SUV - how to choose!

heretothere

I am lost between looking at all the different types of mid size SUV's. I live in a small rural area with less than ideal roads. My husband is a farmer so ideally I'd like something that he could pull a small trailer with if stuck. Also to be able to get around some of the fields. But I also want it to be nice-ish looking and comfortable as 80% of the time I will be using it. No kids yet, but will be soon so something high for easily lifting in car seats etc.

I'm currently driving a 2010 Ford Focus and it's doing the job, the mileage is really high (170,000 Miles) on it though so I doubt there is much value in it, hoping to still get about €4,000 as a trade in though or maybe more if I tried to sell it private.

Along with that, plus some savings, I'd ideally like to spend no more than €17,000. Any suggestions?

AMKC

How about a Dacia Duster? You should get a nice second hand or even nearly new one for that. You do not say if your looking at brand new or second hand and if you want petrol or diesel.

Ford Kuga, Renault Kadjar, Suzuki Vitara are some other options.

heretothere

Sorry, looking 2nd hand. I know aesthetic shouldn't be my main concern but I don't particularly like how dusters look.
I'll look up those other makes tho. I know you can buy a pebble with any car just looking for something I won't have to worry about for a good few years.

AMKC

heretothere wrote: »

Sorry, looking 2nd hand. I know aesthetic shouldn't be my main concern but I don't particularly like how dusters look.
I'll look up those other makes tho. I know you can buy a pebble with any car just looking for something I won't have to worry about for a good few years.

That's understandable. We all have different ideas of what we like.

The Kia Sportage is also worth checking out. You might even get one with some warranty still not that you would need it as they are very reliable. Probably want to get one with four wheel drive which might not be easy as most are two wheel drive.
The Mitsubishi Outlander is another option that is also a bit bigger and can be got with 7 seats too if you want that.

Bazzer007

Subaru Forester, 4wd so ideal farmers jeep/suv. Reliable as well.

bazz26

I don't want to deflate you but I cannot see you getting 4k for a 9 year old Focus with 170,000 miles on the clock. You might get it as a trade in alright if the price of the other car is overpriced. The important figure to concentrate on is the cost to change price rather than how much they are giving you for your old car.

Regarding what to buy, the Mitsubishi Outlander is a proper SUV so should be able to handle a bit of toeing while still being reasonable enough to drive day to day on the road. If your spending some time in fields though it might be better to find a 4wd version.

Wildly Boaring

Firstly any car (except EV or hybrid) will tow a small trailer. No need for 4 wheel drive or a large SUV. Unless going off road?

Secondly fair enough crossover for height with kid on way.

Thirdly your focus is worth 2 or 3k max.

What mileage do you do?

For that kind of money we imported a kuga from the north couple years ago. Not the most economical but had all the spec we wanted.
But plenty other decent options RAV, sportage, tuscon, CRV, etc

With the bad roads I'd avoid low profile tyres and harder rides like msport or sline if going BMW or Audi.

bazz26

heretothere wrote: »

I am lost between looking at all the different types of mid size SUV's. I live in a small rural area with less than ideal roads. My husband is a farmer so ideally I'd like something that he could pull a small trailer with if stuck. Also to be able to get around some of the fields.

^

Wildly Boaring wrote: »

Firstly any car (except EV or hybrid) will tow a small trailer. No need for 4 wheel drive or a large SUV. Unless going off road?

Wildly Boaring

bazz26 wrote: »

^

Ah well in my experience then you need real 4 wheel drive.

Going around fields in summer a 2 wheel drive will do.

Going around anything soft will need proper 4 wheel drive.

Most crossovers and the Subaru above are 4 wheel drive but without locking hubs. I've seen more of these type of vehicles stuck than I've seen cars stuck as people don't realise just how limited they are off road.

So your into expensive machines. Landcruiser?

gym bunny

I’ve just put a deposit on a 2016 Quasquai and I got 3-4 prices and the most for trade in on my 2010 focus 114000 miles on the clock was €3250 and the focus is the highest spec titanium

Hope this helps

heretothere

Great suggestions in here, thanks a mill! It won't be doing much farm work, there is a very bad lane to one part of the farm which is pot holes and rock but I doubt it will be really heading up the fields much. My husband and his father share a proper 4x4 it's just to have it as a back up.

There is huge mileage on the car, I had to do a 5 hour commute ever day for a year last year. So I wasn't really expecting much for it, I was just going by what seemed to be the price range on carzone. I have a job which is only 10km down the road now so that, the shopping and the odd weekend trip is what it will be used for so it won't be doing serious miles.

I like the look of the Ford Eco Sport but I was told the boot would be very tight if a buggy did have to go into it.

Bazzer007

The Ford Eco Sport is a Fiesta on stilts. Avoid like the plague, really poor seller and its resale value would make you cry when upgrading.

bazz26

The EcoSport is based on the old Fiesta and was really developed for developing countries. They are tiny and cannot see how one would suit the usage you have described.

heretothere

Fiesta on stilts lol I've only looked at them online haven't seen it. See this is why I asked people that know things about cars! It looks big enough online, I probably need to get out there looking.

