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?

Have you tried a Renault kadjar?
Boot it a decent size and is good for when we go to the Western Isles.

Thanks everyone. I had a day off yesterday and managed to see 4 cars.

I test drive a diesel qashqai just to check ilium the size and liked it but all the reasonable petrol ones are quite far away. I'll have another search today and see what comes up.

I had a look at a kadjar which was lovely but enormous, I had no idea they were so big so unfortunately that one is out.

I test drove a VW Golf SV, I liked it and was impressed by the boot but it was an automatic, not entirely sure how I feel about that, it was quite odd to drive!

Finally I drove a Yeti which I expected to love but had to decide the boot was too small and I couldn't seem to get comfortable,

All in all, I'm now looking for a petrol qashqoi, golf SV or possibly back to a Kia Sportage.

Posted too soon.

Thanks for all the advice and suggestions, it has been really helpful.

I think it's going to come down to what I can actually get to see in the next two weeks but at least I have narrowed down the options now. Once I buy one I might stop dreaming about cars!

I am going to see this one tomorrow, unless I hate it I'll probably buy it as I'm running out of time. I'll ask for a new MOT as it expires in September. Is there anything else I should look for?

www.arnoldclark.com/used-cars/ref/ARNBU-U-167949?utm_source=autotrader&utm_medium=autotrader&utm_campaign=autotrader

@CornedBeef451 top tip with the Kia - make sure it was serviced on time last year during the lockdowns. If it wasn’t, the 7 year warranty might be void.

How old are your children? If they are boys and approaching teenage years you need to think about leg space in the back. Ds1 was 5'10" by Y8 and DS2 was 6'2" at 16. We had a Zafira which was fine but lots of cars would have been a nightmare especially as DH is 6'1" with really long legs so drives with his seat right back.

I know you said you thought a cactus was too small but I love mine, my kids are 11 and 13 and plenty of room for them in the back, we went on a 9 day tour in half term and plenty of room for luggage etc. The C3 aircross is great as well bigger than the cactus from what I remember, I had one last year when my old car was being repaired. I drove a mokka for two weeks back in 2015 and absolutely despised it.

@Lemons1571 thanks I'll ask tomorrow.

@EmmaGrundyForPM they are 13 and 10 but unlikely to be tall as me and DH are both very short. (5'1'' and 5' 4'') We're like a family of hobbits.

@Coasterfan I very nearly bought a Cactus before realising the back windows didn't open properly, the kids would have hated it! I do like the C3 but my neighbour has one and she said it's great but not great for boot size.

Dacia Duster or Sandero?
Cheap and won What Car awards.

My partners had a Peugeot 2008 for a couple of years and it's been great for us.

I recently got a vitara. If the seat is too long for you, but you like other things about it, would some kind of car seat cushion help to bring you forward a bit so it's not so deep?

Have you considered Suzuki cars OP? You could get an 18 reg SX4 S cross for £9000. I've got another model of suzuki and have been really pleased with it. In 3 years it's been faultless

If you liked the Kadjar but it was too big have you tried a Captur? I love mine...

I went to look at a Sportage today and ended up buying a Renault Capture!

I realised the Sportage was too big for what I needed so checked out a C3, 3008, and a few others and liked the capture the most.

Don't currently have buyers regret so hopefully I'll still be happy with it when I pick it up tomorrow.

It only has 60 days guarantee so not sure whether to buy their extended one, it's £349 for 2 years but doesn't cover wear and tear.

Full service history, new tyres and they're repainting the bonnet because of a small scratch.

Thanks again for all your help, I really appreciate it!

www.arnoldclark.com/used-cars/renault/captur/1-2-tce-120-dynamique-nav-5dr/2018/ref/arnbu-u-167387

Glad you're sorted @CornedBeef451 It looks nice!
Still looking here...

Toyota Verso from a fleet auction. Ex mobility car.

Oops I see you’re sorted.

@CornedBeef451

I went to look at a Sportage today and ended up buying a Renault Capture!

I realised the Sportage was too big for what I needed so checked out a C3, 3008, and a few others and liked the capture the most.

Don't currently have buyers regret so hopefully I'll still be happy with it when I pick it up tomorrow.

It only has 60 days guarantee so not sure whether to buy their extended one, it's £349 for 2 years but doesn't cover wear and tear.

Full service history, new tyres and they're repainting the bonnet because of a small scratch.

Thanks again for all your help, I really appreciate it!

www.arnoldclark.com/used-cars/renault/captur/1-2-tce-120-dynamique-nav-5dr/2018/ref/arnbu-u-167387

It does not, at all, have 60 days warranty. It has six months because if you took it to court if a fault develops within six months you will win. I've helped lots of customers (and only once did they have to go to court) if (and I'm sure you wont) have any problems in the first six months feel free to PM me.

Just seen it's Arnold Clark you will be fine. Lovely car, who is the warranty with?

I was coming on to say Captur... but you've beaten me to it! We're on our second now and just love it

@Essentialgarage that's good to know, thanks.

The mechanical warranty looks like it's just with Arnold Clark itself.

@PennyRoyal hope you manage to pick one too!

Just realised I can't use a bike rack mounted on the boot on the Capture! Bit of a bugger but not insurmountable.

I have a Mokka X and I love it!