Which car is best?

john_white

fatbelly wrote: »

Fabia estate (older version) 426 litres/ 1225 litres
Fabia estate (newer version) 480 litres/ 1460 litres

So both smaller than the civic which is a hatchback. Same size cars though, but as the OP said the OH didn't like big cars, estate cars feel big, whereas a small family hatch like the civic (and others) won't feel as big but will have plenty of space.

first78

Sorry, only back back from holiday a couple of days ago to find all these new replies...thank-you so much everyone!!

We went to look at the Skoda Fabia hatchback and have also found a twin buggy we want...looks like the hatchback is going to be too small!!

Now planning to get the buggy next week and then take it when we go and look at Skoda Fabia Estate, Skoda Octavia Estate and possibly a Zafira too. As my OH won't be doing many miles I'm guessing it'll make sense to get a 1.2 petrol engine?

We talked about her possibly having my Jazz but as of next September I'll be travelling a good 90 miles per day to work and the Jazz has always been incredibly economical so I'm reluctant to give it up.

bodgerx

john_white wrote: »

The new layout on autotrader should help. Boot size is important, but, bigger cars don't always mean bigger boots!

Fabia hatchback - 290 litres
Civic hatchback - 485
Saab 9-3 estate - 419
Zafira - 312
Astra - 350

The Civic measurement flatters it somewhat. That figure includes the under floor bit.

I owned a Civic for 2 years, and although, the boot is undoubtedly large, in reality, we found my brother's Kia C'eed to have a more useable shape - the Civics taper's towards the top more heavily.

Civic the nicer car to drive though

You also have to remember the estate volumes are often measured with the load cover on. The BMW 3 series (E91) for example, on paper has slightly larger capacity on the saloon than the estate (Touring). But if you go roof to floor, without the cover, the Estate is larger and more practical.

dmliverpool

Civic's feel hollow in my experience, fords are cheap for parts but can't beat a cheap germen Skoda for reliability unless thrashed by the previous owner.

Ultrasonic

first78 wrote: »

Now planning to get the buggy next week and then take it when we go and look at Skoda Fabia Estate, Skoda Octavia Estate and possibly a Zafira too. As my OH won't be doing many miles I'm guessing it'll make sense to get a 1.2 petrol engine?

Are you talking about the 1.2 TSI engine for the Skodas? Certainly petrol not diesel for limited miles.

We talked about her possibly having my Jazz but as of next September I'll be travelling a good 90 miles per day to work and the Jazz has always been incredibly economical so I'm reluctant to give it up.

What sort of mpg do you get from the Jazz? Driving 90 miles per working day sounds like diesel territory to me...

Would the buggy you want fit in the Jazz? If so, I'd be inclined to buy a diesel Octavia to use for the 90 mile per day commute and big family trips, and let your OH use the Jazz.

Ultrasonic

Just re-read your first post and realised you're looking to spend about £4k, so presumably the 1.2 L engine you're talking about is an older one than the TSI I mentioned, and perhaps just in a Fabia not an Octavia? Either way, I still think buying a diesel Octavia is the way to go!

first78

Ultrasonic wrote: »

Are you talking about the 1.2 TSI engine for the Skodas? Certainly petrol not diesel for limited miles.

What sort of mpg do you get from the Jazz? Driving 90 miles per working day sounds like diesel territory to me...

Would the buggy you want fit in the Jazz? If so, I'd be inclined to buy a diesel Octavia to use for the 90 mile per day commute and big family trips, and let your OH use the Jazz.

I don't know how to work out mpg but last weekend I drove just over 200 miles down to Devon and used about £20 of petrol.

We're picking our buggy up today so we'll see how well it fits in the Jazz

worried_jim

first78 wrote: »

I don't know how to work out mpg but last weekend I drove just over 200 miles down to Devon and used about £20 of petrol.

We're picking our buggy up today so we'll see how well it fits in the Jazz

http://www.fuelly.com/

http://www.mpg-calculator.co.uk/

Lets say your petrol was £1.36 per litre. £20 is 14.7 litres and 200 miles / 14.7 litres is 61.85mpg. But you need to do accurate readings using a full tank to empty to really work out. The websites above will help you.