Help - looking for fuel efficient family car?

Mynamestaken

Hi all,
It seems like I am searching for the holy grail...
I need to get a more economical family car. I am looking at estate cars as I think they will suit us best but really struggling with options?
The avensis seems to be poor for fuel efficiency but i would think very reliable, Volvo V50 I think may be an option but the size of the engine is a concern,1.6. I am looking at a budget of about 15k/16k.
I do a fair bit of mileage (550k per week) so I want to look long term here.
Any advice or steering in the right direction would be great, thanks.

166man

Volvo V50 1.6D - fuel efficient? Yes.
- Practical family car? No

You need something bigger than that most likely. A diesel Avensis estate is a decent economical car. Beware the Toyota Bashers on here will say it's crap buy a Mazda 6 instead, but it isn't. I think the Avensis is a decent car and will hold it's value well.

It would be my choice anyway.

Mynamestaken

Thanks 166man,
Funny you say Mazda 6, as I saw one at the weekend. Seemed good value for money, but I really don't know enough about them. Thanks for your help.

bazz26

OP, is your expectation of fuel efficency realistic given the class and size of car you are looking at? A Toyota Avensis diesel will have in or around average mpg for that class of car. I cannot anything else of similar size being miles better on fuel.

166man

166man wrote: »

Volvo V50 1.6D - fuel efficient? Yes.
- Practical family car? No

A V50 is by no means too small to be a practical family car in fairness.

166man wrote: »

You need something bigger than that most likely. A diesel Avensis estate is a decent economical car. Beware the Toyota Bashers on here will say it's crap buy a Mazda 6 instead, but it isn't. I think the Avensis is a decent car and will hold it's value well.

It would be my choice anyway.

It's generally the petrol 6 that is recommended.

166man

Mynamestaken wrote: »

Thanks 166man,
Funny you say Mazda 6, as I saw one at the weekend. Seemed good value for money, but I really don't know enough about them. Thanks for your help.

By all means have a good look at the Mazda 6. They are a good car, but not as much better than the Avensis as they're made out to be. I like the new Avensis for some reason. And I mostly like Alfa's!

Others to look at would maybe be a BMW 520d touring, Citroen C5 HDi, Skoda Octavia estate TDi to name a few. Best of luck anyway.

166man

RoverJames wrote: »

A V50 is by no means too small to be a practical family car in fairness.

I think it is. Have you been in one? I can't imagine it being too comfortable if there are three kids and two adults travelling in one.

scwazrh

I bought a 2008 vw passat 2.0tdi last march for €12k my wife drives it and averages 48mpg .the road tax is €380ish a year and it feels as quick as my e320cdi,plus gets better mileage .

My advice is find a diesel passat in good condition with fsh. Most of them seem to be English imports at the moment.

I've been in the older V40 and the S40 of modern times which was mega comfy, Volvo make lovely seats.
The only one of the 5 you mention who won't be very comfy is whoever's in the middle in the back, if they're small they won't be bothered.

166man

RoverJames wrote: »

I've been in the older V40 and the S40 of modern times which was mega comfy, Volvo make lovely seats.
The only one of the 5 you mention who won't be very comfy is whoever's in the middle in the back, if they're small they won't be bothered.

Well I have been in the back and front of a V50 1.6D and struggled. Boot isn't huge either. Hardly a great family car in my opinion having been in one and back all the way to Kerry from Dublin.

.... unless the OP is catering for 6 foot tall kids I don't think your experience is overly relevant The OP didn't mention he has three of them either.

166man

RoverJames wrote: »

.... unless the OP is catering for 6 foot tall kids I don't think your experience is overly relevant The OP didn't mention he has three of them either.

I never said all the occupants were 6ft tall did I? My friend who is 5ft 10 and my his sister who is slightly smaller all found it uncomfortable. It's not too bad in the front but the back isn't big. A few suitcases was enough to completely fill the boot.

I would hazard a guess most others on here would agree in saying that the V50 is not the most practical family car. You however are just looking to spark up a debate and take the thread OT.

166man

:rolleyes:

Most folks don't carry 5 x full sized adults about in their family car.

I would be quite sure the OP has kids and not 3 adults/teenagers to be carrying around.

I feel you are the one wanting a debate as the points you are making are not at all relevent due to the reasons I have pointed out. You also made a point that most on here wrongly recommend the Mazda 6 over the Avensis, pure and utter bullsh1t in the context of this thread which is about diesels. I have never seen a diesel 6 recommended over an Avensis.

