I need to replace my car - all advice and opinions appreciated

[3littlefrogs]

I drive about 60 miles a day - (long distance, short journeys, town and rural) and need to replace my current diesel engined 5 seater hatchback.

What shall I get?

I can't afford new - I would look to trade in for something about 4 years old.

TIA

Thanks everyone. Lots of ideas here.

I have the car that member described on page 1 - a Ford Fiesta 1.0l ecoboost petrol.

It is lovely to drive, fits me and the 4dc in (one in a high back booster seat) along with their general 'crap'.

Dh has used it a couple of times for his 400mile per week commute and found it good for the long drive.

I've had skodas for the last 5 years and not had a minutes problem with any of them. I've got a yeti at the moment, after 3 Fabias, and love it!

Skodas are fantastic cars :)

We've got an audi a4 too and that's lush to drive. :)

Volvo v50. Absolute workhorse, reliable, comfortable, safe, fast and good mpg.

*I've had skodas for the last 5 years and not had a minutes problem with any of them. I've got a yeti at the moment, after 3 Fabias, and love it!

Skodas are fantastic cars smile

We've got an audi a4 too and that's lush to drive. smile*

For whatever reason though you've had 4 Skodas in 5 years so not really a long term ownership experience - were these all fairly new? I wouldn't have an issue with one under warranty but OP is looking for a 4 year old. I wouldn't touch a 4 year old VAG product with a barge pole especially a diesel (nor from most manufacturers actually).

As for the A4, driving experiences are very subjective. The brand new A4 I did 600 miles in last year was one of the least pleasant cars I've ever driven but that doesn't mean your experience with yours is wrong.

One was 12 years old when I bought it and I had it for a year and upgraded for another, 5 year old one which I wrote off, bought a 3 year old one which I traded in recently for a 4 year old yeti, which I adore. My mums had her fabia for 10 years with minimal problems. They are great cars.

As you rightly pointed out.. We are allowed to like what we like. I wouldn't have a Kia if my life depended on it but each to their own. It is really quite rude to belittle a persons choices and put down their personal experience.

Op, if you do fancy a skoda - don't get a roomster as I've got one today as a courtesy car and it is the most unpleasant vehicle I've ever driven. Ever.

Is your Yeti diesel? There's no way I could consider ownership of a 4 year old diesel of any brand without a manufacturer's warranty due to the potential bork factor. An older, more simple diesel yes. Currently the choice for reliability and cheap running costs would have to be a small petrol with a simple engine (naturally aspirated, non direct injection etc)

Yes it is and it's got a 12 month skoda warranty so I'm not too worried. If it has issues in that 12 months I'll sell it and move on... As long as it doesn't break down on holiday I'm not going to get too stressed about it.

Third baby on the way and no idea which car to buy. I wanted a 4x4 but they seem so expensive to run and tax. Any recommendations of cars with some height to them ideally and will need to fit 3 baby seats in the back. Thank you!