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Thanks. I have looked at a few and like them but can't seem to find one that hasn't got a towbar fitted - is this an issue? I have always been concerned about cars that have towed caravans with strain and wear on engine/box etc.
I have also looked at a 14 plate Mercedes C250 Estate Auto, with FSH and 25k miles which looks nice but I have no experience of the brand or the car. Are they reliable car and could I expect any issues?
Any thoughts on both of these issues please?
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Thanks for the recommendation on the Lexus though, alas, it's simply too far out of my budget as I'd like as new a one as I can get.
Comments about fuel economy are interesting. Basically I have narrowed it down to 3 vehicles:
RAV4
CRV
Mercedes C250 AMG Estate
Of the 2 SUVs the RAV4 is the cheapest to buy by some way (£3k) but also the poorest in terms of MPG by some way. The MPG argument is relevant as it would take a heck of a long time to make up the 3k difference between that and a CRV but it's just that the RAV is such an ugly bug of a car both inside and out. The CRV is a much nicer cabin with much higher quality materials and I think that's enough to justify the extra to me - hard though it will be to pay that amount.
I also get 2 years free servicing with the CRV.
The Merc is a conundrum. Everything I have heard is that they are very reliable and this one has FSH with only 30k miles on a 14 plate but I am hesitant as I have no experience of the brand or that model. It's also the cheapest option of the 3 cars.
I guess I just trust Japanese reliability more than German these days.
Edited by Dingle232 on 04/07/2018 at 16:27
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I had a 2014 C250 AMG Estate from new for 2 years - make sure you have a good long test drive over some of your normal routes, ignore all the power and focus on if you are happy with the ride. I didn't and soon tired of the very firm ride. Also I did have a fuel pump leak, coolant tank leak and an electrical charging fault in those 2 years - all fixed under warranty, but would have been expensive otherwise... Lovely car in some ways, but it didn't suit me.
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Also I did have a fuel pump leak, coolant tank leak and an electrical charging fault in those 2 years - all fixed under warranty, but would have been expensive otherwise... Lovely car in some ways, but it didn't suit me.
That is really disappointing to read, i'd hoped MB were past their lost years (late 90's through to early noughties) and had found quality again, those faults were not minor and should not have happened till the car was well past warranty.
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My impression is MB quality has improved since those darker days, but this has coincided with a massive increase in overly complex electronics.
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I'm not 100% certain of this but i'm fairly sure the Merc does have a torque converter auto, so that is a plus point. Also, looking through the honest john review of the car, the good/bad section does not seem to show any particular worries (out of curiousity, is this a petrol or diesel you are looking at?, as i see the C250 can be either a 1.8 petrol or 2.1 diesel, both with around 200BHP). The only aspect that may put me off is the AMG bit. Now i know in this case it isn't a 'proper' AMG, more like a trim level ('AMG line'), but what that says to me, in my mind, is big wheels, which in turn equals, harsh ride!. But, going back to the honest john review, the 1st thing noted under things to watch out for is this,
"Doesn't work very well on standard SE spec 16-inch wheels with 205/60 R16 tyres. Feel more bumps than the 225/45 and 245/40 18-inch tyres on the AMG line."
So while the ride may well be absolutely fine, i'd still say take it for a good test drive on some typical UK road surfaces!. Also, be aware of how much replacements are going to cost on something with that size of tyre.
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Thank you and I think that's very wise advice about the Merc. On balance I think I have read enough today, all along similar lines, to decide to give it a miss.
I have actually agreed a deal (not shaken hands, just agreed numbers) on a 15 plate CRV today that I plan to go and drive on Friday. 2015 2.2 i-DTEC EX with 15k miles, FSH and a service plan to get the next 2 services free. 1 owner from new.
Will cost me more than I wanted to pay to be honest but I am struggling to find anything else that I will have confidence in reliability wise (no guarantees of course) and that will have the same spec and outright practicality that the CR-V will. And of course, that doesn't blow my bank account.
It's far from my dream car but gets me out of a risk and I think Hondas are pretty well regarded as a brand. It does look like a very nice car.
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Hope it works out for you.
And don't be too bothered about it not being a dream car, unless you are very lucky or have very deep pockets, a dream car can very quickly turn into a nightmare car!
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Hope it works out for you.
