I'm in the market for a new car ... suggestions please

Gandalf23

I'm going to change cars in early 2008 and have a budget of approximately €30,000.

I'm looking and thinking at the moment and have narrowed my choices down to the following...
VW Passat (new)
Volvo S40 (new)
Audi A4 (probably 2 years old)
Peugeot 407 (new)

I was just wondering if anyone had any suggestions on my choices or any other options I should consider.

I was also wondering if anyone has any advice on the whole "new car" V "old car" debate ... would a new 08 Passat be better than a 06 A4.

Thanks in advance

G23

Matt Simis

Engine Size and Fuel Type factors?
I if you dont mind paying more Tax I always recommend buying larger, big engined cars due to the Irish publics love for poky 1.6's and below pushing the prices down on everything deemed "big".

Gandalf23

Engine size and fuel type not too much of a factor.

(Altho the "flexifuel" S40 is interesting and I love the VRT reduction!!!)

Mr. Larson

Just had a quick scan on Carzone... Some of my choices would be (quite a mixed bag)...

http://www.carzone.ie/usedcars/index.cfm?fuseaction=car&carID=661103
http://www.carzone.ie/usedcars/index.cfm?fuseaction=car&carID=754487
http://www.carzone.ie/usedcars/index.cfm?fuseaction=car&carID=728236
http://www.carzone.ie/usedcars/index.cfm?fuseaction=car&carID=739683
http://www.carzone.ie/usedcars/index.cfm?fuseaction=car&carID=740358
http://www.carzone.ie/usedcars/index.cfm?fuseaction=car&carID=748829
http://www.carzone.ie/usedcars/index.cfm?fuseaction=car&carID=641799
http://www.carzone.ie/usedcars/index.cfm?fuseaction=car&carID=497029

Just my preference, but I wouldn't be into any of your choices other than an A4 and at that it would have to be a 1.8T.

I wouldn't care about dropping down a couple of years providing the mileage is not too high. Last year I bought an 02 car with just 23k on the clock. Enabled me to buy a spec and engine way above what I could have ever hoped for. When I see the likes of 07 Audi A4 1.6 cars with cloth seats I have a wee snigger to myself. Only in Ireland.

Gandalf23

Wow ... thank you Jabberwocky for those excellent suggestions. Looks like €30,000 will buy a hell of a car.

You have set me thinking (and confused my even more!!!).

Any more suggestions (especially suggestions on Jabberwocky's recommendations) much appreciated.

Mr. Larson

That's the point - 30k will absolutely buy you a cracking motor - and you will have thousands of options for that sort of cash - which is why I wouldn't get why you would be into something as dull (my opinion only, of course) as a Passat or 406 or something like that. For that sort of money - I would be looking for something a bit more stylish with leather, air con, climate control, cruise control etc. but most importantly over 160BHP. You won't need to drop down too low in the years to get all of the above.

Gandalf23

Jabberwocky wrote:

That's the point - 30k will absolutely buy you a cracking motor - and you will have thousands of options for that sort of cash - which is why I wouldn't get why you would be into something as dull (my opinion only, of course) as a Passat or 406 or something like that. For that sort of money - I would be looking for something a bit more stylish with leather, air con, climate control, cruise control etc. but most importantly over 160BHP. You won't need to drop down too low in the years to get all of the above.

Thanks again ... if you have any more suggestions I'd love to hear them ... I've been looking at carzone for the last 20 minutes and getting more and more confused ... I'm not really a petrolhead ... (me dashes off to view the entire last series of "topgear"...)

