Need automatic suv advice

readysetgo

long story short i need an automatic suv due to back/leg problems.
number 1 priority is comfort and back support/head room
also important is reliability and running costs, i do about 500k a week on country roads and cash flow is poor for running costs!

basically ive never driven or sat in an suv or an automatic so very bamboozled.

from first look the choice is very limited and i am likely to go to uk to source so i have full range of options. i have 15k roughly to play with.
do i need to just make list and sit in every possible option in irish forecourts to judge comfort and then buy from uk when i find what suits my arse, or is there 1 make i should just go for.

lexus/landrovers seem most comfortable and spacious from pics but am worried that i will then be buying an older model and running costs are higher.

also, dont have massive space needs other than comfort so dont need a massive thing altogether, so mid sized with amazing seats would be ideal.

all advice appreciated

colm_mcm

Volvo XC90 for comfort.

VW Tiguan might fit the bill if you want to keep tax and fuel costs lower again.

If you don't need jeepyness, an mpv might be a more economical option.

For perspective, what have you been driving till now?

readysetgo

colm_mcm wrote: »

Volvo XC90 for comfort.

VW Tiguan might fit the bill if you want to keep tax and fuel costs lower again.

If you don't need jeepyness, an mpv might be a more economical option.

For perspective, what have you been driving till now?

have a volvo s40 but need the seat much higher, basically hips higher than knee. and struggle getting in and out at the mo. and no clutch.

cheers, will visit a volvo dealer so, xc90 looks massive, is xc60 much different?

colm_mcm

Mercedes B Class?

Not a massive car, but neither is an S40 inside

Ditto A Class, but might be a step to far for you,

readysetgo

also, just a bit wary of automatics as unknown but are there more reliable automatic suvs? prob a stupid question as nearly all automatics in america but is there any issues generally?

flutered

you may find a jeep too high, i have as much trouble getting out of a jeep as i do from a standard car

peasant

This site might help ..lets you compare seat heights for example

http://www.rica.org.uk/carfilter

colm_mcm

If you're going for something like a Range Rover Sport (would fit the bill I suppose) xc90, x5 etc, you need to be ready for expensive maintanaince either way. Things like tyres, suspension bits etc are much more expensive, plus you've got all the 4wd stuff to maintain too.
By the sounds of it, you don't need any off road ability.
The auto box would be the least of your worries.

readysetgo

colm_mcm wrote: »

Mercedes B Class?

Not a massive car, but neither is an S40 inside

Ditto A Class, but might be a step to far for you,

was looking at the m class and gl class cos theyre a bit higher up but like the lexus/landrovers i'd be looking at an 07/08 car and would that be too old. would need to get 5 years hassle free!

colm_mcm

You need to realign your expectations/priorities/hopes

readysetgo

colm_mcm wrote: »

If you're going for something like a Range Rover Sport (would fit the bill I suppose) xc90, x5 etc, you need to be ready for expensive maintanaince either way. Things like tyres, suspension bits etc are much more expensive, plus you've got all the 4wd stuff to maintain too.
By the sounds of it, you don't need any off road ability.
The auto box would be the least of your worries.

thanks, yeah thats what i'm worried about, volvo parts have killed me in the past!! and no need at all for off road!
mid-size seems to be for me.
mazda cx5 seem plentiful but never sat in one. there seems to be loads and loads of peugeout 2008/3008s which makes me wary!!
yetis have great reviews but look absolutely cat(imo, no offence yeti-drivers)
am tempted to fly to cargiant, sit in every type they have and then source similar within budget. is there any forecourt in ireland that would stock a very wide tange?

readysetgo

colm_mcm wrote: »

You need to realign your expectations/priorities/hopes

cheers,
expectations are to drive/sit pain free and get in and out of car comfortably for a 15k cost car. and not get shafted with running costs/unreliability.
and have something more stylish than a yeti!!

fits

An Xc 60 would fit the bill for you I think.

peasant

From a pure seating position point of view, you might also want to look at vans.
most of them have a very upright seating postion.
Find an automatic and get an orthopaedic seat put in ...might be an option

readysetgo

ok so, looking at my budget and at the uk market there is a broad very rough choice as follows done out by year and type.
any particular ones to avoid, or anything stand out as being the best balance between comfortable seats and running cost/reliability.

09 Bmw x3
12 honda crv
12 hyundai ix35 or sante fe
13 jeep compass
10 jeep grand cherokee
11 sportage or sorento
10 freelander
09 lexus rx400h
12 mazda cx 5
09 merc m class
11 outlander/shogun/L200
12 quashquai
10 xtrail
15 peugeout 2008/3008
12 subaru xv/forester
11 rav4
11 vw tiguan
10 xc90/xc60

you could knock a year off roughly for a higher spec version of any of them.

colm_mcm

Peugeot 3008/2008 as the gearbox is rotten
L200 won't have the right driving position.
RAV4 auto would only be petrol with your budget, and they're an animal on fuel. (Also VRT and tax) Seats not great either.

