VW - Need some advice on buying a family car for £2-4k

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Mon 22 Dec 2014 16:49
VW - Need some advice on buying a family car for £2-4k - medicpaul

My situation: I have three daughters aged 9 months, 3 years and 8 years old, and of course a wife. We have between £2000 and £4000 to spend on a car. We need enough room at the rear to fit 3 car seats or 2 at the back + wife. We obviously dont want to be crammed in like sardines like most conventional cars in this configuration. We need boot space for a buggy and the weekly shop. So far I have been thinking of a TDI Touran or Passat estate, however concerned with the dreaded DPF's. We have had 1.9TDI's in the past (in Bora body) and was very happy with it however now that size car would be inadequate. Should I stay clear of the 2L TDI? I wouldnt mind something with some torque (after all i need some pleasing). So in a nutshell, something reliable, spacious and torque.y What are you thoughts on the above? Am i considering the right type of vehicle?

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Mon 22 Dec 2014 17:03
VW - Need some advice on buying a family car for £2-4k - Avant

There are a few issues here, that you've probably thought about already, but just in case...

- At your budget condition is more important than make or model.

- Equally important for you is that whatever child seats you have will fit into the back.

- Does your mileage warrant a diesel? Unless you do over about 15,000 a year it's not worth it.

- If you go for a 7-seater, your eldest could go in the 'very back', making life easier in the middle row.

- If you want a steer, your best choice is probably a Toyota Verso: nothing soldiers on quite like an old Toyota. There are plenty of Vauxhall Zafiras around and there's also the Mazda 5 or the Ford S-Max (a good car but may be a bit big for you, and your budget will only stretch to an old one).

I personally like VWs, and the Touran ticks your boxes: but they tend to hold their value so you'd get an older one for your money. Avoid the 2.0 diesel pre-2009, but the 1.9 TDI should be fine if you do need a diesel.

Edited by Avant on 22/12/2014 at 17:03

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Mon 22 Dec 2014 17:57
VW - Need some advice on buying a family car for £2-4k - medicpaul

I had never considered a Verso, but guess thats because I know even less about them than the VAG's. I was thinking the Touran would be best all rounder however I do around 12000 - 15000 miles a year. So many vehicles out there but I'm still confused which avenue to persue. Although 2-4k may not be much money for some, if has taken a considerble time to save this. Any further guidance you guys can give would be appreciated.

I forrgot to ask, what issues did the 2l tdi's have pre 2009? Are all 1.9TDI's free of DPF's?

Edited by medicpaul on 22/12/2014 at 17:58

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Mon 22 Dec 2014 18:17
VW - Need some advice on buying a family car for £2-4k - medicpaul

.......just a thought but would a Passat be able to handle 3 rear car seats?

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Mon 22 Dec 2014 20:07
VW - Need some advice on buying a family car for £2-4k - Happy Blue!

Lots of choice around.

Mazda 5

Kia Carens

citroen Picasso

renault Scenic.

Ford C-max

Dont necessarily need a seven seater but a car with three separate rear seats. The third row is nice but not vital unless lugging around a load of stuff. .

For the money, just find the best example.

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Mon 22 Dec 2014 21:40
VW - Need some advice on buying a family car for £2-4k - pd
r budget will only stretch to an old one).

I personally like VWs, and the Touran ticks your boxes: but they tend to hold their value so you'd get an older one for your money. Avoid the 2.0 diesel pre-2009, but the 1.9 TDI should be fine if you do need a diesel.

Unless it is one of the 1.9's which seem to self destruct about 60-70k.

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Tue 23 Dec 2014 06:39
VW - Need some advice on buying a family car for £2-4k - Ian D
A friend of mine was in a similar position a few weeks ago and found a Vauxhall Zafira 1.8 petrol (not sure of trim level), 2003, 80k, fsh, one owner, cambelt done 6 months ago all for £1400, so in your price band a newer petrol Zafira may be a good option. I am not a Vauxhall fan but can see this plentiful option may be a good one.
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Tue 23 Dec 2014 10:02
VW - Need some advice on buying a family car for £2-4k - medicpaul

Ok, theres a few with seperate rear seats but which are the better ones. We've had a 2003 citroen Picasso before and although had the room the 90bhp was adequte but lacked power. I would like to ensure I have some fun factor thrown in on the next one. Never been keen of the vauxhalls, unless theres so unknown secret.

Someone said the 1.9tdi blow up at 80-90k, really? There must be a particular engine that stands out for my needs, come on guys there must be some preference? HEELPP!

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Tue 23 Dec 2014 10:00
VW - Need some advice on buying a family car for £2-4k - Alanovich

The answer, and you probably don't want to hear this, but it is the Peugeot 307 SW 2.0HDi.

