brianm Posted December 23, 2006 Posted December 23, 2006 Getting round time for a new, or probably year old, tintop. Any advise or experience would be welcome. Already, inspite of the low lileage, come to the conclusion it has to be a diesel? I need a car for my own use, no company issues. I only cover 7kish/year due to other availability Need absolute economy Plan to keep 10 years Need hatchback or pref estate for hobby gear etc Dont need massive performance, but would like to keep up in general So choices, VX fan of old so the latest Vectras still look quite good. I have access to a number of company cars hence my own low lileage. The Audi A4 estate is good, the passat drives better but doesnt give the layout I want, and the f..o..r..d Mondeo diesel, sorry, it's hard to say, is the best of the lot by a country mile. But in terms of what I actually need, they are all probably a little too large as I am looking economy as a priority. Based on specs and the families history of car ownership, I have one car on the shortlist at present, the Renault Megane Estate. Can anyone comment or add to this please? Quote
brianm Posted December 23, 2006 Author Posted December 23, 2006 QUOTE Focus 1.8 TDCi Open to explanations Quote
Eccentric_Rich Posted December 23, 2006 Posted December 23, 2006 Focus 1.8 TDCi Open to explanations It's a very good car - handles well and is fun to drive, cheap to insure and maintain - enough said really. Given the price of unleaded compared to diesel and the low mileage you cover I'd go for a 1.8 petrol, it can be very economical if you drive like a granny but also fun if you want to be a hooligan now and again. Richard. Quote
Asterix Posted December 23, 2006 Posted December 23, 2006 Focus 1.8 TDCi Open to explanations It's a very good car - handles well and is fun to drive, cheap to insure and maintain - enough said really. Given the price of unleaded compared to diesel and the low mileage you cover I'd go for a 1.8 petrol, it can be very economical if you drive like a granny but also fun if you want to be a hooligan now and again. Richard. Seat Leon tdi, for similar reasons. Quote
peterg Posted December 23, 2006 Posted December 23, 2006 Skoda Octavia 2.0 TDi with a DSG gearbox - the boot is massive on the hatchback never mind the estate, it'll cost a huge amount less than the equivalent VW or Audi but uses the same engine and box with 20k service intervals (3 yrs free servicing if you're buying new...) and a lot of trim and other parts too, has the chassis of the Mk5 Golf, the aftersales is better than most (Skoda get a lot of awards for customer service) and you'll get 50mpg easily how do I know? 'cos I just swapped my horrendously unreliable BMW 330d for one, that's why Quote
brianm Posted December 23, 2006 Author Posted December 23, 2006 Please keep 'em coming, nothing like personnel recomendations, or slag offs Anyone had/got a Renault? Focus looks like one I forgot so far, whats the standard kit like? Megane is excellant. Quote
Rob Navin Posted December 23, 2006 Posted December 23, 2006 Honda accord diesel/ I have got the 2.4 petrol and have done about fourty thousand in it in a yeat taking it to 80. Since I have had it I have put pads and disks on it and a set of wiper blades. It is getting ready for some tyres though, but only at the front. Great car and the derv is ment to be as refined as you will get. Spec is excelent for the cash as well, I paid 11 for mine and have the works including built in sat nav. Quote
slippy Posted December 23, 2006 Posted December 23, 2006 Worth speaking to JeffC he probably bought and sold every diesel VAG/BMW model under the sun and will probably be able to source what ever he recommends Click Here my good man Quote
Boxerman33 Posted December 23, 2006 Posted December 23, 2006 AUDI/VW diesels are great for performance and economy but will cost you a fortune when they go wrong. (My last A4 1.9TDI went through cambelts with the obvious resultant damage) If you can stretch to a cam chained engine then still worth considering. Mondeo diesel is great car but you'll get 10mpg less than the VAG engine. I'm a big fan of the new (ish) SEAT Altea, you can get then for nowt and they are hugh inside. You'll get 55-60mpg average if you can live with the slight people carrier image. Very cheap to insure too. You might just get one for your budget Quote
slippy Posted December 23, 2006 Posted December 23, 2006 Renaults are made of flumps would not part with my hard earned for one Quote
worldwidewebs Posted December 23, 2006 Posted December 23, 2006 Focus 1.8 TDCi Open to explanations Right size, excellent economy, good perfomance, best handling car in its class, cheap to insure and service, will last 10 years (probably unlike the Renault) Quote
JeffC Posted December 23, 2006 Posted December 23, 2006 asking for advice on what car to buy will always fetch some varying options.. opinions are like arses we all have one and yours is always sweeter smelling than everyone elses Vag diesel for economy and a bit of performance would be my recomendation and in the current market there should be a car for you with any budget, couple of my customers have tdis with well over 200k and they have had no problems. look at what most taxi drivers drive , there will be a reason for it.. up here there is a ****loads of Skoda/passat tdis seats and vws are cheaper than the audi but I think its reflected in what you get, the bigger the car the better they drive.. servicing costs and parts are cheaper than the likes of peugeots/renaults etc. even the dealer parts are cheap and at times cheaper than motor factors VW oil is £16 per gallon , oil filters £4 . timing belt kits inc tensioner/idler/roller £65.. all from main dealer. personaly Im not a frenchcar or japanese car, dont like the build quality and although they do everything very well they just dont have any feel do a search on dci renaults you will get some scarey results!! evening Slipp Quote
brianm Posted December 23, 2006 Author Posted December 23, 2006 QUOTE QUOTE QUOTE Focus 1.8 TDCi Open to explanations Right size, excellent economy, good perfomance, best handling car in its class, cheap to insure and service, will last 10 years (probably unlike the Renault) Hmmm, 10 year lastability is my big problem, Bought a 10 month old Renault 8 years ago and sold it within a month because of fears over longevity, had the vectra ever since Warming to the Focus, performance/economy figures anyone?? Quote
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