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?

I grasped it just fine.

If you think a saloon/estate is always more than an SUV, thats your view.

Not out to make you change it - just highlighting that it isnt true.

Back to the original question.

It does depend what you are looking for not all Far East cars are equal. Friend of mine when she was expecting did somewhat rush into swapping her coupe for an SUV and rushed into buying an Honda CRV. She had come out of a nice Audi and just felt the Honda interior was rather bland and felt cheap. Whilst she said it was a solid car and did all it needed she never warmed to it. In the end she part exchanged it against a Lexus RX and said the driving experiece was night and day.

Ultimately it all comes down to whats most important to you.

Don't get hung up on the 7 year warranty thing with the KIA either. The majority of things that will need to be fixed/replaced over that 7 years will be put down to wear and tear and not covered anyway.

I don't know why VAG get a bad name, particularly the Skoda Octavia. It's an absolute workhorse of a motor. Interesting that someone said their image is not helped because they are popular among taxi drivers. The reason they are so common as Taxis is due to their tried and tested reliability. We stared seeing them 18/19 years ago as taxis here and they are as popular as ever, although the SEAT Toledo is running a close second - again, a VAG.

Tried and tested reliability?

😂

www.warrantywise.co.uk/blog/warrantywise-data-german-car-brands-reliability

Some facts:

Warrantywise survey finds that UK buyers think German cars are among the most reliable on the road, despite Warrantywise data showing many are below average

And this corker:

Japanese brands Toyota and Honda are the two most reliable manufacturers as picked by the public – a result also backed up by Warrantywise’s data

Tried and tested reliability?

In the context is was used, among taxi drivers, yes. Yes they are reliable otherwise the trade wouldn't have been buying them repeatedly for almost 20 years. I'm not sure why you use the laughing emoji?

Wow judging by their posting history FartingInTheFence really has an issue with German cars. Maybe they never got over the war lol.

Merely highlighting @tallrachel that German cars are overhyped and overpriced crap.

No crime in that.

Regardless of context, VAG-cars and other German tat are far from reliable and the warranty claim stats prove it.

Hard for many to digest, I know. 😂

Its all about perception of value though isnt it.

Many people buying them are paying the extra for the image. Personally I hate the image of Audis and Mercs. BMW not as bad as it was because most of the prats are driving Audis now.

But to the people buying them they are not overpriced becase thet get "image".

Each to their own and all that.

I'm not deriding peoples choices - I am not judging them or their choice(s).

What I am point out, with facts, is that German cars, are shit and unreliable versus the likes of Lexus, Toyota, Honda et al.

@FartingInTheFence

You have some agenda?

We get it, you don't like them. You prefer other brands. You provided a link from a warranty company (?) as evidence. Great. You don't have to keep at it. We heard you. The first few times.

"What I am point out, with facts, is that German cars, are shit and unreliable versus the likes of Lexus, Toyota, Honda et al."

Okay we get that they might be less reliable, but do you care to define "shit"?

@gotothecooler - Its a discussion forum, which includes cars as a subsection. I happen to like cars/motoring etc, hence why I participate.

No agenda to speak of.

Okay we get that they might be less reliable, but do you care to define "shit"?

Value for money/build quality/aftersales support/maintenance etc, amongst other things.

I'm not sure trying to shut down anyone that dares to mention a German car qualifies as discussion.

@gotothecooler haha. They certainly have a bee in their bonnet about German cars.

What about a hybrid? Petrol and electric.

Mitsubishi Outlander do a good 7 seater with decent boot. Comfortable drive and lots of room inside.

I must admit I do like sliding doors for car parks and throwing the kids in. Toyota do some good people movers that drive well. Plus some of the bigger cars you can practically stand up in, you, not your hubby!

Okay we get that they might be less reliable, but do you care to define "shit"?

Less reliable than average but better than JLR. There’s a special level of shit just for JLR.