Going to replace the venerable, but really past it 1997 Laguna with something shiny and (probably) new, taking advantage of the £2000 scrappage.

Will be something of comparable size, for children and buggy capacity.

Taking a test drive today in the new Mazda 6 and new Laguna and next week in the Mondeo. Without having driven them, the Mazda so far has been the one that I think looks the best, is the nicest inside and has the best finance deal at the minute.

Budget around £17000 (before scrappage). Anything else I should be looking at or anyone any reports on the above three? The Mazda seems to get pretty glowing reviews in a "why arent more people buying this" way. Thought the Mondeo was horribly plasticky inside and the new look of the Laguna, especially around the arse end, isnt any big thrills either.

get a truck

A nice SUV for that price. I like my tucson although the gas mileage is dire (< 20 mpg around the city).
My dad and bro both have mazdas and both seem happy.

Quote from: SamA nice SUV for that price. I like my tucson although the gas mileage is dire (< 20 mpg around the city).

I see youve definitely embraced the american way of life

http://www.hotukdeals.com/item/406437/brand-new-09-ford-focus-1-8-tdci-ti

any good?

i love the look of the mazda 6, bring on the mps version thatd be sh*t hot

Jaimz

Quote from: Edd

Quote from: SamA nice SUV for that price. I like my tucson although the gas mileage is dire (< 20 mpg around the city).

I see youve definitely embraced the american way of life

Its partly because I want a bigger car so I dont get killed on their highways, and partly because the gas here is 87 octane and gives you worse performance on the same car.

Octane numbers are not interchangeable between US and UK

US 87 = UK 91 (Ordinary unleaded - Premium is 95 and super 97, 98, 99, etc depending on brand) or thereabouts. Still sh*te though. But if the car is mapped for it all the better

Quote from: matt5cotthttp://www.hotukdeals.com/item/406437/brand-new-09-ford-focus-1-8-tdci-ti

any good?

Too small.

Had the Mazda and Renault out today. The Mazda is by far the nicer car, but felt a bit slow (was the 2.2D, 125bhp) compared to the Laguna (150bhp) Mazda do a 163bhp version as well, which I suspect may solve those problems.

new c5

No use, theyve crippled themselves for the family market by not doing a hatchback. and the estate is too expensive.

Have you seen the size of the boot in a new C5 - massive! I suppose they are targeting the executive saloon market with it though.

C4 picasso? The one with the glass roof? (Do they still do that one) or the grand c4 picasso - it looks well

Im still denying that Im old enough for an MPV, so pseudo-repmobile it is

Not so much the boot size thats the issue, its access. We have a big pram that is very difficult to fit through saloon boot postbox.

Id quite like an mpv. Theyre unbeatable if you do a lot of driving with work. So much room, and so much more comfortable than a saloon.

If I was you, Id test drive one!

The joys of working from home, i do very little driving. Have driven my parents Grand Scenic and... Look, its like driving a transit. I want my drives to be at least a little fun. I get fun driving a 12 year old Laguna round the back roads, so something similar sized with a bit more poke would be just dandy.

I suspect in the new year I may have put enough aside to pick up a proper fun little car that has no family constraints on it. Maybe a Boxster or an Elise.