If ever you needed proof that we on here are not typical of all car buyers…….
Mate has Two German Shepherd dogs. So needs a vehicle for carrying them in.
Over last 5 years he has went from a Nissan pick up with hard top ( to keep the wet dog smell out the car), to a top of the range Renault crew van, auto, leather etc to his current Ford Ranger.
Sent me a link to a Volvo XC90 on Tues, brand new to ask my opinion. I told him Volvo were never really on my radar but I didn’t like the centre “portrait” style entertainment system. He then agreed and asked what else I would recommend.
So looking at suvs with big boots I jokingly sent him a link to brand new Skoda Kodiaq vrs. £50k+. He liked it.
Wed afternoon I get a text, that’s it ordered and get it next week!
So without seeing one in the flesh, without driving one, he has ordered one from a dealer in England and gets it next week!
Meanwhile I am 6 and a half years into researching my next car…..
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FIL asked my opinion for a new car, many years ago, and I suggested he looked at Austin Princess. He went and bought one!
He was short and complained he couldn't see the front of the bonnet, so drove it with the seat at max height and fully forward, with his nose almost touching the 'screen.
Sold it a few months later!
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I don’t think I would spend £50k (or even £15k) on a new car without first trying it.
But for those of fairly normal proportions with limited interest in cars, keeping it simple has a lot to commend it. A Skoda Kodiaq is no doubt well reviewed, from a reputable company, with more than adequate performance and space.
Why waste time agonising over the comparative virtues of very similar differently branded vehicles unless there is a very specific gizmo required. If money is no object go for superficial appeal, otherwise wait for a deal on any similar size vehicle.
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>> I don’t think I would spend £50k (or even £15k) on a new car without first trying it. >>
I wouldn't spend any amount on an easily available model of car without trying it - you may as well buy by mail order, with all that implies. However, since I became infatuated with the Pug 205, I have broken that rule more than once, most recently at the end of 2022. Before that I have taken trains to Taunton, Exeter and Boston to collect such vehicles, all of which were driven about 200 miles back without problems, and provided entertainment and satisfaction until the next purchase.
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>> So looking at suvs with big boots I jokingly sent him a link to brand
>> new Skoda Kodiaq vrs. £50k+. He liked it.
Very very popular in the dog world, if you dont have enough dogs to fill (or a few dogs and somewhere to brew or kip in a sleeping bag) a transit style van, you buy a Kodiaq. I know bespoke cage makers and they are selling bucket loads for that car.
All those who have them, love them.
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Zero, can you send me a link to the cage makers? He might be interested.
I have realised in process of reading replies that I hadn’t test drove an X1 before I got it. But BIL had one and I had thoroughly checked it out to make sure it did everything I wanted. I MAY have taken it round the block mind you.
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>> Zero, can you send me a link to the cage makers? He might be interested.
barjo. www.barjo.co.uk/cages/custom-vehicle-cages
I have a custom made Lintran
lintran.co.uk/product/db7
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I have a 4 Pets Pro Eco 22 dog crate that I bought in 2023. It cost £600 but did not fit in my new V60. If anyone is interested I will let it go for any reasonable offer.
It would have to be collected.
www.4pets-products.com/en/ecoline-dogcrate.html
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Confession time. I bought my first (I'm on my second) Kia Sportage new without a test drive. Looking back I don't know why not. Maybe because I'd already had an earlier Hyundai Sante Fe and there couldn't have been much difference, could there?? :)
I just love love driving it. I've had the current one 8 yrears and its only done 52K now.
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I bought my Sportage in 2020 with a 20 minute test drive. I'd had several Kia cars before that.
My current (not a) problem really is that I cannot see anything with a dashboard i like with normal knobs for radio and aircon controls plus a not too obrusive screen. I don't like the current massive screens in the new Kia or Hyundas with no control knobs.
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I bought my previous Vitara without a test drive, obviously sat in one in the showroom, did have a test drive in the current Swift, haven't regretted either purchase.
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I had a BMW on loan for 24 hours before I ordered mine, I think you need to drive them during the day, and night before you invest a large sum of money on a long term purchase, and stuffed my then current dog cage in it to check. (before I bought a bespoke one for two dogs). I was interested in the then new Volvo estate, so took my then old style XC70 along to the dealer, discovered my cage woulodnt fit in the back of the new one, and waved the dealer goodbye.
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I would never buy a car without driving it first. Although even that is not foolproof. Nearly 20 years ago I was interested in a C4 Grand Picasso and had one for a full day's test. It was fine. Except I decided to find a higher trim model, for the extra toys. Unfortunately amongst the list of toys was different front seats. Which gave me chronic back-ach, and I had to get rid of it after just 6 months. Which was a shame because the rest of the car was just fine for my needs. Oh well!
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I bought a Focus Active X estate during Covid. Went 150 on train to check it out. No test drive, not even allowed to drive it round the garage premises. Ex Ford management car with every conceivable extra.
Should have bought a Focus ST estate, as strongly recommended by my mechanic pal. Nothing inherently wrong with it, had the 1.5 3cyl ? engine. Sold it via Motorway after 2 years for a £50 loss, but equally lost 2 years of motoring pleasure.
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New car advice……… - bathtub tom
