Seat Leon / Opel Astra / A N Other

emul · 19-05-2006 7:11pm #1

Looking for a 2nd family car which will be mainly used by my wife and 2 youngs kids. We're looking at the above two which we can get for about €10k with about 35-40k miles on the clock - 2002.

Anyone own either of the above or have any relevant opinions as to realability / service costs / resale val etc.

I have also stated A N Other if anyone can suggest a car in this price range and same year - I'm open to suggestions.

Thanks

Eoin

Supercell · 19-05-2006 7:17pm

V interested in the replies to this too as am thinking along the same lines

Am leaning towards a Leon Stella atm.

bazz26 · 20-05-2006 1:09pm

Another one to look at is the Skoda Octavia, built on the same platform as the Seat Leon/Toledo. Also uses the same engines, just as practical as the Leon even if not as pretty. Both are excellent practical family hatchbacks. The 1.4 in both is a bit sluggish but if it is the used as a second car for the school run, etc then it is fine.

Skoda Octavia:
http://www.carzone.ie/usedcars/index.cfm?fuseaction=car&carID=396598

Seat Leon:
http://www.carzone.ie/usedcars/index.cfm?fuseaction=car&carID=430767

Another car to look at is the Ford Focus:
http://www.carzone.ie/usedcars/index.cfm?fuseaction=car&carID=387770
http://www.carzone.ie/usedcars/index.cfm?fuseaction=car&carID=384223

An outsider also to consider is the Honda Civic hatchback:
http://www.carzone.ie/usedcars/index.cfm?fuseaction=car&carID=346903

The 5 door Civic is very practical, ultra reliable, has lots of room and totally "uncool" with the boyracers.

Silvera · 20-05-2006 1:56pm

I have a 2003 Astra 1.4XE which I bought last August with 29k on the clock (now has 37k).

I'm very happy with it and find it an easy car to live with. I do my own servicing and changed the Timing Belt (complete kit, incl waterpump) a few weeks ago. On many cars this is a tricky job, but the Astra was fairly straightforward to work on - likewise the spark plugs, which I changed two days ago.

Only criticisms are slightly firm suspension, and the engine could be quieter at idle (my previous car was a Civic so perhaps I expect too much!)

Handlingwise its a great drivers car!
........and I'd say I'm getting 35-40mpg.

My car..........

Stephen · 20-05-2006 5:16pm

Why'd you change the timing belt at only 37k?

Lex Luthor · 20-05-2006 5:46pm

If you look around you should be able to pick up a '02 Civic for about €10k

colm_mcm · 21-05-2006 7:15pm

The Leon is quite small in the back. On the plus side the dash is from the A3 (plastics not quite as good though)

emul · 21-05-2006 9:31pm

Went to look at cars over weekend and came across the Fiat Stilo 1.2 16v - 02 can be got for about €9k - spec is high - and the car is nippy. Anybody got experience?