|
Both good shouts ORB. Height might be an issue, possibly.
|
|
For the budget, I think you'd struggle to better a Focus estate, possibly a Mondeo estate depending on insurance (I wouldn't have thought there would be much difference between a 1.8 Mondeo and a 1.6 Focus).
Nowt wrong with either Octavia or Astra as long as troublesome engines are avoided.
The van may sound like a good idea, but it can be tricky insuring a van as a car. Even if you can it will likely cost more than an equivalent estate (and that is before factoring in a new driver).
|
Ok thanks BBD, that’s useful to know about van insurance. I agree about the Mondeo idea, great all rounder car. Might be just a bit big for the GF to learn on I suppose, but maybe not.
|
Might be just a bit big for the GF to learn on I suppose, but maybe not.
FWIW my daughter, although having professional lessons, did a lot of practice on my then Xantia Estate. Included a week in the Western Isles where she did pretty much all the driving - single track and all.
Later drove it lots including taking it up to her boyfriend's Uni gaff in Southampton.
She's only just 5 foot but had no issues.
|
|
Aye true enough Bromp, I learned in my dad’s Volvo 240. That seemed like a huge car back then but probably wasn’t by today’s standards. Never really thought about it at the time.
|
|
Venga is not all that high.,
|
|
This is where I always pop up and say Seat Toledo. Massive boot, cheap to buy, cheap to run, cheap to insure. The interior is made of some kind of ultra hard plastic....
I'm planning to sell mine soonish (this is not a pitch) and am expecting about £4k; 2013, 62,000 miles, full Seat history.
|
|
Sorry if this is a silly question Adam, but is there such a thing as a Toledo estate? I’ve seen Leon estates I think.
|
|
There are Leon estates, and there used to be Ibiza estates, but no Toledo estate. The Skoda Rapid, which is the same car, also comes as a 'spaceback', which is a squared off hatch not far off an estate.
|
|
This one even has the roof bars already. Mind you, it also says 'private seller' but has those funny bits of paper in the footwell....
www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202205165741706?a...3
|
|
Spidey senses twitching at that one
|
|
Well, a Venga might be fine, certainly worth checking out ORB.
Actually, it’s also almost certainly a moveable feast anyway, he says he wants a low roofed car, and as someone who also uses a roof rack, I tend to agree, but he also admits to coveting his mother’s Jeep Renegade!
Won’t get one of those for his budget though!
I can kind of see where this is potentially going, and it might be that mother dear is going to have quite a bit of use of an old Aygo… ;-)
What are the “best” engines on old Foci?
Edited by Alby Back on 17/09/2022 at 17:14
|
|
Venga height 160 cm
|
Just over 10cm taller than a Focus then? Doesn’t sound a lot I suppose, but it might make a difference.
He’d have to check it out.
|
|
What are the “best” engines on old Foci?
The original 1.6 petrol designed by Mama Yamaha.
Not particularly economical but reliable if it's had any semblance of being regularly serviced.
|
|
That Yamaha1.6 rings a bell. Thanks
|
What are the “best” engines on old Foci?
The original 1.6 petrol designed by Mama Yamaha.
Not particularly economical but reliable if it's had any semblance of being regularly serviced.
The 1.6 Yamaha engine is a good engine because ford didn't design it
|
|
|
|
|
|
As great as Mondeo estates are, the petrols won't be particularly economical. The 2.0 diesel is a good engine, but with the budget chosen, you'd have to be careful that it wasn't ready for a new DMF/clutch or even a new set of injectors which can cost £800+.
As mentioned, Focus, Ceed, Astra are all good choices. I looked at Peugeot 308 SW's briefly, which all had high mileage for the budget, and not sure how they stand up to that, although the load space is good for the class.
It's not the best time to be buying, but if needs must...
|
Thanks Corax.