And don't be too bothered about it not being a dream car, unless you are very lucky or have very deep pockets, a dream car can very quickly turn into a nightmare car!
They are very wise words indeed. I just want it to be ok and to be able to run it reliably for a good few years. The beauty of (hopefully) buying it with low mileage and FSH as a 1 owner car is that I can look after it and trust that it will look after me equally as well.
I guess I can't really ask for more reliability wise than buy from a brand that seems to stake its reputation on it.
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Nice car choice.
Just a couple of points, son's 13 plate CRV had aircon compressor failure, this was fixed fortunately a few weeks ago under Honda approved used warranty, circa £1500 job apparently and more common than it should be according to what he's read online, you might keep that in mind if offered a decent price for extended Honda warranty.
The other thing is Honda do not strip clean and lube brakes as part of the service regime, might be worth getting someone reliable to do that for you now and again, if the same calipers as fittd to Civic they can seize up rather faster than one might hope.
Not trying to put you off, i think they are a very decent vehicles, son/DiL are on their second CRV and really rate them, just those points that i know of having several Hondas in the family.
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For what it's worth, I'm on my second "AMG" trim level E Class estate. The first one, a 2011 model did nigh on 200,000 absolutely trouble free, enjoyable and comfortable miles, the current one, a 2016 version, is now up to 80,000 similarly fault free and pleasant miles. The first one was a 250 CDI and the second is a 220 CDI which, while adequately powerful, and measureably more economical than the 250, is also noticeably slower to accelerate. Certainly couldn't accuse either of a harsh ride, quite the contrary in fact.
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That's very useful information about Honda servicing etc and the issue with the Aircon is slightly troubling......enough to make me buy a Merc :-).
I have heard many tales of Mercs doing starship mileage and being generally very trustworthy and I must admit I was very tempted to go that way as it was a significantly cheaper option than the Honda. I am just very wary of repair costs with them IF there was ever anything go wrong with the car.
If I knew the car's history definitively I would probably have bought it but even though it has FSH and 26k miles I don't know how it's been treated.
The other issue was the sheer practicality of the CR-V - the load space is vast which is very appealing.
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I did have an AMG line E class as a loan car while my C250 was in for repairs and the ride of the E class was much better - don't all the E class estates have air suspension on the rear?
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They do indeed. Gentlemen's cars y'see...
;-)
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Deal done on the CRV today subject to my driving and inspecting it on Monday.
Now all I have to make sure of is that Honda actually service it and don't just stamp the book. That's happened to me twice before when buying cars so I have asked them to provide me with a video of it being serviced before I drive it away.
May seem a little OTT but I know for a fact that dealers just cut corners and costs. Once I know that's done, and I am satisfied with its condition I think I'll be pretty happy :-)
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An unexpected update on this from today.
After much research, I placed a holding deposit on a CRV on Thursday last week and had intended to buy the vehicle based on the description and video, subject to viewing and driving it.
Today I have spent 8 hours in the car driving to do just that on the word of the Honda salesman relating to the condition of the car. On arrival, I found that the car was awash with scratches, some more than thumbnail deep and that had clearly had botched attempts to touch up. There were 2 in particular and each around 4 - 5 inches long that the salesman 'didn't see'.
Added to that the car had quite a marked pull to the left and all the signs of warped brake discs when braking.
In summary, I simply didn't consider the car as described and even for one so relatively recent it wasn't actually in a sellable condition to anyone who wasn't blind.
I walked away and asked for my deposit back and told them what I thought of them. Thus ensued a 4-hour drive home.
My faith in car dealers, that was already pretty low, is now non-existent.
Back to the drawing board and looking for one of:
CR-V
E Class Estate
Outlander (if I can be convinced about one)
and if all else fails a RAV 4.
Edited by Dingle232 on 09/07/2018 at 21:20
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Thats bad news and most annoying, if you haven't found one by September son's CRV is going to be up for sale as they are almost certainly off to Australia for at least 2 years maybe permanently, 13 plate manual petrol in a bronze colour, full Honda history new quality tyres just fitted, new aircon compressor under warranty, will be fairly priced and its a good one, i'm going to estimate 50 or 60k miles on the clock but don't hold me to that...not trying to flog you the thing cos it will sell no trouble, but just keep it in mind if you haven't found what you want or think both you and he/they could £benefit from avoiding car dealers (they'll probably WBAC it for easy sale when the time comes), i would say it but he's straight and honourable, it's in Northants.
