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Original poster

Recommend me a new car!

31 replies

Diorissimo1985 · 01/05/2018 07:50

We really need a new car asap as I can't struggle on with my tiny Peugeot 107 any longer! It was fine when we were child-free but it's just too small with DD 5 months now. We also live in a city so is great for whizzing around etc.

However..
We are moving soon to a rural area with narrow country lanes, and will potentially have another baby in the next couple of years. Annual mileage will be low, approx 8-10000 a year. Can anyone recommend us a car for a growing family?

  • big boot
  • petrol
  • plenty legroom in front when car seat(s) in back
  • preferably not an estate as parking will be tight and I don't want too long a car
  • would consider SUV type or big roomy hatchback

Would love some ideas! We would have about £10k to buy second hand

OP posts:
Elpheba · 01/05/2018 07:56

We went for an older qashqai- (the boot is much bigger than new versions, so fits the pushchair better). Got a 5 year old one with only 35000 miles on for £8000. Find it very efficient fuel wise and ditto country roads so I notice the ride height difference compared to our previous small car in terms of seeing over hedges etc.
Only thing is I wouldn't say it's particularly roomy leg room wise in the front with car seat in the back- but we have an extended rear facing one. Baby carrier was fine though.

Original poster
Diorissimo1985 · 01/05/2018 11:35

Thanks Elpheba - do you find it tricky for parking or is it okay? I've only ever had quite small cars and looking at SUV styles they seem pretty big ... or I may just get used to it!

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Elpheba · 01/05/2018 12:53

Mine has rear reversing sensors which are a god send and apart from that just seemed to get used to it pretty quickly. The only frustration I have is when I find an on street parking space I could easily have fitted in before so I try it and then realise it's never going to happen! Thankfully in parent and child spaces in supermarkets too which is always a bonus!

PlausibleSuit · 01/05/2018 12:56

What sort of driving do you mostly do? I.e. motorways, town, rural etc.

Original poster
Diorissimo1985 · 01/05/2018 13:53

Plausible - rural driving (narrow single track roads) and occasional (few times a year) very long motorway journeys

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PlausibleSuit · 01/05/2018 15:29

The Qashqai is quite a nice size. The boot isn't massive compared to a Golf or a Focus, however. There's a Qashqai+2 in the old shape which has a bigger boot (and seven seats, but you don't have to use those).

Dacia Duster could be a good option. They're compact, very cheap - you can buy a new one for under ten grand although it'll have grey plastic bumpers and no radio - and there's a sort of appealing chunkiness to the design, I always think.

Wild card option - a Golf SV (older ones are called Golf Plus). More MPV really; a larger, more airy version of a Golf, but handily smaller than VW's mid-size SUV, the Tiguan.

Ordinary hatchbacks - I always recommend Mazdas but the Mazda 3 is really good. The Vauxhall Astra is fine; surprisingly roomy, and there are so many of them around you can afford to be picky re spec, colour and mileage. Toyota Auris isn't the most exciting thing in the world but they're very reliable and should have enough room. Honda Civic is similar; decent if you can live with the Tron-ish looks.

Original poster
Diorissimo1985 · 01/05/2018 20:26

Thanks so much Plausible. I think the Qashqai would be most useful in terms of height, as driving on the country lanes can be tricky. Are there any others you'd recommend that are more SUV style (or just with more ground clearance/height)?

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Original poster
Diorissimo1985 · 01/05/2018 20:26

Tiguan looks ideal actually but can't seem to find one within our budget

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Bubbles120 · 01/05/2018 20:32

We have a Hyundai Tucson we preferred it to the Qashqai as you seem to get more for your money. They come with long guarantees and it has great safety ratings.

lauryloo · 01/05/2018 20:34

We’ve just ordered a vw Tiguan. It’s a lot of car for the money :)

shakeatailfeather · 01/05/2018 20:50

A friend has a Hyundai ix35 which I really like - bit like the quashqai.

897654321abcvrufhfgg · 01/05/2018 20:55

Love my quashqsi and it even has parking cameras! I had never, since my test, reverse parked until I got this beauty. I have a + 2 and 6 of us traveltocornwall in it every year. Enough legroom for my lanky 17 yr old too

MeganChips · 01/05/2018 20:59

I have a Mazda CX-5 which I love. It’s about the same size as the Qashqai but the boot is much bigger.

It looks like a big car but doesn’t feel like one to drive, plus it has the parking camera and sensors.

It’s fun to drive too although I do have the diesel as I do high mileage.

heckythump01 · 01/05/2018 20:59

honda crvs come in budget! hondas reliable

dementedma · 01/05/2018 21:02

has anyone got a Seat Arona? I quite like the look of it

rotavixsucks · 01/05/2018 21:02

Highly recommend the Honda CR-V, the shape before the newest have rear seats which slide back and forth to make the boot bigger or provide more legroom in the back. They are reliable, nice to drive, efficient and roomy.

TroubledLichen · 01/05/2018 21:10

I just bought a new Tiguan and am really pleased with it! Not going to comment on the spec as I’m in the US so mine is light on features but more than makes up for it with the housepower. I had a Golf when I lived in the UK and much prefer the Tiguan. Lots of space, can fit a full supermarket shop plus the pushchair in the boot no issue, it’s really comfy for long trips (except if you accidentally put it into sport mode) and DH can push the passenger seat all the way back and DD still has tons of room behind. Sounds like it might be a struggle to get one in your budget though Sad

MissMarplesKnitting · 01/05/2018 21:14

Just bought me a Skoda Karoq. It's the Tiguan/Arona sized SUV.

It's flipping great. Had VW before and this is just as good. But cheaper.

Heartily recommend. I got the flat seat option so I can get more flat boot space but tbh it's big anyway.

It had 5 star Autocar etc reviews and I totally understand why.

Girlboymummy · 01/05/2018 21:14

I have just gone for a 107 to a seat leon and I absolutely love it! Took some getting used to but 4 months later I loving driving it

Original poster
Diorissimo1985 · 01/05/2018 21:22

Thanks all, off to Google these suggestions now

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ChiefSpoon · 01/05/2018 21:25

I actually got a Skoda Fabia ... still city friendly but actually had more leg room than many bigger cars but cost less, uses less fuel etc.

lostfrequencies · 01/05/2018 21:25

I went from a small polo to a Kia Sportage and love it.

PlausibleSuit · 01/05/2018 21:29

You could get a used Tiguan for 10k. It'd be five or six years old but it can be done.

Karoq is too new; I doubt you'd get one for the budget. Its predecessor the Yeti could be an option though.

Kia Sportage might be worth a look.

Oh, and the Suzuki SX4 S-Cross is good and often overlooked. Likewise Subaru XV.

EmmaC78 · 01/05/2018 21:35

I was going to suggest the Kia Sportage as well. Kia's generally get good review's in terms of reliability.

Original poster
Diorissimo1985 · 01/05/2018 21:57

Does anyone recommend a Nissan Juke? Loads of those in budget it seems.
Looking at the Kias now too - they look good!

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