Which car to go for?

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Sun 5 Jul 2015 15:42
Which car to go for? - Nikster
Hello all,

Desperately need your advice!

We've been living overseas for the last four years but will return to the UK next month. We are a family of four (1 and 5 year old) and will be living near Gloucester but travelling to London at least once a fortnight. The car will also be used for the school run and commute. We have been driving a XC90, which we bought new and loved, but won't be bringing back to the UK.

We can't decide which car to go for and whether to buy new or used. We are likely to be in the UK for 2-4 years before being posted overseas again.

Hopefully this might help to inform your advice.

- budget: £18-21k
- prefer small SUV/crossover type - got used to luxury and high seating of XC90 (but not fuel efficiency!)
- automatic
- prefer petrol but open to diesel
- 6-8k miles per year
- main qualities: comfort, safety, style
- max age for used: two years

We have so far considered Qashqai (£22k for 1.2 petrol new but unsure of resale value and second hand models scarce); Mazda CX-5 (looks good but costly new); CR-V (lots of kit for the price but costly new and poor reviews); RR Evoque (love the looks but costly even used and not a lot of kit for money); and Kia Sportage (looks good but not the best comfort levels or drive quality).

Very happy to reconsider any of the above or something else.

Thanks in advance
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Sun 5 Jul 2015 16:26
Which car to go for? - Ethan Edwards

Why not get a late used Qashqai? There's lots of the previous model around and I think they are pretty good value. The current model has only just come out so no wonder you can't find one of those second hand.

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Mon 6 Jul 2015 15:24
Which car to go for? - Happy Blue!

Evoque is too small for a growing family with lots of kids stuff. You would do better with the Freelander if you really want a LandRover product.....

The Mk1 Qashqai is an excellent vehicle and with the 130bhp DCi engine does not suffer the DPF isues that plagued other cars, so no need to consider petrol.

A fortnightly trip to London will sort out any DPF issues in most cars so you could look at diesels in all makes (except the Mazda - lots of problems).

Also look at the Ford Kuga, VW Tiguan, Volvo XC60 and possibly you could buy slightly older Hyundai Santa Fe or Kia Sorento which are much larger but have a good 2.2 diesel engine and lots of space.

Left-field choices include Toyota Rav4 or Subaru Forester.

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Mon 6 Jul 2015 16:21
Which car to go for? - slkfanboy

Having previously owned the XC90 I know what you mean. Firstly due to low interest rates many car are on verious PCP schemas and therefore based on monthly payments you can affort. In fact I hardly think many car sales men evan know what the real cost of new car is.

After 3years a typical car will have lost 60% of its value, based on average milage. So 20K gets you a lot of car second hand.

Freelanders maybe trending but have there issues, The Qashqai maybe sensable money but rather average inside and none of the above are in the same class as the XC90.

The XC60 maybe a good compromise it's but is big enough and quality motor in the class of the BMW X3 Audi Q3 which can be had for the 21K budget.

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Mon 6 Jul 2015 17:20
Which car to go for? - focussed

I would have thought that your requirements are for a Honda CRV 2.2 diesel, just remember it's not a 4x4 though.

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Mon 6 Jul 2015 18:34
Which car to go for? - Avant

As you've liked your XC90, an XC60 is a good place to start: Volvos are built to last but don't hold their value as well as the premium German makes, so you should get one under 2 years old within budget. Nearly all Volvos are diesels, but with regular long runs you shouldn't have a problem.

The CR-V and CX-5 should also be within range, even though as you say they cost a lot new. Japanese cars also are built to last but go for petrol power - in particular avoid Mazda diesels which can give trouble at higher mileages.

As you want an automatic, best to avoid VW Group as the long-term reliability of the DSG / S-tronic transmission is uncertain.

Mercedes B-class perhaps - the diesels are appallingly noisy but a petrol one might appeal. One of our regular members has been very happy with a petrol B-class but has just changed it for a Subaru Forester - another one well worth considering.

Finally there are plenty of Fords to choose from, such as the C-Max, S-Max and Kuga.

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Mon 6 Jul 2015 19:21
Which car to go for? - scot22

I curious Avant. What would you class as regular and a long run.

From previous posts I am aware of DPF problems and although my motoring really is best suited for petrol I do like Volvos. Of course, biggest choice for them is diesel.

Had nil resposne from local franchised dealer with queries. Are they all like that ?

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Tue 7 Jul 2015 13:39
Which car to go for? - Avant

"What would you class as regular and a long run?"

I'm no expert but I suppose a 20-mile run at least once a week.

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Tue 7 Jul 2015 14:29
Which car to go for? - scot22

Thanks -that is similar to a comment just given on a Volvo forum.

I wish car choice was simpler !

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Tue 7 Jul 2015 14:33
Which car to go for? - Engineer Andy

Whilst a weekly long run might mean a diesel can be used, surely the additional purchase price over a petrol version (which are now mostly more reliable than diesels, especially on low mileages) would be prohibitive?

The Mazda CX-5 SEL or SEL-NAV 2 litre (165bhp) non-turbo engine might be worth a look as its likely to return closer to the test mpg (47.1) than the diesel version, and as many have said, Mazda diesels haven't had the best record in recent years - petrol engines on the other hand, have a good reputation and don't have any little turbos or DSG systems to go wrong, plus of course, they are better handling than the majority of the opposition. As HJ says though, stay away from the big wheeled versions if you can - Mazdas [my 2006 '3' is a good example] are quite firm riding vehicles generally.

The Qashqai generally is a well-regarding car, but does have a few gremlins and (old model) cheaper plastics on the interior.

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Tue 7 Jul 2015 17:49
Which car to go for? - scot22

Thanks Andy. I understand you are right but I do have a leaning to a Volvo S40 and it appears the most available are diesel.

Quality of cabin is important to me as well as safety,comfort and reliability and Volvo up to know has been the best I've sat in. I can't afford anything better

Apologies for going off the thread.

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Wed 8 Jul 2015 03:37
Which car to go for? - daveyK_UK

Ssangyong are worth a look, they are reliable.

Honda CRV are reliable in petrol form.

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