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Thanks GB that's kind of you to offer but ideally, I am after something a little newer and ideally automatic. Good luck with it though - I am sure he will have no issue selling that at all.
I am actually pretty crestfallen after today and it's just strengthened my belief that there's very little honesty in this game at all and never before has the phrase caveat emptor been so appropriate.
I thought I had pretty much found the make and model I wanted but am now back to doubting whether I can trust any dealer enough to find a straight one. One thing is for sure is that I will now only look within a maximum of 75 miles from where I live - I covered 400 miles today and am pretty frazzled after that.
However, I take the positives and was at least able to have a spy at the SUV's on the Motorway to give me some ideas. I'll still try and find a CRV though they are pretty damn expensive even second hand. I do like the look of the Outlander too but know precious little about them - does anyone on here have experience of the diesel autos that they can share, please?
I have also spotted an E Class Estate auto not too far away. I initially said that the reliability box needed to be ticked by Toyota/Honda/Mazda but the more I read the more Mercedes Benz diesel autos seem to get a good reputation for being reliable? Again, would welcome any more views, particularly about the E Class.
Thank you.
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No probs Dingle, i thought it would be a bit older than you wanted.
Good luck in the search.
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I've had a few Mercs on and off over the years but my last two were/are E Class estates. Combined trouble free mileage of 260,000. Not so much as a replacement light bulb needed.
Lovely to drive too. At the moment ( not saying I'm immune to changing my mind in the future of course ) but right now, if I had to choose a new car tomorrow I wouldn't have to think twice, it'd be another E Class estate.
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I do like the look of the Outlander too but know precious little about them - does anyone on here have experience of the diesel autos that they can share, please?
I have a 2016 model year Outlander auto, bought pre-registered in February last year.
No complaints so far, although it has only done 10,000 miles. The gearbox is a Jatco 6 speed epicyclic type with torque converter. Wonderfully easy to manoeuvre and realxing to drive. It doesn't inspire press-on driving, but power is adequate. It's neither whisper quiet nor excessively noisy.
It is a touch old-fashioned: No sport buttons here. From 2017 on the handbrake is I believe electro-mechanical, mine is manual which is fine by me. Trim is functional rather than luxurious.
Mine is a GX3, now called just a 3 I think, with optional leather but no seat heaters. The '4' has heated leather and built in navigation, which I didn't consider worth the extra at the time as I use a phone mount and the mostly superior google maps for that. It also has rear parking sensors (the 4 has a camera). The radio in mine is non-DAB, it does however have bluetooth although without the LCD the implementation is not as handy as it would otherwise be. If that bothers you, get a '4'; the ICE includes navigation and DAB. The 4 has HID headlights - very effective - and several other bits and pieces that the 3 doesn't have.
It does have a third row of (two) seats which are better than the deck-chair type in the pre-2013 cars (I had a 2011 GX4) but are still small person affairs and mean the boot floor is fairly high. Rear seats fold to provide a flat load floor
Transmission options are 'eco' 4WD ( very little torque to rear wheels, 4WD on demand) 4WD auto (a bit more to the rear wheels by default) and 4WD lock for when more grip is needed e.g. in snow or mud.
There is an 'eco' button which seems only to make the car feel as if the floor mat has got under the accelerator without improving fuel economy, so after a brief experiment I switched it off and ignore it.. I average about 40mpg (true, and the trip computer is very close to actual) by driving to speed limits and accelerating gently.
PHEV sales have done well. Diesel sales have been hit hard, with the result that you can currently buy a 2017 registered delivery mileage '4' auto for under £24,000, over £10,000 lower than new list price. Negotiating a service plan into that probably isn't difficult.
www.firs-garage.com/used/info/843-mitsubishi-outla...o
Warranty is now 5 years IIRC.
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Nice car MT, they've really improved the looks over previous models, tempting deal to boot.
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I think the Outlander is one of those cars much criticised by road testers but liked by the people who actually buy them.
