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AIBU?

To ask you to recommend a family car that needs to do lots of miles

48 replies

moredealsplease · 18/03/2017 09:38

Our family car has just broken again Sad. Looking for a new one but it is a minefield. It needs to do lots of miles as DH uses it for work and travels a lot. Would really appreciate your ideas. Thank you.

OP posts:
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IAmcuriousyellow · 18/03/2017 09:50

VWs go on for ever. When other engines are done at 100,000 miles a VW is only halfway there - they are very hardy. I've had several and know people with high mileage ones and they go on and on and on. And they're economical, at least Polo, Golf and Beetles are, i havent had other models so cant say about those. I fill my Polo up monthly but my last car, a Hyundai Santa Fe i filled the bastard tank every ten days.

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Unihorn · 18/03/2017 10:01

Saab, Skoda or Volvo.

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crazycatguy · 18/03/2017 10:04

I'd echo the Skoda point. We have a 17yo Felicia as our runaround. We keep on saying once it dies we'll just get another car but we only seem to replace tyres and brakes which you would on a car anyways and just keeps on going!

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CatsRidingRollercoasters · 18/03/2017 10:05

5 series estate. It is (or was when we bought it, might not be now) the safest in its class.

Big boot, back seat etc. It's plenty big enough for our family of 4.

It's great on long journeys. We regularly drive hundreds of miles at a time and it's so quiet and comfortable.

You can get a used one with a higher mileage because they go on and on.

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Greaterthanthesumoftheparts · 18/03/2017 10:05

I will probably be unpopular but my Renault megane is awesome. I drive about 500 miles a week and it's so reliable and really economical. We have a diesel automatic and I can do a whole week to work and back (those 500 miles) on one tank, motorway driving. It's now done 130,000 km and is showing no signs of any problems. Had both sets of brakes done last year and have been super good at maintenance, always get it services when it tells me it needs doing. Would definitely get another one.

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limon · 18/03/2017 10:06

Vw or seat. The seat altea is nice

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19lottie82 · 18/03/2017 10:07

A Saab? I think you struggle to get parts for them these days so maybe not a good idea.

But yes to Skoda or VW.

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holidaysaregreat · 18/03/2017 10:08

Skoda or VW
Avoid Renault like the plague!

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HopefullyAnonymous · 18/03/2017 10:10

I love my BMW but expensive for parts were anything to go wrong.

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Wishiwasmoiradingle2017 · 18/03/2017 10:12

Grand scenic. Did 22000 miles in the past 12 months!!

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SleepOhHowIMissYou · 18/03/2017 10:13

Most practical car for mileage and lots of space (for a small car), and reliable too, was our Nissan Note. Cheap to buy as well.

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Huldra · 18/03/2017 10:14

Skoda, owned by VW.
We had an Octavia Estate, which is based on the Golf. It was very economical, which was great for us as we often drive across Europe. Good solid car, nice to drive, good interior space, keeps going.
We now have a Superb Estate, mainly because of the leg room in the rear seats. My 6 foot teen is very happy back there on long journeys. It's a big car but doesn't feel like it to drive, I couldn't fault it.

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Unihorn · 18/03/2017 10:14

Skoda, VW, Seat and Audi are practically the same inside to be fair.

I only suggest at Saab as it's been the most comfortable car we own but agree it's probably not practical these days. We buy cheap used cars with over 100,000 miles and good service histories though then just change cars every year or so. My husband's odd hobby.

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CatsRidingRollercoasters · 18/03/2017 10:16

It's true - BMW parts are expensive. On the flip side though, it's been so reliable (hope I don't jinx it) that we've never needed anything major. Now it's out of warranty anyway we get non BMW parts or reconditioned parts - much cheaper.

It's a 3L turbo diesel automatic. I can get 500 miles out of a full tank on motorways. A bit less around town - maybe 350 miles.

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mammymammyIRL · 18/03/2017 10:17

Toyota go on & on & on too

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PhilODox · 18/03/2017 10:18

Ford focus or ford Mondeo.
How boring, sorry!Blush

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PhilODox · 18/03/2017 10:19

Or a Passat, or a Skoda superb.
Again, all super boring Sad

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lampygirl · 18/03/2017 10:26

I'd second the 5 series estate. We drive mine to the Swiss Alps with 4 adults and skis/snowboards and there is loads of room. Mechanically never had an issue and it's on 140k miles now, I bought it 4 years ago on 70k miles and it is approaching 10 years old in August when I'll probably look to sell it and get something newer again. I get around 600 motorway miles or 400 around town and a roads mix for driving to work from a 3l diesel. Parts are expensive but it's only had one trip to the garage for non routine things and that was for wiring looms which are a known thing in the estates with a split tailgate.

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EsmeWeatherwax · 18/03/2017 10:31

S-Max. My husbands is a company car and has done 127000miles in three years with no problems. Big enough for family and lots of work kit, incredibly great to drive.

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Cheby · 18/03/2017 10:33

VW Passat, Skoda Superb or Audi A6. They are all the same really, you're just paying for brand. We prefer the estate versions for extra boot space (can comfortably manage the bugaboo plus suitcases, camping gear and a family tent). ERF seats in the back isn't an issue.

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BishopBrennansArse · 18/03/2017 10:34

VW, Seat, Skoda or Volvo

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Happyandhungry · 18/03/2017 10:34

German or japanese only. But no beemers or mercs and certainly not french or vauxhalls. Fords are ok these days as long as you don't get one with a french based engine. These days cars are all hybrids of each other, open the bonnet of your range rover there will be reno parts etc etc. Seat and skoda are cheaper VW alternatives and are just as good, in fact most of the time they are better and not overpriced like VWs. Avoid diesels as these have now died a painful death, try an economy petrol. Depends on your budget though. Good luck!

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Theworldisfullofidiots · 18/03/2017 10:35

Honda civic. Love it because the space is flexible. Never breaks down. I do lots of miles and it's tge car we take on family holidays

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IHeartKingThistle · 18/03/2017 10:36

I love my Qashqai!

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CatsRidingRollercoasters · 18/03/2017 10:53

Happy why no beemers?

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