car recommendations

[sunnybob]

A second vote for the hyundai tucson. Very enjoyable and stress free ride.

we hire cars several times a year on our visits to the UK and the tucson has been far and away the most comfortable and spacious yet.
We had two full sized adults in the front (and my back isnt good so I have to have the seat tilted back), 2 sub 8 year old kids in their seats in the back (loads of leg room for them), and more suitcases and boxes than are normally allowed on a plane at any one time. No problems.

we had a new cashquai last year and it was rubbish at storage space, and the on board electronics kept warning us to stop the car every time a big lorry whooshed past in either direction.

 

[stevep]

You could do a lot worse than look at a Ford S-Max. Big , comfortable, not too low for the old uns, good on fuel and very reliable. With all the seats down you have more space in the back than in a small van. I really do miss mine !

 

[RogerP]

I've had many cars in my 55 years of driving. My current, a Mitsubishi Colt, is high up the list on comfort, speed, handling and mpg.

 

[steadyeddie]

Another vote for Honda. I've had a 1.6 Civic (no trouble at all) followed by a R - Type (no trouble at all, like $#1t off a stick). Now on a 2.2 diesel Civic and can't fault it at all. A mate of mine is a big fan of the CRV, he rates them very highly.

Dave

 

[woodpig]

I've had a couple of four wheel drive Hondas in the past and they were good cars but the MPG could have been better.
I would say avoid a 4X4 unless you need or want it as they're thirstier than two wheel drive. Also avoid Diesel if you can, they often have a shorter service interval and the tyres don't last as long. Also expect road tax and fuel duty to go up on them sooner or latter if you're not lucky. If you opt for a Kia you could have some warranty left on it as their warranty is 7 years. Also Hyundai and Mitsubishi have 5 year warranties.

If you want to check the reliability of potential models check out:

http://www.reliabilityindex.com

Avoid anything German like the plague unless you want to pay up front for a warranty.

 

[Cordy]

Avoid anything German like the plague unless you want to pay up front for a warranty

Hmmm.... I bought my Mercedes 220 Diesel saloon car new in 1999; only problem over the years was a fuel leak which was sorted by my friendly Garage -- passes every MOT no problems and still on the original exhaust/silencer :lol: :lol:

Merc is still going strong -- sometimes I take Mother in Law for a ride in it; at 94 she has no trouble getting in or out

My advice is to buy new if that is possible

 

[MattRoberts]

I've had a couple of four wheel drive Hondas in the past and they were good cars but the MPG could have been better.
I would say avoid a 4X4 unless you need or want it as they're thirstier than two wheel drive. Also avoid Diesel if you can, they often have a shorter service interval and the tyres don't last as long. Also expect road tax and fuel duty to go up on them sooner or latter if you're not lucky. If you opt for a Kia you could have some warranty left on it as their warranty is 7 years. Also Hyundai and Mitsubishi have 5 year warranties.

If you want to check the reliability of potential models check out:

http://www.reliabilityindex.com

Avoid anything German like the plague unless you want to pay up front for a warranty.

Wow, I've never heard a single person ever suggest avoiding German engineered cars... Quite the opposite.

 

[Gary]

Ideally I'd like to spend 8K but up to 12k second hand obviously, there appeared to be plenty in this range when I looked the other day.
Yes higher off the ground, so the wrinklies can get in & out easier.

That's my point, some cars are too high for some old people.

My father in law really struggled getting into higher vehicles.

I see what you mean but with a normal saloon the seat height is low rather than at the same height
However we will try before we buy

Is your current BMW a 3 series?

If you in a working week I'd often switch between 3 series and a Volvo. Is I drive a Volvo all week and switched to a BMW on the last day it felt exceptionally low getting in and out.

 

[woodpig]

Wow, I've never heard a single person ever suggest avoiding German engineered cars... Quite the opposite.

Well you have now. But don't take my word for it. Check out the reliability ratings for yourself. In 2013 and 2015 All the German brands were in the Bottom 20 of the 40 makes rated. In 2013 Audi were rated as the second Most unreliable make with an engine failure rate of 1 in 27 (compared to Honda who came top with a rate of 1 in 360). People think German cars are well made, the truth is very different. It also proves how good German advertising is.

http://www.whatcar.com/news/honda-named ... urer-2015/

http://www.thecarexpert.co.uk/most-reliable-engines/

Some interesting reading for you.

http://dogandlemon.com/sites/default/fi ... n_cars.pdf

http://dougdemuro.kinja.com/german-reli ... 1572026115

 

[Lons]

Interesting :duno:

We all have opinions based on our own experience and stats are stats which we choose to accept or not. In my case I've had a total of 6 BMW and Audi cars with not a single reliability issue neither did I find my diesels to be harder on tyres than the petrol ones, with the exception of my last A4 which I suspect was down to a combination of very soft continental tyres, 4 wheel drive and some rather spirited driving. :wink:

Though they are assembled in England, Minis are still German and my wife is now on her 6th Mini. I can honestly say that the only issue was a problem connecting her iphone to the car which was quickly resolved by the dealer even though the problem was caused by the 'phone not the car. 2 years ago I bought her a new Nissan Juke, top of the range and the biggest pile of junk you can imagine backed up be bloody awful manufacturer and dealership service, never again couldn't wait to get rid of the thing for a new Mini Clubman last September.

