Struggling to chose next car.

getmore4less

I think I need help to narrow down our thought and choices.

We currently run a 306(98) and looking for something a bit bigger, still economical just generaly newer so 3 years old would be fine, older for a good deal.

Budget very flexable around the £10k mark was thinking around £8k+ but could even consider £15k for something that is silly value. Previous 3 have all been in the £5k-£6k range

Thinking small estate, MPV Xovers, possibly a larger hatch previously had the old shape Primera and liked that.
Tend to keep cars a long time so anything that is loaded but cheap because no one want them would not be a problem as long as they are not too costly to keep.

want/likes, climate, cruise, electric all round, generaly a few toys and resonably well designed folding seats, strap tie point in the boot.
Comfortable on longer trips so good motorway cruiser.
good load space with the seats up idealy flat when down
seats 4pax with a door each.

Probably 12k-14k miles over the next 12months then could drop down to 6k-7k after that,

Started with
207/307/308 SW ok but seem a bit pricy for the top models 207 might be a touch too compact in the pax space.

verso versions of corola/verso,

Avensis seem popular with taxis so solid and reliable good boot in hatchback and massive in estate.

Might consider badge brand BMW,Audi small estates but seem have to go older for the budget not looked at anything in particular yet.

Kia Ceed SW nice drive great boot space with cubby holes got the toys but could not get the seat comfortable for both legs, foot well is cramped on right side not a lot about in the SW so currently holding value plenty of 5d hatch but too small. good warrenty

Not to keen on the Renault or Citroen any I should look at?
What about a volvo?

Just seem to be not sure where to look next, quite like the idea of a small SUV, RAV4 Sportage.... but as soon as I look at running cost i head back to the regular motors.

Savvy_Spender_South

I know that massive deals available on 1-2 yr old Vaux Vectras because the Insignia replaced them. Parts still available, easy servicing, estate versions a plenty, the toys you desire available, pay under 10k for 2yr or less. that is where i would look for your current wish list. it is not sexy like BMW etc, but it fits the MSE criteria, function and price over label.

getmore4less

Thanks will have a closer look,

Seem to be plenty cheap but not had a close look because a friend has an Astra estate and we are not keen on it at all on the inside thought the Vectra would be similar.

MrsE_2

getmore4less wrote: »

Just seem to be not sure where to look next, quite like the idea of a small SUV, RAV4 Sportage.... but as soon as I look at running cost i head back to the regular motors.

That was my plan for my next car. DH keeps telling me not too, because one of his customers had one & said it was jucey.
Well if you compare it to a regular car it will be.

Strider590

Savvy_Spender_South wrote: »

I know that massive deals available on 1-2 yr old Vaux Vectras because the Insignia replaced them. Parts still available, easy servicing, estate versions a plenty, the toys you desire available, pay under 10k for 2yr or less. that is where i would look for your current wish list. it is not sexy like BMW etc, but it fits the MSE criteria, function and price over label.

:money:


2004 Vectra, bought 2 years ago for £3000 and it's great
Someone recently referred to the boot as a "debt collectors boot", while I was loading 2x 25kg bags of plaster, 2 large tubs of tile cement and 9 sq meters of floor tiles into it, all without moving the rear seats


The 1.8 is the most reliable.
The diesels have issues at higher miles.

leveller2911

Skoda Octavias, reliable,good mpg on the diesels.They have electric all round,strap tie down points and luggage net in the boot,split rear seats that fold pretty flat.

Build quality is good and Servicing costs are reasonable too........What more could you want?:D

Chocolate80

Mazda Either the 3 or 6. Great cars, really reliable and still fun to drive!

Pincher

If you can't get a decent car for £10k, there must be something wrong.

The Ford C-Max has removable back seats, so gives you massive load lugging capacity, when you need it.

What you really want is a Peugeot 3008, but that's from 2009,
so you have to wait a couple of years.
Ridiculously low insurance group 5 and 6.

getmore4less

Pincher wrote: »

If you can't get a decent car for £10k, there must be something wrong.

The Ford C-Max has removable back seats, so gives you massive load lugging capacity, when you need it.

What you really want is a Peugeot 3008, but that's from 2009,
so you have to wait a couple of years.
Ridiculously low insurance group 5 and 6.

Interesting had been looking at SWs

Very new so prices even for the second hand ones(autotrader) seem similar to new.

Seen a dealer 59 1.6hdi sport with 10k for £15k drive the deal have a new one for around £16k list £19k.

Allthough this guy does seem to have a very cheap one at £12k
http://dealerservices.autotrader.co.uk/285055/index.htm

Allthough the exclusive spec looks like it has a some nice extras.

Savvy_Spender_South

i should add that last year we wanted a run about saloon and nailed a 09 plate new Vectra (dealer reg'd it for sales figures) 5 miles on clock, we were first on log book so brand new, anyway.

No options of build as it was ready to go but on Vaux website it cost 18500 for the spec we collected. £200 down to secure it then £9300 for cash. 2.5 Dies model.

I looked in March at Auto trader just to see about selling it, 11000 for a good one under 15000 miles, nice.

Now, 2yr version £9000 so a real contender for a reliable family saloon, thats why you see so many.

Interior is plastic but thats ok when it ferries us to shops and back.

getmore4less

No options of build as it was ready to go but on Vaux website it cost 18500 for the spec we collected. £200 down to secure it then £9300 for cash. 2.5 Dies model.

That was a good find, our previous/current 2 were lucky finds, LEX autosales closing down in 2000 and a private sale to settle the outstanding finance 2005.

Of to have a good look at a 3008, Vectra and a some Skoda if I can find one in our town.