Buying a family car - need advice from those in the know

De Bhál

Hi, first off I know next to nothing about cars. Current 2012 smax is starting to cost to keep it on the road and mechanic has said it's time to do the timing belt. So we're thinking of upgrading.

Family of 5, North Dublin based

Wife will drive it mainly and that journey will be about 20km (in total) a day for work commute and the usual ferrying kids around Dublin to GAA games. Maybe once or twice a month we will head 2 hours down the country to see grand parents.

Petrol hybrid was recommended by someone I work with.

Looking at 2022 onwards, could maybe stretch finances to 25 - 30k or so. Seems like a lot of money to me but it is what it is.

Not car people, need something reliable and economical with a fair boot in it for storage. Any car type would be considered, estate hatchback or whatever. I was looking at a Ford Kuga and thought it looked well etc. but other than that haven't looked at anything else.

Just don't want to buy some lemon that i should've known about prior to spending the money.

Any advice you can give me is appreciated

fonecrusher1

Hybrid Rav 4 is supposed to be a goodin for family duties. I don't have one but a friend does. He's very happy with it. His only gripe is he's saying the longer distance journeys in it aren't as refined as he'd like. Road / tire noise I think he's referring to. But tire choice might improve that possibly.

Not sure your budget would get you a 2022 though. (Actually definitely not)

De Bhál

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123575046#Comment_123575046

Thanks, I'll have a look at the RAV 4

GPoint

OP don’t buy Kuga PHEV they have a recall related to the battery going on now. People told not to charge or risk a fire. That’s why they look attractive to buy new now.
If you want to be in 2022 car and wish to spend only 30 k max it will be a downgrade from your s max in terms of size. Prices are crazy now.

RAV4 hybrid , not plugin will be a safe bet for you and they hold value well.

De Bhál

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123575205#Comment_123575205

Good info, thank you

BrianD3

Dacia Duster, Bigster or Jogger new or nearly new. Petrol, as a hybrid will probably be over budget.

https://www.dacia.ie/CountriesData/Ireland/images/PDF/pricelists/dacia-pricelist-may.pdf

De Bhál

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123575872#Comment_123575872

thanks, that Jogger seems to tick a few boxes alright

All in all

We were in a similar position a couple of months ago and bought a Rav4 Hybrid, we ended up buying a new one as there seems to be great deals going on them with the new model due soon, will most likely end up keeping it longer term. Can't fault it so far and our driving is similar to yours with school runs, work, etc with a couple of longer trips. Surprisingly economical for what it is.

Great warranty with them too, should you need it.

De Bhál

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123575911#Comment_123575911

ok, thanks, nice looking car, looks pretty expensive though. Maybe I need to stretch the budget. cars seem to be very expensive now as opposed to 2015 when we bought the Smax and pretty sure my wages haven't jumped in line

horse7

Interesting review. https://youtu.be/KK-eOuHJWYo?si=O3tzfgmqJFbFy5vA

...Ghost...

Are you in a position to buy an electric car? Your mileage is tiny and if you can install a charge point at home, or even use a standard outdoor socket, you would have a car that suits the family, is reliable and is safe, cheap tax €120 and pretty much maintenance free in the likes of the 2022 or 2023 Tesla Model Y. The range is 400-500km on a charge and the fuel savings are a bonus.

Here's one I would look at. Easily get for 30k or less. https://www.donedeal.ie/cars-for-sale/tesla-model-y-rwd/39485622?campaign=3

Loads of warranty on it too.

All in all

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123576011#Comment_123576011

We were in the same boat, had previously changed in 2019 so was a big jump, and hadn't intended on spending as much. We justified it that they seem to hold their value particularly well, 10 year warranty (if you service with Toyota). They also include the first three services in the price. We will quite likely hold for long term.

All in all

If you do decide to go for a Rav, do a phone around of dealers, their deals seem to vary wildly!

selectamatic

Jap import Prius+ might be an option worth considering. Plenty of dealers around Leinster bringing in fairly new Japanese market cars.

De Bhál

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123576044#Comment_123576044

I guess I hadn't considered full electric but on your suggestion had a look and was surprised to see the prices not been as bad as I expected . This Audi Q4 electric is 35k.

