To "Santa Fe" or not to "Santa Fe"

mossfitzg15

Hi There,

Looking for some advice from those in the Know.

Job means I need to drive from Kerry to Dublin twice a week at weird hours. I need to change my car and would really like a second hand SUV. Only problem is budget is limited to around 10 k. I really like the look of a freelander but have been put off by reliability - electrics- cost horror stories so I'm now looking at Hyundai Santa Fe.

The SF looks nice and certainly falls within my budget for 06/07 model. I'm thinking of 4wd and non commercial for kids etc but I'm wondering whats it like to drive on long journeys ?

any advice or alternative suggestions would be greatly appreciated

Regards

MF

R.O.R

mossfitzg15 wrote: »

Hi There,

Looking for some advice from those in the Know.

Job means I need to drive from Kerry to Dublin twice a week at weird hours. I need to change my car and would really like a second hand SUV. Only problem is budget is limited to around 10 k. I really like the look of a freelander but have been put off by reliability - electrics- cost horror stories so I'm now looking at Hyundai Santa Fe.

The SF looks nice and certainly falls within my budget for 06/07 model. I'm thinking of 4wd and non commercial for kids etc but I'm wondering whats it like to drive on long journeys ?

any advice or alternative suggestions would be greatly appreciated

Regards

MF

Do you have a requirement for a 4x4 / SUV, or do you just fancy one? I've never found SUV's to be as good for long distance driving as a saloon car - they just don't feel as stable on the road due to the higher centre of gravity.

I haven't driven any real distance in a Santa Fe so can't comment on that specifically. If you don't really need an SUV, then you'll probably get better value for money in a saloon / hatch / estate.

mossfitzg15

ROR, thanks for the reply

Really I just fancy an suv. I like the idea of being high off the road and the 4 x 4 aspect is really only for the snow and ice that we sometimes get. I have very early starts in Dublin so reliability is the number 1 factor. Theres plenty Santa fe's on the road and web research shows generally decent reports. I'm just wondering if there are particular things i should look out for whenlooking at a used one

thanks again

MF

pgok

Wife's had a Santa Fe for over 4 years. She likes it fine and we regulary drive to Donegal (140 miles) and its reasonably comfortable. Just bought rear brake pads for it today 29 euro at the motor factor so not outrageous. Having the 4 wd for the frost is a big plus. Only bad point we know of is the clutch. Don't buy this car if you intend to use it for towing, the clutch is just not up to it. PG

Anan1

mossfitzg15 wrote: »

and the 4 x 4 aspect is really only for the snow and ice that we sometimes get.

A car on winter tyres will run rings around a 4x4 on snow and ice. That said, if you're prepared to put up with the penalty in safety, comfort and economy inherent in an SUV then you could do worse than the Santa Fe.

mossfitzg15

thanks all, it seems its a swings and round about situation, you loose on one to gain on others but its got me thinking - what is the best suv out there for in or around 10k or is it a case that an suv thats ant way decent would cost a lot more ??

Anan1

mossfitzg15 wrote: »

thanks all, it seems its a swings and round about situation, you loose on one to gain on others but its got me thinking - what is the best suv out there for in or around 10k or is it a case that an suv thats ant way decent would cost a lot more ??

At the risk of labouring the point, you lose every way with an SUV on the motorway.;)

Why not drive a few, and see for yourself?

Idbatterim

what about an x5? take a look at the likes of the below OP

http://cars.donedeal.ie/for-sale/cars/4360636

http://www.carzone.ie/search/BMW/X5/X5-SPORT/31413547335387090/advert?channel=CARS

leather, heated seats, sat nav, mfsw. Take a read of the issues with the Santa Fe engine problems here on boards before making your decision...

jjf1974

Is there not a problem with clutchs failing in the santa fe ? Has to be a better option than a freelander, my neighbour had one of them, it spent more time in the garage than on the road.

bazz26

jjf1974 wrote: »

Is there not a problem with clutchs failing in the santa fe ? Has to be a better option than a freelander, my neighbour had one of them, it spent more time in the garage than on the road.

I think that was the flywheels on the diesel MkI models.

goz83

First thing to do when you buy a Santa Fe is change the timing belt. Seem to be common for going early on them.

You'd get the same year Honda CRV for that money and they're way more reliable.

mossfitzg15

Found a santa fe that i like from simi garage in dublin. 7 seater 4wd 95 thousand miles - 9k. Looks a lovely car to my very untrained eye but.....

service book only stamped up to jan 2011 when fly wheel and clutch were replaced. No sign of timing belt being done

Comes with 3 month warranty and no more.

I thought you could switch btwn 4ed and 2 wd but it seems its 4wd all the time. Will tis make it really heavy on Diesel ??

as always any advice is hugely appreciated

M

jjf1974

maybe Iam wrong but is there a model that is 2wd only that is very light on fuel but maybe you need 4wd.

kermitpwee

Twice a week from dublin to kerry, a 4wd jeep will ride ya on diesel.

