[clockworks]

I've just been accepted for voluntary redundancy, so my company car (Mazda 6 diesel estate) goes back in a month.

I need to find a smallish car with plenty of load space, big enough for for my RC planes (1.5m span), with a flat floor usable as a workbench.
Needs to be cheap to run (40+mpg and cheap insurance), and have ABS and aircon.
Most of my journeys will be less than 25 miles, on country roads, so high performance isn't a requirement.

I was originally thinking of a large estate car, but you get more practical space with better mileage in something with a high roofline. Most mini- or midi MPVs are desperately dull, so I was thinking about something with a bit of character, like a Fiat Multipla, or one of the French "van conversions" like the Berlingo, Kangoo, etc.

No fixed budget, but I'd like to keep it under £4000 on the road. I intend to keep it for as long as possible - at least 5 years.
The only "car" I won't consider is the Citroen Picasso - hateful piece of junk that handles like a boat.

Any suggestions?

[Decadence]

Originally Posted by clockworks

...thinking about something with a bit of character, like a Fiat Multipla, or one of the French "van conversions" like the Berlingo, Kangoo, etc.

The only "car" I won't consider is the Citroen Picasso - hateful piece of junk that handles like a boat.

Any suggestions?

Isn't this a bit of a contradiction as they will probably all handle in a similar manner to the Picasso?

On a more helpful note...try a Honda Jazz, it has a very versatile rear space where the seats fold down flat to the same level as the boot space...and you'll get toward 50mpg.

[FZR400RRSP]

You could probably just about get a Ford C-Max for £4k.
They handle alright, being based on a Focus.
I know a woman who ran one as a 'mule' for years, including caryying heavy tools.
The back shocks failed, which was to be expected considering the massive loads, but the rest was fine.

[clockworks]

Originally Posted by Decadence

Isn't this a bit of a contradiction as they will probably all handle in a similar manner to the Picasso?

On a more helpful note...try a Honda Jazz, it has a very versatile rear space where the seats fold down flat to the same level as the boot space...and you'll get toward 50mpg.

The Picasso is the only car of this type that I've driven - had one as a courtesy car for a few days. It's quite possible that all small MPVs drive the same - I've no idea. It was possibly all in my mind, what with sitting up high in a seat with no side support, and the dash and screen being so far away.
I'd expect the van-type Kangoo, etc., to handle more like, well, a van. My brother had a Fiat Doblo as a hire car in Spain, which he drove for several thousand miles with no problems.

I hadn't even considered the Honda - thanks for the suggestion.

[clockworks]

Originally Posted by FZR400RRSP

You could probably just about get a Ford C-Max for £4k.
They handle alright, being based on a Focus.
I know a woman who ran one as a 'mule' for years, including caryying heavy tools.
The back shocks failed, which was to be expected considering the massive loads, but the rest was fine.

The C-Max would probably be a very sensible choice, but it just looks so dull. One to consider, though.

What got me thinking about these continental oddities was the desire for something that looked a bit different.
If I had the money, and the time to keep it on the road, I'd get a Citroen DS Safari - my all-time favourite "sensible" car. That might give you an idea of where I'm coming from. I want a vehicle that's practical, but says "I bought something cheap through choice, not because I'm skint".

[FZR400RRSP]

Originally Posted by clockworks

The C-Max would probably be a very sensible choice, but it just looks so dull. One to consider, though.

No offence, but I think your budget rules out anything other than dull looking MPV's.
IMO the only interesting looking MPVs are as follows.

1/ Ford S-Max (which I'm seriously considering for my next car, as I need a 'daddy wagon')
2/ Honda FRV
3/ Mazda 5

All outwith your budget, sorry.

[Dony]

How about a Toyota Corolla Verso?.......checking autotrader, you could get a low mileage 2003 model within your budget.

LINK

[clockworks]

Looks like I might have to travel up country to find something at a reasonable price. There's a serious lack of competition in Cornwall, so the main dealers all seem to be selling at way above book price. Independents are selling at main dealer prices!
Private sellers are advertising high-mileage cars at average mileage prices.

[clockworks]

After much deliberation, I decided to just buy a new car. Shouldn't be any more expensive than running an older car over the next 8 years, until I take my pension at 60.
I wanted something that had enough space, was very cheap to run, and actually had a bit of character. Popped into my local Fiat dealer, and they had a Qubo sitting on the forecourt in metallic black, with all the extras. Had a test drive, and was impressed by how well it went on the country lanes, considering it's a 1.3 diesel.

On paper, it's very economical (over 60mpg combined, £35 road tax, £180 for fully comp insurance), and has enough space for all my hobby gear, so I pulled the trigger.

Haggled the price down by £1200 from list - picking it up 1st December.

[Decadence]

That'll do the job nicely...pretty good choice in my opinion.