SUV or estate

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Thu 1 Oct 2020 11:36
SUV or estate - Rossg2020
Hello all, I am currently going round in circles trying to choose my next car. I currently drive a 66 plate Volvo v40 which I love, but the boot space is just too small for our ever growing puppy (vizsla), also the MPG is not great either. My budget is £11,000, the car will mostly be used for commuting to my office during the week (20miles) and weekend drives (50-100 miles) for dog walks in the Scottish countryside. I’m looking for a reliable car that we will keep for the next 5 years. I put an offer in for a Honda Civic estate 2017 petrol but the dealer is not budging on list price. Any recommendations would be fully appreciated.
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Thu 1 Oct 2020 11:42
SUV or estate - SLO76
The Civic is a great option with no real vices. Don’t buy purely on discount, it’s easy for a dealer to overprice a car only to hand it back in discount and for another who’s priced his car well to refuse to budge. Is the price correct for the car in question and is the car a good example? Link the advert if you can and I’ll have a look.

A good example was the Polo 1.2 TDI SE I’ve recently part exchanged. I bought it at 3yrs old for £7295 with 37,000 miles up, the dealer refused to budge a penny on price but I bought it anyway as it was at least £1,000 less than similar cars. They’d priced it very cheaply to start with.

Edited by SLO76 on 01/10/2020 at 11:49

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Thu 1 Oct 2020 12:15
SUV or estate - Rossg2020
Thanks for your detailed reply, here is the advert

www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202009123634831?a...w
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Thu 1 Oct 2020 11:47
SUV or estate - SLO76
The current Vauxhall Astra Estate makes a good used buy right now and there’s plenty to choose from in Scotland right now.

I just found a great car on Auto Trader:

www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/20200903324...5


The Toyota Auris is another worthy of a look too if hassle free motoring is desired.

I just found a great car on Auto Trader:

www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/20200924413...4

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Thu 1 Oct 2020 12:18
SUV or estate - Rossg2020
Thanks, yes I liked the look of the Toyota. Was planning on taking a drive down to take a closer look. A few comments that the the ride is pretty loud put me off a bit. I may get a test drive and decide myself.
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Thu 1 Oct 2020 20:47
SUV or estate - SLO76
Thanks, yes I liked the look of the Toyota. Was planning on taking a drive down to take a closer look. A few comments that the the ride is pretty loud put me off a bit. I may get a test drive and decide myself.

I have a 10yr old Avensis Estate which I rate very highly. It’s fairly quiet at speed and rides well. It’s bland but never goes wrong. I’ve every faith an Auris would serve you well.
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Thu 1 Oct 2020 11:49
SUV or estate - barney100

V70d, lots of space, good mpg, just check the timing belt date....mine's up to 147k and is a brilliant workhorse.

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Thu 1 Oct 2020 11:50
SUV or estate - Manatee

Perth anywhere near you? As diesels go I hear the 1.6 DTEC is OK.

www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202009304401985?

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Thu 1 Oct 2020 12:06
SUV or estate - SLO76
It’s a fair trek for me, I’m in Prestwick but although it’s a wee bit up in the miles it’s not overpriced assuming it’s immaculate and has a full Honda history. Don’t take this for granted with approved used Honda’s as their standards are often poor depending on the dealer. How much did you offer if you don’t mind me asking? You won’t get fortunes off it but I’d expect a token gesture of some sort, maybe £200. I wouldn’t let it stop me buying though if the car is a very good example though. If you’re keeping it longterm, say 4yrs plus then what’s an extra few hundred quid if it grants you reliability? These are also exceptional on fuel and rarely suffer and reliability woes, in fact it’s really the only 4cyl diesel I’ll recommend used these days.

Edited by SLO76 on 01/10/2020 at 12:09

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Thu 1 Oct 2020 12:40
SUV or estate - Falkirk Bairn

It says Franchise Approved not Honda Approved - worth a look but keep your eyes open for condition if it is not on the Honda approved list - might have missed a service/a bit tatty etc etc

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Thu 1 Oct 2020 23:30
SUV or estate - Avant

I agree - worth going to have a look at that Auris estate, but if it isn't what you want, don't be in too much of a hurry. If the Civic you've offered on doesn't sell, you might find them reducing the price in a few weeks' time.

Look at Astra estates as suggested, and Ford Focus estates too: they don't have the same reputation for reliability as the Japanese, but there are plenty to choose from, and if you find one with FSH and moderate mileage it should serve you well.

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Fri 2 Oct 2020 07:45
SUV or estate - SLO76
“ Ford Focus estates too: they don't have the same reputation for reliability as the Japanese, but there are plenty to choose from, and if you find one with FSH and moderate mileage it should serve you well.”

Stick with the 1.5 diesel though, don’t buy a 1.0 Ecoboost or anything fitted with a Powershift auto. I like the Focus as a drivers car and older gen models were as reliable as the Japs because the petrol versions mostly used Japanese engines but later 1.0 Ecoboost models have a poor reputation.
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