My father is giving some thought to getting rid of his older Forester and taking over mine. You may recall how he bought mine for himself and then decided he preferred his old one, so handed the newer one to me. Anyway, that leaves me without a car, obviously, as I don't want his old Forester either for the same reasons that mine is a far better spec.
So, what should I get. Lets say I have a budget of £20,000 to buy a second hand car that less than four years old. I like sitting high but prefer not to act like a mountain goat to get in. It must be automatic and have four doors. Not bothered about diesel unless the drive is much better than the petrol equivalent.
I have thought about the usual German saloons, but frankly don't need the space of an E-class or 5-series or A6. Maybe I'll go for another Subaru. I also though about getting a car for my wife to take over in a couple of years (e.g. Toyota Corolla Verso or Mazda 5). I refuse to consider anything French and the Touran is ugly.
Any other ideas?
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You are now used to quality engineering and reliability so a Legacy Outback fits the bill, or get a Spec B Legacy.
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Replace with another Forester. I have many wealthy customers who own them and they wouldnt buy anything else. If you liek what you have, stick with what you know you like. The grass isnt always greener.
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Inclined to agree with the others, but with your budget and discerning tastes, could be worth a look at the top end of the secondhand Lexus range. An RX or perhaps a LS?
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IanS
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How about a lumberjack ??? they are OK and as i understand they sleep all night and work all day, just be careful of the womens clothing and hanging around in bars bit !!.
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Agreed - another Forester sounds just what you need or a Legacy estate unless sitting high is a priority.
If you want a change - and why not? - try a Mercedes B-class like mine, but avoid the diesel unless you can stand the London-taxi-like noise. It's a good car apart from the engine, so a petrol B200 might do the job, and give your clients a good image - classy but not so expensive that they quibble over your fees.
The other part of my problem with the B-class is that it can't really do anything that the equivalent 2-litre Octavia estate can't do. Try a vRS. I did the other day, and I wish I hadn't - if only because I want one.
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Do they do a bigger petrol engined B Class Avant?
I know E likes his big engines!
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2 litres is the biggest, unfortunately.
A 6-cylinder B (either petrol or diesel) would be excellent - I suspect there may not be room under the sloping bonnet.
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A friend has just got a Legacy saloon with all the kit in it - not sure what it cost but it's a seriously nice, quick and understated car. Replaced his X reg Legacy estate and he couldn't be happier.
Or if you like sitting high and Japanese reliability, you could get all the extra functionality presented by a Mazda Bongo Friendee. Quite a lot cheaper than £20k but not sure about performance. OK, so I just put the link in because I like the name. It also comes as a Ford Freda. I'm not making this up.
Can't help but think that you might as well find another Forester though, very nice car that one you have/had !
-- You know, it\'s not like changing toothpaste
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Yeah- I keep looking at alternatives (hadn't thought of the B-class - bet it has dreadful residuals) and keep coming back to another Forester - this time the non-Turbo with revised 163bhp engine and all the kit. The Legacy?Outback are very nice but too big - I just don't need the space.
I will have a look at the Mazda 5 and Corolla Verson if only becuase they are well built, you sit high and my wife wants one in about two years time, when the 2-year old starts at school and the older two are more self-sufficient. Anyone got any comments about these cars?
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The only Corolla verso i'd recommend is the 180bhp diesel version all the others are extremely sluggish. The top spec version have in-built DVD player with screen so that should keep the nippers quiet on any long journeys.
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How about an Impreza sporthatch? Relatively cheap as chips and fun to drive.
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The problem BH is that the 180bhp derv drinker is manual only. Damn all this stick waggling giving me painful knees. The Mazda 5 is manual only in the Uk but auto only in the Middle East (go figure?) and the Corolla is manual or jerky semi-auto (no thanks - I want a proper slushbox).
I think I'll go and have another Forester. I was thinking about being totally crazy and getting the 2.5 Turbo instead of the 2.0 NA engine. It should be fun seeing the fuel gauge drop as I'm watching it!
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