Again not knowing much about cars maybe I'm missing something but do remember something about the batteries need replacing eventually or something. (could be wrong on that)

https://www.carzone.ie/used-cars/audi/q4-e-tron/fpa/4109878?journey=Search

De Bhál

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123576049#Comment_123576049

Thanks. rav4 definitely now part of the search.

De Bhál

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123576021#Comment_123576021

watched that, yeah the 7 seats is a bonus in the Skoda alright. To be honest theat Dacia looks a bit massive but the price is good all the same

bazz26

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123576206#Comment_123576206

If your going to consider a 2 year old one of those then you might as well consider a brand new Skoda Elroq for not more:

https://www.carsireland.ie/4072082?journey=Search

Brand new car with a long warranty and may have more favorable finance options for a 252 reg. You would need to get a wall charger installed at home.

De Bhál

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123576273#Comment_123576273

Thanks for the info, again surprised at the cost of the electric. I need to do a bit of research on electric and weigh up the pros and cons. Not a bad looking car though.

goochy

Skoda superb estate 2 litre diesel

...Ghost...

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123576206#Comment_123576206

I wouldn’t pay too much attention to the horror stories of battery replacement, especially on newer cars. Batteries will outlast the car with few exceptions. Head over to the EV forum for more detailed information.

Reason I recommend the Tesla is because it’s extremely efficient and well refined. Plenty of haters who can’t separate the product from the CEO and others who just don’t or know EVs.

Best to do some research and ask questions from people who know what they are talking about. I’ve owned 3 Nissan Leafs (still own a 2018 model) a Tesla Model 3 and I have a new Tesla Model Y ordered.

Banzai600

Hybrid is the way to go, Toyota imo. you'll never be stuck with hybrid. If you can go full spec, safety / assistance features are excellent.

my partner bought herself a CHR, ive nothing but praise for it. 10 yr warranty once she services it yearly in Toyota, which she did recently, 260e appx i think. even though it was a year old when she bought it they give you a huge warranty on that basis. getting roughly 815 kms on average with the petrol and hybrid out of a full tank using daily. far better than any of the competition imo. They are understated which is what you want.

they are pricey but the backup is second to none imo. they hold their value too once you look after it. Go demo drive a few.

btw, i think the dealer told us EU law states 8 year warranty / 160k kms on all car batteries.

De Bhál

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123577520#Comment_123577520

Thanks for that. CHR looks good but I've compared it to a RAV 4 and the RAV 4 seems to tick a couple of more boxes, especially the boot space

AI answer

"The Toyota RAV4 has a significantly larger boot (trunk) space compared to the Toyota C-HR. The RAV4 offers 580 litres of boot space, which can be expanded to 1,189 litres with the rear seats folded. The C-HR, on the other hand, offers considerably less space, with figures ranging from 310 to 388 litres." 

Boot space is important for us. Also the car in general needs to be roomy enough with three kids in the back seat that are not getting any smaller.

cgorzy

whatever you pick be sure that you are happy with the back seat for 3 children, especially the middle seat. Compared to an SMax with 3 separate seats the RAV4, for example, will be a poorer set up for the middle passenger. Also I haven’t been in an SMax for a while but I think, like a lot of MPV’s, it had under floor storage in the floor behind the front seats meaning it then had a flat floor for rear passengers, this helped the middle seat comfort too and this becomes more noticeable as children get older.

Banzai600

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123577604#Comment_123577604

i wasnt saying the CHR model specifically, i was more championing the brand amd what their hybrid technology can achieve.

Dont go on ai, do your legwork, go drive some cars, go to dealers, different toyota garages seem to vary. we used one of the long TeRm established Dublin dealers - hidden message there !. Top class customer service.

De Bhál

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123577656#Comment_123577656

Just using the AI for simple checks but yeah I will for sure be getting out at the weekend to some garages to see what's available and what I actually like in the flesh.

as for the TR puzzle, after a search i assume you mean Tadgh Riordan motors, a toyoto dealers in Tallaght.

Thanks again, a toyota Hybrid is now part of the search

De Bhál

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123577642#Comment_123577642

good stuff. Thanks

Banzai600

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123577664#Comment_123577664

best of luck with it, i didnt want to mention the name as im not sure if that was allowed or not….i dont work for them, just got a great service from them all in, and they will take a trade in, so save you hassle there too.

goochy

Just say tadgh riordans