Family car recommendations

Sunrise_Sunset

I drive a Toyota Yaris and have done for about 15 years now. Managed it fine with 2 babies/toddlers too.
However, I'm looking to get a new/new to me car this year. I will likely have this car for at least 10 years. Looking for a reliable car, decent space in the back seats as the kids will be teens/late teens while I will still have this car, and no doubt I'll be taxi-ing them around to places. It would also be nice to have more boot space than I do now, although a huge boot is not necessary, no more buggies etc.
Am thinking along the lines of a Hybrid but open to suggestions.
I really like Toyota's. I find them reliable and they cost little in maintenance. I'm used to driving small cars and don't know how I'd feel driving an estate, I was thinking along the lines of a hatchback or a small SUV, however, as I say, I am open to suggestions. I don't know a lot about different models of cars.

Sunrise_Sunset

Anyone? Should I stick with Toyota and go for something like the Auris or Corolla hatchback? Or maybe the new Yaris Cross later this year? Or any other recommendations?

fits

2015 Corolla estate for 11250? Wouldn’t mind looking at that one myself. What’s your budget?

https://www.carzone.ie/used-cars/toyota/corolla/used-2015-152-toyota-corolla-fielder-dublin-fpa-202101198147240

sebdavis

What sort of driving are you doing? lots of short distance runs in traffic?

Budget?

Sunrise_Sunset

Ideally around 15k budget. Was originally thinking of up to around 20k, if I were to wait for the Yaris Cross to come out, but have re-thought this and it's probably too expensive, plus it would mean buying new.

It will be used for driving to work between me and hubbie. My work is a 46km round trip, his is a 62km round trip. Outside of this (weekends), it'll be used for mostly local enough things, dropping the kids to activities, food shops etc, although we do find ourselves driving to maybe one longer distance "day out" at the weekends too.

forestgirl

Sunrise_Sunset wrote: »

Ideally around 15k budget. Was originally thinking of up to around 20k, if I were to wait for the Yaris Cross to come out, but have re-thought this and it's probably too expensive, plus it would mean buying new.

It will be used for driving to work between me and hubbie. My work is a 46km round trip, his is a 62km round trip. Outside of this (weekends), it'll be used for mostly local enough things, dropping the kids to activities, food shops etc, although we do find ourselves driving to maybe one longer distance "day out" at the weekends too.

I think a vw passat estate or a skoda superb estate 1.6 or 2l diesel a great option and estate cars are brilliant for trips away etc and you will get used to driving a bigger car in a few days so no worries there,I had saloon cars myself years ago before I had an estate and the estate car for convenience is an all round winner.

Mpv like the vw sharan or seat alhambra brilliant option also as you can just fold away the 2 back seats for a large boot space but should you need to bring a few of your kids friends anywhere you have the extra seats,I think the 7 seat option is preferable

colm_mcm

If you’re driving a Yaris for 15 years, even moving up to a Corolla/Golf hatchback sized car will be a big enough jump.
A hybrid is probably the safest bet in terms of giving faultless service for 10 years.

https://www.donedeal.ie/cars-for-sale/192-toyota-corolla-very-low-miles-17k/27568801

I would also throw the Nissan Leaf in as a suggestion.
https://www.donedeal.ie/cars-for-sale/nissan-leaf-electric-150bhp-low-mileage-irish-car/27663610

Sunrise_Sunset

colm_mcm wrote: »

If you’re driving a Yaris for 15 years, even moving up to a Corolla/Golf hatchback sized car will be a big enough jump.
A hybrid is probably the safest bet in terms of giving faultless service for 10 years.

Yeah, in saying that, we weren't using the car as much during that time as we will be going forward. I was working in city centre for a good chunk of time so was using public transport, and then had a few year stint as an SAHM where it was only being used for short trips. Pretty sure we wouldn't get 15 years out of the next car, but 10 years would be great.

Sunrise_Sunset

forestgirl wrote: »

I think a vw passat estate or a skoda superb estate 1.6 or 2l diesel a great option and estate cars are brilliant for trips away etc and you will get used to driving a bigger car in a few days so no worries there,I had saloon cars myself years ago before I had an estate and the estate car for convenience is an all round winner.

Mpv like the vw sharan or seat alhambra brilliant option also as you can just fold away the 2 back seats for a large boot space but should you need to bring a few of your kids friends anywhere you have the extra seats,I think the 7 seat option is preferable

I've heard of the Skoda Superb alright. I will look it up. Are Skoda's known for reliability and low cost to maintain over the years? Yeah it does worry me a tad about getting used to a bigger car. Before the Yaris, I drove a Starlet

sebdavis

forestgirl wrote: »

I think a vw passat estate or a skoda superb estate 1.6 or 2l diesel a great option and estate cars are brilliant for trips away etc and you will get used to driving a bigger car in a few days so no worries there,I had saloon cars myself years ago before I had an estate and the estate car for convenience is an all round winner.

