Now I'm sure to have many recommendations for octavia and golf estates. But I'm afraid I haven't found many examples in my budget other than the lower spec models
Lower spec is a relative term here, you aren't exactly going to be slumming it with wind up windows and no a/c!. And lets face it, lower spec also means less to go wrong.
Therefore, I have primarily been met with the Peugeot 308 sw and Vauxhall Astra Sports Tourer. I've also seen a couple examples of the Fiat Tipo.
The Puretech engine does have a poor reputation for the disintegrating wet belts on earlier examples. You should be OK with 2018 onwards cars.
Later versions of the Astra K also use the Puretech engine (following the PSA/Stellantis takeover), but as they'd be 2019 onwards, should (in theory) be fine. Before this you'd have the 1.4 turbo.
The Tipo is something that makes most sense in its most basic form, i.e, the n/a 1.4. Having said that, the 1.4 turbo is supposedly not too bad reliability wise. So if cheap, may be worth considering.
As for boot space, it is easy to get fixated on volume, but in your case that isn't necessarily going to be the be all and end all. Floor space is probably more important along with (if these are tall dogs) the height inside the boot and (perhaps most importantly, especially if the rescue dog isn't a young 'un) the boot height from the ground.
My first choice would actually be a Honda Civic. Ideally the 1.8 petrol, but the 1.6 turbo diesel is one of a very few which don't seem to suffer from being used on shorter journeys and is very efficient.
Edited by badbusdriver on 05/12/2024 at 21:29
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Now I'm sure to have many recommendations for octavia and golf estates. But I'm afraid I haven't found many examples in my budget other than the lower spec models
Lower spec is a relative term here, you aren't exactly going to be slumming it with wind up windows and no a/c!. And lets face it, lower spec also means less to go wrong.
I had exactly the same thought here too. My mk2 Fiesta Popular had 1 exterior door mirror, no clock, no rev counter, no radio, no accessory socket, no rear wash wipe, no parcel shelf, no central locking or electric windows, no traction control or ABS brakes. I was lucky, mine had a heated rear window (many didn't!).
Lower spec means it should come with smaller diameter wheels and higher profile tyres. Means replacement tyres will be cheaper and less likely to damage your wheels with kerbing or potholes. This combination will give a softer ride, which is better for a family car too.
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Thank you so much for the response!
I suppose I've become accustomed to the features of my DS3, including climate control, auto wipers and lights, sat nav, cruise control, f/r parking sensors etc. I was hoping not to lose out on these options. Otherwise, I guess the sensible choice would be a Logan MCV?
I had a grande punto beforehand, cost me £650 and had no such features. It got me where I needed to be but I can't say I miss being in it !
You've confirmed my worries of the puretech 1.2 as seen elsewhere online. Although, there is a private seller with a 308 sw available that had an engine replacement at 40k miles and has only done 7k miles since.
I think I could get on with the Tipo, but it seemed to do fairly poorly on the Euro NCAP?
I haven't seen any civics in my budget. How much do they usually go for on the used market?
Edited by SBKenobi on 05/12/2024 at 22:40
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If you're concerned about NCAP scores, it's worth doing a little investigating into why it's low. Quite often, the score is low because the car doesn't have lane keep assist, autonomous braking or some other dangerous nonsense.
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If you're concerned about NCAP scores, it's worth doing a little investigating into why it's low. Quite often, the score is low because the car doesn't have lane keep assist, autonomous braking or some other dangerous nonsense.
Quite so. I don't change cars often now, but in 60 years of owning I have never given any thought to NCAP scores, and never had reason to regret it. Unless your regular driving takes you into hazardous places, there are more significant things to worry about. Like does the car do what you want, day to day ?
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I suppose I've become accustomed to the features of my DS3, including climate control, auto wipers and lights, sat nav, cruise control, f/r parking sensors etc. I was hoping not to lose out on these options.
