Recommend a new car- new baby

Becks610

Hi I was looking for recommendations on a new car.

I need to get rid of a 3 door as we now have a baby. Had looked at electric as have second car as diesel but have since discovered we need a saloon as need a large boot and wouldn't have the budget for an electric saloon.

Requirements:
Would rather petrol but probably will be diesel due to lack of petrols available
Needs a large booth, needs isofix and needs to be 1.6 petrol or bigger if diesel
Husband does not want an SUV

Reliability is important- budget is between 10 and 12k

Thanks

colm_mcm

How big a boot do you need?

Hatchbacks/liftbacks are always more practical than saloons because access is easier.

What 2 cars do you have now?

Something like a Nissan Leaf would have a 370 litre boot, which is fairly big. Just put a bit of thought into what buggy you'll be buying as some of them are stupidly bulky.

Also, how much and what sort of driving will this car and your other car be doing?



(Congratulations too!)

bazz26

A hatchback boot will definitely offer more practicality than a saloon. The saloon's boot might be deeper but the restricted access at the mouth will reduce it's practicality especially around putting fitting a pram/buggy and other baby stuff.

The first that comes to mind would be the Skoda Octavia, plenty of boot space in them

Becks610

Thanks. Have 2 ford focuses- one diesel one petrol.

We already have the buggy - it's an uppababy vista so quite bulky as we live rurally and do go walking on rough areas so need a buggy that won't fall apart.

Had not thought about that with a saloon.

The diesel focus does 26km each way to work and same at weekend. Other car does 7km each way to work.

macchoille

Top tip : plan ahead. . . i.e what if you have another bundle of joy in the next year or two. Get a car that you won’t have to change if your circumstances change.

You could end up with two buggies (or a double) and in most cars an adult (or even a kid) will struggle to fit between two car seats.

We currently have an S-Max and a Rav 4 (long story). I’d agree with your husband on the SUV thing. We are looking to swap both cars for an estate mondeo, superb, Octavia, A6. We would love an A6 but will most likely be the superb estate. We’ll also get a small run-around like a polo.

colm_mcm

Becks610 wrote: »

Thanks. Have 2 ford focuses- one diesel one petrol.

We already have the buggy - it's an uppababy vista so quite bulky as we live rurally and do go walking on rough areas so need a buggy that won't fall apart.

Had not thought about that with a saloon.

The diesel focus does 26km each way to work and same at weekend. Other car does 7km each way to work.

So is the boot in the Focus not big enough?

The focus will be kept for the 26km commute and the new car used for the 7km?

Becks610

colm_mcm wrote: »

So is the boot in the Focus not big enough?

The focus will be kept for the 26km commute and the new car used for the 7km?

Well a lot of stuff had to go in the back just ordinary shopping not even grocery shopping. The boot is big enough at the moment but if number 2 came along it would be tight.

Yes the new car for the 7km but we could swap around if necessary. We drive each other's cars as is.

John_Rambo

There's lots of confusion about E, diesel and petrol. You're instinct towards petrol is probably wise, but (as I learned) they're hard come by in the second hand market. You're buying at an ambiguous time, diesel is soon going to be a dirty word.

As a dad I found the classic hatchback was a second best to an estate car. The Volvo V70 served us very very very well. Buggies, dogs, kids, roof box etc... If you don't have more crap to load (I did) the V50 could be an option. Fantastic car.

Estates are the same length as a saloon with more practical storage. And, in most cases (BMW 3 and 5 series and more) look nicer. Outside Ireland estates are more popular than saloons for good reasons. That's the reason car designers are putting more emphasis on estates and the saloons are (obviously) secondary in the design process. I think estates will be more desirable in the next decade, so, apart from practical reasons, resale is something to consider.

Zoney

Just switched from a 1.6 petrol Laguna (old), was fine for us for two kids. Spacious cabin and comfortable seats. Wasn't even the estate but still coped with IKEA loads as well. So +1 for the complete boot hatch rather than a saloon. I liked the idea of Skoda superb (you even get a choice of flip the saloon boot lid or lift the whole back) but had to go the MPV route at this stage.

