liked it. The kids are grown up a bit now so something a bit smaller would be ok, but would like to retain the 3 seats at the back for offspring pickups (Dad's taxi!). Oh, and the eldest is muttering about learning (practising) in it for her test in a year or so.

Other than that nothing is decided. Offspring is partly disabled and we are unsure if a manual rather than automatic is suitable... any comments on that choice.

Also always driven petrol but what about diesel?

Think the only other criteria I have been informed about so far is the car CANNOT be white!


This is very much a work in progress.

why dont you put a list on here of things you must have in the car and things you would like / things you dont want or like,and folk on here could offer advise to try and help you.
i'll give you first option, what about a ford focus? not too big,not too small,fairly economical,comfortable and most will have air con,cd player,electric windows etc.

MX5huggy

Offspring is partly disabled and we are unsure if a manual rather than automatic is suitable... any comments on that choice.

You need to make the assesment of her abilities is a clutch and gear stick a problem for her to use? May be send her on a young drivers course at a race track or somwhere or some private land with you to find out. The thing is if she takes her test in an auto she will only be able to drive autos but if she passes in a manuel she can swap to an auto later.

MX5huggy

Also always driven petrol but what about diesel?

They are basicly good now but you pay more for the car (or get one with a higher mileage/older) but then save on fuel.