Trying to decide on wife's next car

Krombopulos Michael

Hi all,

Currently my wife has a 2011 Opel Astra 1.3 Ecoflex and its a great car, but we need something bigger.

Requirements:
- 2017 or newer
- Commute 30k per day
- Long drives on weekend
- Budget <27k
- Good boot space for baby buggies and easy to get dog into
- Hopefully good resale in a few years

I'm torn between buying a diesel, petrol or petrol hybrid. Full Electric doesn't suit our needs just yet.

As diesel seems to be getting more and more bad press, I'd be worried that trying to sell a diesel in a few years time will be a little more difficult.

I have short listed some cars, and was hoping for some useful boards opinions.

Seat Ateca
This seems to be a good sized SUV for the money, and reviews even show the 1.5 petrol engine to be very good, however there isn't as many for sale as I would have thought without a long drive involved.

Hyundai Tuscon
I've been in this before and its a nice car, but would have to be a diesel and there everywhere. There is a dealer 35mins away from me which is handy.

Skoda Karooq
I do like the look of this car and spec wise seems OK, but once again it would have to be diesel.

Kia Niro 3 Hybrid
Reviews are promising, apart from the horrible looking gear selector. Not many for sale in Ireland especially for the 3 spec level.

Hyundai Ioniq Hybrid
I've been following the Ioniq thread on boards from the start and I think this is a great car. However the boot opening is a little narrow compared to others and some reports that rear headroom for tall people isn't great.

What's the thoughts of people here?

biko

Which is the wife's preferred car out of those? Or is she happy with any of them?

Krombopulos Michael

biko wrote: »

Which is the wife's preferred car out of those? Or is she happy with any of them?

She's happy with any of them, however she did comment on the narrow boot opening of the Ioniq, however the spec level on the Ioniq may outweigh this flaw.

Lantus

1 saloon? If you have a family would an octavia be a viable consideration. A lot of bang for buck and very good resale values. Quite a good boot (sarcasm, it's gigantic).

Krombopulos Michael

Lantus wrote: »

1 saloon? If you have a family would an octavia be a viable consideration. A lot of bang for buck and very good resale values. Quite a good boot (sarcasm, it's gigantic).

Skoda was on our list previously, but would likely need to be estate rather than saloon. I think the addition of the Ioniq was me having an interest in it.

Last Skoda octavia manual I drove was a 5 speed diesel, and was disappointed it didnt have a 6 speed box.

kirving

How hard is the requirement for 2017.

This 2015 C300h is just under budget at €26900 with VRT OF €3215 Paid.
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201811022064986?atmobcid=soc5

Krombopulos Michael

Kevin Irving wrote: »

How hard is the requirement for 2017.

This 2015 C300h is just under budget at €26900 with VRT OF €3215 Paid.
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201811022064986?atmobcid=soc5

Definitely a nice car, but we didn't want to go more than 2 year old to still have some warranty on the car and just to have a fresher motor.

Lantus

Krombopulos Michael wrote: »

Skoda was on our list previously, but would likely need to be estate rather than saloon. I think the addition of the Ioniq was me having an interest in it.

Last Skoda octavia manual I drove was a 5 speed diesel, and was disappointed it didnt have a 6 speed box.

1litre 7 speed auto combi is 27k new. 1.5 is a little more.

donnyvegas

Skoda is incredibly reliable.

Krombopulos Michael

Lantus wrote: »

1litre 7 speed auto combi is 27k new. 1.5 is a little more.

Wife prefers manual car over auto.

Krombopulos Michael

donnyvegas wrote: »

Skoda is incredibly reliable.

Father in Law had a Superb Style spec and between the emissions thing and the price of the spec levels rising he away from Skoda.

I do like the Skodas, so one to think about.

bee06

The boot on the Niro especially the PHEV is small (less than 400lt) if I remember correctly.

ddarcy

Lantus wrote: »

1 saloon? If you have a family would an octavia be a viable consideration. A lot of bang for buck and very good resale values. Quite a good boot (sarcasm, it's gigantic).

I’d agree the Octavia has an enormous boot. They are also doing 0% finance on it as well now too, if that is an option. That way you could get a new one that would be in budget and fairly high spec. The Karoq is also a very nice car too.

Damien360

ddarcy wrote: »

I’d agree the Octavia has an enormous boot. They are also doing 0% finance on it as well now too, if that is an option. That way you could get a new one that would be in budget and fairly high spec. The Karoq is also a very nice car too.

