Hey all,

So it looks like a new family wagon is the order of the day. SWMBO has a new job, which means she's working out in the sticks somewhat, lots of country lanes and no phone signal.....

Currently we have a Cmax, which has been a great car, but the time is right to move it on and seek a new daily for her.

Requirements

Lots of space - family and labrador need regular ferrying
Reliable - see above lack of signal on daily commute
Frugal (ish) - current car does 30mpd ish and we'd like a bit more, but not a deal breaker
4x4 - see again location. In bad weather and winter, it'll be a requirement.
Towing - able to tow would be nice for track days

Suggestions so far

VW Touareg
Volvo XC90
BMW X3
Nissan x-trail
Honda CRV

Budget is 5-6k, happy to travel for the right one.

Any experiences you can share? Suggestions? Ones to avoid etc?

All help welcome!

Get the Honda.
uber reliable stuff, and for the budget you will get a much better car.

>2006 Rav4
like Toyota RAV4 2.2 D-4D XT4 silver 56 plate
Just shopping forr our second 45-50 on a run diesel, real 4wd when needed Toyota

[Edited on 14/6/14 by ReMan]

Octavia 4x4?

We have a VRs which has been fab and flawless!

Jeep Patriot - a little agricultural but I love it. 07-11 (I think) has the 2.0 VW diesel 140bhp gets me 43mpg.

Was doing the same just over a year ago and and looksd att all of your list but the VW

Figured the XC too new/thirsty/Flat cap, but was a poss
Honda just wasn't doing it for us
X3 seemed a bit expensive
Toyota seemed to hold their value well, which is where we went, but, due to circumstances this year, have pilled the miles on it so want to move it on whilst its still below ave mileage and get another low mileage one. But looking for about 8k

[Edited on 14/6/14 by ReMan]

Thanks guys keep it coming.

Patriot and rav4 added to the list.

I'd love the Octavia, but she has a bad back, so a higher door is good for moving junior about.

If you test drive a diesel CRV bung it in second as slow as you can and floor it checking for a wobble. They have a habit of knackering drive shafts, followed by cv joints and then the gearboxes if left with wobbly driveshafts. Drive shafts are 1500 from Honda although there are some cheaper china alternatives.

With Nissan diesels oil change history is very imporant, they need to have had nothing but fully synthetic used in the sump and oil changed frequently.
With any other oil they tend to suffer turbo oil feed problems resulting in the turbo blow ups often wrecking the engine.
If run with even the cheapest supermarket fully synthetic from new there is unlikely to be a problem.