2stageturbo

Jabberwocky wrote:

Just had a quick scan on Carzone... Some of my choices would be (quite a mixed bag)...

http://www.carzone.ie/usedcars/index.cfm?fuseaction=car&carID=661103
http://www.carzone.ie/usedcars/index.cfm?fuseaction=car&carID=754487
http://www.carzone.ie/usedcars/index.cfm?fuseaction=car&carID=728236
http://www.carzone.ie/usedcars/index.cfm?fuseaction=car&carID=739683
http://www.carzone.ie/usedcars/index.cfm?fuseaction=car&carID=740358
http://www.carzone.ie/usedcars/index.cfm?fuseaction=car&carID=748829
http://www.carzone.ie/usedcars/index.cfm?fuseaction=car&carID=641799
http://www.carzone.ie/usedcars/index.cfm?fuseaction=car&carID=497029


Very nice selection but the Saab's tend to have some electrical probs.Too many buttons and knobs to go wrong

Highly recommend a Subaru Legacy (3.0 spec b for pref)
Bullet proof engineering

colm_mcm

50% VRT reduction for hybrids and flexi fuel vehicles ending 31st December 2007.



EDIT: Can't find where I read that, I don't think I imagined it though

Mortmain

Just traded in a volvo S40 1.6D sport - cracking car and loved every minute in it, it was returning close to 55mpg (mostly motorway driving), the kit out is top notch and the cabin is just a lovely place to be. On the downside, servicing is a tad pricey and the early years depreciation could be better but all-in-all, i'd heartily recommend it. Hated to see it go but we got a big dog and had to change - bought a new outlander and it's a cracker. Not as refined inside but 140bhp from a 2litre which returns just off 50mpg - does me.

Good luck with the hunt:)

skyhighflyer

My personal choice would be an Alfa GT JTD; 45 mpg in style and your budget will buy you a nice one from 2006.

cancan

Save yourself 7K and get one of these - spend the savings on petrol and a nice holiday.

http://www.carzone.ie/usedcars/index.cfm?fuseaction=car&carID=761695

Better than any of the above.

2stageturbo

cancan wrote:

Save yourself 7K and get one of these - spend the savings on petrol and a nice holiday.

http://www.carzone.ie/usedcars/index.cfm?fuseaction=car&carID=761695

Better than any of the above.

Too cheap for what it claims to be.I'd be wary of that one

dingding

colm_mcm wrote:

50% VRT reduction for hybrids and flexi fuel vehicles ending 31st December 2007.

Colm, Where did you find that?

Stephen

There was a thread about it here recently. I think the concensus was that there's changes coming to the VRT system next year.

Also that legacy spec b above - no plates - I wonder has VRT been paid at the price they're asking?

maidhc

dingding wrote:

Colm, Where did you find that?

It is a known fact, and can be found in one of the Finance Acts. Not sure which one.

dingding

• Budget 2006 provided for a new 50% VRT relief for flexible fuel vehicles. This scheme along with the 50% VRT relief scheme for hybrid cars has been extended to end – 2007.

Found it here:- DEPARTMENT OF FINANCE

AGREED PROGRAMME FOR GOVERNMENT PROGRESS REPORT APRIL 2007

Merrion

Gandalf23 wrote:

I'm going to change cars in early 2008 and have a budget of approximately €30,000.

I'm looking and thinking at the moment and have narrowed my choices down to the following...
VW Passat (new)
Volvo S40 (new)
Audi A4 (probably 2 years old)
Peugeot 407 (new)

I'm looking at pretty much the same thing and the 407 just shades it - it is a very pretty car (external).

colm_mcm

Merrion wrote:

I'm looking at pretty much the same thing and the 407 just shades it - it is a very pretty car (external).

it'll probably cost you more than all the others when resale value is taken into consideration

there#s a mew Mazda6 on the way, might be worth a look

BrianD3

Hard to make a recommendation as you don't say whether the car needs to haul around babies/stuff, what mileage you do, how long you intend to keep the car, what car you currently have and how you find it.

If the guy isn't a petrolhead I don't know why people are recommending cars such as the Subaru Legacy Turbo. From what's been posted so far it sounds to me like a new Corolla D4D saloon might be closer to the mark.

Merrion

The Good/Bad/Ugly guide on CarMagazine is a usefull comparison site FYI...

Gandalf23

Thanks for all the suggestions people ... much appreciated ... keep them coming!

I dont think the Subaru is really for me tho, and I hate Toyota!

BrianD3 wrote:

Hard to make a recommendation as you don't say whether the car needs to haul around babies/stuff, what mileage you do, how long you intend to keep the car, what car you currently have and how you find it.

