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Thinking about buying a Karoq but...

Posted: Sun Apr 28, 2019 6:58 pm
by cmac
Hi, first post here.

There's an ex-demonstrator Karoq Edition 2.0 TDI for sale at a good price near me, and I'm tempted. "Good price" means cheaper than any other of the same spec that I can find, so it seems like a good option. There are a few things that are holding me back though:

1. 19" wheels. What are they like? I've never owned a car with so little rubber on the rims.
2. In the current culture of anti-diesel, does it make sense to get a TDI now?
3. I live in a rural area. Most journeys are 5 miles into town for shopping, or 20 miles (or more) to see family or do other stuff. I don't often get stuck in town / city traffic. In this pattern of driving would the 1.5 petrol make more sense than the 2.0 TDI?
4. The only puncture I've ever had in a car was 25 years ago, but... no spare wheel! Should I be concerned?

Part of me wants to just go for it, but another part of me has these reservations. Current car is a Citroen Berlingo 1.6 HDI. The Karoq Edition is much higher spec and I don't want to be pulled in by the gadgetry and spec only to find out, years in the future, that I could have chosen better now.

Thoughts?

Re: Thinking about buying a Karoq but...

Posted: Mon Apr 29, 2019 8:20 am
by mikaroq
Hi cmac

We have the 1.5 TSI Edition. Although everyone's views are subjective I would say the following:

1. I have no problem with the 19 inch wheels. The 18's on the SEL do give a slightly smoother ride (based on test drive comparisons) but I find the ride totally acceptable and far softer than our second car which is on 17 inch wheels but the same profile rubber
2. I personally prefer petrol now. We are are leasing ours on the basis that we think electric will take off more and more and that may be what we get next in 3 years time. In terms of fuel economy I get around 50mpg on a 75 mile commute round the M25 and 30 mpg when towing. Would have loved a 2ltr petrol but they didn't do it when we got ours - however no regrets with the 1.5 either.
3. I'm not concerned about no spare wheel, but do have Skoda assistance / AA recovery

Hope this helps a bit

Re: Thinking about buying a Karoq but...

Posted: Mon Apr 29, 2019 11:02 am
by kodiaq
cmac wrote: Sun Apr 28, 2019 6:58 pm Hi, first post here.

There's an ex-demonstrator Karoq Edition 2.0 TDI for sale at a good price near me, and I'm tempted. "Good price" means cheaper than any other of the same spec that I can find, so it seems like a good option. There are a few things that are holding me back though:

1. 19" wheels. What are they like? I've never owned a car with so little rubber on the rims.I have SEL and find the ride fairly hard. Give very good road holding though
2. In the current culture of anti-diesel, does it make sense to get a TDI now?Are you buying cash or credit (PCP) if former, I wouldn't personally touch derv with a barge pole!
3. I live in a rural area. Most journeys are 5 miles into town for shopping, or 20 miles (or more) to see family or do other stuff. I don't often get stuck in town / city traffic. In this pattern of driving would the 1.5 petrol make more sense than the 2.0 TDI?1.5 TSi MUCH more suited to your driving And consumption not that far off derv.34 Urban, up to 44 extra urban on mine. Consumption decreases after about 4k mils on VAG engines.
4. The only puncture I've ever had in a car was 25 years ago, but... no spare wheel! Should I be concerned?
My experience similar. Whilst under warranty the breakdown will rescue you if you rip the tyre. The roadside wait and being uplifted to garage at the weekend (worst case scenario) might be more than somewhat inconvenient . 'Gunge' will cause tyre shops to tell you that wherever the puncture is it is irreparable (which is rubbish, if not on shoulder)

Part of me wants to just go for it, but another part of me has these reservations. Current car is a Citroen Berlingo 1.6 HDI. The Karoq Edition is much higher spec and I don't want to be pulled in by the gadgetry and spec only to find out, years in the future, that I could have chosen better now.

Thoughts?
You don't say where you are, but there are quite a few pre-reg 1.5 TSi models about. Look on Autotrader or at your local dealer.
So sorry to burst your bubble, but I think you might regret it notwithstanding the facts above.
Good luck,
Colin. P.S. what are they asking for the car you have seen?

Re: Thinking about buying a Karoq but...

Posted: Mon Apr 29, 2019 12:05 pm
by cmac
Thanks. I'll be having a test drive later today so I'll get an idea on the ride comfort then, but I'm anticipating it being quite harsh. Also I looked at the price of tyres for the 19" rims... yikes!

Do you have 18" or 19" wheels? Stock on the SE L appears to be 18", so if you find those harsh then I'm guessing the 19" will be even more so.

It will be a cash purchase, but the price is pretty good - £25K with just over 1000 miles on the clock and a 19 registration. Looks very clean from when we saw it (but didn't drive it) on Saturday. I looked around online and couldn't find an equivalent model cheaper; even cars that are a year older are listed for more. So, to some extent, the price helps to mitigate the future depreciation of diesel. But the gap between petrol and diesel prices at the pump is only going to get wider as the government continue to punish diesel cars.

