New Family Car - what to buy?

[Dark]

Thinking of replacing the wife's 2008 Impreza 2.0 RX.
We don't need two AWD cars and the Impreza is expensive to service & tax and very thirsty; averaging <25mpg for the 10 mile commute in & out of Edinburgh.

Looking for something that's:

5 door, hatchback
Similar size to the Impreza
Can fit 3 kids across the back seats
Small capacity petrol engine, 1.2 to 1.6 litres
(lot's of short journeys, diesel's take too long to warm up)
40-45mpg on the commute
Cheap road fund & servicing costs
Sat-Nav & keyless entry would be a bonus!
Not French.
Budget of max £15k (including ~£5k part-ex for the Impreza)
Newish, low mileage (certainly <2 years, 20k miles)
Comfortable & easy to drive, nippy but not fast!
Cash buyer unless the finance options are very good.

Current thinking is a 1-2 year old VW Golf or a pre-reg Toyota Auris.

Any other ideas or suggestions?

Cheers, Mark

[ClarkyBoy]

Focus 1600 16v? 15k will buy you a really high spec one (like the 182ps model) at a year old or so, titanium x is the top of the range has keyless entry and nav, xenon lights etc. Cracking vfm imo


Or a lower spec 116 bmw (imo not worth the cash for the spec etc - and im usually bmw bias!!)

Mazda 3?

Aurus looks quite good too.

[StiflerMR2]

It's hard to look past the golf. I have one and I really like it.

I appreciate it may be seen as a bit of a safe choice and uninspired. You could pick up any of the platform sharing cars though

[flyingscot68]

What about the Ford B-Max?
Looks like an ideal family runaround and a little different from the norm.

[philthy]

Golf GTD is a good shout.
I know my brother is considering selling his new shape 120d M-Sport soon and it ticks all your boxes minus the part ex bit

[Dominic]

Golf GTD is a good shout.
I know my brother is considering selling his new shape 120d M-Sport soon and it ticks all your boxes minus the part ex bit

Agree the Golf is hard to look beyond, all though they are a bit pricey.

I have just got the Mrs a Focus Titanium, 1.6TDCi. While not the fastest thing in the world, it is surprisingly pleasant to drive, and is loaded with toys. Having come from owning VWs & Audi, I am very impressed with the quality too. Obviously you can get one with a petrol engine. I also test drove the 1.0l, which was amazing, would never have thought a 1.0l would be enough in the Focus. For something for a city use, it would be ideal. The reviews say it's economy goes out the window on the motorway, especially if you press on (i.e. 70mph not 60mph). So I guess a petrol engined Focus may be a good option, but maybe not the 1.0l if you plan to use it for longer runs.

I don't get the B-Max / C-Max / Scenic etc - they are no more a people carrier than a corsa or a fiesta; they all take 5 peeps. The only advantage in the "small/medium MPV" category that I can see is lots of extra headroom, which is my opinion is pointless, unless you wear a very large hat a lot. I think if you are considering one of these, you should look at the estate option of the car it is based upon, and you'll get a far more practical and usable car. Just mt 2p

[BigD]

I don't get the B-Max / C-Max / Scenic etc

You will Dom, you will...... soon....

I do get the mini MPV's and I don't know why but I like them. Maybe because I'm secretly a white van man and just want a van to drive about in but practicalities over a normal car include; much more load space for big bulky things like large friends or pushchairs or kids bikes (without having to dismantle them) or whitegoods etc, easier to get in and out of due to the higher seat height (I'm getting old) ; better view for the driver and passengers due to increased height (kids hate not being able to see out). Downsides: wind blast on the Forth Road Bridge

[graeme]

Came to the same conclusion as Dom.. I don't get the taller/X-over type vehicles. We looked at the Golf 5-dr hatch, Touran, Golf plus and Tiguan... all pretty much useless in terms of load space. MPG of the taller ones drops compared to car-shaped models, handling gets worse, sidewinds as Big D mentioned....

With the estate, you get a large, square load area with all seats up, for very little extra footprint, and it drives the same as a hatch. For pure practicality (i.e. ignoring the fact that estates are dull) it made sense to us. I'm pretty sure I'd buy the estate version of any car that offered one. I mean, why wouldn't you? If you buy a car that offers it, it's going to be for practical reasons anyway, so why not maximise practicality?

[KevD]

Focus at 15k will lose a lot of money over 3/4 years. I'd either look for one a bit cheaper or look at an Alfa , seat Leon or ds4 maybe for something different. A3 would be the other option (golf in a posh frock). Had an old shape Leon for 7 months and was a good all rounder. Motorpoint have a lot of nearly new stuff.

K

[Andy G]

Id not even toy with an Alfa if it was for my mrs!

Stay German - A4 avant? or that larger 5 door A3?

[KevD]

Id not even toy with an Alfa if it was for my mrs!

Stay German - A4 avant? or that larger 5 door A3?

Haven't ran one but evo have had 1/2 lately if they tempt check out their long term reports

[campbell]

With reluctance I agree the Focus 1.6 could make sense. Based on requirements stated, though, I'd struggle to see past an A3 Sportback. Or Leon, perhaps.

[Jeremy]

Golf GTD is a good shout.

Indeed.

My niece has a 62 plate Golf GTD with leather interior. I am strictly Mr Anti-Diesel but I have to admit this is probably the best all round car I've ever driven. It does everything well, and some things very, very well. It does nothing badly.

It's even pretty decent fun to punt down a B road. For a diesel it revs out reasonably well and doesn't suffer from the usual comedy power band.

It's easy to dismiss cars like this as they're so common on our roads but if I were to choose one car to live with day in and day out this would be it. The standard VW ease of ownership virtues are an added bonus (long service intervals, class leading residuals, unpretentious image, classy interior). DSG box essential. Can be remapped to 220bhp if you're so inclined but I think it's just right as it's maker intended.

And I would stick your cash in a bond and lease. £200pm + VAt, not that I've been looking or anything

Regards,

Jeremy

[Dark]

Very tempting! Although I'd have to add satnav & keyless go which takes the price to £300 / month!

http://www.nationwidevehiclecontracts.c ... -51344.htm

The Honda Civic diesel looks good value at £200 / month for a 3 year personal lease with 10k miles / year. It also has satnav!

http://www.nationwidevehiclecontracts.c ... -quote.htm

[Jeremy]

Very tempting! Although I'd have to add satnav & keyless go which takes the price to £300 / month!

http://www.nationwidevehiclecontracts.c ... -51344.htm

The Honda Civic diesel looks good value at £200 / month for a 3 year personal lease with 10k miles / year. It also has satnav!

http://www.nationwidevehiclecontracts.c ... -quote.htm

Try contracthireandleasing.com, like a price comparison site for leasing.

Buy a Tomtom, teach the wife to use a key, job done !

Regards,

Jeremy