| Car recommendations 17:37 - Sep 26 with 6870 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 13:33 - Sep 27 with 1903 views | NewcyBlue |
| Car recommendations on 13:13 - Sep 27 by 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. |
Sister-in law No2 lives in Ripon and is currently after a Kia Sportage for her growing family. I’ve found one nearby that I need to go look at.
Sister-in law No1 lives in Birmingham and is also expecting, and I’m now looking at cars for her too.
There’s a decent looking Freelander in Leeds for a fiver under 5k
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202308020348101
MOT history looks fine. 2.2TD is an excellent engine, had it in my first XF. Only thing is the DPF which needs a good clear out and on them is a 30 minute drive at a constant 40mph. |  |
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| Car recommendations on 13:41 - Sep 27 with 1894 views | Ryorry |
| Car recommendations on 13:33 - Sep 27 by NewcyBlue |
Sister-in law No2 lives in Ripon and is currently after a Kia Sportage for her growing family. I’ve found one nearby that I need to go look at.
Sister-in law No1 lives in Birmingham and is also expecting, and I’m now looking at cars for her too.
There’s a decent looking Freelander in Leeds for a fiver under 5k
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202308020348101
MOT history looks fine. 2.2TD is an excellent engine, had it in my first XF. Only thing is the DPF which needs a good clear out and on them is a 30 minute drive at a constant 40mph. |
I’m actually looking to get rid of my Freelander which is a 2009, 107k miles pile of junk that seems to need a £500 repair every 3 months! Last week was steering column lock problem, replacement part was £400! Before that, driver’s door handle mechanism broke, £300!
Has to be garaged when temperature’s below 0C or it won’t start.
I’ve been told all the older ones have a rep for unreliability.
Also, lip is v. high, too much even for my young Lab.
Though it is undoubtedly very nice to drive, my mileage is extremely low, so the regular repairs make it extraordinarily expensive to run. I’d advise against buying one of these in their old age.
[Post edited 27 Sep 2024 14:03]
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| Car recommendations on 14:23 - Sep 27 with 1841 views | NewcyBlue |
| Car recommendations on 13:41 - Sep 27 by Ryorry |
I’m actually looking to get rid of my Freelander which is a 2009, 107k miles pile of junk that seems to need a £500 repair every 3 months! Last week was steering column lock problem, replacement part was £400! Before that, driver’s door handle mechanism broke, £300!
Has to be garaged when temperature’s below 0C or it won’t start.
I’ve been told all the older ones have a rep for unreliability.
Also, lip is v. high, too much even for my young Lab.
Though it is undoubtedly very nice to drive, my mileage is extremely low, so the regular repairs make it extraordinarily expensive to run. I’d advise against buying one of these in their old age.
[Post edited 27 Sep 2024 14:03]
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Ah I couldn’t remember which one you had.
Have you got in mind what you’re after instead? | |
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| Car recommendations on 14:46 - Sep 27 with 1831 views | blueasfook |
| 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 |
Mileage blockers are a thing now I read. Basically something you stick in the OBD port and it will block the ECU clocking up miles while you have it plugged it in. So the motor you're buying that has 15k miles on it, may in fact have more like 40k miles on it. Check for wear and tear on the vehicle that doesn't match the alleged low mileage. |  |
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| Car recommendations on 14:58 - Sep 27 with 1802 views | Ryorry |
| Car recommendations on 14:23 - Sep 27 by NewcyBlue |
Ah I couldn’t remember which one you had.
Have you got in mind what you’re after instead? |
Nope, so reading thread with great interest! | |
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| Car recommendations on 15:57 - Sep 27 with 1758 views | JammyDodgerrr |
Volkswagens Tiguan, for me. |  |
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| Car recommendations on 18:34 - Sep 27 with 1710 views | NewcyBlue |
| Car recommendations on 14:58 - Sep 27 by Ryorry |
Nope, so reading thread with great interest! |
Mother-in law has a Skoda Yeti and her big greyhound gets in the boot of it quite easily. Worth a look. Decent car. | |
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| Car recommendations on 18:52 - Sep 27 with 1709 views | NewcyBlue |
| Car recommendations on 14:46 - Sep 27 by blueasfook |
Mileage blockers are a thing now I read. Basically something you stick in the OBD port and it will block the ECU clocking up miles while you have it plugged it in. So the motor you're buying that has 15k miles on it, may in fact have more like 40k miles on it. Check for wear and tear on the vehicle that doesn't match the alleged low mileage. |
An easy way around that is to pay for an independent inspection and insist on a scan. All the control modules record a mileage, and the blockers that I’ve seen only interrupt the signal to the instrument cluster.
