Totally random as I have always leased cars through my business but I am considering buying this time around. Either larger estate (my preference) or SUV (my wife's preference). I've had A6 Avants in the past (didn't particularly like them) and currently driving an XC60.
I'd get a Ford Mondeo with all the bells and whistles, I imagine my wife would want the X-Trail. So what else should I be looking at? Happy to get something up to about 3 or 4 years old.
Skoda Superb.
If you want bells and whistles, look for the Laurin & Klement model.
You didn't like an A6, but want a Mundano and currently drive an XC60 but considering an X-Trail??
😂
You're beyond help
A Kia? Sportage or Sorento might be worth a look.
Golf estate.
We've got a Kuga and I am always slightly sheepish in saying it's be best car we have ever had. Expected to replace is with an XC-40 but my wife and I both felt the Kuga smashed it for comfort, space and drive.
Wouldn't £16k get a 3 year old fully loaded Vignale / ST Line?
I've been looking at estates recently. Depends how big you want/need, but cars I've been considering are, in no particular order:
Octavia/Superb - Superb bigger than I need, but looks better than Octavia. Octavia looks a bit dull, even when dressed up in vRS trim.
Honda Civic (old model - they don't do an estate in the new style). I like, but getting on a bit in terms of the design & the infotainment system is supposed to be rubbish.
Seat Leon - current favourite, IMO good mix of style, space, kit & quality
Kia Ceed/Optima - Optima probably too big & Ceed probably a bit small. Pleasantly surprised with interior of Ceed. Engine choice probably a bit weedy for what I want.
A4 Avant - sat in one recently & thought it was nice, but not nice enough to justify price
C-Class estate - very nice interior; definitely feels like the extra cost gets you something nicer. Would have to go for an older/higher mileage at my budget & I have concerns about the running costs.
Ford Focus - old one looks a bit long in the tooth, weird spec choices & interior is an acquired taste. Not very big, either. New Focus is probably outside my budget, although £16k would get you a decent one.
A van
V90
Wouldn’t £16k get a 3 year old fully loaded Vignale / ST Line?
That's what I was thinking about and yes it would.
You didn’t like an A6, but want a Mundano
TBF, much of the dislike is for the badge and I HATE the sycophantic t*ssers at the main dealers.
Not sure you will get one for your budget, but a Peugeot 3008 (latest generation). We have one and it is utterly superb.
You don't seem that bothered either way so I'd just get what your wife wants.
SUV wise we had a Kuga and it never let us down. Doesn't really do anything especially well but not bad either. We tested the BMW X1 and X3. Both very nice but the X3 was much more refined. Not sure sure if your budget will get a X3 though? We have a Disco Sport now which is ace but again, too spendy.
Is your XC60 the new or old model? Know people with both and they seem to like them. My sister has had a few Rav 4's and really rates them. Her 65 reg one was much bigger than our 14 reg Kuga.
I have had a Kia Optima 3 estate for the last year and I love it. Loaded with extras, frugal and reliable. About the same size as a Mondeo estate I should think, but far more pleasing to the eye in my opinion...oh, and a 7 year warranty.
You don’t seem that bothered either way so I’d just get what your wife wants.
I'm not as I don't really drive it as I use public transport.
Is your XC60 the new or old model?
Old model and I do like it (apart from the barge-like turning circle) so that is a consideration.
Secondhand Superb. I bought my 2.0tdi Tech at end of lease, 2yrs, £15k miles as new for £14,600. It's not an exciting car but it's so comfortable for long journies.
If an estate, a VW Passat - the R-Line models look good.
Leon Estate.
Will be some good deals on nearly new around in view of the new model coming out.
Old model and I do like it (apart from the barge-like turning circle) so that is a consideration.
Defo have a go in the latest one then as the people who lease them at work really rate them. Should just about come in budget too I'd have though?
stumpy01 I’ve been looking at estates recently.
Have you looked at the 308sw? I had a 64 plate and did 100k mile in 4 years with no problems. It had a pretty big boot-not far off the Octavia IIRC.