My initial thought was to go for a 1.5 petrol SE L but the Edition has a few distinctive features that are quite appealing, which is why I'm considering it. Might just hold out for a 1.5 petrol Edition, but I'll see how the test drive goes.

Re: Thinking about buying a Karoq but...

Posted: Mon Apr 29, 2019 3:02 pm
by kodiaq
I agree with your line of thinking and it certainly is cheap.

If you do buy it you should take it for a 30 odd mile thrash about once a month to ensure the DPF doesn't get clogged.
I am not up in derv as much as petrol. Does It need 'Adblue'? I am assuming it does.

You should also do the sums regarding the REAL MPG/cost of derv and the REAL mpg/cost of petrol. The advantage of diesel consumption is narrowing rapidly.

Sales of diesel cars is running about 28% DOWN on last year, which may be why the price is so good, he may be getting desperate. I assume at 1000miles it is his demo? There is a garage in Southampton who used to deal ONLY in diesel cars, to save himself going bust he has had to rename his garage and now sells anything.
My Local Mercedes dealer has literally dozens of s/hand dervs on his forecourt and hardly any petrol. draw your own conclusions.
I am fully aware that the modern diesel is possibly cleaner than modern petrol engines. Unfortunately it matters not.
Now the Government has decreed derv to be the 'devil's fuel', many cities charging or banning dervs entering the city centres.

I have 18" with Michelins on my SEL. Assuming your Berlingo has typical Citroen suspension, I would be MOST interested in you comments after your road test.

I would be VERY interested in your comments re ride, as I am considering splashing out £8,500 PLUS my 68reg 2600 mile Karoq as my dealer has an Edition with a pan roof which I am finding it difficult to live with out. I am basically considering popping £8.5 K just to get a 'sunny' and a few extra gizmos. I must be bonkers.
I await your report with interest.

Re: Thinking about buying a Karoq but...

Posted: Mon Apr 29, 2019 3:06 pm
by mikaroq
Bonkers maybe, but I love the sunroof too :-)

Do let us know what you think about the ride quality - I find the 19's fine, but have come from cars that probably rode more stiffly anyway

Re: Thinking about buying a Karoq but...

Posted: Mon Apr 29, 2019 6:08 pm
by cmac
Just back in from the test drive. First thoughts are that the Karoq is a very nice machine.

This particular car, as it turns out, has the 18" braga alloys which I'm pleased with - I don't see the point in 19" wheels. The ride quality is notably better than the Berlingo, and the Karoq deals with lumps and bumps on the road much more smoothly. Also it's much more planted on the road and more stable in corners, but the Berlingo feels a bit like a fishing boat at times so that's no surprise.

The Edtion-specific features are good for us. My wife is much smaller than me, both in height and girth, so the electric adjusting seats are very useful - all the various adustments make it easier to find a good seating position for her. (Though in the Berlingo we just slide the seat back and forward - everything else ends up in the right place.). We live in central Scotland countryside so 4wd is potentially useful, for winter rather than going off road. The electric boot means my wife doesn't have to stretch for a handle to pull the door shut.

I have driven a Yeti a lot, stalling it frequently (due to the bottom-swing accelerator pedal) and ending up in the wrong gear often (due to the minuscule gap between reverse, first and third in the gear shift). I once ended up in reverse in a roundabout. Pleased to note that the Karoq doesn't suffer these issues.

Which leaves us with the engine. I've driven diesels for many years, but I recognise the sense of a petrol engine in this instance. If we get the Karoq then I'd expect to keep it for a long time, so residuals will take a hit. Sometimes in life there's a cost that comes with some decisions, and you either accept it or do something else. If depreciation and residual value is so important then buying a nearly new car isn't the best place to start - a four year old Qashqai (or Berlingo) would be a far more sensible proposition. You can wrap yourself in knots looking for the perfect solution that ticks all the boxes, of you can just get on with life.

So my instinct at the moment is to go for it. I'll think about it a bit more, but I have good feelings about the car.

One question though: the car has an indent in the boot that would take a space saver wheel, and the boot floor has folds in it that make it height-adjustable. Can I just get a space saver kit and bolt it into place? Or is there more to it than that?

Re: Thinking about buying a Karoq but...

Posted: Tue Apr 30, 2019 8:56 am
by kodiaq
Thanks for the info re the ride.
I am still faffing about wondering whether to spend £8.5k on a sunroof and a leccy tailgate! ;)
I suppose I had better go and have a drive.
I am seriously considering full EV when they become available (year waiting list for the E Niro at the mo)
I used to be indecisive, but now I'm not sure :lol:

Re: Thinking about buying a Karoq but...

Posted: Tue Apr 30, 2019 9:24 am
by cmac
You could get a used MX-5 for £5K rather than spend £8.5K on a sunroof...

Re: Thinking about buying a Karoq but...

Posted: Tue Apr 30, 2019 4:16 pm
by kodiaq
:lol: I would get quite a lot more than I have on my SEL and a 19 reg car.
Mx5 would have to be auto(rare ) also 5 would have to come with a free crane to get me out!
Had one a few years ago & I must admit you can't have more fun with your clothes on, than an MX5 ;)
Plus of course VED on an old 5 would be about £250+ second insurance etc,etc.