AIBU to ask you to help me choose a car?

[CornedBeef451]

I am driving myself mad with indecision, please help!

I need a new car, I have a 15 yo Citroen Picasso which is on its last legs, MOT due late July so I want/need to change it before then.

I love it because of the upright seating position and I can reach everything and see over the front (I am very short).

Budget is 10k, I need a bit more oomph for motorway driving, petrol, manual, front and rear parking sensors (for DH) and a reasonable boot although it doesn't have to be quite as big as the Picasso.

I think I like a Vauxhall Mokka X but it doesn't have great reviews on Autotrader so now I'm doubting myself. Test drive was good but the salesman came with me which was unnerving and he never stopped talking about himself so I couldn't concentrate!

I've tried a Hyundai Tucson because my friend has one but it felt massive.

Suzuki Vitari was a nice size but the seat was too long and cut into the back of my knees.

Citroen cactus/ C3 I found the roof height a bit oppressive and I don't think it's big enough for family holidays.

Any other suggestions or experience of a Mokka?

I misread and thought you wanted help choosing a 🐈.

Second hand Volvo Xc40 - not sure if you could get in budget if a few years old? We just got a 6 month old one for 13k and it is excellent, would really recommend.

We also looked at the Peugeot 2006 and 3006 - liked the Peugeot 2006 but it wasn’t big enough for us.

Does it have to be new?
Budget?
Why not a newer Picasso?
Vauxhall Zafira would be the Vauxhall equivalent.
VW Touran
Old model Mokka doesn't have a great reputation for reliability.

Nissan Juke?

@caringcarer I already have 4, I definitely don't have a problem choosing cats!

Sorry - missed the budget - any of the above would fit.

@DynamoKev not new, I've been looking at about 3 years old. Budget 10k.

@Shamoo thanks I'll have a look at those.

OP I’m the same as you - took me bloody ages. In the end I got ahold and loved it. Bit I needed a workhorse to do loads of miles in.
I recommend it - although it’s pretty boring.

@beguilingeyes I read that the Juke has a small boot so I don't think it would work for us. Thanks though.

C4 Picasso seems the obvious choice. There are two versions - the plus version is a bigger 7 seater - you need the smaller 5 seater by the sounds of it.

@SomeoneInTheLaaaaaounge I'm glad it's not just me, DH thinks this should be fun but I hate it!

What did you get in the end?

Skoda Yeti or Kamiq, Yeti is older, but might stretch to Kamiq now. The Karoq is the big one. So comfy, go on for ever. Fuel efficient, loads of space inside.

Something like this (just an example - I have no axe to grind, no connection to the seller etc)

www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202008222818879

Did you like the Vauxhall Mokka? Why not get that then?

What were the 'not great' reviews saying? TBH, I take most reviews with a pinch of salt because they were probably written by people who like different things to me.

I agree that Hyundai Tuscons are massive, I currently have one as hire car. It also has a very laid back driving position, which I don't like

I'm taken with the Renault capture.

Mazda fan here but you won't get a 3 year old car for £10k. Cx3 would suit you if the price was right

Thanks everyone, I'll get busy checking them out.

@BarbaraofSeville the reviews said the Mokka wasn't reliable and didn't have great suspension which seemed important as we both have bad backs.

I am terrible at making decisions involving money. This week I chose a coffee machine after a month of deliberation so hopefully I'm on a roll and can actually buy a car!

@TheFeistyFeminist I do love the look of a Yeti but whenever I've searched they're all too far away for a test drive. I'll keep looking.

I’ve got a Renault kadjar and bloody love it.

Ford Kuga, tough, easy to fix, loads to pick from for 10k, will get about a 2014 / 15

I know someone with a Mokka, they were disappointed with the boot size, they couldn't fit as much in as with their old Meriva even though it looked spacious.

@TheFeistyFeminist

Skoda Yeti or Kamiq, Yeti is older, but might stretch to Kamiq now. The Karoq is the big one. So comfy, go on for ever. Fuel efficient, loads of space inside.

I would go for this. I've just got rid of my Hyundai as it's 7 years old and everything is breaking and the parts seem to be £900 each. I have a skoda courtesy car and it drives lovely. Very basic but works great.

Is a 1.2 engine big enough for a family car? I'm thinking of when you're on the motorway with 4 people, boot full of stuff, kids bikes on the back. Is it enough to overtake lorries fairly easily?

I've had years of carefully gauging speed and hills before overtaking with the Picasso, it would be nice to just be able to do it.

@CornedBeef451

Is a 1.2 engine big enough for a family car? I'm thinking of when you're on the motorway with 4 people, boot full of stuff, kids bikes on the back. Is it enough to overtake lorries fairly easily?

I've had years of carefully gauging speed and hills before overtaking with the Picasso, it would be nice to just be able to do it.

You'd have to drive it to be sure you were happy - but a lot of the smaller turbo petrol engines (like this one) are surprisingly powerful now.
I've not driven this but my Mum's C-max 1.0 turbo petrol is very similar power to her old C4 2.0 Diesel.

If you want to zoom past trucks on the motorway, you'd be better off with the diesel version, but you specified petrol.