Do not tell me what I am attempting to do btw, what I am doing is calling you on your bullsh1t.

166man wrote: »

............ Beware the Toyota Bashers on here will say it's crap buy a Mazda 6 instead, but it isn't.................

166man

RoverJames wrote: »

:rolleyes:

Most folks don't carry 5 x full sized adults about in their family car.

I would be quite sure the OP has kids and not 3 adults/teenagers to be carrying around.

I feel you are the one wanting a debate as the points you are making are not at all relevent due to the reasons I have pointed out. You also made a point that most on here wrongly recommend the Mazda 6 over the Avensis, pure and utter bullsh1t in the context of this thread which is about diesels. I have never seen a diesel 6 recommended over an Avensis.

Do not tell me what I am attempting to do btw, what I am doing is calling you on your bullsh1t.

It is just stupid though that you seem to think that the V50 makes a good family car having never been in one... lol..

The point I was trying to make is that the Avensis is a surprisingly good car, not that the Mazda is a bad one, regardless of the engine. Many people on here seem to think that Toyota's are sh1t cars. I disagree, hence me recommending the Avensis. It's hardly ''bullsh1t'' :rolleyes:

166man

166man wrote: »

It is just stupid though that you seem to think that the V50 makes a good family car having never been in one... lol..............

An S40 and a V50 are different how?

What was bullsh1t was saying a 6 would be recommended over an Avensis with regard to diesels, pure and utter bullsh1t.

Regardless of the engine an Avensis is a surprisingly good car eh....

http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showpost.php?p=77657025&postcount=4991

......

Never ever ever ever ever ever buy/drive a new Avensis estate with a petrol engine. Currently in Switzerland and was given it as a rental. Never been so shocked than when the foot was put down in that yoke. Most gutless thing I have been in in my life. And most importantly it was the 2.0 version

166man

RoverJames wrote: »

An S40 and a V50 are different how?

What was bullsh1t was saying a 6 would be recommended over an Avensis with regard to diesels, pure and utter bullsh1t.

Last time I checked the V50 was an estate... I could be wrong though. You cannot accept that I have been in a V50 many more times than you before and can safely say it wouldn't be big enough for a family car.

Instead you focus on a minute detail of my post. Maybe the 6 might be recommended over the Avensis, how would you know?

166man

166man wrote: »

............ You cannot accept that I have been in a V50 many more times than you before and can safely say it wouldn't be big enough for a family car..............

There are families throughout the country with family cars the size of a Golf, focus, Corolla etc. To say that a V50 "........ wouldn't be big enough for a family car..........." is nothing short of retarded. I'm not at all bothered how often you were in one tbh. You do realise the S40 and V50 are awfully similar from the rear head rests forward??

Francie Barrett

Mynamestaken wrote: »

Hi all,
It seems like I am searching for the holy grail...
I need to get a more economical family car.

If you're buying a modern manual diesel, all mid range 90-120hp engines will delivery pretty much the same economy.

166man

RoverJames wrote: »

There are families throughout the country with family cars the size of a Golf, focus, Corolla etc. To say that a V50 "........ wouldn't be big enough for a family car..........." is nothing short of retarded. I'm not at all bothered how often you were in one tbh. You do realise the S40 and V50 are awfully similar from the rear head rests forward??

Your use of the word ''retard'' is pretty offensive, but go right ahead.

And it isn't actually, the V50 is not a big car, can't you see that? I'd reckon it's fine if there was two young kids maybe. I still think the OP would be better off going for a bigger car. Yes I do realise that.

166man

166man wrote: »

Your use of the word ''retard'' is pretty offensive, but go right ahead................

I said retarded, I didn't use the word "retard"

RoverJames wrote: »

........ is nothing short of retarded.............

Some may find the word "stupid"offensive too, you might consider that before using it

Dimension time...

2010 V50 ..

Length = 4522 mm
Width = 1770 mm
Height = 1457 mm

2009 Avensis tourer....

Length = 4765 mm
Width = 1810 mm
Height = 1480 mm

Avensis is 243 mm longer bumper to bumper, about 10 inches.

40 mm wider, inch and a half ish.

Less than an inch taller.

Really is much bigger than the V50

Chuck Stone

I hate it when mummy and daddy fight.

Anyhoo..

What about something like this for the OP?

166man

RoverJames wrote: »

I said retarded, I didn't use the word "retard"


Some may find the word "stupid"offensive too, you might consider that before using it

Dimension time...

