Renault Scenic or Toyota Yaris?

AdrianHi

Automatic and good on fuel is a tough one, you usually loose a good 10-15% of your fuel economy with an automatic.
Also, I understand how easy it is to focus on the new baby, but a car can last you years, are you likely to have any more children? If so then a Yaris is really going to be pushing it for space, unless you car is for local driving and you have another car available in the household for holidays.
A few suggestions I'd throw up:
Mazda 5 - sliding doors, stylish and reliable. Avoid the "sport" models with wider wheels as they have issues with premature tyre wear. Stick with the "TS" and "TS2" models. Down side is only a relatively thirsty petrol automatic is available. No auto with a diesel.
If auto is a must stick with the Europeans like a VW Touran TDi (MPV) where automatics are easier to find. You might find a Ford Focus C-Max as an auto too.
Does it really have to be an MPV?
The cheaper stable mate the the Mazda 5 would be a Mazda 3 for example, same mechanicals underneath, you loose a bit of space and no 7 seat option but it's still enough for 1 or 2 children and cheaper to run.

astonsmummy

I'd go for something like a ford focus, very popular cars apparently, good bootspace too, although i've not seen the cmax ones.
Even the new style Golf's are spacious, my boyfriend had one, plenty of space for 2 kids and a buggy.

jeannieblue

The cmax is great, not stupidly big, look at ones from 2005 onwards, as they had ironed out any problems by then. Try Copthorne Motors - I got my Focus from them, they have ex lease cars there and all sorts. Don't know what area you are in, but worth travelling to if they have what you want

The Yaris Verso - its ugly.... Do they do a normal auto in those?? I really should know.... (hangs head in shame)

kitchpoo

If the CMax and Focus are too big, look at the Ford Fusion or the Vauxhall Meriva, Both available with standard auto boxes IIRC. The Meriva 1.6 Easytronic (semi auto) retains good MPG and has enough room plus is in budget.

misterh

I loved my old Scenic (2001 - 2008) and I love my new Scenic.
Reliable - yes
Practical - yes

jdavanport

minimoneysaver wrote: »

Has anyone got any other ideas then? I'm totally confused now! I need something with a reasonable boot, cheap to run, reliable..... I thought the Renault Scenic was, but if it isn't then i'm not interested.

Hi,
i have a renault scenic, and wish i hadn't. After a while everything sounds loose, the doors rattle, if it has a sunroof watch out, it costs £285 just for the running gear. petrol consumption is not great on my auto, gearbox starts getting probs after 50 thousand miles co reading is really high, so if you are going green, then stay away.
good luck in your search. Go on autotrader and do a search of models, then read the road test results.
Regards,
john:beer:

before_hollywood

toyota corolla diesel? if i was spending 8k on a car thats what i would have

minimoneysaver

Okay, I've read all of your comments and decided to have a look at something different...... how about the Honda Jazz?

I test drove it today in the automatic and it seems like a nice little car. The boot space was also bigger than the Toyota Yaris. Just not too sure about the shape. Am I being too picky?

bryanb

astonsmummy wrote: »

The toyota yaris has a rediculously small boot, so imo no good for a baby, .

Not good to put baby in the boot!

AdrianHi

minimoneysaver wrote: »

Okay, I've read all of your comments and decided to have a look at something different...... how about the Honda Jazz?

I test drove it today in the automatic and it seems like a nice little car. The boot space was also bigger than the Toyota Yaris. Just not too sure about the shape. Am I being too picky?

Plus points: Reliability, Honda petrol engines are among the very best in the world (more Honda engines in the world than any other manufacturer when you include boats, lawn mowers motorbikes etc.), I even think it is a good looking little car. My Uncle has had one for at least the last 3 years, trouble free as far as I know.
If it is quick enough and roomy enough for you you can't go wrong with it, as a manual it gets over 48mpg or 51mpg with the smaller engine.
Have a read of what owners think here: http://www.whatcar.co.uk/car-review-readers.aspx?RT=358&ED=&U=0