New car for parents

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Thu 1 Dec 2005 13:11
New car for parents - cheddar
My 70 ish parents have two old cars that are not worth a penny, they are thinking of spending approx £3-£5k on one car to replace both. It needs to be not too large otherwise my mother will not drive it though big enough to get my fairly fit dad's mountain bike in the back. My dad wants a car on which he can perform most of the service tasks, also parts should be reasonable priced and readily available. They are not fussed about air con though my dad likes to have a trip computer and outside temp gauge. Annual mileage is low so no real advantage in a diesel, my mum would only put petrol in it anyway!

I have though of a Focus estate though IIRC it would have to be a Ghia to get the computer and temp gauge. Perhaps a late pre 2002 Vectra estate, or a late pre 2000 Mondeo hatch (a Mondeo estate is too big), I like the '98 on Astra hatch, great petrol engines, though the estate is ugly. Perhaps a Scenic, Golf estate, any other ideas?


Regards.
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Thu 1 Dec 2005 13:12
New car for parents - cheddar
Sorry, I don't know why I have posted this in Technical Matters, perhaps one of the mods can move it. Thanks.

{Done - obviously. DD}
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Thu 1 Dec 2005 13:13
New car for parents - Roly93
Focus estate is the best oveall pick of that bunch for the money available.
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Thu 1 Dec 2005 13:41
New car for parents - Bromptonaut
At risk of committing a french version of the Mondeo TDCI offence would a Berlingo or Partner (or even a Fiat Doblo) fit the bill?.
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Thu 1 Dec 2005 13:45
New car for parents - cheddar
Not sure about Berlingo, I thought about Piccaso though not sure re the computer etc, also parts costs.
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Thu 1 Dec 2005 13:48
New car for parents - cheddar
Focus estate is the best oveall pick of that bunch for
the money available.


That is the conclusion I have come to so far though it really is a bit boring to conclude that the ideal car for me would be a new Focus estate and the ideal car for my Dad, .. another a Focus estate.
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Thu 1 Dec 2005 14:25
New car for parents - Vansboy
Astra Club 1.6 8v is what I bought for Mrs V's mum n dad.

They wanted auto - so the Motability auction was where I went.

You'll find plenty there - & if they REALLY don't want air con, Envoy spec, are £400 ish cheaper. But best not to delete this option, really.

VB
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Thu 1 Dec 2005 14:33
New car for parents - cheddar
It is not that they don't want aircon, they are just not fussed about it, they would not want auto though.
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Thu 1 Dec 2005 15:03
New car for parents - barchettaman
Yep, Astra estate should be worth a look. I´m very happy with mine. The old shape ones are good value second-hand, as I´m sure you know.
Managed to get 120 bottles of wine, luggage and a bike in this summer coming back from the parents in the Languedoc.
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Thu 1 Dec 2005 17:44
New car for parents - Hugo {P}
Chedder,

I would get them both to try the Picasso. Inlaws have one and it's nice to drive.

The only thing I don't like about it is the windscreen pillars, they are further away from you and fairly thick, so they can obscure vision a bit. You do get used to it though.

H
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Thu 1 Dec 2005 17:50
New car for parents - cheddar
Thanks Hugo, what about parts costs, trip computer and outside temp gauge?, also as per Scenic is the engine less accessable than the average car due to MPV type design?


Regards.
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