What Car? (1 Viewer)

[normanandsue]

What car? As I am about to retire I am going to lose the fleet car I have; this means providing my own vehicle for the first time in years and to be honest I have no idea what would be best. At present our fleet car is a Citron C3 Picasso which is about the right size, if a little underpowered and meets all our present requirements but my budget will not stretch to one of those. Our budget is around £6K

I am looking for a car with a slightly higher riding position than an ordinary saloon, so SWMO can slide in and out easily, I am not overly fussed about petrol or diesel, and automatic would be nice but not necessary. We shall not be doing much ileage as there is a good "free" bus service to most major towns, but we shall want to do a few journeys of around 300 miles round trip
a few times a year. Fuel consumption and running costs are important as we have "The Beast" to run as well.

Serious and not so serious suggestions welcome! (But remember what Jim said about suitabel responses and remember where you are )

Norman

 

[Jaws]

Would not presume to recomend a car, but I would suggest you ask your company to get you a proof of no claims certificate from the present insurers.. ( if applicable of course )

When I reverted away from a company car in 1998 I mentioned to an insurance company that I had had the company car for several years.. They asked who the insurance company, contacted them and credited me with some NCB ( not the full amount I might add, but a worth while amount giving me a good saving )

Given how insurers are nowadays I would suggest you do the leg work for your self as chances are the bone idle money grabbers will make no attempt to save you a few bob !

 

[normanandsue]

Would not presume to recomend a car, but I would suggest you ask your company to get you a proof of no claims certificate from the present insurers.. ( if applicable of course )

When I reverted away from a company car in 1998 I mentioned to an insurance company that I had had the company car for several years.. They asked who the insurance company, contacted them and credited me with some NCB ( not the full amount I might add, but a worth while amount giving me a good saving )

Given how insurers are nowadays I would suggest you do the leg work for your self as chances are the bone idle money grabbers will make no attempt to save you a few bob !

Thanks for this I managed to do this when I insure The Beast so have a full NCD

^{_{Subscribers  do not see these advertisements}}

 

[Chris]

How about something like a Kia jeep?

They are higher than a standard car but there is no big climb into the cab. Reasonably frugal Diesel engines and I would have thought you could get a decent second hand one for your budget.

 

[ROB1CHELSEA1]

Have you looked at the Jaguar X Type 2.5 Sport Manual gearbox and good on petrol long distance, their easy to get in and out of and comes in a stunning Sky blue:thumb:.
Now it just so happens mine is for sale so your in luck.

 

[GJH]

Have a look at the Skoda range. We went back to one (Fabia 2) almost a year ago after having a Berlingo Forte for several years (needed that for business).

Not having driven a C3 Picasso I'm not aware of the riding position but there is variation between makers. The Fabia riding position is lower than the Berlingo but nowhere near as low as a Golf, for instance.

^{_{Subscribers  do not see these advertisements}}

 

[simsy56]

We have a Honda CRV auto. Had it for 13 years, never a problem, reliable, comfortable, useful, roomy.

Craig

 

[mike mcglynn]

cars

Hi, have a look at the Ford Fusion its not a very common car but one that may suit your needs and of course being a scot its very frugal on parts and juice :thumb:

 

[scotjimland]

We have a Honda CRV auto. Had it for 13 years, never a problem, reliable, comfortable, useful, roomy.

Craig

Likewise.. also Auto box, had ours for three years.. great car, roomy, nice high driving position , very well built with usual Honda quality.. .. not a single problem and dealer servicing is very reasonable.. ...

however, not a true off roader, the 4x4 is not selectable, it works when it senses wheel slipping.. but very useful in snow or muddy ground.. I tow a caravan and it makes a good tow car..

but if buying again I'd look for a diesel which gets a lot better MPG .. our petrol one does .. MPG 28-30 urban cycle.. bit better on long runs.

only complaint I have is the high road tax.. think I paid £270 this year ..worth checking before you buy any car

^{_{Subscribers  do not see these advertisements}}

 

[Viennese]

Have a look at the Skoda range. We went back to one (Fabia 2) almost a year ago after having a Berlingo Forte for several years (needed that for business).

Not having driven a C3 Picasso I'm not aware of the riding position but there is variation between makers. The Fabia riding position is lower than the Berlingo but nowhere near as low as a Golf, for instance.

My sister bought a Skoda Roomster as she also likes a high driving position. Seems very good value and she paid £6k for that.

Catherine

 

[ojibway]

How about a Lexus 4x4?
In a senior moment we went and got ourselves a RX300 and it was under 6K! We'd had our Seat Alhambra for over ten years, trouble free:thumb:
Now, there's another one - Alhambra. You sit up a bit higher than a regular saloon car:Cool:
Of course, I'm talking used cars. Never bought a new one. Let someone else take the hit

 

[Stewart J]

We had to make a similar decision several months ago, never had a company car but we did run 2 cars, mine was a Ford Fusion 1.6 diesel (avoid the 1.4 diesel its underpowered), 50+ mpg, £30 VED, low insurance and a high driving position, good sized boot.

Nice roomy car comfortable to drive including long distance (unlike my previous Ford Cmax which I found very uncomfortable on long journeys) cheap running costs, all in all a very positive ownership experience.

Shame it had to go but retirement meant coming down to one vehicle.

Good luck with your quest.:thumb:

^{_{Subscribers  do not see these advertisements}}

 

[Wicketter]

Which car?

We just bought a Hyundai i10, cheaper than the Kia Picanta, 4 doors a great little car for us!!

 

[injebreck99]

Just to add my twopennyworth, I had a Nissan X-Trail before the M/H, a 2.2 DCI, went like hell, very roomy and comfortable and fairly economical too, I'd have another. My wife has a Hyundai i10 as well, having had a hip replacement she finds it comfortable and easy to get in and out of.

