suggestions for a new car

chickendipperbabe

I also like the Pandas, even better because they're relatively cheap. Stay clear of the TwinAir version with the moped sounding engine, they're terrible. I test drove one and nigh on wore the clutch out it was (for me) so peculiar to drive.

Also a fan of the Stepway despite the lack of badge appeal - something nice and chunky about them.

Samsonite1

ali-t wrote: »

I have just had a look at the c max and am not keen on it - it looks like a bloated fiesta. I previously had a meriva (fat corsa) and didnt like that as had some terrifying drives in the snow and ice in it.

Fair enough - they are considered good looking, but of course that is very subjective. Ironically, this is the first car that neighbours and friends have continually commented on saying "Nice looking car". I previously had a Focus and BMW before that and never got a comment!

ali-t

Samsonite1 wrote: »

Fair enough - they are considered good looking, but of course that is very subjective. Ironically, this is the first car that neighbours and friends have continually commented on saying "Nice looking car". I previously had a Focus and BMW before that and never got a comment!

I think I am just traumatised from my experiences with the meriva. It was terrible to drive in wintery conditions and I felt very unsafe in it. Weirdly even a Honda jazz felt safer than the meriva despite being much smaller.

Samsonite1

ali-t wrote: »

I think I am just traumatised from my experiences with the meriva. It was terrible to drive in wintery conditions and I felt very unsafe in it. Weirdly even a Honda jazz felt safer than the meriva despite being much smaller.

Well if you will drive on ice

Personally I find Fords drive much better. The Ford Focus is actually one of the best cars to drive hands down, coming from someone who has driven most cars and vehicles including Lambos! They use a standard Ford Focus' for rally training (despite being FWD).

One thing to consider is that smaller city cars are not designed especially well for country road driving - no matter how fun they are to drive, they will not handle as well as a slightly bigger car, this is just down to physics more than anything! Pot-holes are better dealt with by cars big enough to house decent suspension assemblies, I would say that medium-sized hatchbacks upwards are where you will find this level of mechanics.

If you want stability in wintery conditions then of course 4WD will help, but FWD is certainly much better than RWD! 4WD cars are generally a lot bigger otherwise you have a lack of choices.

Double_V

Witless wrote: »

Dacia Stepway?

Please avoid Dacia at all cost.
Rubbish car.

Double_V

You can never go wrong with Audis.
My last car was Audi A1 2.0 TDI. amazing ride. And very powerful.
Also the fuel wise extremely efficient.

ali-t

Samsonite1 wrote: »

Well if you will drive on ice

Personally I find Fords drive much better. The Ford Focus is actually one of the best cars to drive hands down, coming from someone who has driven most cars and vehicles including Lambos! They use a standard Ford Focus' for rally training (despite being FWD).

One thing to consider is that smaller city cars are not designed especially well for country road driving - no matter how fun they are to drive, they will not handle as well as a slightly bigger car, this is just down to physics more than anything! Pot-holes are better dealt with by cars big enough to house decent suspension assemblies, I would say that medium-sized hatchbacks upwards are where you will find this level of mechanics.

If you want stability in wintery conditions then of course 4WD will help, but FWD is certainly much better than RWD! 4WD cars are generally a lot bigger otherwise you have a lack of choices.

You have summed up my dilemma. I live in Scotland and winters last a long time! I am thinking about a petrol car as it will be a very short commute of around 6 miles each way but those miles are very potholed on mainly unadopted roads and the ones that aren't potholed are 70mph dual carriageway.


The safest feeling I had in car ownership was a Nissan xtrail but I can't justify a car like that to do the miles I will be doing. Such a dilemma!

burlington6

Double_V wrote: »

You can never go wrong with Audis.
My last car was Audi A1 2.0 TDI. amazing ride. And very powerful.
Also the fuel wise extremely efficient.

haha, never take advice of someone with such little knowledge

Samsonite1

ali-t wrote: »

You have summed up my dilemma. I live in Scotland and winters last a long time! I am thinking about a petrol car as it will be a very short commute of around 6 miles each way but those miles are very potholed on mainly unadopted roads and the ones that aren't potholed are 70mph dual carriageway.


The safest feeling I had in car ownership was a Nissan xtrail but I can't justify a car like that to do the miles I will be doing. Such a dilemma!

Tough one - you can justify it if the roads are not suitable for other cars I think. Other slightly cheaper 4x4s are the Mazda CX5, Ford Kuga, Hyundai Santa Fe - if you want a 4x4 Qashqui, you have to get the top spec one I think. Personally I would get an old Subaru Estate 4x4 - tough, good in winter and fun to drive! Alas, I am not allowed one

ali-t

Thanks I will have a look at some of them. The kuga changed shape a couple of years ago so there are bound to be a few of the old shape doing the rounds at a decent price.