If the guy isn't a petrolhead I don't know why people are recommending cars such as the Subaru Legacy Turbo. From what's been posted so far it sounds to me like a new Corolla D4D saloon might be closer to the mark.

Ok, good point. I'll be driving from Kildare to Dublin a few times a week. Other than that it'll be normal enough I suppose ... maybe about 30,000 km a year (at a guess). Its just me and the g/f (she has own car) so no babies! I'll keep the car about 3 or 4 years I suppose.

I'm seriously thinking about some of the suggestions from Jabberwocky above. I think it makes sense to get a 2 -3 year old car rather than a new one. I'm thinking A4, Volvo S60, BMW, and Saab now ... definately possible for €30,000 by the looks of carzone. I really like the thoughts of the luxury end stuff :-)

Keep the suggestions coming...

colm_mcm

a late 2005 Lexus IS220D may fall into budget next year

Biro

Passat is a better option than the A4. A4 is very far from luxury. Cramped inside, and even the S-line has windy windows in the back.
Saab 93 is a total disappointment, I loved them until I drove one. The Alfa 159 is better built, infinitely better looking, and has the same Diesel engine.

BostonB

http://www.usedcars.ie/usedcars/index.cfm?fuseaction=car&carID=746793

Not really sure if you want a cruiser or a sporty car.

PauloMN

Biro wrote:

even the S-line has windy windows in the back.

Amazing what will put people off a car. If you have kids as I do, windy windows in the back are great - saves them pricking about with (and probably eventually breaking) 'leccy ones.

@ OP: You'd probably be best going diesel if doing 30,000km per annum, unless you'd really not like a diesel. Personally speaking, I'd rather spend less on the car and a bit more on juice to get a nice petrol rather than drive a diesel, although the modern diesels are getting better. If going the A4 route (which I'd recommend, but I have a vested interest ), you'd be best going 2005 onwards to get the 2 litre diesel (140bhp and more refined than the 1.9) - you should get an '05 A4 for well under your budget next year.

prospect

This:
http://www.carzone.ie/usedcars/index.cfm?fuseaction=car&carID=762930

or

This:
http://www.carzone.ie/usedcars/index.cfm?fuseaction=car&carID=719365

2stageturbo

Gandalf23 wrote:

Thanks for all the suggestions people ... much appreciated ... keep them coming!

I dont think the Subaru is really for me tho, and I hate Toyota!


As a matter of intrest,any reason why you not into a Subaru ? I can see the down sides of the spec b but the basic Legacy is top class motor.Just so reliable.So much better than the stuff coming out of Europe,especially the alpha's.;)

maidhc

2stageturbo wrote:

,especially the alpha's.;)

They are much like the Omegas by all accounts...

ambro25

2stageturbo wrote:

As a matter of intrest,any reason why you not into a Subaru ? I can see the down sides of the spec b but the basic Legacy is top class motor.Just so reliable.So much better than the stuff coming out of Europe,especially the alpha's.;)

Seconded and tripled. If you can cast aside the "boy racer image" for a second or two, and look at the range objectively, you'd hopefully see for yourself that you get at least just as much motor for your money with Subaru, than with Volvo, Pug and the others - not to mention much better driveability (irrespective of engine configuration).

The main downside of Subaru is economy.

The main advantage *proven consistently over any brand you care to name* is reliability.

And the trump card? Probably the best permanent 4WD system for this size of car (which explains the economy figures away - can't have your cake and eating it I'm afraid). For (my own) family reasons, 4WD takes precedence for me: one of the greatest unacknowledged security features to have in a car, especially a 'normal-sized' car with a low centre of gravity.

