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Post by Deleted on Jan 16, 2017 13:16:04 GMT
Just mulling out loud.......
Father (as you may recall) lives in Israel and spends no more than two or three months of the year in Manchester. In both countries he drives Daihatsu Sirions which he loves for the nippiness, internal space compared to exterior size and general reliability. It is a pain however for me to keep his UK car ticking over when he is not in the UK on top of which is the cost of running the car. Its not fortunes by any means and we can certainly afford it but I thought.......what car would we drive if we had a car which suited me for nine months of the year and when Dad was here, he would drive it and I would simply rent a car for the period he was here.
I love my SIX cylinder E350CDi estate, but in truth, it is too big for 95% of the driving I do and I could easily manage with a smaller high spec car. Although it shouldn't matter, brand image is important at some of the properties I visit and I don't want to keep making excuses why I am in XXXXXX brand whereas if I was a nearly new German brand it wouldn't merit comment. Subaru was great at being an anonymous car as well. Pity they are not the cars they once were.
So, if you had to choose a car which suited both of us, what would you consider? Only stipulations are not too big, automatic, easy access (so probably means slightly elevated ride height) and brand/model which implies 'successful professional at work'. Answers on a post......
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Post by Alanović on Jan 16, 2017 13:49:43 GMT
Infiniti Q30.
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Post by Humph on Jan 16, 2017 14:35:03 GMT
I'm not so sure about the work "image" thing being all that relevant any more. I think so long as you don't turn up in an absolute shed then anything goes these days. Anyway, I'm increasingly of the view that those who mind don't matter and those who matter won't mind.
Something fun and funky like a Cactus maybe. Or that new Honda thing that looks like it's made using origami.
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WDB
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Post by WDB on Jan 16, 2017 14:35:57 GMT
Tesla Model 3. No 'ticking over' required - or even possible.
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Post by Alanović on Jan 16, 2017 14:59:01 GMT
Merc B Class.
Tesla's a bit of a non-starter I'd think with EIII's stipulation of easy access/elevated ride height.
Infiniti QX30 as well as Q30 of course.
BMW 2 Series Tourer.
'Ow much for the 350? Wot's yer best price, m8?
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Avant
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Post by Avant on Jan 16, 2017 15:11:13 GMT
If it needs to be one car, I too was thinking about the BMW 2-series and the B-class. Are those still on the large side for Father who's used to a Sirion?
The new Audi Q2 is worth a look, as is the SEAT Ateca: I presume you are happy to change cars often enough not to expect problems with a 3-y-o DSG. Both of these can be had with the excellent 1.4 TFSI petrol engine.
Alternatively, keep the Mercedes for client visits (and for when you just feel like driving a six) and get, say, a Renault Captur for Father when he's here and for you when you're just driving to the office. (I'm assuming that as an active 82-year-old he isn't old enough for a Honda Jazz.) There are also several smallish Suzukis of what Humph would call the sitty-uppy variety.
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Post by Deleted on Jan 16, 2017 15:25:15 GMT
Is there not a member of the family, perhaps younger and likely to be willing, who would be grateful for the free use of a car for 9 / 10 months of the year?
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Post by Hofmeister on Jan 16, 2017 20:25:56 GMT
My immediate shout was BMW 2 series or MB B class.
We cant all be wrong.
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Post by Humph on Jan 16, 2017 20:58:27 GMT
Perhaps not wrong. Probably not wrong in fact. But y'know 2 series or B Class?
Meh.
Flocks of mehs actually.
Fields full.
Meh to the power of 10
Uber Meh
Just Meh
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Post by Deleted on Jan 16, 2017 21:35:57 GMT
I agree. BMW 2 Series or Mercedes B-class; Meh with knobs on. I just can't see me or Dad in one. Too sensible and might as well have a C-Max. B-Max??? They look good, sit high, short, great engines... Powershift gearbox - hmmmm not great.
I really liked the Captur that remains in our fleet. I'd need an auto for Dad and parking sensors..... But the QX30 sounds interesting if too anonymous. The best thing about my Subarus was that they were really good cars, yes anonymous, but ask me about them and I'd talk for hours. Does Infiniti have a USP?
Think I'll say nothing. He's back on Sunday and we'll see.
PS like the family idea, but we have no family other than us. Mother-in-law, Father, wife and me all only children. All cousins in London or Israel. No nephews or nieces. Son #2 will learn to drive on the Punto and then, who knows....
Thanks all.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Jan 16, 2017 21:37:45 GMT
Oh Vic? I don't sell cars to people who text speak!
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Post by Humph on Jan 16, 2017 22:05:19 GMT
Can't see him with a beige one anyway. Too young. He's better off with his squint blue one.
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Rob
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Post by Rob on Jan 16, 2017 23:06:26 GMT
Why not just hire a car when you dad needs it? And keep the E350CDI for yourself?
Otherwise I like the idea of the Mercedes QX30. Well it's an A-Class underneath isn't it.
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Avant
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Post by Avant on Jan 16, 2017 23:40:19 GMT
Even though Espada senior is probably safer than many drivers ten years his junior, I doubt if hirers will entertain the prospect. Espada Jnr would have to be the one hiring, leaving Pa with the Mercedes.......
I wondered about the B- or C-Max: again perhaps Powershift could be a runner if you buy new or newish and don't keep it beyond the warranty period.
The Captur can be had with a 1.2 120 bhp engine to go with the automatic - no idea how that would compete with the skin on a rice pudding but maybe worth a try.
One final thought - what are your views on hybrids, Espada? Maybe the supposed eco-credentials would impress clients as much as a prestige badge. Or there's the A3 e-tron but it has a tiny boot.
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Post by Deleted on Jan 17, 2017 6:20:50 GMT
The 0.9L Captur with 85bhp manual was adequate so 120bhp auto should be fine in the Captur.
Hybrid? Hmmmm that might work. Must do some research. BMW i3?
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