New Used Car Options

[Lonewolf]

I’ve owned a 2014 0.9 Renault Captur for coming up to 8 years now and feel it’s time for a change/upgrade. The car itself has been flawless albeit a little underpowered.

Looking for something that’s reliable and with a tad more power. I’m probably using the car 90% for solo journeys, but every few months I have a full car going over the Pennines to Yorkshire to visit family. This is when the lack of power is more obvious, also, I can’t get all of my golf gear in the boot, bag sits on the back seat.
I‘m not getting any younger and I like the ease of which I can get in and out of the Captur, so I’ve been considering getting another Captur, 1.3 this time though. I’ve more or less ruled out a Skoda Kamiq and the Kia Sportage for different reasons, I’ve also considered a Skoda Octavia, but I’m worried whether it’s too big.
Would the Octavia be good for my needs, or is there anything else I should consider that would be suitable?

Budget is £16,000 for a used car, and my annual mileage is about 9000.

 

[Lonewolf]

Only you can know if the Octavia is too big. But personally speaking I don't consider the Octavia "big". You only have to look around at current full sized SUVs like Range Rovers, X5s, and the lifted Ford Ranger Pickups etc.. to see what constitutes a big car in 2024. Skoda octavia is very popular car - you should have no issue finding used ones for sale at car supermarkets that you can have a sit in and poke about and go for a test drive. Being part of the VW group - you'll find they're very reliable and no shortage of good independents who will work on them.

Only thing that may sway your choice is the seating position. It is based on the VW golf platform so the seat is the usual height for a sedan / hatchback and won't be elevated like you'd find in a crossover. If you want a crossover and don't like the Kamiq you could look at the Seat Crossovers - again part of the VW group and platform share with the Skoadas. You could look at the Seat Arona or it's more expensive brother the VW T Cross

The Octavia being golf based means it's counterpart crossovers would be the bigger Seat Ateca Skoda Karoq or the VW T Roc

Apparently, the Octavia’s reliability isn’t what it was. Also, the Kamiq has poor reliability too.

Although I do prefer the slightly raised driving position in SUV’s, I am leaning more towards the Octavia.