Struggling to pick a car

[P4D]

Hi all,

Myself and my girlfriend have been without a car for 6 weeks now.

We've been to view a few cars as well as having a snoop around some car supermarkets. All of the cars we have had interest in have had something wrong somewhere which has swayed us away. Whether that being missing services (seems to be stupidly common at the car supermarkets) or poor prep/bodywork.

We have been looking at SUV style cars but we're open to anything at this rate. Finding it difficult to get about our daily lives without one. Luckily we have family close by so they've been helping us out when needs be.

We both work from home full time so the only time we use a car is to get to and from the gym 4/5 times a week, the weekly shop and taking the dogs on a nice walk on the weekend.

Requirements:

Budget - 19k
Must be able to fit in 2 large lurchers
Must have Apple Car Play
Ideally lighter in colour as excessive swirl marks will knock me sick haha
Full service history
Ideally no more than 45k miles
Most importantly, reliable.

I've been toying with the idea of looking at something hybrid as well.

If anyone has any suggestions then let me know. Or if anyone has any experience with car supermarkets, that would be great too.

Cheers

[a311]

Lexus

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/2023091520...

Mitsubishi

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/2023091921...

Plug in hybrids are good if you do lots of journeys that are within the electric range can charge at home etc.

I think the problem with a lot of mid size SUV's is the boot space is compromised to small. We've an XC60 PHEV it's a nice car but we're at the stage we need something bigger. I think it would be fine for two medium size dogs but wouldn't be room for much else.

Bigger SUV's like the XC90 or Discovery sport have huge boots with the 6/7 seats folded down but you'd need to up your budget for a PHEV model.

An estate might be worth considering?

[Phil.]

Have a look at Hyundai and Kia SUV’s. Both makes come with long warranties and generally offer bullet proof reliability.

[samoht]

Maybe look at approved used cars, they aren't always that much more expensive and they should have a better chance of being serviced I think.

Based on your usage you could consider electric, perhaps a Kia Niro?
https://used-uk.kia.com/used-car-details/used-kia-...
or plenty of hybrid Niros also available for same or less money.

[P4D]

Phil. said:

Have a look at Hyundai and Kia SUV’s. Both makes come with long warranties and generally offer bullet proof reliability.

Cheers, I'll take a look!

[P4D]

samoht said:

Maybe look at approved used cars, they aren't always that much more expensive and they should have a better chance of being serviced I think.

Based on your usage you could consider electric, perhaps a Kia Niro?
https://used-uk.kia.com/used-car-details/used-kia-...
or plenty of hybrid Niros also available for same or less money.

We purchased a approved used Volvo and what a nightmare it was. Worst buying experience ever. I quite like the look of a Kia Niro. Cheers.

[mikeiow]

P4D said:

We purchased a approved used Volvo and what a nightmare it was. Worst buying experience ever. I quite like the look of a Kia Niro. Cheers.

Niro is a fairly small SUV - ‘sister’ car of our Kona, & you would definitely need seats down for two medium sized dogs in the back!

XC60 ought to be a better size, I'd have thought (our second car is my old D4 auto XC60 - a lovely car!).

[ninjag]

P4D said:

Requirements:

Budget - 19k
Must be able to fit in 2 large lurchers
Must have Apple Car Play
Ideally lighter in colour as excessive swirl marks will knock me sick haha
Full service history
Ideally no more than 45k miles
Most importantly, reliable.
Cheers

A few Honda CRV's meet all those requirements.

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202306248...




https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202308231...

[Jamescrs]

Cars often end up at the car aupermarketa because main dealers font want them as approved used, often due to missing services or other reasons.

It's not a guarantee that a dealer won't sell a car with a missing service but you have a better chance with a main dealer.

[PositronicRay]

Also SUVs tend to be treated as tools, not cherished enthusiasts cars.

The odd missing service wouldn't put me off, an obviously mistreated car might (unless cheap)

[samoht]

mikeiow said:

Niro is a fairly small SUV - ‘sister’ car of our Kona, & you would definitely need seats down for two medium sized dogs in the back!

The Niro is about 20cm longer than the Kona, so has a bit more space in the cabin and boot. However yes I was assuming with two adults + two dogs having the rear seats down, if you want two rows of seats plus a large boot then I agree that does point towards a larger car, depending just how much boot space is needed.

[Phil.]