I had the Karoq for the day while my Superb was in for a service. Surprised at the 1.6 diesel engine. Really nice. Great visibility, huge mirrors, rear seating area is smaller than Superb but most cars are. Needs a style spec but it was a nice drive.

mr_cochise

I have an Octavia myself. Great boot for buggies and any other stuff in with it. Good reliable car. Economical to run. Tyres and spare parts are also reasonably priced.

colm_mcm

donnyvegas wrote: »

Skoda is incredibly reliable.

No more so than VW, about average I’d say.

AMKC

colm_mcm wrote: »

No more so than VW, about average I’d say.

Actually most Skoda's are more reliable than the equivalent VW as they are less complicated and the tech they are using has been proven to be reliable when Skoda get it. Audi are actually the worst. There was a report recently that the posh brands like Audi, BMW and Mercedes are worst for reliability because a lot of the technology on them is still relatively new and so untested in the real world.

colm_mcm

That may have been true 10/15 years ago, but not now. Seat Skoda and VW are using the same MQB basis and are at the same level in terms of technology rollout.

Where differences occur is in the drivers and how likely they are to complain about a non critical fault.

GustavoFring

AMKC wrote: »

Actually most Skoda's are more reliable than the equivalent VW as they are less complicated and the tech they are using has been proven to be reliable when Skoda get it.

Agree with Colm, that's not been the way for a long time. Kodiaq was before the Tiguan all-space, the Fabia launched the bones of 20 years ago nearly was the first VAG car to get the platform it was on even. Even up until recently the newer tsi engines hit some Skoda (and Seat) models before VW and Audi.

Krombopulos Michael

I have no issues with Skoda, hence the Karooq on the list, which seems tied for the top spot with the Ateca.

In the never ending battle of Diesel or no Diesel, the Ateca petrol engine seems to be getting good reviews for the 1.5TSI but the Karooq is limited availability in petrol in the pre-owned market which pushes me into having a diesel.

Shefwedfan

How long is the journey at the weekend? is it regular journey or once off

banana_bear

Krombopulos Michael wrote: »

Wife prefers manual car over auto.

The 1.0 TSI with 6 speed manual in Ambition trim is even cheaper (~25k).
The 1.5 TSI with 6 speed manual in Ambition trim is 28.5k.


Just have a look at Skodas car configurator, it won't bite you.

Krombopulos Michael

Shefwedfan wrote: »

How long is the journey at the weekend? is it regular journey or once off

Its a regular journey and the round trip could be 220km or more, with smaller journeys as well.

Krombopulos Michael

banana_bear wrote: »

The 1.0 TSI with 6 speed manual in Ambition trim is even cheaper (~25k).
The 1.5 TSI with 6 speed manual in Ambition trim is 28.5k.


Just have a look at Skodas car configurator, it won't bite you.

The online config isnt working for me. tried 2 PCs, 2 WIFI networks and mobile and fails each time

micks_address

If you were happy with Auto I'd sell you a very high spec 172 Octavia, style spec with sportline for less than 25k

As others have said the boot is big enough to sleep in.. i do see myself going for something like a karoq next time out.. hard to beat the power/consumption ratio of the 2 litre vw engines.. 150bhp and 55mpg plus..

the 1.5 petrol karoq was later to the market here so will be harder to find used.. i wouldnt buy the 1 litre in a car that size.. i had a 1 litre karoq on test last year an was eating (drinking) petrol..

Shefwedfan

Krombopulos Michael wrote: »

Its a regular journey and the round trip could be 220km or more, with smaller journeys as well.

It depends on how long you plan to keep the car. If you swap regular like myself you could risk a small diesel and then swap before the arse falls out of it which could be 2 years or 5 years depending on government


Other option is to start moving away from diesel/petrol. In that situation the PHEV Niro is incredible value. You should also note it is automatic so you need to compare like for like. No point comparing an auto PHEV with manual petrol/diesel. Do not buy the hybrid. The PHEV will be 50km on battery

I would not buy the Ioniq PHEV, the BEV version is not losing value but the PHEV has dropped massively and can be picked up cheap from UK. You could buy one in from UK of course now and get bargain. Do not buy the hybrid.

Other option is hold off, pre-order is due to come soon for VW ID, video below. It will be buying direct off VW and you could get end of this year or Q1 next year. Larger battery, rear wheel drive, 500km and 200+bhp

Even the smaller battery of 300km real range will be perfect.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mLDls0kcAHs

Lantus

Krombopulos Michael wrote: »

The online config isnt working for me. tried 2 PCs, 2 WIFI networks and mobile and fails each time

Type Skoda octavia brochure into Google to access pdf pricelist which lists all engines and specs.

As stated manual is cheaper still.

