Used family car - CX5?

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Sat 3 Feb 2024 10:45
Used family car - CX5? - TheActionVerb

It is time to put the 22 year old Golf to pasture, and a new larger family car is required. Only 2 isofix are needed, but a larger boot for prams, shopping and ancillary bits like say a children's bike every now and then.

Having had the Golf since new, would like a car that's not just functional, but also with some interest. Something "nice".

The journeys are usually very short school / nursery runs during the week, and a drive of no more than an hour or so to a place of interest on weekends. On that basis diesels are out, and i wouldn't be averse to a hybrid given journey types, but the budget unlikely to allow.

The budget is circa £15k, but flexible, but even better if less. I have looked at an option of taking a lease, but the thought of spending anything between £10-15k for 3 years and having nothing at the end of it doesn't hugely appeal. (and also stress of having it damaged etc). I'd be keen to keep the car for a long while ..

The preference is an SUV from the boss, but some flexibility if it's the right estate (right badge / colour combo).

I'm a big fan of how the CX5 looks, and on looks alone, is probably my favourite car in the budget. An 18/19 plate is not out of reach on that approx budget with a 30/40/50k mileage range. I had looked at the Nav+/Sport+ versions, but again having read on here, it seems that maybe best to avoid all the electronic add-ons, so that there's less to break. Something relatively refined and simple then would be good.

Having looked at Volvos, CX40 is just about within a stretch budget, but at a high mileage version, which i'd like to avoid. CX60 would be the older shape, and a little on the functional side (cabin looking quite dated), and mostly seem to be diesels.

Not to keen on the tiguan / karoq / ateca trifecta. The Honda CRV has been discounted, and the newer RAV4 is out of budget I think. Audi Q5 would be nice, but examples at that price would be fairly high mileage also.

Have considered the BMW X1 , but seems expensive for the spec, and an X3 would be of more interest, but then it's an extra few years on the clock for the budget, and the maintenance cost (and insurance) sounds like a fairly big uptick from the CX5.

Following a few current threads on here, the other idea may be a 3 series or A4 avant estates, which can be had cheaper than the CX5, but a couple of years older. The boss may be convinced that an estate is an option, but the lean is definitely towards an SUV at the moment.

Would be grateful for thoughts / ideas.

Edited by TheActionVerb on 03/02/2024 at 10:48

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Sat 3 Feb 2024 11:41
Used family car - CX5? - badbusdriver

First, I think you may be getting confused between the C5X and the C5 Aircross, which are two very different (in terms of appearance) cars. The former only came along in 2022 whereas the latter was introduced in 2019.

I like them myself, but I also really like Citroen's focus on comfort rather than any pretence of sportiness (which ruins so many cars IMO). Whether or not I'd be willing to sink a pot of my own money into a 2nd hand one is a rather different proposition though!. Citroen traditionally don't have the best reputation for reliability, though I'd say problems were more likely to be niggly electrical stuff rather than major and/or mechanical.

As for the Volvo's, a couple of things. The figures I have suggest the XC40 (I'm assuming that is what you mean) doesn't have that big a boot. Also, since the Chinese takeover, reliability isn't what it once was. Forum member and ex motor trader had an XC60 (ditto) of the age you are probably looking at and got rid of it after a fairly short time due to numerous quality and reliability concerns.

Whether an estate or SUV works best for you in terms of boot capacity is going to depend on what you need. An estate will tend to have a larger floor area but may not be very tall, whereas an SUV with a similar actual capacity may be the reverse. You just need to check cars out to see what meets your needs best.

Re the C5 Aircross, if there was a well respected Citroen dealer in my locality, I might just be tempted. Otherwise, as much as I like the Citroen, I'd probably go with something like a RAV4. May be a bit boring and would definitely be a few years older, but I'd just have more confidence in its reliability, especially of planning to keep long term.

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Sat 3 Feb 2024 12:51
Used family car - CX5? - Metropolis.
The petrol CX-5 has a good reputation on here. I would aim for an auto as it will mask the lack of torque, just keep up on fluid and filter changes every 40,000 miles. The only downsides to the Mazda as far as I am aware are the dealerships not having a good reputation but that is the case for most brands in my experience.. and rust. Get it treated at a Dinitrol treatment centre if you plan to keep this one for 20 years again. They do not have Golf levels of rust proofing.

Caveat I have never driven a CX-5. I would also look at the Mazda6 estate, good looking vehicle.

Edited by Metropolis. on 03/02/2024 at 12:51

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Sat 3 Feb 2024 12:55
Used family car - CX5? - badbusdriver
The petrol CX-5 has a good reputation on here. I would aim for an auto as it will mask the lack of torque, just keep up on fluid and filter changes every 40,000 miles. The only downsides to the Mazda as far as I am aware are the dealerships not having a good reputation but that is the case for most brands in my experience.. and rust. Get it treated at a Dinitrol treatment centre if you plan to keep this one for 20 years again. They do not have Golf levels of rust proofing. Caveat I have never driven a CX-5. I would also look at the Mazda6 estate, good looking vehicle.

Ah, yes (Mazda) CX5, just realised my mistake.................

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Sat 3 Feb 2024 14:37
Used family car - CX5? - SLO76
I’ve been looking at Mazda CX-5’s and 6 estates recently, both cars I rate highly. We found the CX-5 a bit narrow in the rear for our needs. I found the leather used in Sport models is of poor quality and deteriorates quickly, some of the 18/19 plate cars with under 50,000 miles up had heavily worn drivers seats more akin to a 150,000 mile taxi. The fabric seats in the SE are much better.

Mazda also don’t properly rust treat suspension components (really just some thin black paint) and thus the underside of a 4/5yr old example can look alarmingly crusty - even if it is just surface rust. This isn’t something you’ll find on an Audi of similar age. If I buy a Mazda I’ll send it to a specialist to be properly treated underneath as I too plan on longterm ownership. The body itself is well protected however.

Otherwise the Mazda is a good bet. Tough mechanically, with no timing belt, turbo or DPF to worry about. They’re robust and good to drive and the conventional torque converter gearbox is good if you want an auto.
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Sat 3 Feb 2024 15:38
Used family car - CX5? - groaver

Make sure you take a test drive in the CX-5.

It is very comfortable and relaxing to drive but if you are used to plenty of low down torque in your engines, it will take a bit of an adjustment.

We really like ours so far (after 5 months) and find it a pleasant drive.

The driving position is first rate and the gearbox as smooth as the MX-5's.

We are averaging around 37mpg with mainly short journeys of 7- 10 miles daily.

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