[whisper]Plus, they are currently in a big corporate drive to shake off the "boy racer image" and rightly position themselves more clearly as an Audi/Beemer equivalent - so there are very very good deals to be had - this from a reliable main stealer, confirmed since by another[/whisper]

Wossack

/me plays the vRS card again... though there is a certain amount of badge snobbery

that or a honda accord 2.2 exec

Mr. Larson

For an extra 2 grand you could have this... Low enough mileage for a Diesel. You might even haggle it back to close to 30.

http://www.carzone.ie/usedcars/index.cfm?fuseaction=car&carID=610052

Mr. Larson

Jabberwocky wrote:

For an extra 2 grand you could have this... Low enough mileage for a Diesel. You might even haggle it back to close to 30.

http://www.carzone.ie/usedcars/index.cfm?fuseaction=car&carID=610052

Actually - on closer inspection, that might not include VRT. Doesn't say and it's a UK reg. Sorry.

commited

I had a similar predicament - test drove a load of cars and ended up with a 5 series, well under budget, but feeling like I'd bought a car that cost 3 times my budget.

colm_mcm

PauloMN wrote:

Amazing what will put people off a car. If you have kids as I do, windy windows in the back are great - saves them pricking about with (and probably eventually breaking) 'leccy ones.

.

The great thing about rear electric windows is you can switch them off or control them from the front

Biro

PauloMN wrote:

Amazing what will put people off a car. If you have kids as I do, windy windows in the back are great - saves them pricking about with (and probably eventually breaking) 'leccy ones.

@ OP: You'd probably be best going diesel if doing 30,000km per annum, unless you'd really not like a diesel. Personally speaking, I'd rather spend less on the car and a bit more on juice to get a nice petrol rather than drive a diesel, although the modern diesels are getting better. If going the A4 route (which I'd recommend, but I have a vested interest ), you'd be best going 2005 onwards to get the 2 litre diesel (140bhp and more refined than the 1.9) - you should get an '05 A4 for well under your budget next year.

Well, the windy windows is just to highlight that you spend 10 grand more for an A4 over a Passat, get a smaller car with less in it. And to top it all off, they give you a one year warranty.
One year. I'm really amazed that instead of shaking your hand on a deal when you decide to buy one that instead the dealer slaps you in the face, because the warranty really amounts to that. It's a disgrace. And serves to prove how little faith Audi have in their recent shoddy workmanship.

colm_mcm

Don't get me started on how overpriced A3's and A4's are!

bazz26

PauloMN wrote:

Amazing what will put people off a car. If you have kids as I do, windy windows in the back are great - saves them pricking about with (and probably eventually breaking) 'leccy ones.

Some how I don't think Audi were thinking of anything as noble as child safety when they were putting rear windy windows in their cars. More like typical VAG stinginess.

Any decent car maker worth their salt these days fits a master switch for the driver to take control globally of all electric windows. We have a toddler and we have never had any problems with rear electric windows.

Rear manual windows on a car that cost the bones of €45k new is shocking these days imo.

PauloMN

Suppose, it's just that electric rear windows are way way down my priority list, so I didn't really give the lack of them a second thought. I drive the car and I have them in the front, all that matters to me. I'd rather no electric windows in the back than to have to sit in a Japanese interior every single day.

Each to their own I suppose. If you don't mind driving a Passat, or an Avensis, you wouldn't want an A4. The OP has hinted that those cars don't do it for him if you read his posts, so there's no point in going on about the lack of rear windows in an A4, or the merits of a Subaru, or the utter reliability of an Avensis, or how good a 3 year new car warranty is when he's listing 2nd hand Audis, BMWs, Saabs and Volvos as the type of cars he thinking about.

Commited basically sums it up. Buy a couple of years older and get something you could never afford new. I could have got a new Kia or Toyota or Nissan if I wanted a nice long warranty, but unfortunately that warranty doesn't cover the "what if I'd bought the car I really wanted" problems I'd have had every time I stepped into the damn thing.

ninty9er

2stageturbo wrote:

Too cheap for what it claims to be.I'd be wary of that one

Especially since this guy isn't at all cheap to buy from, nor is Limerick in general from the average carzone prices around the country

Chonker

I know you have dismissed the Legacy already. I have a 2.5 estate and seriously I can not fault it. Just sticking my oar in. Worth another look maybe?

Gandalf23

I really want to thank everyone who contributed to this thread... excellent replies and I appreciate the advice and opinions very much.

