First car choice

Brak82

Hello

well at 33 and after selling my motorbike i finally got round to doing my driving, my test is in a few weeks, so naturally ive been checking cars out, insurance quotes etc

firstly i should say im doing auto only, im 6 foot 7, 20 stone, rugby type size , i tried and tried in all medium cars for manual and unless they take half the dash out i cannot for the life of me press the clutch properly , (but i can turn on the radio, heaters with my knee... true story !) so uncomfortable i hated to drive, made the switch to only 1 of 2 auto for learning in my area , which happened to be a Merc C class, and thats still tight, but heyho 8 lessons later and my test is due

just wondered what peoples opinions are on a few cars, some to avoid , repair costs etc

i have a wife and 3 kids to cram in so here goes, id love a big car, mpv ofcourse but they come with big engines and my insurance shoots up being first year

all these cars are similar MPG, insurance (900 first year) and same price of 1400 to 1800 and also these cars are year 2000 to 2004

BMW 318i (fav atm for price, mpg, also cheapest on insurance by £90)
Vaux zafira
Ren megane/scenic (i hear bit dodgy tho)
Ford mondeo
VW passat, also Golf was surprisingly roomy

i seem to get wedged in focus/astras etc , for first time in my life its been a disadvantage to me being a big lad

anyway sorry for long post, hope to hear some opinions/suggestions

Thankyou

atrixblue.-MFR-.

Passat gets my vote, golf would be ok If you don't carry anyone in the in the back as the seat is going to be in the rear footwell, my BIL is 6ft 2 had a mk4 GTI 2.0 no could sit behind him or they would be hunched up and chewing headrest material.


BMW's at that price will want abs modules and expensive parts replacing soon.


be wary on the Passat although a cracking car in diesel or petrol format check for engine management and rough idle, can be the start of a throttle body problem £600 in VW for a new one and recode.

Brak82

Thanks for the reply. I thought maybe as much with bmw. And passat I really like

anyone else to chip in ?

harrys_dad

I swear by my Mondeo with 149000 on the clock. Runs well, good size, reliable, cheap to service and repair when needed. No idea on automatics though.

UsernameAlreadyExists

+1 with the Mondeo. I can't really fault it. Being significantly less than 6'7" myself I cannot possibly comment on what might be your experience with them, but if you've sat in one and it works for you, then I can definitely add to the supporters. Mine is an old ST220 estate.
A mate of mine had a Passat DSG, and that was very nice, but he's turned down the Octavia VRS route now, also nice, so could they be an option?

funkycoldribena

http://www.carandclassic.co.uk/car/C486082

gord115

What about a Skoda superb? Massive inside.

philgr

Left of field suggestion. Rover 75 cdti.

Brak82

Thanks alot everyone. And thanks for the suggestions I will have a look into those today

forgotmyname

Had a MK3 Mondeo petrol with 150,000 miles. Its still taxed and insured 4 1/2 years on. I now have a diesel with just over 170,000 miles and still good.

If looking for an auto i would narrow the search down to a car that actually had
the gearbox serviced. Too many assume its something that never needs servicing or dont want to pay the money to get it done.

Avoid those cars.

Hoof_Hearted

We all know the Mondeo is the best car ever made....