Replacement car advice

[Chris]

Mrs T had a rather nasty crash on Friday. She and Miss T are fine, largely because she was in our Range Rover. Nevertheless, it was T-boned by a small sports car at a fair speed and the impact has pushed everything in the cabin - and under the bonnet as well, by the sounds of things - out of line.

The Rangie is 10 years old, worth no more than £8k and, I reckon, is about to get written off, just as soon as the insurance company can get a look at it.

This is my dilemma: what to do next? We live in a remote, rural location and appreciated the security the Rangie brought - especially in the event of the road flooding, which it often does in the winter. We also appreciated the endless space. Mrs T is an agent for a children's clothing company, so she transports clothes rails in the car.

I don't think we can afford another Range Rover. This one was right on the fringes of affordability for us, and the loss of no-claims next year won't help. It was also extremely thirsty, even as a diesel, and even when running on a mix of regular diesel fuel and straight vegetable oil.

Our second car is a 1999 Ka2, probable value £2,200. I am quite prepared to sell this one, giving us a total pot of perhaps £10k with which to buy something to guarantee us access up our lane in all weather, and something large for the family. I am very interested in a 7-seater as we have lots of visitors here and they often don't have their own car.

For fuel ... diesel if at all possible. And if it's an engine that's known for running well on SVO, so much the better.

There are too many variables and too many possibilities, and frankly both Mrs T and I are having trouble thinking straight at the moment because every time we look at the major dent in the side of the Range Rover, we wonder what would have happened if she had been in the Ka instead.

So, what do you all think?

[Matt D]

Can't give any car advice, as I don't drive, but I'm glad that Mrs T & Miss T are both fine

[lostandconfused]

Glad everyones ok from the accident

What about something a little bit smaller than a range rover, and going for a discovery?

Or possibly going for an MPV for usual day to day use, and an old defender for when access is an issue?

[Chris]

Originally Posted by Matt D

Can't give any car advice, as I don't drive, but I'm glad that Mrs T & Miss T are both fine

Thanks Matt. Miss T is completely oblivious of course, she's only 2 ... when everything had stopped and gone quiet she just asked, "What happened mummy?"

Mrs T is physically uninjured but pretty shaken up. She has borrowed a car off her dad, and had to drive it past the scene coming home this evening, which was quite unnerving for her.

It was the passenger side that got the thumping, and they were both sat on the driver's side. The front passenger door will have to be cut off if the garage it goes to want to open it. The rear nearside door opens with difficulty.

[superbiatch]

How old was your last range rover? Just been looking on autotrader and you can get a 2000/01 for approx 10k. They are known gas guzzlers, but so are all the other 4x4's.
If you need the space, how about a van?

[Chris]

Originally Posted by superbiatch

How old was your last range rover? Just been looking on autotrader and you can get a 2000/01 for approx 10k. They are known gas guzzlers, but so are all the other 4x4's.
If you need the space, how about a van?

The Range Rover was 10 years old. £10k is beyond the budget, because I only have that much to spend if I sell the Ka as well, and then we need to buy two replacement cars.

We need space for a family, additional space for guests/visitors, guaranteed access, and loads of room for a clothes stall, more or less in that order, and not necessarily all from the one vehicle.

Currently I commute in the Ka while Mrs T shuttles the children round in the Range Rover.

A van wouldn't be practical as she doesn't cart the stall round often enough. It has to be a family car that can handle the stall from time to time. Another reason why I wondered if a 7-seater would fit the bill. Trouble is, I know absolutely nothing about the merits of the varous 7-seaters out there.

I have had a look round Auto Trader briefly earlier this evening, but unless you have some idea what you're looking for, it doesn't really get you very far.

[superbiatch]

OK, so it looks like a people carrier probably is your best bet. I think you can't go wrong with those that have been around for a few years. My uncle has the Ford Galaxy, but its actually a VW Sharan and hasn't had a problem with it in years IIRC (just usual maintenance)

I'd suggest you get an idea of which is best for you (price, mileage, upkeep costs etc) and then get checking out reviews on them online. Might i also suggest registering with a car related forum - I'm a mod on www.renaultforums.co.uk and you can find out endless info on the whole renault range (altho i'm not sure i'd buy another one ) there. Most makes have their own forum which can end up saving you a whole lot of hassle in the long run

[punky]

Glad to hear Mrs and Miss T are fine.

Why not jump down to a Discovery? A Range Rover is only the execuctive version, which goes against the utilatarian principals of it anyway. The engines are sound. A quick poke around and you can get an 6-8 year old Disco for around 8 grand. You can save more by going to a Freelander.

You could also aim for car auctions for a bit of a bargin too.

[Chris]

Originally Posted by superbiatch

OK, so it looks like a people carrier probably is your best bet. I think you can't go wrong with those that have been around for a few years. My uncle has the Ford Galaxy, but its actually a VW Sharan and hasn't had a problem with it in years IIRC (just usual maintenance)

I'd suggest you get an idea of which is best for you (price, mileage, upkeep costs etc) and then get checking out reviews on them online. Might i also suggest registering with a car related forum - I'm a mod on www.renaultforums.co.uk and you can find out endless info on the whole renault range (altho i'm not sure i'd buy another one ) there. Most makes have their own forum which can end up saving you a whole lot of hassle in the long run

What do you think of the Grand Espace? (have just been back on Auto Trader, and a few other sites).

[punky]

If you want something a bit newer for the same price, you could look to the Jeep Cherokees

[Wicked_and_Crazy]

Are you sure you will lose no claims? was it Mrs T's fault?

If it gets written off you need to argue your case that the payment amount should allow you to buy the same vehicle of the same age in the same condition. We did that once in the dim and distant past and got the insurance company to stump up an extra grand (20%) by proving what it would cost to replace the car. Mind you we had to produce exidence of cars onsale in the local area, provide service history of the written off car etc etc

[Angua]

This is a thread for Marky!

Does it need to be a Range Rover make or will another 4X4 do? There are bound to be more economical makes of 4X4's out there and given the problems you had with flooding a while back it is not really worth not having one.

[Chris]

Doesn't have to be a Rangie at all ... if we can satisfy the need for a spacious family car, possibly with a 7-seater MPV, I'd be interested in trading the Ka for a small 4x4 to satisfy the 'access' requirement.

Just so long as the total budget doesn't exceed the combination of the write-off value of the Rangie, and whatever I can get for the Ka. My estimate is £10,000 max.

[handyman]

try looking at a kia sedona, they have a frugal 2.9 diesel. 6-7 seats depending on the year. I think you may just get into the models with removable seats in which case they will accomadate a 3 seater sofa with ease.

With out a doubt it was the most comfortable car I have driven (and selling cars I've drove most. Plus it is a lot of car to have around you in a crash.

[TheDaddy]

How about a Ssangyong, you can pick a 2002 one with low milage up for 4 grand here

Glad everyone was ok btw