Recommend possible new cars for my dad?

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Tue 4 Sep 2007 00:40
Recommend possible new cars for my dad? - BobbyG
My 75 year old dad currently drives a 2.0 hdi Y Reg Peugeot 806. He is having problems with it that I will be posting in Technical shortly but I can see this ultimately leading to him having to change the car.

He currently tows a caravan that he would like to continue towing but may accept that his towing days are behind him (he also has a static caravan on a site). So to the criteria

Automatic Diesel - a must (doesn't want petrol)
Cruise Control
As many "toys" as possible
High Driving position - a must
Preferably 3 individual folding seats in back (he likes to picnic a lot and folds the middle seat for their "table" - I know I know but it makes him happy!

BIL has a Doblo, dad likes this but don't think its available with the toys on it. He also likes the Kangoo / Berlingos etc but not sure if any of these come fully laden with all the toys?

I have suggested he may need to look at Scenics etc to meet all his requirements.

All suggestions / thoughts much appreciated!
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2007 Seat Altea XL 2.0 TDI (140) Stylance
2005 Skoda Fabia vrS
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Tue 4 Sep 2007 01:13
Recommend possible new cars for my dad? - Avant
Bobby - it looks as if a Scenic is the only one that ticks all his boxes. Diesel + auto is the problem. The C4 Picasso has a semi-automatic with the 2.0 dlesel which isn't well reviewed but he may want to try it.

If the Peugeot has put him off French cars, he may be a bit stuck. Ford are about to bring in a diesel automatic- at last - but I'm not sure whether it's going oto be fitted into the C-Max, which would be another possibility, although many toys are extra, even on the Titanium.

I nearly forgot the VW Touran DSG - the 2.0 TDI is the one to go for if he can afford it.
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Tue 4 Sep 2007 01:39
Recommend possible new cars for my dad? - GregSwain
Automatic diesel MPV = Kia Carens. No it's not got a fancy badge but it'll do what he wants and more besides. The only point I'm not 100% sure about is cruise control, but the top-of-range models tend to be very generously equipped so you never know!
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Tue 4 Sep 2007 09:26
Recommend possible new cars for my dad? - a900ss
Ford have just released the S-max in auto diesel form as well.

That ticks all the boxes.
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Tue 4 Sep 2007 10:40
Recommend possible new cars for my dad? - Ruperts Trooper
Diesel automatic narrows the field at a stroke, it's also what I want.

Get a copy of What Car, the listing shows where auto is available on a diesel variant OR use HJ's Motor Match, just on the left here, although it's not up to date.
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Tue 4 Sep 2007 12:23
Recommend possible new cars for my dad? - BobbyG
Thanks for suggestions so far, meant to say that if he changes cars then he would be looking to downsize from the 806 size to more Scenic / Berlingo size.

Avant, he is not put off by French cars, in fact , the opposite applies, he is very loyal to Peugeot!!!

Goes back to when he had a series of Cortina company cars and then got a 504 Family estate and he thought it was the bees knees! Then onto a 505 saloon, Carlton saloon. Cavalier hatchback, 306 hatch, 306 sedan, Scenic then the 806 which is a car he had just always promised himself!
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2007 Seat Altea XL 2.0 TDI (140) Stylance
2005 Skoda Fabia vrS
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Tue 4 Sep 2007 13:48
Recommend possible new cars for my dad? - Happy Blue!
Hyundai Santa Fe, Kia Sorento??
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Tue 4 Sep 2007 14:31
Recommend possible new cars for my dad? - rogue-trooper
thing that I didn't like about the S-Max that I had on hire was that the A pillar was very very obtrusive. also with advancing years (I know that 75 is not decrepit) is the S-Max the best choice as it is wider than a lot of others such as the Scenic?
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Tue 4 Sep 2007 14:02
Recommend possible new cars for my dad? - LHM
Not sure if the diesel auto is available at the moment, but the Hyundai i30 looks largely suitable for your father's needs.
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Tue 4 Sep 2007 15:04
Recommend possible new cars for my dad? - bintang
The new Skoda Fabia is built like a brick chicken house and I believe the "3" version has cruise control.
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Mon 15 Oct 2007 13:01
Recommend possible new cars for my dad? - BobbyG
An update on this, he has now accepted that trying to get an automatic diesel is narrowing his choice too far and if he gives up towing a caravan, annual mileage will be approx 10k so doesn't justify diesel.

Two that he has his eye on just now are a 307SW 1.6 auto SE with all the toys and a Skoda Roomster 3 1.6 Auto with all the necessary toys as well. He feels the Skoda ticks the boxes for him as he is looking for a boxy type vehicle (Kangoo, Doblo, berlingo style but they don't seem to come in Automatic which is very surprising!).

Anyone got any experience of the Roomster 3 Semi Auto?
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2007 Seat Altea XL 2.0 TDI (140) Stylance
2005 Skoda Fabia vrS
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