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

[Honeybooboo123]

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...

Saab 9-5. It's big, but nippy and has tons of space. I love it!

I've got a Toyota Auris hybrid. Beautiful drive, frugal on petrol an pretty nippy. They go for about £12k when they're about two years old. Oh and if it was registered before April last year no road tax.

Volvo’s are great

Peugeot 308, or for something bigger, the x-over Peugeot 3008.

Both are reliable IME, the 308 in particular is lighter so has a bit of oomph. The 3008 is brilliant, really practical but inside built to Audi type quality. Big boot. Also Peugeot have just brought out a new 3008 SUV, so you'll be able to get 1-2 year old 3008 old models at a decent price. A 5 year old higher spec model 3008 would be about £7000 or so.

I have a VW Passat as does DP
DS has a VW Golf DD has a VW Polo but is changing to a Golf next month
Golf has just won best hatchback award I believe

I drive a Nissan Leaf. I love it, there's a good bit of room in there, and I don't have to pay for petrol (and can use the electric car spaces at the supermarket and work).

We are waiting for delivery of a MINI Clubman - I'll let you know how it is!

Not sure about Skodas, used to have a lada once!!!
If the badge was covered and you drove it, you would be amazed.

And remember there is a reason they are favourites for taxi drivers, they are very reliable. We have a superb estate and they are appropriately named. Find a Skoda in your price range and drive it, it is nothing like a lada.

We have a Focus estate and will be changing shortly to a Mondeo estate or a VW Passat estate as DS is getting tall (he sits behind me when DH who is 6ft3 drives) and needs more leg room now and if I move my chair any further forward my knees will be in my ears.

We have a ceed. Long list of problems.. most fixed on warranty but I'm falling out of love pretty fast tbh

I have a Mercedes SLK. It's completely impractical for anyone with family. Or friends. I bloody love it

Seat Leon all the way. Basically a VW but you get loads more for your money.

I downsized from a discovery to a kia ceed sportswagon, i love it and drive it up to Manchester every other weekend, plenty of zip and more than enough space for me and 3dc.

I came on to suggest Peugeot 308 but Pollaidh beat me to it!

I love mine anyway, loads of back seat space and the boot is a really decent size too! Nice to drive and the engine is a bmw engine and has won loads of awards!! I know Peugeot's are notorious for things going wrong but they have literally changed everything about them and I've just had my 2nd service and it hasn't needed a thing doing to it.

Freelander 2, it's powerful and so nippy perfect for family life and motaway to work , love love love mine , good luck

I’ve got Fiesta and I love it. It’s nippy (1l Ecoboost) and a lot more comfortable than the Hyundai i20 I had before.

VW Golf or a new Honda Jazz

I drive a 1.6 Fiesta and bloody love it

I drive a Skoda Citigo and it’s grsat though I was dubious at first, very reliable and feels super safe. Not the best for extensive motorway driving though.
My DH drives a yeti though and it’s amazing. I don’t like driving bigger than tiny cars so I don’t drive it but as a passenger it’s amazing and he may well love it more than he loves me.
People scoff at our love of the skodas but we’ve had Renaults, Hyundai’s and toyotas and these are the best cars we’ve had (though I have a soft spot for my old Yaris)

A Class or a 1 Series. My 1 Series was my favourite car it was quick and handled really well. Also it doesn’t necessarily need to be low mileage. I’d look for a newer high mileage one as likely to have been motorway miles which are a lot less stress on the car than regular journeys of 3 or 4 miles that an elderly person has ragged on the clutch for. Better 3 years old and 60k miles than 7 years old with 15k miles if I’m choosing.

I like a big estate now but as your DH already has one it’s probably not the best suggestion.

I was feeling exactly you a few months ago. Lots of people recommended the Yeti but when I test drive one I just wasn't feeling it. I ended up with a Hyundai ix35, very low mileage and only two years old. In your price range too. I love it, it's got some lovely features, like heated seats, and it's easily the best car I've ever had

OP
Your husband wants you and his children in a banger while he swans around in a sports car and has another car at his disposal.
Mind boggling selfishness.

We used to have a Seat Leon 2.0 diesel which was a fabulous car. Now we have. Skoda Octavia which is also fabulous but might be a bit bigger than you want so I'd go for the Seat. The TSi petrol engines are very good. The 1.4 is good for most driving but if you want loads of power try the 1.8.

BMW 320 or Volvo S60 (had both, both drive fantastically, safe, good on motorways)

Another vote for Skoda. Great cars for the money. For £12k, you'd probably get a deal on a nearly new one. Try carwow for heavily discounted new cars too.

I have a Fabia Estate and it's a great car. Not slow even though it's a 1 litre petrol engine. All my last few cars have been Skodas and I've been very happy with all of them (company cars so change ever 3 years, I would have kept them much longer otherwise).