Family car (auto) 10k budget

tc20

Ok guys and gals,
im looking for your help, experience and input here...
We're looking to get a midsize family car (saloon or hatch) with a max spend aroud the 10k mark. Yep, its the SSIA thing. The car will be mostly used by the missus, and will be a backup for me when my old merc acts up :rolleyes: Preferably an auto, as herself isnt too keen on manuals. I know they are a bit rarer in this category, but quite often they have led a cosseted life (im thinking prev owners might be retired/need auto).
Residuals and depreciation arent really going to be an issue as we'll hold on to the car and run it into the ground. Petrol i guess rather than derv, as the car wont be doing huge commutes.
We've narrowed it down to the following, but are open to any left field suggestions-

Mondeo
Passat
Mazda 6
Avensis
Octavia

So im thinking were looking at the 00 to 02 (poss 03) bracket, 1.8 to 2.0 models
Anyone own/drive an auto of the above, and if so, whats to look for?
Cheers

Mailman

Rover 75 Connoisseur SE 2.0 V6 Auto

You won't know yourself with the luxury.

bazz26

tc20 wrote:

Ok guys and gals,
im looking for your help, experience and input here...
We're looking to get a midsize family car (saloon or hatch) with a max spend aroud the 10k mark. Yep, its the SSIA thing. The car will be mostly used by the missus, and will be a backup for me when my old merc acts up :rolleyes: Preferably an auto, as herself isnt too keen on manuals. I know they are a bit rarer in this category, but quite often they have led a cosseted life (im thinking prev owners might be retired/need auto).
Residuals and depreciation arent really going to be an issue as we'll hold on to the car and run it into the ground. Petrol i guess rather than derv, as the car wont be doing huge commutes.
We've narrowed it down to the following, but are open to any left field suggestions-

Mondeo
Passat
Mazda 6
Avensis
Octavia

So im thinking were looking at the 00 to 02 (poss 03) bracket, 1.8 to 2.0 models
Anyone own/drive an auto of the above, and if so, whats to look for?
Cheers

If you could stretch your budget a bit you could have a look at something less run of the mill:

Audi A6:
http://www.usedcars.ie/usedcars/index.cfm?fuseaction=car&carID=566918

Honda Accord:
http://www.usedcars.ie/usedcars/index.cfm?fuseaction=car&carID=584314

Mitsubishi Galant:
http://www.usedcars.ie/usedcars/index.cfm?fuseaction=car&carid=562158

Rover 75:
http://www.usedcars.ie/usedcars/index.cfm?fuseaction=car&carID=573394

Volvo S40:
http://www.usedcars.ie/usedcars/index.cfm?fuseaction=car&carID=538878

tc20

Bazz thanks for the links...interesting... Yea, the Rover, Galant and Accord could be in the shake-up. I like the A6 but herself reckons its too big for her :rolleyes:
Personally i wouldnt go for the Volvo, but thanks for throwing it in there

Does anyone know if autos are suited to lets say 'smaller' than usual engines ie 1.8s, and does anyone have any experience/ownership of similar sized autos?

Keep the suggestions coming lads & lassies, as i reckon we will be making a move on this in the near future

prospect

How about:

http://www.usedcars.ie/usedcars/index.cfm?fuseaction=car&carID=502578

or

http://www.usedcars.ie/usedcars/index.cfm?fuseaction=car&carID=558813

or

http://www.usedcars.ie/usedcars/index.cfm?fuseaction=car&carID=588409

TomMc

We have had autos in the family for donkies years ...... 1400, 1600, 2000cc

The 1.4's were OK but as European (d'ont ask ... french) had a 50K lifespan, then they gave up the will to live, so were sent to the glue factory.

I see our old '96 1.6 Carisma still going strong with a neighbour I sold it to a few years back, after some expensive sensors were fitted by muggins here. The bigger engine essential for a bit of go and not much harder on the juice, if driven sensibly.

Had two 2.0L Galants and both did 70K without so much as a whimper. An 1800cc in this size & weight of car would be a serious compromise. The 2.0L auto was again much more refined and not too thirsty.

You tend to drive bigger engined auto cars more leisurely. And no, I do not have the pipe and slippers just yet.