Test drove a Megane estate and the cabin up front felt very cramped compared to the Laguna. So I do recommend the same class like Mondeo, Passat or Superb (no replacement available for Laguna).

Skoda superb estate looks ridiculous in the back, a vast cavern. If you plan to spend all your money in IKEA, or bring the whole kids nursery with you around the country, go for that one.

um7y1h83ge06nx

I'm in the same boat as you and I'm switching from a Mazda 3 hatchback to an Octavia.

590 litres of boot space in the Octavia saloon. The Superb is even bigger.

We have a big enough buggy, an iCandy Orange. The boot in the Mazda and the wives Auris is almost filled by it, looking forward to more room.

bazz26

The Octavia is a hatchback despite looking a bit like a saloon.

Lantus

Currently have an Octavia and we could fit a double out and about and a single pram system and luggage in it without issue. It's incredible.

These days it takes bikes and large loads from IKEA, beds, mattresses and sofas. Superb is even bigger!

Petrol will only be viable on a very new model most likely but talk to a dealer and test drive and read reviews. There are other great cars in that category as others have mentioned.

Becks610

Thanks everyone. Yes I saw a leaflet this morning with a brand new superb on pcp-didn't look bad but I do feel that the pop market is going to go awry with all the cars coming on the market in 18 and 19 from pcps that are finishing up.

I also saw a Kia ceed sw- what are they like they don't seem too expensive and maybe for good reason - I have not seen one in person.

Another car I saw is a Hyundai I 40- what do people think of these.

Lantus

The superb is probably a good bit well above a Kia or Hyundai in terms of size and quality and finish. Some pundits even half jokingly, half seriously compare them to BMW's in terms of ride and comfort.

PCP has been remodeled for 2018 for Skoda so you buy more car up front than before. This should ensure you have more equity at the end of three years. Ultimately your on fixed payments so if it's affordable then fine. At the end you either buy or upgrade and I would save up some money over the 3 year term for either to cover paying off or re investing if you go new again.

If that extra bit of saving is stretching you then maybe re think. But if you can afford 50 to 100 a month you will have saved 1800 to 3600 which will give you loads of options and comfort at the end of the 3 year deal. Run the numbers yourself as always with any deal and talk about the outstanding amount.

Becks610

Becks610 wrote: »

Hi I was looking for recommendations on a new car.

I need to get rid of a 3 door as we now have a baby. Had looked at electric as have second car as diesel but have since discovered we need a saloon as need a large boot and wouldn't have the budget for an electric saloon.

Requirements:
Would rather petrol but probably will be diesel due to lack of petrols available
Needs a large booth, needs isofix and needs to be 1.6 petrol or bigger if diesel
Husband does not want an SUV

Reliability is important- budget is between 10 and 12k

Thanks

I got an i40 about 3 months ago and I've worked in car rental for 2 years so I've driven most cars that you'd see out on the roads.

I really like the hyundai especially considering the price. It has all the bells and whistles including reverse camera which is nice I've the 1.7 diesel engine and I drive around 90km per day to work and back.

Sure there is better cars out there, the superb being one of them but considering the price difference there's not much more.

It has a decent boot as well I get the father's wheelchair in no problem at all.

Becks610

So my search has begun in earnest. I saw a skoda Octavia elegance 1.2 TSI

https://www.carzone.ie/used-cars/skoda/octavia/used-2014-141-skoda-octavia-elegance-waterford-fpa-274778313725626044

Is a 1.2 engine big enough in a car that size- this one caught my eye cos it is petrol.

bazz26

Yes it is, it's got a turbo and produces 105bhp. For comparison the older Octavia 1.4 had 80bhp and 1.6 had 100bhp. Those early 1.2 Tsi engines had issues with stretching timing chains but I think it was sorted by 2014.

