Recommend a car

*Honey*

Hi all... firstly this is a car for my Father. He is looking for the "perfect" car and I personally don't believe that what he wants is actually available!

What he wants is as follows:

• 5 doors
• Automatic
• Boot big enough to comfortably take a fully packed golf bag
• 1.6 or less
• 2005 or newer
• Must be able to step out of the car (by that I mean he's got a bad leg/hip and needs a car that he can just step out of, not one too low)
• Dublin area
• €11,000 or less (but may go higher depending on what he gets for a trade in on his current car)

He's currently got a Skoda Fabia which is fine bar the boot isn't quite big enough. I've suggested a Fabia Estate but there are none available at the mo (that I can see on www.carzone.ie).

So, any suggestions? Please help!!!!

robdig

http://www.carzone.ie/search/Chevrolet/Lacetti/SX-ESTAT/200840190228910/advert


what year is the fabia??

*Honey*

His Skoda is 2005.. nice one, well cared for. Full service history too (would love it myself but can't afford to change).

The new car MUST be automatic however, due to his leg/hip problem.

chrism2007

audi a4 seems to tick all the boxes to be honest

Nforce

If he was willing to move up to a 1.9 he'd get .....

http://www.carzone.ie/search/Skoda/Octavia/1.9-TDI-/200848191047265/advert

or maybe this

http://www.carzone.ie/search/Skoda/Octavia/AUTO-DIE/200850191206193/advert

...assuming it's a cash deal and he's willing to haggle.

robdig

oh sorry you would get an 06 hatchback focus for that kind of money

06 ford focus
http://www.carzone.ie/search/Ford/Focus/1.6-AUTO/200914192380998/advert

07 nissan almera
http://www.carzone.ie/search/Nissan/Almera/1.5-sx/200911192147769/advert

06 opel astra
http://www.carzone.ie/search/Opel/Astra/Automati/200914192383001/advert

an 05 fabia would probably fetch about €5000 so a dealer prob allow €3-4000 on it

roadwars

*Honey* wrote: »

Hi all... firstly this is a car for my Father. He is looking for the "perfect" car and I personally don't believe that what he wants is actually available!

What he wants is as follows:

• 5 doors
• Automatic
• Boot big enough to comfortably take a fully packed golf bag
• 1.6 or less
• 2005 or newer
• Must be able to step out of the car (by that I mean he's got a bad leg/hip and needs a car that he can just step out of, not one too low)
• Dublin area
• €11,000 or less (but may go higher depending on what he gets for a trade in on his current car)

He's currently got a Skoda Fabia which is fine bar the boot isn't quite big enough. I've suggested a Fabia Estate but there are none available at the mo (that I can see on www.carzone.ie).

So, any suggestions? Please help!!!!

I would have thought something more like this;
http://www.carzone.ie/search/Opel/Zafira/Automati/200917192581307/advert
auto
big boot
step in and out of it no bother
might not be the best example but mini mpv sounds like a good bet

crosstownk

Have a look for a Citroen C5 Auto - comfortable ride, adjustable suspension, plenty of room for golf clubs with easy access to the boot (hatchback), economical on fuel.........

El Guapo!

If he likes the skoda the why not get an octavia? With a bit of shopping around you could find a really nice one.
What about this?
http://www.carzone.ie/search/Skoda/Octavia/1.6-ELEG/200912192214990/advert

Biro

The Honda Jazz is worth a look, Boot should fit golf clubs, and will be nice and high. Also worth a look is the Mazda 3.

*Honey*

Thanks everyone, I'll have a look at everyone's suggestion. He's got very fixed ideas on some makes of cars and so turns down any suggestions of these immediately... he's driving me nuts, the old sod!!! If there are any more suggestions, I'd willingly take them!

babel2

*Honey* wrote: »

Thanks everyone, I'll have a look at everyone's suggestion. He's got very fixed ideas on some makes of cars and so turns down any suggestions of these immediately... he's driving me nuts, the old sod!!! If there are any more suggestions, I'd willingly take them!

volvo v70

bazz26

babel2 wrote: »

volvo v70

OP mentioned 1.6 or less.

babel2

bazz26 wrote: »

OP mentioned 1.6 or less.

or sorry i just looked at it quickly and presumed it was 1.6 or higher.

Old_-_School

I'm in the same boat as the OP but with less restrictions - Engine size 1.6 to 1.9. Don't care if it's 4 or 5 door or boot size.

Keep the recommendations coming.

stevenmu

A Nissan Note sounds ideal for this, very high up seating so you really do just step out of it, it's almost like they're designed for people with hip problems. Loads of room in the boot (and IIRC the rear seats can slide forward making more room and still leaving plenty of room for passengers). I've driven the 1.4 and it was nice enough. A quick search on carzone and in the €11k range there's a few 06 and 07 autos with low enough mileage.

*Honey*

I personally like the Note but found the boot space too restricted (for his needs that is ... golf bag is an all important item!). I don't think he'd be able to lay the bag down in that sized boot (pity cos I'd get to drive it myself and I liked it when I hired one recently in the UK).

I had said a "car van" type of thing but he didn't like that idea at all. A regular estate would be too long I'd think but would have great boot space but a Fabia estate is doable I think (not that there's one available at his price range).

