Next boring second-hand family car

randomguy · 29-05-2023 1:38pm #1

Family (5 yr old and 4 yr old kids). We live in the city. We rarely use our one car, mainly for long trips to see family, go on hols etc.

When the second kid was born, we needed a big boot, and threads on here and a bit of googling ("big boot good value car") persuaded us to get a then 6 year old 1.2 litre petrol Skoda Octavia. More than happy with it, but now thinking that although we don't drive often, we might like something a bit more comfortable for long journeys. We don't need the big boot, now that we are past the buggy/cot stage.

If we got €8k or €9k for our Octavia (low mileage, 132 reg), we would have a budget of €18k to €23k.

Our preferences:

Petrol (or EV/Hybrid) not diesel

Saloon/Hatchback/estate, not SUV

Understated rather than flashy

Audi A5? Skoda Suberb? A newer Octavia? Volvo estate?

Or should we just get over our prejudice against SUVs?

HeidiHeidi · 29-05-2023 1:44pm

A lot of work colleagues, who are big drivers and do big mileage, have Skoda Superbs, and I have literally never heard a bad word said against them.

I have driven the saloon a lot, and it's a fine car.

A number of years ago, I drove a Volvo S80 for a weekend and I absolutely loved it. I don't know if that model is still around, but if I were shopping for a family car those are two that would definitely top my list.

I've never driven an A5, but I have driven A6's and A8's, and they are amazing cars also (I'm a huge Audi fan).

At the end of the day, it's all about what suits you, and what you actually like and are comfortable in. For instance, we had an Opel Vectra in work, and I literally could not walk after driving it for any length of time, no matter what seat adjustments I did. Me and it just were not compatible.

Do a lot of test driving!

elperello · 29-05-2023 2:04pm

Your biggest problem is that most of the models you mention were mainly sold in diesel.

The Superb lives up to its billing ok and some come with a petrol engine.

Just on the SUVs, open a few boots, you might be surprised how small some are.

kirving · 29-05-2023 4:51pm

C350e?

https://www.carzone.ie/used-cars/mercedes-benz/c-class/fpa/202304196447084?journey=Search

hoodie6029 · 29-05-2023 4:55pm

Gotta be a Prius for your needs. Fits your budget too.

You’ll still have plenty of boot space. You’ll honestly miss it if you downsize from an estate to something much smaller. Also good for long journeys.

Also, don’t get over your prejudice to SUV’s. It’s well founded. They suck 😂

kanuseeme · 29-05-2023 5:03pm

https://www.donedeal.ie/cars-for-sale/bmw-2-series-2018/33364356

I am getting one of those, 30-40 km on battery, nice big boot, originally a 7 seater, but with the battery in it, all thats left is boot space.

not as high as an SUV, not as low as a saloon,

JCN12 · 30-05-2023 8:18am

Octavia is a comfy car, no? You just fancy something different?

Later models Toyota Prius are very nice.

goochy · 30-05-2023 8:48am

As I have mentioned before on boards , know someone who went from a superb to octavia and regrets it ever since . Says it's not a patch on bigger car

randomguy · 31-05-2023 1:46pm

Thanks everyone for your comments, lots of food for thought. We like the Octavia, but it just feels a bit plasticy and the seats aren't the most comfortable and it is now 10 years old. And I am looking for something that we might actually enjoy driving for those occasional longer journeys.

I would really like an electric or hybrid, and will look at both the BMW 2 series and the Prius. I had thought that since we only use the car for a weekly shop and an occasional 2 or 3 hour weekend away, with very little city driving, that a hybrid just wasn't worth it. Also thought the Prius was smaller than the Octavia, and would be less comfortable/suitable for long journeys.

I had said Audi A5, but frankly don't know an A1 from an A6, and just meant whichever one is a decent family saloon. I looked at an A3 last time, but the boot was too small, so got the Octavia.

Interesting that the Superb is getting a good mention, because I could not fault the Octavia for reliability. But the BMW 2 series idea is interesting...

Lots to think about, thanks...

bazz26 · 31-05-2023 2:17pm

Have a look at a VW Passat. They are available in 1.4 petrol. You should be able to get a fairly decent spec Japanese imported 2016 or 2017 with reasonable mileage on your budget. Will be a step up from the Octavia in terms of comfort and refinement.

For example:

https://www.carsireland.ie/3351061

Another alternative is an Opel Insignia petrol. The current generation Insignia was unloved by the general public so used prices reflect that. There are a few petrol models for sale, good space and boot for a family car if very dull:

For example:

https://www.carsireland.ie/3334267

kanuseeme · 31-05-2023 5:58pm

https://www.donedeal.ie/cars-for-sale/vw-passat-gte/34184233

Passat comes in plug in version also. I would not bother going for an ordinary hybrid when you can get the plug in, you could go full electric, you would be buying short range EV's 200/250 km or so, to get longer range you need to up your budget,

https://www.donedeal.ie/cars/BMW?sort=priceasc&fuelType=Hybrid&year_from=2017

3 series, that one has only 68000 kms, very small boot, but nice drive.

kermitpwee · 01-06-2023 1:28pm

Lexus IS300h

goochy · 01-06-2023 8:27pm

Superb all the way

celtic_oz · 02-06-2023 9:43am

just work out fuel bills v repayments

https://www.tesla.com/en_IE/inventory/new/my?arrangeby=plh&zip=&range=0

bazz26 · 02-06-2023 10:03am

Why are some people recommending a 46k Tesla when the OP states they have a budget of between 18k and 23k including a car to trade? They also state they don't give the car much use other than the occasional long trip so your not going to make 20k+ back on fuel savings any time soon. Of course this is also on the big assumption that they could afford to buy a 46k car to begin with. You don't need a calculator to work this one out. I know some people are very devoted but take the blinkers off every now and then.

