New Car Help

[Soltydog]

Me being of the taller variety, my bikes are normally very large (ie 61cm frame) & my wife has a Fiat Doblo, I don't like the car, but it's the only car we've ever had that I can fit my bike in upright without removing wheels Just drop 1 back seat & jobs a good un.
Personally I prefer the 'traditional' driving position of an estate & will very shortly be off to collect my Insignia estate. Too early to comment on it really, but on the test drive it was very comfy & there's loads of toys if you're into that kind of thing

 

[Drago]

I'm always a little wary of owners reviews. For example, JD Power is based on owners impressions, where as the Reliability Index is base on cold, hard, inarguable breakdown data, yet look how the 2 differ - The like of VW Group, BMW etc are traditionally lauded by their owners, but the reality reflected by the Reliability Index tells a completely different story.

Don't take the advice of a sheep, or you'll blindly end up following the herd.

 

[rualexander]

....
Don't take the advice of a sheep, or you'll blindly end up following the herd.

Herd of sheep?

 

[KneesUp]

Herd of sheep?

Yeah, they're those little woolly fellas aren't they?

 

[Flick of the Elbow]

Birds of a feather herd together, right ?

 

[Drago]

Of course, silly me.

It's a pride of sheep.

 

[Flick of the Elbow]

Anyway, back to customer reviews, yes the usual caveats apply, be they carbuyer, trip advisor, or the Edinburgh Fringe. You have to treat them all with caution but there's often good pointers to be found.

 

[Drago]

Just a thought. You love your Focus, it's served you well and continues to do so, it meets your needs.... then perhaps a new Focus will do exactly the same for the next 15 years for you. Its a very nice car by any measure.

 

[vickster]

Go test drive I knew I'd love my Skoda within 10 minutes. Very happy 2+ years on and I used to change car about every 6 months (now I do it with bikes, which is much cheaper )

 

[Snizzlepops]

Thanks all for the help everyone - lots of suggestions which I will look into. I didn't realize people were such fans of Skoda's these days(I knew they had a better reputation now than what they did a few years back). The Yeti unfortunately is out the question as in-laws recently purchased one and my OH is not a fan of it!I appreciate the feedback on the Nissans - I have just seen a lot about recently but it seems like there are much better cars out there!

Personally I prefer the 'traditional' driving position of an estate & will very shortly be off to collect my Insignia estate. Too early to comment on it really, but on the test drive it was very comfy & there's loads of toys if you're into that kind of thing

A colleague of mine has an Insignia Estate and is a keen cyclist also, he loves his!

Just a thought. You love your Focus, it's served you well and continues to do so, it meets your needs.... then perhaps a new Focus will do exactly the same for the next 15 years for you. Its a very nice car by any measure.

I have found my Focus very comfortable for my needs, but variety is the spice of life ;-) (but I have not ruled out having another one!!)

Thanks again

 

[Globalti]

BMW 5 Series estate 5 people luggage and 4 bikes across France without blinking. Can be fitted with a detachable and hidden Tow Bar for the 4 bike rack.

I was once lent a BMW courtesy car; I had to park it round the corner as I was too embarrassed to have it on the drive.

 

[Piemaster]

To quote from A Man called Ove. (and thanks to those who recommended the book)

"‘How the heck are you supposed to have a reasonable conversation with someone who buys a BMW?’"

 

[Drago]

A lad in our local fourbie club was recently taking the Mickey out of a member who's Jeep had broken down, smugly telling all who'd listen that you wouldn't catch him driving American built rubbish.

I took great delight in pointing out his X5 was designed in California and built in South Carolina, and thoroughly enjoyed watching the car crash of expressions on his face as confusion collided with realisation.

 

[Profpointy]

A lad in our local fourbie club was recently taking the Mickey out of a member who's Jeep had broken down, smugly telling all who'd listen that you wouldn't catch him driving American built rubbish.

I took great delight in pointing out his X5 was designed in California and built in South Carolina, and thoroughly enjoyed watching the car crash of expressions on his face as confusion collided with realisation.

similar conversation (some years back). He was an MGB owner and expressed disaproval of the new "badge engineered MGs" metros, maestros and so on. "Like the MG midget being a rebadged Austin Healey you mean?" " harrumph!"

 

[mustang1]

The Puke/Gashqai are 2wd, except for about 1 in 20 which are AWD. No true 4x4s there. Either buy a fourbie or don't, this in between rubbish is neither fish nor fowl.

Do you mean they have 4x4 shape bodies but are not 4wd? I think people like high up style bodies but without the cost of a 4wd.

Having said that, the worst 4wd car to buy as 2wd is a Range Rover Evoque because being stuck in a RR is plain embarrassing!