Suggest a car for me!

[freshcutflowers]

I have a Ford Focus at the moment and DH as a Vauxhall Corsa. The Corsa is newer so we will keep that but want to replace the Focus that is over 10 years old.

We have two DC with no more planned. We sometimes go away for a few nights to see family in the UK but don’t really drive on holiday. This car would be our main family car.

My eye is drawn to SUV/crossover types like Renault Kadjar, Kia Sportage, Vauxhall Crossland, Nissan Qashqai etc. But I’m wondering if I should just stick to a hatchback smaller car?

It’s important to me that it’s a reliable car with good fuel economy. A good fit for an extended rear facing car seat is a bonus (but we will only be using one for another year or two). DH is tall at over 6ft but I’m 5 ft 5.

I would like up to 3 years old and no more than around £16k.

Any suggestions?

@FartingInTheFence I agree with you but tend to give VW the benefit of the doubt as they tend to fall lower middle in the manufacture reliability table. Wouldn’t own one if you paid me though.

VW Tiguan, drives like a dream, really spacious inside as well as a big boot!

Skoda is 9/31, not bad
Can you tell I like my Skoda
www.whatcar.com/news/2019-what-car-reliability-survey-brands/n20069

Don't be fooled that cars that look bigger are therefore bigger inside, we have a vw t-roc and my old megane had more leg room and a bigger boot

Skodas have done well in for reliability for some years now and the Octavia in particular wins awards year on year

I don't know why they get a bad rep tbh!
Unfortunately I think the VAG have never quite recovered from the diesel scandal so they are tarnished in that sense

Skoda Octavias are popular with taxi drivers which probably doesn't help their image

But as the car salesman pointed out, taxi drivers are pretty discerning.

My pride and joy is a Mini Countryman Auto SD 2.0

Skoda vote here. Roomy, ideal for tall or short people, flexible seating, cheap to run, insure and service and very reliable. We’ve had three and have never found anything comparable for the price.
My hubby wanted a Ford- but agreed with me as why pay more for a car just to get a ‘brand’ when you can save thousands of pounds and get the same spec car?
Skoda are essentially the same as vw and Audi just with a ‘lesser brand name’.

I'd say go Jap all the way..

Try the Honda civic range, great economy, very reliable.

If the civic isnt roomy enough then check the CRV..

Skoda Yetis are very popular with the police here

@Arnoldthecat

Well said!!

So what have you decided on OP?

I haven’t decided yet. Going between a Kia or a Skoda but still browsing!

The Kia. It’s a no-brained.

No-brainer

Kia Stonic or Sportage? Also looking at the Hyundai Kona?

Reading up and thinking Kona and Stonic might be smaller than I’m looking for!

Stonic is marginally bigger than a Ceed. Pointless.

Sportage.

But be careful of which model/engine you buy as some like their non-turbo petrol engines are gutless.

I'd also look at a Honda HR-V for the money/age bracket you noted.

Does that mean only the T GDI ones are any good?

If you're after petrol and want it to be nippy, he's get the tGDI engines. I'd always say get diesel.

I wouldn't imagine a kona or stonic are very big in the boot. It's a few mm higher and maybe a few mm longer in the shell. I'd recommend an optima. Spacious and well kitted out.

SUVs are overpriced for what you get. Skoda Superb estate fits the bill.

@PomBearsyummy

SUVs are overpriced for what you get. Skoda Superb estate fits the bill.

Depends on the SUV in question.

Go Toyota, Honda, Kia or Hyundai - you'll get vast swathes of kit as standard.

Go shitty German, you get nothing.

"Depends on the SUV in question.
Go Toyota, Honda, Kia or Hyundai - you'll get vast swathes of kit as standard.
Go shitty German, you get nothing"

Im not talking cross brands. Its pretty obvious a BMW, Audi or Even VW will cost more than the equivalent KIA, Honda or Toyota.

Look at various models in the Toyota lineup for example. just a quick autotrader search shows me that

£10k gets you a RAV4 (SUV) from about 2012 2.0 petrol 50k miles,
or
£10k gets you an Avensis (saloon) from about 2015 1.8 petrol 35k miles

And?

A totally apples-to-oranges question.

£10k could get a new Dacia Sandero too...so what?

"And?"

Erm.....like I previously said you get more for your money buying an estate or saloon. I just had to give an example because you didnt seem able to grasp that straightforward concept.