What car?

[HowManyMoreTimes]

Our car was recently written off and we've been advised that we will get approximately £6,000 for it. We need to replace it fairly quickly, as the courtesy car will go back once the money is paid.

Can anyone recommend a manual, petrol car with good fuel economy please? Other priority is a big boot (we camp a lot!), and nice to drive (current car was a bit of an underpowered tank!)

We're not bothered about all the bells and whistles, it's very much a work horse that gets us to after school stuff, camping and fits my mum's mobility scooter.

Please help us find out unicorn car

What’s your budget.
How many people is it for.

Do you want new or second hand.

I always post on car threads to recommend Skoda as they're good value cars with big boots relative to the external size.

Do you have kids in car seats or lanky teenagers or anything?

A used Skoda Fabia estate could tick your boxes.

www.whatcar.com/skoda/fabia/hatchback/used-review/n808

Sorry that was the hatchback. Here's the estate
www.whatcar.com/skoda/fabia/estate/used-review/n23746

We only have the insurance payout to spend unfortunately, so 6K is our top price. I assume for that a new car would be out of the question, so age is less important than a low enough mileage to last us a good few years.

We only drive around 5,000 miles each year, and we have a 9 year old and an adult height 12 year old!

I had a Skoda Felicia for years which I loved, we just outgrew it so definitely will look into the Fabia.

Coming on to reccomend another Skoda. An Octavia estate would be great for your needs if you can find one in your budget.

I had a diesel one for three years and was constantly surprised at what I could fit in the boot. It was also very comfortable and pleasure to drive and park as no wider than than the Golf it shares parts with.

I far preferred it to an Audi A4 avant I'd had prior as a company car, although they're ostensibly both VAG group and very similar. I wouldn't hesitate to buy another skoda and if you wanted mega space you could also look at a Superb estate.

Superb Estate is way above budget and Octavia Estate is probably too expensive as well.

Skoda Octavia estate

We used ours for exactly the purposes you’ve described, and about 20,000 miles driving a year. Only replaced by a T6 van!

I've been looking at our local garages (up to 30 mile radius) and unfortunately Octavias and Superbs are both out of budget.

Honestly a Fabia will do the job and will be easier to park as well!

I have an Octavia which is great (two young kids so we use the huge boot and need the rear cabin space for car seats) but I would prefer something a bit smaller. When the kids are older I'll downsize!

What I really want is an electric Skoda Scala (size between Fabia and Octavia) but I don't think that exists!

Second hand cars are at a massive premium at the moment.

Micra....we have had 3 since they came out....the most reliable cars we have ever owned and cheap to run....but as mentioned....prices are up at present as we are looking for a newer one and not found anything yet.

Toyota Avensis Estate, dull and boring but last forever. If your mileage is low look at newer high mileage models 100,000+ miles. Mine has done 280,000 miles.

Can't imagine a family of four camping with a Micra 🤣🤣

Octavia estate or if you don't want something that big then maybe a Ford focus.

All Hondas are Tardis sized. Used to get three huge dogs in the boot of our CR-V. They also live forever. I bloody love a Honda. Currently have a CR-V and an HR-V.

Renault Grand Scenic. Lovely big boots with extra seats for when needed. Economical and nice to drive.

Reviving this thread. I am looking for a SUV or Estate car with enough room to seat three people comfortably in the rear if needed and lots of boot space. Usually it would be used for driving round town with occasional motorway trips that require good fuel economy. I have considered a Honda CRV, a VW Touran or Toureg, Kia Sportage etc. I am getting increasingly confused. Most of the time it would be just myself and OH but visiting adult children and grandchild means we need spare capacity. We will also be doing more motorway driving and transporting stuff. Up to about 30 grand and second hand. At the moment we have a Renault Kadjar which I hate. It is incredibly thirsty with petrol and doesn't compare to our previous diesel.

Skoda Karoq. Good rear seat space and massive boot.

Dacia Duster?

www.theaa.com/used-cars/displaycars?fullpostcode=&travel=2000&sortby=priceasc&pricefrom=0&priceto=1000000&mymakeid=161&mymodelid=102

@MonsoonMadness I'm on my second Toyota Avensis estate, fourth Toyota in the family. My last one had 285,000 miles on the clock when I retired it. Rav 4 hybrid or maybe plugin hybrid?

I quite like a higher driving position though.

Rav 4 review

@MonsoonMadness I currently have a Kia Sportage which I have really enjoyed driving but I hate the dealership so have gone
for a Skoda Karoq for my new car - I wish it would hurry up!
Both very roomy but I think the Kia has higher specs as standard.