Why? It's the only non-MPV estate car with three individual seats in the rear rather than a cramped bench. Perfect for your requirements. And they're dirt cheap.

For example:

www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/20141218972.../

This one even has the extra, removable, 6th and 7th seats (not all of them do).

136bhp is plenty of power too in a car this size. Well, it is for me.

Edited by Alanovich on 23/12/2014 at 10:04

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Tue 23 Dec 2014 11:22
VW - Need some advice on buying a family car for £2-4k - Sam49

I think 307 is a great shout.

I feel there might have to be some (not huge) compromises made here - that could be power, mileage, economy, space, even brand (a Vauxhall??!) depending on where your priorities lie.

You could get a Toyota Verso 2.2 diesel. 134bhp, 228lbft of torque. Or a T180 (177/295lbft!) Fair bit more powerful than a VW 1.9tdi. However there have been *some* issues with head gaskets on these. Proportionally not sure how many. Of course you could compromise and go for a reliable (after 2005) 1.8VVTI petrol - not slow but needs a bit more revving than a diesel. Toyota Owners Forum very helpful.

1.9tdi Touran are nice looking cars (my opinion) but they'll have held their value. So you might be compromising and looking at higher mileage, less spec. Plenty of taxi ones whizzing round Leicester, which is a good sign, however see comment above.

Vauxhall Zafira -why not? There are loads around, good value, have plenty of space. 2.0Ts are going cheap. Economy would be shocking but 200bhp... Again, compromises. Diesel1.9cdti 150 have issues, not sure about the 120?

All the best

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Tue 23 Dec 2014 11:29
VW - Need some advice on buying a family car for £2-4k - medicpaul

Well the 307 does look like an option. Very varied price range. Surprised to see if has 3 indivual seats in the back. Any common faults with the 136bhp unit and do these have DPF's?

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Tue 23 Dec 2014 11:44
VW - Need some advice on buying a family car for £2-4k - Alanovich

I don't think they have DPFs, unless it says FAP in the model name I think it's DPF free. Could be wrong though, that's just an assumption and isn't based on knowledge. HJs review of the model wil probably give you an idea of any common faults. Unlikely to be any worse than most mainstram vehicles though and the 2.0 HDi was used in Fords too I think, if so easy to service/repair etc.

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Tue 23 Dec 2014 12:03
VW - Need some advice on buying a family car for £2-4k - medicpaul

...I've just come across the Honda FRV 2.2 diesel, opinions on these as they look very nice and well priced?

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Tue 23 Dec 2014 12:10
VW - Need some advice on buying a family car for £2-4k - Alanovich

My mate bought one for his missus. His comments are: not much room in the boot, too wide for the missus to park in multistories. She doesn't like it and wants to get rid and back in to a non-MPV type car. He has the petrol version though which is very thirsty, but the diesel engine has a reputation for fragility I believe.

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Tue 23 Dec 2014 14:48
VW - Need some advice on buying a family car for £2-4k - Andrew-T

I don't think they have DPFs, unless it says FAP in the model name I think it's DPF free. Could be wrong though, that's just an assumption and isn't based on knowledge.

Not sure of the exact year, but I think Peugeot diesels with over 100bhp have had DPFs (or FAPs as Pug call them) since at least 2008 model year. My car is the 207SW with 90bhp, which has no FAP, but the 110 engine does. At the time I bought the car (end-2008 from a Pug dealer) the salesman said I was probably better off without one.

Having said that, my 207 has given no trouble at all. Your high-ish mileage should keep a FAP running properly.

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Tue 23 Dec 2014 16:55
VW - Need some advice on buying a family car for £2-4k - brignac

This would be perfect - knock them down to £2,200 and keep the rest of the money for any tyres etc as needed

www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/20141222977...p

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Tue 23 Dec 2014 19:47
VW - Need some advice on buying a family car for £2-4k - Bromptonaut

Regulars will say this is my answer to everything but have you considered a Citroen Berlingo/Pug Partner?

Full width rear seat with (IIRC) two places for isofix seats. Sliding doors make loading babies/toddlers a cinch.

Not sure the current (post 2008) model will yet be in your price range but there's nothing wrong with the 03-08 version. I'm just coming up to 150k on a 2005 1.9d. It's not going to win the traffic light grand prix but it's as fast as anything else at 70!

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Tue 23 Dec 2014 22:39
VW - Need some advice on buying a family car for £2-4k - medicpaul

ok so these are the considerations atm from your input (thank you )

Pug 307sw

Touran

Verso

Berlingo

Although the wife is drawn towards the Touran, we have started to ask ourselves is a diesel the right choice. We do 12k a year. Most of the journeys are 1 -7 miles, and perhaps a coule 40mile trips a week. Will a petrol be better? Am I answering my own question by saying we wont need to worry about turbo's and dpf's?

