bpg
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Post by bpg on Sept 16, 2021 15:34:30 GMT
I'm probably way wide of the mark here but I get the impression you've not really gelled with the Honda, Al. The Civic is a good car but with a growing family and you looking at D segment cars I think you just want bigger.
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Post by Humph on Sept 16, 2021 15:36:39 GMT
I've never regretted buying a car that was too big, but I have regretted buying one that was too small.
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WDB
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Post by WDB on Sept 16, 2021 15:48:43 GMT
Old theme of mine, I know, but I doubt that V70 is any bigger inside than the Civic. Marginally longer wheelbase than my S60, which was fine for primary schoolers but did its last French trip in 2006 and was relegated to solo commuting duties after 2008.
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bpg
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Post by bpg on Sept 16, 2021 15:55:42 GMT
Yes, the rear seat legroom behind those smoking lounge front armchairs is a bit limited. Later cars sacrificed boot space for legroom and put the armchairs on a diet.
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Post by Humph on Sept 16, 2021 15:56:52 GMT
Mondeo or Superb estate would be bigger I'd think. Again, auto boxes on both have a bad reputation, but, on our company cars we've never had any bother with the Ford ones. VAG autos have been much more problematic on our cars
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WDB
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Post by WDB on Sept 16, 2021 16:09:19 GMT
Went full nerd for a minute. Wheelbases:
Civic Tourer: 2595mm Volvo S60 P2: 2713mm Volvo V70 P2: 2756mm E220/320 S211:2854mm CLS350 X218: 2874mm E220 S212: 2874mm E220 S213: 2939mm 630i GT: 3070mm
As BPG hints, there’s not an exact correlation between wheelbase and passenger space but it’s a good place to start. The GT has loads — arguably more than even we need. Mercedes estates should be getting roomier with each generation. The Civic may overachieve for its size but the old Volvos do not.
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Rob
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Post by Rob on Sept 16, 2021 18:27:44 GMT
I used wheelbase as a factor to narrow down choice of car the time before last but the space in the back of the Superb is greater than cars with longer wheelbases and it also has more luggage space. Not a Tardis because it's a big car but it was well packaged.
I'd have had another if the PHEV iV version was available to me in my budget.
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Post by dixinormus on Sept 16, 2021 19:08:51 GMT
Like WdB inferred, 200 quid a month to have a known-quantity car sitting outside on your driveway is not a high price, even if you don’t drive it often. Heck, isn’t a full tank of dino juice over 70 quid these days?!
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WDB
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Post by WDB on Sept 16, 2021 19:42:49 GMT
It’s over a hundred if you need 80 litres of it — not, fortunately, that I often do.
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Rob
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Post by Rob on Sept 16, 2021 22:44:10 GMT
My 330e only has a 40 litre tank. So to fill that from empty is currently £53 round here. The Superb had a much larger tank but without trying it would take more than the official maximum when filled even though the fuel light had only just come on! So that was at least £90.
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Post by EspadaIII on Sept 17, 2021 5:30:52 GMT
I have got 72 litres in the E350 when the car was screaming for fuel. I got away with just under £99 before it clicked off. Must have been last year when it was much cheaper than now.
I reckon Al's got man-maths disease. Saving £100 per month to change cars from a nice reliable Honda to a dodgy second hand Volvo makes no sense. Within weeks you'll be kicking yourself.
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Post by Alanović on Sept 17, 2021 9:04:22 GMT
I don't think any of you are actually reading my situation and taking in to consideration everything pertinent.
Yes, the Volvo is probably a bad idea. I've slept on it, and I'm not going to look at it.
Yes, I have gelled with the Honda during the 5k miles it's travelled in 2 years, I like it and think it's a great car - the downsides are that it is taking a £200 payment out of my account, which I could use for the running costs of 2 older cars (one for me and one for a 17 year old and the expensive insurance, and my cash flow situation at the moment is very tight for the next 2 years, for reasons of not just private school fees, but the fact with one in the 6th form and the other now in full senior school the fees for both are increased by a considerable margin for the next 2 years). One of which 2 older cars, should I go that way, will barely ever be used so "kicking myself" is not likely to happen as it's hardly likely to go very wrong if it's not used, and even if I did "kick myself", there would be nothing to stop me going back on a PCP for something newer and back to square one. The other factor is rear legroom, not an issue when I bought the Civic, and one which I couldn't have reliably predicted, I had no idea my son was going to be over 6 feet tall by now. Judging by his father and mother's statures, it wasn't a huge risk on my register.
Yes, Superb and Mondeo are the choice options for rear leg room. I know. Now find one which isn't diesel and is automatic and isn't a VAG TSI/DSG or Ford Powershift DCT, in acceptable condition, for around £4k.
Yes, WDB is right, the Honda Accord at this price point in petrol auto estate format is probably the best choice, see also Toyota Avensis. Then search autotrader and realise there are 4 of them for sale in the country at any one time, mainly in Keighly, Bradford or Luton.
Saving £100 a month, when it's a marginal £100 between comfort and overspending the monthly budget, does make sense. It's a large amount of money, which is easy to forget if your income far exceeds your outgoings. In my case, it doesn't at the moment. I can't imagine anyone on here is a fan of running almost unsustainable consumer debt.
So, yes, keeping the Civic is an option, but I am going to struggle a bit financially if I do, for the next 2 years. Which isn't a great plan either really.
Rock, meet hard place.
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Post by Humph on Sept 17, 2021 9:15:35 GMT
If you need a two year financial solution to £2400, you could just put that or even a tad more on your mortgage. When the school fees stop, pay it off.
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Post by Alanović on Sept 17, 2021 9:23:47 GMT
You know that's not a bad idea. Funnily enough I thought about that a few months back, but it slipped my mind. Hmm.
Of course, I also then thought of the possibility of scope creep, putting £20k on the mortgage and getting a nearly new Superb.
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Post by Humph on Sept 17, 2021 9:29:12 GMT
Incidentally, re school fees. My son is the first of our male line not to have been educated at the same well known Scottish private school for as far back as family records show.
He went to the local comp. Mainly due to our location, but also because I couldn't have been sure of affording it every year, and indeed being a bit of a lefty too.
He's also had to spend about half of his course time in the spare room due initially to lecturers being on strike early 2020 followed by Covid.
Despite all that, he's only gone and got a double first. Must be genetic I suppose eh? 😉
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