New baby for new baby

The_B_Man

I've baby 2 due end of September.
The 06 Focus is going strong but starting to get that old car smell.

So I need a car for carrying a buggy (decent boot) and driving the 20-45 mins down the M50 (depending on traffic) with a monthly spin 100km down the N7 to the in-laws. I do less than 10k km per year so I'm wary of diesels.

Here's the kicker. I've just spent the money I was saving on a car on house renovations so I'm broke! I'm looking to trade in the current car with minimal/no deposit so private sale is off the table.

I like my focus so was looking in Tallaght Ford for a newer one. They had a 1.0 petrol (125ps) but its gone and now they just have 1.5 diesel (95ps) saloons and estates. I'll have to look in the area at the other garages.

So given I'm looking for a reliable petrol, low tax, with a boot, does anyone have suggestions?
I don't mind paying <400 a month with little deposit, but can probably get together about 5k for a deposit (if I'm stuck!) but I reckon I just want something for 2 years that I can trade in when I have a bit more savings.

Should I stick with the boring Focus? Or a Qashqai? Dacia? Passat?

Cheers

ciarsd

Understand the predicament and also non need of a diesel. Add a 1.2T petrol Qashqai to your test drive list. Sounds like it could tick your boxes

colm_mcm

I wouldn’t bother with a newer petrol Focus tbh.
I reckon a slightly newer used car for a few grand would be the way to go.

The_B_Man

Qashqai is on the list. The boot is actually smaller than it looks because the base is higher on those crossovers. That's the only concern I have, for lifting a buggy in or out.

I'll just go around a few garages next week and see what's going. Tbh the newer focus I was looking at was grand and all but just seemed so utterly boring! My retired neighbours have one, and an 80yr old man pulled in beside me in Lidl driving one. I'd rather a mondeo tbh.

I was looking at an Insignia as well but they're diesel and apparently have reliability issues.
If I could get a passat for a few grand, I'd go for that.

I'll keep an eye on bangernomics but nothing suitable has cropped up. The luxobarges are better suited but have high tax. I need a combo of both!

colm_mcm

Look at a 1.8 Civic saloon.

Lantus

A petrol octavia. Ticks the boot box and then some. What's the budget though or expected term of the 400eu month payment?

Do yourself a favour and get an estate, octavia or even better a superb you won’t regret it when trying to load up a buggy and all the other stuff needed for a baby along with your own stuff. A buggy and carry cot will fill the boot of most hatches in its own and saloon you lack height to stand up the buggy etc to save space.

GavMan

Sounds like an Octavia Combi, Megane Tourer fits the bill. You'll be paying a premium for a crossover.

https://www.donedeal.ie/cars-for-sale/skoda-octavia-combi-se-sport-1-4tsi-150bhp-rese/24532676

https://www.donedeal.ie/cars-for-sale/renault-megane-gt-line-nav/25203806

I know you don't fancy a private sale but this is really sweet:
https://www.donedeal.ie/cars-for-sale/renault-megane-gt-205-tce-edc-auto/25208666?campaign=3

You'll probably clear your Focus quickly if it's priced keenly.

You really do have to consider if you're going to have a 2nd kid within 2 years when making this call. I didn't and bought a Megane Grand Coupe and it ended up costing me because when baby number 2 came, it was incredibly tight for space and had to get rid of it. I advise you not to make the same mistake! The estate would also be beneficial with 1 kid with all the bags and baggage you'll have. Especially in the staycation era, ikea trips, etc etc

California Dreamer

I think what you get for the Focus on a trade in will be next to nothing. They might be selling from 800-1400 but expect to get offered no more than 500 for it and the cash discount for something newer would offset that. Give it a wash, stick it on done deal and bite someones hand off for €1000!

As others have said, something in the estate variety would suit your needs perfectly. Buggy plus associated bag of bits, add a bit of shopping and there is not much room left.

CharlieCroker

I'd have a look at something like this. That 1.0 TSI is a fantastic engine. I'd also be more inclined to go estate than SUV

https://m.carzone.ie/used-cars/Volkswagen/Golf-1.0-TSI-ESTATE-HIGHLINE-CALL-01-4606070/202007201453662

Lantus

Priscilla Massive Tollbooth wrote: »

Do yourself a favour and get an estate, octavia or even better a superb you won’t regret it when trying to load up a buggy and all the other stuff needed for a baby along with your own stuff. A buggy and carry cot will fill the boot of most hatches in its own and saloon you lack height to stand up the buggy etc to save space.

As a parent of 2 the octavia and superb eat buggies, baskets, bikes and bags for breakfast. It can take 8ft timber with seats down and passenger seat laid flat (3m at a push) and has never let me down. One less worry, let the misses shop away.....