Becks610

Would that pricing seem about right- I feel like now there could nearly be a premium on a petrol car of that size due to there not being many of that age. I have tried to compare but there isn't much to compare with.

um7y1h83ge06nx

Got my Octavia last Wednesday OP. Great for a baby. Isofix points are easily accessible behind little plastic covers.

Boot is indeed excellent while still managing to have a full size spare tyre. Tonnes of room. Would easily take our big buggy, bassinet, a big weekly shop and still have plenty of spare space. As someone else corrected me earlier it has a hatch opening so easy to get stuff in and out.

Lots of room for front and rear passengers. Doors open much wider than my Mazda 3 so it's easier to get a car seat in and out without scraping off the door on the way in.

Only negative so far is the 1.6 diesel is a little noisy but that won't bother you if you're going for petrol.

bazz26

Becks610 wrote: »

Would that pricing seem about right- I feel like now there could nearly be a premium on a petrol car of that size due to there not being many of that age. I have tried to compare but there isn't much to compare with.

Here is a 151 asking a little more but it has more miles on it. 57k wouldn't be excessive on a 3 year old petrol car though.

https://www.carsireland.ie/detail.php?ad_id=1916313&r=s.php%3Fm%5B%5D%3D80%26o%5B%5D%3D682%26f%3D1%26yn%3D2015%26yx%3D2016%26pp%3D50%26g%3D0

Beige interior might not be a good idea with an infant though.

Becks610

Thanks all for responses: have decided to go with a petrol and thinking a Skoda - I have realized it is difficult to source petrol saloons of a certain age.

What do,people think of this car

http://www.charleshurstgroup.co.uk/used-cars/8268464-s-koda-octavia-1.6-se-5dr/

We are willing to go up north- also our budget is higher up to 15k so can go higher if above car is no good.

Thanks

bazz26

Look for one with the newer 1.4 TSi engine. It has more power, more fuel efficient and has lower co2 emissions which means cheaper VRT and motor tax.

Lantus

Just had a quick look at skoda finance calculator. Picked the Octavia ambition 1.2tsi which needs around 270 to 300 a month at zero interest over 36 months which is pretty reasonable at 15 to 20pc deposit.

You get very little extra for the superb from a family perspective. Octavia is very well specd.

I would look to own outright a car like this. I would try to save 100 over and above monthly if I could which gives me 3600 to pay off gmfv and create a fairly low outstanding amount to finance at end.

A 2 year old might be another option. Run the numbers based on total costs over 3 to 5 years and see how the options compare.

Becks610

Thanks all I had a look at the Skoda pcp calculator and there are 3 petrol options - 1.0 tsi, 1.2 and 1.5 . Obviously I assume 1.5 is more powerful as it has more bhp but it is also a good bit more expensive . Can someone explain the difference- I am used to driving a 1.4 petrol focus so don’t want another underpowered car

colm_mcm

The 1.0 TSI will feel like a supercar in comparison to your Focus.

The 1.0 TSI is actually more powerful than the 1.2 TSI. even though the 1.2 is only 85bhp it’s got way more torque than a 1.4 Focus, so whatever way you go you’ll be grand.

bazz26

The 1.2 is dropped now in favour of the 1.0 litre afaik. The 1.0 litre is turbo charged so it is alot more powerful than your 1.4 Focus. The 1.5 litre is a brand new engine and replaced the old 1.4 litre which never sold here in great numbers due to the premium. The 1.5 litre is also turbo charged and would be way more powerful than your current 1.4 Focus. It would be hard to justify the price difference of the 1.5 over the 1.0 unless you do a lot of driving where you need the extra power. You probably wouldn't get much in the way of that premium back either when it comes to trading it afterwards.

Lantus

I'd probably go with the 1 litre myself.

NIMAN

Is this baby No.1?

If so, I'd say any size of car will suffice. You'll not need that much that would require a massive car.

However, if there was plans for No.2 and No.3, now thats a different story!