2010 V50 ..

Length = 4522 mm
Width = 1770 mm
Height = 1457 mm

2009 Avensis tourer....

Length = 4765 mm
Width = 1810 mm
Height = 1480 mm

Avensis is 243 mm longer bumper to bumper, about 10 inches.

40 mm wider, inch and a half ish.

Less than an inch taller.

Really is much bigger than the V50

:rolleyes: Typical

Do you find the word stupid offensive? Also looking at dimensions isn't everything by the way. As was proved on another thread the Insignia is the same size or slightly longer and wider than the Superb, yet which is bigger inside? I'm sure even you know the answer to that one...


Anyway OP, I still maintain the V50 would be too small even though it's actually a really nice car. A midsize extate such as the Avensis, Passat, Mazda 6, Citroen C5 should fit your requirements.

166man

166man wrote: »

:rolleyes: Typical

Do you find the word stupid offensive? Also looking at dimensions isn't everything by the way. As was proved on another thread the Insignia is the same size or slightly longer and wider than the Superb, yet which is bigger inside? I'm sure even you know the answer to that one...


Anyway OP, I still maintain the V50 would be too small even though it's actually a really nice car. A midsize extate such as the Avensis, Passat, Mazda 6, Citroen C5 should fit your requirements.

in context I did, I also find the 'even you' above is meant in an insulting fashion. YOu wouldn't have the balls to admit it though

166man

RoverJames wrote: »

in context I did, I also find the 'even you' above is meant in an insulting fashion. YOu wouldn't have the balls to admit it though

I think you need to grow up really... Not much more is there to say..

You can't just move on and accept that someone has better experience of something or a certain car than you. Instead you resort to on paper figures to try and win the argument.

Also the ''even you'' comment was meant as you just tried to suggest that a Volvo V50 is not much smaller than an Avensis. Lol

What experience do you have of a diesel avensis? You said never buy a petrol one previously, now you say regardless of engine they're a surprisingly good, those statements don't add up.
To reiterate, a V50 is not much smaller than an avensis.

dgt

This thread has been 2 hours of entertainment



OP does the size of engine matter? How versatile does the car need to be? Plenty of crackin estate cars out there, need to narrow down your criteria!

166man

RoverJames wrote: »

What experience do you have of a diesel avensis? You said never buy a petrol one previously, now you say regardless of engine they're a surprisingly good, those statements don't add up.

Now believe it or not but my Football manager owns a 2010 saloon diesel Avensis and I'm in it every Sunday morning. It's a reasonably high spec one too, and it's quite a nice place to be inside. The engine refinement and the soft enough suspension make it very comfortable sitting on the M50.

We had an Avensis estate 2.0 petrol as a rental about 4 months ago in France and while the engine didn't seem up to the job, the car overall was huge inside. Took five people, plus all 5 suitcases and small bags, plus all the ski gear and drove us over 1000km in reasonable comfort. I was impressed.

Try getting that in a V50 and you'd have some trouble I reckon. I have reasonable experience of it I believe. The fact you are trying to argue that the V50 is as spacious as the Avensis is laughable really.

Where did I say its as spacious? I said its a perfectly fine family car, never said It's as spacious. After your trip in the petrol there was no mention of being impressed. In the football managers car every Sunday eh, nice.

166man

RoverJames wrote: »

Where did I say its as spacious? I said its a perfectly fine family car, never said It's as spacious. After your trip in the petrol there was no mention of being impressed. In the football managers car every Sunday eh, nice.

You tried to compare the two using just figures you found while you went off searching the internet trying to prove somebody else wrong. I forgot I have to mention everything in the one review of a rental car actually...:rolleyes:

Maybe you should have a look for yourself and see. You would be surprised how much room is in the back and in the boot of the Toyota. The Volvo simply wasn't big enough.

And while I understand you won't believe a word out of anyone's mouth, it doesn't bother me. I do spend each Sunday morning playing GAA and do get lifts out to matches in his Avensis.

You really gotta grow up...:eek:

... wasn't big enough for you and your chums off down to Kerry, that doesn't mean its not a family car. Take off the blinkers and consider that focus sized cars suit many families perfectly. The dimensions I posted are factual, not opinion, fact. Read what I'm actually saying rather than repeating the grow up comment, there's a good boy.

166man

RoverJames wrote: »

... wasn't big enough for you and your chums off down to Kerry, that doesn't mean its not a family car. Take off the blinkers and consider that focus sized cars suit many families perfectly. The dimensions I posted are factual, not opinion, fact.