The powertrain control module, Engine control unit, body control module, ABS control module, and various others all get an independent signal for the mileage.
Also GM cars update the instrument cluster from the BCM, so any instrument cluster mileage filter would be updated with correct mileage once the device is removed from the EOBD port.
Manufacturers are regularly updating the software of cars, and over the air updates are common.
The OBD Mileage blockers are obviously trying to circumvent these updates and some claim to do so.
As you say, checking the condition of the vehicle is congruent with the mileage is a basic check. However it can take a well trained / experienced eye sometimes.
The MOT history does tell you a lot. If it’s going through tyres every few MOTs but only done a few thousand miles on them, something is wrong. Mileage / Geometry, worth avoiding.
Also your best check is looking at the pedals. Heavily worn pedals and low mileage should be alarming to anyone looking to buy a car. | |
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| Car recommendations on 23:28 - Sep 27 with 1622 views | Churchman |
| Car recommendations on 12:32 - Sep 27 by 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? |
Good point. I had two Honda Civics, both top end. The last one had really nice, supportive, heated leather chairs. Never had a back problem. Not like the BMW I borrowed for six months that was a back killer.
A buddy of mine has had a couple of Skoda estates and reckons they’re good. I’ve been in one of them and it was comfortable.
In terms of makes, Honda and particular Toyota are bullet proof. I’ve owned a good number of the latter and they’re unbreakable. My own Audi A3 is fantastic and very comfortable. Love it, but mechanically I’m not sure it’s as robust as the Toyota Mrs C has.
Personally, I wouldn’t touch French or Italian cars despite the stylishness of the latter. My mate swears by Ford but I don’t find the seat of his Focus comfortable on a long journey, or my golf buddy’s Mondeo.
You don’t get bad cars like you used to in the good old days apart from maybe the modern Mini which I’ve heard has a poor reputation in addition to being impractical so it’ll come down to taste and comfort - and of course affordability.. [Post edited 2 Oct 2024 13:54]
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| Car recommendations on 23:52 - Sep 27 with 1617 views | Ryorry |
| Car recommendations on 23:28 - Sep 27 by Churchman |
Good point. I had two Honda Civics, both top end. The last one had really nice, supportive, heated leather chairs. Never had a back problem. Not like the BMW I borrowed for six months that was a back killer.
A buddy of mine has had a couple of Skoda estates and reckons they’re good. I’ve been in one of them and it was comfortable.
In terms of makes, Honda and particular Toyota are bullet proof. I’ve owned a good number of the latter and they’re unbreakable. My own Audi A3 is fantastic and very comfortable. Love it, but mechanically I’m not sure it’s as robust as the Toyota Mrs C has.
Personally, I wouldn’t touch French or Italian cars despite the stylishness of the latter. My mate swears by Ford but I don’t find the seat of his Focus comfortable on a long journey, or my golf buddy’s Mondeo.
You don’t get bad cars like you used to in the good old days apart from maybe the modern Mini which I’ve heard has a poor reputation in addition to being impractical so it’ll come down to taste and comfort - and of course affordability.. [Post edited 2 Oct 2024 13:54]
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Courtesy car from garage was a Toyata Aygo, small car for cities, really nice to drive, seats were OK. | |
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| Car recommendations on 08:10 - Sep 28 with 1583 views | blueasfook |
| Car recommendations on 18:52 - Sep 27 by NewcyBlue |
An easy way around that is to pay for an independent inspection and insist on a scan. All the control modules record a mileage, and the blockers that I’ve seen only interrupt the signal to the instrument cluster.
The powertrain control module, Engine control unit, body control module, ABS control module, and various others all get an independent signal for the mileage.
Also GM cars update the instrument cluster from the BCM, so any instrument cluster mileage filter would be updated with correct mileage once the device is removed from the EOBD port.
Manufacturers are regularly updating the software of cars, and over the air updates are common.
The OBD Mileage blockers are obviously trying to circumvent these updates and some claim to do so.
As you say, checking the condition of the vehicle is congruent with the mileage is a basic check. However it can take a well trained / experienced eye sometimes.
The MOT history does tell you a lot. If it’s going through tyres every few MOTs but only done a few thousand miles on them, something is wrong. Mileage / Geometry, worth avoiding.