Both on this site (Cars for Sale) and on Autotrader, if you're looking for Outlanders, CRVs and RAV-4s, there are plenty of each around for £17k or less, generally about 3 years old like the CRV that you were looking at. I'd imagine a Mercedes at the same price may be a year or two older.
Take your time: you're helping yourself by having more than one make that you're considering. There'll be a good one out there waiting for you.
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Thanks, guys those posts are really helpful.
As Avant says I plan to take my time a bit over the next few days and not rush. Both the E Class and Outlander appear to be very reasonable and the only sticking point may be that they may prove a little too far a stretch financially - but we will see.
I did also mean to mention that I wanted to look at the Mazda CX-5 but vaguely remember reading horror stories about their diesels - have they been remedied now or is it still wise to steer clear?
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Thanks, guys those posts are really helpful.
As Avant says I plan to take my time a bit over the next few days and not rush. Both the E Class and Outlander appear to be very reasonable and the only sticking point may be that they may prove a little too far a stretch financially - but we will see.
I did also mean to mention that I wanted to look at the Mazda CX-5 but vaguely remember reading horror stories about their diesels - have they been remedied now or is it still wise to steer clear?
I have experience both of the Mitsubishi Outlander and a Mercedes E Class. The former as two rental cars and the latter as my personal car for almost 3 years.
Clearly they are quite different but each has its own merits and if you were comparing the two with similar size engines and power then the choice would be between sitting higher but having a less enjoyable drive or sitting lower and having a better drive and perhaps a more luxurious feel.
If your driving was going to be mainly long distance then without doubt it has to be the Mercedes but if your driving was more urban then the Outlander would be a sensible choice. Similarly if you were frequently lugging luggage the lower height of the Mercedes would be preferable to the higher boot floor of the Mitsubishi.
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Soirry to hear of your problmesm with the CRV, just goes to show how important a reliable dealer is.
I have had a V60 auto, Rav4 diesel auto and now an Avensis petrol auto. You mentioned the latter car as a possibility but noted how rare they are. Maybe worth another look? I am very happy with mine, which I found after looking around and buying from a main dealer 100 milea from home.
You are quite right, the Rav4 is certainly individual in its appeal and I would say functional rather than appealing to the heart. Mine was superbly reliable but the decison was taken to move it on as we no longer needed 4wd, the negatives of dieselgate and the manufacturers warranty was down to 6 months after which the value would decline further. Comparing the Rav4 with the Avensis the ride is smoother and quieter, mpg higher, servicing and insurance costs lower but of course not quite as spacious. A responsible dealer supplied one with some warranty on it might well be an attractive option for you?
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I think the Outlander is one of those cars much criticised by road testers but liked by the people who actually buy them.
I think you're right. All the stuff about body control and poor ride I don't recognise at all. It actually corners in a reassuring fashion and I have never found it wanting for grip.. I've a friend that I occasionally give lifts to who has twice remarked what a "nice-riding" car it is and he drives a Mercedes S class! I want to argue with him actually, because it's probably no better than average, but there's nothing wrong with it to me.
All I will say is that the manual I had had a weak clutch, but so did its predecessor which was a CRV. Both started slipping at around 30,000-40,000 miles but were 'cured' when necessary by 'roasting'. I think they were just not man enough and slipped at full torque when they got a bit glazed. I'm very pleased with the auto, not least because it isn't a DCT.
I only did 48,000 in my last one, but nothing went wrong in 6 years, other than a light that came on literally the day before the second service was due - the dealer said without hesitation that it was the fuel filter, which was due for changing anyway, and sure enough it nver came back.
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I can echo Manatee's comments almost word for word; I bought a new Outlander diesel automatic in January 2015 and have racked up 30,000 miles to date. Robust, old school torque converter gearbox, old-fashioned handbrake, and full-sized alloy spare wheel, it has only needed an annual service and 4 tyres so far. Struggles to better 40mpg but it's mainly driven on hilly, twisty roads or on short journeys.
We plan on keeping it 10-12 years, and so far I have little reason to believe that it won't be up to the task. Just the odd buzz or rattle from the odd bit of interior plastic trim from time to time
Not the most exciting drive, but it feels dependable.
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Thank you very much for the helpful replies on the Outlander and Merc - all really helpful.
