Recommend me a new car...

[Spinney]

The Skoda Octavia estate has reached the stage where maintenance costs (and the associated faff and inconvenience) are becoming enough of a pain for me to decide on a new (or nearly new) car. The current one is a diesel, but I'm likely to go for petrol next time.

The main requirement is a large luggage space. The bikes go on a towbar mounted carrier on the current car.

Reliability would be good...lists of most reliable manufacturers on the internet are contradictory.

Also wondering if there are any vehicles big enough to carry two bikes in the back without having to lay one on top of the other, while still leaving space for other luggage (assuming back seats folded down).

 

[vickster]

Skoda rapid estate is voluminous by all accounts

Not sure what would take bikes as you describe, other than a van? Is it necessary, just lay a blanket between?

You can stand bikes up in a Roomster But don't know how many, how much else fits. Scroll through the images for example

http://www.skoda-auto.com/en/models/roomster-scout

 

[smokeysmoo]

Reliability would be good

The Renault Scenic

Why not stick with Skoda with a newer Octavia, or for something bigger the Superb, both are highly regarded and I think visually they belie they're size as well, especially the Superb.

 

[Beebo]

Two whole bikes fit in a Berlingo, but people think they're naff cars. It depends what's important to you.

My 70 year old dad has a Berlingo. They are very low in the street cred stakes.
We call in the postman pat van because it is basically a van disguised as a car.

 

[biggs682]

What about a Ford C max ?

our 2008 version can take 2 bikes easily with fr wheels removed and still have 1 rear seat in place if need be and still luggage space

Then if you are really brave what about a Picasso ?

 

[Fab Foodie]

Dacia Logan Diesel....cheap to buy and run and particularly cheerful, but not Quite Octavia sized but surprisingly big. 2 bikes happy laying down and we got shed-loads of other luggage (not to mention @Hill Wimp collection of Italian bric-a-brac in it). Bit bouncy but VFM is hard to beat. Comfortable enough for non-stop from Dover to Turin.

 

[Crackle]

Please choose a Dacia. I can alternate between you and Foodie then when I'm taking the mick.

 

[Drago]

Citroen Belingo Multispace/Peugeot Partner Teepee. Huge inside, tough, reasonably priced, rammed full of kit, and there's a full electric version of the Teepee now available to pre order.

 

[Drago]

My 70 year old dad has a Berlingo. They are very low in the street cred stakes.
We call in the postman pat van because it is basically a van disguised as a car.

The current version is actually a car (old C4/308 platform) turned into a van and then window'd and trimmed to become a car again. As a consequence the drive is more than satisfactory.

Street cred is a vanity many sensible folk fortunately don't need to stroke.

 

[Hill Wimp]

What about the gin though? Did you manage to get that in?

and huge quantities of wine

 

[vickster]

TMN to @smokeysmoo and @User

 

[green1]

Comfortable enough for non-stop from Dover to Turin.

Build quality must be superb to stop water ingress on the first part of that journey.

 

[Joffey]

VW Tiguan..?



I love mine! Roomy, decent spec and reliable.

 

[Piemaster]

Why not stick with Skoda with a newer Octavia, or for something bigger the Superb, both are highly regarded and I think visually they belie they're size as well, especially the Superb.

Plus any bolt on accessories, like a tow bar may be transferable. It's the sole reason I replaced a very smoky Rover 600 diesel with a petrol version (It was only £700 though, so a £200 tow bar would have been a significant % of purchase cost)

 

[T4tomo]

I have a Volvo v70, with the smaller side of the rear seats folded down, you can fit 2 bikes in vertically with front wheels and seat posts removed. I normally bungee tie them to handle thing by the rear door and put a blanket or old coat between them ( and mark where seat post was with electric tape!) I've also fashion a couple of pieces of wood to sit between the front forks as they are transported, mainly because I'm slightly anal about such things.