Staph

I have a petrol auto Subaru Forrester - it's reliable, although a little thirsty. Wouldn't touch a diesel version.

readysetgo

colm_mcm wrote: »

Peugeot 3008/2008 as the gearbox is rotten
L200 won't have the right driving position.
RAV4 auto would only be petrol with your budget, and they're an animal on fuel. (Also VRT and tax) Seats not great either.

nice one, i've ruled out the much bigger ones, and your tips, and
merc/lexus/bmw/landrover i'm worried about servicing costs so that leaves the following less luxurious options...(unless someone can tell me i'm wrong on cost assumptions?!)

so that leaves...
12 honda crv
12 hyundai ix35
13 jeep compass
11 sportage
12 mazda cx 5
12 quashquai
12 subaru xv
11 vw tiguan
10 xc60

is it much of a muchness?

Staph

If you're going for a diesel, rule the Subaru out. They make great robust petrol engines, which cannot be said for their diesels.

readysetgo

Staph wrote: »

If you're going for a diesel, rule the Subaru out. They make great robust petrol engines, which cannot be said for their diesels.

cheers, not really bothered about diesel or petrolonce mpg is reasonable. i suppose emissions under 170 for vrt and motortax. i'll have to do a bit more research on emissions...

readysetgo

right so, based on adding in emissions and buying in uk i'm looking at

12 mazda cx 5
12 quashquai
11 vw tiguan
or Kuga

or buy in ireland but prices seem inflated for automatic

colm_mcm

of those - the tiguan. which is what I would have gone for from the last list.

seat altea, toledo or golf plus might do too but aren't jeepy. driving position would probably suit

readysetgo

colm_mcm wrote: »

of those - the tiguan. which is what I would have gone for from the last list.

seat altea, toledo or golf plus might do too but aren't jeepy. driving position would probably suit

nice one, never been in one, will go find one for sale locally to sit in and get the ball rolling

TRS30

Maybe a Ford C MAX. Drive a '09 and I find the seats very comfortable. The new model came out in '11 and you should easily get a 12/131 in a decent spec for 15K.

Bigus

TRS30 wrote: »

Maybe a Ford C MAX. Drive a '09 and I find the seats very comfortable. The new model came out in '11 and you should easily get a 12/131 in a decent spec for 15K.

Good suggesting and I'll ad in an S-max , comfy , sporty ,and high seat , cheap to run and reliable

readysetgo

Bigus wrote: »

Good suggesting and I'll ad in an S-max , comfy , sporty ,and high seat , cheap to run and reliable

cheers, will look at that.

made the mistake of sitting into a lexus 450rxh that icant afford, the seats were unreal, serious comfort and flexible settings. have a few forecourts to hit this afternoon and then get a spreadsheet out to go through figures

DanielGibbons

Would you have any interest in a Kia Sportage? I know of one local that might be for sale soon.
It's 2008, which is older than what you were looking at, but it'll be going at less than half your budget.

PM if you'd like me to pass on contact details!

bazz26

As long as the OP is aware that the diesel auto Sportage of that vintage costs €1200 to tax if it's on the new co2 motor tax system.

DanielGibbons

bazz26 wrote: »

As long as the OP is aware that the diesel auto Sportage of that vintage costs €1200 to tax if it's on the new co2 motor tax system.

I had a look at the tax disc earlier this evening, it's €710 because it's still on the CC system.

Not everyone's cup of tea!

bazz26

DanielGibbons wrote: »

I had a look at the tax disc earlier this evening, it's €710 because it's still on the CC system.

Not everyone's cup of tea!

Still a good bit cheaper than €1200 for the same car on the newer tax system though.

readysetgo

pretty much had my choice decided and ready to go next week, had settled on high spec mazda cx5 sport, low emissions swung it with import.

anyway, theres been a change of plan due to an unexpected increase in baby seats needed for next year!! i can only presume i'm gonna have to suck it up and get a soccer mom car as we'll need a 7 seater!
do i have any option for 7 seater suv that is somewhat stylish yet economical?!(he pleads)(cant afford new xc90 obviously and budget is even tighter now!)

am i realistically looking at an smac or kia carens or something? i presume theres threads out there with other males pleading that it exists!!

grogi

readysetgo wrote: »

pretty much had my choice decided and ready to go next week, had settled on high spec mazda cx5 sport, low emissions swung it with import.

anyway, theres been a change of plan due to an unexpected increase in baby seats needed for next year!! i can only presume i'm gonna have to suck it up and get a soccer mom car as we'll need a 7 seater!
do i have any option for 7 seater suv that is somewhat stylish yet economical?!(he pleads)(cant afford new xc90 obviously and budget is even tighter now!)

am i realistically looking at an smac or kia carens or something? i presume theres threads out there with other males pleading that it exists!!

