What Car in the UK?
#1
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What Car in the UK?
I know there is another thread about cars in the UK but I just can't find it.
I'd like some suggestions about what car to drive over there. I wasn't originally moving back with the idea of driving there but that is changing.
When I drove there in the mid-70s I had a new VW Beetle because it was a reliable and safe vehicle. In the USA I have had Toyota Camry's for the last almost 30 years.
Obviously, I don't need one the size of a US Camry in the UK but I want a quality vehicle that is safe - emphasis on safety and reliability.
My significant other has a huge Land Rover to pull the caravan so we are all set there. I just want my independence to get to the shops and drive out to the countryside with the two little dogs if I want to.
I have to get used to driving over there again but I don't think that will take long. When I went back to the UK after almost 20 years away, I picked it up immediately.
One thing, though . . . it will have to be an automatic car.
I am open to an SUV, too. In fact, if I had stayed here my next vehicle might well have been an SUV. Not sure that's what they are called in the UK, though.
I don't want the tiniest available - I don't consider teeny weeny ones to be too safe. I also don't want a gigantic vehicle. It's also got to be easy to park, if possible.
Any suggestions of what car might fit the bill and any web sites where I can go and look at the suggestions? He asked me what I want and I couldn't tell him.
I'd like some suggestions about what car to drive over there. I wasn't originally moving back with the idea of driving there but that is changing.
When I drove there in the mid-70s I had a new VW Beetle because it was a reliable and safe vehicle. In the USA I have had Toyota Camry's for the last almost 30 years.
Obviously, I don't need one the size of a US Camry in the UK but I want a quality vehicle that is safe - emphasis on safety and reliability.
My significant other has a huge Land Rover to pull the caravan so we are all set there. I just want my independence to get to the shops and drive out to the countryside with the two little dogs if I want to.
I have to get used to driving over there again but I don't think that will take long. When I went back to the UK after almost 20 years away, I picked it up immediately.
One thing, though . . . it will have to be an automatic car.
I am open to an SUV, too. In fact, if I had stayed here my next vehicle might well have been an SUV. Not sure that's what they are called in the UK, though.
I don't want the tiniest available - I don't consider teeny weeny ones to be too safe. I also don't want a gigantic vehicle. It's also got to be easy to park, if possible.
Any suggestions of what car might fit the bill and any web sites where I can go and look at the suggestions? He asked me what I want and I couldn't tell him.
Last edited by windsong; Jun 6th 2013 at 10:46 am.
#3
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Joined: Oct 2011
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Re: What Car in the UK?
A MINI Cooper!!!!! Not too tiny and 5 Star Safety Rating from NCAP. Land Rover only has 3 star (last time i checked) I find anything bigger than a hatchback is just too big on these tiny roads.
#5
Re: What Car in the UK?
I know there is another thread about cars in the UK but I just can't find it.
I'd like some suggestions about what car to drive over there. I wasn't originally moving back with the idea of driving there but that is changing.
When I drove there in the mid-70s I had a new VW Beetle because it was a reliable and safe vehicle. In the USA I have had Toyota Camry's for the last almost 30 years.
Obviously, I don't need one the size of a US Camry in the UK but I want a quality vehicle that is safe - emphasis on safety and reliability.
My significant other has a huge Land Rover to pull the caravan so we are all set there. I just want my independence to get to the shops and drive out to the countryside with the two little dogs if I want to.
I have to get used to driving over there again but I don't think that will take long. When I went back to the UK after almost 20 years away, I picked it up immediately.
One thing, though . . . it will have to be an automatic car.
I am open to an SUV, too. In fact, if I had stayed here my next vehicle might well have been an SUV. Not sure that's what they are called in the UK, though.
I don't want the tiniest available - I don't consider teeny weeny ones to be too safe. I also don't want a gigantic vehicle. It's also got to be easy to park, if possible.
Any suggestions of what car might fit the bill and any web sites where I can go and look at the suggestions? He asked me what I want and I couldn't tell him.