I'm not really worried about resale value I'd be hoping to get at least 5 good years with minimal work out of what ever I buy. If not longer, one of the women I worked with is still going around in a 1996 mitsubishi jeep!

TooObvious

This sounds like a great excuse to buy a Panda 4x4

banana_bear

TooObvious wrote: »

This sounds like a great excuse to buy a Panda 4x4

They are extremely capable for their small size (a bit like an italian Jimny).


But the OP said "I also want it to be nice-ish looking and comfortable as 80% of the time I will be using it." and a Fiat Panda is about as far from nice looking and comfortable as car can be. I can think of commercials that are a nicer drive than a Panda 4x4.

heretothere

TooObvious wrote: »

This sounds like a great excuse to buy a Panda 4x4

Looked it up, its a no from me! I'd say it's a good little go'er tho.

AMKC

banana_bear wrote: »

They are extremely capable for their small size (a bit like an italian Jimny).


But the OP said "I also want it to be nice-ish looking and comfortable as 80% of the time I will be using it." and a Fiat Panda is about as far from nice looking and comfortable as car can be. I can think of commercials that are a nicer drive than a Panda 4x4.

heretothere wrote: »

Looked it up, its a no from me! I'd say it's a good little go'er tho.

How about a Daihatsu Terios which are small but really good off road or the new model Suzuki Ignis. Its just as good as the Panda 4x4 off road and looks better as well as having a more modern interior.

However you might think these are too small.

I think you might like the Suzuki Vitara. Here is one below your budget with 4 wheel drive and it looks very nice.

https://www.autotrader.ie/browse-used-cars/suzuki/vitara/used-2015-151-suzuki-vitara-1-6-sz5-a-co-londonderry-fpa-201811232687476

bazz26

I thought they stopped selling the Terios here about 10 years ago.

AMKC

bazz26 wrote: »

I thought they stopped selling the Terios here about 10 years ago.

Ye ok maybe that one is a bit old but here is one that looks good for a 10 year old car.

https://www.autotrader.ie/browse-used-cars/daihatsu/terios/used-2009-daihatsu-terios-1-5-983571983515-fpa-201901214136976

Shefwedfan

Qashqai...you can get a AWD version as well

heretothere

I like the look of the Qashqai and I was always told it's good to have a popular car as there would be plenty of parts in the country. I've looked up a few and can hopefully arrange a test drive for this weekend.

Was telling the husband about this thread last night and I said it'd be handy to have a little SUV in case he gets stuck and needs to get to some of the fields that the focus won't go up. He went very quiet and looked the other way........

Seems like I should be giving the focus more credit for it's agility

Shefwedfan

heretothere wrote: »

I like the look of the Qashqai and I was always told it's good to have a popular car as there would be plenty of parts in the country. I've looked up a few and can hopefully arrange a test drive for this weekend.

Was telling the husband about this thread last night and I said it'd be handy to have a little SUV in case he gets stuck and needs to get to some of the fields that the focus won't go up. He went very quiet and looked the other way........

Seems like I should be giving the focus more credit for it's agility

The Qasqai are as solid as a rock. Decent spec and do exacty what it says on the tin


As you say plenty of parts knocking around if required and easy to get serviced etc....


Haven't heard of a major problem to look out for on them

banana_bear

Shefwedfan wrote: »

The Qasqai are as solid as a rock.

2.7 average stars out of 5 from 111 owners reviews says something different:
https://www.carbuyer.co.uk/reviews/nissan/qashqai/hatchback/owner-reviews

To compare the Suzuki Vitara, 4.0 average:
https://www.carbuyer.co.uk/reviews/suzuki/vitara/suv/owner-reviews#owner-reviews

And Toyota RAV4 (previous generation), 4.3 average.
https://www.carbuyer.co.uk/reviews/toyota/rav4/suv/81277/owner-reviews#owner-reviews

Not necessarily the be all and end all of ratings, but when it comes to reliability a couple dozens of long term owners reviews are worth some consideration.

Shefwedfan

banana_bear wrote: »

2.7 average stars out of 5 from 111 owners reviews says something different:
https://www.carbuyer.co.uk/reviews/nissan/qashqai/hatchback/owner-reviews

To compare the Suzuki Vitara, 4.0 average:
https://www.carbuyer.co.uk/reviews/suzuki/vitara/suv/owner-reviews#owner-reviews

And Toyota RAV4 (previous generation), 4.3 average.
https://www.carbuyer.co.uk/reviews/toyota/rav4/suv/81277/owner-reviews#owner-reviews

Not necessarily the be all and end all of ratings, but when it comes to reliability a couple dozens of long term owners reviews are worth some consideration.

