trading in the old banger

[Ant]

The Ant-mobile is small and mostly comprised of rust and patches, so I'm going to trade it in before it dies on me completely. I have a budget of about six grand and the following requirements:

- must fit 3 kids in the back (2 in child seats, 1 in a booster seat)

- must have ample boot space for lugging all their crap around

- must be automatic and have power steering

I shall be driving to the cabbage-strewn wastes of Lincolnshire this weekend to visit the in-laws, and possibly get a car while I'm up there in order to avoid paying London prices. At the moment I'm considering a VW Passat or perhaps a Renault Scenic. Hopefully I should be able to get something between 12 and 18 months old, i.e. still vaguely newish but with its depreciation mostly out of the way.

However, I'm not much of a petrolhead and may well have overlooked some cars that would suit me even better. I invite your advice, suggestions or other vaguely car-related ramblings below.

[Mark]

chap in the wanted/offered section is selling somthing that sounds right up your street, a BMW 318iSE Touring/Estate

2.0i Petrol, 02 plate

Black metallic paint

SE Specification - air con, cruise control, parking sensor, alloys

72,000 miles - full BMW service history

Immaculate/excellent condition - Very Reliable Car

?6500.00 ono.

http://www.eastdulwichforum.co.uk/forum/read.php?9,112583

You could probably get the windows blacked out for ?100 then you're sorted

[Brendan]

Ok you realise you have reached a certain age when you are giving someone advice on estate cars but here goes.

The Vauxhall Zaffira would be worth a look too ant. I would say the build quality is on a par with the VW and better than the Renault (this is personal opinion based on driving a Scenic once). You would probably get more features for you money in the Vauxhall than in the VW but the VW is probably a nicer place to be inside than the Vauxhall. Also the VW is slightly more expensive to service.

There is also the Nissan Almera (I think that?s the name) but I don?t know much about these cars.

Remember don?t get too hung up on the age of the car but set yourself a maximum mileage and go by that. Rather buy a car that is a year older but has 10k less on the clock.

[KalamityKel]

My knowledge of cars and such is rather limited but I certainly would agree with the Vauxhall Zaffira.

My brother owns a 7 seater (all spaces occupied on his own family outings). Has plenty of space, is reliable and (if you're going on looks) doesn't look as bulky and ugly as the VW.

[david_carnell]

German

German

German

BMW (3 Series Touring), Audi (A6 Avante) or Mercedes (C Series Wagon).

Never French. My parents Renault spends more time at the garage than on the road.

[Michael Palaeologus]

I own a Vauxhall and whilst it is no way exciting it is reliable, well built and quite cheap to keep going.

German brands are all very well, but the spares cost a fortune. If you intend to keep it for a while this is worth keeping in mind.

[LostThePlot]

Ant Wrote:

-------------------------------------------------------

> I shall be driving to the cabbage-strewn wastes of

> Lincolnshire this weekend to visit the in-laws,

> and possibly get a car while I'm up there in order

> to avoid paying London prices.

It works the opposite way. Due to the concentration of cars in London the prices tend to be cheaper as there is a greater market of 2nd hand cars, so prices have to be more competitive. From people I have spoken to the large supermarket type places seem to be good. Or, if you're savvy enough, the auctions. At that age you might even get a warranty with them.

Have a shufty at http://www.honestjohn.co.uk

[Michael Palaeologus]

Also - dont completely give up on new cars. They are quite cheap at the moment - some have a 0% finance deal. I go my Astra on such a deal and Vauxhall is still doing them.

[Peckhamgatecrasher]

I have a Skoda Felicia estate which seats three in the back. The boot is enormous. Seriously dents one's street cred though!

[Alan Dale]

removed

[LostThePlot]

Ant,

Sorry, now people mention it, I'd personally send you down the Skoda Octavia route. Get the estate and you won't go wrong. Very popular as a taxi in the provinces, simply because they are bomb proof and do inter-stellar miles.