Having looked at options for the spec I would want I think both of them are going to be too much of a FINANCIAL stretch for me as I really am being strict and working to a budget. That's slightly limiting but just the way it is and I reckon I can still buy myself a nice 3-year-old car of a decent standard for that if I take my time a little. I don't really want anything older than that and hope I can bag something that was bought new and has been traded in after 3 years.
It looks like I am going to have to go for either a CRV or RAV4 to tick the boxes I want and by far my more favoured option would be the CRV as it's just a nicer all round car and interior IMO.
However, as I mentioned earlier, I would also consider a Mazda and like the look of the CX5 but seem to remember reading that Mazda diesels were to be avoided - is this the case? I have seen a few CX5s in the price bracket that I am looking at but am a little hesitant if they are problematic.
Remember most of my driving is motorway at 15-18k/year so the car has plenty of opportunities to clear its DPF.
Any views, again, would be much appreciated.
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Edit: Just read the post above about Mazda diesel failure and think I have answered my own question. I'll avoid.
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Edit: Just read the post above about Mazda diesel failure and think I have answered my own question. I'll avoid.
I came to a similar conclusion re the CX-5. Didn't want a diesel one, and couldn't get a 4WD or automatic petrol.
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Edit: Just read the post above about Mazda diesel failure and think I have answered my own question. I'll avoid.
I came to a similar conclusion re the CX-5. Didn't want a diesel one, and couldn't get a 4WD or automatic petrol.
I have just read too many examples of Mazda diesel failures now which is a shame as they are nice cars.
It's actually proving more difficult than I imagined to find the car I want, so much so that I plan to pause the search for a few days and take a breath. A lot of the 15 ish plate CRV's (2.2 EX trim) have been in a similar condition to the ill-fated one I went to see on Monday and yet have dealers telling me they are 'immaculate'.
I'll give it a little while and see what comes up or I may have to go for it and spend more than I wanted to on a top spec Outlander.
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You're doing high mileage which will kill residuals anyway - so I don’t know why you're insisting on a three year old CR-V - a five year old Lexus RX will be a much better quality car in the long run and will handle the mileage better.
CR-Vs and similar cars are built down to a price – whenever I’ve had high mileage commutes I’ve always gone for executive class cars, the step up in quality pays dividends as the mileage creeps up.
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It does have a third row of (two) seats which are better than the deck-chair type in the pre-2013 cars (I had a 2011 GX4) but are still small person affairs and mean the boot floor is fairly high. Rear seats fold to provide a flat load floor.
Manatee, I read in the advert that you linked that the front seats recline to make a bed. Does the front passenger seat recline fully forwards to create a load through facility for long loads up to the dashboard?
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I thought I would post a short update as I have finally managed to secure a vehicle today.
After much looking around and weighing up what I would have to spend vs what I'd get, I broadened the search a little as I simply couldn't pick up a CR-V of the standard I want for what I wanted to pay.
Out of the blue, I have today bought a 2017 Skoda Octavia 2.0 TDi SE L (Hatchback) which is virtually new as the mileage is so low. I'm delighted and surprised by the space in this vehicle which is quite astonishing. Whilst the shape of it is obviously different from the CR-V, the boot capacity actually isn't that much less than the Honda and it will certainly suffice for my needs.
I hadn't even considered a Skoda, probably for all the wrong reasons around image etc, but inspecting and driving it has certainly laid those misgivings to rest.
I may not have it long term but for very little outlay it feels like I have made a good decision and now have another 2 years of manufacturer warranty to take the worry out of anything. The Octavia seems to be pretty reliable if the numerous surveys are anything to go by.
Thanks to all who helped. I seem to remember that the Octavia has many fans on here.
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Yes, and I'm one of them. Glad to say the Octavia was one of the cars I mentioned in my first reply to you. Even though it's not the estate, you'll find it has more space for people and things than the V60.
Make sure you do some longer trips in it, then you won't have problems with the DPF. The first of my three Octavia vRSs was a diesel: you'll sometimes hear the cooling fan going, signifying a regeneration, but I never had any problems with mine./
DSG gearboxes have a poor reputation in some quarters; but the ones thast give trouble are the dry-clutch versions. The one fitted to your 2.0 TDI is the wet-clutch version, which should be fine.
Good choice - best of luck with it.
Edited by Avant on 17/07/2018 at 00:58
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Thanks Avant I am very much looking forward to getting it.
