Used Estate car for £16k?

Were looking to replace our Bongo camper with a nearly newish estate for around £16k. We need room for 2 young kids and a newfoundland dog who sits 85cm tall. We canoe too so estate's probably preferred to grand c-max type mpv's for easy loading. We're torn between the Honda civic tourer (seems best all round, but my partner doesn't like the dash!), Mazda 6 (maybe too small in the boot) and the Octavia. We intend on keeping the car for 5 years. All seem good cars, just wanted advice as to which you think would be best. Thanks!

Asked on 5 January 2016 by sloop7

Answered by Honest John

Three sensible choices. If it were me I'd go for the Honda, preferably with the 1.6iDTEC engine because it rides very well (even on silly 18" wheels) and has a capacious and versatile load area. The latest Octavia is best with the 1.4TSI ACT 140 or 150 engine and is a very solid almost heavy feeling car. The Mazda 6 is best as a 2.2 Skyactive D 150 engine, pre-facelift so you get better steering and a lever type parking brake. It's long and low, so not as practical as the other two, but takes a longer kayak on the roof.

Tags: buying used cars

Dear Honest John,

Please help me choose my next car. I would like it to have:

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