| Car recommendations 17:37 - Sep 26 with 6871 views | Zx1988 |
Following some good car advice in the past, I'm after some more...
We've been running a 2014 Honda Civic Tourer for a few years now and, although I think it's a fantastic little car, Mrs Zx has called time on it as the seats just don't agree with her back.
The perfect solution would be if we were able to swap out the Honda drivers' seat with something a little more comfortable, but I get the feeling that this would be far more hassle than it would be worth...
So...
I've been tasked with finding a suitable replacement car, for Mrs Zx to use as her runaround, with the boot space to allow her to trundle off to Guide camp two or three times a year.
I'm thinking to go down either the estate or SUV route, with about a £5k budget, and a mind to get something fairly high mileage that'll allow us to get a decent motor that should have a few more years of trouble-free occasional (probably less than 5,000 miles a year) use left in it.
Any particular recommendations? High-mileage late-model Vauxhall Insignia estates seem to be fairly easy to come by, and look to offer fairly decent quality. A Volvo (we've already got a 2017 XC60) would be a dream find, but I get the feeling that the budget wouldn't stretch to a Volvo worth having.
What would you be looking at in our shoes? |  |
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| Car recommendations on 17:40 - Sep 26 with 4935 views | Zx1988 |
I'll add that I'm seeing a lot of love for the Dacia Duster from a few motoring sites, but I'm struggling to get past the fact that it's a Dacia...
Should I stop being such a brand snob? Or would a Duster be a one-way ticket to a disappointed wife? | |
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| Car recommendations on 17:40 - Sep 26 with 4927 views | factual_blue |
I think a lot of Insignias will be ex-hire cars or fleet cars, so may have been worked to within an inch of their life. |  |
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| Car recommendations on 17:43 - Sep 26 with 4904 views | Zx1988 |
| Car recommendations on 17:40 - Sep 26 by factual_blue |
I think a lot of Insignias will be ex-hire cars or fleet cars, so may have been worked to within an inch of their life. |
That's the worry.
It's bloody annoying, in all honesty. We've taken the Honda from 60k miles to 115k without it skipping a beat, and I'm fairly sure that we'd get another 50k out of it with no hassle at all.
'Which?' still rank it as their top choice for a used estate, so it feels as if anything else is likely to be a downgrade in the reliability stakes. | |
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| Car recommendations on 17:48 - Sep 26 with 4875 views | cooperd5 |
I'd look at a Skoda Octavia (estate or hatch, both are massive in the boot..) I've had a couple with no issues. Insignia aren't the most reliable, especially the diesel. |  | | |
| Car recommendations on 18:00 - Sep 26 with 4843 views | factual_blue |
| Car recommendations on 17:48 - Sep 26 by cooperd5 |
I'd look at a Skoda Octavia (estate or hatch, both are massive in the boot..) I've had a couple with no issues. Insignia aren't the most reliable, especially the diesel. |
I'd agree with the Octavia. Lovely car.
And you can fit two bodies in the boot.
(Errrr.....so I'm told). | |
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| Car recommendations on 18:01 - Sep 26 with 4842 views | WeWereZombies |
I'm looking at a similar profile for replacing my thirteen year old Octavia at the moment (just clicked over the 144,000 mark.) The temptation to stay with Skoda but go for the SUV side of the make is tempting. Not sure you will find a decent Yeti as cheap as five grand but if you have good car to trade in you may be in luck around the eight grand mark. A Karoq will definitely cost more.
Have also thought about Dacia but the Sandero Stepway (for the extra ground clearance if I have to drive over rocky ground when I want to find a launch place for the kayak.) Very affordable and excellent fuel economy. I dismissed the Kia Sportage on running cost grounds and the Ford Puma because it isn't SUV enough for me. Trying to get to grips with the suitability of a Citróen C3 Aircross at the moment.
One thing I have noticed is that some models have electronic lumber support, no idea what that is but it sounds like it could be useful for someone getting back pain whilst driving. |  |
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| Car recommendations on 18:43 - Sep 26 with 4666 views | Clutch |
| Car recommendations on 17:40 - Sep 26 by Zx1988 |
I'll add that I'm seeing a lot of love for the Dacia Duster from a few motoring sites, but I'm struggling to get past the fact that it's a Dacia...
Should I stop being such a brand snob? Or would a Duster be a one-way ticket to a disappointed wife? |
I've got a 23 plate one and it's a really good car. |  | | |
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| Car recommendations on 18:53 - Sep 26 with 4637 views | blueasfook |
I don't have to buy family cars anymore thankfully. I can buy sporty cars that I couldn't afford when I was young anyway (Or get insurance on for that matter). I just bought a BMW M4. Freaking scary to drive when you stick it in full on sports mode with the traction control off. But I've come to realise quite quickly that's it's pointless to have on the roads. So far, the times I've been out in it, I've mostly been stuck in heavy traffic and barely able to go above 50mph, and you end up feeling frustrated because you can't open up the engine to its full potential. Should have stuck with my old diesel lol. [Post edited 26 Sep 2024 18:54]
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| Car recommendations on 19:20 - Sep 26 with 4525 views | davblue |
Could you not get a smaller car with a roof rack on?