Bpmull

kermitpwee wrote: »

Twice a week from dublin to kerry, a 4wd jeep will ride ya on diesel.

My parents bought a Santa Fe 7 seater 4wd new in 2007. The best mpg they ever got was 30mpg granted it was an automatic. But I don't think the manuals are a whole lot better. As for a 2wd I wouldn't buy one they are too big and the 2wd just felt unstable in the wet. To answer the ops above question the 4wd is in constant 4wd. There Is a 4wd lock button underneath the radio. That just locks up the four wheels and sends 25 percent power to each wheel it's only really used if you get stuck.

truebluechippy

you could get a 07 maybe 08 pathfiner.iv had one for the last 5 years a fine 4x4 no problem other than normal servicing etc.mine does about 800km to 65 liters of diesel if you take it handy on the right foot.

MuppetCheck

Just buy a Qashquai...or whatever the spelling is...

pete4130

Subaru Forester or Outback would do the job.

Way better off road, Great ground clearance, better handling, more comfortable, better fuel economy, nicer looking, same tax, nicer ride, faster, better acceleration.

Probably cheaper to buy too.

DonSharky

to be honest i have had jeeps in my driving career so far.. well 2 and 1 of them was the tuscon the baby jeep of the hyundai family, it was 2wd and i found it fine for to potter about. but i did take it for a few long trips (1) was dublin from galway and back again. and (2) was galway to Kilkenny. both cost me 3/4 of a tank, and i wasnt doing crazy speed. just had 3 people on board, and luggage. anywho it will be heavy on juice as its a jeep. all jeeps are, but if u want 1 u will get one despite all the advice. any jeep will only get u a max of 37mpg i was getting 35 out of mine at the best of time... and granted the SF is heavier weight wise. 4x4 u can knock off with a swtich so i wouldnt worry about that. if u want a family bus and u have 10k budget i would be aiming for the ford galaxy or the s/max or the equilvant in other brands. here and example
Galaxy Zetec 2.0TDCi 140 PS Doors: 5 Engine: 2.0 Fuel: diesel Economy: 50mpg
SF 2.2 CRDi Style 5dr 7 Seat 4WD Doors: 5 Engine: 2.2 Fuel: diesel Economy: 42mpg

now take the mpg with a pinch of salt as they tested in prime conditions, no weight, flat road min amout of luggage ....
hope that was helpful

unkel

Those Hyundais are brutal for DMF going and turbo / engine failure. Wouldn't touch one with a bargepole tbh...

mossfitzg15

Folks,

Thanks all for the replies. Round trip of 340 miles. At present my old seat Toledo does it for about 45 euro. What's the likely increase with a Santa fe or a different suv.

Thanks again

Moss

DonSharky

mossfitzg15 wrote: »

Folks,

Thanks all for the replies. Round trip of 340 miles. At present my old seat Toledo does it for about 45 euro. What's the likely increase with a Santa fe or a different suv.

Thanks again

Moss

Any suv will be heavier on fuel, u have to consider comfort, space via economy costs... If u want all the safest option with all would be the galaxy or other model equilivant

visual

I drive a Jeep Grand Cherokee
beautiful motor to drive in city and on motor ways, it 4wd full time its the same mileage as the 2wd model. easily cruses at 120KPH +
Grip is unreal in snow and ice and even a car on winter tyres can't compare to the traction. Comfort is brilliant and kids love them as they have a better view out of the windows. leather heated seats, air con, everything electric like sitting in a arm chair even after hours of constant driving.

The down side and it is a big down size MPG it doesn't matter what anyone tells you a Jeep weighing over 2 tons isn't going to be getting you more than 30 mpg on the motor way and less in the city.
Repair running cost are more expensive you can off set this by doing some DIY but its still going to hurt. Most 4x4 will be 3 liter now or bigger if you opt for petrol. Road Tax needs to be considered so you want 2008 and up pre 2008 is on the old crazy tax rate.

if you do pick up a 4x4 with engine smaller than 2.5L don't expect performance. best way to look at it is BHP/weight = acceleration

I really like my Jeep but compared to my 2 liter diesel car the car cost 1/2 as much to run. This might be something you need to consider if your getting paid per mile on business there maybe no allowance for driving a big thirsty vehicle.

Car will do 50 mpg motor way and lowest in city be 34 mpg (city center)
my jeep does 29 mpg motor way and 17 mpg city center.

Not trying to put you off but rather just give my experience of drive a full size 4x4 on the road.

there is one other draw back its when it snows everyone expects you to pull them out and on the beach there is always some poor sod stuck in the sand.

as with everything in life check out the 4x4 as there is different 4 wheel drive systems some are better than others. generally one that doesn't have a low box isn't meant to be taken off road.

mossfitzg15

thanks visual, fair analysis i think