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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

AIBU to want a decent car to drive? (what do you drive?)

91 replies

Honeybooboo123 · 16/01/2018 11:36

so, my old car is getting a bit knackered and it's a three door which has always been a bit of a hassle with 2 kids.

We have a estate as well, which either DH drives or I drive on my day off as bigger for shopping etc. We also have a sports car which is DH's and not practical for more than a handbag and wedging kids in the tiny back seats. I haven't driven it yet.

Anyway, I think I need a new car. I don't want anything big, but 5 doors, can handle a motorway and a little bit zippy.

Any recommendations? Budget - not huge, maybe up to £10-12k, used fine.

DH thinks I should keep driving the old banger, but the seats don't even go forwards or back anymore...

OP posts:
bemusedSpectator · 16/01/2018 12:23

Get a fast Focus. Great fun and exactly what you're after. Much better than VAG alternatives on the whole and especially within your budget.

mommybunny · 16/01/2018 12:23

YANBU OP - I'm in a similar situation. My 2004 Ford Focus is battered (we've had a succession of au pairs who are responsible for the vast majority of dents and divots) but DH refuses to consider getting a new one until our business turns around, and I don't have the money myself to do it.

I'm intrigued by the comments comparing Skoda to VW. Will bear it in mind when/if my time to look for new cars comes.

crikeycrumbsblimey · 16/01/2018 12:55

Volvo v60 - V40 if you wanted something smaller.

Brilliant drive, fast, roomy lots of little extras which you wouldn’t think about but now don’t know what I’d do without

officerhinrika · 16/01/2018 13:01

Second hand low mileage Skodas are amazing value. If you look at mileage not year you can often find ones that have been gently used by older or retired people. I bought a Fabia for DS from a chap going into a care home, 7 year old car but low mileage and well maintained. He just had to get past the lovely metallic beige paintGrin.Fabias are economical, Yetis are an acquired taste, I like them, lots don’t and Octavias offer a huge choice. If you find a cheap Superb estate it is like a limo inside in terms of room, enormous and rather nice.

PoppyFleur · 16/01/2018 13:01

Nissan Qashqai or Nissan Juke, both great cars, reliable and come with lots of extras as standard. Plus a great elevated driving position. If you don't need anything too big what about a Fiat 500L?

officerhinrika · 16/01/2018 13:02

Meant to say, second hand Fabia was half the cost of the equivalent Polo.

stoplickingthetelly · 16/01/2018 13:11

I've got a Mazda 3 sport. It's 5 doors and can easily fit both kids in car seats. Liads of room in boot for shopping etc. Nice on motorway too and fast enough to pull in/out when busy. It's a good spec and you get quite a bit for your money. Only downside is it's not very economical on fuel.

Coffeeisnecessary · 16/01/2018 13:14

I have a Skoda yeti and it's brilliant. Highly recommended.

Winetime0909 · 16/01/2018 13:46

Came on to say Toyota Aygo but saw you've already mentioned it! I love mine, it's small but not tiny! I have a 5 door can comfortably fit 4 adults, or 3 adults a car seat and a buggy!

Spartaca · 16/01/2018 13:48

We have a Renault kadjar,very pleased with it so far.

KanyeWesticle · 16/01/2018 15:22

My VW Golf, bought in similar circs, is lovely!

PoisonousSmurf · 16/01/2018 15:28

Mazda 3 (1.6) 2008. Looks great and drives great as well. Much nicer than any French car or Vauxhall.

Original poster
Honeybooboo123 · 16/01/2018 15:37

am tempted by a Mazda. Had a Fiat 500 on holiday once and it was broken into within seconds, which rather put me off... cute looking cars though

Not sure about Skodas, used to have a lada once!!!

OP posts:
imonaplane · 16/01/2018 15:43

I have a BMW. If you can find a relatively low mileage one in your budget that's what I would go for. Mine is ancient but still feels like a new car to drive. Otherwise, a VW Golf would be a good option.

Curious2468 · 16/01/2018 16:38

We have a skoda yeti and before this had a skoda roomster. Good value and reliable and plenty of boot space

19lottie82 · 16/01/2018 16:51

Aygos are Teeny tiny!

Another vote for a used golf! We have a 2.0L diesel, it’s very economical and has plenty of power.

19lottie82 · 16/01/2018 16:53

Stay away from French cars!

Skoda Yetis are great 👍🏻 but check the MPG, we have a 1.4 petrol and the MPG is terrible but I imagine the diesel models will be a lot better?

LowanBehold · 16/01/2018 16:58

I have a quashqai and I can't recommend it enough!

AlessandroVasectomi · 16/01/2018 17:00

The VW/Audi group own Seat and Skoda. So all 4 brands have the same engines, although not all engines are available in all models. Probably because I’m a man, my starting point is the engine, so if you want a particular VW engine - for example the 1.4 litre turbo petrol (which has enough zip for most people) - you can get it in a Golf, a Polo, a Tiguan, an A1, an A3, an A4, a Q3, a Skoda Karoq, a Fabia, a Seat Leon, a Seat Ibiza, a Seat Ateca and possibly one or two others that I can’t think of right now. Most of those models would be available pre-owned within your budget and you’d be getting a well-proven engine with the example I gave.

thethoughtfox · 16/01/2018 17:02

He is happy for his wife and children to drive an old banger while a sports car sits in the drive? Really? We had to buy a second car as we've moved out of the city. The new car is a banger. There was never even a discussion about who would drive the new car. If he would rather you with the children were broken down at the roadside than him, you have an asshole for a husband.

Curious2468 · 16/01/2018 17:02

Yeah our skoda yeti is a diesel and gets great mpg

dinksandbinks · 16/01/2018 17:03

Mazda 3 seconded! The single most comfortable car I’ve ever driven, and the petrols are fairly nippy and fun to drive, if uneconomical.

I had a Golf, and loved it, but they are being stolen so regularly around here (GTIs, GTDs and Rs are stolen to order apparently Shock) I can’t be arsed with the risk.

inguildford · 16/01/2018 17:04

Maybe worth thinking about fuel too? I think diesels will continue us to become more expensive to own/drive.
Some good advice on ignoring the badge above - vw, Audi, seat, Skoda are basically the same. Often you get more kit as standard on the lesser brands as they look to improve the perception of them. I previously had a seat Leon which was good, now moved onto another flavour estate for the bigger capacity.

19lottie82 · 16/01/2018 17:04

curious I’m jealous! I love my Yeti but every time the petrol light comes on (every other day after I put £20 of fuel in it) I just want to cry.

It’s only leased though so will go back to Skoda in a year, and we did get a great deal on it so can’t complain too much!