I ended up getting a Vauxhall Corsa on a lease as a run around earlier this year as I don’t do many miles. Was £1800 upfront and £157 quid a month for 3 years. It’s a Corsa obviously so not going to be great but I didn’t even test drive it and it’s ok. It’s got Apple Car play, air con, blacked out rear windows for the kids, parking sensors, reverse camera, electric windows, heated steering wheel and seats and a massage function for the driver. As I’ve already said it’s a Corsa but it’s ok for hat money. |  | | |
| Car recommendations on 20:30 - Sep 26 with 4340 views | Lord_Lucan |
Despite knowing nothing about car mechanics I somehow feel I am able to help - especially as women are involved.
My Mrs has / had / has a Hyundai Santa Fe and I must admit they are cracking cars, really comfy and a massive boot space.
Hooever the fly wheel thing was on the way out and at over £2k to fix, I thought I'd replace the vehicle. I bought a Merc 300 which is nice but a bit juicy, however she couldn't see over the bonnet so I'm now using that.
Then, last week I bought her a Honda CV-R, I went all the bloody way to Cardiff to collect it but she doesn't like it. She thinks it's a bit tinny and although it drives nicely I kind of agree with her..... **********
So, on Tuesday I bought another Santa Fe and she's as pleased as punch. They really are great cars.
********So, I've got a Honda for sale if anyone is interested. [Post edited 26 Sep 2024 20:31]
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| Car recommendations on 23:01 - Sep 26 with 4133 views | Pendejo |
The sensible answer to any car buying question is - Toyota
They only go wrong when / if the owner / driver does something stupid
We found that one of ours had done 50,000 miles without a service, topped 100,000, no problems
But if it's good seats then find yourself another Volvo, and they're pretty teliable. |  |
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| Car recommendations on 03:27 - Sep 27 with 4017 views | tcblue |
If the requirements are the most comfortable seats with lots of room then the answer is a Volvo | | | |
| Car recommendations on 05:38 - Sep 27 with 3986 views | NewcyBlue |
A few pointers for looking at used cars
-Open the bonnet when you get there. Have a feel of the radiator hose. If it is hot they may have run the car up to cover up cold start problems, engine noises, etc
-Look for any oil on the engine block, pull the dipstick out and check the colour of the oil. Open the oil filler cap and see if there is any sludge / mayonnaise looking stuff. The mayonnaise stuff may just be condensation, or it may be something more sinister.
-When starting the car look for excessive exhaust fumes, different coloured smoke means different things.
-Bodywork, is it all the same colour. Does any of the paint look like orange peel? The orange peel effect is from a poor paintjob, and could be a sign of a previous accident.
-Are there any differing gaps between any of the panels? Does it look the same on both sides?
-Are the door and window seals in tact?
-Check to see all warning lights come on when turning the ignition on, ensure they extinguish upon starting the engine.
-Does the clutch feel ok? Is there any noise at any point of depressing the clutch pedal?
-When driving is there any excessive play in the steering? Do the brakes work adequately? Are there any unusual noises? Does the steering wobble at speed or under heavy braking? When braking does the car pull to one side?
-Check all equipment is working, lights, wipers, washers, ventilation, windows, mirrors, central locking.
-Check the wheels and tyres. Are locking wheel nuts fitted? If so is the locking wheel nut key with the car?. Check the tread on the tyres. Check the sidewall for bulges
-Paperwork, check service history. Anything 60k plus and you want to be checking if the cambelt has been changed. If it’s got a timing chain, and 100k plus, you want to be checking for any maintenance required has been done (replacement timing chain and tensioners). Certainly some Minis suffer with chain rattle due to worn tensioners, as do the Ingenium engine Jaguars.
-Check the V5C for spelling mistakes, does the address match the one of the seller. Is the seller the registered keeper? If not, why?
-HPI check
-Enter the reg into the MOT History check, this will show you previous MOT details, including advisories, failures, and mileage. Good opportunity to do a little homework on the car and mileage history (any inconsistencies in the mileage recorded?)
https://www.gov.uk/check-mot-history |  |
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| Car recommendations on 06:29 - Sep 27 with 3925 views | dickie |
| Car recommendations on 05:38 - Sep 27 by NewcyBlue |
A few pointers for looking at used cars
-Open the bonnet when you get there. Have a feel of the radiator hose. If it is hot they may have run the car up to cover up cold start problems, engine noises, etc
-Look for any oil on the engine block, pull the dipstick out and check the colour of the oil. Open the oil filler cap and see if there is any sludge / mayonnaise looking stuff. The mayonnaise stuff may just be condensation, or it may be something more sinister.
