Time for a change - advice?

[herbialfa]

I have had a "Aherm" Grand Suziki Grand Vitara since new and finance is now clear, she did the job, 3 young kids = buggies/potties etc and a loft conversion done which the wagon was more than capable of trips to the dump rather than a skip.

So Its served its purpose very well (tyres, wiper blade and a new Rad) and its time to move on.

Part of me thinks better the devil you know etc.

I've had 2 Alfas previously and still hankering after a 159.

BMWs dont float my boat as the indicators don't work, Audi A4? Merc?

Any other suggestions?

This next car won't be on finance as what I sell the VITARA for will pay for the next car as the recession has crippled me.

So whats your 2p worth then?

[digger the goat]

How much do you expect to get for the Vitara ??

[threesixty]

Writing off a car because you don't get on with the indicators?


Would have thought you could have picked up an E46 M3 for the price of a 3 year old vitara?

[browny,s blower]

Hi if you got 3 kids
Honda FRV tick all the boxes

[jayemm89]

What is wrong with bmw indicators? Do you mean the new ones that stay centred?

[herbialfa]

ust a slight dig at BMW drivers! They don't seem to use them! LOL

[jamieandthemagic]

I've had a 159, lovely car. Better built than Audi a4s of the same age.

BUT, if you expecting to get more than 42mpg from a diesel 159, then forget it.
Fixed price servicing at Jamie Porters was good.

So if your gonna do lots of miles, then maybe forget the Alfa. If your not, then go for it.

[herbialfa]

in 5 1/2 years I have done 39K so not a lot of miles. Looking to get 7.5K for the Vitara

[QBee]

So you are still a family of 5, and the kids will be getting bigger (they rarely get smaller), so whatever you buy will need to carry them and their rubbish, and their friends or your parents on occasions. And be a good car for Erin Dawes to drive, park, shop in etc. MPG not your top concern, comfort and style, and a good driving position for both of you perhaps more so. A little bit of status perhaps? But too cramped and sporty perhaps not really on your radar.

I had a similar discussion, similar budget, 18 months ago with my daughter (27) and son-in-law (31), who have 2 small children etc etc. Looked at loads of cars, but the Volvo XC90 floated my daughter's boat. Quiet, comfortable, safe for the kids, flexible (they got the seven seater version, which still has room for luggage even with seats 6 and 7 up), good driving position for both of them, even though she is 4 ft 11 and he is 6 ft 1, and a feeling of quality and status even though the car is now 10 years old.

They actually chose the 2.9 T6 petrol automatic over the diseasel, as they liked the extra get up and go, especially out of junctions, but hunted around for and found one that had been LPG converted, so they still get diseasel economy.

[herbialfa]

Sorry Eddy was running late. So what have you to sell?

[chris neeves]

my BMW X5 4.4sport would tick your box's. Its cheap, well specced, has a big V8 !goes well, but if you dont do many miles it doesnt really matter. X5's around the 2005 vintage, with either suspension bushes done or budget to do so, represent excellent value for money as they are close to the bottom, and apart from petrol are cheap and easy to keep on the road. just my two penny's worth.. The diesels are not to bad either.


chris