Are vans better offroad than cars ?

[Count Steer]

Problem with the air-con? Walk away. If it was a simple re-gas, why haven't they done it?

The air-con on one of our Japanese cars (Mazda) failed* and £1k was the starting point. In the end they got the cost down with reconditioned parts but it was still >£1k.

(It was in the days when that model arrived new in the UK without air-con and it was fitted here. Now they're imported with factory fitted kit which is supposed to be more reliable).

*It's a while ago now but I think the compressor seized and it threw/snapped the belt. I think the condenser was replaced too. There was definitely something more than the compressor.

PS Without a car? What's happened to the QQ?

[weeksy]

Problem with the air-con? Walk away. If it was a simple re-gas, why haven't they done it?

LOL i already walked away... There's only so many cars a dealer can prep... so i get why it wasn't noticed/done, he's got quite a lot... but... If he'd have said "yeah we'll fix it even if it's not a re-gas'" then i'd probably have paid the cash on the spot and taken it..

[KungFooBob]

Have you looked at the Hyundai's?

The Tuscon might be a bit small, but the Santa Fe is massive.

For the last 15 years they've been as good as anything European/Japanese.

[weeksy]

Have you looked at the Hyundai's?

The Tuscon might be a bit small, but the Santa Fe is massive.

For the last 15 years they've been as good as anything European/Japanese.

Only a little... must admit they don't do a lot for me in some ways...but maybe worth a peek

edit, they don't do any Santa Fe in a semi-modern petrol. the Tuscon is a QQ.

[KungFooBob]

The in laws bought a top of the range Santa Fe last year, the last of the diesel ones (obvious out of budget and a diesel), it's a jolly nice thing. The tops and attention to detail in the interior is very impressive. If the older ones are half a good... also, is it's less than 7 years old it will still have some manufacturers warranty.

Also...

If you can find a Toyota or a Lexus that's less than 10 years old and less than 100,000 miles, if you get a service done at a main dealer they'll give you a 'free' 12 month warranty, regardless of the previous service history.

[weeksy]

I have to admit, part of me still fancies a Stepwagon.

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-detail ... sed&page=1



The wife is WAY less convinced.

The only downside/worry is servicing/parts and insurance. Due to it being an import, but a REALLY imported one lol, it's hard to find the info. None of the comparison sites know what it is, Euro Car Parts give you the cold shoulder. Apparently it's a fairly generic Honda in many ways, it's running the 2.0i vtec the same as the Civic/CRV, but i worry a little about getting parts if something goes wrong.

[KungFooBob]

I had a JDM car (don't take the piss, it was an FTO GPX), it used to eat front drop links between MOT's.

Pretty much every part was available next day from an FTO and GTO specialist. I had a centre console trim come next day.

I'm not sure about the Honda, but the Elgrand is very popular and you can get parts really easily.

[weeksy]

I had a JDM car (don't take the piss, it was an FTO GPX), it used to eat front drop links between MOT's.

Pretty much every part was available next day from an FTO and GTO specialist. I had a centre console trim come next day.

I'm not sure about the Honda, but the Elgrand is very popular and you can get parts really easily.

the Elgrand is a weird one as that's recognised on all the systems too, me and @Couchy checked the other day. But the Stepwagon is just not on any, neither is the Voxy or the Serena either admittedly.

Just been having a chat with https://www.corrsperformancecars.co.uk/ ... re-4418290


Nice enough fella... good history on it, came from a PX at Honda dealer where he used to work. At £8000 and a towbar it leaves me cash over the £9000 (plus £500 towabar) Kuga.... I'm not looking specifically to lower the budget and save money... But if i can tick the boxes, then it's all good.

[weeksy]

That's properly hideous and it looks like it has hardly any ground clearance.

I don't really care what I look like in my every day vehicle that I use for work and stuff - but there are limits.

Ground clearance is the biggest potential issue i agree... ugliness, i can live with it. It's Japanese crazy retro stylee enough that i'd go with it.

[Count Steer]

That's properly hideous and it looks like it has hardly any ground clearance.

I don't really care what I look like in my every day vehicle that I use for work and stuff - but there are limits.

Ground clearance is the biggest potential issue i agree... ugliness, i can live with it. It's Japanese crazy retro stylee enough that i'd go with it.

In the retro class...I always rather fancied a Bongo Friendee.

Silly money now though.

[weeksy]

Nah, there's limits to how low down the food chain i can go and a Mazda Bongo takes that limit and shatters it lol.

After chatting to the guy at Corrs and reading all the reviews both on Google and Autotrader, along with his description, history etc, the CRV is topping the list.

[weeksy]

I'd still look for a decent Jap 4x4.
You won't be doing big mileages and it's going to do everything you need and get you in and out in comfort.

The CRV will as well, but something like a Pathfinder has all the advantages and I don't see any real disadvantages, except the big petrol ones are thin on the ground so it would have to be diesel, but I'm out of the loop on that sort of stuff so I don't know how much of an issue it is in the UK - the problem here is not every garage sells diesel, when I need some for my boat I have to drive around looking for it.

getting diesel is effortless, every forecourt has them. But i guess i'm thinking in terms of the environment (i know i know) along with the DFP/EGR issues that plague diesels. I'd like to stay away from that side of things for sure this time. This purchase is planned to stay for a few years. I'm not generally known for swapping cars (the Mondeo went because of ground clearnace, not because i wanted a QQ), so the incoming car i'm planning on keeping for several years.
Both the CRV and the Kuga tick the boxes i've set for myself. But i do think the CRV will be just a little more 'plush' and nice than the Kuga... admittedly i've barely ever sat in a Kuga, but there's none that local to test/try.

