Our next car… please help?

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Tue 11 Jan 2022 20:19
Our next car… please help? - Chevalsox1

Hi,

We need help in choosing the best USED car to replace our loved 2011 diesel Galaxy which after 143k miles needs new gearbox plates which will cost more than the cars worth.

We want a large family car that is RELIABLE, comfortable (I’m 6’4”) and capable of towing my classic car trailer (1750kg including the trailer) to summer events. We’ve always bought our cars cash and driven them into the ground. Our budget is between £15-18k. We like the look of estates, MPV’s or SUV’s. We’re thinking about a Skoda superb estate, another Galaxy or S-max. The VW Toureg is great but too expensive and I’m unsure if the mondeo estate could pull the trailer.

As we intend to keep the next car for the long haul the newer and less mileage the better. Can you please point us in the right direction? Thank you.

Edited by Chevalsox1 on 11/01/2022 at 20:21

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Tue 11 Jan 2022 22:05
Our next car… please help? - barney100

Have a look at a Volvo v70. Mine’s done 160k, great workhorse and still drives well.

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Wed 12 Jan 2022 00:47
Our next car… please help? - SLO76
Hold the Volvo thought. Later examples aren’t as robust as you’d think. My low mileage XC60 D5 was a pig, it was never away from the workshop ramps and my neighbour’s having plenty of trouble with his later V90 2.0 Diesel. Much also depends on what’s on sale nearby. Give us a rough search area and we’ll look for worthy options.

Edited by SLO76 on 12/01/2022 at 00:48

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Wed 12 Jan 2022 06:43
Our next car… please help? - badbusdriver

May sound odd with that budget, but with the used car prices as they are, £18k isn't going to go as far as you may expect.

I am curious though as to why you fear the Mondeo won't pull your trailer when you don't appear to have any misgivings on whether the Superb could. As they are direct rivals, I would assume their capabilities are broadly similar. Also given how under the skin, the Mondeo and Galaxy are in fact the same car. But with the very high used prices, if considering either Mondeo or Superb, it wouldn't be wise to ignore the hatchback versions. This will give much a much wider choice, and while both lose some load volume compared to the estates, they both still have huge boots.

Might also want to consider a Ssangyong. There are some late previous shape Korando's kicking about on Autotrader, 2021 models with the 178bhp 2.2 diesel and the balance of their 7 year manufacturers warranty. I have checked, and despite not being that big, they are rated to pull a 2000kg (braked) trailer (I seem to recall they often won towing awards).

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Wed 12 Jan 2022 07:23
Our next car… please help? - _
Might also want to consider a Ssangyong. There are some late previous shape Korando's kicking about on Autotrader, 2021 models with the 178bhp 2.2 diesel and the balance of their 7 year manufacturers warranty. I have checked, and despite not being that big, they are rated to pull a 2000kg (braked) trailer (I seem to recall they often won towing awards).

I would have suggested too, but didn't think of the nearly new 2.2 diesels.

Caravanners love them. ask Chris79...

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Wed 12 Jan 2022 08:46
Our next car… please help? - Brit_in_Germany

That manufacturer's warranty may have vanished with the manufacturer becoming insolvent, however. Worth checking rather than assuming it is still valid.

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Wed 12 Jan 2022 09:01
Our next car… please help? - RT

That manufacturer's warranty may have vanished with the manufacturer becoming insolvent, however. Worth checking rather than assuming it is still valid.

Ssangyong UK wasn't insolvent and carried on trading so there shouldn't be any warranty issue.

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Wed 12 Jan 2022 09:02
Our next car… please help? - Alby Back
Spend a bit of money on the Galaxy. If it works for you. Could get a lot more service out of that for a lot less than buying a newer car at today’s inflated prices.
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Wed 12 Jan 2022 11:12
Our next car… please help? - John F
Spend a bit of money on the Galaxy. If it works for you. Could get a lot more service out of that for a lot less than buying a newer car at today’s inflated prices.

I agree. And what exactly are 'gear box plates'? The argument that 'it costs more than the car is worth' rarely carries much weight financially, unless the prospective bill will be larger than the annual depreciation of the replacement car.