Xtrail

bazz26

Be hard to find a current model 7 seater X-Trail automatic for 15k. I'd say a Qashqai+2 might be doable from the UK.

fits

readysetgo wrote: »

pretty much had my choice decided and ready to go next week, had settled on high spec mazda cx5 sport, low emissions swung it with import.

anyway, theres been a change of plan due to an unexpected increase in baby seats needed for next year!! i can only presume i'm gonna have to suck it up and get a soccer mom car as we'll need a 7 seater!
do i have any option for 7 seater suv that is somewhat stylish yet economical?!(he pleads)(cant afford new xc90 obviously and budget is even tighter now!)

am i realistically looking at an smac or kia carens or something? i presume theres threads out there with other males pleading that it exists!!

Yeah I don't think it does. But practicality and space are going to supersede all else. The likes of the xc90 are mad in terms of running costs. I'd be looking at the grand Picasso and Galaxy, Alhambra etc.. Also some of the Japanese imports are neat.

Congratulations btw. I'm expecting twins which heavily influenced our recent choice, and I'm still doubtful if we will have enough room in the q5.

readysetgo

quick look on autotrader for suv 7 seaters and got...

outlander
kia sorento
chevrolet captiva
dodge journey
citroen c crosser
hyundai sante fe??

first thoughts are the first 2 prob on favour of kia warranty. any thoughts?

readysetgo

and loads of quahqai +2 on cargiant...

TRS30

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/search/used/cars/ford/s-max/postcode/l40th/radius/1500/price-from/500/year-from/2011/maximum-mileage/up_to_60000_miles/transmission/automatic/searchcontext/default/sort/default/page/1/onesearchad/new%2Cnearlynew%2Cused

Lots of auto Ford SMax in the UK. Not sure on the VRT however you should be able to get a decent 2011 for under 15K all in. The 2.0 diesels with powershift are suppose to be reliable enough and I think they look good (for a SUV).

grogi

TRS30 wrote: »

Lots of auto Ford SMax in the UK. Not sure on the VRT however you should be able to get a decent 2011 for under 15K all in. The 2.0 diesels with powershift are suppose to be reliable enough and I think they look good (for a SUV).

S-Max is not a SUV... It is a damn good and enjoyable MPV...

bazz26 wrote: »

Be hard to find a current model 7 seater X-Trail automatic for 15k. I'd say a Qashqai+2 might be doable from the UK.

I was misguided by the "I can't afford new XC90" phrase

TRS30

grogi wrote: »

S-Max is not a SUV... It is a damn good and enjoyable MPV...

My bad. How did we live before acronyms 😄

Needles73

readysetgo wrote: »

pretty much had my choice decided and ready to go next week, had settled on high spec mazda cx5 sport, low emissions swung it with import.

anyway, theres been a change of plan due to an unexpected increase in baby seats needed for next year!! i can only presume i'm gonna have to suck it up and get a soccer mom car as we'll need a 7 seater!
do i have any option for 7 seater suv that is somewhat stylish yet economical?!(he pleads)(cant afford new xc90 obviously and budget is even tighter now!)

am i realistically looking at an smac or kia carens or something? i presume theres threads out there with other males pleading that it exists!!

Your back might not be so bad after all, better buy a lowered civic

readysetgo

Needles73 wrote: »

Your back might not be so bad after all, better buy a lowered civic

tis grand putting up with pain for pleasure once in a blue moon but comfort is still the priority for the guaranteed ride to and from work every day!!

readysetgo

TRS30 wrote: »

Lots of auto Ford SMax in the UK. Not sure on the VRT however you should be able to get a decent 2011 for under 15K all in. The 2.0 diesels with powershift are suppose to be reliable enough and I think they look good (for a SUV).

cheers, gonna go sit in one anyway and see if i can live with it. thought i had all my going around to forecourts done, ah well

TRS30

readysetgo wrote: »

cheers, gonna go sit in one anyway and see if i can live with it. thought i had all my going around to forecourts done, ah well

No worries. I believe there is a newer version out now so if you look at a brand new one then could be different to say a 2011 one. Not sure how much was changed.

CCFROM

You could buy a new Dacia Duster for the money.

You would have very low running costs, especially if your are doing 500 k a week
Its has plenty of room,
Warranty for 3 years.
Very cheap finance too if you want.

The problem with buying an older SUV is that it could be wreaked,

bazz26

OP needs 7 seats which the Duster doesn't have a present.

readysetgo

CCFROM wrote: »

You could buy a new Dacia Duster for the money.

You would have very low running costs, especially if your are doing 500 k a week
Its has plenty of room,
Warranty for 3 years.
Very cheap finance too if you want.

The problem with buying an older SUV is that it could be wreaked,

cheers dont do automatic yet either which i need.

Redtop

I would not rule out the Lexus based on repair costs. They just don't tend to break or give trouble, so you'll rarely have to visit the garage, apart from regular servicing & replacing consumable parts like tyres & brake pads etc.

Ionised

readysetgo wrote:

tis grand putting up with pain for pleasure once in a blue moon but comfort is still the priority for the guaranteed ride to and from work every day!!

Was going to ask how you get a guaranteed ride on the way to work!!

Anyhoo... Would have suggested Skoda Yeti DSG but you now need 7 seats so that's out.

kirving

Back to looking at an XC90 7 seater possibly? You'll do very well to find comfier seats this side of Merc.