Hi all,
Just after some opinions/advice re purchasing a new car.
We are after a seven seater. I have always liked the SMax. Had a test drive today and was impressed. My wife likes the Qashqai +2. Again test drove it today and was happy with it but had nothing that really made me think it was the right car to buy. Have looked at the Kia Carens also.
Will probably do lease or HP as cannot afford to buy outright.
Do low mileage, probably 6,000 to 7,000 miles a year.
Thoughts would be welcome.
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Comments
If I needed a 7 seater again that would be what I'd get
If it wasn't for the sliding doors, I'd have gone for a Ford Smax or Galaxy.
If it's to be brand new then you'll probably get better deals on the Ford and certainly the Zafira. If you're leasing it, I'd assume it'd go back after three years so long term reliability wouldn't necessarily be your highest concern. I'd consider the Toyota Verso in addition to the above. With the Qashqai bear in mind it has a lot of Renault input mechanically (if a diesel, although at that mileage a petrol would be better) and electronically. The Carens seems a decent enough motor, was in one a couple of weeks back.
Sat in most of the other seven seaters and they were like vans, you don't feel like you are in a people carrier in the S-Max, also they are praised for their handling.
Have the 2.0 Tdci which drives well, got poke but not as spritely and my old Bora 1.8T but needed a bigger car and well pleased.
Whatever you get, at that size you'll be best with, as stated a 1.8 and above.
We got two litre Renault scenic megane last year on a 10 plate. Each of the three seats in back row move independently. Got 1 and 3 years old with car seats by windows and enough room for wife in middle if mother in law is also with us.
None of the 7 seaters have much of a boot when the extra two seats are up.
Wouldn't get a qashqai plus two. Really like qashqai but the extra seats are small and don't feel very safe IMO. Not proper seats, wouldn't want to do more than a short journey in them.
If you have car seats put them in the cars when trying them out. Some of the bigger looking cars didn't have much room once we tried the two car seats in them.
Kids are eight and 11. The 11 year old in particular is tall for his age and seems to be growing by the day. Must admit the extra seats in the Qashqai were not too appealing.
Looks like the SMax Titanium X Sport may be wining at the mo..
Spend a bit of time looking at the internet and checking out the sales techniques used to get you to buy a new car.
Sometimes the psychology is pretty crude, for example they ask which colour you want pretty early, then they use your choice a lot like 'when you get your new blue car', because they are worming their way into your preferences. Actually when they ask what colour you want, the best way is to ask back 'are different colours different prices then?', or 'are some colours out of stock?'.
They quickly want to get on the side of somehow doing you a favour, when in reality you are doing them a favour being a customer. Have skin as thick as a Rhino and be prepared to walk away from the deal.
Go to buy after the 20th of the month and they are eager to move 'units' to get their manufacturers bonus.
Try to be a cash buyer and sell your car privately.
If it is a Citroen look to get at least 15% off the list price, plus a years tax, mats and covers, a service agreement and anything else you can ask for. The sales people will act like you are stealing food from their children's mouths, don't worry about that, you can always walk and buy elsewhere, and still use the nearest dealer for servicing and so on.
I reckon it is all about the numbers, everything else is fluff, and car sales people are really excellent at wheedling money out of you, don't fall for it.
Back to the colour...everybody and his wife gets the fancy paint, which is always an extra for some reason, start by saying you expect the fancy paint to be automatically included in the price.
The last new car I bought was actually second hand from a dealer with 24miles on the clock! Do a bit of research and you can save enough money to take the family away at half-term.
Am test diving an SMax Titanium Sport tomorrow.
Thanks to those who gave their advice/opinion.
great to drive, as others have said, it's like a car to drive, not a van.
Missus likes it and they have a good finance deal at the moment at wj king in Welling. I've not looked at one properly yet. It doesn't look very big though.
Edited: It was this, Dodge Avenger SXT 2.4i, whatever that is?
We have the Juke, Tekna Dig-T which is also a brilliant motor, though not as economic as some other similar cars due to the small engine and big body.
http://www.autoexpress.co.uk/nissan/qashqai/reliability