BS: What car would you recommend? (UK)

Subject: RE: BS: What car would you recommend? (UK)
From: GUEST
Date: 12 May 08 - 11:39 AM

Sorry should read heater only blasts cold air, cos the aircon is faulty, but I think I've said enough.

Subject: RE: BS: What car would you recommend? (UK)
From: GUEST
Date: 12 May 08 - 11:37 AM

Peugot 307 cc bought brand new been back to the garage five times in six months, still not right, boot sometimes locks, elec windows sometime work, aircon only blasts cold air, now its been recalled cos the ABS is faulty. Say no more wont bother with another, want to swap for wife's Range Rover but she's hidden the keys. Bugger.

Subject: RE: BS: What car would you recommend? (UK)
From: Grab
Date: 12 May 08 - 10:17 AM

Ah, trailer as something to sell things from. OK, I stand corrected on the stand, and will stall my comments on the stall. :-)

Subject: RE: BS: What car would you recommend? (UK)
From: John MacKenzie
Date: 12 May 08 - 08:33 AM

Graham, Sal's trailer is for catering purposes, she takes it round festivals etc, and sell the lucky punters, delicious freshly made lemonade. That's why she's Mrs Lemon.
Look out for her at a festival and sign her Mudcatters book, then she'll sell you a glass at a special rate.


Giok

Subject: RE: BS: What car would you recommend? (UK)
From: Grab
Date: 12 May 08 - 07:41 AM

I got a Citroen Berlingo last year. Now 5 years old, 43k miles, cost a little under £4k. Drives beautifully, fairly quiet, 1.8l diesel is fairly powerful and very economical. And there's *tons* of room inside - enough for me, other guitarist, full PA rig and all our kit without even going above window level, or five people in total comfort. The rear seats have a clever folding system which is very quick and easy, unlike most estates, and gives a large flat floor. It's also well-designed for stowage spaces and stuff like that. It doesn't corner brilliantly, but then it's a van with seats in it so you don't expect it to handle like a sportscar - in a straight line it goes and stops quite happily. They were (and are) very popular, so there are quite a few come up second-hand. No reason you can't get a very nice example for £4-5k, or a reasonable older one for £3-4k.

As for reliability - well, the mechanic who's been doing our cars for the last couple of years has one himself. Nuff said really. :-) My only complaint is that the front seats don't fit my back, but a cushion for lumbar support fixes that problem.

Incidentally, I suspect that with a Berlingo you're really not going to need that trailer. The damn thing's like the Tardis - you can just keep throwing gear in there and it hardly makes a dent in the space.

You might have guessed by now that I *really* like this car. :-) It's the only one we've owned that I'd recommend to anyone without hesitation, and if this one ever got written off then I'd buy another one immediately.

Of course, if I didn't need to carry a PA system and everything else around then I'd be buying a Marlin/Javelin Cabrio, which is quite simply the most beautiful car I've ever seen. A close second would be the Autotune Aristocat which is a slightly widened XK120 replica. One of these days...

Graham.

Subject: RE: BS: What car would you recommend? (UK)
From: Phot
Date: 11 May 08 - 07:15 PM

Peugot, Citroen, same engine.......Get the Disco, lasts longer, works harder, won't get stuck!

Wassail!! Chris

Subject: RE: BS: What car would you recommend? (UK)
From: Q (Frank Staplin)
Date: 11 May 08 - 07:12 PM

UK?
I'll take the Aston-Martin any day. And a Morgan Roadster V6 for the wife.

Subject: RE: BS: What car would you recommend? (UK)
From: GUEST,Jon
Date: 11 May 08 - 06:51 PM

Re Peugot, they can have an awful lot in common with Citroen see here.

I wonder how the used values compare.

Subject: RE: BS: What car would you recommend? (UK)
From: skarpi
Date: 11 May 08 - 06:36 PM

PEUGOT 407 ST DIESEL 2,0 ltr, 2007 to 2008 its a fantastic car

ATBSkarpi Iceland

Subject: RE: BS: What car would you recommend? (UK)
From: John MacKenzie
Date: 11 May 08 - 06:19 PM

Well I'm sure Sal that you know about towing weight regs etc, but just in case.


"Towing caravans

For towing caravans, existing general guidance recommends that the laden weight of the caravan does not exceed 85% of the unladen weight of the car. In the majority of cases, caravans and small trailers towed by cars should be within the new category B threshold."

I tow a 23 foot caravan, or a 19 foot boat, and I have looked into the possibility of buying a smaller vehicle, but it doesn't stack up. For my requirements I need a vehicle that will pull 2 tons, and in spite of the increase in road tax next year, I have opted for another 2.5 litre Diesel Discovery, as it will not knacker it to tow that weight.
So you need to consider these facts when buying a towing vehicle.