Also your best check is looking at the pedals. Heavily worn pedals and low mileage should be alarming to anyone looking to buy a car. |
It's hard to believe these things are openly on sale. There's no legitimate purpose for them other than falsely accruing the mileage on a vehicle. There's loads of companies openly selling them in the UK. So there must be a large market for them and a lot of it going on. The sale of them should be illegal. | |
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| Car recommendations on 11:17 - Sep 28 with 1523 views | Bluespeed225 |
I’ve got a 14 year old VW Tiguan, solid, comfortable, basic version, drives like a car, load it like a van. Service plan with VW dealership, been such a good vehicle. | | | |
| Car recommendations on 13:51 - Oct 2 with 1299 views | WeWereZombies |
| Car recommendations on 13:41 - Sep 27 by Ryorry |
I’m actually looking to get rid of my Freelander which is a 2009, 107k miles pile of junk that seems to need a £500 repair every 3 months! Last week was steering column lock problem, replacement part was £400! Before that, driver’s door handle mechanism broke, £300!
Has to be garaged when temperature’s below 0C or it won’t start.
I’ve been told all the older ones have a rep for unreliability.
Also, lip is v. high, too much even for my young Lab.
Though it is undoubtedly very nice to drive, my mileage is extremely low, so the regular repairs make it extraordinarily expensive to run. I’d advise against buying one of these in their old age.
[Post edited 27 Sep 2024 14:03]
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Still have not made up my mind, thought I had convinced myself that a Suzuki Vitara was my best bet but when I went to book a test drive on one in Inverness was told it went yesterday. So now I am looking at Dacia Dusters, and the photos of the boot show a boot with almost no lip. Also read reviews of the Hyundai iX3 that commend it for a low lip on the boot...but not much else in comparison to the Tucson. |  |
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| Car recommendations on 14:28 - Oct 2 with 1250 views | Meadowlark |
Nice interesting polite thread. Enjoyed reading it, and I have absolutely no interest in cars! I've had nothing but Toyotas for over 30 years.
Oh, except a Triumph Bonneville, and a Ducato motorhome.... |  | | |
| Car recommendations on 09:30 - Oct 3 with 1128 views | flykickingbybgunn |
| Car recommendations on 14:28 - Oct 2 by Meadowlark |
Nice interesting polite thread. Enjoyed reading it, and I have absolutely no interest in cars! I've had nothing but Toyotas for over 30 years.
Oh, except a Triumph Bonneville, and a Ducato motorhome.... |
My better half has a bad back. I have to be careful that she can use the car easily. We had a Renault Modus until it was written off recently by an idiot. We now have a Nissan Note.
I liked the Renault particularly. Fun to drive and took me, herself and a backseat full of kids to Skeggy and got 90+mpg. |  | | |
| Car recommendations on 09:52 - Oct 3 with 1095 views | Ryorry |
| Car recommendations on 13:51 - Oct 2 by WeWereZombies |
Still have not made up my mind, thought I had convinced myself that a Suzuki Vitara was my best bet but when I went to book a test drive on one in Inverness was told it went yesterday. So now I am looking at Dacia Dusters, and the photos of the boot show a boot with almost no lip. Also read reviews of the Hyundai iX3 that commend it for a low lip on the boot...but not much else in comparison to the Tucson. |
Cheers for the feedback, sorry about the Vitara.
Had a look at the Duster, the front seats look terrible, don’t think my back would survive those!
Hyundai boot looks good, but the main contender atm is the Skoda or maybe a Volvo. Not gonna rush it, might be a question of what comes up locally within my driving range, which isn’t much these days.
Boot lip itself isn’t the issue so much as height from ground. | |
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| Car recommendations on 00:36 - Oct 4 with 986 views | bluebudgie |
Have Pm you |  | | |
| Car recommendations on 07:26 - Oct 4 with 939 views | BlueForYou |
I bought a Seat Ateca 1.5 last year, fantastic car, roomy, comfortable, & quite cost effective. The VW Tiguan & Skoda Karoq are basically the same, they're all made in the same Czech factory. Definately look at either of those three if you find one you can afford. |  | | |
| Car recommendations on 08:04 - Oct 4 with 915 views | Churchman |
If comfort is a priority, Volvo is a make you might consider if you can find one at the right price.
I was chatting with my mate who’s just bought a quite big one (about 15 years old) and reckoned it’s the most comfortable car he’s ever owned. Robust comfortable, space for his dogs. Only downside is repair costs.
A few years ago, I was driven round bits of Bavaria in one and I must say it was very comfy. | | | |
| Car recommendations on 19:54 - Oct 18 with 569 views | WeWereZombies |
I don't know if you have made a decision yet but I plumped for an eighteen month old Suzuki S~Cross yesterday, slightly out of the budget that I had set myself but the combination of a higher than average mileage and being ex. lease made a high spec. vehicle (this one has 4WD and is a mild hybrid) affordable to someone who had assumed he would be buying a car three or four years older. Now I have the task of understanding all the bells and whistles (a light comes on at the edge of the driver side exterior mirror to alert me about cars approaching in the outside lane for gods sake...) and digesting a manual the size (and weight) of a house brick. | |
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