Auto SUV

[bugsyroo]

Hi all,

I'm hoping I can pick your expert brains for some advice. I currently have a 70 plate Vauxhall Grandland 1.2 auto on about 28k miles with the dreaded wet belt! It hasn't caused any problems yet, but I'm keen to get rid of it for some peace of mind!

Are there any recommendations for my next car? Must be automatic, petrol or petrol hybrid (and I am rather fond of my heated seats and heated front windscreen!) I have around £13k to spend.


Thanks so much in advance!

Bugsy

[ZX10R NIN]

If you like the car why not just put some money aside to get the wet belt done.

1.6Th Grandland:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202408313...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202503270...

[bugsyroo]

Thanks so much for getting back to me.

I really do like many things about the car, but sadly the Stellantis PureTech engine has been engineered to be more likely to go wrong than not, and that isn't something I'm comfortable with. It's made trickier with Vauxhall constantly changing their mind about which oil is best to use to keep the wet belt in tip-top condition - currently 0w-20 although the owner’s manual states 0w-30!

I hadn't thought about possibly upgrading my Grandland and the two you linked to look great, but sadly also have wet belts!

I'm similarly nervous about the 1.2 DIG-T Qashquais!

[Pickle_Rick]

If the car had been fine otherwise, then I imagine you can get the belt replaced for a lot less than £13k. Will be fine for another 5 years if you keep up accurate servicing.

[bugsyroo]

Very true, but the £13k would come from the sale of the Grandland (it’s roughly what I’ve been offered) and I’m quite keen to transfer that asset into a vehicle that doesn’t keep me up at night!

[Matt_T]

Suzuki S-cross is a nice car, feels a little more upmarket and better built than the Vitara.
Honda HRVs and Toyota C-HRs are also a good option.

Mitsubishi ASX are reliable I believe, the 1.6 engine is tough.

Ssangyong Korando's are a good buy, but only as a sensible price, don't overpay for one.

(off topic but hoy did Honda and Toyota end up with similar car name styles?)

Edited by Matt_T on Thursday 3rd April 15:24

Edited by Matt_T on Friday 4th April 16:41

[bugsyroo]

Great! Thank you. The S-Cross looks like a good alternative and there seem to be a few around. The Honda and Toyota look a little more Juke sized, so potentially a little too small for my needs (two largish labradoodles need to fit in the boot!) and I can’t find any examples of the Mazda or Ssangyong at the moment.

You’re absolutely correct though. The naming of the Honda and Toyota are surprisingly similar. You would have thought there were plenty of other 3 letter combos out there that would have served a similar purpose!

[Matt_T]

The Mazda CX5 is a strange "between sizes" size. It's a lot smaller than a CR-V or RAV4 but bigger than a HRV or C-HR.
The Kuga is also this "between size"

Edited by Matt_T on Friday 4th April 16:42

[ZX10R NIN]

bugsyroo said:

Thanks so much for getting back to me.

I really do like many things about the car, but sadly the Stellantis PureTech engine has been engineered to be more likely to go wrong than not, and that isn't something I'm comfortable with. It's made trickier with Vauxhall constantly changing their mind about which oil is best to use to keep the wet belt in tip-top condition - currently 0w-20 although the owner’s manual states 0w-30!

I hadn't thought about possibly upgrading my Grandland and the two you linked to look great, but sadly also have wet belts!

I'm similarly nervous about the 1.2 DIG-T Qashquais!

You can find examples of issues with most engines.

As I said earlier if you look after the car you have (service it every year or 10k do the gearbox every 5 years or 80k) & in 8 out of 10 cases it'll be reliable.

So I would suggest sticking.