So a petrol verso such as the 1.8, would this be a good engine to go for? If I'm missing something guys and girls please let me know.

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Tue 23 Dec 2014 23:29
VW - Need some advice on buying a family car for £2-4k - daveyK_UK

Dont buy a diesel unless your doing 15k plus.

I would 2nd the Berlingo multispace / Partner teepe and would add the Fiat Doblo 1.4 petrol to your list.

I would also consider a Peugeot Bipper Tepee / Citroen Nemo / Fiat Qubo which are all essentially the same vehicle.

The 1.4 petrol found in these vehicles is not fast but it does handle really well, so much better than the 1.3 diesel.

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Wed 24 Dec 2014 00:00
VW - Need some advice on buying a family car for £2-4k - oldtoffee

Picasso with the 1.6 petrol engine is a good car, 3 proper seats in the rear, good size boot and rides well. I had the diesel version and it suited our family fine. Once it took 5 x 6 foot blokes on holiday with luggage and all in comfort. Zafira 1.6 or 1.8 petrol also a good car for the money. The Verso and Touran will be a noticeable jump more expensive.

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Wed 24 Dec 2014 10:54
VW - Need some advice on buying a family car for £2-4k - corax

So a petrol verso such as the 1.8, would this be a good engine to go for? If I'm missing something guys and girls please let me know.

It's a good reliable engine, but it won't have a lot of torque.

The problem you have with wanting something torquey is that it is usually the preserve of either diesels or big petrol engines. The latest small capacity turbo petrols have good torque but they are out of budget.

If most of your journeys are 1-7 miles, a diesel won't even get to operating temperature. The heater will take ages to warm up in winter, something you must already know after owning a 1.9tdi.

After deciding the model I'd go for petrol then make sure that the engine doesn't have any particular weaknesses, or at least be aware of them.

Good choices above.

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Wed 24 Dec 2014 11:30
VW - Need some advice on buying a family car for £2-4k - skidpan

With £4000 in your pocket you should be able to get something like a Ford Focus or a Kia Ceed. In petrol form neither will be a rocketship but the 1.8 petrol in the Focus is not bad at all.

Both should give years of good reliable motoring if you choose carefully and the car will be far newer than the equivalent VW.

If you are sold on getting a VW look at Skodas and Seats. Exactly the same under the skin at much lower prices.

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Wed 24 Dec 2014 15:06
VW - Need some advice on buying a family car for £2-4k - medicpaul

Yes you are right petrol would probably be better suited. How about the 2L Honda FRV?

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Mon 29 Dec 2014 16:26
VW - Need some advice on buying a family car for £2-4k - medicpaul

So I'm gradually narrowing it down, the Honda FR-V 2Litre petrol seems a contender. However there is a 307sw on ebay at the moment, its the 136bhp HDI variant, my only concern is the FAP - do these have FAP's? The cars done 75k.

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Mon 29 Dec 2014 17:43
VW - Need some advice on buying a family car for £2-4k - Trilogy

Have you looked in this section of the HJ website? www.honestjohn.co.uk/carbycar/honda/fr-v-2004/

BTW, my brother has a petrol 2007 C4 Picasso. He has owned it four 4 years without any costs other than routine servicing.

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Tue 30 Dec 2014 23:24
VW - Need some advice on buying a family car for £2-4k - Andrew-T

You don't state the 307's age, but I would say more than likely. Equally important, why is it for sale on Ebay?

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Sat 3 Jan 2015 22:04
VW - Need some advice on buying a family car for £2-4k - medicpaul

Well I've gone and done it. Car is being transported down from London to Cornwall tomorrow. We finally decided on a Honda FRV 2.0 petrol. Yes petrol, after a long discussion with the wife and the input from you guys we decided petrol was the way to go. We do very short trips and do no more than 150 miles a week. The issues with turbo's, dpf's, etc also put us off especially those within our price range. Its from a main dealer with warranty so hope its all good. Yeah I know you shouldnt never buy a car blind but I've gone and done it! Will let you know what its like when it arrives.

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Mon 5 Jan 2015 12:03
VW - Need some advice on buying a family car for £2-4k - GONE WRONG!! - medicpaul

Nightmare of an UPDATE - Well the car left London on a transported 12 noon yesterday it arrived at 9pm with some foreign guy who could hardly speak a work of english. Bearing in mind I paid the motor trader for his company to bring the car down and not sub contract it down. Delivery cost me £300. Car looked great, until he started it to take it off the trailer, within 10 seconds the engine stopped and the engine management light was on.....I was not happy. There was no fuel in it whay so ever. I told the chap I need to speak to his boss and said I would be rejecting the car, it was at this point I realised the dealer had sub contracted the transport and it wasnt anthing to do with them. If I wanted it returned I would have to pay £600.