Giok

Subject: RE: BS: What car would you recommend? (UK)
From: the lemonade lady
Date: 11 May 08 - 06:05 PM

thank you ever so much, don't stop now.

x Sal

Subject: RE: BS: What car would you recommend? (UK)
From: Folkiedave
Date: 11 May 08 - 04:37 PM

Toyota 2 litre doiesel estate 116.000 miles and like new. New clutch at 105,000 - this is hilly Sheffield.

Will run it into the ground - may take a while!

Subject: RE: BS: What car would you recommend? (UK)
From: Richard Bridge
Date: 11 May 08 - 04:07 PM

Rust

Subject: RE: BS: What car would you recommend? (UK)
From: GUEST,number 6
Date: 11 May 08 - 03:31 PM

Subaru



biLL

Subject: RE: BS: What car would you recommend? (UK)
From: Richard Bridge
Date: 11 May 08 - 02:19 PM

The 300TDI Disco is a great off-roader, but will cause industrial deafness on a long journey. Not good for CD listening.

Subject: RE: BS: What car would you recommend? (UK)
From: GUEST,Jon
Date: 11 May 08 - 02:06 PM

I'm with you on the Citroens, Leadfingers.

We've had ZX 1.9 diesel for the last 10 years. I think the 1st one had done about 170,000 when someone rammed into the back of it writing it of and the I think the "new" one which shows about 115,000 cost about £1000. In our part of the mileages, I can't think of anything more than a clutch go.

I guess the the models with the funny suspension might have put people off buying used - I believe a few garages would refer people to main dealers for some jobs (although when we had BXs, my brother worked in a Citroen garage so we didn't worry) but the ZX isn't one of those.

I'm not sure what the replacement for the ZX was but my (now ex - he's a gardener now) mechanic brother has one and likes it.

Subject: RE: BS: What car would you recommend? (UK)
From: John MacKenzie
Date: 11 May 08 - 01:45 PM

I have a series 2 for sale BTW

G

Subject: RE: BS: What car would you recommend? (UK)
From: Phot
Date: 11 May 08 - 01:42 PM

Sal, I know I'm biased, but think about a Landrover Discovery, a late model 300Tdi will pull anything, there are no computers to run the engine which makes things simple(and cheap!) driven with a light right foot they'll return 38+ MPG, parts grow on trees at the bottom of the garden, and £3000 will get you a really good one(But not mine! But she is a V8!) If you use an independent service specialist, a service will set you back around £350 all in for a yearly. A really good Series 2 Disco will set you back around £10.000, but will have every knob, bell, and whistle in the world.

Wassail! Chris

Subject: RE: BS: What car would you recommend? (UK)
From: pdq
Date: 11 May 08 - 10:49 AM

The brand new Suburu diesel Outback look like it has everything and a price to match.

"According to an article written by MSN.UK, the flat-4 diesel engine will be offered in both the Legacy and Outback sedans and wagons, identified as the Subaru Legacy 2.0 TD REn sedan or Subaru Legacy Sports Tourer 2.0TD RE. Prices quoted were £21,995 and the vehicle was slated to be released in the UK starting March 2008. The vehicle is offered with a 5 speed manual transmission only.

The official introduction of the Legacy and Outback diesel will be at the Geneva AutoShow in March, 2008."
   
                read more here

Subject: RE: BS: What car would you recommend? (UK)
From: Richard Bridge
Date: 11 May 08 - 10:05 AM

It really depends on two things: the miles you will do and the weight you will tug.

Very few UK caravans (other than the gin palaces) top out with a gross laden weight of over 1500kgs and many reasonable sized ones even with fixed bed are looking more like 1300kg. Small caravans (particularly older ones without so many silly gadgets) are often under 1000kg, sensibly laden.

If you are a low mileage driver like me, under 15,000 miles per year, then mpg is nothing to worry about. You can happily get an old volvo - 20 years old, and so long as it is any 2.3 litre or the 2.0 litre turbo it will tug a sensible sized van with ease. If you get one with only about 100,000 miles or so on the clock it will be reliable robust and comfortable and bush mechanics can service most of it (be careful about the lockup auto box). A volvo like that will do about 250,000 miles before it is starting to be worn out. Maximum towing weight 1800 kg (if you have a volvo towbar and do not go over 45).

You will only need to pay about 300 to 400 pounds for it - and think how much servicing and fuelling you can do with what you save! Any boy racer shop will put a modern sound system in it for not a lot of money.