Based on some of the suggestions I took a test drive in a BMW 316 earlier today. As I said above I dont really know a lot about cars, but I absolutely loved it. Best car I've test driven... in my humble opinion better than the Saab 93, Volvo S40 or Audi A4. So looks like my choice is made!!!

Its a little out of my original price range mentioned above, so I've decided to save all my pennies and wait till Feb/March 2008. At that stage I'll hopefully pick up a 2007 model with low mileage for somewhere around €33.

So experts, any opinions on my choice of the BMW 316 !!????!!

cancan

Gandalf23 wrote:

So experts, any opinions on my choice of the BMW 316 !!????!!

I'd be suprised if many are positive - but if it floats your boat, more power to you.

1.6 litres of roaring german power!

There are more interesting ways to drop 33 grand I have to say!

freq modulated

Hope you didnt rule out a VW Golf TD(red I). This is the pinnacle of car ownership. In recent m50 tests it has proved faster than a ferrari and fact is, it will get you more girls.

ninty9er

http://www.usedcars.ie/usedcars/index.cfm?fuseaction=car&carID=727672

http://www.usedcars.ie/usedcars/index.cfm?fuseaction=car&carID=660596

http://www.usedcars.ie/usedcars/index.cfm?fuseaction=car&carID=749374

http://www.usedcars.ie/usedcars/index.cfm?fuseaction=car&carID=740556
Too much for this particular car though!!

http://www.usedcars.ie/usedcars/index.cfm?fuseaction=car&carID=762705

http://www.usedcars.ie/usedcars/index.cfm?fuseaction=car&carID=704014

The wierd and **ahem** wonderful

http://www.usedcars.ie/usedcars/index.cfm?fuseaction=car&carid=701578

http://www.usedcars.ie/usedcars/index.cfm?fuseaction=car&carID=556285

ninty9er

Do you currently drive a 1.0l -1.2l car. As this would explain the same impressed view of the 316 that I had??

It's not all that great, buy the Volvo if that's what you're after

Mr. Larson

Gandalf23 wrote:

I really want to thank everyone who contributed to this thread... excellent replies and I appreciate the advice and opinions very much.

You're welcome.

Gandalf23 wrote:

Based on some of the suggestions I took a test drive in a BMW 316 earlier today. Best car I've test driven... in my humble opinion better than the Saab 93, Volvo S40 or Audi A4. So looks like my choice is made!!!

Don't remember anyone recommending an S40, but I could be wrong...

Gandalf23 wrote:

Best car I've test driven...

Now I know for certain you've never driven the S60 - which is a 2.0 LPT (Low pressure turbo) with 185 BHP, and bags of Luxury.

Gandalf23 wrote:

I've decided to save all my pennies and wait till Feb/March 2008. At that stage I'll hopefully pick up a 2007 model with low mileage for somewhere around €33. So experts, any opinions on my choice of the BMW 316 !!????!!

You want my opinion, that's a bitterly disappointing outcome to this thread and one which I just can't understand. But hey, as someone else said, whatever floats your boat. I wish you luck and hope it brings you every happiness. If you want to know why I'll elaborate - but the way I see it, it's a highly subjective thing, one mans 07 BMW is another mans 03 Volvo, so who am I to argue. May she wear well fella - good luck. :cool:

PauloMN

Gandalf23 wrote:

So experts, any opinions on my choice of the BMW 316 !!????!!

I think we'll ALL agree that you should at least take some more test drives before parting with €30k of hard-earned for a 316i. :eek: Seriously, do test drive some of your other favourites before you finally decide.

ambro25

http://www.usedcars.ie/usedcars/index.cfm?fuseaction=car&carid=701578

(not that I particularly like it, and I'm about as Anti-Renault as they come, but...) future classic in the making, ticks all the boxes. Reportedly the best production car they've ever made yet (quality/workmanship/etc.).

colm_mcm

jaysus, after all that!

wingnut

Your mad to be looking at Passats and 407s and not even considering the new mondeo. For the money you would get one with a savage spec. Here in the UK cruise control is standard accross the range. It looks a lot better than the previous model too.