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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

To buy a car based on mumsnets opinion today

95 replies

Claliscool · 10/07/2020 11:54

Hi all

I need to buy a car with the following requirements:
Fuel efficient
Enough room for family of four and luggage
Looks stylish
Is reasonably nice to drive
Preferably an SUV looking thing.

I cannot decide and need to buy a car ASAP. Budget its 20k, either used or new.
Thank you!

OP posts:
GinDaddyRedux · 10/07/2020 12:11

@RufustheRowlingReindeer

How do you fuel it if you don't know what it is? Genuine question.

PrayingandHoping · 10/07/2020 12:12

@RufustheRowlingReindeer how do u not know if it's a diesel? Do u out diesel or petrol in it?

Shmithecat2 · 10/07/2020 12:12

@RufustheRowlingReindeer

And the vauxhall mokka, but i think it was a little smaller.

The boot is the size of a cool box. Not too bad in the back otherwise, as long as you don't need child seats in the back - unless your front seat riders are under 5'3.

KeepingPlain · 10/07/2020 12:12

Really depends on how much you drive like someone else said. For fuel efficiency and suv, you'd need diesel really, but if you're doing short drives mainly, you're going to end up with a lot of bills.

Trying to decide on a roughly 20k car in a few hours based on some opinions is not likely to end well either. People are mentioning kia sportages, but I'm still not convinced that they are better than other cars. They are cheaper, but that also means it was built cheaper. Whether or not its good long term, I don't know. But at that kind of price range I'd rather not find out.

QuestionableMouse · 10/07/2020 12:13

[quote GinDaddyRedux]@RufustheRowlingReindeer

How do you fuel it if you don't know what it is? Genuine question.[/quote]
I was also going to ask that!

mencken · 10/07/2020 12:14

SUVs are planet-fucking gas guzzlers, if you have kids you should be a little bothered about that although most parents aren't. They are not fuel efficient, although much of that comes down to the driver. If you sit in the supermarket car park for ages with the engine running while you jabber into your brick, (why do women do this?) if you carry lots of shit you don't need, if you do lots of short runs, if you speed, if you don't anticipate, you will waste lots of fuel.

as someone else points out, not a diesel unless your driving pattern fits a diesel.

no car is 'stylish'. Don't buy new unless you have money to piss away, it will depreciate as you leave the forecourt.

EmbarrassedUser · 10/07/2020 12:16

We’re picking up our brand new Hyundai Tucson on Tuesday. It’s gorgeous and I reckon would fit the bill.

ILoveAnOwl · 10/07/2020 12:17

I was going to say a Duster. Love Dacia's. The fuel ecomony is really good.

AryaStarkWolf · 10/07/2020 12:18

I don’t know whether my kia is Diesel or not, its an Automatic so was probably slightly more expensive

Do you never fill it yourself? Grin

EmbarrassedUser · 10/07/2020 12:18

Oh and you get Apple car play as standard 🎉🎉

thatcarolebaskinbitch · 10/07/2020 12:19

With a decent budget like yours I would be looking at something Japanese Toyota, Hyundai, Honda or Mazda. My uncle and partner are both mechanics and both swear Japanese made cars are the best in terms of reliability by miles pardon the pun. They are more expensive but with your budget that shouldn't matter.
We have a Toyota CH-3 which I love to drive (and self-charging hybrid so v economic) but it's probably bit small for you, there are other Toyota's you could look at though.
For our next car I've got my eye on a Mazda CX-5, although now we have had a self charging hybrid I'm not sure we will go back as we are saving a lot of money on fuel but don't have the issue of needing somewhere to charge it.

2155User · 10/07/2020 12:19

@mencken

Do you need professional help? You seem a bit, erm, crackers.

Shmithecat2 · 10/07/2020 12:19

If you're not too worried about it being a few years old (2015), a Hyundai i35 might be a good choice. Roomy, and half your budget.

TeaAndHobnob · 10/07/2020 12:19

We bought a brand new Skoda Kamiq at the start of lockdown. Love it. With part ex and discount for finance we paid £21k. I think there's more discount available now since people are holding onto money rather than spending it.

AryaStarkWolf · 10/07/2020 12:20

@thatcarolebaskinbitch

With a decent budget like yours I would be looking at something Japanese Toyota, Hyundai, Honda or Mazda. My uncle and partner are both mechanics and both swear Japanese made cars are the best in terms of reliability by miles pardon the pun. They are more expensive but with your budget that shouldn't matter. We have a Toyota CH-3 which I love to drive (and self-charging hybrid so v economic) but it's probably bit small for you, there are other Toyota's you could look at though. For our next car I've got my eye on a Mazda CX-5, although now we have had a self charging hybrid I'm not sure we will go back as we are saving a lot of money on fuel but don't have the issue of needing somewhere to charge it.
Yeah I agree, love Japanese cars, they're so reliable and parts are reasonable. I've had 2 Toyotas, 2 Mitsubishis & a Honda in my time, great cars all of them
thatcarolebaskinbitch · 10/07/2020 12:20

Oops I meant Toyota CHR not sure where the 3 came from!

flooredbored · 10/07/2020 12:21

I prefer estates for good luggage space. The smaller SUV types often have surprisingly tiny boots in my experience.
If you want a big SUV they’re generally not fuel efficient.

MoistMolly · 10/07/2020 12:21

@RufustheRowlingReindeer

I don’t know whether my kia is Diesel or not, its an Automatic so was probably slightly more expensive
Comments like this shows why you should never ask for advice about cars on MN.
brusselsprout5 · 10/07/2020 12:22

I'm looking for something similar to you OP. I read my dads Which magazine online & the Davis Duster is 'one to avoid' according to them. The DS 3 Crossback (which I'd never heard of) was their number 1 Best Buy. I've still not decided but will see what more views on here say.

ThePants999 · 10/07/2020 12:24

YABU. If you're going to spend a five-figure sum, do it based on research and expert reviews, not anecdotes from a parenting forum Smile

Shmithecat2 · 10/07/2020 12:24

@mencken All SUVs? Like the Mitsubishi Outlander? £0 tax? ULEZ friendly?

brusselsprout5 · 10/07/2020 12:25

Dacia Duster not Davis!!!

Shmithecat2 · 10/07/2020 12:26

@flooredbored

I prefer estates for good luggage space. The smaller SUV types often have surprisingly tiny boots in my experience.
If you want a big SUV they’re generally not fuel efficient.

Agreed. Unless you're looking at something large (Disco/XC90 or similar) estate cars tend to have much much better bootspace.

WitchDancer · 10/07/2020 12:27

@GinDaddyRedux

The Vauxhall Mokka should be placed on a plinth in room 101 as possibly the worst car ever issued by a modern car manufacturer.

Every time I see one in a car park I make sure I don't park next to it, because I know that person doesn't care.

May I ask what is the matter with a Mokka please?
JayAlfredPrufrock · 10/07/2020 12:27

Hyundai Tucson.

Cheaper than the Kia Sportage.

I liked the Duster but it gets really bad reviews.