I'd like some suggestions about what car to drive over there. I wasn't originally moving back with the idea of driving there but that is changing.
When I drove there in the mid-70s I had a new VW Beetle because it was a reliable and safe vehicle. In the USA I have had Toyota Camry's for the last almost 30 years.
Obviously, I don't need one the size of a US Camry in the UK but I want a quality vehicle that is safe - emphasis on safety and reliability.
My significant other has a huge Land Rover to pull the caravan so we are all set there. I just want my independence to get to the shops and drive out to the countryside with the two little dogs if I want to.
I have to get used to driving over there again but I don't think that will take long. When I went back to the UK after almost 20 years away, I picked it up immediately.
One thing, though . . . it will have to be an automatic car.
I am open to an SUV, too. In fact, if I had stayed here my next vehicle might well have been an SUV. Not sure that's what they are called in the UK, though.
I don't want the tiniest available - I don't consider teeny weeny ones to be too safe. I also don't want a gigantic vehicle. It's also got to be easy to park, if possible.
Any suggestions of what car might fit the bill and any web sites where I can go and look at the suggestions? He asked me what I want and I couldn't tell him.
Here's a link. Autotrader is a good place to at least research a whole bunch of cars at once.
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classifi...rs?logcode=flp
#6
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Joined: Aug 2008
Location: Wirral, UK
Posts: 402
Re: What Car in the UK?
Although diesel cars do get more miles per gallon, typically they are a better bet if you're driving long distances on motorways etc plus, having been browsing various websites myself looking for cars, I have found that the combination of automatic & diesel is very difficult to find especially in the smaller, nippy, short jaunts to the shops type of car.
Having said that, the 'Smart for two' cars are teeny tiny and are mostly automatic. They allegedly get up to 80 miles per gallon (petrol) and if you want a very very small car that's easy to park in the handkerchief sized parking spaces, you might want to take a look at them
Personally I'm a fan of the Mazda 2 which gets rave reviews for reliability and petrol consumption. But, I think a few test drives will be the order of the day before I purchase anything.
Sorry just noticed in a previous post that you didn't want a teeny weeny car, so I suppose the Smart Car is not an option
Having said that, the 'Smart for two' cars are teeny tiny and are mostly automatic. They allegedly get up to 80 miles per gallon (petrol) and if you want a very very small car that's easy to park in the handkerchief sized parking spaces, you might want to take a look at them
Personally I'm a fan of the Mazda 2 which gets rave reviews for reliability and petrol consumption. But, I think a few test drives will be the order of the day before I purchase anything.
Sorry just noticed in a previous post that you didn't want a teeny weeny car, so I suppose the Smart Car is not an option
Last edited by ElizabethK; Jun 7th 2013 at 3:35 am. Reason: I'd suggested a teeny weeny car then noticed Windsong doesn't want a little car
#7
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Re: What Car in the UK?
Although diesel cars do get more miles per gallon, typically they are a better bet if you're driving long distances on motorways etc plus, having been browsing various websites myself looking for cars, I have found that the combination of automatic & diesel is very difficult to find especially in the smaller, nippy, short jaunts to the shops type of car.
Having said that, the 'Smart for two' cars are teeny tiny and are mostly automatic. They allegedly get up to 80 miles per gallon (petrol) and if you want a very very small car that's easy to park in the handkerchief sized parking spaces, you might want to take a look at them
Personally I'm a fan of the Mazda 2 which gets rave reviews for reliability and petrol consumption. But, I think a few test drives will be the order of the day before I purchase anything.
Sorry just noticed in a previous post that you didn't want a teeny weeny car, so I suppose the Smart Car is not an option
Having said that, the 'Smart for two' cars are teeny tiny and are mostly automatic. They allegedly get up to 80 miles per gallon (petrol) and if you want a very very small car that's easy to park in the handkerchief sized parking spaces, you might want to take a look at them
Personally I'm a fan of the Mazda 2 which gets rave reviews for reliability and petrol consumption. But, I think a few test drives will be the order of the day before I purchase anything.
