Spec me a family wagon

Shaz]sigh[

Shaz]sigh[

Shaz]sigh[

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So I’ve been going round the loop in terms of a new car and can’t really work out what I’m after so here’s the inevitable spec me... in case there’s an obvious gem I’ve overlooked. I’ve not really kept up with the market over past couple of years so probably quite out of touch.

Essentially I’m after a 7 seater in that it will usually carry 5 and need the extra flexibility. Budget is 30k, 35 at a push for the right car. Ideally I’d like an estate but the seating requirements blow that out so likely looking at MPV/SUV?

Driving wise, my mileage has bombed lately as work from home and when I don’t I use the train so generally speaking will be used weekly for quick runs round town and at the weekend for semi regular trips to Lake District (120 miles) so I’d assume about 6-8k a year (down from 25k or so). In practical terms I’d want to have a hefty boot and be able to chuck a load of bikes on a tow bar.

One of my biggest requirements is stability in terms of reliability and cost, ie. I need it not to break down and I need the running costs to stay stable (not necessarily low but not wanting it to be spikey).

Cars considered are fairly broad with different pricing.

Seat Alhambra
Ford S-Max
Skoda Kodiaq
Volvo XC90
BMW X5
Porsche Cayenne

The Seat and Ford depress me, practically great but feels like I’m giving up, the Kodiaq ticks a lot of boxes but feels like there’s better value to be found elsewhere, the XC90 is probably about 6-12 months out from being in budget in a nice spec, not driven one but love the look both internally and externally, X5 seems doable however it feels like it’s getting long in the tooth - I had an F10 7 years ago and it looks very similar and the extended warranty is pricey, the Cayenne scares me and I haven’t really given it serious consideration as with the Porsche badge as it makes me feel like the running costs will be a step above and the engine choice and spec at this budget probably won’t justify it.

I realise the sensible thing would probably be to spend half the budget on a Seat and Ford and the other half on something more fun but I don’t have the time to enjoy a second car to that extent. I may look to buy something as a second car for around 2-3k in the future however.

Help?

Edit: forgot to mention, open to purchasing and leasing, done both in the past depending on car.
 
VW tiguan allspace? Can get a nicely specced one for that budget brand new, probably none available used yet as it has only recently come on the market
or maybe a Toureg or old shape Q5/Q7 but the interiors may feel a little dated in these
 
Edit: sorry, was reply to Dis86, quote tags dropped on my phone.

Love the new Discovery. Need a time machine to pick one up in budget :cool:

Disco sport too small, looked at Velar on lease but too small, don’t know much about the previous gen I have to admit.
 
Shivy011 said:
VW tiguan allspace? Can get a nicely specced one for that budget brand new, probably none available used yet as it has only recently come on the market
or maybe a Toureg or old shape Q5/Q7 but the interiors may feel a little dated in these
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I’ve not looked seriously at Allspace, I assumed Kodiaq would where it was at in terms of value?

I did look at the newer Q7s on PCH actually, missed them off the list but haven’t looked at previous shape. I’ll get on that now - thanks.
 
Shaz]sigh[ said:
Edit: sorry, was reply to Dis86, quote tags dropped on my phone.

Love the new Discovery. Need a time machine to pick one up in budget :cool:

Disco sport too small, looked at Velar on lease but too small, don’t know much about the previous gen I have to admit.
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Lol. Damn those time machines. Older generation could be worth a look? Although the newer VAG offerings are a good shout
 
Dis86 said:
Lol. Damn those time machines. Older generation could be worth a look? Although the newer VAG offerings are a good shout
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I am v tempted by a Kodiaq (which I assuming is like for like with the allspace and the bigger ateca which will eventually come) but when something like the XC90 is almost in the frame it’s an annoyance. I had a Skoda for a week test drive last summer and aside from almost dislocating my spine trying to get in to the back two seats to see what it was like... it did a lot of things right.
 
Shaz]sigh[ said:
I’ve not looked seriously at Allspace, I assumed Kodiaq would where it was at in terms of value?

