So I've lost patience with the Picasso. Too many return trips to the dealer for too many faults and too many bits of plastic breaking off that can't be replaced. I do still like the feeling of space inside, I find it very comfortable to drive, the kids have lots of room in the back and I do make use of the boot space - folding and/or removing the seats far more often than I ever thought I would. I would hope to get £6500 or thereabouts for it. 03 reg 2.0 exclusive.
Before the Picasso I had a BMW 320 Touring Automatic that I really liked, and wouldn't mind one of those again. Nothing rattled, no bits fell off and somehow it 'felt' well made. I like the look of the Volvo V50 (in silver) too and am going to have a closer look at these tomorrow.
Any other thoughts from anyone? What about the Skoda octavia estate?
Other info:
I mainly do short runs of approx 5 miles a time, plus the odd 100 mile each way journey a couple of times a month.
Safety is important.
Quality feel is important, prestige brand isn't.
Fuel economy of 30mph + would be good.
I prefer an automatic
Room in the back for 2 pre-teen children
Will probably lease and spend approx £350 a month, perhaps a bit more for the right car. Or buy nearly new on a loan and make repayments of a similar amount. Indecisive? Moi?
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Doubt you'll get £6500 for a 03 plater! If you like space, how about a Toyota Corolla Verso?
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Sorry to here about the Picasso, ( I am still enjoying mine ( 06) and waiting for something adverse to happen).
The Verso is a good bet, but since you have taken the big hit on the Picasso why dont you give it a second chance? Have look at www.citroenpicasso.org.uk/picasso/index.php?showfo...3 to see if it helps sort any problems, there are some very good people there inc a Citroen mechanic who works in a main dealers.
Are you going to Servian again this year? If you need any other local advice send me a personal Email (see profile) or if that fails via a moderator..
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pmh (was peter)
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Hi Rebecca
I'm also looking for a car, the criteria of which are pretty much the same as yours, with the exception that my budget is lower. The car that has caught my eye (but I haven't driven yet) is the Vauxhall Signum....huge range of engine/gearbox combinations (including diesel autos), lots of interior space (particularly for the kids) but only a tiny bit bigger outside than a Vectra....flat folding seats, loads of extras and big depreciation from new which means there seem to be some nearly new bargains out there.
I've had a couple of Vauxhalls before and they've always seemed OK quality-wise although lacking in prestige. The only negative I can see compared to an MPV is you lose the high-up driving position.
It wouldn't make sense on a lease but might do if you did it on a loan.
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Is the budget either £6,000 deposit + £350/month over three years to buy, or £350/month to lease?
If so that works out at about £17,500 cash and probably a similar amount on a lease.
My suggestions would be S-Max or Mazda5 if you want another MPV; otherwise a Skoda Octavia or nearly-new Focus or Mondeo estate (or a Mazda6 if you fancy something slightly sporty).
Have a look at quotes from Affinity by Hitachi Capital, which might prove interesting, e.g,. an Octavia 2.0 Elegance Estate for £275 per month.
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We part X'd our picasso last year - it was an 03 2.0 HDI exclusive with 42K on it and quite a few scratches and a few odd small shopping trolly dents. We got 6.5K for it last december, so given that the plate has changed since then I think you may be a little optimistic - should also add that 6.5 was the best offer - some were as low as 5250.
How old are your kids? If you have been use dto lifting them in and out of a picasso I would advise sticking with something MPV like for the height - if I put my kids in a "normal" car now my back knows it!
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what about the previous Honda Civic 5 door hatch? Bags of leg room in the rear, even for a 6'3" adult. A 1.6 is supposed to be economical. I drove one recently and it was excellent. no rattles, good quality trim, excellent mechanical record. There must be some really good deals around now that the new one is out.
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Thanks for the good ideas. I will investigate some of these suggestions further. The kids get in and out of the car on their own -no lifting required.
I'm not wedded to the £6500 figure - which is good given your replies!
Has anyone been in a V50? (Apart from HJ?!)
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I've driven the S40 (saloon version of V50) and loved it - great interior and nice turbocharged 5 cyl engine.
I've seen the 1.8 (4 cyl) saloon at low prices for 12 months old, but I suspect the estate will hold its value better.
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Surprising, isn't it, how often one neds to fold down the back seats. Although the children are grown-up now, I'd still never have a saloon again.
One thing to bear in mind is that on the Octavia (and I think) the V50 you have to remove the headrests before folding the backrest down - annoying. Audi A4 - no need to but the seats don't fold quite flat. Honda Accord Tourer and Mazda 6 estate - they fold down in one movement, which you could find useful.
If you go to look at the Mazda 6 also check out the Mazda 5 - an MPV rather than an estate and it has sliding rear doors.
Also Ford C-Max and S-Max, the latter being posssibly too expensive.
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