need newish, economical, decent sized boot, ..

[ninja]

I know - just like everyone else I need the perfect car!

There are just 3 (me and 2 kids) of us so doesn't need to be huge, but we do go camping so a decent boot would be handy.

Economical with cheaper tax would be good.

Presently have a 03 Renault Scenic 2L petrol which I hate!

I have no idea where to start, first time I've had to do this on my own so please any help or advice welcome!

How about an estate car? The Passat has a big boot, and the Mondeo's is hooooge, from what I remember of a friend's one.

Or perhaps a smaller car with a roofbox to be added when you go camping - saves on the fuel.

I do have a roof box and last time I went I needed that too - but I've no longer need a buggy or an ugly man so a small boot and a roof box might just work!

Still need someone to come and pick me up and tell me what to buy and how to do it though :(

The Mazda 6 has a boot you could put the kids and their camping gear in (if the kids were annoying you enough) The Toyota Avensis does, too, but the Mazdas are cheaper and a little less clunky.

Skoda Fabia Estate.
Small car, massive boot.
V economical, my Tdi one seems to run on flower farts and tax is £35/year.

Mazda 6 or Skoda - I had a skoda before (but with tiny boot), nice car! what size engine was your TDi?

Hyundai i10 very reasonable price, economical but it has a small boot.

Mine's the 1.6 Tdi. You need the Fabia estate, not the ordinary Fabia (don't be scared, it is a v compact estate, not a humongous tank).

Looked at a Kia Ceed today (was going past the garage) which seemed pretty good - anyone with experience of these?

What do you hate about the Scenic? What would you want that it is missing?

How much do you pay in road tax now?

It's too big (and a 2L) and the electrics are rubbish. It was also picked by my exH (which doesn't help!).

I guess it's not that bad, actually OK to drive but a bit wide.

Think my road tax is £165 - would that make sense?

Are you saying the engine is too big at 2 litres, as well as the car being physically too big?

If you don't like the length of the car, then an estate isn't going to suit you as you could be adding an extra half metre over the length of the Scenic. Unfortunately if you need luggage space, that has to physically go somewhere, either in terms of height or length.

Would you be OK with a longer car as long as it wasn't so tall? Or are you happier with a taller car that isn't too long?

Renault aren't known for good electronics. I was going to recommend a Skoda Octavia estate, but its suitability depends on your size preference, as above.