To get an X3 at £16k or less you’re looking at least 5 years old. They are nice though
For me it would be a Volvo XC70, 2016-17 D5 Geartronic. Great car with the best seats in any car I have sat in.
Might be happy compromise between estate and suv?
FB-ATB
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stumpy01 I’ve been looking at estates recently.Have you looked at the 308sw? I had a 64 plate and did 100k mile in 4 years with no problems. It had a pretty big boot-not far off the Octavia IIRC.
Thanks, but I seem to have bad luck with French cars.
We used to have a 308 (previous shape) that was my Wife's. Absolute piece of crap that we got rid of as she had no confidence it would get her where she was going.
Against my better judgement we bought a Citroen C3 Picasso when my daughter was born.
It's an even worse heap of shit that I was on the verge of replacing when this lockdown occurred.
I must have got a lemon - constant niggly unreliability issues and I've vowed never to get a French car again. In fact only a few weeks ago in the warmer weather we were having it's thrown up an orange engine light for an anti-pollution fault that won't go away.
Stumpy, that’s just french cars for you.
Mondeos are great motors, but actually quite rare nowadays.
X trails are good cars, great in all weather, high up driving position. I’ve driven a few.
Subaru forester? Best in xt trim.
Skoda superb, terrific cars, L&K model preferred.
I’m with you on audis, the cars are great, but my god the adverts, are they trying to only attract pretentious ****ers?
Get the one your wife prefers if she’s doing most of the driving.
Skoda superb (sportline trim) or
VW Passat (R-Line or GT spec)
After years of Audi and BMW estates, I got a great deal on a 2.0 tdi VW Passat Estate GT. It's a brilliant all-rounder. Amazingly comfortable (I'm 6'4), easily does over 50 mpg, has a 650 litre boot AND a proper full size spare wheel!
We drive to France twice a year and it makes the whole thing a breeze. Adaptive cruise control is brilliant too.
I'd have another one, or would have a good look at the superb too.
Thanks, but I seem to have bad luck with French cars.
I must benefit from your bad luck and had the opposite: 406; 206 (x2); 307sw; Grand Scenic; 5008 (x2) and the 308sw. Only issue was the a/c on the 307 started to play up when it was 7 years old and we had decided it was due to be replaced.
Tbh I was dubious about their reputation but a friends sister got us a good deal on the 206.
Against my better judgement we bought a Citroen C3 Picasso when my daughter was born.
It’s an even worse heap of shit that I was on the verge of replacing when this lockdown occurred.
I must have got a lemon
You do know the French word for Lemon 😉
Reminds me when I was at school, o-level French class, teacher asks ‘ou achete on un citron’, my mate Andy replies ‘a la garage’
Indeed somefolk do seem predisposed to get a lemon.
That said I'd never buy a "new" one with my own money.
I've had a 4 year old Peugeot partner from 30k-12 years /110k with little needed over and above consumables. Needed a cold start wax stat idle valve and a clutch after I towed a lwb hitop transit about 10miles home.
And then an 04 Citroen Berlingo from 10 years/80k - 14 years/140k. This one needed an axle at 13 years old but quick easy and readily availible changed it as we planned to keep it but needed something newer /safer for wife's work due to carting other folks kids about.
Currently rocking a 15 plate Peugeot partner tepee owned since 3year old 5000miles currently on 34k with just routine servicing.
We did buy a vw once. Everything that broke (and boy did it like to break) was comparitively expensive to repair and maintain......
That Leon sounds a great deal. Unfortunately I think my wife is going to dig her heels in for an SUV though.
trail_rat
Indeed somefolk do seem predisposed to get a lemon.
Well, got the lemon back from the garage today. I took it in as another amber light popped up on the dashboard a few weeks ago with an 'anti-pollution fault' showing on the info display (as mentioned above). Second time that's happened, although last time it was a different fault to this one (obviously)...
Turned out to be one of the camshaft sensors, so it was replaced.
That doesn't solve the sticking thermostat that makes it run like a dog in cold weather, from a cold start. We've ignored that as it's not noticeable in warm weather and we'll probably get rid of the car before the cold weather comes round again...