Bitten & Hisses

What about this:

https://www.carzone.ie/used-cars/volkswagen/tiguan/used-2018-181-volkswagen-tiguan-trend-dublin-fpa-201902014512753

Krombopulos Michael

micks_address wrote: »

If you were happy with Auto I'd sell you a very high spec 172 Octavia, style spec with sportline for less than 25k

As others have said the boot is big enough to sleep in.. i do see myself going for something like a karoq next time out.. hard to beat the power/consumption ratio of the 2 litre vw engines.. 150bhp and 55mpg plus..

the 1.5 petrol karoq was later to the market here so will be harder to find used.. i wouldnt buy the 1 litre in a car that size.. i had a 1 litre karoq on test last year an was eating (drinking) petrol..

Thanks for the offer, I'll have to ponder as hoping to perhaps trade in the wifes astra as part of any deal.

yes, wouldnt go near a 1.0 petrol for cars bigger than a corsa really.

Krombopulos Michael

Shefwedfan wrote: »

It depends on how long you plan to keep the car. If you swap regular like myself you could risk a small diesel and then swap before the arse falls out of it which could be 2 years or 5 years depending on government


Other option is to start moving away from diesel/petrol. In that situation the PHEV Niro is incredible value. You should also note it is automatic so you need to compare like for like. No point comparing an auto PHEV with manual petrol/diesel. Do not buy the hybrid. The PHEV will be 50km on battery

I would not buy the Ioniq PHEV, the BEV version is not losing value but the PHEV has dropped massively and can be picked up cheap from UK. You could buy one in from UK of course now and get bargain. Do not buy the hybrid.

Other option is hold off, pre-order is due to come soon for VW ID, video below. It will be buying direct off VW and you could get end of this year or Q1 next year. Larger battery, rear wheel drive, 500km and 200+bhp

Even the smaller battery of 300km real range will be perfect.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mLDls0kcAHs

Her last car she kept 7 years so if this trend continues, its a reason why i was leaning away from the diesels.

Why in your option is the straight hybrid Niro or Ioniq not a good option? I understand the benefits of PHEV but thought a Hybrid would be OK too.

Krombopulos Michael

Bitten & Hisses wrote: »

What about this:

https://www.carzone.ie/used-cars/volkswagen/tiguan/used-2018-181-volkswagen-tiguan-trend-dublin-fpa-201902014512753

I do like the tiguan a lot, and great reviews. I think just value for money my wife thought karooq or ateca etc would be just as good.

kerten

I would read this before pulling the trigger on a 1.5 tsi manual engine.

https://www.karoqforums.co.uk/viewtopic.php?t=303&start=20

Shefwedfan

Krombopulos Michael wrote: »

Her last car she kept 7 years so if this trend continues, its a reason why i was leaning away from the diesels.

Why in your option is the straight hybrid Niro or Ioniq not a good option? I understand the benefits of PHEV but thought a Hybrid would be OK too.

With a hybrid you are constantly burning fuel to charge the batteries. On the PHEV it will run on battery alone till you get to 20% empty and then kick into hybrid mode, so get best of both World.



If you have a house and you can install a charger then I would use the PHEV first. Hybrid is only good if you can't install a charge point, ideal would e full electric but prices are too high at the moment for the range you need

Some people with PHEV can spend nearly 90% of the time running on battery alone, huge advantage. Also with the new PHEV it will monitor the road coming up if you use sat nav, so it will auto flick between modes to get the most out of the battery and use the least fuel......

A couple of people on the electric car forum with the PHEV Niro, could be worth asking

CDBWhoop

Have you considered the Nissan Qashqai or X-Trail?

We looked at them when changing from a 1.8tdci S-Max and found the higher spec models were good value. A 2018 Qashqai with premium trim would be well within budget.

Shefwedfan

CDBWhoop wrote: »

Have you considered the Nissan Qashqai or X-Trail?



We looked at them when changing from a 1.8tdci S-Max and found the higher spec models were good value. A 2018 Qashqai with premium trim would be well within budget.

I like the Qashqai and the X-Trail but you will go diesel with both

Krombopulos Michael

CDBWhoop wrote: »

Have you considered the Nissan Qashqai or X-Trail?

We looked at them when changing from a 1.8tdci S-Max and found the higher spec models were good value. A 2018 Qashqai with premium trim would be well within budget.

Shefwedfan wrote: »

I like the Qashqai and the X-Trail but you will go diesel with both

I looked at the Qashqai, and to be honest, wife and I thought them a little dull inside. X-Trail is better and worth a look

Krombopulos Michael

kerten wrote: »

I would read this before pulling the trigger on a 1.5 tsi manual engine.

https://www.karoqforums.co.uk/viewtopic.php?t=303&start=20

Interesting read. Is that engine shared with the Seat?

kerten

Krombopulos Michael wrote: »

Interesting read. Is that engine shared with the Seat?

