Thinking of changing my car

[Stuart Z]

Hi

I’m thinking of changing my SUV and getting a more “normal” car. I’m looking to having a more daily useable car as the SUV is a handful on longer journeys.

Question is which one?

I’m thinking Mondeo / Superb or similar.

There was a thread around 2009 but it has been deleted apparently.

What cars do you use?

S

[Andy Blackburn]

BMW 3-series Touring (estate), which is fine - wanted a 5-series as it's a bit bigger but Mrs B made it quite clear that it was too big for her to drive.

[Peter Christy]

I drive "re-cycled" cars!

Currently a SAAB 9000 Aero. Capable of seating four in opulent comfort, taking my largest models, able to see off smaller Porsches and most BMWs in a straight line, yet able to turn in well over 40 mpg on a longish run - though not all at the same time!

Nothing currently on the market comes even close!

--

Pete

[pete taylor]

Volvo V50 2.0D Ideal family chariot/model transporter and eats up the miles nicely on long trips

[Jon H]

My skoda rapid 'spaceback' has a stupid name but is large on the inside. With some careful stacking i can fit 3 large models in it along with all the gear needed for a weekend away at a show.

Tax is also cheap at 30 quid.

One of my clubmates has the octavia estate and is pleased with its model carrying abilities.

The skoda superb also has a stupid name but is bigger again while still not being massive

Edited By Jon - Laser Engines on 31/07/2018 14:15:04

[kc]

Consider a hybrid. My Toyota Auris Touring Sports hybrid ( auto) uses about half the petrol my old Toyota Carina auto did on the same journeys. The Touring sports version has about a foot more room in the boot than the saloon - useful for models.

Beware 1 year old cars of any make that have done about 13000 miles - very likely to be ex hire cars even if they seem to have belonged to the manufacturer - they were most likely leased by the hire firm from the manufacturer.. Buy new via Carwow at best price instead.

Edited By kc on 31/07/2018 14:21:30

[Cuban8]

I've had my 10 years old 2.0 Tdci Mondeo Estate from new, now has 140000 miles on the clock, still looks smart both inside and out & never let me down, a few repair jobs in that time (aircon & timing belt change both inexpensive) but avoid Ford dealers and go to a good independent garage and you'll save a heap of cash. Massive boot, comfortable, drives as good as any similar vehicle IMHO. Most important, room for large models. Some really good examples of three and four years old cars are around for not a lot of money, but the very new ones worry the hell out of me because of the crazy amount of tech that they're loaded with these days (as with all makes). No plans to change mine unless it succumbs to some uneconomic repair, no point in throwing money away.

[Bob Cotsford]

I've just sold my second Mondeo estate owing to becoming eligable for a Motability leased car. I'd second C8's recommendations. I'd go for a 3 year old simply because it's taken the worst of the depreciation hit but is still a modern spec. and has got past the teething trouble stage.

[Former Member]

[This posting has been removed]

[alex nicol]

Whatever you go for, I'd recommend a good solid dealer service history is essential, if it's older than 3 years you can also check previous mot's online and as a final check, get your local garage to plug in the diagnostics and check for any error codes

[Dave Cunnington]

I recently moved from an 8 yr old VW CC to a 2016 Passat saloon. Drop the rear seats and there's plenty of room for two Tiger Trainers plus all the stuff I need to take to the field

Blue motion 2litre T diesel 150PS provides all the power that I need, and 55 plus mpg on average, tax £30.

I did look at a Golf but with the rear seats down it's about 14 inches shorter in the luggage area than the Passat

Edited By Dave Cunnington on 31/07/2018 16:46:12

Edited By Dave Cunnington on 31/07/2018 17:08:28

[trebor]

Forget electronic diagnostics, I have a 1967 landrover 4 wheel drive and free road tax.

[Andy Blackburn]

I used to have an 2006 Mondeo 2 litre, it was a hatchback but still had loads of space and the seating position was excellent. You could do worse if you can find a good one from a good garage with an up to date service history and a mileage reading that you can trust.

[Martyn K]

I have a 3 yo Ford Modeo Supershed Titanium estate. Can't fault it except for the electronic hand brake which is so easy not to engage when you stop - even when you think you have activated it.

