#Askwhatcar Your motoring questions answered
WHAT CAR? SAYS…
I’m now in a household of two – myself and my long-term best friend, Mike. I am 63 and disabled, but an enthusiastic driver. My last long-distance trip was in the summer of 2015, when I drove from my home in Dunfermline to Istanbul and back.
I currently drive a 2013 Skoda Superb Estate 2.0 TDI 170 with the DSG automatic gearbox. The car is tted with a hydraulic hoist, which lifts my mobility scooter into the boot.
Mike is 59 and a person of size. He does much of my shopping and takes our household rubbish to the tip, often accompanied by his dog. Mike’s car is a 2013 Skoda Octavia Estate 1.6 TDI 115.
Both of our cars are nearly ve years old and both are facing a cambelt change, which will cost £400-£500. Both cars will also require MOTS and servicing at the same time.
So, what two new cars would be best to replace ours? I need a car that’s big enough for my scooter and can have a hydraulic hoist tted to it. Mike needs a car he can sit in comfortably and that has space in the back for large bags. He’d be happy with something basic; unlike me, he regards a car as a tool. Simon Brooke It sounds like you’ll need a reasonably large car; one that’s roomy enough to accommodate your scooter and hydraulic hoist.
As well as a new Skoda Superb Estate, which has a very large boot, we’d recommend an MPV, because these generally have wide opening doors and low sills for easy access, plus relatively high seats that are easier to get into.
Therefore, we’d suggest you also consider the Ford S-max, Volkswagen Golf SV and Volkswagen Touran. These cars are also great to drive, with surprisingly agile handling.
For the Touran, you could go for a 1.4-litre turbocharged petrol engine instead of a diesel if most of your driving is around town. The 1.6-litre diesel is a better option if you do more motorway driving, though. Both engines are available with the DSG gearbox.
As for Mike, a new Dacia Sandero is a roomy and affordable option. We’d recommend the 1.5-litre dci in Ambiance trim. It costs £9595, yet comes with a decent amount of standard kit, including air conditioning, remote central locking, electric front windows and Bluetooth.
We’d say that getting these cars on PCP deals would be the best option for you both.
According to Cap HPI, your Superb Estate has a trade-in value of £8725, so you’ll be looking at obtaining finance of £10,000-£12,000 to get a mid-spec Touran or Superb on a PCP deal. The S-max is about £5000 more expensive.
Mike should get £4550 in trade-in for his Octavia Estate, leaving a balance of £5045, which he could also put towards a PCP deal.
It’s worth looking for manufacturer deposit contributions on both cars. And to ensure you get the best deal, don’t forget to check What Car?’s new car buyer marketplace online.