Need practical second car for £15k ish
09 May 2003, 03:24 PM
#1
Scooby Regular
Thread Starter
Join Date: Sep 1999
Location: £1.785m reasons not to be here :)
Posts: 6,095
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Looking for some ideas/experiences please.
Need to get a car for the other half up to around the £15k ish (depending on finance costs).
Has to meet the following critera:
Able to take 4/5 adults
Room for 2 dogs (Rotties) at the same time
New/nearly new (going to keep for a good few years)
Reliable and hassle free
High ish driving position preferred, but not high loading bay so most 4x4s are out.
MPV of some description seems to meet the bill, but Scenic is out (naff), Picasso is out (boot too small) and most big enough estates are too expensive.
Performance not an issue - just has to be able to carry aforementioned loads in safety and reasonable comfort.
Gad a look at the Berlingo/Partner/Kangoo things. Great value but not that comfortable, and not mad about the long term prospects.
Any ideas/suggestions/experiences?
D
Need to get a car for the other half up to around the £15k ish (depending on finance costs).
Has to meet the following critera:
Able to take 4/5 adults
Room for 2 dogs (Rotties) at the same time
New/nearly new (going to keep for a good few years)
Reliable and hassle free
High ish driving position preferred, but not high loading bay so most 4x4s are out.
MPV of some description seems to meet the bill, but Scenic is out (naff), Picasso is out (boot too small) and most big enough estates are too expensive.
Performance not an issue - just has to be able to carry aforementioned loads in safety and reasonable comfort.
Gad a look at the Berlingo/Partner/Kangoo things. Great value but not that comfortable, and not mad about the long term prospects.
Any ideas/suggestions/experiences?
D
09 May 2003, 03:26 PM
#2
Scooby Regular
Join Date: Dec 2001
Posts: 4,227
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Skoda Octavia
The RS has decent economy, but still has the performance if you fancy a blitz. The hatch has plenty of room in the cabin, and the boot is absultely huge. The estate versions must be massive
The RS has decent economy, but still has the performance if you fancy a blitz. The hatch has plenty of room in the cabin, and the boot is absultely huge. The estate versions must be massive
09 May 2003, 03:33 PM
#5
Scooby Regular
Thread Starter
Join Date: Sep 1999
Location: £1.785m reasons not to be here :)
Posts: 6,095
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Thought about both of those, but want to keep the insurance/servcing costs down
Skoda wasn't bad, but quotes on the big Saab estates were not good.
Really looking for something MPV height.
D
Skoda wasn't bad, but quotes on the big Saab estates were not good.
Really looking for something MPV height.
D
09 May 2003, 03:35 PM
#6
Scooby Regular
Thread Starter
Join Date: Sep 1999
Location: £1.785m reasons not to be here :)
Posts: 6,095
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
LOL @ merkin, I'm no badge snob, but I couldn't have a Volvo 
Sorry,its just too suburban housewife, 2.4 kids and golden retriever
D
Sorry,its just too suburban housewife, 2.4 kids and golden retriever
D
Trending Topics
09 May 2003, 04:34 PM
#10
Scooby Regular
Thread Starter
Join Date: Sep 1999
Location: £1.785m reasons not to be here :)
Posts: 6,095
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Not really, and its a FORD
She likes the concept of the Berlingo/Partner/Kangoo, just not mad about the actual cars.
Must go and do some legwork this weekend
She likes the concept of the Berlingo/Partner/Kangoo, just not mad about the actual cars.
Must go and do some legwork this weekend
09 May 2003, 04:38 PM
#11
Scooby Regular
Join Date: Aug 1999
Posts: 1,208
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Octavia 4x4 estate, higher than the standard octavia's and can have a nice high driving position.
I'm 5'10, and can comfortably have the seat at it's highest, wheel is adjustable for reach and rake, so easy to have a very high driving position for city driving \ parking, or lower for "pushing on".
Find one at a dealer, sit in it, you may be surprised.
IC
I'm 5'10, and can comfortably have the seat at it's highest, wheel is adjustable for reach and rake, so easy to have a very high driving position for city driving \ parking, or lower for "pushing on".
Find one at a dealer, sit in it, you may be surprised.
IC
10 May 2003, 03:35 PM
#14
Scooby Regular
Join Date: Oct 2001
Posts: 1,260
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Legacy or Outback - NAs. Should be a few about in the right money range, just not likely new...the 3.0l H6 is very nice..size/space may not be there I guess, but the NAs go forever.
With the forthcoming model change, there may some deals to be had.
With the forthcoming model change, there may some deals to be had.
10 May 2003, 06:57 PM
#15
Scooby Regular
Join Date: Sep 2002
Posts: 1,404
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
We've got similar needs, although just one Labrador to accomodate, and we've just bought an 03 Impreza GX Sportswagon today. Should be delivered in 6 weeks.
Didn't you have one? Not fancy the idea again?