The snag is that unless you get a diesel you will struggle to see 30mpg with no van on, and most likely struggle to get even 20 mpg with a van on. Your tax will be expensive, but insurance cheap.

IMHO you will more than gain on the swings what you lose on the roundabouts.



If you want something more modern, the Skodas with AWD are pretty cheap second hand, the 2 litre turbo petrols go like rockets and the 140bhp diesels surprisingly urgent.

Subject: RE: BS: What car would you recommend? (UK)
From: diesel
Date: 11 May 08 - 09:47 AM

I've just sadly parted with My Citroen C5 Diesel 2 litre 90 Bhp ... needed a 7 seater for family expansion etc.

Now have a new (08) Citroen C4 Grand picasso - 7 seater. Very happy with its performance.

The newer engines in the Citroen/Renault/Peugeot range are smaller, now 1.6 litre Diesels are giving 110 BHP where the 2.0 litres are up to 130 BHP.

Totally reliable in my view - Never looked too deep into VW passat but engine and spec wise there excellent too.

Oh and the C4 GP .... Very good CD system too

Subject: RE: BS: What car would you recommend? (UK)
From: GUEST,Kendall
Date: 11 May 08 - 09:10 AM

We have a 2001 Hyundai Sonata with over 90 K miles on it, and all I've done so far is replace the timing belt and a wheel bearing.Jacqui and I are on a road trip sown south, and the car has given us over 32 mpg. Granted, it is a 4 cylinder engine that wouldn't pull the wrinkles out of a sheet, but unburdened, it will get under weigh quick enough for me.
In my not so humble opinion, they are as good as Toyota. It seems that Toyota is having some call back problems these days.

Subject: RE: BS: What car would you recommend? (UK)
From: Herga Kitty
Date: 11 May 08 - 09:00 AM

Sal - worth checking fuel efficiency and tax band

Kitty

Subject: RE: BS: What car would you recommend? (UK)
From: Dave the Gnome
Date: 11 May 08 - 07:06 AM

Fiat get a bad press but I have had a 53 reg Stilo for 3 or 4 years now and it has been brilliant. Not quite a 2 litre - It's a 1.9 multi-valve JTD which, apparently won all sorts of awards. Mines the 4 door hatch but they do an estate which is amazing, with all sorts of clever things you can do with the seat configuration. If you are after new though I think the Stilo has been replaced with the new Brava. Worth a look anyway.

The other one that is well worth a second look is the Suzuki/Fiat produced multi-wheel drive Fiat Sedici - Suziki provide the 4x4 running gear and Fiat provide the 1.9 JTD engine. The drive configuration is very clever indeed - Front wheel drive, more to front than rear, 4x4 and an option to automate the decision for you! Smaller than the usual Chelsea tractors but seem to have enough room for most. Very reasonably priced for a real off-roader as well. I like clever name too. Sixteen in Italian is Sedici, and what does 4x4 make?

Good luck whatever you get.

Cheers

Dave

Subject: RE: BS: What car would you recommend? (UK)
From: Anne Lister
Date: 11 May 08 - 04:53 AM

We (each) have Citroen Picassos - 2 ltr diesel, manual gear box, good amount of power, excellent CD system, air con, fairly economical. My husband is casting sheep's eyes at a Toyota Prius, because at some point soon we should probably both change our cars, but I'd want another Picasso (although they've been renamed, I think - can't remember if they're now C5s?)

Anne

Subject: RE: BS: What car would you recommend? (UK)
From: the lemonade lady
Date: 11 May 08 - 04:46 AM

I've been towing for 11 years with a 1.4 mitsubishi colt coupe which was brilliant; a ford escourt estate 1.8 with no power steering, bloody awful; a vauxhall vectra estate, 1.8 (i think) very poor; and now I have this 1.9 4x4 Kangoo which tows brilliantly. I keep checking the mirror to check the trailer is still there! Trouble is it's a rogue car and once bitten...

I've been to a Peugeot dealer and have been recommended a brand new 307 hdi S 1.6 ltr. As they are giving me a good part ex on my Kangoo; I'm tempted but now think I should go for the 2.0. I've been told the 407's body is that much heavier and not much different from the 307. As this car is to last for 'ever' I don't want to make a mistake this time. The Kangoo looked and drove well when I test drove it but when I went to collect it from the dealer it had an odd clicking noise in the back end. I said it was the diff, the RAC post purchase check agreed, a local Renault dealer agreed, and 7 months later, with new transmission and 1,000's spent under warrenty, the dealer agreed with me! I'm sure it was cos I'm a woman and they think I know nothing!

Sal

Subject: RE: BS: What car would you recommend? (UK)
From: Acorn4
Date: 11 May 08 - 04:33 AM

We're very happy with our Renault Megane diesel - 60mpg+ on long runs and pulls the caravan with no problems.

