Apologies, my time has been taken up with research today. I've been for a test drive in a Focus, been checking web sites, comparing this and that. Changed my mind a dozen times about what is important in choosing a car. Lots of room in the back, comfortable drivers seat, newest car with the lowest mileage for the least amount of money. Do I go for height or length, people carrier or estate. What size engine, smaller engine and lower emissions mean less road tax. What colour. Dark colours show up the dirt more quickly and need cleaning more often, silver is best but I fancy a change, definitely not a bright gawdy colour, something smart is best. Is the drivers seat height adjustable, hate sitting with my bum close to the ground, I sit on cushions in the Meriva, can never get the driving position exactly right with the controls. I use a mesh back support because I like to keep my back straight. Been reading reviews on motoring web sites, decided against the Zafira, bigger engine, uses more fuel. Leaning towards a Skoda Roomster, not the joke they used to be, got VW engines now, good reviews. Going to check one out tomorrow. Also going to check what local dealer will give me for my Meriva against a Focus. Had a price today at Doncaster, but local dealer might be able to better it. Probably won't be buying their Focus though, the mileage isn't low enough. Oh heck, the brain is scrambled, going to bed.
Toodle pip.
Road salt.
1 hour ago
I feel worn out just reading your post. So you must be worst having gone through all of this. Cars are a pain but we need them.
ReplyDeleteAnd you have to get it right so takes a lot of time and effort. I hope you find the perfect car for you soon.
Rosezeeta.
Good luck tomorrow...
ReplyDeleteI find it very stressful buying cars........
ReplyDeleteGood luck with the search. It's a big decision. Like you, I like an adjustable driver's seat. (I'm short.)
ReplyDeleteWhen I bought my last car three years ago it took me a month to make my decision. I bought a Honda. I don't think Japanese cars are as popular in the UK as they are in the US.
I completely agree - silver does hide the dirt. My last 3 cars have been silver :) but sometimes a change is nice. Good luck hunting.
ReplyDeleteOn color: not dark green! looks beautiful, and disappears in shadows. I had a lovely dark green car and had numerous near misses, until a friend said my car vanished into shadows under trees, so you could hardly detect me there! next car I got was bright yellow. No more near misses. You practically needed sunglasses, though.
ReplyDeleteCar shopping...hate it..best of luck.
ReplyDeleteJane x
I know how you feel. We were going to paint the outside of the house about 15 years ago. There were so many color choices that I forgot the color I had wanted. I was in tears trying to choose, and in the end I picked the wrong color. I am just waiting for next time. I won't get it wrong again.
ReplyDeleteGood Luck! You aren't the only one who drives themselves crazy trying to decide the best vehicle for what I need it for. In the next year or two I'm going to have to replace my Focus (260,000 miles and counting). I would love to get something big enough to camp out of (a secure place to sleep) but I love the gas mileage of the Focus.
ReplyDeleteBlimey, you sure have got a lot of miles out of that car.
DeleteYou are doing all the right research but don't feel hurried to make a decision. My philosophy is if it's meant to be it will happen. Also, when purchasing a new car from a dealer, you can haggle A LOT!!. They may say no but I've walked out( or headed to the door) and been chased by them. When buying our last car, I got them down as much as I could (they were ready to have me go buy somewhere else), and then said write it up, BUT, I want bumper to bumper coverage for 100k miles at no extra $. They said they would give me a 50% discount. When I got the check book out, I said my pen is running out of ink unless they give me full coverage for free. It is amazing what you can get if you have saved the cash, and don't let anyone push a sale. Also, in the States, we buy at the end of the month. They want to make a certain quota and are more willing to deal. READ FINE PRINT! Make sure you are getting the deal they promised. That's my best advice on car haggling. Patty Mc
ReplyDeleteHi Craig, Thanks for the tips on haggling. I would never buy a new car though, unless I win the lottery, which is not going to happen as I don't do the lottery.
DeleteGood luck! I dread having to replace my car - I have a seven year old Ka, I only use it on the weekend when I take my Mum out to the supermarket so I think it will last me a while yet! :)
ReplyDeleteBest car I think I had was a Fiat Multipla, high up driving position, loads of room and a lot of miles per gallon of diesel. Might be worth looking at for the high-up driving position?
ReplyDeleteMy first car was a Skoda Felicia R reg, bought in 2005. I had no problems with her,, started lovely in the cold. My dream car would be a Skoda Fabia,, was taught to drive in one of those. Hope you find a new car soon....
ReplyDeleteskoda's seem good these days, we have an octavia and it's the nicest car we have ever owned, would like a yeti at some
ReplyDeletepoint but they are still too expensive!! Good luck!
Go for a Skoda!!!!!!! xxx
ReplyDeleteI nearly did today. A very nice Octavia estate. Thinking about it.
DeleteWe have an 11 plate focus and my daughter has to decide next week what to change it for or to stay loyal to the focus also, it is for my grandsons mobility so she has to consider all factors like space, etc. We were considering a Cmax maybe the 7 seater as we have 2 large child seats to accomodate but she doesnt like sliding doors so back to the drawing board.