308s are very roomy I believe.
|
|
|
|
The MK2 Focus has 1.6. 1.8 and 2.0. There's also a 2.5 for those in a hurry and deep pockets for fuel. The 1.8 is the sweet spot, a nice chain-cam Mazda unit. But the budget will stretch into MK3 territory and that's where it gets more complex as the Ecoboost became the popular engine, certainly early 1.0 ones are not recommended on this forum.
|
So a 1.8 should be fairly near the top of the list by the sounds of that?
Sounds like it’d cope with loads too. Especially ones that create wind resistance.
Edited by Alby Back on 17/09/2022 at 17:34
|
Ok so here goes!
I’m going to have a nosey on AT. I’ll filter it for Estate, £5.5k, petrol, manual, 50 mile radius of south Cheshire, low insurance groups, high mpgs and see what pops up.
If anyone else is bored and wants to join in, feel free!
;-)
|
|
It will be no ball of fire but should be adequate particularly if he's used to an Aygo.
|
|
Yes indeed Xileno, I have to remind myself where he’s starting from!
|
|
This may not suit(!) but there is a very nice looking (in relative terms) Skoda Fun in eBay at the moment.
Depending on your son's willingness to be pointed at, it could be perfect. I have always wanted one....
|
|
Actually, I think he’d love that Adam. Might be wrong, but…
|
|
My other slightly left field suggestion would be van-based MPVs like a Citroen Berlingo. I think the Fiat Qubo comes in a 'trekking' version with raised ride height and bits of plastic. My friends who live up a mountain in Spain have Renault Kangoo 4x4s and love them.
I suppose you could also look at things like a Suzuki Grand Vitara or an old-school Rav 4.
The other thing about a Berlingo or similar is that there is a burgeoning 'micro-camper' scene around them, which might suit his adventures.
I used to have a Mitsubishi Delica - a massive 4x4 people carrier that I took the seats out of and used as a van, then 'converted' to a camper.
Edited by Adampr on 17/09/2022 at 18:06
|
|
Well now, the camper thing. He has said that they could do more trips if he could find a way of getting costs down. Something they could sleep in with a tent for other kit…hmmm
Edited by Alby Back on 17/09/2022 at 18:21
|
|
|
Re the Rapid/Toledo vs the Rapid Spaceback, be aware that while the Spaceback may look a bit like an estate, it isn't particularly big aft of the rear seats. Boot volume is well down on the Rapid/Toledo (415 litres vs 550 litres) thanks to being 18cm shorter.
|
“He” quite likes Panda 4x4s. I’ve pointed out that they wouldn’t give him enough of a usefulness upgrade from where he is but he likes them.
Come to think, his mother and I had similar adventures in a mk1 Panda decades ago. Skiing trips to Switzerland with less than no money and so on…
|
|
This is ideal - just wheel the bikes or flight cases right in.
www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202208309267458?a...3
A less stupid suggestion would be a Skoda Roomster. I believe the rear seats can be removed entirely to make it a van. If you can find a 'scout' model, it's a bit more ruggedised.
|
Tall though eh?
Lifting bikes, kayaks, paddle boards etc on and off that?
Maybe ok
And, they’re both 22 and a bit trendy. Not that they can afford to be !
|
|
I know I said a van might not be a good idea (though this being a classic, insurance for private use shouldn't pose a problem), and I know this is a fair whack over budget, but how cool is this Renault 4 van?!
144714106202
There is also a Renault 4 hatchback though, only a little over budget,
334537897323
|
|
Both super cool BBD. But probably not where he needs to be.
|
|
Kids these days. They don't even know what cool looks like....
I had forgotten the low roof bit.
I was thinking an astravan was probably as good as it got, but most of those will be diesel. How about a small estate, like the aforementioned Ibiza, a Fabia, Clio or even Peugeot 206SW?
|
|
All of those would be better than where he is now. For his current needs and usage anyway.
|
|
A Subaru Impreza may also work. Obviously not a WRX....
|
|
Hadn’t considered a Scoob, but might be worth a look.
|
|
Not at all cool, but a Dacia Logan MCV could be had for £5k. The n/a 1.2 petrol won't win any races, but is fairly reliable and should prove cheap to run. Massive boot too!.
