Looking for car that will last!

GordonSadler

OH is retiring shortly and she wants to buy herself a new car - would be low mileage 1 year old. Current car is a 57 plate skoda Octavia with 110k miles on the clock which she likes.. Not sure of exact budget - but maybe upto £12k plus Octavia trade in. Looking for this new car to 'live' a long time - be easy and cheap to service as well as having good mpg. Octavia size is ideal.. I'm really out of date on current cars. Would welcome suggestions of alternatives to look at..

Scrootum

Toyota give very good back up.

worried_jim

What is wrong with the car she has already? If she likes the Skoda and she is treating herself on retirement then why not have a look at a Skoda Superb, I haven't heard a bad word about them and you get Mercedes like quality for peanuts.
Congratulations on retiring, enjoy!

gilbert_and_sullivan

Prius, or latest shape Auris Hybrid.

Diesel economy (best in town short runs and stop start) without the DPF worries, smooooth auto, Toyota's definition of customer service.

Ultrasonic

worried_jim wrote: »

What is wrong with the car she has already?

Exactly my thoughts. If the current car is running well, and your OH still wants an Octavia sized car and likes the one she has, then from a MSE point of view, keep what you've got! Just because it has done 110k miles doesn't not mean it is about to fall apart. Keep the car you've got until it starts to be a problem (which could be years in the future) and then look to replace it.

Of course if your OH just wants a new(er) car that is an entirely different matter!

What sort of mileage is your OK likely to do in retirement? If not too high then a petrol rather than a diesel is probably a better bet.

If you want long term peace of mind then a Kia with a 7 year warranty might be worth considering. If a Cee'd is too small then there is the Optima too, although I've never seen one other than on a website, let alone driven one to comment on if they are any good!

knightstyle

You will probably have a short list of cars so which has the best dealer in your area? The Toyota garage we use is 12 miles away but very good and will loan us a car whilst out Auris is being serviced, MOTd etc.
I was in the other day, MOT, 07 Auris, passed fine and they were arranging to pick up a car for a service from a clients home.
That is why I use them.

GordonSadler

Ultrasonic wrote: »

Of course if your OH just wants a new(er) car that is an entirely different matter!

What sort of mileage is your OK likely to do in retirement? If not too high then a petrol rather than a diesel is probably a better bet.

She does!

I reckon about 10k per year, but maybe less....

Reading through the replys.. it looks like I'm going to have a few weekends in the new year of looking and test driving cars... I like the look of the Toyota Hybrid...

Thanks for the responses

atrixblue.-MFR-.

id be looking in at the skoda Octavia 1.4TSI petrol or the superb if your happy with build and quality you have had out of your current Octavia.

Beachview_2

I'd say go for a Toyota, I've had quite a few of them myself/within the family and we've all been happy with them. As others have said Toyota have good back up and customer service. Definitely worth going and having a look at their hybrids too, maybe even the hybrid Yaris if she fancied going for something smaller.

Or if she's been happy with the Skoda, get another. But sure there's no harm in taking a look elsewhere. Maybe time for a change

jase1

The current Skoda is likely to have at least 5-6 good years left in it. Personally if I were retiring, I'd put the cash away and get my money's worth out of the current car, and buy a replacement when it ceases to be reliable -- which probably won't be for a long time yet.

bigjl

Prius is a very long lived vehicle

Your budget will get you a very nice 3 yr old ex fleet car with all the toys such as leather and sensible mileage

My favourite car supermarket is CarGiant

But did see a good selection online at CarShop

Motorpoint will also sell such ex fleet vehicles

I don't think you can go wrong with the Toyota Hybrids just look at how many are used by minicab drivers doing high mileages day in and day out

Another choice if you like Skodas is the new Rapid. And the similar Seat Toledo

Both available with the small 1.2 petrol engine which is likely all the engine you will ever need

Have a look at broadspeed and Drive the Deal for discounted prices on new


Not very MSE but nothing wrong with starting retirement wih a nice new car that can be kept for 10 yrs or more

Lots of ex Motability Kia Souls coming off lease now, though most seem to be auto diesel.

But they are around the £7k mark with less than 30k