Hello all,
Someone please help me choose. Time to get my son another car. He is autistic so driven around, and I love for him to be driven around in comfort. I would like him to be driven round in style, too, if possible which hasn't really happened yet.
He needs a big car because he likes his own space. Has to be roomy in the back where he sits. No sun roof - he finds them scary. Needs to be high up so he can see the world from the side window (so no Qashqais). I think that this year he needs to have some off road capability so he can explore the quieter parts of the places he goes, get down on to beaches, into wood edges etc. He might also have the chance to help on a farm and he needs to be able to get there.
He has many food allergies so it would be great to have a power socket in the boot for plugging in his fridge cooler bag in summer giving him independence.
His last two cars have been Zafiras. We are bored with them and fed up with their door problems. I was thinking about a Freelander or a Volvo of some sort. Must say we still miss the Santa Fe we had a year ago and find we need it almost every day. So 2010 Santa Fe would be a contender. But I never sat in the back of ours so have no idea what it is like for rear passengers. Also, I am little and found my neck bowed by the front head restraints. Have they fixed that?
All suggestions for luxurious SUVs or nice MPVs or high up other cars. Volvo, Hondas, Toyotas? Others? New Freelander price and downwards ish as the budget. Would love to hear your suggestions.
Many many thanks.
Ali
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Ali,
How about one of these ?
tinyurl.com/yk7rccb
I have a 15 year old one, different shape but I love it.
Proper autobox with low and high ratios. Optional 4WD. A bit higher than an ordinary car' Good back seat room with a sensible amount of room behind that.
If it hasn't got a power point in the back, then an indy garage/auto sparkie will easily fit one.
Good rugged chassis will get him off road. Not a lot of dosh, either.
There's also the Suzuki Jimny, also 4WD but I daresay Martin will tell you more about that.
Good luck
Ted
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what about a Citroen Berlingo.
Diesel ones seem to be good and cheap to run.
I have not checked but they should be going for reasonable prices now.
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Mercedes-Benz B-class is quite nice - excellent interior space for this type of vehicle.
Much improved over the A-class (particularly the early ones!).
Limited off-road capabilites, mind :-(
Edited by OldSock on 06/01/2010 at 23:37
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Would the Subaru Forester meet the needs of the OP?
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Thank you so much for your suggestions. Am looking for something new and something nice. Let's not scrimp! Will check all these out. Forgot all about Suzuki and Subarus. Looks like I have to do a lot of driving to know, doesn't it. Just wondered what you all drove when you wanted to get out and about in the rough....... (sports cars if you are anything like my husband).
More suggestions please. Should have ordered this car by the 15th Dec and here we are....
Many thanks again.
Alijazz
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The X-trail does all that you ask, including the power point in the back. I am told it is comfortable in the back as my husband will happily travel there if necessary, as will my 6'2" tall son. The only problem would be the sun roof - but that has a very good interior cover, so does not need to be opened when your son is travelling.
The autistic lad who I regularly transport around with my own special son likes it - in particular the built in Satnav which can happily occupy him throughout a journey as he watches the trip being plotted. He reminds me each time I pick him up that I need to centrally lock the windows/doors - he is a great fiddler with buttons. He is also very keen on washing it for me as well as being my walking record of how much fuel I need/when it needs servicing/how long ago I last checked the fluids and tyres!
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Hello
The Xtrail is on my list. My best friend has one. Will check that out. Many thanks.
Have just been reading something about the Skoda Yeti. Too small? Sounds a nice car but also little.
Wish the snow would go so I could get driving.
Thanks for the suggestion!
Ali
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How about a Volvo XC60, Audi Q5, Vauxhall Antara or Ford Kuga?
A colleague has just bought an Audi Q5 2.0 TDI, which is lovely. Good compormise between 4x4 and car imo.
Belingo, Grand Vitara and Jimny are all good suggestions but dont really fit your spec re comfort and luxury.................
Not sure how much a new Freelander is but would assume circa £25k? If so all of the above should be available for around that figure..........
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If it has to be roomy in the back, that would rule out a Freelander, and maybe some of its rivals. The XC60 and Q5 look nice, but both appear to have rising waistlines (like so many modern 'designer' cars) and so I expect the view out will be poor.
Do you realy need off-road use? If not, I would recommend looking at an S-Max.
Edited by boxsterboy on 07/01/2010 at 13:38
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Skoda Roomster if view from the back is important? Not quite up to the prestige of the others I mentioned, and lacking 4x4 capability but im a big fan of Skoda products and they're cracking value........ Mercedes R-Class too big?
S-Max is a good shout.
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4wd touran. jag.
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Why not a Qashqai sorry?
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2nd hand Toyota Land Cruiser?
Bullet proof so you could go for an older model with higher specs.
You can get some LC4 and even LC5 models for great money.
Very big inside, leather makes it feel more luxurious and i guess has the ability to take you to some of the places you mentioned with ease.
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Difficult to comment without knowing son's age/size. The Berlingo ticks a fair number of the boxes but rear electrical connectors usually come with desire trim and therefore glass rof panels.
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Dont let lack of rear electrical connectors influence the choice of any car. Its very easy to rig up a multipoint adaptor.
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Why not a Qashqai sorry?
Rear window line too high/rear seat too low for child to see out of, by all accounts (OP's 1st post).
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It is a bit gloomy in the back.
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4wd touran.
Is there such a thing?
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