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Wed 12 Jan 2022 10:17
Our next car… please help? - Chevalsox1

Hi thanks for that. We thought about a V70 years ago but we ended up getting a mondeo estate for £2k less and 2 years younger. I’m in Lancashire so anything in a 50 mile radius? Thanks

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Wed 12 Jan 2022 12:37
Our next car… please help? - Chevalsox1

Thanks

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Wed 12 Jan 2022 09:11
Our next car… please help? - Metropolis.
I would take a look at Ssangyong Rextons. Proper workhorses, comfortable, spacious and should (within this budget) have the balance of at least 2 years of the overall 7 year warranty they come with provided it has a full main dealer service history.
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Wed 12 Jan 2022 10:36
Our next car… please help? - thunderbird
I would take a look at Ssangyong Rextons. Proper workhorses, comfortable, spacious and should (within this budget) have the balance of at least 2 years of the overall 7 year warranty they come with provided it has a full main dealer service history.

Be careful. As far as I am aware Ssangyong's 7 year warranty was only introduced on certain models late in 2018. That would mean the oldest car you should buy would be just over 3 years old but you would need to check very carefully.

Personally I would not even consider one. The company has a history of failing, being resurrected only to fail again etc (including Daewoo). Other Korean companies such as Kia and Hyundai have had no such issues as they have grown over the past 30 years. Considering that other Asian brands over the years (Daihatsu, Proton, Perodua, to name 3) and other bigger brands such as Mitsubishi have now given up on Europe surely its sensible to pay a bit more and get a car from an established brand.

They are probably cheaper for a good reason and cheap is no good if there is no parts backup in a few years.

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Wed 12 Jan 2022 10:39
Our next car… please help? - RT
I would take a look at Ssangyong Rextons. Proper workhorses, comfortable, spacious and should (within this budget) have the balance of at least 2 years of the overall 7 year warranty they come with provided it has a full main dealer service history.

Be careful. As far as I am aware Ssangyong's 7 year warranty was only introduced on certain models late in 2018. That would mean the oldest car you should buy would be just over 3 years old but you would need to check very carefully.

Personally I would not even consider one. The company has a history of failing, being resurrected only to fail again etc (including Daewoo). Other Korean companies such as Kia and Hyundai have had no such issues as they have grown over the past 30 years. Considering that other Asian brands over the years (Daihatsu, Proton, Perodua, to name 3) and other bigger brands such as Mitsubishi have now given up on Europe surely its sensible to pay a bit more and get a car from an established brand.

They are probably cheaper for a good reason and cheap is no good if there is no parts backup in a few years.

For the record, Kia failed and had to be amalgamated with Hyundai.

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Wed 12 Jan 2022 10:35
Our next car… please help? - SLO76
Does it matter if it’s manual or auto?
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Wed 12 Jan 2022 12:18
Our next car… please help? - Chevalsox1

Not at all

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Wed 12 Jan 2022 10:58
Our next car… please help? - SLO76
Spotted a few worthy of viewing.

Ford Kuga 2.0 TDCi is generally robust and practical. It’ll tow your trailer no bother but avoid the fragile Powershift autos.

I just found a great car on Auto Trader:

www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202112030180624


Mondeo 2.0 diesel is again a hardy thing but Powershift to be avoided.

I just found a great car on Auto Trader:

www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202111269971072


I just found a great car on Auto Trader:

www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202111179680085


Toyota RAV4 2.0 will probably last through the next ice age and is an easy sell even with big miles.


I just found a great car on Auto Trader:

www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202112140495969


I just found a great car on Auto Trader:

www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202110168568457


Honda CRV with the 160PS twin turbo 1.6 diesel is a good family wagon. Watch for neglected cars with little or no history even main dealer approved used stock as Honda aren’t watching dealers closely enough but looked after these will run and run. Plenty of power for towing too but watch for clutch judder from cold on manuals, most do it to a certain degree. The auto is the better car.

I just found a great car on Auto Trader:

www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202111129514356


I just found a great car on Auto Trader:

www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202112160582062



I just found a great car on Auto Trader:

www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202110198660378





Edited by SLO76 on 12/01/2022 at 11:04

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Wed 12 Jan 2022 11:09
Our next car… please help? - Metropolis.
All good cars but not sure I would want to tow 1.75 tonnes with one?
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Wed 12 Jan 2022 11:49
Our next car… please help? - SLO76
All good cars but not sure I would want to tow 1.75 tonnes with one?

If the Galaxy manages I’d imagine these would too, especially the 4wd Honda. I’m no expert on towing though. Plus parts availability won’t be an issue for any of these as they age unlike the Ssangyong. Low sales volumes in the UK means many parts are dealer only and can be very costly but free prematurely writing a car off before its time. This is what kills many low volume brand cars.

Edited by SLO76 on 12/01/2022 at 11:52

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Wed 12 Jan 2022 12:29
Our next car… please help? - Metropolis.
Thats true about parts availability.