Cheers
Didn't you have one? Not fancy the idea again?
Cheers
11 May 2003, 06:35 PM
#18
Scooby Regular
Join Date: Aug 2002
Posts: 177
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Still some good huge estates around with alright handling as an alternative to MPV's.
98S W210 Merc E class 300 Td, a bit old but, Huge, rock solid resale, resonable performance 0-60 8.5 secs and economy, good build, very roomy for 4-5 adults and the boot is big enough for the dogs. Could get one for about £15k with 50k-60k miles, they will do loads on cars will d f miles and people still pay good money at 150k miles or even more. Petrol ones are usually cheaper.
Omegas are really cheap now, big specs, good ride, huge and comfy you could probably get a deal on a pre registered one for £15k or an under one year old, 3.0 litres supposed to be quite quick and the 2.5 diesel has the BMW unit. Some dealers are giving them away.
Volvo T5 ? not as big but still pretty big, fast. Or the newer V70s are available at decent money, very comfy.
the reason I am keen on estates is that we had a 4 by 4 (ML430) sold it after a month due to the handling and even going quite slowly the roll on cornering would upset my wife and Sarah's stomachs, (at least it had easy cleaning leather seats), but the experience put me off 4by4s and MPVs.
Good luck choosing.
98S W210 Merc E class 300 Td, a bit old but, Huge, rock solid resale, resonable performance 0-60 8.5 secs and economy, good build, very roomy for 4-5 adults and the boot is big enough for the dogs. Could get one for about £15k with 50k-60k miles, they will do loads on cars will d f miles and people still pay good money at 150k miles or even more. Petrol ones are usually cheaper.
Omegas are really cheap now, big specs, good ride, huge and comfy you could probably get a deal on a pre registered one for £15k or an under one year old, 3.0 litres supposed to be quite quick and the 2.5 diesel has the BMW unit. Some dealers are giving them away.
Volvo T5 ? not as big but still pretty big, fast. Or the newer V70s are available at decent money, very comfy.
the reason I am keen on estates is that we had a 4 by 4 (ML430) sold it after a month due to the handling and even going quite slowly the roll on cornering would upset my wife and Sarah's stomachs, (at least it had easy cleaning leather seats), but the experience put me off 4by4s and MPVs.
Good luck choosing.
11 May 2003, 06:50 PM
#19
Scooby Regular
Join Date: Jun 2001
Location: a land full of corsets
Posts: 9,755
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Another vote for the Octavia 4x4 estate. Any questions, come ask on www.briskoda.net. We have a few Scooby converts on there, who I'm sure would tell you all about comparative running costs and performance.
12 May 2003, 02:57 PM
#20
Scooby Regular
Thread Starter
Join Date: Sep 1999
Location: £1.785m reasons not to be here :)
Posts: 6,095
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Cheers for the input.
Did a lot of legwork at the weekend and have the following observations:
Skoda Octavia 4X4:-
Wife not mad keen, although a lot of car for the money. Estate is pretty big though. Not really "different" enough.
Picasso:-
Dirt cheap, but boot poorly shaped due to slope of rear window, so no use for the dog(s). Also residuals likely to be poor.
Legacy/outback:-
Too big - Forrester was more like it though. No great deals, though - not interested in ballon payment deals.
Toonman's suggestion - Used to run an Impreza Turbo MY99 saloon, but WRX sportwagon not big enough, especially in rear. Adult male Rotties are half as big again as Labs. Running costs not ideal, and again finance not that cheap.
Zafira GSI..LOL...
OK, seriously, Zafira big enough, GSI quite a nice bit of kit, bit something didn't click TBH. GSI too expensive anyway.
VW camper:-
Good call, seriosly cool, but didn't fancy the driving experience, even if I could find a good one.
Older Merc Estate:-
Hmm..need cheap finance, so dealer cars preferable.
So, we went along to local mercedes dealer to have a look. Nothing suitable, but they were running a deal on the new Vaneo.
"Interesting" looks but drives exceptionally well and has huge 
amounts of space. Oh, and available on 5 years zero percent with low deposit.
Mercedes verion of the kangoo idea.
So we're having a think about it
D
Did a lot of legwork at the weekend and have the following observations:
Skoda Octavia 4X4:-
Wife not mad keen, although a lot of car for the money. Estate is pretty big though. Not really "different" enough.
Picasso:-
Dirt cheap, but boot poorly shaped due to slope of rear window, so no use for the dog(s). Also residuals likely to be poor.
Legacy/outback:-
Too big - Forrester was more like it though. No great deals, though - not interested in ballon payment deals.
Toonman's suggestion - Used to run an Impreza Turbo MY99 saloon, but WRX sportwagon not big enough, especially in rear. Adult male Rotties are half as big again as Labs
. Running costs not ideal, and again finance not that cheap.Zafira GSI..LOL...