Subject: RE: BS: What car would you recommend? (UK)
From: JohnInKansas
Date: 11 May 08 - 02:09 AM

I need at least 2.0ltr Diesel, manual gear box

Most advisors recommend that you NOT lock your thinking onto specifications of this kind. It's better, albeit a little more difficult to do, to look for specific performance specs, rather than for a particular kind of hardware.

Also, choosing a particular brand can cost you. It's a good start if you're buying new, but in the used market the condition of the particular vehicle you find that meets your "spec" is usually more important than just "buying a name."

My US market is much different than yours. (As an example: your preference for Diesel may be justified, but here it can be very difficult to find.)

In the US the most difficult "spec" to meet - and the one most often overlooked - would be adequate towing capacity. Although I found some fairly detailed specs on the Kangoo, that's one of the things omitted. While almost any car can pull very small trailers, exceeding the limits can be a cause of "lemonish" performance.

(600 pounds [270 kg] is a fairly common total loaded gross trailer weight rating for "mid-size" passenger cars in the US.)

Caravans in the UK appear to run smaller than "Campers" in the US, but even our little "popup" (12' Jayco) grossed over 1500 lb (680 kg). Our current "small" "ultra-light" hard-sided camper (27' AirLite) lists at about 2300 lb empty but probably approaches 3500 lb [1600 kg] with water tanks, propane, stocked refrigerator, and the mandolin onboard.

Few "half-ton" pickup trucks - the most popular size sold in the US - are really adequate to tow our "little" camper, much less the ones people yank around with them. Without at least a little bit of special equipment, run-of-the-mill towing capacities top out at about 3,000 lb (~1,399 kg), even for "real trucks." Our little WVA camping group has seen three blown engines, two burned out trannies, and one shredded transaxle in "BIG TRUCKS" while towing in the past 8 or 10 years, and most of the people involved were "once a year" campers.

If towing anything will be part of your use, I would recommend looking at the actual size¹ of caravans you might have an interest in while you intend to still have the new vehicle, and find out exactly what the manufacturer considers the "towing capacity" of brands/models in which you might be interested. Then be careful that the specific vehicle you are interested in has the "extras" for the ratings you found.

¹ Both total loaded maximum gross weight and frontal area of the trailer can be important in determining whether your tow vehicle has the capacity for a given trailer.

In the US, individual RV dealers and dealer associations publish (on the web) lists of towing capacities for commonly used brands/models; but the lists I know where to find don't include vehicle models you'd find in your market. Dealers may or may not know what you're talking about if you ask them. Used vehicle dealers usually respond to questions with a totally blank look.

Most common vehicles can be misused and abused rather brutally, and some percent of them will survive with few visible scars; but checking out the specs before making the buy can avoid getting an unworthy wimp that will fail to live up to what you expect.

John

Subject: RE: BS: What car would you recommend? (UK)
From: Amos
Date: 11 May 08 - 01:39 AM

Get a RAV 4 with the 4-banger, Everything you need, nothign you don't, and reliable forever.

I have the 6-cylinder and I adore it.



A

Subject: RE: BS: What car would you recommend? (UK)
From: Gurney
Date: 10 May 08 - 11:59 PM

Toyota. They last and are reliable. There is nothing cutting-edge about them, Toyota seem to wait until technology is proven before incorporating it.

Ask an auto-electrician which cars he DOESN'T see.

Subject: RE: BS: What car would you recommend? (UK)
From: GUEST,Kendall
Date: 10 May 08 - 08:57 PM

HYUNDAI

Subject: RE: BS: What car would you recommend? (UK)
From: Leadfingers
Date: 10 May 08 - 07:57 PM

Ciroens seem to be quite cheap as used cars , I have just swopped a C5 Estate for a smaller engined Xsara - The C5 was giving me ten miles to a litre of diesel and is long enough (with the rear seats down) for me to sleep in if I wanted . I dont know why they dont hold value , but I got mine on an 02 plate for £2500 .

Subject: BS: What car would you recommend? (UK)
From: the lemonade lady
Date: 10 May 08 - 06:25 PM

I'm going to buy a new car cos the Renault Kangoo Trekka I bought 11 months ago is a rogue car. It's had 7 months warrenty work done on the transmission and now the steering is failing. Can hardly turn the wheel! It's going. It's one 5 years old.

So my question is which car would you replace it with? I need at least 2.0ltr Diesel, manual gear box, estate car that's good for towing my light trailer and a caravan I may buy in the future. It must have good mpg and decent bhp. I must have a good cd sound system cos i do all my listening in my car.

8)

Sal