IMHO most cars today are much of a muchness especially now rust problems have been almost eliminated and electronic problems are being ironed out.
The exception of course is all the french rubbish with its roly poly suspension and engines that could have been made by Cadburies.
German, English, Swedish, Japanese, anything at all really except french
If you have a high milage french car you should go and buy a lottery ticket while your lucks in.
This of course is just my opinion as a mechanic of 40 years
My entire family are now driving with VWs or Skodas (owned by VW and same engine)and are very happy with them. Daughter and her OH have a very nice Octavia estate which has a huge amount of space but drives like a dream.
I'm with ratcatcher - don't buy French. Our Renault Megane did last 14 years and gave good service for 120,000 miles but then oh dear ... hence the VW!
Good luck in your search. Hope you find a good 'un!
Quote: Originally posted by ratcatcher on 19/3/2013IMHO most cars today are much of a muchness especially now rust problems have been almost eliminated and electronic problems are being ironed out.
The exception of course is all the french rubbish with its roly poly suspension and engines that could have been made by Cadburies.
German, English, Swedish, Japanese, anything at all really except french
If you have a high milage french car you should go and buy a lottery ticket while your lucks in.
This of course is just my opinion as a mechanic of 40 years
A bit controvertial maybe but what the heck
up to a point i'd have to agree , our previous tow car was a 1.5 DCI Megane II, we had that motor for 5yrs never had a minutes trouble with the car mechanically, it was fantastic on fuel and when we traded her in, the body work was as good as the day it came out of the showroom .
however the electrics were a nightmare almost from day one , electric window motors kept failing,dealer only part at £280 a time to supply and fit , we had 3 out of the four go on ours
and woe be tide you if you needed to change a headlight bulb , i needed one changing so popped along to to Halfords to take advantage of their buy and fit option, bought the bulb but was told they don't fit front bulbs to that model due to access difficulties, wasn't until i tried to fit it myself that i found out just what they meant ..not a chance, eventually took it to our local spanner jockey, he changed it alright...he had to take the front bumper off to get the headlight unit out in order to replace the bulb
other than that it was a really good car
before that we had a peugeot 405 hdi, had that for 4yrs never missed a beat until the timing belt went, over £1300 to repair ,needless to say that was sold for spares or repair as i only paid £1000 for it to begin with
------------- no tin tent outings booked as yet ,just another cruise in Sept' booked so far
Family of contrasts here. My daughter has just got her second brand new Mazda 3 Sport hatchback which talks back to her. We on the other hand bought a 2000 2 litre Mondeo Automatic Petrol Estate with 57,000 on the clock for £300. I love it and all it needed were 2 new tyres. Just towed the caravan with it and its perfect. Lots of room for a family.
Hi read somewhere the other week, that if you do less 18,000 per year petrol is the cheaper option and over 18,000 then its the diesel. So the choice is yours
Quote: Originally posted by nigel58464 on 19/3/2013
Hi read somewhere the other week, that if you do less 18,000 per year petrol is the cheaper option and over 18,000 then its the diesel. So the choice is yours
unless its a transit van! the petrol transits do around 18 - 22 mpg, but my diesel managing around 40-42mpg. diesel is only 5p per litre more expensive but the van does twice as many miles to the gallon.
so its dependant on the vehicles mpg figures and of course the vehicles service and other running costs, ie road tax which can vary wildly.
so a bit of calculation is required.
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Living the Dutch Dream - Karsten 300 pod + extns in Sea Green and Pure Cotton
I'm surprised not to see any recommendations for a Volvo yet. The older V40 diesels are reasonably cheap to insure, maintain and run. The petrols slightly more so. The engines are solid and will run for hundreds of thousands of miles if looked after.
If you want something slightly more modern, the V50 offers a good mid-size estate for all budgets. Slightly more technical to maintain, but very comfortable and coupled with a roof box, offers a large amount of carrying space.
i had a picasso and it was a nightmare the short journeys i did caused all sorts of problems and it really didnt like the cold. the 1.6psa engine is everywhere, (fords, volvos,citroen, and more)
i now have a 1.6 Focus, slight hiccup with a throttle sensor that the local dealer sorted under warrenty but after a couple months all is fine. nice drive.
howevere 46-55 on a long run from the picasso and know barely 35mpg so that hurts a bit but the fuel cost is barely £3 a week more doing circa 12k miles per year.
If you are looking for a diesel you would be best to look for one of the older type without diesel particulate filters as these can clog up with short journeys, unless you are prepared to give them an 'italian tune up' every week or so. Such as the old VW engines 1.9 tdi's. I have had a few diesels, (two of the old picassos with the 2L HDI, not the newer and weaker 1.6), and I am now currently running a Ford Galaxy 130 tdi (really a VW with blue badges). For 5k you should get a decent one. Other possibilities are Skoda Octavia estate, or perhaps a VW touran, as well as the above mentioned Sharalxy group. Another possibility is Seat, take a look at the Altea, or have you considered a Passat Estate( loads around). With regards to engines most PSA group engines find their way into most european cars, Fords TDci is a variation (don't forget Ford own Mazda)as well as some Fiats, Some one mentioned the Jag X type, really a mondeo in a posh frock with a Ford TDci engine (Citroen). However don't rule out petrol..petrol cars are cheaper to buy, are cheaper to service, generally cheaper to put right if they go wrong,better for short journeys and petrol has fast caught up with diesel in terms of fuel economy, the only reason I have a diesel is for towing. And petrol is usually about 6-8p per litre cheaper at the pumps.
'you takes your choice'
regards
Jon
------------- Are you sure you couldn't squeeze anything else in love ?
Buy an unfashionable estate (Volvo/Skoda/Ford) for around £2500/£3k and keep money in the bank for repair fund if required
Depreciation minimal and likely to find top end models from range at similar prices so more equipment for your money
Older petrol models will be in your price brackets rather tha some of the newer more efficient ones Jon refers to above, so as long as you do plenty of longer runs aswll as the short stuff you are no more likely to have issues with diesel than petrol
Personally I would probbaly go for an older BMW 5 series estate (touring) a 525 or 530 if budget permits but maybe 520D at a push for better economy and lower tax. Huge aftermarket for non OEM spares on BMW as well as independent dealers and plenty of European support if you consider that an issue
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Topic: Family Car
... hence the VW!