-When starting the car look for excessive exhaust fumes, different coloured smoke means different things.
-Bodywork, is it all the same colour. Does any of the paint look like orange peel? The orange peel effect is from a poor paintjob, and could be a sign of a previous accident.
-Are there any differing gaps between any of the panels? Does it look the same on both sides?
-Are the door and window seals in tact?
-Check to see all warning lights come on when turning the ignition on, ensure they extinguish upon starting the engine.
-Does the clutch feel ok? Is there any noise at any point of depressing the clutch pedal?
-When driving is there any excessive play in the steering? Do the brakes work adequately? Are there any unusual noises? Does the steering wobble at speed or under heavy braking? When braking does the car pull to one side?
-Check all equipment is working, lights, wipers, washers, ventilation, windows, mirrors, central locking.
-Check the wheels and tyres. Are locking wheel nuts fitted? If so is the locking wheel nut key with the car?. Check the tread on the tyres. Check the sidewall for bulges
-Paperwork, check service history. Anything 60k plus and you want to be checking if the cambelt has been changed. If it’s got a timing chain, and 100k plus, you want to be checking for any maintenance required has been done (replacement timing chain and tensioners). Certainly some Minis suffer with chain rattle due to worn tensioners, as do the Ingenium engine Jaguars.
-Check the V5C for spelling mistakes, does the address match the one of the seller. Is the seller the registered keeper? If not, why?
-HPI check
-Enter the reg into the MOT History check, this will show you previous MOT details, including advisories, failures, and mileage. Good opportunity to do a little homework on the car and mileage history (any inconsistencies in the mileage recorded?)
https://www.gov.uk/check-mot-history |
This list makes me never want to drive again 🤣 | | | |
| Car recommendations on 07:32 - Sep 27 with 3868 views | Ely_Blue |
| Car recommendations on 17:48 - Sep 26 by cooperd5 |
I'd look at a Skoda Octavia (estate or hatch, both are massive in the boot..) I've had a couple with no issues. Insignia aren't the most reliable, especially the diesel. |
You’d be lucky to get a Skoda though for that price as they all seem to get hoovered up as taxis these days |  |
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| Car recommendations on 09:10 - Sep 27 with 3775 views | ElephantintheRoom |
After a lifetime running estate cars for the luggage and dogs I can vouch for a small SUV if you are of a certain age and immune to car snobbery. Much easier to get in and out of and get stuff in the back. Not so good for dogs though.
Over here you’d have a plethora of French diesel runarounds to chose from. In the UK I’m guessing oriental and petrol. | |
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| Car recommendations on 09:24 - Sep 27 with 3747 views | soupytwist |
A Mazda 6 petrol (and the petrol bit is important, ignore the diesels) estate would be my recommendation. Not the last word is exciting driving but reliable and spacious.
I've got a '68 plate one and it's great. DAB radio can be a bit temperamental when it gets really cold however.
If the seats genuinely are the only problem and you love everything else and would be happy to keep the current car for a few more years, see if you can get an aftermarket seat that fits the car.
https://www.recaro-automotive.com/en/comfort/recaro-ergomed-e |  | | |
| Car recommendations on 09:29 - Sep 27 with 3730 views | mutters |
What about a Qashqai? I've stuck over 100k on mine and is currently at 135k and the only thing that's gone wrong is a couple of light bulbs and general maintenance. We are looking at getting a new car but will probably keep this one as a spare which we don't mind doing tip runs and moving dogs about it in. Surprised me how good of an all round vehicle it is. |  |
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| Car recommendations on 12:32 - Sep 27 with 3611 views | NewcyBlue |
What trim level is your Civic? It might be worth searching for a better quality interior from a breakers yard for your car.
The top two trim levels are SR and EX, it might be worth checking if the hatch seats are the same and getting the leather seats from the hatch? | |
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| Car recommendations on 12:34 - Sep 27 with 3607 views | ronnyd |
If the issue is just the drivers seat becoming uncomfortable, could you consider getting that seat rebuilt by a car interior trimmer? | | | |
| Car recommendations on 13:10 - Sep 27 with 3542 views | NewcyBlue |
| Car recommendations on 06:29 - Sep 27 by dickie |
This list makes me never want to drive again 🤣 |
Ah it’s not that bad. Just an easy to follow checklist for buying a used car. I should know, I’ve bought enough 😂 | |
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| Car recommendations on 13:13 - Sep 27 with 3537 views | Ryorry |
I’m looking for almost exactly the same! Luckily in a different part of the country. In addition to your requirements, I’m looking for a roomy boot with a low lip owing to dog.
My v. reliable local garage also recommended Skoda. |  |
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