So, as I've posted before, I've been looking at cars to replace my mazda 6 estate, things all came to a head this week when we travelled from carlisle to kent and back with me, the wife and the baby. The wife complained often about the harsh ride and lowness of the mazda putting the baby into the car seat etc (she does have a very bad back which she's on pain killers daily so I'll accept that). We've looked online and some in the flesh at ford kugas, seat Altea's, Suzuki grand vitara, subaru outlander, hyundai Santa fe, Tucson and ix35s. Our budget is about 9k max so we are limited but all the above except the kuga were rejected for being too big or ugly, we haven't found a kuga in our price bracket yet that we like.

The out of the blue we saw a blue Dodge Journey in a car park down south and she loved it, even though it's massive and ugly as sin! She's liked it so much we test drove one today and it was as expected, massive, cumbersome but alright tbh. Turns out it has the VW 2.0TDi in it and motors 'ok'. The wife despite refusing to drive my mazda 6 for it being too big has said that she will drive the dodge! WTF is with that!? After being insulted by the dealers and one sales man getting a little offensive they have given us a decentish deal, I'm now mulling it over, I don't know if I'll go through with it yet due to dodge being no more and it is a bit cheap and cheerful. As per the title, my head is battered!

If she wants tall and smooth how about a citreon? Not even seen the dodge, but the thought of massive depreciation and being stuck to the brand next time round due to the brands limited appeal would be enough to make me look elsewhere.

she probably likes the colour

The Dodge looks dodgy ! I had to google what they even looked like ! You will really struggle to sell on . How about a Suburu outback like an estate but slightly raised and at least nice to drive with a 2.5 litre engine and in your price range

If she wants tall and smooth how about a citreon? Not even seen the dodge, but the thought of massive depreciation and being stuck to the brand next time round due to the brands limited appeal would be enough to make me look elsewhere.

Yeah I've said about the c-crosser but doesn't really like that. Neither of us like the c4 Picasso plus it has a small boot.

The Dodge looks dodgy ! I had to google what they even looked like ! You will really struggle to sell on . How about a Suburu outback like an estate but slightly raised and at least nice to drive with a 2.5 litre engine and in your price range

I know, tell me about it! Nah she doesn't like it and it would have to be diesel, I prefer them plus just makes sense with a 52 mile round trip commute.

How about a Yeti or a Dacia Duster?

Mazda 5, she will love the sliding back doors. My mrs loves hers

I know, tell me about it! Nah she doesn't like it and it would have to be diesel, I prefer them plus just makes sense with a 52 mile round trip commute.

. Everyone gets too wrapped up in fuel consumption , diesels are 2 grand more model for model , that buys you a lot of fuel and you'll have some fun

Honda CRV.

 

I don't know anyone that doesn't love theirs even very old ones.

How about a Yeti or a Dacia Duster?

Duster and back trouble, bad combination.

Touran?

Thanks for all the suggestions, my favorits is either the Santa Fe or the c-crosser/outlander/4007. We'll what she decides on what she'll drive. I've said I'm not deciding either way yet. I want to go and see a few more.

. Everyone gets too wrapped up in fuel consumption , diesels are 2 grand more model for model , that buys you a lot of fuel and you'll have some fun

I understand that but since it'll also be my daily driver I'd much rather have a diesel, I've had 6 diesels and 7 petrols, diesels are much better all round cars.

she probably likes the colour

Or if she's anything like my aunt it will be "it's got a smiley face". I jest you not!!

Would I have a dodge? Might be worth looking at the Ncap results before you do the deal.

The out of the blue we saw a blue Dodge Journey in a car park down south and she loved it, even though it's massive and ugly as sin! She's liked it so much we test drove one today and it was as expected, massive, cumbersome but alright tbh. Turns out it has the VW 2.0TDi in it and motors 'ok'.

 

It's not the VW 2.0 - it's a 140bhp Fiat 2.0 Multijet Diesel as also used in various GM cars (a good engine by the way), and the Dodge is sold as a Fiat Freemont in Europe (where it also gets the 170bhp version). Personally I think it's a very nice looking car from the outside and might have considered the Fiat version had we been able to get them in the UK.

The interior of the Fiat is nicer than the Dodge, though there was a facelift towards the end of their run that improved things in the Journey.

 

Crash tests are nothing to worry about in these -

 

Have you thought about finding a second hand E class CLS on finance?

I only ask as these types of car have amazing comfort as long as you stay away from sport wheels/suspension and can be found in some cases with air suspension.

Have you thought about finding a second hand E class CLS on finance?

I only ask as these types of car have amazing comfort as long as you stay away from sport wheels/suspension and can be found in some cases with air suspension.

I'm not interested in taking out finance tbh, I want something under 9k. I am looking for a B Class near by to hopefully take the Mrs to have a look on Monday.

Talking about couloir , I had a blue Vrs which I changed for my R36 ( blue ) mates wife said I thought you had changed your car !

Mine: "you know Kev, I just can't drive that Octavia VRS. It seems so big".

3 years later: " I love driving the Superb"

Logic. There is none so I just buy what I want now.

Duster and back trouble, bad combination.

Touran?

We just bought a Duster and I'm really impressed with the ride.

All this sounds familiar.

Mrs chelski last week; I think a 5 series would be too big for me to drive.

Mrs chelski this week; I think I'd like a X5

Wtf?!

Divorce?

Well the dodge is dead and buried, purely because of Evans Halshaw's pushy attitude and hidden costs, I have to admit, I did like the dodge and was prepared to go for it but instead we have paid a deposit on a peugeot 3008 from Benfield. Nice motor to be fair and although not as big as the dodge should still be big enough and is high up for the Mrs.