I had Qashqai for 4 years, my parents still have one today


No major issues with either of them....the toyota is an option sa well and comes down to personal taste


The Suzuki, why would you bother

banana_bear

Shefwedfan wrote: »

I had Qashqai for 4 years, my parents still have one today

Saying "I had a Qashqai for 4 years with no problems" and "Qashqais are rock solid" are two different statements entirely.


I know people who smoked and lived to see 80, that doesn't mean I would say that smoking is healthy when there's vast evidence that it's not.

Shefwedfan wrote: »

No major issues with either of them....the toyota is an option sa well and comes down to personal taste

*IF* we chose to believe the reviews I linked above, it doesn't really come down to personal taste. If I wanted a reliable car, the Qashqai would be off the table.

Shefwedfan wrote: »

The Suzuki, why would you bother

Why not? The look is a matter of taste. It's certainly more distinctive looking than the Qashqai, which you also can find in flocks in front of every school building. The 1.4 turbo petrol is quite fun to drive, and their AWD drive is supposed to be quite capable as well.

Shefwedfan

banana_bear wrote: »

Saying "I had a Qashqai for 4 years with no problems" and "Qashqais are rock solid" are two different statements entirely.


I know people who smoked and lived to see 80, that doesn't mean I would say that smoking is healthy when there's vast evidence that it's not.

Random website with people having a moan doesn't mean a car is crap either. The Qashqai is the top selling Crossover for how many years in Ireland and I have yet to hear any major problems as I posted.



With that many on the road the internet would be awash with poor reviews, not people buying them and swapping them for a newer one


Find any product and you will find a website with people complaining about it...

banana_bear wrote: »

Why not? The look is a matter of taste. It's certainly more distinctive looking than the Qashqai, which you also can find in flocks in front of every school building. The 1.4 turbo petrol is quite fun to drive, and their AWD drive is supposed to be quite capable as well.

Funny I have never seen a single one in my travels, must be on the wrong roads.....


I dont own Qashqai/Suzuki or Toyota so I only review as I see. The Qashqai is the most popular Crossover in Ireland for a reason

The Toyota is also very nice, if you like the interior. I think that one might not have the raised part in the middle back seasts as well?

Bazzer007

People are like sheep hence the Qashqai's popularity as it was was the first crossover to catch the public's attention. The owner reviews in the UK are poor for a season and should not be dismissed so easily. I've driven one and they seem solid enough but wouldn't be to my taste. A friend of mine had one and it a few niggly issues.

Shefwedfan

Bazzer007 wrote: »

People are like sheep hence the Qashqai's popularity as it was was the first crossover to catch the public's attention. The owner reviews in the UK are poor for a season and should not be dismissed so easily. I've driven one and they seem solid enough but wouldn't be to my taste. A friend of mine had one and it a few niggly issues.

People are like sheep because it was a good car. The RAV and other Crossover where out in the market for years before it and never made a huge dent like the Qashqai did in late 2000....


If it was so bad you would think it would have fallen off the radar with everyone having a competitive product, it is still the top seller in Ireland. So over 10 years of high sales in Ireland....


Been 100% honest the website above is the only time I have seen bad reviews on the Qashqai, even from people that owned them everyone has said they are great......


Personally for me the boot was too small, but then the boot on all crossovers are the same size

Bazzer007

Shefwedfan wrote: »

People are like sheep because it was a good car. The RAV and other Crossover where out in the market for years before it and never made a huge dent like the Qashqai did in late 2000....


If it was so bad you would think it would have fallen off the radar with everyone having a competitive product, it is still the top seller in Ireland. So over 10 years of high sales in Ireland....


Been 100% honest the website above is the only time I have seen bad reviews on the Qashqai, even from people that owned them everyone has said they are great......


Personally for me the boot was too small, but then the boot on all crossovers are the same size

The old Rav’s were 2.2 so not really comparable. Higher tax plus more power etc. Plus the Rav is in a higher class compared to the Qashqai. More space & far bigger boot. People who know about cars are aware of the negative reviews in the UK. I don’t want to put the op off buying one but it’s good to know these things & to do your own research. I wanted to buy a cx5 but Mazda Diesel engines are getting bad reviews so I changed my mind.

Shefwedfan

Shefwedfan wrote: »

Personally for me the boot was too small, but then the boot on all crossovers are the same size

The “all crossovers have a small boot” is one of the biggest myths going. Firstly all crossovers are not in the same size bracket, a qashqai is really a rival for a hatchback/saloon like a golf etc and compared to these it has a bigger boot.

Then you have a Tiguan and kuga which are probably the most disappointing from a boot space to overall size but still bigger than any family hatch like a golf or a qashqai.

The likes of a RAV4 are much bigger in both interior and boot space than a Tiguan or qashqai or family saloon/hatch. A touscon and outlander are a bit bigger again than the rav for boot space.

All the crossovers especially the bigger ones like rav, outlander are higher so much better for handling baby seats in and out, high boot for easier loading etc.