Astra, Insignia or other?

Ames

My motability car is due to go back mid September and I'm getting bumpf about choosing my next car. I want to buy instead of lease though. I have a budget of about 5-6k - I think anything more than that and I'll be in trouble for deprivation of capital.


At the moment I'm seesawing between an Astra and an Insignia.


My last car was an Insignia and I loved it, especially how the seats were fully adjustable in every direction. But it's big, and if I lose my blue badge due to benefit changes I won't be able to get out of it in a normal bay (arthritis in hips, I need the door to open as wide as possible).


So down a size to the Astra. The boot's not big enough for my rollator, unless I undo the handles every time I use it. Or, of course, I could just drive everywhere with the back seats down. Not a problem.


It'll need to last as long as possible - a decade or more if at all possible. For my budget I should be able to get something about 4 years old.


Does anyone have any suggestions/comments? Maybe there's a different car that I haven't considered.


I also need to think about diesel or petrol. I've pretty much always had diesel cars, but my mileage is low (about 10,500 in nearly three years) and so could cause problems with the filters. (I was talked into diesel by the salesmen when I think it probably wasn't appropriate). Plus there are the noises about diesel becoming the bad guy and so more expensive. So am I right in thinking I should go for petrol?

jimmo

Have you considered that if Motability have to take your car off you because of PIP you could get £2,000 in a support package?
http://www.motability.co.uk/understanding-the-scheme/pip-and-motability/q-and-a-transitional-support-package#payments


My wife currently has a 1.6 petrol Astra Elite 1.6 Estate (nil deposit). To me, the boot is enormous so well worth a look if you decide to stick with Motabilty.

Crabman

As you say you don't mind having the seats down all the time to accommodate the rollator, how about considering a Honda Jazz? They are very reliable cars but on the downside may not have a spare wheel in the boot. Review with known problems here:

http://www.honestjohn.co.uk/carbycar/honda/jazz-2008/

Ames

I didn't know about the support package. I'm going to have the money though to buy and I'd rather do that now then save the mobility allowance for as long as I get it to build a repair/insurance fund. Plus it takes away the worry of losing the car on top of the other stresses of the changeover to PIP.


The issue with the Astra boot was about three years ago when I tried to get my rollator into a taxi and I had to let the handles down. I'm quite tall so the handles are high and it doesn't fold down height wise.


Crabman - thanks for that, I hadn't thought of Hondas at all. I'd forgotten about the Honest John website, it must be getting on for ten years since I last used it. I'm reading the review now.

wba31

I may be wrong but im sure the Honda Civic boot is one of the biggest in it's class, only downside may be the way the back window cuts in at the angle, most other hatches have quite a vertical tailgate. If you want a car to last you 10 years..?

Herzlos

Have you looked at the boot size of the Astra estate? Would it be a better option than leaving the seats down?

Norman_Castle

if I lose my blue badge due to benefit changes I won't be able to get out of it in a normal bay

Its unlikely benefit changes will affect the criteria for blue badge entitlement.

At 3000 miles per year petrol is the best option.

Ames

I'll look at the Honda Civic.

I think it was an Astra estate that the rollator wouldn't fit into - although he was pulled up on double yellows so I didn't get much time to try and fit it in.

Re benefit changes and blue badge, I don't think I'll qualify under PIP based on what I've been reading on the disability and dosh forum, and criteria through the council is even harsher. I'm planning for worst case scenario.

I've been doing the sums and trying to decide about going for motability again, financially it's a gamble as to whether I'll be moved over to pip in less or more than a year.

You've all given me lots to think about, so thanks.

mgfvvc

A Ford C-Max or Grand C-Max might be worth a look. Focus/Astra size but taller.

mgfvvc

mgfvvc wrote: »

A Ford C-Max or Grand C-Max might be worth a look. Focus/Astra size but taller.

If you wanted to stick with Vauxhall, a Zafira might have similar advantages,