€15000 - What is a good medium sized diesel car.

kluivert

GF has a new job starting in Coolock, Dublin next week, we live in Carrickmacross, Co. Monaghan. Thats all 500-600 mile trip each week.

She has a budget of €15000 to buy a car. All motorway driving.

She's looking at 1.4 Astra and Corrolla petrol, 1.4 D4d Corrolla at a push.

Can anyone recommend a good car that would eat into those miles without any issues.

My money is on Ford Mondeo 2L TDCI 130bhp. Insurance might not be friendly to her though. Shes 23 yrs old, 24 this year. Full license.

Cant find any Skoda Octavia (new models) in that price range, unless it has massively high mileage.

I was just wondering if people could throw in some ideas that I may not have touched on. Important note, must have a good record of reliability.

Thanks

Dcully

doh wrong post

caze

How about Seat Toledo, not the most stylish of cars but should have same relability of Skoda, decent one here not too far from you....

http://www.carzone.ie/usedcars/index.cfm?fuseaction=car&carid=634101

Or how about the new model focus 1.6TDCi, few 2005 ones on carzone within your budget.

Mondeo is indeed a fine car for crunching up that sort of mileage and should be plenty of examples finding their way onto secondhand lots at present as people trade in for new model.

It is hard to get a decent 2nd hand diesel with average miles in this country and then if your girlfriend is putting up 600 miles a week you need to consider future resale and maintenance costs.

Test drive a few differant cars and see which one she feels most comfortable in as that would be my deciding factor if spending a few hours each day on the road.

GoneShootin

Stricly cos she's a lady

http://www.carzone.ie/usedcars/index.cfm?fuseaction=car&carID=881534

Toleda- seems to be an excellent price?

/edit caze got there before me /

206 Pug

http://www.carzone.ie/usedcars/index.cfm?fuseaction=car&carID=887500

I drive a 05 version of this Astra - but I paid 2k more at the time [had only 15k km]. If you can find the 1.3 model with low mileage you would have yourself a very economical 6 speed drive.

http://www.carzone.ie/usedcars/index.cfm?fuseaction=car&carID=676217

Slightly higher mileage - but I really enjoyed my test drive. It was either this or the Astra for me when I was buying, and the Astra came in at the right price in the end.

http://www.carzone.ie/usedcars/index.cfm?fuseaction=car&carID=838654

This was another option for me at the time. Hard to find a low mileage example at the right price though

http://www.carzone.ie/usedcars/index.cfm?fuseaction=car&carID=802783
http://www.carzone.ie/usedcars/index.cfm?fuseaction=car&carID=773410

Pure Cork

I'd recommend a VW Passat like http://www.carzone.ie/usedcars/index.cfm?fuseaction=car&carID=808166 which you could easily get for €15k. They can handle serious mileage, a lot more than you'd be putting on. They're very reliable and will hold their value.

Cionád

caze wrote: »

How about Seat Toledo, not the most stylish of cars but should have same relability of Skoda, decent one here not too far from you....

http://www.carzone.ie/usedcars/index.cfm?fuseaction=car&carid=634101

I agree, the Toledo is a great car!!

Edit - hadn't looked at the link. If i were you i'd get an older more-saloon looking model, and spend less than 15k

TychoCaine

Pretty much any car will do that kind of mileage as long as it's been looked after so far, but with that mileage running costs start to become important. Fuel costs are easy enough to figure, but 30K miles a year means three services a year, a full set of tyres, major suspension work every year or so, and a lot more besides.

In my limited experience VAG (Volkswagen, Seat, Skoda, etc.) cars are expensive to service and repair. The dealer's labour rates are at the top end for a non-prestige brand. Even non-franchise garages are expensive because VAG parts are expensive. Not a big deal if you're only doing 10k a year, but in your case....

She's going to be spending 3+ hours a day in a car, so get something comfortable. Small cars like a 206 are grand for pottering around town, but a bit of elbow and leg room is nice. The Astra is nice, but there's more room in a Focus.