Anyhow I managed to get hold of a guy at the dealership (call what you like but their a registered trading car sales) I explained I was frustrated after he had given me his word and reassured me the car would be road tested as it was coming so far (cornwall). He knew I was buying blind as I have a disabled daughter and could'nt view. The trader got extremely abrupt, telling me I had warranty and take it to a garage, he then asks "how do you think it passed a MOT my friend if the engine light was on?" I replied "you tell me" I eplained I did not want this as I paid for a working car.

He stated if the car went back and was rectified I would need to pay the costs and then collect the car in person. I was stupid enough to pay for the car in full without seeing it.

So we drive around in my wifes parents car in order to try and find a petrol station, we eventually get back home and place the fuel in. Car starts and ticks over fine and sounds good however engine management light still on.

I call the trader with the update who says take it to my local garage in the morning and he will pick up the bill. Meanwhile I look at the 6 month warranty, its a 4 star warranty but looking at the small print does not cover cars over 100k (this one has done 113k). I tell the trader this who says "do not worry my friend I will sort". By this time I am a bag of nerves, I've got the delivery driver in my house, with his boss giving me grief for keeping him there and the trader putting me in a very awkward position.

I manage to take the car for a test drive and it drives nicely, although it does pull to the left slightly and the engine managment light is still on.

This morning I called the local garage who will look at it tomoz. I am completely gutted as this car was meant to make things easier for the family, instead I have over 3k tied up in this car.

Its been a nightmare. I couldnt beleive a dealer could be so rude and untrustworthy. I have the original ad, a copy of the delivery driver's license and a note stating the car was delivered with engine manangment on which the driver signed. I also have emails from the dealer stating how good the car is. The warrantly is clearly void, so I guess I'll start preparing for court if the fault is a costly one there not willing to fix.

Excuse the grammar I am frustrated at myself and feel I've left my daughters and wife down - gutted!

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Mon 5 Jan 2015 15:24
VW - Need some advice on buying a family car for £2-4k - GONE WRONG!! - Andrew-T

Sad story. Sorry to hear of your predicament - though as the car drives, you may not be in bad trouble if your local indie checks it out OK.

There may be no point in commenting that spending serious money on a car with >100K on the clock, sight unseen, is a risky business. You could end up with a bargain, but ... When the risk is that high, you can leave too much to chance. A dealer will probably like the idea of a long-range buyer, as he won't turn up on the doorstep making trouble.

I hope it turns out OK.

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Mon 5 Jan 2015 15:46
VW - Need some advice on buying a family car for £2-4k - GONE WRONG!! - Alby Back
Genuinely sorry to hear that Paul. I'll spare you the should've, could've, oughta have stuff, I guess you know all that.

First thing I'd do now is get it thoroughly and proffessionally checked over, understand the size and shape of any problems and go from there.

Hope it works out in your favour.

Probably a good car for your needs once you have it up and right.
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Mon 5 Jan 2015 17:08
VW - Need some advice on buying a family car for £2-4k - GONE WRONG!! - bazza

Is this a Honda main dealer? if so, a call to Honda HQ Customer Services would not go amiss. They would not be impressed with the service you've received so far.

If not the law is on your side. As above, professional check over is first thing needed.

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Mon 5 Jan 2015 20:27
VW - Need some advice on buying a family car for £2-4k - GONE WRONG!! - daveyK_UK

Wait for the report from your local garage, it could be OK.

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Mon 5 Jan 2015 21:42
VW - Need some advice on buying a family car for £2-4k - GONE WRONG!! - misar

I know it is easy to be wise after the event and no wish to add to your misery but buying a car in your price range unseen and 300 miles away was the worst possible way to go.

You need to see the car, drive it, and especially make a face to face assessment of the seller. The actual make/model is less important at this age.

As an experiment I asked Autotrader for 5 door petrol hatchbacks under £4000 within 20 miles of Penzance (you didn't mention where you are in Cornwall). It came up with 16, almost all trade sales.

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Mon 5 Jan 2015 23:41
VW - Need some advice on buying a family car for £2-4k - Avant

It's possible that the light came on as a result of the engine running out of fuel: it may just need resetting.

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Tue 6 Jan 2015 14:11
VW - Need some advice on buying a family car for £2-4k - SteVee

Aren't the distance selling regulations applicable here ? I've used these in the case of a 2nd-hand motorcycle from a trader (he wasn't happy).

If so then you have 7 days to say it's not suitable.

You may need to pay the transport costs. Hopefully, it's just a delivery problem and it will be resolved.

Good Luck.

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Tue 6 Jan 2015 14:25
VW - Need some advice on buying a family car for £2-4k - skidpan

Aren't the distance selling regulations applicable here ?

Since the OP discovered the fault when it was delivered and still accepted the car he may well have ruined any chance of applying the distance selling regs.

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