Family car - impossible

[Girlswithflowers]

So we are four people- tall teen dds. We like to camp.

I'm fed up of diesels which seems to dominate the large spacious family car market - i think their value is going to crash and our driving style with (normally) daily short runs and the odd weekend isn't great for these engines ( i have dpf issues in the past).

Looking for used max 5 years old and no more than £14k and reliable. Why is this so very hard!

I've just posted about the bmw 5 series touring which I'm very likely going to buy. It's got a massive boot if that helps!

Have you driven the Volvo OP? I went to buy one and hated it on the test drive. It felt like a tank (not the brand new model), but I guess it depends what you're used to driving.
I had an X3 for a short period, that was lovely so I would imagine the X5 is the same.

We have a Hyundai Tucson, we found it far roomier than the Ford Kuga we did look at.

Ours is Diesel and we have no issue with it, I don't see the value of them dropping any quicker. The petrol equivalent had a rubbish MPG.

You might need to relax your five year old criterion. Modern cars will be good for a lot longer. We just sold our M class merc. It was a diesel beast so not what you are looking for but was 11 years old and was still running like a dream despite lots of short journeys. I think we traded it in for 10 or 11k. It was a lot of car for that money. I'm sure you could find a petrol equivalent.

You might need to relax your five year old criterion. Modern cars will be good for a lot longer. We just sold our M class merc. It was a diesel beast so not what you are looking for but was 11 years old and was still running like a dream despite lots of short journeys. I think we traded it in for 10 or 11k. It was a lot of car for that money. I'm sure you could find a petrol equivalent.

You could pay peanuts for the last zafira Bs. Check the fire recall has been done and heater works. But they do petrol models and have good cabin and boot space.

Do Renault scenic have petrol engines? A relative has a diesel one and it drives and looks ok, and has better rear seat comfort than the zafira.

I may indeed need to revisit my criteria - my dsis had a 3 series touring and loved it but i love being higher up. I'm not touching zafiras or scenic I'm afraid! I've got a good looking car atm and i want to trade up ideally - just don't want to spend too much doing it in the current climate.

Go for the fuel that suits you not what the market will do. Diesels will make a come back because the industry view is 1. EU6 diesels are as clean as any petrol. 2. If you were to recommend a car to someone based on efficiency and sturdiness, you would always recommend a diesel.

At some point, the government that once recommended everyone take a diesel will do so again.

You say the Mazda is a ticking time bomb due to the DPF. Do you only do short journeys then?

We have a 2012 Citroën Picasso petrol, I love it. Loads of space for people and a huge boot. Don't know what current models are like though.

When we bought it we did struggle to find a large family petrol car with good people space and good boot space.

Mainly short trips - no long commutes - so only gets a run if we go somewhere at the weekend. I live in fear of the dpf light!

The insignia has the largest boot space of all estate cars - this was DPs criteria when he got rid of his van.

Ps Mazdas are naturally aspirated apparently so don't need turbo, hence bigger engines but don't use more fuel (according to rep)

They’re naturally aspirated because they don’t have a turbo. That’s literally what naturally aspirated means, add a turbo and they cease to be NA.

Toyota RAV4.
Honda CR-V.

Amazed no one mentioned them. Forget the German build tat. They are never reliable.

If you are after space and reliability, you really should not be looking at shitty German cars. Those two listed above are what you are after.

Stay away from Mazda CX-5. They depreciate alarmingly. Have you considered a Skoda kodiaq? They are cheap for what you get. They have a 1.4 petrol engine.

Peugeot 3008 is now a really nice car and they won the most reliable manufacturer last year. They only have a 1.2 petrol engine but still reasonable apparently.

I had a Kia Sportage for a while, the new shape. It was a diesel but the petrol is apparently good. Get the GT Line or 4. Only bad thing is the stereo quality. I miss mine all the time. It was simply perfect.

Car prices are going to be dropping a little more so maybe hold out. If you want an x5, look at touregs and q7s which don't hold their value quite as well. You get a hell of a lot of car for your money.

I say that because a cx5 is on my list because they are so cheap. I am looking at 64 plates for 8/9k.

• driving style with (normally) daily short runs and the odd weekend isn't great for these engines ( i have dpf issues in the past). ”

So how often do you need all four of you and a load of stuff In the car?

Let’s say 6 times a year.

Far better to buy a petrol Kuga or something that will do 98% of what you need and be far cheaper to buy and rub that what sounds like the diesel people carrier you need occasionally.

Then, when you do need a bigger car for the weekend, rent one. Cheap as chips these days from easycar etc and assuming the times you need it are longer drives all the west and tear and high miles go on the hire car and you day to day car stays low mileage.

Would put money on it working out cheaper for most people who buy these huge vehicles for the handful of times a year they need them.

You are running, taxing, insuring a smaller car. The kids learn to drive in a smaller car. The car is cheaper to buy. All the negatives of a long trip and mileage that impacts on your eventual resale are dumped onto the hire car company where you can hire estates etc from about £30 a day!

If it’s a long drive then you will save the £30 in economy on a diesel while having the economy of the petrol day to day, in wear and tear, and in depreciation over the longer miles.

I mostly agree @Givenupno however, I swapped my diesel sportage for a petrol 1 series. Does me great 99% of the time (apart from the arm and leg in fuel) but those times where it doesn't are so frustrating. I went to BnQ for deck boards. Thought a hatch was the perfect shape to get deck boards in over DPs saloon 3series but I got four in and had to call him to come. Then there's the issue if anyone over two feet tall in the back.

I will be getting an estate or suv again next time. I prefer estates. And diesels.

If you want an x5, look at touregs and q7s which don't hold their value quite as well. You get a hell of a lot of car for your money

You also get big bills with those shit German cars and no end of mechanical failures too. Amazed anyone buys their trash given how repeatedly they are slammed for cost and unreliability.

Like buying a polished turd!!

@FartingInTheFence

Toyota RAV4. Honda CR-V.

Amazed no one mentioned them. Forget the German build tat. They are never reliable.

If you are after space and reliability, you really should not be looking at shitty German cars. Those two listed above are what you are after.

Those are exactly the two I was about recommend! Have owned both...the Honda was higher spec, but the Toyota just kept going and going...I traded it in a couple of years ago and I still see it driving about locally.

I've never had an issue with the German tat. BMW were the least reliable manufacturer last year... itonically when I got one but it's new and will be gone before it needs any work on it. I think I will replace it with a used German estate. Possibly a sportage.

Older BMWs are fantastic. DPs is as old as the hills and he does nothing to it yet it still goes. My most reliable old car was also a 3series.

VAG is still reliable. You always hear about golfs that have been around the world five times. Particularly Skoda with its newer production lines... so I've heard. I wouldn't get an Audi. I just don't rate them for what I want, all looks and no substance.

It's horses for courses isn't it. Honda has fantastic engine technology but I don't like the way they look.

I think most cars are in cahoots now so it doesn't matter too much. People rate Nissan but would never buy a Renault yet they have the same engines and platforms.

I think the crv looks a bit frumpy. Ive been thinking about a rav4- also drawn to the Tucson.

Personally think Hyundai's are a bit behind on the interior, basic dash with older technology. Kia are the same as Hyundai and much better inside.

Interesting- kias are cheaper and have a longer warranty

They are really good cars too. They were 7th most popular car in the uk when I had one in 2018. Not the best mpg but nothing that size is. You have to get above a certain spec on the new models (2016-) to get the computer. I had GT line and it was perfect.