kirving · 02-06-2023 10:29am

Of all of the above, I'd have the Passst GTE, also comes in estate form like the Merc C350e. While the Merc is more powerful, and a little more refined inside, the Passat is bigger, and more practical when it comes to throwing kids bikes in the boot. Should be a bit cheaper to run too.

https://www.donedeal.ie/cars-for-sale/passat-1-4-tsi-gte-dsg-petrol-plug-in-hybrid/33717419

PHEVs get a lot of stick on here, but they have their place and for a journey profile like yours (low miles, occasional long trip) they're great. There is monetary zero value in having a 45k+ EV with enormous battery sitting on the driveway losing value. And yes, an EV will lose value like any other car, when current market conditions subside.

I have a 330e, and telling anyone who will listen not to buy one outside of a full manufacturer warranty.

randomguy · 11-09-2023 9:41am

Thanks everyone for the advice. Starting to narrow things down.

Budget could go up to €30,000 (overall, including what we get for the old Octavia). At the moment, we are very close to going for one of these two Octavias, on the basis of value for money, but then I saw this plug in hybrid Passat which also interests me...

Bear in mind that we want petrol, some comfort for occasional long journeys, and don't drive much week-to-week, so it will spend most of the time sitting in the front driveway.

https://www.carzone.ie/used-cars/skoda/octavia/fpa/202308110682110

https://www.msl.ie/en/used-cars?viewingVehicle=9023

https://www.carzone.ie/used-cars/volkswagen/passat/fpa/202308241161370

We decided that a Superb is just too big for what driving we do. Any views? Do engines and build quality improve - If we were to move from a 2013 Octavia to a 2021 Octavia, would we notice the difference?

kanuseeme · 11-09-2023 1:40pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121095777#Comment_121095777

Your getting a 2 year old for the price of a 5 year old car, I am a big fan of phevs but I have limits unlike the EVangelicals, spending 46k to save less than a grand a year, my point would be if your spending 30k get the phev version, but the phev version is a superb for 32000, the same for the passat, for a 2020 its 34000, you will get twice the horses with a phev, save some fuel, is it worth it?, I don't know, its only 3000 euro difference, 3000 euro buys alot of petrol, but thats increasing weekly, electricity will be coming down,

https://www.donedeal.ie/cars-for-sale/skoda-superb-se-technology-iv-dsg/34274674

https://www.donedeal.ie/cars-for-sale/volkswagen-passat-gte-1-4tsi-phev-4dr-auto/34848573

Tough one, good luck.

coolbeans · 11-09-2023 1:56pm

I wouldn't bother with phev especially used. Double the potential trouble with pathetic range. Get a standard petrol Superb or a used EV. Don't get a combination of both i.e. phev from a brand like BMW with a less than stellar reputation for dependability especially when used.

randomguy · 29-09-2023 11:22am

Thanks everyone for the feedback. Finally narrowing it down.

I worked out that we drive between 6,000 and 8,000 kms a year. A round trip of 6kms per week city driving, a round trip of about 60kms every 2 or 3 weeks, and then 6 or so long trips, for holidays, to see family, etc, of about 500 km round trip. During the summer on those long trips I just thought the 2013 Octavia wasn't that comfortable. We live in the city, but have an electric cargo bike, so use car for longer journeys. I would also like some mod cons (electric rear windows, parking sensors etc, but also a car that is comfortable and quiet etc on the motorway).

After a bit of to-ing and fro-ing, we were going to look at this tomorrow:

https://www.annesleywilliams.ie/vehicle?id=aobYP

But then I saw this, and wondered if we would be better off with the bigger car...

https://www.carzone.ie/used-cars/skoda/superb/fpa/202306208740883

Final consideration - our driveway entrance is narrow, and it is tight enough getting the octavia in and out, only about 10cms space either side of the side mirrors (which is why we want the parking sensors).

Any views between those 2?

_Kaiser_ · 29-09-2023 1:14pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121172100#Comment_121172100

Parking sensors are definitely useful and essential on bigger cars but one thing I'll say is that they're useless in confined spaces like a tight driveway or parking spot.

The sensors will be screaming at you while you're trying to maneuverer. It can be more a distraction/hinderance at times.

On your choices I would say the Superb which is basically a Passat. Bigger, more comfortable and from the looks of it a decent spec. It's automatic too which is far better in city driving

rn · 04-10-2023 8:51pm

The superb is definitely a better car in that it's newer, more powerful and higher spec of comfort. It'll be the nicer cruiser on your longer trips. And nicer around town with auto handbrake and auto gearbox. The downside is the superb will be heavier on fuel. Its 4k more expensive. Its more expensive to tax and insure.

The octavia will be still as practical, much tidier and easier to park. It will be decent comfort in "style" spec, but not at same level as superb. The octavia will be easier on petrol. Its 4 cheaper, cheaper to run, tax and insure. What can you do with 4k plus change?

galwaytt · 05-10-2023 12:43pm

Ford Focus, hard to beat imho.

rn · 06-10-2023 10:42am

The focus is closer in size to the Golf or Corolla hatch. More refined in terms of interior finish than the skoda octavia, but all three substantially less practical in terms of rear passenger space and boot space. You'd have to go to the estate version's to get near equivalent practicality of the skoda octavia.

If he's used to the size of boot on the old octavia, he'll really struggle with a focus IMHO- even if it's a nicer car.

Next boring second-hand family car

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