Tons of load space.

What used to be the modellers car was the Swedish Supershed (aka Volvo V70 Estate) which apparently go for silly money second hand.

The downer on these big estates is they are a butter to park and navigate around the narrow lanes in multi storey car parks

Martyn

[BackinBlack]

Mazda 6 Estate/Tourer. 2.2 diesel Sport - 150 or 175 PS. Loads of room, a delight to drive and better than 45 mpg. Mine have been utterly reliable and they're good value, particularly 2nd hand.

Only downside, it's big, as Martyn K points out, but as yet no one makes a car with Tardis characteristics. If you want room inside it stands to reason it'll be big on the outside.

Ian

[cymaz]

Zafira....soon to be on my 3rd

 

Edited By cymaz on 31/07/2018 17:24:31

[Stuart Z]

Thanks guys

Lots of choice in that lot.

I’ll have a look around and see some of what’s out there.

S

[r6dan]

An L reg volvo 440 auto

[MattyB]

Sadly there are not many "proper" estates out there these days - as SUVs replaced them in the popularity stakes most have gone all swoopy with lower rooflines and tapered back ends. Gone are the big square boxes of the 80s and 90s in the main.

The most practical that are left are the Passat, Mondeo, Octavia and Superb. Other than that you could go for an MPV (Zafira, S-Max, C-4 SpaceTourer etc), but when I looked at those I came to the conclusion they are more optimised for carrying people than stuff. Since we are never more than 4 up (two of those kids) I went with the estate for it's bike/model/general kids rubbish(!) carrying capacity. YMMV.

Edited By MattyB on 31/07/2018 17:40:51

[cymaz]

Agree with you MattyB....cars are now a fashion statement rather than a practical carrying apparatus. Just look at the adverts on the telly . Time for a Transit?

Edited By cymaz on 31/07/2018 17:43:32

[Silver Wolf]

Skoda all the way for me. Had octavia which ended up with 300,000 miles, very reliable. Upgraded to Superb lots of usable room and realy comfortable to drive.

[Geoff S]

Posted by cymaz on 31/07/2018 17:22:11:

Zafira....soon to be on my 3rd

Edited By cymaz on 31/07/2018 17:24:31

I just wonder what the hammer's for

We swapped our car this year. As one who finds family saloons/estates etc about as interesting as the washing machine (a modern necessity) it was a miserable task. Anyway we ended up with a Vauxhall Estate - 18 months old with 6500 miles on the clock at a very reasonable price. I wasn't too keen on an automatic 2 litre diesel but I'm living with it. I'm surprised I haven't taken advantage of the manual option on the gearbox but, after trying it out, I'm happy with the auto although when I drove our very old Transit-based camper I forgot to declutch when I drew up to the first junction

Plenty of room for my models but, like Matty, I wish they'd left the roof line square right to the back rather than the stylish drop to the door. I could have done with a few less techie extras. I just hope they're reliable.

Geoff

[Paul C.]

Whatever you choose avoid a keyless model, you might not have it for long

Paul.

[Cuban8]

Posted by Martyn K on 31/07/2018 17:02:18:

I have a 3 yo Ford Modeo Supershed Titanium estate. Can't fault it except for the electronic hand brake which is so easy not to engage when you stop - even when you think you have activated it.

Exactly what I mean about totally useless tech on very recent cars. My wife's newish Fiesta has the auto handbrake/hill start whatever it's supposed to be and I really do wonder of what use it is. I presume it works through the ABS sensors, I really don't know. The Fiesta also has speech recognition for operating the radio and goodness knows what else - amusing for a few days, but never use it now so a waste of time. USB port for loads of music is a good thing though.

[cymaz]

Posted by Geoff Sleath on 31/07/2018 18:11:22:

Posted by cymaz on 31/07/2018 17:22:11:

Zafira....soon to be on my 3rd

Edited By cymaz on 31/07/2018 17:24:31

I just wonder what the hammer's for

Geoff

For the ground stakes on the left. Though I did carry a hammer in an old Ford Escort van. This was to “ease” the starter when it used to get sticky now and again.