One last thing, when you are getting the car worked on, don't be tempted to leave it in a Dublin garage while she's at work. You'll find the garages outside the pale are a lot cheaper and more eager to please.

Gary

bazz26

High spec Mondeo TDCi:

http://www.carzone.ie/usedcars/index.cfm?fuseaction=car&carID=797308

TychoCaine

Duplicate post

vengeance52

go with the mondeo, i had one when i was 24 with full licence and insurance was pretty reasonable. Plus it was a great cruiser on the M1.

TychoCaine

Duplicate post

HashSlinging

http://www.carzone.ie/usedcars/index.cfm?fuseaction=car&carID=802890

SEATs are not anymore expensive to service than fords, if anything fords are probably more expensive, the above is very good value and has plenty of space, great MPG and is fully loaded as its the stylance model (think air-con, cruise ctrl Vimportant on long commutes, and radio controls on the steering wheel for safety) it also has 5 star NCAP.

http://www.carzone.ie/usedcars/index.cfm?fuseaction=car&carID=884160

ninty9er

Opel Signum Diesel

Based on the Vectra but bigger and better looking (not hard)...could be within your budget

ninty9er

Merc C220

SWaab 9-3

Corolla D4-D

Volvo S60

Peugeot 407

kluivert

I saw that corrolla which took my eye and yours.

That would be ideal car.

30k miles a year is a hell of alot of driving.

Its an hour there and an hour back. I know people who work in Cavan and take that long to get to work because the roads are so twisty and bendy.

TychoCaine

HashSlinging wrote: »

SEATs are not anymore expensive to service than fords, if anything fords are probably more expensive

Service, maybe not, but VAG parts are expensive, so repairs will cost.

TychoCaine

ninty9er wrote: »

Merc C220

SWaab 9-3

Corolla D4-D

Volvo S60

Peugeot 407

All except the Corolla and maybe the Peugeot will cost an arm and a leg to keep on the road if you're doing the OP's kind of mileage. I drive a Volvo S80, which is a slightly longer and wider version of the S60, and it costs me an arm and a leg to run.

Actually why did you include a Corolla? The others are repmobiles (Peugeot) and "small executive" cars (MB, Saab & Volvo). The Corolla is in a totally different market segment.

uberwolf

http://www.saabucl.r66.co.uk/site/CarView.aspx?SearchType=National&Approved=True&Location=PE4%206ZN&Models=781484&Model_Name=9-3%20Sport%20Saloon%204%20Door&Fuel_Types=D&Sort_Order=ASC&Sort_Column=Price&id=501823629&centreId=813

you'll have that in for €15k by my reckoning

JJJJNR

TychoCaine wrote: »

Service, maybe not, but VAG parts are expensive, so repairs will cost.

All parts are expensive, are you saying Ford parts are not ?? How much is it for a ball barring kit for a Focus compared to an Octavia.

TychoCaine

JJJJNR wrote: »

All parts are expensive, are you saying Ford parts are not ?? How much is it for a ball barring kit for a Focus compared to an Octavia.

Which bearing? There are several. When the Octavia came out first every single taxi driver in the country traded in their Carinas for Octavia diesels beause they were the cheapest mid-sized diesel on the road at the time (for a while at the start the diesel engine was only slightly dearer than the petrol one). There's a lot less octavia taxis on the road now (and a lot more Avensis's) because while they were cheap to buy, they were very expensive to maintain if you're doing big mileage.

maidhc

JJJJNR wrote: »

All parts are expensive, are you saying Ford parts are not ?? How much is it for a ball barring kit for a Focus compared to an Octavia.

Ford parts are actually quite reasonable. Ball bearings can be bought from a ball bearing shop (for want of a better word), and are cheap anyway!

JJJJNR

Say an 05 Focus V 05 Octavia interesting to see the comparison.

JJJJNR

maidhc wrote: »

Ford parts are actually quite reasonable. Ball bearings can be bought from a ball bearing shop (for want of a better word), and are cheap anyway!