He won't do French cars (don't shout, I'm just saying!) and the bigger saloons I think too big for him (he had one and ended up with scratchs on the rear corners). He wouldn't mind a German car but is concered about the costs. He'd be ok with Ford or a Japanese car (he's had a Nissan in the past). I thought of a Ford C Max but he looked at one the other day and said the boot was too small to lay the golf bag down (not that he brought the golf bag with him of course!)

What are the smaller saloons? Ford Focus? But the saloons are so dull looking. He was talking about Lianna but God they're awful looking cars - not sure about the quality though.

I also thought some smaller 4x4 but they seem to only start at 1.8 or higher and that has implications for tax.

I think I said at the beginning that the "perfect" car doesn't exist and I could be right.

Going to look at Carzone again and see what comes up. I wanted to say thanks for all the input so far, I really appreciate it.

SV

Why does it have to be 1.6 or less?
is this simply for tax purposes?

TURRICAN

renault scenic
like the nissan easy to get in and out,and the back seats can fold into the floor making loads of room.

*Honey*

SV wrote: »

Why does it have to be 1.6 or less?
is this simply for tax purposes?

I think so.... fuel economy too I suppose.

SV

*Honey* wrote: »

I think so.... fuel economy too I suppose.

I was wondering if he was thinking about fuel economy..
because a smaller engine will not neccesarily get better mpg?
For example, guy I work with, has a 08 scenic, 1.6 engine in it, absolutely shocking on the petrol as the engine just isn't powerful enough. It struggles if you know what I mean?


If this is his concern then tell him that, it will open up the choices so much to expand beyond 1.6.
For example;
http://www.carzone.ie/search/Subaru/Legacy/Automati/200915192435052/advert

vectra

*Honey* wrote: »

Hi all... firstly this is a car for my Father. He is looking for the "perfect" car and I personally don't believe that what he wants is actually available!

What he wants is as follows:

• 5 doors
• Automatic
• Boot big enough to comfortably take a fully packed golf bag
• 1.6 or less
• 2005 or newer
• Must be able to step out of the car (by that I mean he's got a bad leg/hip and needs a car that he can just step out of, not one too low)
• Dublin area
• €11,000 or less (but may go higher depending on what he gets for a trade in on his current car)

He's currently got a Skoda Fabia which is fine bar the boot isn't quite big enough. I've suggested a Fabia Estate but there are none available at the mo (that I can see on www.carzone.ie).

So, any suggestions? Please help!!!!

If he is happy with the driving position and legroom to get in and out of the Fabia then he should seriously lok at the SEAT Cordoba.
If he can stretch to a 08 diesel at least then the is only €104 road tax per year and a miser on diesel.

It will comfortably take a full set of golf clubs in the boot. I have seem 2 sets go into one by a buddy of mine that failed to get them into a Saab 900.. ONe set had to go on the back seat.

This is identical to my car>

Cordoba TDi Sport
Do NOT buy black though :rolleyes:
I made that mistake

*EDIT*

Oops
Just noticed that he needs Automatic..
Maybe avaliable in auto.. Not sure.

*Honey*

Really, really appreciate all the advice and help... I sincerely hope he decides on something soon before I kill him (I don't mean it of course, but he's soooooooooo picky!). Thanks folks!

ninty9er

http://www.carzone.ie/search/Mercedes-Benz/A-Class/1.5-Auto/200918192643016/advert

Will take a set of golf clubs. Here's a non Dublin one with a photo

http://www.carzone.ie/search/Mercedes-Benz/A-Class/200918192653678/advert

And if he's still not happy at this stage I don't see what more you can do except let him to his own devices and ignore the issue until he either gives in on something you've seen or buys something on his own

rocknchef

how about this

zod

08 .. €150 per year tax

http://search.autotrader.co.uk/es-uk/www/cars/PEUGEOT+407/Ne-2-4-5-6-7-8-27-44-49-53-61-64-67-103-133-146-236,N-51-141-240-4294964629-4294966925/advert.action?R=200918333448977&distance=114&postcode=E161AG&channel=CARS&make=PEUGEOT&model=407&min_pr=&max_pr=&max_mileage=&vehicleYearOfManufacture=2008&vehicleRegLetter=08

cheapest in ireland http://www.carzone.ie/search/Peugeot/407/1.6/200904191577640/advert

*Honey*

rocknchef wrote: »

how about this

Funny thing is, he's looking to replace his buggy too!!!!

*Honey*

ninty9er wrote: »

http://www.carzone.ie/search/Mercedes-Benz/A-Class/1.5-Auto/200918192643016/advert

Will take a set of golf clubs. Here's a non Dublin one with a photo

http://www.carzone.ie/search/Mercedes-Benz/A-Class/200918192653678/advert

And if he's still not happy at this stage I don't see what more you can do except let him to his own devices and ignore the issue until he either gives in on something you've seen or buys something on his own

Oh very nice!! Good idea, I've not thought of them... and the garage is very close to us so I might have a look see on Tuesday. Thanks!

*Honey*

Vectra, meant to say thanks for the Cordoba suggestion, I like the look of that too... a smaller saloon.