Hi All,

We are currently looking to replace my wife's car. She only past her test recently at the rope old age of 4......(mumble). She's been running around in an old VW Polo as her first car - for experience and affordable insurance.
She's now looking for something newer, with more equipment and physically higher for getting in and out that bit easier. She also has a couple of friends who own Kuga's - so I suspect that is swaying her.
I wonder if I can ask the experts of this forum for a little buying advice?

Budget is around 9k top-end - Basic searching seems to indicate that could get us anything between 2012 & 2018
Has to be Auto. She decided to go the Automatic Licence route
There seems to be three engines listed - 1.5 & 1.6 Petrol and then a 2.0 Diesel. Is any one of these head & shoulders above the others? Is there an engine to avoid?
How do these fair at higher mileage? Searching around and we could be looking at anything from 40k to 110k+
Is there a particular specification to look for? She's been driving a rather old VW Polo - so things like remote central looking, reversing sensors and a way to listen to her music rather than radio only will be a luxury to her! But I think more toys the better.

Then there is the big question - anything to look out or watch for when buying? Anything to set-off Alarm bells?
I'm looking to make sure she is in something reliable, that is important.

As for alternatives for the Kuga - smaller SUV, can see there are options from Hyundai, Mazda, VW, BMW & Toyota - I know this is a Ford forum, but any thoughts on the rivals?

Cheers all and thanks for your time.

5 hours ago, Stouffer said:

and then a 2.0 Diesel.

The older TDCi engine with the traditional dry timing belt is a robust reliable engine. Avoid the newer 2.0 EcoBlue which uses the wet timing belt. Also keep away from the Kuga MHEV which has serious battery problems.

Have a read about the powershift gearbox. You want to make sure whatever you are buying the gearbox has been serviced in line with the reccomendations. It's not part of the service schedule and it isn't cheap to do so people will know if they have been doing it.

I don't think you'll get a 2.0 EcoBlue Kuga under £9k.

The 1.5 TDCI should be available within budget and automatic, not sure if that was consciously left out for some reason.  That also won't be the EcoBlue engine at this price range and is a very reliable engine.  It will be fairly underpowered in a heavy Kuga though.  I would probably avoid that one myself in this model.

2.0 TDCI is likely to have DPF issues if it's only being used for short runs.  Though should be the cheapest to fuel and the engine itself is generally reliable.

My personal preference would be the 1.5 EcoBoost.  Plenty of power (182bhp) and no DPF to worry about.  However, there is a common cooling issue on those before 2018.  The 1.6 is a very similar engine, which was slightly redesigned into the 1.5 mainly for the Chinese market.  There were cooling issues on those as well.

 

Regarding trim levels: Zetec is the basic trim level.  That does come with remote locking and a heated windscreen.  Possibly Bluetooth depending on age.

Titanium is the 'comfort' trim, which includes automatic lights, wipers and auto-dim rear view mirror.  Potentially cruise & climate, again dependant on age though.

Titanium X is the luxury trim.  That includes things like xenon headlights, leather seats and panoramic sunroof.

ST-Line is the sports trim.  That looks better externally, but has stiffer suspension and fewer extras inside.

There are a few other short term trims, but those are the most common ones.

 

Suzuki sx4 s cross or Vitara. 

On 9/28/2024 at 9:40 AM, TomsFocus said:

I don't think you'll get a 2.0 EcoBlue Kuga under £9k.

The 1.5 TDCI should be available within budget and automatic, not sure if that was consciously left out for some reason.  That also won't be the EcoBlue engine at this price range and is a very reliable engine.  It will be fairly underpowered in a heavy Kuga though.  I would probably avoid that one myself in this model.

2.0 TDCI is likely to have DPF issues if it's only being used for short runs.  Though should be the cheapest to fuel and the engine itself is generally reliable.

My personal preference would be the 1.5 EcoBoost.  Plenty of power (182bhp) and no DPF to worry about.  However, there is a common cooling issue on those before 2018.  The 1.6 is a very similar engine, which was slightly redesigned into the 1.5 mainly for the Chinese market.  There were cooling issues on those as well.

 

Regarding trim levels: Zetec is the basic trim level.  That does come with remote locking and a heated windscreen.  Possibly Bluetooth depending on age.

Titanium is the 'comfort' trim, which includes automatic lights, wipers and auto-dim rear view mirror.  Potentially cruise & climate, again dependant on age though.

Titanium X is the luxury trim.  That includes things like xenon headlights, leather seats and panoramic sunroof.

ST-Line is the sports trim.  That looks better externally, but has stiffer suspension and fewer extras inside.

There are a few other short term trims, but those are the most common ones.

 

Hi,

Thank you for your long and useful response.
May I ask you a little bit more about this cooling issue?
How does it manifest itself and is there any mitigation or any way to fix/resolve the issue?

I suspect we'll be looking at a pre 2018 model, so of course alarm bells ring when you use the word "common".

Thanks again.

1 hour ago, Stouffer said:

Hi,

Thank you for your long and useful response.
May I ask you a little bit more about this cooling issue?
How does it manifest itself and is there any mitigation or any way to fix/resolve the issue?

I suspect we'll be looking at a pre 2018 model, so of course alarm bells ring when you use the word "common".

Thanks again.

Wilco has made many posts on this topic so I will just link one below.

In basic terms it's very similar to a headgasket failure.  Though caused by poor engine design rather than just a faulty gasket.  It can't be easily repaired.  New engine is usually required.  Though Wilco has made some suggestions for repair, if you have a willing engine builder.  It's too involved for a normal garage.