Mpv like the vw sharan or seat alhambra brilliant option also as you can just fold away the 2 back seats for a large boot space but should you need to bring a few of your kids friends anywhere you have the extra seats,I think the 7 seat option is preferable

Massive jump from a Yaris to an estate. Also based on the person requirements a diesel is the last thing they need, especially a big estate which would drive up fuel costs significantly.

A Sharan or Alhmabra are a 7 seater and massive. Unless you have a flock of kids you will never need the space. Again a huge jump from a Yaris and not sure if required to pull around a large vehicle like that all the time. Again fuel cost through the roof

sebdavis

With the driving you are doing and the long term requirements of the car really you should look at electric but will struggle in the 15k budget.

A outside option which is massive would be a Mitsu Outlander which would do 30km on battery and then kick into petrol, probably around 7ltr/100km when off battery. It works as a normal hybrid then. It is huge compared to what you are used to.

WOuld stick to petrol/hyrbrid if I was you. Going into a diesel is the wrong option especially when the market is moving away from them...sorry have to run will look at options maybe later

Sunrise_Sunset

sebdavis wrote: »

With the driving you are doing and the long term requirements of the car really you should look at electric but will struggle in the 15k budget.

A outside option which is massive would be a Mitsu Outlander which would do 30km on battery and then kick into petrol, probably around 7ltr/100km when off battery. It works as a normal hybrid then. It is huge compared to what you are used to.

WOuld stick to petrol/hyrbrid if I was you. Going into a diesel is the wrong option especially when the market is moving away from them...sorry have to run will look at options maybe later

Right, I see. I didn't realise the Skoda would be diesel. Yes, ideally I would like a hybrid. Looking for an economical option. Could probably push to a 20k budget, especially if the Yaris were to last another few months. But 15 - 17k would be the ideal price range I think.

We don't need huge space, but definitely bigger boot space and bigger space in the back seat section would be great, and it wouldn't be too hard considering moving up from a Yaris I suppose.

I realise everything I'm looking for is quite boring to many, so I do appreciate the input

colm_mcm

The Superbs come in petrol as well, but all the petrols are turbocharged, and I can guarantee you won’t get 10 years trouble free out of either a petrol or diesel Superb. That’s not a criticism of Skoda in particular, but more a reality of driving a modern car.
The hybrid, electric, and non turbocharged petrol cars will be far less likely to have issues.

Sunrise_Sunset

colm_mcm wrote: »

The Superbs come in petrol as well, but all the petrols are turbocharged, and I can guarantee you won’t get 10 years trouble free out of either a petrol or diesel Superb. That’s not a criticism of Skoda in particular, but more a reality of driving a modern car.
The hybrid, electric, and non turbocharged petrol cars will be far less likely to have issues.

I've had to fix a couple of things with the Yaris. But no big ticket things. Really affordable to maintain. I don't mind spending money on the car to keep it in good nick and safe, but definitely a lower maintenance cost is preferable.

sebdavis

Lexus CT200h

Lovely car, rebadged Toyota just better quality, hybrid engine

Issue: small boot but I can’t see it smaller to a Yaris

sebdavis

Full electric the best option for just under 20k is Hyundai Ioniq which is range of circa 150-180km between charges but you will need home charger installed

Real different option, plug in hybrid 2017 Audi A3, beautiful car, home charge point to get battery only range, then petrol to work as petrol...Audi are beautiful and a nice jump up in size from current

forestgirl

sebdavis wrote: »

Massive jump from a Yaris to an estate. Also based on the person requirements a diesel is the last thing they need, especially a big estate which would drive up fuel costs significantly.

A Sharan or Alhmabra are a 7 seater and massive. Unless you have a flock of kids you will never need the space. Again a huge jump from a Yaris and not sure if required to pull around a large vehicle like that all the time. Again fuel cost through the roof

Those cars are very efficient on fuel in fact I'd say way easier than the yaris all the newer cars are these days even suv's and once you drive them a couple of times you get used to it.
I had the passat estate and brilliant on diesel and she could go for the 1.6 if happier with that

Take a look at the vw golf estate they are really good and I would say diesel all the way

Sunrise_Sunset

sebdavis wrote: »

Lexus CT200h

Lovely car, rebadged Toyota just better quality, hybrid engine

Issue: small boot but I can’t see it smaller to a Yaris

I like this! Thank you.

Sunrise_Sunset

forestgirl wrote: »

Those cars are very efficient on fuel in fact I'd say way easier than the yaris all the newer cars are these days even suv's and once you drive them a couple of times you get used to it.
I had the passat estate and brilliant on diesel and she could go for the 1.6 if happier with that

Take a look at the vw golf estate they are really good and I would say diesel all the way

Yeah my car doesn't seem as fuel efficient as it once did. I will check out the the passat and golf, thank you.