I did a quick google on the CR-V and the max towing capacity is rated at 1.5 tonnes. The Galaxy actually scores similarly (depending on spec it can go up to 2.0 tonnes).

A difficult balance, pardon the pun
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Wed 12 Jan 2022 12:36
Our next car… please help? - Chevalsox1

Thank you

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Wed 12 Jan 2022 12:42
Our next car… please help? - RT

In the OP there's reference to a VW Touareg - while I can confirm it's a superb vehicle both solo and towing as I have one myself, it's up with Audi Q7 and Porsche Cayenne for running costs as it shares the platform with those models.

As more affordable SUVs, check out Hyundai Santa Fe and Kia Sorento - both will tow 1,750 kg with ease.

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Wed 12 Jan 2022 12:52
Our next car… please help? - tim10597

Personally I’d spend the money on the Galaxy, you know it and know how it’s been looked after. They’re good cars, mine’s done over 200k and feels like it would do the same again. If you don’t want to keep it, I’d be tempted to go with another Galaxy, although finding one at the moment may be a challenge.

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Thu 13 Jan 2022 16:37
Our next car… please help? - Chevalsox1

Perhaps you’re right… £2500 fix ok if it gives me 2+ years motoring

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Wed 12 Jan 2022 18:54
Our next car… please help? - Metropolis.
How about a Mitsubishi Outlander diesel? Although they are monocoque, they are legally rated for 2.0 tonnes and have a more reliable traditional torque converter gearbox if you go automatic.

Amazingly the stated mpg is between 40 to 54.

Example here (among others) www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202111199743799
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Thu 13 Jan 2022 16:19
Our next car… please help? - Chevalsox1
An interesting car… like the manufacturer… never owned a Mitsubishi before? Think it’d tow fine
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Wed 12 Jan 2022 23:28
Our next car… please help? - Heidfirst

if you iknow & like the Galaxy, why not a newer Galaxy?

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Thu 13 Jan 2022 16:16
Our next car… please help? - Chevalsox1
Fully agree. Better the devil you know. Just need to do the maths as our current car is a high spec titantium X… love the car colour etc…. As others have said £2500 to fix it or £19k for a new one… if I fix the current car and it lasts another couple of years then it’ll be worth it
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Thu 13 Jan 2022 16:23
Our next car… please help? - _
Fully agree. Better the devil you know. Just need to do the maths as our current car is a high spec titantium X… love the car colour etc…. As others have said £2500 to fix it or £19k for a new one… if I fix the current car and it lasts another couple of years then it’ll be worth it

Be very careful who does the job.

Ford quoted my neighbours £4300 for a poershift repair, 10% off from the dealer included.

There is one Ford Powershift specialist here in Essex and another somewhere in the midlands.

Just to add, our neighbours failed after about 2 weeks and got taken back in to be done again.

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Thu 13 Jan 2022 16:40
Our next car… please help? - Chevalsox1

Thanks. My local trusted garage refer all gearbox work to a local specialist garage..

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Thu 17 Feb 2022 09:31
Our next car… please help? - NAthan smith
Skoda superb estate all day long. My 2018 sportline version ticks all the boxes best rear leg room in virtually any class (only A8 long whee base has more). Really nice inside all the gadgets huge boot mine is also fitted with retractable electric tow bar. I reckon you could get a 2016/17 plate for your budget
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Thu 17 Feb 2022 09:34
Our next car… please help? - John F

Aha. Are these 'gear box plates' that need replacing components of the notorious 'powershift' gearbox? If it's survived 140,000 miles in a heavy family car with towing duties, perhaps the powershift box isn't as bad as portrayed on this site! I wonder what the OP eventually did? Does the Galaxy with damaged plates still drive?

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Thu 17 Feb 2022 13:43
Our next car… please help? - maxru

Citroen Berlingo is the best choice for your budget. With five or seven seats, it comes with long and short body styles, while the diesel engines are powerful.Before buying any used car, however, one thing is crucial:

Edited by _ORB_ on 17/02/2022 at 13:55

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Fri 18 Feb 2022 11:49
Our next car… please help? - John F

Citroen Berlingo is the best choice for your budget. With five or seven seats, it comes with long and short body styles, while the diesel engines are powerful.Before buying any used car, however, one thing is crucial:

Breath can be bated for only so long.......

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Mon 18 Apr 2022 21:01
Our next car… please help? - _

Citroen Berlingo is the best choice for your budget. With five or seven seats, it comes with long and short body styles, while the diesel engines are powerful.Before buying any used car, however, one thing is crucial:

Breath can be bated for only so long.......

suspected spam link..deleted

ORB

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