Sorry just noticed in a previous post that you didn't want a teeny weeny car, so I suppose the Smart Car is not an option
#8
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Joined: Nov 2010
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Re: What Car in the UK?
Hi windsong, look into getting a diesel, they have significantly higher MPG, the rav4 is sold in the uk and is sold as a diesel.
Here's a link. Autotrader is a good place to at least research a whole bunch of cars at once.
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classifi...rs?logcode=flp
Here's a link. Autotrader is a good place to at least research a whole bunch of cars at once.
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classifi...rs?logcode=flp
#9
Re: What Car in the UK?
Mercedes A Class. Diesel auto.
Is what we have. 40-45 mpg combined or 58-60mpg on a run.
Ours is an 05 plate. Classic so has aircon etc but not leather or cruise.
I would buy one again.
Is what we have. 40-45 mpg combined or 58-60mpg on a run.
Ours is an 05 plate. Classic so has aircon etc but not leather or cruise.
I would buy one again.
#10
Re: What Car in the UK?
I like the RAV4 a lot; in fact, I had even been considering it for my next car here. They do seem quite expensive in the UK, though, or perhaps cars in general are more expensive there. New cars in general seem to be in the mid low to 20s (thousands of pounds). I think I will try to find a good used one. I really don't want to put all that money into a new car. Now that I am older, I see how much money I spent on cars in the USA over the years, so I am much wiser.
You'll probably be able to get a 2-3 yr old rav4 or at least 5k less if not more.
Here's an example its a 2010 for 11k with 21k miles. not bad at all.
#11
Re: What Car in the UK?
If you want something as safe as an "Mark I" Beetle, I would like to recommend a wet cardboard box! ..... Those things were ill-handling death traps, and I suspect if you drove one today, after 20 years driving Camrys, that you'd be rather less impressed.
#12
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Re: What Car in the UK?
My mother always used to tell me how safe the Beetles were. Not sure if it was true . . .
The Camry's are lovely cars - the older ones are better quality than the newer ones, I think, but still nice cars.
#13
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Re: What Car in the UK?
Windsong, look in the Telegraph the Motoring section and see writing by Honest John, he might give you some ideas.
A car that is raved about is the Skoda. Built in Europe by Volkswagen.
I like quirky cars. Example the electric car by Renault called the Twizzy I think. Two passenger, no side windows so it is better than a motorcycle and doesn't use petrol.
Diesel can get high miles per gallon but repairs are higher and they are not good for short trips because they need to warm up to be effective.
Cheers
A car that is raved about is the Skoda. Built in Europe by Volkswagen.
I like quirky cars. Example the electric car by Renault called the Twizzy I think. Two passenger, no side windows so it is better than a motorcycle and doesn't use petrol.
Diesel can get high miles per gallon but repairs are higher and they are not good for short trips because they need to warm up to be effective.
Cheers
#14
Re: What Car in the UK?
Windsong, look in the Telegraph the Motoring section and see writing by Honest John, he might give you some ideas.
A car that is raved about is the Skoda. Built in Europe by Volkswagen.
I like quirky cars. Example the electric car by Renault called the Twizzy I think. Two passenger, no side windows so it is better than a motorcycle and doesn't use petrol.
Diesel can get high miles per gallon but repairs are higher and they are not good for short trips because they need to warm up to be effective.
Cheers
A car that is raved about is the Skoda. Built in Europe by Volkswagen.
I like quirky cars. Example the electric car by Renault called the Twizzy I think. Two passenger, no side windows so it is better than a motorcycle and doesn't use petrol.
Diesel can get high miles per gallon but repairs are higher and they are not good for short trips because they need to warm up to be effective.
Cheers
#15
Re: What Car in the UK?
I like the RAV4 a lot; in fact, I had even been considering it for my next car here. They do seem quite expensive in the UK, though, or perhaps cars in general are more expensive there. New cars in general seem to be in the mid low to 20s (thousands of pounds). I think I will try to find a good used one. I really don't want to put all that money into a new car. Now that I am older, I see how much money I spent on cars in the USA over the years, so I am much wiser.