Many of my friends and family have German cars from small VWs to the largest Mercs and keep replacing with similar which tells me all I want to know.

As an aside, did anyone else watch the documentary last night showing the making of the AMG / Mercedes sports car - fascinating!

Bob

 

[DiscoStu]

Skoda Yeti, VW Tiguan, Ford Kuga or the Vauxhall you mention. Out of that list I think the Yeti is probably the best option and where I'd be going.

Although actually I'd be buying a Freelander 2. A caravan step can be helpful for elderly.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[woodpig]

Though they are assembled in England, Minis are still German and my wife is now on her 6th Mini. I can honestly say that the only issue was a problem connecting her iphone to the car which was quickly resolved by the dealer even though the problem was caused by the 'phone not the car.
Bob

Your wife must have been lucky as mini have a dreadful reputation. Although she obviously doesn't keep them for very long.

http://www.autoexpress.co.uk/car-news/c ... urers-2016

Remember the OP was talking about second hand cars. You wouldn't expect new cars to go wrong in their first couple of years.

 

[beech1948]

I run a Merc S class 320 bought new in 2004.

Done 190,000 miles, small service costs £290, bigger service cost £340. No mechanical issues except usual replacements.

Fuel is 35 in general local driving. Longer journey can turn in 47 mpg over say 220 miles.

So its now an old car and worth not much but levels of comfort and reliability are high, confidence and knowledge of the car are high, local Merc specialist non-dealer ( stealers) is excellent, economy is not too bad given there have been 2 generations of high tech smaller cars out since I bought it.

My guess is it will run for another 100,000+ miles before it gives in and by then I will be unable to retain my driving licence probably as I will be well over 80.

 

[Lons]

Though they are assembled in England, Minis are still German and my wife is now on her 6th Mini. I can honestly say that the only issue was a problem connecting her iphone to the car which was quickly resolved by the dealer even though the problem was caused by the 'phone not the car.
Bob

Your wife must have been lucky as mini have a dreadful reputation. Although she obviously doesn't keep them for very long.

http://www.autoexpress.co.uk/car-news/c ... urers-2016

Remember the OP was talking about second hand cars. You wouldn't expect new cars to go wrong in their first couple of years.

Yes but unless you've had a series of that make yourself surely any opinion is based on heresay!

The oldest Mini we had, bought new was sold on at 4 years old but 3 members of our family have much older ones and a number of friends and neighbours so we aren't alone. On the other hand a golfing mate has a Yeti which has been in for repair 4 months of the 23 he's owned it, he won't be buying another.

Personally I don't take reviews or reports at anything more than face value, the opinions of friends and aquaintances are much more valuable imho.
That survey states "50,000 owners" but that's only 0.002% of the 25+ million cars on the roads in the uk and it's a survey which invites you to enter with a chance to win a prize. :roll: Like most surveys it's subjective small sample, probably inacurate and possibly misleading. How many of each manufacturers vehicles there are isn't obvious which renders % figures pretty meaningless as far as I'm concerned. Magazine articles are useful but only as a part of much wider research.

It's like watching Top Gear testing a car which is either perfect or has bits dropping off - it's ONE car so means little, also like our experience with the Nissan Juke, a brand new £20k car which If I entered the Autoexpress pol I would score very badly but there are thousands happily running around her in the North East and they seem to sell without problem so they can't all be like that.

Bob

 

[woodpig]

If you look at the warranty Direct data on this page the graphic clearly shows the mini is well below average for actual claims made fixing problems. If you look down the bottom though at the customer graphic it shows they still think their cars are reliable! Factual data is more accurate than what people think about their cars. :wink:

http://www.reliabilityindex.com/reliability/search/158

The same applies to makes like Mercedes. They score nearly 100% for customer satisfaction surveys for cars up to three years old but they've had dreadful reliability problems on some models in recent years.

 

[-Matt-]

Lons, you appear to missing one of the critical facts about the Nissan Joke. They're hidiously ugly They also don't seem to offer much in the way of a boot hatch and there's a massive lip to get anything up and over.

Now I've only had 5 cars in my 10 years of driving, my first being French (Peugeot 106) which was a bit meh but it ran ok, I then had a 1989 Nissan Bluebird which was infalliably indestructable and had sat on my parents drive for the last 6 years before being sold last year, few bits of work and put back on the road.
Then a '98 BMW 3 series estate. Horrible. Useless in snow. Horrible radiator problem that threw water out at any random moment. Wouldn't have another.
Then a '51plate Subaru Legacy. Kept for 4 years in which time the only thing to go wrong was the clutch disintegrating last October which took it off the road. Comfy, reliable, AWD and a hi-lo transfer box (yes in an estate!) Best car I've ever had.
Replaced it with a '53 plate Outback (the Legacy variant scored 94% on the reliability website on previous page). So far so good with it, drinks a bit but it is a 2.5. Think engine needs a clean out, fuel filter etc. But again comfy, well specced, AWD, hi-lo box.