If it can't take a group of five, it's not a very good family car is it? Yes dimensions are factual, but as proved with the Opel Insignia Vs Skoda Superb, which is larger on paper compared to larger in everyday life?

Not the brightest tool in the box sometimes are you? Stop making an argument for the sake of making one. Anyway, I'm off this, it's not very fair to the OP is it.

166man

166man wrote: »

If it can't take a group of five, it's not a very good family car is it? Yes dimensions are factual, but as proved with the Opel Insignia Vs Skoda Superb, which is larger on paper compared to larger in everyday life?

Not the brightest tool in the box sometimes are you? Stop making an argument for the sake of making one. Anyway, I'm off this, it's not very fair to the OP is it.

Not the brightest tool in the box? More insults from the big man
Again, families often consist of some small folk, aka kids.
after splattering the thread with moronic sh1t you head off two hours later, lol.

shedweller

I think the OP needs to tell us what his seating requirements are. Actually, he needs to go and try his booster seats in a few different cars and see what suits best. No point getting something that doesn't suit the job it's bought for, or asking online whats best. A difference of a few mm in the rear seat could mean booster seats either not fitting or seatbelts not buckling up. Or the knuckles being stripped off every time you strap the kids in. While they poke your eyes out with action mans jocks. For lols.

Redtop

Audi 1.9TDi Avant (fancy name for Estate), BMW 320D Touring (another fancy name for Estate), Saab 93 Diesel Combi (Yet another fancy name for Estate), Ford Mondeo Estate Diesel,

mickdw

Jesus 166man and RoverJames, I never knew that you both could be such a pair of tools.

Shane Fitz

mickdw wrote: »

Jesus 166man and RoverJames, I never knew that you both could be such a pair of tools.

A 3 page thread, and only 5 or 6 posts about which car may suit.
I'd imagine the OP has gone looking elsewhere for the advice he wanted.
You 2 have totally derailed his thread with your nonsense tit for tat.
What a way to promote this forum which is usually a great resource.

... and the two of ye are helping the OP how exactly? We would be waiting a while for a useful post from you anyway Shane. 166 spent last evening trolling the forum, at least two other threads along with his moronic claims that a v50 isn't a family car.

Shane Fitz

RoverJames wrote: »

... We would be waiting a while for a useful post from you anyway Shane.

Eh, what? Would you like to elaborate?? Not sure how it is in Motors, but in other Fora on Boards I think it's attack the post, not the poster. But thanks for making me feel welcome!
And as for the trolling.. You know full well you shouldn't feed the trolls, report and forget. You were as bad as eachother.

Apologise to OP for going off topic. .

Attack the post not the porter but thank a post calling people tools, great job there :rolleyes:

Victor Meldrew

RoverJames wrote: »

...moronic claims that a v50 isn't a family car.

We had a s40. which is a V50 without the estate bit.

Whilst based on a focus, the interior mouldings on the doors and the larger seats make for a much smaller car inside. Sitting in the back is cramped for adults. our MkII Meagane at the time was far bigger in the back and was easier to load small babies into their car seats.

So it will not fit gangly teenagers and you will bump your babies heads on the door opening lifting them in and out.

Toddlers who can climb into their seats will kick you in the back if you are over 5'10".

Up front, for the driver, the S40/V50 is cramped and there is poor and illogical oddments storage. The door pockets are useless.

Then there are the electrical problems and the joy that is volvo dealers in south dublin and associated invoices.

The front seats were amazingly comfortable, even though we had the poverty "s" spec.

Fuel tank was small too.

Shane Fitz

RoverJames wrote: »

Attack the post not the porter but thank a post calling people tools, great job there :rolleyes:

I thanked the post because of the sentiment, not his use of language.
You were both behaving like children, atleast you clarified that 166man is a 19 year old guy. We must only assume you to be a grown man too. And now sniping at me too. Well done you!! You won at internets.

As for you opinion on what was a suitable family sized car. You are right in that many families manage quite well in Focus sized machines. But he was also right in that the Volvo might be a bit cramped for 3 6ft tall teenaged sons etc.
Until the OP clarified his SPECIFIC needs you were both equally right. And both equally pedantic and childish in your behaviour

Victor Meldrew

Meant to say, we use a mk1 mazda 6 as the family bus now. Petrol. 1.8L 35mpg round town and 42 long haul loaded with kids, bikes, wife, etc..

like all mainstream large saloons, it does everything save move a washing machine..

TestTransmission

166man wrote: »

Your use of the word ''retard'' is pretty offensive, but go right ahead.