I did look at the newer Q7s on PCH actually, missed them off the list but haven’t looked at previous shape. I’ll get on that now - thanks.
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Yep Kodiaq is "better" value, however despite what the net says (that SEAT, VW, Skoda cars are all the same except for badge) the tiguan is more refined at higher speeds, less wind and road noise and the interior materials are a little nicer in the main, especially in the front. This was what was noticeable from test drives in both (and the Ateca) and my mum chose the tiguan in the end

With an SEL which RRP is 35k (you will easily get 3-4k off through carwow etc, we got circa 5.5k off on the normal tiguan with a couple of options) you get as standard adaptive cruise, pan roof, digital drivers display (v similar to audi virtual cockpit), auto emergency braking, some fancier front seats, 8" touchscreen with android auto, apple carplay and nav etc, some excellent LED front lights with beam splitting and the other usual stuff. It's surprisingly well equipped as standard.

Options we got were leather (I prefer cloth but wasn't my choice really), rear camera with parking assist thing and powered tailgate
Of course an X5/XC90 interior is a cut above (if the X5 interior is a little dated and boring now) and if looking at used these are a great option
 
Shaz]sigh[ said:
Had a quick look and it looks like it’s probably one notch above my budget. On PCH it seems to be about Q7, XC90, RR sport territory? Will have a closer look though thanks.
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Yeah I think it would be around that sort of area brand new, we bought a low mileage 2015 ml250 amg line and it was between your 30-35 budget, we did look at RR sports and Q7’s but they were out of our budget for buying and also road tax wise as well being in the top end of it.
 
Looked at a few 14/15 Q7s and didn’t do anything for me. Having a look at a couple of X5s this afternoon but unfortunately neither have third row of seats but can make the trip if the standard config passes the flinch test.

At the moment am favouring a flavour of a VAG Kodiaq sized something or seeing if I can push to an XC90 somehow. I’ve also spotted previous gen Discovery HSEs with low mileage and sub 4 years around the right price which might be worth a poke around but don’t know much about RR running costs or reliability.
 
Not saying this out of spite or anything which you guys might think but personally I don't think JLR are hitting the mark at the moment with reliability - lots of stories on PH etc about new/nearly new cars needing work straight away. One out of warranty I wouldn't personally touch with a barge pole
 
Begbie said:
The xtrail seems popular with a lot of people at work. I think they look awful, but I'm not in the market for a 7 seater..
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Too small unfortunately. Basically a Qashqai with cramped +2 and no boot. The others on the list have a modicum of space with the rear two up.

Been googling more about the Discovery 4. Looks like a beast although looks like the approved used 2 year warranty plus extensions would be well needed (and used!).
 
I found the Tiguan to be a cheap feeling car, pretty naff seats and lower plastics felt really hard cheap and scratchy, Kodiaq is easily on a par with it if not better. and thats after doing 1k miles in both cars. I think VW are cutting costs where they can due to the scandal, they just dont have the premium feel that they used to.
 
If you liked the x5 BMW are currently doing a deal for the next week for a 18 plate, 0 deposit,0%apr,3 years free servicing from £399 per month on pcp. (I don’t work there I have just been looking on there site):D
 
I wouldn't touch a JLR without a warranty, so if you get an approved Discovery, it'll come with 2 years warranty. Expect somewhere around £1500 per year after that. Sounds a lot, sure, but 5 figure bills aren't as uncommon as they should be.

My money would go on a SWB VW T6 transporter. 8-9 seats, plenty boot space, low depreciation. Sure, it's a van, but it's a nice one, that will keep its value better than just about anything else that has been, or will be suggested.
 
xs2man said:
My money would go on a SWB VW T6 transporter. 8-9 seats, plenty boot space, low depreciation. Sure, it's a van, but it's a nice one, that will keep its value better than just about anything else that has been, or will be suggested.
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This is not a bad suggestion at all. Sure, it's a van, but it's a nice one at that. I'd take one over a Shalambra and the residuals will be stronger.
 
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