[david_carnell]

Skoda, owned by Germans. You can't go wrong.

The Octavia is a bloody good car and a few quid cheaper than the identical Passat. And better looking.

[Brendan]

They are right you know they are good cars. You will pay quite a lot more for the Skoda, than the Vauxhall though.

[DaveR]

I've got a renault scenic automatic (and was concerned about reliability) but it's been great - I have had 3 kids in car seats in the back, and its a squeeze, but it will be in any regular car. No significant problems, and I know a mechanic who specialises in renaults so cheap servicing etc.

It is my second ex-Motability car i.e. it was previously supplied to a disabled or mobility restricted person under a govt funded scheme. These are supplied new and sold off to private dealers after three years. During the three years they are serviced/maintained by the scheme, and generally v. low mileage - my Renault at 3 years old had 15 000 on the clock.

[*Bob*]

Has everyone here gone stark staring mad?

Here are the manufacturers of the top ten most reliable cars.

Can anyone see a pattern or trend here?

Honda

Subaru

Mazda

Mitsubishi

Toyota

Honda

Nissan

Honda

Toyota

Nissan

[Jeremy]

Ant - 6k for a one year old Passatt, you'd be lucky!

Mark - I'd think twice before buying a motor with 72k miles on the clock, even if it's made by ze germans.

david_carnell - Octavia is based in the Golf, not Passat... good choice though

*Bob* - I agree that the jap cars are best if you just want hassle free motoring, the comfort and interiors aren't always as good though. And parts cost a bomb.

Generally agree that mileage is more important than age. I got a car which was 5 yrs old but only 15k on the clock, 5 yrs later it's never given me a day's trouble.

[*Bob*]

It's good to have a comfortable car (when you're waiting on the hard shoulder for the AA to arrive)

[Asset]

I'm on my second Scenic. Both have been pretty reliable although not as sexy as the old Saab 900 we had to sell when number two child arrived!

I bought this second Scenic (2000) with about 60k on the clock for ?3000 a year ago. It's only been in the garage for servicing. Fuel consumption not bad at around 30mpg round town (used to get about 18 in the Saab).

My old one was only 8 cylinder but this one is 16 and it makes a difference - don't have to go in the crawler lane going uphill when the car is fully loaded.

They feel pretty solid compared with some other similar style cars. I imagine the Vauxhalls to be pretty tinny.

[Brendan]

As someone who has owned 3 different Japanese cars I can vouch for their reliability but I can also confirm that they tend to be plasticy and cheap on the inside unless you go for top of the range.

Honda is the exception.

[Brendan]

I think you mean valves Asset.

[Brendan]

Sorry if that sounded in any way patronising Asset. It really wasn?t intended to.

The old probelm with tone not always being conveyed properly.

[lozzyloz]

Not keen on the Zaffira and estates aren't great if you want 3 kids in the back with some room. I'd recommend a Ford C-Max. The TDCi diesel engine is pretty solid and reliable, the interior is spacious and they don't look too bad. I've used Car Giant before and was pleased with the deal and service. Here's a selection of what's currently on offer, I can see a few within your budget.

I'd strongly suggest buying the latest edition of What Car. You can compare prices, reviews, accessories etc before deciding on what to go for.

[Peckhamgatecrasher]

I bought mine on Ebay.

[safesurfer]

i've got a saab 900...they're brilliant. we also have a scenic which is very good at its job of being a family holdall but feels a bit cheap compared to saab and i'm sure won't last as long. vauxhalls are just totally uncool. sorry but its true.

[Asset]

it's okay Brendan I didn't take it as patronising, I did think when I posted it may be valves hey ho, trying to sound like I know what I'm talking about again. 16 better than 8 tho'.

I got it on ebay too, thought the location was in Essex and turned out (once we had won it) to be in the midlands. Mr Asset not amused when he had to go and get it.