Help - need spacious diesel (two child seats) for less than 7K?

Chilliflake

Hi all

Have been researching for weeks and just don't know what to get. Need a car asap. My preferences would be for a diesel auto w/leather (due to messy kids and messy work products strewn around car) but I'm limited to about 7.5K max. Have seen an 03 BMW 318 estate around the 115KM mark - is that too high a mileage?

Have also spotted an 05 Kia Sportage (not auto or diesel though) 4x4 with around 57 miles on the clock - what do you think of these?

Will mostly be driving around town and the odd trip to Dublin maybe twice a month (from East Cork).

Thought I could get away without asking for help, but I'm at the end of my tether now because I haven't a clue.

Am planning on buying a newer car (probaby a people carrier which I despise but may have to due to potentially having three children) in about 2 years so this just has to do me till then and be sell-able at that time as well.

All help and suggestions welcome! Thank you all.

knotknowbody

Prehaps something like this

http://cars.donedeal.ie/for-sale/cars/2385270

They are comfortable, reliable but boring, good for the motorway trips and spacious in the cabin with a huge boot to carry stuff around in. I prefer the saloon but the hatch is o.k too. You sometimes come across them in leather with all the extras.

opinion guy

Skoda Tardis Octavia perhaps ?

JJJJNR

Seat Altea, have one for this exact purpose, can be got for decent money now.

Eoin

A Volvo 50 might come in budget, though a recent thread indicates that they're not actually all that spacious and child seats can be tricky. Shame as I think they're a nice looking car.

Personally I'd go for an estate over an SUV or MPV.

I think you'd probably pay over the odds for a BMW touring compared to other alternatives. It doesn't sound like you need a diesel.

EPM

opinion guy wrote: »

Skoda Tardis Octavia perhaps ?

Despite being the running joke it would work well for your needs. A 1.9tdi Elegance with DSG shouldnt be too hard to find. Avoid the 2.0 tdi if you can.

JJJJNR wrote: »

Seat Altea, have one for this exact purpose, can be got for decent money now.

+1

Or even a Toledo if you can get over the looks. They can be snapped up quite cheaply these days. They are the same as an Altea just with a bump on the back.

Arciphel

Another vote for the Altea, I have the XL version which replaced the old Toleda. Good car for what it does, very comfortable for long journeys.

LFC Murphy

Arciphel wrote: »

Another vote for the Altea, I have the XL version which replaced the old Toleda. Good car for what it does, very comfortable for long journeys.

Whats the XL like on juice? Also what the back seats like, wondering as I've two baby seats and a teen.

Thanks

166man

Something like this way under budget too..

http://www.carzone.ie/search/Saab/9-5/ARC-2.0-/201046200258138/advert?channel=CARS

bazz26

If you are looking for something spaceous then a Volvo V50 or BMW 3 Series Touring will not suit, they are more leisure estate cars rather than load luggers.

Something like this would be more versitile for space:

http://www.driving.ie/usedcars/index.cfm?fuseaction=Car&carID=201135204159373&message=You%20searched%20for%3A%20Citroen%20C5%2C%20Estate%2C%20Automatic%20Transmission%2C%20Diesel%20Only%2E%20Your%20search%20returned%20one%20vehicle%2C%20which%20is%20shown%20below%2E&CFID=140314796&CFTOKEN=65172425

Arciphel

LFC Murphy wrote: »

Whats the XL like on juice? Also what the back seats like, wondering as I've two baby seats and a teen.

Thanks

The one I have is a 1.4l petrol (TSI engine, 105 BHP) and it does about 6.5l/100km. Cheap tax and insurance, no problem cruising on the motor way but it's not good blow your away at the lights or anything, but I guess in this segment not many cars will. The back seats are good, I have a large Maxi Cosi Axiss car seat in the back and two adults can still sit comfortably in there. Three headrests in the back is a bonus too.

Chilliflake

Thanks everybody for your input. I've been drawn towards an estate as I usually have a load of stuff in the boot and need to fit a double buggy and a ton of shopping easily.

What do you think of this:

http://www.carzone.ie/search/Audi/A4/QUATTRO-/201128203401765/advert?channel=CARS

Is it too old/expensive for its age? I like it though and it ticks all the boxes.

GT5

If your thinking about petrol's, go for a Honda Legend. I'm driving a 99' but with your budget you'd get a decent 03/04 model. Although theres not many around these days.

bandit14

Chilliflake wrote: »

Thanks everybody for your input. I've been drawn towards an estate as I usually have a load of stuff in the boot and need to fit a double buggy and a ton of shopping easily.

What do you think of this:

http://www.carzone.ie/search/Audi/A4/QUATTRO-/201128203401765/advert?channel=CARS

Is it too old/expensive for its age? I like it though and it ticks all the boxes.

Nice machine,maybe a bit expensive imo of course!

bazz26

Chilliflake wrote: »

Thanks everybody for your input. I've been drawn towards an estate as I usually have a load of stuff in the boot and need to fit a double buggy and a ton of shopping easily.

What do you think of this:

http://www.carzone.ie/search/Audi/A4/QUATTRO-/201128203401765/advert?channel=CARS

Is it too old/expensive for its age? I like it though and it ticks all the boxes.

OP, have you tried loading any of these cars with the things you mention above? The A4, 3 Series, etc are not big cars even in estate form, I'd doubt you will fit a double buggy in the back of one, not to mind the shopping too.

Eoin

That's quite disappointing!

Chilliflake

bazz26 wrote: »

OP, have you tried loading any of these cars with the things you mention above? The A4, 3 Series, etc are not big cars even in estate form, I'd doubt you will fit a double buggy in the back of one, not to mind the shopping too.

No I haven't! Would some estates be that small in the back?
I just don't think I can bring myself to drive a Tardis type. I was going to bring the double buggy with me to any viewings I go to.

bazz26

Chilliflake wrote: »

No I haven't! Would some estates be that small in the back?
I just don't think I can bring myself to drive a Tardis type. I was going to bring the double buggy with me to any viewings I go to.

Yes they are, they come is different sizes. Cars like the A4, 3 Series, etc are not big, they are lifestyle estates where they are used to carry the light loads like golf clubs, that would not normally fit in the saloon versions of the same cars. If you need a load lugger and it sounds like you do then you will need to look beyond these junior executive estates. Cars like the Ford Mondeo and Citroen C5 estates have way more carrying space.

Whatever you look at it is paramount that you bring your double buggy with you.

JJJJNR

Seat XL will take a double buggy and its got a 5 star ncap rating.