Plan is currently to view the CRV above later on and then view the Kuga tomorrow afternoon/evening and make a final decision (assuming they're both 100%). The challenge to that plan will be not jumping in on the CRV tonight if it's correct

[Taipan]

I wouldn't discount a diesel. You go to wales a fair bit from what I can gather, so the fuel savings should easily counter an EGR problem. Plus for a diesel EGR problem, I'll raise you a petrol's coil packs!

[weeksy]

I wouldn't discount a diesel. You go to wales a fair bit from what I can gather, so the fuel savings should easily counter an EGR problem. Plus for a diesel EGR problem, I'll raise you a petrol's coil packs!

Yeah, still no.. the problem is, you don't 'save' any money on the diesel car as such, you don't put £60 in the car and £15 into the other account.. plus add the fact in that diesel is currently 10-13p a litre more expensive, which kinda outweighs a chunk of the savings from the extra mpg.

I have no doubt they can and do work well... i've had a fair few. My thoughts are that the petrol cars are just potentially lowering the risks a bit along with saving the planet a fraction more. Possibly also a bit smoother and quieter ?

[weeksy]

I feel a bit like I'm banging a drum here, but having driven all sorts of cars and trucks, there probably isn't anything else I'd drive now (as a daily beater) other than a decent Jap 4x4.

LOL isn't that what a Honda CRV is ?

a 4L petrol, that's going to get 20mpg... as much as saving money on the purchase price may help in some ways, 20mpg isn't happening.

Add into that £615 a year in road tax... it's bonkers.

[Taipan]

Apolos if you've alread iisted them as I haven't followed all the links you've posted.

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/394079755125 ... SwptNivcFm

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/403754227701 ... SwjKRi4QJc

[weeksy]

Apolos if you've alread iisted them as I haven't followed all the links you've posted.

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/394079755125 ... SwptNivcFm

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/403754227701 ... SwjKRi4QJc

I've not linked either, but i have seen both. Thanks man

[Taipan]

Job Jobbed! Get it bought!

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/363845938719 ... Swsfhi31pW

[weeksy]

Job Jobbed! Get it bought!

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/363845938719 ... Swsfhi31pW

It ticks some boxes yes, but with 55,000 on the clocks and the price of it up near £10,000 i'm not fully convinced. Add to this it's a manual and if going CRV i want an Auto (manual squeaky clutch pedal lol)

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-detail ... on=at_cars

This one for example i can buy for £8000 cash.... sure with more miles, but it's still £2000. The question comes of how much of a price do you put on 35,000 miles...

https://www.corrsperformancecars.co.uk/ ... re-4418290

That's also £8000 and with a towbar.... again... how much value on the miles...

I was going to shoot into Newbury to view a Kuga, not one i was particularly going to buy, but just to have a poke around and stuff. But he had someone due to come and see it at 11am and i didn't want to arse him about.
There's not many Kugas in the right price/miles, apart from 2.5T engines which are too fuelly for me. There's a couple of 1.6Ts which according to some are an implosion waiting to happen, hence why Ford made a 1.5 petrol soon after

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-detail ... on=at_cars

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-detail ... on=at_cars

Both of these are right in the ball park in terms of pricing on the Kuga, with the bottom one in white having a lot of promise being £500 less than the dealer one... Although sadly it's bloody miles away and i'm trying to work out a plan for collecting either of these as it's just me and the lad for the next 10 days. Fortunately though i don't actually need a motor as we've got a 2018 Focus which won't be needed so i can get round easily enough to view.

Most of the reviews rate the Kuga higher than the CRV... So i don't want to jump in just yet to a CRV without giving the Kuga viewing as it's better on fuel and tax.

[Taipan]

Budget-wise, can you stretch and/or negotiate this to a doable price?

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/265734802585 ... SwzIxivUOJ

ONLY COVERED A GENUINE 34,000 MILES FROM NEW, FULL SERVICE HISTORY, 3 f/owners++++FULL BLACK ELECTRIC HEATED LEATHER INTERIOR, TINTED GLASS, FOUR WHEEL DRIVE, Power steering, E/windows x4, R/c/locking, Electric folding mirrors, AIRCON/CLIMATE, Rear head restraints, Centre arm rest, SATELLITE NAVIGATION, CD PLAYER, CARD READER, USB PORT, RADIO, PANROMAIC GLASS ROOF WITH ELECTRIC BLIND, FRONT AND REAR PARKING SENSORS WITH REVERSE CAMERA, Cruise control, CHROME DOOR HANDLES, Auto headlights, Airbags, Fogs, Colour coded, 18'' ALLOYS, Mot June 2023, MUST BE SEEN, Looks and drives immaculate. . Black 5 seats. 6 MONTHS NATIONWIDE WARRANTY, 12 MONTHS AA RECOVERY