Never really understood why climate is considered such a desirable option over a/c myself?. If you have the latter, a/c keeps the interior of the car cool in summer and the car heater keeps it warm in winter, what more do you need?. Currently on our second car with auto wipers and neither have worked properly. I'd much sooner have manual wipers with variable intermittent delay. Auto lights?, given how often I get blinded by oncoming traffic before the lights are dipped, I suspect they don't work that well either. In any case, I'd rather be in charge of the lights. Sat nav? well most people have smart phones which means access to much better and more up to date sat nav than a built in system, so all you need is a phone holder. Parking sensors can be fitted after market and needn't be expensive for a basic system.
Mileage has no bearing on the wet belt problems of the early Puretech engines. It was due to the belts disintegrating in the oil. But a car with a recent replacement engine will surely have the latest type of belt which should be fine.
I haven't seen any civics in my budget. How much do they usually go for on the used market?
Not sure I understand the question?. You stated a budget of £8k with the option to go a little higher and Civic estates can be had within that sort of price range. You say you are in central Scotland, here is a one owner (diesel) in Rutherglen (Autotrader)
202407161823112
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That looks like a nice car BBD, white really suits it.
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Thanks for sharing the civic with me. It looks like a good example. Unfortunately, this doesn't seem to be compliant with the LEZ restrictions enforced here in Glasgow and Edinburgh. My searches have mostly started from 2016 for diesels to comply with such restrictions.
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Thanks for sharing the civic with me. It looks like a good example. Unfortunately, this doesn't seem to be compliant with the LEZ restrictions enforced here in Glasgow and Edinburgh. My searches have mostly started from 2016 for diesels to comply with such restrictions.
If you're driving into a LEZ frequently, but petrol
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It wasn't something I had paid much attention to before now. My DS3 for example was awarded 3 stars by NCAP. I guess I'm being overly cautious for the safety of a potential new addition to the family.
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Thanks for sharing the civic with me. It looks like a good example. Unfortunately, this doesn't seem to be compliant with the LEZ restrictions enforced here in Glasgow and Edinburgh. My searches have mostly started from 2016 for diesels to comply with such restrictions.
Ah, well you didn't mention the need to comply with LEZ or ULEZ. There are also petrol Civic estates, just not that close to you. Closest one I think (on Autotrader) would be this example at a Honda dealer in Grimsby
202411296864367
I know some folk are reluctant to buy from further afield, and if you've ben stung because of this, I can understand it. But in the case of such an inherently reliable car, personally I'd be happy enough to do so assuming I was happy with everything else about the car and the dealer.
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Perfect, thanks for finding this. May have to ask a favour from my parents, they live much closer, and have them take a look on my behalf. Wonder if there's any similar motors around me to take for a test drive perhaps
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Perfect, thanks for finding this. May have to ask a favour from my parents, they live much closer, and have them take a look on my behalf. Wonder if there's any similar motors around me to take for a test drive perhaps
There are two higher mileage ones (105k and 118k) on Autotrader which are closer, one in Edinburgh, but it is an automatic, and one in Larkhall*. TBH, because they are so reliable, I'd certainly consider something with over 100k miles
*202411166362271
You could also look on Gumtree, Ebay, FB marketplace, etc
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I'm also curious as to what breed of dogs and how big they are?. You may not actually need an estate.
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Our new rescue is only 9 months old but he's a lurcher, so quite tall and lanky. Quite slim though and prefers to lay down in the car. Our older rescue is a mutt, we don't know what she is. But I'd compare her shape and size to that of a smaller lab or German pointer. She's not too tall. Neither have any issue sitting upright in the back of the DS3.
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I do love a lurcher, my folks used to have one! (Banjo, also a rescue dog). But your other dog being a bit older would make having a low boot height (to the ground) more important. You can of course get ramps or steps, but a bit more of a hassle maybe?
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If you buy a Civic it has magic seats. This gives flexibility for kids’ stuff and offers a low sill if you want, on occasion, to use that space for dogs.
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