ReplyDeleteHope you can get sorted its a hard decision, by the way Doncaster is our local town after Pontefract, went to Doncaster market the other day for my haircut :-) take care jane
Yes, I like the CMax, possibly a bit too big for me.
DeleteIt's a mine field. Take your time, forget about it for awhile then come back and rethink. Debbie
ReplyDeleteIt's a huge purchase and there's so many things to consider as you have clearly been doing. We have been unlucky with one vehicle in our life. It was a financial drain from the second week we had it. And we had to sell it at a loss to a garage.
ReplyDeleteDecisions, decisions, decisions! Although I used to drive I don't know one car from another, as long as it got me from A to B I was happy. My husband retires soon and is looking to replace our car, but is looking for one that I can get in and out of easily enough as I am partially disabled, and like you he is weighing the pros and cons of a few he's shortlisted. Good luck with your decision.
ReplyDeleteJoan (Wales)
I changed my car a few months ago, I bought a Nissan Note & I love it, but hubby & my DS (he's a mechanic) did all the leg work chose 2 I I had the final say
ReplyDeleteKnow exactly how you feel! We had a skoda felicia for 8 years (not made now) and it was cheap to run and very reliable, so we got a fabia estate 58 plate 2 years ago. We love it, the boot is huuuge, it's cheap to run (but tax £130-140, I forget how much exactly) and the seat is height adjustable. Not so many estates as hatchbacks about though. They do come in a very nice denim blue metallic; ours is silver ;-( Give me a week though; MOT and service is next week ! Hope I don't have to change my tune, but it sailed through last year. I would buy another but hope I won't have to for years yet.
ReplyDeleteWow so much to think about! We have had our Skoda Fabia for 8 years now. Love it!
ReplyDeleteGinny x
I think that's a problem many people wouldn't mind having !
ReplyDeleteI don't understand your comment, Wean, but thanks anyway. .
DeleteIllona have you looked at buying an ex Motability car, they are usually a good buy as the last owner only keeps them 3 years then they get changed, There are some great bargains on their web site. I am driving the Ford B-Max which has seat height lever, good comfy seats and when the rear seats are dropped there is bags of room for carrying stuff like car boot stuff I like the sliding rear doors , good for packing bxes etc. Mine is an inky blue colour and smart to look at and easy on the petrol especially on a long trip. . My previous car was the Ford Fusion Zetac and that had plenty of extras and the space was great for carrying stuff.
ReplyDeleteDanneke
Hi.It seems you aren't in a hurry, and I find that with hubby and I doing research, visiting car lots and word of mouth from friends and family neighbours and even strangers who are driving something your interested in helps.It's a big payout so feeling confident with the decision you have made when buying is crucial.The Nissan Sentra our son drove was fantastic on gas, dependable and nice to drive though not very high.I think it comes in a wagon too.Also as I said, the Ford focus is loved by a friend, and a neighbour is very happy with her Honda ,with no complaints.Hubby says the VW beetle engine had some problems he heard of,so best to check that.(Maybe only over here??)We always negotiate the price on our used vehicles,have done well and ask for complimentary maintenance check.We also ask about extended or basic factory warranties, depending on age of the car,if it has been rust sealant protected, history(accidents and repairs??)A trusted mechanic will let you know if the mileage has been set back or not, can check it out and give it a thumbs up or down if you do not buy it from a reputable dealer and buy privately instead.We always test drive too.Am excited for you,good luck,bye for now,D.
ReplyDeleteHi, we have had a skoda fabia for the last 5 years and never once has it let us down. Only 30 pound tax which is brilliant. The only problem I have with driving it is the clutch pedal seems a little high and makes my leg ache. We always have diesel cars. My son drives ford focus and has just replaced his old one with a newer model. The last one has done over 100,000 miles and is still ok to drive it was 10 years old and never once let him down and only had new tyres in all the time he owned it. Again he has diesel, they are real work horses. Good luck with whatever you choose.
ReplyDeleteYou are wise to do so much research. Several years ago after researching I bought a Ford Focus. Color is Blue Ice by the way, you might like that color. Just a touch of blue. We like it so much that my husband bought a Ford Focus two years later, a medium grey in color with sparkly flecks. So we are a focused family LOL. Good mpg. and great price.
ReplyDeleteA tip for car buyers who are unsure of how to haggle with dealers. Several years ago, a single mother that I knew, needed a new vehicle. She researched and found the one she wanted. The dealer quoted her his "best price", but my fiend was skeptical. In this country, car salesmen often treat women customers who are alone, differently than they do men customers. My friend asked a mutual male friend to go in and work a deal for her, and if he could get the price down sufficiently, she would give him $1,000.00 dollars for his efforts. He got the price down to $4,000.00 less than the salesman offered it to the single mom. The male friend shamed the salesman into giving that same deal to the single mom, and refused to take the $1,000.00 for his efforts. My daughter took an older gentleman from her church to help her negotiate for a good used vehicle when it was time for her to replace her old one. When they were scheduled for their third day of car shopping, her friend said, "I don't know why you need me along. You drive a harder deal than I ever could." Mary Jane in Canada
ReplyDelete