Have had 530d & 535d since - much more power but much more hassle. If I was you and 2.0L was an option, I would look at this as the perfect size. Thing is, at 70-80K even the better cars will develop some problems here and there. Best to buy an auto with as low a mileage as possible, probably japanese and not one which is long past its sell by date.

embraer170

Parents bought a reasonably low mileage '02 2.0 auto. Avensis a few months ago. Very pleased so far and would certainly recommend it.

M5

I have driven 2 octys in the last few years, not one problem with either, HUGE boot is a major plus if you have a family, dealers in the dublin area are jokers mind, I went to longford to get serviced, at least 1/3rd of the price and not that far either

ninty9er

Legacy engine is a bit on the big side, but not too bad for an auto

00 Legacy

Maxima 2.0 V6

Fey!

The Maxima 2.0 V6 Auto, IME, is a pig!

The Rover 75 is nice to drive, as are the accords.

The Octavia is a car I like, although I haven't driven one.

Esel

Toyota Avensis auto ftw. Just be sure whatever car you buy was never a taxi/hackney.

tc20

TomMc - thanks for the input, this is the kind of info im looking for, will take your considerations on board.

99er - i like the legacy, rock solid car but the engine size is gonna hurt in the tax area, and they can be thirsty too.

The maxima and primera just dont figure on my radar on the looks. The Octavia is still in with a shout, but its looking more like a japanese model for the sheer longevity and reliability, i'll be aware of the possibility of taxi/hackney history.

Thanks again for the suggestions. Im living in wicklow, but wouldnt rule out travelling further afield for the right motor

TomMc

TC20 ..... one other thing, if you see any Mitsubishi's or Honda's with "W" plates ... think ex Hertz hire car. Fine with a larger engined car which would only have been hired in Ireland by individuals (more likely than not), use to quality motoring (the masses tend to hire budget cars on cost grounds alone), but where a smaller engine is concerned ... think hard life by those that d'ont drive "Stick". All would have been well serviced and unless sold by say Bolands themselves - they are likely to have had some cosmetic repairs.

Lex Luthor

There are plenty Jap Import Honda Stream autos on carzone for good money. Ideal if you get can past the looks for family life

HashSlinging

tc20 wrote:

Bazz thanks for the links...interesting... Yea, the Rover, Galant and Accord could be in the shake-up. I like the A6 but herself reckons its too big for her :rolleyes:
Personally i wouldnt go for the Volvo, but thanks for throwing it in there

Does anyone know if autos are suited to lets say 'smaller' than usual engines ie 1.8s, and does anyone have any experience/ownership of similar sized autos?

Keep the suggestions coming lads & lassies, as i reckon we will be making a move on this in the near future

Hi, My wife has the accord 1.8 auto and its the best all rounder, they come fully loaded with all the extras, sunroof and climate cntrl. Loads of room for our two childers, I cannot fault Honda built, its way past VW audi etc.

The 1.8 has 145 bhp so is perfect for long runs or short trips. Its extremely quiet for an engine of that size, and has lots of go for over taking etc the cruise control is a gift and easy to use.

All in all it's a great drive and own.

2 cents

flanzer

I can't believe those Maximas are so cheap! I was in a '02 taxi one at the weekend and it was beautiful. A mate of mine had a older '00 one a few of years back and has since been driving an GS300 and a BMW 740 but he always maintains the best and most comfortable and reliable car he's ever driven was the Maxima

tc20

So it looks like were veering towards a car of Oriental persuasion...
I initially would have gone for a euro marque, well actually i tried to convince herself that why dont we get something interesting rather than another jap bland-o-box, say a MB 190, or older W124, but she was having none of it. "something reliable" says she, "we already have one of those things that doesn't go". Pride dented, i relented
A few others i have considered before letting them go would be the Alfa 166 (i think they are gorgeous) "too big" sez herself. Opel Omega, but they are a bit funereal inside. In fairness to SWMBO she doesnt fancy the people carrier/family bus thing.
The japanese do come with all the gizmos, and that rep for reliability/economy and running costs, so we'll narrow the search down. No posts as yet from any mondeo/passat auto owners out there, must be thin on the ground

smash

honestly, go to Merlin Car Auctions tomorrow morning and you'll get something, loads of nice 06 reposessed cars at this time of year.