Yep it is the same engine shared across vag group. A poster also posted here about this particular issue in his brand new vw troc couple of months ago. It seems to be ongoing.

NIMAN

Is there any car that's got decent interior space that isn't as massive a car as a Superb?

micks_address

NIMAN wrote: »

Is there any car that's got decent interior space that isn't as massive a car as a Superb?

In terms of money and space inside im not sure there is... I feel lost in my friends superb

Shefwedfan

micks_address wrote: »

In terms of money and space inside im not sure there is... I feel lost in my friends superb

Ahh come on now, lost in a Superb, really?


Maybe a 7 series you could make a statement like that but not a Superb.....I always loved the 7 series that you could easily sit a laptop on the arm rest between the seats


Superb is the same size as a Passat, I thought it was as big as A6 and was corrected...So that is the same size as Mondeo/Avensis/etc etc etc


A6/5 series/new Camry etc would all be bigger inside

micks_address

Shefwedfan wrote: »

micks_address wrote: »

In terms of money and space inside im not sure there is... I feel lost in my friends superb

Ahh come on now, lost in a Superb, really?


Maybe a 7 series you could make a statement like that but not a Superb.....I always loved the 7 series that you could easily sit a laptop on the arm rest between the seats


Superb is the same size as a Passat, I thought it was as big as A6 and was corrected...So that is the same size as Mondeo/Avensis/etc etc etc


A6/5 series/new Camry etc would all be bigger inside

Honestly yes.. I think it's the dash design, it's very minimal compared to say the a6.. just feels very big inside.. it's clever design as from the outside it doesn't look a huge car. Haven't been in a 7 series so can't comment

micks_address

Superb may be built on the Passat platform but to me it's way bigger inside.. brother has a new Passat and it doesn't feel much bigger inside than my Octavia

Shefwedfan

micks_address wrote: »

Superb may be built on the Passat platform but to me it's way bigger inside.. brother has a new Passat and it doesn't feel much bigger inside than my Octavia

https://www.carwow.co.uk/blog/volkswagen-passat-vs-skoda-superb-0267


The Superb is a good car but really people on this forum need to take a step back. It's the poor relative of the Passat. If both cars cost the same not a single Superb would be on the road.



The fact the Passat is better at everything but comes with a price premium means some buyer will go with the Skoda version.

colm_mcm

Someone wanting a hatchback rather than a saloon would choose the Superb though.

bazz26

Funny enough there is only €1,300 difference between a base spec Superb and a basic Passat these days.

Shefwedfan

colm_mcm wrote: »

Someone wanting a hatchback rather than a saloon would choose the Superb though.

???


The OP mentioned an estate. Not a hatchback.



If I was going estate then buy something you will enjoy driving and get the A6 estate.


The Passat/Skoda/Audi will all be diesel anyway


Or the Passat does have a PHEV version
https://www.carzone.ie/used-cars/volkswagen/passat/used-2016-161-volkswagen-passat-gte-1-dublin-fpa-201810051213945

colm_mcm

I’m replying to your comment that if the Passat and Superb were the same price nobody would buy the Superb. I specifically mentioned hatchback and saloon

no.8

Krombopulos Michael wrote:

yes, wouldnt go near a 1.0 petrol for cars bigger than a corsa really.

Engine capacity is not the only factor when it comes to output (e.g since 2014 F1 cars have a displacement of 1.6L..... With 800+ BHP). The 1.4/1.5's of yesteryear are the 1L and 1.2's of today.
The 1L Tsi is surprisingly peppy on larger loaded cars with the turbo of course helping out.

Wildly Boaring

Wife got the ateca.

Preferred to karooq or tuscon.
Or kuga, sportage, t roc, cx5 for that matter.

I liked the leon and focus estates, she was sticking to crossover.

1.0 petrol se.

Drives well and no problem with power in the 1.0.

Decent boot. Good interior space. Plenty spec. Very car like in bends etc. Nicely planted.

I'd be wary of the economy. Maybe 37 to 40 mpg at best.

micks_address

Wildly Boaring wrote: »

Wife got the ateca.

Preferred to karooq or tuscon.
Or kuga, sportage, t roc, cx5 for that matter.

I liked the leon and focus estates, she was sticking to crossover.

1.0 petrol se.

Drives well and no problem with power in the 1.0.

Decent boot. Good interior space. Plenty spec. Very car like in bends etc. Nicely planted.

I'd be wary of the economy. Maybe 37 to 40 mpg at best.

Curious why the ateca over karoq .. like the look of the atteca..