These meet all of your requirements with a choice of petrol or diesel mild-hybrid:

https://used.hyundai.co.uk/en/used-car-search/hyun...

https://used.hyundai.co.uk/en/used-car-search/hyun...

https://used.hyundai.co.uk/en/used-car-search/hyun...

There are plenty more too here:

https://used.hyundai.co.uk/en/used-car-search/all-...

[ZX10R NIN]

P4D said:

Hi all,

Myself and my girlfriend have been without a car for 6 weeks now.

We've been to view a few cars as well as having a snoop around some car supermarkets. All of the cars we have had interest in have had something wrong somewhere which has swayed us away. Whether that being missing services (seems to be stupidly common at the car supermarkets) or poor prep/bodywork.

We have been looking at SUV style cars but we're open to anything at this rate. Finding it difficult to get about our daily lives without one. Luckily we have family close by so they've been helping us out when needs be.

We both work from home full time so the only time we use a car is to get to and from the gym 4/5 times a week, the weekly shop and taking the dogs on a nice walk on the weekend.

Requirements:

Budget - 19k
Must be able to fit in 2 large lurchers
Must have Apple Car Play
Ideally lighter in colour as excessive swirl marks will knock me sick haha
Full service history
Ideally no more than 45k miles
Most importantly, reliable.

I've been toying with the idea of looking at something hybrid as well.

If anyone has any suggestions then let me know. Or if anyone has any experience with car supermarkets, that would be great too.

Cheers

Insignia Elite Nav Estate 200:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202309282...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202307199...

508 Allure 180:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202306058...

DS7 Crossback Prestige 180:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202309292...

225:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202308261...

Ford Edge Sport 180:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202309202...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202310032...

Hyundai SantaFe Premium:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202309071...

I have to say all the above will be reliable, also in regards to swirl marks pretty much every used car for sale will have them, personally I'd factor a paint correction into your budget.

[DodgyGeezer]

what about a Skoda Kodiak?

[P4D]

Would missing services be a red flag? I'm unsure if i'm being too picky, expecting a second hand 4 year old car to have FSH.

[Trevor555]

A brand new SEAT Arona for sub 20k.

Fold the seats down to get the dogs in?

[P4D]

Trevor555 said:

A brand new SEAT Arona for sub 20k.

Fold the seats down to get the dogs in?

To be honest, I think they'd fit on the back seats. We have a hammock type thing which we used to use in my Mrs 1 series and they both got in.

[blearyeyedboy]

P4D said:

Would missing services be a red flag? I'm unsure if i'm being too picky, expecting a second hand 4 year old car to have FSH.

I might be more forgiving in older cars but in cars of this vintage, that's a massive red flag for me.

People who can't keep a fairly new vehicle serviced and keep the paperwork in order are more likely to have missed it. I'd walk away at that vintage, or at least ask for it very cheaply.

Don't forget it'll be harder to sell when you're done, too.

Missing a service over 7-10 years is more forgivable- say, if a car wasn't serviced during the worst of Covid- but I'd want to see a wad of paperwork to make up for it from more recent years.

Edited by blearyeyedboy on Saturday 7th October 13:26

[P4D]

blearyeyedboy said:

I might be more forgiving in older cars but in cars of this vintage, that's a massive red flag for me.

People who can't keep a fairly new vehicle serviced and keep the paperwork in order are more likely to have missed it. I'd walk away at that vintage, or at least ask for it very cheaply.

Don't forget it'll be harder to sell when you're done, too.

Missing a service over 7-10 years is more forgivable- say, if a car wasn't serviced during the worst of Covid- but I'd want to see a wad of paperwork to make up for it from more recent years.

Edited by blearyeyedboy on Saturday 7th October 13:26

That's my exact thoughts too. I just don't get how someone can not service a car or even look after it. Like I said, most of the ones I've been to view have been in a horrendous state for the asking price.

[P4D]

ZX10R NIN said:

Insignia Elite Nav Estate 200:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202309282...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202307199...

508 Allure 180:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202306058...

DS7 Crossback Prestige 180:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202309292...

225:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202308261...

Ford Edge Sport 180:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202309202...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202310032...

Hyundai SantaFe Premium:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202309071...

I have to say all the above will be reliable, also in regards to swirl marks pretty much every used car for sale will have them, personally I'd factor a paint correction into your budget.

Thankyou! I like the look of the Insignias, especially at that trim level. They come nicely equipped.