Saruman

Why saloon type car? If you want a family car would something like a Scenic not be better? I mean they are shorter than most saloons but have a lot more space inside especially for kids.
I just got one recently (automatic) for my American (non manual driving) wife its a lovely car... being an auto it has no take off speed but its very comfy!

tc20

@ steve06 - i'll definitely give merlim motor city a look over, possibly this weekend, just to have an idea of whats out there. This might be followed up with a trip to the auctions (i always get the cold sweats at those things, the voices saying "buy,buy,buy", same feeling in a casino, but thats a whole different thread )

@ Saruman - just not into the look of the family bus thing, i'd rather go for a cavernous estate over an MPV. Tho my brother-in-law has a current model Espace, i think they are cool, but wouldnt buy one

unkel

Loads of good suggestions out there

tc20 wrote:

Residuals and depreciation arent really going to be an issue as we'll hold on to the car and run it into the ground

Concentrating on that and the fact that the car is going to do only a low annual mileage I'll second (or third) a Rover 75 auto

You'll get a great deal to start with. Selling it on would be difficult, but that doesn't bother you

tc20 wrote:

"we already have one of those things that doesn't go". Pride dented, i relented

LOL

tc20

unkel - i've done a search on the forums for stuff on the 75, and its got quite a slamming, tho mostly from people who never had one, a la Alfa..
I think you did/have a 75 form posts ive seen. Okay, so it does look a bit pipe n slippers, but i think it is a handsome car (i dont buy cars on looks) and any owners who have posted seem content with the gorgeous interior, waftability, and they dont seem too heavy on juice either. Just there does seem to be certain glitches with the build. (the uneven tyre wear for one sounds worrying) Like i said, it will be mostly for herself, and my backup car.
Its definitely a car id consider, have ruled out a few as already posted, add the Saab 9-5 to the scratched list.
So is it to be a japanese consumable but unburstable homogenised good, or something a wee bit interesting? (my definition of interesting differs to herselfs, i see it as something you'll be messing with, she sees it as oily bits on the kitchen table )

another thing unkel - are the 75s a bit more cramped inside than the competitors (passat/avensis etc)? And altho those seats do look very comfy, are you sitting on them, rather than in them, if you know what i mean

Cheers

Mailman

75 Autos and V6s aren't easy on juice.
Slighlty cramped inside for rear seat passengers.
Front seats are fine and very supportive.
If you should get a Connoisseur SE you'll get 8 way electric adjustment on the seats with memory. Connoiseur has 6 way adjustment.
15,000 mile service intervals but fluid levels need to be checked regularly.

BMW build quality. BMW held back release of this car for a year because they wanted to be on top of quality issues in the factory.
Only major issue on this car is HGF on 1.8 litre K-series. Radiator fans are a lesser issue.

unkel

What Mailman said ^^^

Should be fine for children in the back - a bit cramped for 3 adults. I find the seats very comfortable even on longer spins. It's just a nice place to be in. My budget was only about €6k-€7k last year, to be spend on a 01/02 car. In the end it was between a Skoda Octavia and the 75. My wife never expected to get such a nice car within budget. She's still delighted with it!

But as you said, it's for your wife, not for you and if she is only interested in reliability, she'd probably be better off with a Japanese car. Of all the ones mentioned in this thread, I'd probably go with the Accord. Mind the asking price in the link in bazz26's post is €11k. Last year I paid €6k for the 75 which was the same age and had lower miles on it. To put it in a different context: the difference will pay for more HGF fixes than any Rover has ever had in it's life...

tc20

out of curiosity unkel, what year and what mileage is your 75?

unkel

'01 75 1.8 petrol club manual - just under 64k miles when I bought it last September

tc20

Mmm, interesting...
I've spotted a 00 Accord, 1 owner, fsh, leather, all the gizmos, 65k miles for E9750 on carzone. Cant attach the link, but its looking like a toss-up between Mr Honda und Herr Rover

unkel

tc20 wrote:

its looking like a toss-up between Mr Honda und Herr Rover

LOL, best of luck with your hunting and keep us informed