 

[rainbow chasers]

The likes of the berlingo would give the room, and are fairly easy to get in and out of - avoid the mutlispace roof jobbie, unless you live in birmingham.
Get aropund the 60 mpg mark, as do the VW caddy - which is a similar affair.

Why not look at an electric version? Expensive to buy, but there are grants around, which turn a 15-17k vehicle into one of around 6k. No tax, cost around £150 a year to 'charge' - so cheaper than having a taxed car on your drive going nowhere. Plenty of charge points around, and since you will be doing little mileage - might well be suitable, cheap version!

^{_{Subscribers  do not see these advertisements}}

 

[Sam and Viv]

fusion 1.4

Hi all
We have just cut back to one car, so we kept the fusion, £30 pound a year tax and 60 odd miles to the gallon (diesol) and sits quite high off the road so good for my bad back, bags of room when you put the seats down.

good luck:thumb:

 

[TheDogMan]

brand new 2012 pre reg Kangoo estate 15 miles on the clock,,auto and fully loaded with cruise aircon etc....£9k from Motorpoint Derby and its brilliant

 

[Minxy]

It really depends on how bit a car you need, but assuming something around your Picasso size, how about a Renault Modus - very high safety category and a high seating position, loads of room (like your Picasso) and a dream to drive.

We've had quite a few Renaults, as well as Fiat, Citroen and Vauxhall, and can honestly say that Renaults are by far the best to drive and are nice and comfy too.

Just so happens we have a nice low mileage example for sale at the moment too but it is a bit over your budget at £7,000 (sorry no offers as this is cheap for what it is!)! :thumb:

Renault Grand Modus 1.2 TCE Dynamique (100) Hatchback
Registered: 28 June 2010 - under Renault warranty until 28 June 2013
Mileage: less than 7,000
Petrol - up to 46mpg
Manual gearbox
Full service history
Grey metallic, with alloys and air con
Low insurance group: 4E

We're only selling it because I left work this year so don't need to use it for going to/from there, and as we now have a van conversion which is a bit more usable as a 'normal' runabout plus we recently got a 'pink' 56 reg Smart car for tootling around too, otherwise I'd hang on to the Modus as of all the cars we've had it is my favourite!

Nearly forgot to say, if you go for an automatic car, be aware that the road tax can be astronomical now compared to a manual version.

^{_{Subscribers  do not see these advertisements}}

 

[scotjimland]

Nearly forgot to say, if you go for an automatic car, be aware that the road tax can be astronomical now compared to a manual version.

... are you sure about that.. ?

car tax bands are based on fuel type and CO2 emission levels..
http://www.theaa.com/motoring_advice/car-buyers-guide/cbg_roadtax.html

why would an automatic car attract more VED ?

 

[Stewart J]

... are you sure about that.. ?

car tax bands are based on fuel type and CO2 emission levels..
http://www.theaa.com/motoring_advice/car-buyers-guide/cbg_roadtax.html

why would an automatic car attract more VED ?

Many actually do suprisingley as the engine ecu's have to be adjusted to suit the engine/gearbox characteristics usually boosting the output horsepower and or torque which pushes up emissions.

 

[scotjimland]

Many actually do suprisingley as the engine ecu's have to be adjusted to suit the engine/gearbox characteristics usually boosting the output horsepower and or torque which pushes up emissions.

that may be the case for some .. I stand corrected.. however,

I've just checked my CRV Auto with a CRV manual , same model, same year, same engine............ same VED

check any car here http://carfueldata.direct.gov.uk/new-vehicle-tax.aspx?t=23ude39

^{_{Subscribers  do not see these advertisements}}

 

[Spacerunner]

Get yourself a Honda Jazz, fantastic vehicle.

Fiesta size on the outside and Focus size on the inside.

Very frugal on fuel, up to 60 mpg....petrol!!

Very comfortable...my OH has two artificial knees and says its the easiest car ever to get in and out.

I regularly use it for taking stuff to the tip so plenty of versatile space.

Mine is a 2002 model and has never failed an MOT and all I have ever replaced is the EGR. As I do a low (retirement ) mileage it is serviced only every other year

 

[Stewart J]

that may be the case for some .. I stand corrected.. however,

I've just checked my CRV Auto with a CRV manual , same model, same year, same engine............ same VED

check any car here http://carfueldata.direct.gov.uk/new-vehicle-tax.aspx?t=23ude39

Hi Jim,

Honda's tend to wring everything they can out of the engine (as do many of the Japanese manufacturers) and most are in higher bands (our 2.2 cdti FRV was) very few Honda's are listed in the lower bands ie £30 VED and the few that are are all manuals. We looked at buying a Jazz only to find the auto VED more expensive.:Sad:

Looking through the list (your link) for this band the majority are manuals the German marques do well for auto's/ semi auto's

 

[mitzimad]

my advice would be to avoid anything french or italian there are no true british cars now so go for a jap or a german
weve got a nissan note teckna auto which is nice and upright ours is the 1.6 petrol so not very cheap for ved but its good on juice and roomy has all the xtras the latter ones have cruise controll as well
6k should get you a 09 model

^{_{Subscribers  do not see these advertisements}}

 

[JOHNSTEY]

We just bought a Hyundai i10, cheaper than the Kia Picanta, 4 doors a great little car for us!!

We got one of these three years ago new under the scrapage scheme and it is cheap as chips to run, still has two years warranty to go and hasn't put a foot wrong.Also for a small car it has a high driving position. Recommended.:thumb:

 

[MitchandJenny]

Have a look at Nissan Almera Tino or the smaller verso the Note... Cheap to buy and run and RELIABLE. Not too bad to look at either.. Mitch.. PS (Diesel)