I do most of my mileage on Motorways and that includes 60-mile trips 3x/week coupled with a weekly 2 x 90-mile trip most weekends, all motorway. I suspect that if the car is maintained properly then that kind of usage should not see any DPF issues and I have a warranty until August 2020 anyway.
Your comments about the DSG are reassuring and I wasn't aware that there were different variants apart from that one is 6 speed and one is 7. Do you happen to know whether the wet clutch is 6 or 7?
Thanks again.
Edited by Dingle232 on 17/07/2018 at 17:52
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Your comments about the DSG are reassuring and I wasn't aware that there were different variants apart from that one is 6 speed and one is 7. Do you happen to know whether the wet clutch is 6 or 7?
Thanks again
If it is the same gearbox as in my VW Transporter, the 7-speed has a wet clutch. A DSG gearbox oil change is recommended at 40,000 miles and is approx. £100.
I know the DSG has a poor reputation, I would never go back to a manual. Mine has been faultless.
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Finally collected the Octavia yesterday and whilst I am generally pleased with the quality of the car as ever, and I must be cursed, there are a couple of niggles.
The brakes feel terrible to me with a very definite judder when braking at speed. I have contacted the supplying dealer this morning and suggested the discs may be warped and need replacing. Their view is that it's likely to be corrosion from the car being stood - it feels like more than that so am having it looked at locally on Monday.
The supplying dealer is being obstinate about paying for work if discs need replacing - not sure where I stand with that?
The other issue is that I find it so uncomfortable - my back is really sore today after driving it yesterday. Anyone else had this with an Octavia or when buying a new car? I am hoping it's simply because it's new to me and my body will adjust after a few days.
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You're used to a Volvo, which has some of the best seats in the business - but I was always very comfortable in the three Octavias that I had. The SEL ought to have adjustable lumbar support: have you tried this in various positions?
If that fails, there are various lumbar support cushions on the market.
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Thanks Avant. After a few days I have to say I am REALLY struggling, to the point where I am bent double and in a huge amount of pain after driving the car. The days I am in the car and the day afterwards it's painful and the opposite when I have a day out of the car though I need to test this theory out fully as I have only owned it a few days.
I have purchased one of the lumbar supports and tried it yesterday to little avail as today is equally as painful after driving to the Lake District last night.
I guess I'll give it a little while to see whether it's simply my body adjusting to the new seating position or whether it's something I am not going to get on with.
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I have an Octavia 'Scout' which I think has very similar seats to the SEL. I don't get back pain, but I think I have the seat slightly more reclined than in other cars - you might try this as it probably reduces the strain on the lower back.
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I have an Octavia 'Scout' which I think has very similar seats to the SEL. I don't get back pain, but I think I have the seat slightly more reclined than in other cars - you might try this as it probably reduces the strain on the lower back.
Thanks Paul. I have tried most of the seating positions that are available to be honest including upright and reclined and nothing so far seems to be making a difference. I am going to stay out of it today and see how I am tomorrow.
If it looks like the car is the trigger for it then I will pay my physio a visit and see if he can make any suggestions about where I am going wrong. I hope I can find a workable solution as on days like today I literally can't bend or straighten my back at all.
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The brakes feel terrible to me with a very definite judder when braking at speed. I have contacted the supplying dealer this morning and suggested the discs may be warped and need replacing. Their view is that it's likely to be corrosion from the car being stood - it feels like more than that so am having it looked at locally on Monday.
No. You're right, judder is inevitably disc warp, don't be fobbed off. Corrosion from standing will right itself after just a couple of miles. Judder/ vibration felt on brake application through the steering wheel and/or pedal is warped discs. Dealer has supplied you with a car that has a fault, so should fix.
I also have a bad back and my Mk 2 Octavia exacerbated it, strangely my Mk1 was fine. I've no experience of the later ones but reviews seem good on comfort. I found lumbar rolls to be very beneficial.
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I've heard of many people complaining about seat comfort in the Octavia and Superb, on the other hand other people find them very comfortable so it seems that you have to be a particular shape to suit the seat.
You could look at aftermarket seats from someone like Recaro, but you will need to store your original seat somewhere dry to put back on resale of the car.