I'd reccoment a Subaru to anyone, although I don't know much about the newer ones.

 

[Claymore]

............

 

[porker]

The same applies to makes like Mercedes. They score nearly 100% for customer satisfaction surveys for cars up to three years old but they've had dreadful reliability problems on some models in recent years.

I used to work for a company that made luxury products (real top end of the market) and they were obsessed by their brand image which you have to be in that market. They looked at data on other brands and Mercedes had a greater customer satisfaction with customers who had had problems with their vehicles than those that didn't which they put down to excellent customer service when a problem occurred.

(I have a 5 series BMW I've had for 3 years and although its a great car to drive, in the past 3 years I've had over £2k worth of electrical problems (covered by warranty) a gearbox leaking sump £600 and last month a timing chain failure costing over £3k to fix. all from 30k miles to just over 100k now (I do around 25-30k miles a year)). Also endless tyres that have to be replaced from pothole damage before they are worn out. Time to move it on soon.

Agree though sometimes a single bad experience is not representative of a car in general but I think I would go on warranty claims as the truest reflection. I also think a good local dealer or specialist is important as their costs and attitude can affect the total ownership experience.

Most reliable car I have owned - Porsche 911. Worst - Fiat 132 (going back a bit on that one). Wifes Skoda Octavia bought new has been OK but at 30k miles uses a bit of oil and has had a few issues with suspension. I've also heard good things about the Yeti. I want to go back to a Japanese car next time - Honda or Toyota.

 

[Lons]

If you look at the warranty Direct data on this page the graphic clearly shows the mini is well below average for actual claims made fixing problems. If you look down the bottom though at the customer graphic it shows they still think their cars are reliable! Factual data is more accurate than what people think about their cars. :wink:

http://www.reliabilityindex.com/reliability/search/158

The same applies to makes like Mercedes. They score nearly 100% for customer satisfaction surveys for cars up to three years old but they've had dreadful reliability problems on some models in recent years.

Yes of course and as Warranty Direct are a non profit making organisation and are not actively selling expensive warranties they are of course unbiased and completely neutral, :roll:

Interesting that since BMW relaunched the Mini 15 years ago they've built 3 million and sold more than 300,000 worldwide last year according to reports so can't be that bad, just as well or thousands of employees at the plant in Oxfordshire along with many associated companies would be out of work.

With 48,000 registrations in the UK in 2016 it is 8th on the list after the usual 2 x Ford, 2 x Vauxhaull, 2 x VW and a Nissan. Behind in 9th and 10th are Mercedes and Audi there are of course specific models and full manufacturers are different but still make interesting reading, Ford and Vauxhall are losing sales while all the German cars apart from VW ( emission scandal ) are increasing substantially, even the VW % loss is no worse than Ford / Vauxhall.
These are of course just stats from the press and if you look at different publishers the figures differ which is why I don't believe everything I read.

My comments regarding BMW, Audi, Mini and Nissan are purely based on my own experience to be taken at face value and I've never quoted 3rd party survey or opinions as "fact". I've no intention of starting to do so now any more than I will accept them as nothing more than grist to the mill to be part of wider research.

I could go back a lot further to include VW, Renault, Citroen, Vauxhall and Ford cars and vans but not applicable in this case so I didn't.

We'll just have to agree to disagree as I'm not prepared to argue about journalistic reviews v forum members opinions. Life is too short

cheers
Bob

 

[Lons]

Lons, you appear to missing one of the critical facts about the Nissan Joke. They're hidiously ugly They also don't seem to offer much in the way of a boot hatch and there's a massive lip to get anything up and over.

How am I missing anything Matt? Not quite sure what you mean tbh as I agree with your assessment.

I bought the Juke because it's what my wife wanted, not only downright ugly but in bright yellow which I thought was even worse. To be fair, it drove very well, had a great elevated driving position and was extremely well equipped, full leather, all round cameras, you name it but it had problem after problem and bits kept dropping off. I refused to drive it except in the dark :lol:

I was biased against as didn't want to buy it but with a toddler granddaughter and a labrador dog her cooper hatch was seriously impractical especially taking a child car seat in and out so maybe she thought if I MUST change then it will be to something very quirky. They are as common as blades of grass in these parts though nearly all women drivers and of course factory in Sunderland so many people do like them, clearly a different opinion to yours and mine.

When we decided my missus needed an automatic car it was an excuse to buy one of the new Mini clubman 4 door estates which is a very nice car indeed, it needs to be as they are definitely over priced. We have only had it since Sept 1st so time will tell but my wife loves it and it's up there with the competition in terms of space and equipment.

Bob