Car recommendations for a luddite

troglodyte

My beloved car (18-year-old turbo diesel Peugeot 306 sedan, done 202,000 miles with hardly any problems other than a replacement alternator) has bitten the dust after someone just drove right into us on a dual carriageway and basically knocked us off the road into some trees! So now I need to look for something else but how do I find something I can get along with so well?

I thought I'd ask if anyone has any suggestions, so here's what I'm looking for in an ideal world:

Big enough for two adults and two children plus plenty of 'stuff' (we have a biggish tent for camping holidays and that on its own will fill the boot of a small car)

Large opening to get bigger objects inside

Can fit roof bars to use a roof box

Can fit a tow bar

Good torque for towing

Good traction in snow

Fuel efficient (what fuel do people suggest?)

Boot/ tailgate can be opened from outside without needing the key in your hand

No passenger airbag, or one that can be turned off/ deactivated (yes I know they are supposed to be a safety feature, but it has to be safer to deal with a child in the front seat next to you with no airbag, than to be driving around constantly looking over your shoulder and trying to pass things to a toddler in the back seat, especially if the only real way you can reach is to move the driver's seat back!) And most airbags say that no-one under age 12 should sit in the front seat!

In an ideal world (I know this is going to be difficult) central locking operated with the key in one of the front doors, rather than an expensive electronic gadget that stops working if it gets wet or suffers radio interference

Manual windows, as I hate electric windows with a passion!!

Anyone got any suggestions? All ideas gratefully received!

s_b

a logan
are they imported here yet?

worried_jim

http://www.dacia.co.uk/about-dacia/

s_b

worried_jim wrote: »

http://www.dacia.co.uk/about-dacia/

so they arent importing the old booted astra look a likes then?

shame

benham3160

I'm almost certain you won't get anything drivable with manual windows anymore - sorry. That's something you'll have to accept. Buying something with manual windows now will give you an absolute s*itbox thats going to be more trouble in the long-run. I think only the absolute bottom spec 306s came with manual windows, although all of them seemed to have electric sunroofs, odd uh?

The "airbag off" switch as any handbook or manufacture data will tell you does not give 100% assurance the airbag will not detonate in a crash, the only way to stop it would be to have the airbag physically disconnected.

What about another 306, or the 405/406? Both good cars. Old Mondeo TD's are solid old beasts and cheap to run and fix, the petrol ones are a bit juicy but plentiful and cheap.

Regards,
Andy

fatbelly

Skoda Octavia estate with the 1.9 TDI engine.

You will probably have electric windows but you'll adapt (I did). I have noticed a lot of private sellers in my local paper dropping prices on decent cars since Christmas so I think now is a good time to buy.

What's your budget?

getmore4less

I think the basic octavia models have manual windows in the back

How old and big are the children in the front seats?

Standard adult seatbelts as fitted may not be adiquate.

jaydeeuk1

benham3160 wrote: »

I'm almost certain you won't get anything drivable with manual windows anymore - sorry

Lotus Elise

gilbert_and_sullivan

New or used?

Difficult to find simple cars any more more's the pity, if Volvo still made the 940 estate with the 6 pot Diesel engine from VW's LT van i'd be buying one of those again.

Nearest to a 306 in if it aint broke don't fix it basic design would be a previous shape Berlingo...which is almost identical in suspension/chassis to your 306 and early ones had a standard XUD Diesel engine IIRC..and power steering optional if you insist...;).

Otherwise if it has to be a car then i'd be going for Toyota, not as you'll find a basic manual windowed model, but everything will still be working years down the line, Toyota don't change things unless needed or better or well proved.

Coralla big enough?, if not Avensis.

benham3160

Why do people get het up about having a "basic" car?

Despite what a lot of people imagine, in the majority even very complicated car electronics are very reliable. The same people that bleat mercilessly about how unreliable "modern cars with all this breakable stuff" have been driving cars with ECU control for years, but because they don't know... they don't complain about it......

Driving a 306/Berlingo without PAS is a testing experience, the chassis is designed with PAS in mind......

Regards,
Andy

LandyAndy

benham3160 wrote: »

What about another 306, or the 405/406? Both good cars. Old Mondeo TD's are solid old beasts and cheap to run and fix, the petrol ones are a bit juicy but plentiful and cheap.

Regards,
Andy

I was thinking that. My 405 estate did 240k before it went for scrappage. Great car to drive and hugely practical. Trouble is most of them are on their last legs by now so a 406 might be a better bet.