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Original poster

Need help choosing a new family car.

60 replies

Blossomhill · 11/01/2005 19:53

Currently have a 3yr old Hyundai Amica, which is a very small car.
We are now looking at getting a bigger family car as the children are growing and we need more boot space!
I quite like the Vauxhall Meriva, Mercedes A Class, Vauxhall Vectra and Renault Scenic. Any advice or recommendations gratefully received

OP posts:
Original poster
Blossomhill · 12/01/2005 21:22

LIZS - That's what I need - a parking sensor (seriously)

OP posts:
misdee · 12/01/2005 21:26

New astra is lovely. dh loves it. and i can drive it now, tho only with him beside me.

how may kids do u have BH?

jura · 14/01/2005 21:24

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Original poster
Blossomhill · 14/01/2005 21:30

misdee have 2 children so there are 4 of us. Am now considering the Ford Foucs. I just think it would be ideal and I do think Fords are reliable.

Thanks Jura. Yes I like the Picasso too, they are nice cars.

So any feed back on a Ford focus would be great. Really interested in boot size!

OP posts:
misdee · 14/01/2005 21:33

similar size all round to the astra. but the indicators are very noisey. we looked at the focus as well, as dh has mobility car, but he just loved the astra.

i preferred the nissan almera tino myself but it had 4month delivery on it, and we needed a car quickly, and vauxhall let us have the showroom model.

oooggs · 14/01/2005 21:43

I love my Picasso, but if I was changing it I would consider the new Toyota (can remember the make) which Top Gear rated as the best mini MPV.

Original poster
Blossomhill · 14/01/2005 21:46

yes I like the Nissan as well misdee. I
think it's quite similar to the Scenic in shape isn't it!

OP posts:
mishi1977 · 14/01/2005 21:50

i have a scenic and i love it soo spacious and mine is a dream to drive...would recommend it to anyone...only thing as someone else said is the low handbrake but you sort of get used to it

Original poster
Blossomhill · 14/01/2005 21:52

What is it with the handbrake then?

OP posts:
sallystrawberry · 14/01/2005 21:56

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

sallystrawberry · 14/01/2005 21:56

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Original poster
Blossomhill · 14/01/2005 22:00

Oh I need an automatic too Sally. Thanks

OP posts:
sallystrawberry · 14/01/2005 22:29

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

JanH · 14/01/2005 22:38

autotrader (there was a rogue "mumsnet" in sally's so it doesn't work!)

Evesmama · 14/01/2005 22:43

merc a class..lovely car..but only 4 seats space and small boot.
audi a2 still smallish car, but footwell drops down, so very comfy and boot is also deeper as it has a hidden compartment
peugeot 206sw(my car) nifty, sporty looking 206 with a boot! lovely car, very comfy and boot is fantastic
hth
oops also multipla(i am the only one who likes them i think??new ones less odd looking!)massive inside and can remove seats to fit more in already ample boot...aaaw wish id bought the myultipla now bloody dp

Gwenick · 14/01/2005 22:54

We've just about to get our 3rd Ford Mondeo (no they're not so crap that we have to keep replacing them - just us selling to get the extra money when required LOL - and at one point we actually ran two of them). Very reliable cars, decent size boot, even me (whose still learning to drive) managed to drive one ok and not a bad price either,

Ailsa · 15/01/2005 00:55

oooggs - Toyota Avensis Verso.

I want one!!

I have a'98 Toyota Avensis Estate and love it but would like the flexibility of the extra seats that the Verso gives.

Previously had an Escort Estate. I hired a Focus in the summer for a weekend which was better than the Escort, but, I would never go back to Ford now. DH and I are now both firm Toyota fans.

jabberwocky · 15/01/2005 02:31

Do they have the Toyota Highlander Hybrid where you are?

oooggs · 15/01/2005 18:34

YES Ailsa - that's the one. If I win the lottery tonight I'll buy one, oh and a new house, boat, caravan, holiday etc

Top Gear say there the best and I would go for a check and a test drive - but I may like it

Original poster
Blossomhill · 15/01/2005 21:50

Anymore info. about the Ford Focus please

OP posts:
misdee · 15/01/2005 21:52

there are some good prices on ford focus' if u shop about. depends on how old u want.

weightwatchingwaterwitch · 15/01/2005 22:58

Blossomhill, we've just bought 2 Ford Focuses. What do you want to know? Very pleased with them so far. Did quite a bit of research before buying so may be able to answer.

weightwatchingwaterwitch · 15/01/2005 23:00

Just skimmed down the thread, boot size. Hmm, well we had two much smaller cars so the Focus boot seems big to us but it would do. We looked at getting one estate and one other and didn't in the end because we didn't really think we needed it but the boot in an estate is ENORMOUS! Well, it looked it to me anyway!

weightwatchingwaterwitch · 15/01/2005 23:02

Don't know if you saw the thread I started asking, but if not it's here

Cardigan · 15/01/2005 23:07

Would recommend an older scenic - the back seats fit 3 in really well. Lots of boot space. The newer scenic's (don't if all have this!) have a strange handbreak near the steering wheel rather than on the floor level. This was really tough to get used to as I use a handbrake lots - in traffic jams on hills!! Couldn't get on with this type of braking system - was happy to give this hire car back.