Another car buying advice thread!

Thumpette

I just wrote a really long detailed thread and then when I clicked post it disappeared! Like literally took an hour!

Annnnyway I am looking for advice on what car to buy! I had posted a few days ago but my criteria has changed a bit. Would really appreciate any advice.

So, below are my preferences in order of priority: (obviously safety and reliability are expected as a baseline)

Space- particularly boot. I have a corolla verso at the mo which is ugly and not great comfort but super practical. I have a baby and 2 small dogs so buggy room and medium size dog crate room would be great.

Comfort- I spend a fair bit of time in it, comfy, good air con, heated seats, nice interior would be great. Leather seats would be great because I live close to the beach and the baby and the dogs get sand and muck everywhere so wipe down ability would be super. Also quite fancy a sunroof!

Fuel efficiency- I drive 80k a day ( I just realised this when I googled just now!) 30k through town to work and almost 50 around the m50 on the way home. Lots of sitting in traffic. I was thinking of a hybrid but that limits my options a lot especially looking for space. Otherwise thinking diesel. I have no idea what size engine is best in terms of efficiency, low tax, insurance etc. I also drive cross country to Donegal or Cork once every 6 weeks or so.

Automatic would be handy for traffic as would cruise control. Parking sensors would be great because I am **** at parking.

Pretty- I’ve never spent more than 5k for a car and now that I’m looking to spend 15-20 fish I would like it to be pretty, but that isn’t a priority.

I think I had written way more but I forget now!

Had been looking at:(though open to other options!)

Toyota Rav4- Saw a lovely one in Liffey Valley. Best boot space I saw but specs are fairly basic for the price of other cars of a similar year and price. Though I was looking there and I saw a great price on an older Rav 4 with the wheel on the outside. Presume this leaves more space inside?
https://www.carzone.ie/used-cars/toyota/rav4/used-2012-toyota-rav4-2-2-d4d-4x4-dublin-fpa-201807178528024

Kia Sportage - Pushy salesman in Airside is wrecking my head but I do love the look of the Sportage. Great specs for the price, though boot is a bit small for what I’d like. Dogs would need to downsize! Just spotted this one online. Would I be better getting from a main dealer or does it not make much difference? https://www.carzone.ie/used-cars/kia/sportage/used-2012-kia-sportage-2-0-crdi-e-westmeath-fpa-5752206998349029192

Nissan Quashqua- Need to try out the boot on this but from first impressions it seems the smallest of the 3 SUV types. Felt very comfy though, again specs nowhere near the similar price sportage. https://www.carzone.ie/used-cars/nissan/qashqai/used-2015-151-nissan-qashqai-sv-1-6-d-dublin-fpa-5420861357047421200

https://www.carzone.ie/used-cars/toyota/auris/used-2014-141-toyota-auris-1-8-hybrid-dublin-fpa-2156360704779009260
Ticks a lot of the practicality boxes but not the prettiest! Not sure how the boots in an estate compare? Would it be bigger?

Thanks so much in advance! Really appreciate any advice!

kerten

3 months ago I got a low mileage 161 Citroen c4 Grand picasso Exclusive+ Auto for 22K Euro from a UK Citroen dealer. It still has UK warranty till March 2019.

I do similar daily commute and have 2 kids and their stuff for weekends. If your priorities are space, comfort and fuel economy, it is a good choice except full leather seats were expensive option so it is very rare even in uk. Top spec model comes with half leather seats and glass roof.

Thumpette

Thanks. I actually bought the hybrid auris estate yesterday. It's not as good looking as the suv types but ticked every box I had and then some.