easy access car recommendation

bluesnake

I currently drive a Honda Aerodeck and is 1991 model. I've had it for about 18 years. Been very reliable, but now the clutch has gone, needs a major service as the rubber band in the engine needs to be replaced. Showing signs of rust on the wheel arch. These costs are mounting to more than the car is worth. The other problem is that the car is a bit low height wise and with my duff back and long torso have difficulty getting in and out of the car as the door hole is a bit small, and it is too close to the ground.

I do about 2000 miles a year, some 10 minute drives to the supermarket twice a month, but the rest is spending a few hours driving around London and motorway journeys a good hour each way. Sometimes do carry stuff like doors and fridges too. Hopefully something very reliable with a bit of oomph too. Currently I do not need it for work, but that may change.

After trawling the car sites looks like they all have niggles and problems. Of the many models was thinking of more a belingo or roomster type, but they are around £6000 which i think is a lot of depreciation for too little use.

What is the wisdom of the masses here?

TA

Sgt_Pepper_2

Something petrol.

Why do yet want oomph, do you fancy picking up some points?

vaio

my 80 year old creaky & stiff dad swears by his Agila (sp?) as opposed to swearing at his previous fiesta

bluesnake

vaio wrote: »

my 80 year old creaky & stiff dad swears by his Agila (sp?) as opposed to swearing at his previous fiesta

Yes they would be great, even like the design, even looked at the suzuki variant but the boot will not hold a room door, or fridge freezer.

I'm not after the speed oomph, but rather torque. Been on too many motorways in 1.6 escort going uphill with a truck steadily creeping up into the boot. Or you try to overtake but end up just sitting there waiting for oncoming traffic.

forgotmyname

You need to try a large used car lot and try all the cars. I tried a C-Max and the seats were terrible,

emmell

Would a Zafira be any good, loads to choose from.

ML.

bluesnake

forgotmyname, thought about that but places like Car Giant think only do around 4, possibly 5 year old cars. Also the good people here will also point out the lemons.

Emmell, the Zafira would not be bad design, but there seem to be quite a few problems on the Honest John site

knightstyle

Our friends were looking for a similar car and ended up with a secondhand Suzuki SX4 nearly a year a go. They love it, it looks like a 4X4 but is only front wheel drive, good spec and high easy access seating position. They had a Fiesta before but needed the higher seating access.
Whatever you decide don't get a modern diesel, they need higher milage and long journeys to keep them going.

forgotmyname

Doesnt matter what they do. Go and see what sort of cars suit you best then go and find older models. Or ask about their part ex cars that have come in.

oliverr

The Roomster would be a good choice if you need the extra space to carry things, though most of the engines don't provide much oomph. Or something like a Golf Plus, reliability and quality of a VW Golf just with a bit more space.

Have a look at Jefferies Farm, just off the M23 near Gatwick, loads of cars in stock. (Don't want to sound like I'm publicizing them though), Cargiant have a lot at a good price but the condition of some of their cars are a bit worrying

bluesnake

oliverr, to be honest looking for a 6-ish year old car that has lots of reliability left in it, rustproof and about £2000, give or take a good bit.

Doing 1000-2000 miles a year and spending £7000 then another £1000 a year to keep it parked outside makes me feel guilty. On the other hand spending £2000 on a bmw x3 would probably cause more grief, financial ruin and probably end up after a year as a rust bucket, or off the road.

Another of my consideration is that my division maybe outsource next april, and then I may have to use a car, depending on the new job and do not want to spend too much of my savings.

I'd like the idea of a honda crv, but roomster would be great, just too costly to sit there. Looked at a Golf GTI mk3 in my younger years but my head would catch on the sun roof when going around corners even with the seat fully lowered.