I need a replacement car, and I'm so confused... requirements:
Only interested in used, spending up to £7000 or so.
Must be hatch or estate (the dog doesn't like boots)
Needs to have a reasonable amount of headroom - there's a stupid number of cars I don't fit in, having short legs and long torso. Also needs to fit 3 other 6ft adults.
I mainly drive around town, but want something that's also happy on the motor-way. I'm happy with diesel as well as petrol, and am tempted by auto-gas. I'm a fairly sedate kind of driver generally.
Logically, I know I should go for a Focus - but find it hard to get enthusiastic about them. Equally, I've driven Fabias (I currently have an ancient but reliable Felicia) and they just seem dull and unresponsive somehow.
The only car that I've driven recently that actually makes me smile is a Subaru Forester 2.0 .....but I don't think I can justify the poor mpg. I find it hard to say just what it is about the Subaru that I like, but it seems to have loads of character. Should I just shrug and buy it, or what other suggestions does anyone have?
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FWIW, I think the significance of MPG is overstated. The difference that, say, 5 MPG makes to annual running cost is trivial compared to tax, insurance, etc.
A reliable car with good residuals, such as the Forester is likely to be, will probably save you money...
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How many miles do you drive per year?
If it's below 10,000 then fuel economy is not such a significant consideration, and if the Forester makes you smile then I'd say go for it.
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I currently only do about 8000 a year - a lot of short journeys as a walking disability means I use the car to nip down to the shops as well as going to work.
Many thanks for thoughts so far
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buy what you want. we are all here for such a short time, make the best of it, and if its not going to break the bank, then get what you fancy.
thats what they reckon, isnt it ?
a bit of what you fancy does you more good than harm.
;-)
the subaru is a class car, so much different than all the other humdrum cars. i had a subaru wrx sti, loved it. felt like a proper car, subaru dont tend to mollycoddle you, it just does what it says on the tin.
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Scooby's hold their value well, so what sort of Forrester would you get for £7,000?
Heavy depreciators, like C5s, Signums ('Signi??'), Skodas may be worth a look. Some models fall fast in value because they fall to bits sooner, but most nowadays do so just because of a poor image or simply high numbers around, like Mondeos/Vectras.
How image conscious are you? We usually are, more than we admit!
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W Reg Forester 2.0 GLS 80K All Weather from local Subaru dealer. Sold and serviced by them (and, incidentally, quite the nicest dealers I've ever come across).
I realise I'm more image conscious than I thought I was - but in an inverse snobbish kind of way i.e. I really relish the fact that my tatty looking Skoda is wonderfully reliable. I guess I like the idea of something like the Subaru as it's a rare beast. But I find it hard to justify buying it rationally!
I don't need 4WD, and much of the time there's only me in the car, so I don't have to have such a big vehicle. And I can't help but feel I should look for something more economical: but it doesn't stop the fact that I felt so instantly at home in the Forester.
I drove it quite by chance, and find it hard to put my finger on what its appeal is. Something about its utilitarian nature marrid to the fact that it seems glued to the road I think.
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You don't think you need 4wd but don't confuse the Subaru system with those clunky big 4wd systems. IMHO 4wd makes for a safer car. Go to www.subaru.co.uk they explain their system well.
I can also recommend their dealers, check out other threads in the past for discussion on this topic.
If you enjoy the car, then get it if you can afford it. Don't worry about age or mileage, if it has been looked after and treated well it'll do 300k easily enough.
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We have two Foresters in our family, a 99 2.0 and a 53 XT, both autos. We love them, espcially the good ride and simply the way they drive.
However, they are not the biggest cars and for long journeys, four 6 footers will be cramped I think.
As an alternative, have you looked at Citroen Berlingos? They have good HDi engines. I have driven several of this type of vehicle on holiday and always smile when I get the keys to one.
--
Espada III - well if you have a family and need a Lamborghini, what else do you drive?
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Do your bit for the future and get an LPG driven vehicle.
Do remember that although it may be big enough for you when on your own it may pinch a little with 4 of you in it.
I always try to get one with sound body and engine, a good radio/cd and try to get one that hasn't got the kind of tyres that you need to take out a second mortgage to renew.
Although it doesn't affect me ( my wife works for a motor retailer/repairer so she gets a good discount ) you have to remember that servicing costs can vary immensely between different makes and if you take the extra warranty you may have to get it serviced by a dealer that sells that type of car ( Honda servicing can be very expensive ).
Hope that helps.
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