We just returned to the UK after some time overseas and having survived London previously with no car, the DC (and I) have both developed hobbies which need one. I was hashing round a 170k on the clock, 2008 automatic C-RV overseas which was comfy and giant and nothing went wrong with it apart from a new battery. I do not want something so giant for zone 3-4. Criteria are:
- As low emission as possible (euro 6 petrol if possible, ideally would like an electric but can't afford the range I want)
-Compact and easy to park
-The kicker is I want an auto. I can drive a manual, I just hate them for city driving. This seems to be the challenge.
I also want a reasonable boot- it needs to take a packed down paddleboard and a couple of hold-alls, but know I won't get something that can take the kids bikes. Option for bikes on the roof would be a plus. At least 350 litres, ideally nearer 400.
Driving will be mostly urban and suburban, runs down to the coast, with a few longer motorway runs a year of 6-7 hours so needs to be comfy. 2 kids in upper primary, one in a booster still. We're all tall.
I can't find anything! Prices have gone mad. I've looked at a Fabia estate (seem to be £££), Citroen Cactus C4 (probably a bit big but boot not correspondingly big and the older autos get bad reviews), Peugeot 2008 (also a bit big I think). Or something like a Nissan Note or Jazz (but wth has happened to Jazz prices?!?). Quite like the skoda roomster but it's old now.
What's the max mileage/age I should look at? I've come from a country where a 20 year old car with 200k on the clock is totally normal, but my brother was sucking his teeth at 50k and saying it was too high.
I'm so bored of looking at cars now and just want to choose one, ideally online, and get it over with. Help!