Or you may have to bite the bullet, lose some money and change the car for something you are happy with in terms of comfort. For goodness sake don't perservere with it, because what is more important? A few quid lost or chronic back problems - and I speak from experience on the latter (thankfully now sorted).
I had an Mk2 Audi 80 estate and the seats were completely wrong - no support in the small of the back, yet the top of the seat pushed the shoulder blades forward. Yet the earlier Mk 1 car was fine.
This highlights the importance of a long test drive, but even that won't show up any weaknesses that might crop up in journey lasting a good few hours. You can expect to get slightly stiff and need to stretch out - it's not normal for a human body to sit in one position for that long. But acute pain - no way.
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That's interesting corax because I didn't even contemplate discomfort before I bought it and you are right - you simply can't assess that as a factor with a relatively short test drive.
The more I have read then, I agree, it does seem to be an equal split of people who find Skodas comfortable and those who don't. It's a shame because the car itself is absolutely first class.
I have stayed out of the car yesterday and have literally been applying Voltarol, heat packs and taking Ibuprofen since the drive on Friday. This morning feels a little better but I have a 100-mile drive home in the car this afternoon so will see how I am after that.
Hopefully, it will not be an issue but if it reverts back to how it was yesterday then I may have to concede that I am in the category of people who don't get on with them. As you suggest I can't persevere too long as it's not worth being in constant discomfort and risking long-term damage, but I do need to give it a little while just to satisfy myself that I have eliminated any other factors prior to blaming the car
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Please forgive me if you think this is an inappropriate comment, but you do seem to have found this whole process very stressful and it may be that you are anxious about the new car and are holding your posture in a way that is causing more problems?
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Please forgive me if you think this is an inappropriate comment, but you do seem to have found this whole process very stressful and it may be that you are anxious about the new car and are holding your posture in a way that is causing more problems?
H Paul
Don't worry - I am not easily offended :-).
I wouldn't say stressful but perhaps frustrating is more accurate given that I absolutely detest the entire process of changing cars. I am a pretty relaxed character and don't get stressed by too much in life (luckily) - all I am after is a reliable and comfortable car and am just disappointed that despite my best efforts I may have innocently ended up with the opposite!
The thought of having to change it would probably be enough to turn me to drink - maybe that's coming across as me being a bit stressed :-).
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Dingle - you might find these people useful: I have no connection with them and haven't dealt with them, but looked them up when one of the cars on our last shortlist didn't have optional lumbar support. They supply various types of support for people with the problem you have.
The Back Centre Ltd
Erme Court
Leonards Road
Ivybridge
Devon
PL21 0SZ
UK
Tel: +44 (0)1752 893414
Fax: +44 (0)1752 698339
Email: sales@backcentre.co.uk
Website: www.backcentre.co.uk
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Thanks Avant.
After a 3-hour drive home this afternoon (M6......) we were both complaining about how uncomfortable we were so I honestly don't think that it's something I am going to be able to rectify and, in all honesty, I don't have the energy. This morning I had some relief after a car-free day - tonight I am as bad as I was on Friday and yesterday and that's more than coincidence.
The dealer has a 30-day exchange plan so I am going to call them tomorrow to see what else they have which may be more suitable.
I won't drag the thread out any longer as there are far more interesting topics for people to discuss than my bad back :-) but I plan to change the vehicle to something I will be comfortable in. It's a shame because the car itself is excellent but just not for me.
Thanks for all the help and advice.
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I liked (and still do as I still have it) the seats in my MK I Octavia but didn't like the ones in the mk II when I did a long test drive. The angular "coffin shaped" base dug into my thighs dead legging me after a while. Instead I bought a 2003 MK I Superb where I really liked the seats - kept this for 10 years - great car.
Latest car is a 2014 Superb - where I initially struggled to get comfortable. However I persevered and now find it very comfortable – I think the problem was there was actually too much adjustment, for the first time ever I found I had to pull the seat forward a bit and raise it a bit . Normally any car I drive I put the seat fully back and down and hope I fit (hence “big”john) – e.g. I find the new shaped Honda HRV cramped.
On the subject of seats – I’m struggling with even newer cars (including Volvo) as the trend is for more and more side bolstering. I have no idea what I will buy next!
With seats though everyone is different!
Edited by Big John on 29/07/2018 at 21:11
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