Spec me a family wagon

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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.
 
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.
 
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.
 
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.
 
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!).
 
David Flett said:
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
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They weren’t bad, at approx £30-35 plus extended warranty I’d be plumping for a Discovery 4 though. Where did you see 399? My local dealer is having an offer weekend next week but I can’t see that deal. I expect good deals to land though as the model is run out.
 
xs2man said:
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.
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I did have a look at a few on PH but I couldn’t get my head round the spec. You see a lot of them hurtling up the M6 towards the lakes. Imagine it will be a pain around town though!

Are they actually a UK car/van? (Edit: Googling shows I should be looking for a Caravelle?)
 
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Right, so I think I'm now down to three:

Kodiaq - got a good deal on new with contribution offer, would take finance and pay off, even with depreciation this is by far cheapest 'per month' cost over 5 years, like the car, will do everything I want (plus I can pick up a petrol variant to align with mileage) but it's obviously not as special as a used 50-60-70k car. Would need to order this in the next couple of days to get it in time so puts a bit of pressure on me.
Discovery 4 - more I look in to this the more my heart wants it, from a head perspective it's evil, looking at closer to 35k for a reasonable one and assuming keeping for 5 years and factoring in JLR warranty, big services and depreciation this is top of the list in terms of cost
XC90 - there are a few Momentum and R-Design 2015 plates floating around in budget, I still need to drive one but costs are somewhere between the above two.

I do like the T6 idea too but as mentioned, the residuals are evil (for me as the buyer) and to find a decent spec one seems to be closer to 40k... unless I'm looking in the wrong place. Also think it might be a bit OTT for 'normal' non-weekend use.
 
I was originally told up to 16 weeks but then told towards end of May/start of June - I guess the issue is you can't really tell until you order and get a build week. If they came back and said 6 months+ (which they haven't yet) then it makes my decision really easy (and my future of being on first names with the JLR service dept a likelihood) :)
 
It almost makes it a tactical play to order with a 1.4 and then shift to 2.0 on a deeply discounted rate to maintain the sale... if they were after the volume... but then I'd imagine my particular dealership wouldn't be as they seem to do well.
 
Thanks - having a read around it appears 'something' will go wrong, probably multiple times which is offputting as I've never really had any major issues with the cars I've owned (touch wood... :rolleyes:). I looked at the Disco Sport but it didn't grab me (+ rear two seats were really cramped and as you've said, zero boot space).
 
I looked at those a while ago but discounted without driving. From a read around it looked like it was a jack of all/master of none type of solution, ie. second row of seats being cramped, third row of seats being tiny and awkward to get to, ride being harsh and lacking the driving feel BMW is known for. Whilst the SMAX and Alhambra aren't exciting nor premium, they are ok with a leather trim and nail the three across the back/general MPV-ness.

Would be interested to know if anyone has prodded one more closely.
 
Belated update, thanks for all the advice!

Landed on a 2 year old Q7 (4M), 272bhp 3.0 S Line - pick it up next week. It was just the right blend of car usability with space at an.. 'ok' price :)
 
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