There's also the 1.5DCI, which is pretty good as far diesels go and would be very frugal. Might be worth considering?
|
Not at all cool, but a Dacia Logan MCV could be had for £5k. The n/a 1.2 petrol won't win any races, but is fairly reliable and should prove cheap to run. Massive boot too!.
There's also the 1.5DCI, which is pretty good as far diesels go and would be very frugal. Might be worth considering?
Funny you should mention that, I think I just answered the brief!
www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202207147791355?a...3
|
|
Could be perfect, if a bit of a hard sell.
|
|
Maybe you could suggest a wrap?.
On a white Logan MCV, maybe a winter camo? (of course it could be done themselves with paint if they were so inclined). Something like this:
e625f4c5f8678224d2d4df8bd659c994.jpg
|
Tee hee!
You might be on to something there!
|
Not at all cool, but a Dacia Logan MCV could be had for £5k. The n/a 1.2 petrol won't win any races, but is fairly reliable and should prove cheap to run. Massive boot too!.
There's also the 1.5DCI, which is pretty good as far diesels go and would be very frugal. Might be worth considering?
Funny you should mention that, I think I just answered the brief!
www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202207147791355?a...3
Isn't the 0.9TCE supposed to be bit fragile though?
|
Not at all cool, but a Dacia Logan MCV could be had for £5k. The n/a 1.2 petrol won't win any races, but is fairly reliable and should prove cheap to run. Massive boot too!.
There's also the 1.5DCI, which is pretty good as far diesels go and would be very frugal. Might be worth considering?
Funny you should mention that, I think I just answered the brief!
www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202207147791355?a...3
Isn't the 0.9TCE supposed to be bit fragile though?
I've not heard that specifically. I mean, any tiny engine that relies on a turbo and is dragging that much car around is going to be under a bit of stress, but I don't think the Renault one is any worse than all the others.
|
|
For all the original criteria, a mid sized estate ticks all the boxes.
Honda Civic tourer 1.8 petrol would be ideal apart being too expensive. I can't see them appealing to the average 22 year old. If of course he is average :-)
|
|
What kind of music does he play? That will give us more of a steer on his tastes...
|
Techno pop. Gigging tonight actually in Manchester. Sings, composes, writes lyrics, plays keyboards, bass, guitar, drums and has a 1:1 degree in music production. Oh and another 1:1 in Psychology. And he’s better on a mountain bike than I ever was.
Bit of an irritating kid in some (many) ways. ;-)
Edited by Alby Back on 17/09/2022 at 21:13
|
|
Well, nobody likes a smartass. It sounds like he has bright future, one way or the other
|
|
Well, he’s enjoying life for now. I’m happy about that. It really is too short not to eh?
|
|
He also sounds like he might like a Vauxhall Signum, if you can find a good one. They (especially the ones with the tan leather interior) have got a bit of retro synth thing going on.
|
|
I used to have a Signum. Had a fridge in the back I randomly remember. 2.2 petrol. Dodgy fuel pump.
|
|
Fridge in the back is important!
|
|
Yeah, it was where you’d normally find a centre arm rest. Perfect for your packed lunch on a long trip I suppose. Never gelled with that car for some reason. Only kept it about 8 months. On paper it was the ideal car for me at the time, but sometimes they just don’t fit with you.
|
|
|
|
As great as Mondeo estates are, the petrols won't be particularly economical.
Fuel is a regular expense which can be budgeted for. With old vehicles breakdowns are the largest expense and can happen any time. Buy on condition and don't worry about fuel consumption. Don't even think about diesels.
Just a thought but you could probably sleep in a Mondeo estate which might be something your son might want to do on a weekend outing in the hills.
|
|
A Mazda6 estate (petrol, of course) might be a good choice. Bags of space, reliable, smart looking motor.
Close examination of the rear wheel arches on older models is advisable.
|
|
Those Mazdas are good looking cars. Good suggestion, thanks.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
