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Dadsnet

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Original poster

Car stuff...family estate recommendations please

42 replies

LittlePushka · 31/01/2010 22:27

Cannot see a topic on car stuff so thought this might be a good place to start.

I would be grateful for your recommendations for(or warnings against) family estate car.

Thinking of:

Skoda Octavia
Ford Mondeo
Ford Focus

Thanks

OP posts:

Are your children’s vaccines up to date?

Set a reminder

RedbinDippers · 31/01/2010 22:35

The 6 speed mondeo is good the focus is sh*t.

Dalrymps · 31/01/2010 22:42

I would take Skoda over ford, more reliable I believe...

Have you considered Volvo V40?

Original poster

LittlePushka · 31/01/2010 22:48

No,...Dalrymps, I am the MOST un-car person (no adjective available!) in the world. But am off to lok at it now on auto trader website. Thanks!

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Original poster

LittlePushka · 31/01/2010 22:55

Have you got one Dalrymps? A Volvo V40?

OP posts:

sb6699 · 31/01/2010 22:57

I have a V40 - its fab.

Big enough to fit everything in, ultra reliable, and reasonably economical to run.

Parts can be expensive but after they've been done once youd be unlucky to have to change them again.

Fwiw, mine has done over 150K. FIL (who is a mechanic) serviced it recently and said its in such good nick it'll probably do that again without any trouble.

Had it for about 18 months and the only thing we've changed is the clutch which we knew needed done when we bought it.

sb6699 · 31/01/2010 22:58

Meant to add they do well in the safety tests too - why do you reckon the police use them!

Original poster

LittlePushka · 31/01/2010 23:05

!! LOL at Volvo police reference,..imagining pimping up a family car with nee-nars and blue lights. Both DS's will love it!

Never really considered a volvo but will look into it Thanks.

Anyone got an octavia??

OP posts:

sb6699 · 31/01/2010 23:11

I got mine at a police auction - was really panicking that I would pick it up with all the stickers and stuff still on it

BIL has an Octavia. Apparently his problem is that if he ever needs a new part he has to get them new because there arent many in the scrapyards yet because they are a relatively new model - so costs a few quid when anything gets broken/needs replaced. I think it is economical though (must be as his is a taxi!).

sb6699 · 31/01/2010 23:12

If its any help I've got a Mondeo as well (not an estate).

Its done loads of miles but runs like new. Never had any problems with it but isnt very economical as far as fuel is concerned.

bruffin · 31/01/2010 23:20

We have a diesel mondeo and it is very economical 60mpg, however we did notice that when we got it dcs started getting travel sick which lasted a while but they do seem to have grown out now.

Original poster

LittlePushka · 31/01/2010 23:28

I am looking for massive estate boot as have dog crate and twin pushchair (I know,...what the hell was I thinking?!).

has the Volvo V40 got tardis-like rear end?

OP posts:

sb6699 · 31/01/2010 23:34

The V40 boot isnt as big as some of the other estates on the market tbh - but thats why I liked it, I wasnt sure about driving something that was absolutely huge at the back.

My friend has the larger Volvo Estate (cant remember if its a V50 or V70) and she fits in her dog crate and twin pushchair.

What size dog do you have? How small does your pushchair fold?

My (huge) lab sleeps in the back (behind bars rather than in a crate) along with all our luggage when we travel to Glasgow. If we had no luggage other than maybe a couple of tiny holdalls, the lab and my Mclaren Twin could fit in it if that helps you to guage the size.

Metatron · 31/01/2010 23:38

V40 - They are ace!

PrettyCandles · 31/01/2010 23:38

We checked out all of these (albeit 7y ago) and ended up with the Mondeo. Main reasons being roomiest interior, and very well-designed boot.

bruxeur · 31/01/2010 23:40

The V40 isn't made any more - it was replaced by the V50, which is Focus-sized and is what most people would call a small estate.

The V70 and the Mondeo are similar in size - the Volvo has a slightly bigger boot but the back seats are quite short of space.

We have the Mondeo estate as we could get a '57 plate for the same money as a '52-03 Volvo with the same spec.

Think they're fantastic cars. Money no object - Merc E-class. Mmmmm...

sb6699 · 31/01/2010 23:41

PrettyCandles, I agree the interior is roomier but Fords have a pretty poor reputation for being reliable atm.

LP - are you looking for new or second-hand?

bruxeur · 31/01/2010 23:46

Ford reliability is better than Volvo, Mercedes or VW as of last year.

Original poster

LittlePushka · 31/01/2010 23:49

money no object bruxer,..I'd go on ahead with chauffeur and my other staff would bring up the rear with boys/dogs/dh (not necessarily in that particular order

Boot needs to be as big as possible so V40 probably off list (but would reconsider if nee-nars came as standard spec!)

Thanks pretty candles, that is helpful

OP posts:

bruxeur · 31/01/2010 23:53

If boot size is the main factor then V70 or Honda Accord Tourer.

Mondeo v close to both though.

Octavia, Focus, Avensis all smaller ime.

Original poster

LittlePushka · 31/01/2010 23:53

SB6699Am looking second hand. But was considering trading up our second car in scrappage scheme if a good deal was around.

OP posts:

sb6699 · 01/02/2010 00:03

If boot size is the main factor, I agree you would need larger than a V40.

If second hand with no warranty I would go for a Volvo V70.

The Ford does seem to fit the bill and if you were buying new then you would get a warranty.

Love the Mercedes E Class - but would feel like a travesty letting my manky dog climb all over it

Original poster

LittlePushka · 01/02/2010 00:07

Honda? new to me,...will check it out too , thanks bruxeur.

OP posts:

Original poster

LittlePushka · 01/02/2010 00:11

get one of these dog bags SB, tie it firmly, but not tightly round his neck and chuck him in. Youd never know he'd been in at all ...I swear it

Thabks for all these great new ideas,...off to give autotrader a bit of hammer.!

OP posts:

bruxeur · 01/02/2010 00:12

PrettyCandles · 01/02/2010 09:41

We had the Mondeo for 5y from nearly-new, and then changed to a new Galaxy. Each car has had one problem, which was swiftly sorted out under the warranty, and nothing since. We aren't concerned about their reliability.

We only changed to the Galaxy because the Mondeo can't easily take 3 carseats across the back. TBH I prefered it to the Galaxy.

As for boot-size, I rarely had to fold any of our buggies to get them into the Mondeo boot. Even the Galaxy's boot isn't that big!

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