And it isn't actually, the V50 is not a big car, can't you see that? I'd reckon it's fine if there was two young kids maybe. I still think the OP would be better off going for a bigger car. Yes I do realise that.

RoverJames wrote: »

I said retarded, I didn't use the word "retard"



Some may find the word "stupid"offensive too, you might consider that before using it

Dimension time...

2010 V50 ..

Length = 4522 mm
Width = 1770 mm
Height = 1457 mm

2009 Avensis tourer....

Length = 4765 mm
Width = 1810 mm
Height = 1480 mm

Avensis is 243 mm longer bumper to bumper, about 10 inches.

40 mm wider, inch and a half ish.

Less than an inch taller.

Really is much bigger than the V50

166man wrote: »

:rolleyes: Typical

Do you find the word stupid offensive? Also looking at dimensions isn't everything by the way. As was proved on another thread the Insignia is the same size or slightly longer and wider than the Superb, yet which is bigger inside? I'm sure even you know the answer to that one...


Anyway OP, I still maintain the V50 would be too small even though it's actually a really nice car. A midsize extate such as the Avensis, Passat, Mazda 6, Citroen C5 should fit your requirements.

RoverJames wrote: »

in context I did, I also find the 'even you' above is meant in an insulting fashion. YOu wouldn't have the balls to admit it though

166man wrote: »

I think you need to grow up really... Not much more is there to say..

You can't just move on and accept that someone has better experience of something or a certain car than you. Instead you resort to on paper figures to try and win the argument.

Also the ''even you'' comment was meant as you just tried to suggest that a Volvo V50 is not much smaller than an Avensis. Lol

I've had enough of your bickering and so have the regular posters here.Ye've been warned before so ye can both take a week off .

Leonard Hofstadter

If the OP is still following this thread, it would be useful for him/her to come back to us and let us know his/her exact requirements, as there is not a lot to go on at the moment.

A V50 is a nice car sure but is not the most practical car Volvo ever made, but it may be large enough for the OP's requirements.

An Avensis diesel is no more nor no less economical than anything else out there - while there are lots of reasons to discount an Avensis, fuel economy is certainly not a reason to knock them.

I wouldn't recommend a diesel Mazda 6 in a million years - anything is better than that. The petrols are fantastic cars but the diesel is far too likely to go very expensively wrong.

MuppetCheck

How about a Ford Mondeao? Estates are rare enough in them however but the sheer number available means there has to be a few at least. The 2 litre is the better engine and if you can at all get a Titanium X model - it's worth it for the comfortable seats and the useful extras that come as standard. To increase the options a hatchback may be viable as the boot access is very wide (lip is a little high if you have something heavy to lift in though!) and it's a good size.

captainspeed wrote: »

I wouldn't recommend a diesel Mazda 6 in a million years - anything is better than that. The petrols are fantastic cars but the diesel is far too likely to go very expensively wrong.

The newer diesels finally reslove this problem although some of the issues are easily avoidable. I doubt they would be in the budget however unless leggy. Don't think I have seen an Estate Mazda 6 ever on the roads!

Mynamestaken

Hi folks, thanks for all the feedback, animated and all as it was.
I don't know too much about buying cars, last time I bought was years ago and I don't really pay attention to makes and models, thus my need for your advice now.
We have a budget for 15/16k, we would like an estate as we carry a lot of outdoor gear. We are looking for family car but ideally not a huge size. I thought we would get more mpg for saloon/estate cars than what seems to be the norm of 40 mpg. I will be doing a lot of miles so our priorities are;
1) not a fuel guzzler,2) reliable, hoping to get a good few years out of the car, 3) practical comfortable good size car that can carry boats/surf boards/bikes.
So like a said in OP...it seems like the holy grail for our budget!

dgt

Not an estate car (or is it... It has an identity crisis either way ) but roomy, space outside to carry gear, reliable enough, economical and well within budget



Would you consider one OP?

Mynamestaken

That looks good, is it a focus? It looks bigger though? How many mpg would it do?

dgt

Mynamestaken wrote: »

That looks good, is it a focus? It looks bigger though? How many mpg would it do?

Focus C-max, nowadays just the C-max

Take this one for example

• Well within your budget
• Low miles, full history, one owner etc
• Seats 5 comfortably (no 7 seat option afaik)
• Low tax and good mpg (approx 58mpg combined)

Not my choice of car but if I needed to carry a family I'd be looking at something like that.

A good few more out there too

Mynamestaken

That's great info, thanks a million.