OK, seriously, Zafira big enough, GSI quite a nice bit of kit, bit something didn't click TBH. GSI too expensive anyway.
VW camper:-
Good call
, seriosly cool, but didn't fancy the driving experience, even if I could find a good one.Older Merc Estate:-
Hmm..need cheap finance, so dealer cars preferable.
So, we went along to local mercedes dealer to have a look. Nothing suitable, but they were running a deal on the new Vaneo.
"Interesting" looks
but drives exceptionally well and has huge amounts of space. Oh, and available on 5 years zero percent with low deposit. Mercedes verion of the kangoo idea.
So we're having a think about it
D
13 May 2003, 02:27 AM
#23
Scooby Regular
Join Date: Aug 2002
Posts: 356
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
What about a Citreon Dolly and you will have £14,995 to put back under your matress! The dogs can stick their heads out of the soft top roof!
[Edited by imprezza99uk - 5/13/2003 2:29:31 AM]
[Edited by imprezza99uk - 5/13/2003 2:29:31 AM]
13 May 2003, 08:43 AM
#24
Scooby Regular
Join Date: Mar 2003
Location: cambs
Posts: 1,084
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
dealer finance will probably not be the cheapest. check out all the big insurance companies and supermarkets ... then call your local bank branch, you'll be surprised what they offer given some competition. remember to look at total paid rather than apr ... there could be hidden charges. also that way you can haggle cash with the dealer or buy private with low finance.
on the car front, my wife has an E-class oil-burner estate - you should be able to pick up some good bargins on the model just replaced. . i'm not a beemer fan, but there must be some good 5 series bargins out there. if you get a big estate get one with park-tronic then it's easier to park than a mini.
good luck
on the car front, my wife has an E-class oil-burner estate - you should be able to pick up some good bargins on the model just replaced. . i'm not a beemer fan, but there must be some good 5 series bargins out there. if you get a big estate get one with park-tronic then it's easier to park than a mini.
good luck
13 May 2003, 02:54 PM
#25
Scooby Regular
Join Date: Jan 2002
Location: Winchester
Posts: 747
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Another vote/votes for the Skodas, we used to run a Vectra, A STI 3 & a Citroen oil burner as a work car for me (scoob toooooo thirsty)
We changed the lot a few weeks ago & now have a Skud 4x4 for me & a Skud L&K Diesel Estate for Wendy.
We bought the L&K new, its the one with full leather, heated seats climate, sun roof ., 6 CD changer, radio/cassete, Alloy wheels, 3 year/60000 warranty, 3 years free AA, metalic paint Oh I nearly forgot we got it down to £14500 on the road.
[Edited by Stuart J - 5/13/2003 2:55:54 PM]
We changed the lot a few weeks ago & now have a Skud 4x4 for me & a Skud L&K Diesel Estate for Wendy.
We bought the L&K new, its the one with full leather, heated seats climate, sun roof ., 6 CD changer, radio/cassete, Alloy wheels, 3 year/60000 warranty, 3 years free AA, metalic paint Oh I nearly forgot we got it down to £14500 on the road.
[Edited by Stuart J - 5/13/2003 2:55:54 PM]
05 December 2003, 03:38 PM
#26
Scooby Regular
Join Date: Apr 2002
Posts: 1,867
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Diablo
Another vote from me(and the Wolfhound)for an Octavia 4x4 estate.
- Previous cars 6 Subarus (3 Impreza, 3 Legacy) and 2 Audi A4 Quattros.
I can't praise the 4x4 high enough.
Its not a direct Impreza Turbo competitor but remember that the Octavia comes with variable servicing like Audi (15k+) and as the engine is Audi (and almost everything else) it remaps safe and sound to 220bhp+
If you are thinking Forester or (used) Outback then you get the kit, high seating, build quality, traction, performance of these
plus better fuel consumption.
Thats all IMHO in the 5000 miles and 2 months I've owned one.
One of Britain's best kept secret. Buy as a demo or a year old and you can't go wrong.
[Edited by Flat 4x4 - 5/12/2003 3:40:52 PM]
Another vote from me(and the Wolfhound)for an Octavia 4x4 estate.
- Previous cars 6 Subarus (3 Impreza, 3 Legacy) and 2 Audi A4 Quattros.
I can't praise the 4x4 high enough.
Its not a direct Impreza Turbo competitor but remember that the Octavia comes with variable servicing like Audi (15k+) and as the engine is Audi (and almost everything else) it remaps safe and sound to 220bhp+
If you are thinking Forester or (used) Outback then you get the kit, high seating, build quality, traction, performance of these
plus better fuel consumption.
Thats all IMHO in the 5000 miles and 2 months I've owned one.
One of Britain's best kept secret. Buy as a demo or a year old and you can't go wrong.
[Edited by Flat 4x4 - 5/12/2003 3:40:52 PM]
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
ossett2k2
Engine Management and ECU Remapping
15
23 September 2015 09:11 AM