New car for the wife, family friendly
New car for the wife, family friendly
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Pete-mojsh

Original Poster:

355 posts

112 months

Saturday 6th May 2017
quotequote all
I'm looking for a car for my wife, we had our first child 6 months ago and her Fiat 500 has to go for something more practical. We're looking to buy outright rather than finance and we spotted a B170 at a local dealers for just under £4k, we were there to look at something else but had a look round and it seems to be the right size, specced well, low miles and service history. We're going to go back tomorrow for a test drive but as I have no experience of mercedes I have no idea what to look for, there are a few bits on the honest John review but it's hard to get a feel for whether it will be reliable and not throw up a big bill.

For comparison we had a look at a Qashqai and insignia today, a Peugeot 3008 in the week.

Budget up to £4.5k, maybe more if exceptional, limited by how far we can travel due to a sickly child. If anyone can give an opinion on how the above compare or offer alternatives it would be good.

My wife professes to not be bothered but has a long list of demands that must be met, this makes things a bit more difficult....

ZX10R NIN

29,325 posts

141 months

Saturday 6th May 2017
quotequote all
Is the B Class an Auto?

They do suffer with gearbox issues.

I'd say take a look at the Mondeo they're well spec'd (in Titanium X Spec)have all the space you'll need & they're very robust or a Mazda6 is another alternative.

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2017...

Mazda6

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2017...

Also another alternative is the often overlooked Mazda 5:

Mazda5 Sport

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2017...

Pete-mojsh

Original Poster:

355 posts

112 months

Saturday 6th May 2017
quotequote all
It's a manual, appears to be decent spec with full leather, good condition for age.

I like the mazda 6, not found one locally that fits the bill unfortunately as I think it would be a good option. The mazda 3 that she's currently using has been an excellent workhorse over the last few years.

I also like the mondeo, for some reason my wife is fine with the insignia, she actually quite likes them having had them as hire cars for work a few times, but for some reason isn't keen on the mondeo. For me it's a better car.

I may look at a Qashqai for her tomorrow afternoon but as I will have our daughter with me it may depend on her mood as she's teething. I can only hope all the garages we have taken her to in the last couple of weeks will give her a healthy interest in cars.

j4ckos mate

3,289 posts

186 months

Saturday 6th May 2017
quotequote all
Have a look at the notecards or tea a qashqai
Really pleased with ours

ZX10R NIN

29,325 posts

141 months

Saturday 6th May 2017
quotequote all
Pete-mojsh said:
It's a manual, appears to be decent spec with full leather, good condition for age.

I like the mazda 6, not found one locally that fits the bill unfortunately as I think it would be a good option. The mazda 3 that she's currently using has been an excellent workhorse over the last few years.

I also like the mondeo, for some reason my wife is fine with the insignia, she actually quite likes them having had them as hire cars for work a few times, but for some reason isn't keen on the mondeo. For me it's a better car.

I may look at a Qashqai for her tomorrow afternoon but as I will have our daughter with me it may depend on her mood as she's teething. I can only hope all the garages we have taken her to in the last couple of weeks will give her a healthy interest in cars.
I agree the Mondeo is the better car but if she's happy with the Insignia & you can find a well spec'd one you won't go far wrong but the 1.8 is underpowered.