I was told they come in kits and that for a Skoda octavia it would cost 400 euro a corner to replace, by a skoda dealer all in price, 1.5 hrs service etc. So pardon my ignorance but I presume its more than simple marbles we're talking about here.

furtzy

ninty9er wrote: »

Opel Signum Diesel

Based on the Vectra but bigger and better looking (not hard)...could be within your budget

Couldn't disagree more. Very unpopular car the Signum. Never sold in any quantity. Couple that with a high tax 2.2 non common rail diesel equals a very bad buy

furtzy

bazz26 wrote: »

High spec Mondeo TDCi:

http://www.carzone.ie/usedcars/index.cfm?fuseaction=car&carID=797308

I'd second that

JJJJNR

OP is going to have 100k on that mondeo in 12 months, not a hope of getting a return on investment.

maidhc

JJJJNR wrote: »

So pardon my ignorance but I presume its more than simple marbles we're talking about here.

Not much more to be honest. They are all standard sizes made by the same few manufacturers (SKF, FAG, etc)

craichoe

JJJJNR wrote: »

OP is going to have 100k on that mondeo in 12 months, not a hope of getting a return on investment.

The words Ïnvestment and Car don't go together.

ninty9er

TychoCaine wrote: »

Actually why did you include a Corolla? The others are repmobiles (Peugeot) and "small executive" cars (MB, Saab & Volvo). The Corolla is in a totally different market segment.

Well I thought about leaving out the S60 alright, but the Corolla cabin is just as big as the rest. The C-Class can be very cramped in the back if the driver is over 5' 11", The Saab is less roomy than the previous model Corolla, and also the OP mentioned the Corolla, but was looking for one in the price range. The only real difference is perceived and not real between those cars. Though given the choice I'd take the Merc

ninty9er

furtzy wrote: »

Couldn't disagree more. Very unpopular car the Signum. Never sold in any quantity. Couple that with a high tax 2.2 non common rail diesel equals a very bad buy

The Signum was only unpopular because it doesn't come in a 1.6, I wouldn't mind taking one second hand as their undeserved unpopularity has given them a hammering on depreciation from new. €40k+ new and €18k for a 05, not bad value really.

I suppose it depends on what kind of driving experience you're after.

E92

The Vectra doesn't sell well here and that is also available in 1.6! Vauxhall in the UK sold less than 900 Signums a year at one stage IIRC.

furtzy

ninty9er wrote: »

The Signum was only unpopular because it doesn't come in a 1.6, I wouldn't mind taking one second hand as their undeserved unpopularity has given them a hammering on depreciation from new. €40k+ new and €18k for a 05, not bad value really.

I suppose it depends on what kind of driving experience you're after.

Its unpopular as its an executive hatch with an unusual seating arrangement. It was a niche model and a misguided one at that. It would need to be exeptional value to make it an appealing buy. Had that 2.2 diesel engine in my last Vectra and its unrefined and thirsty by modern common rail standards. The difference between it and my current 1.9 diesel is like chalk and cheese

tred

JJJJNR wrote: »

OP is going to have 100k on that mondeo in 12 months, not a hope of getting a return on investment.

100k on any car is no investment. your taking out about 75 percent of the market if you ask me when you are re selling and the other 25 only buy it at a bargain. People who no average about cars, dont want to know about them. Advice, as shes not driving a company car, if shes planning this drive for a few years. dont spend big, but look at the Mondeo or the Avensis a few years old, with a service history. And drive them into the ground., youll get 300 k out of either of them well serviced. Passat great engines but the previous model could breka your heart with Bushels and bearings and flex connections renowned for failure. but, in saying that a good option as well. I wouldnt look at anything else. Both made for fleet market. 03-06 Mondeo TDCI has timing chain, and i think service interval is good. She need to look at diesel only , i think.

JJJJNR

Well said, IMO This altea is the best of the lot, bank the change for maintenence etc, only 65k on the clock.

http://www.carzone.ie/usedcars/index.cfm?fuseaction=car&carID=884160

kluivert

Thanks guys some really good ideas there.

It looks like its going to be the Corolla. She has her eye on it now.

Hopefully it will still be there come the weekend.

JJJJNR

tis a nice Corolla for the money, best of luck with it.

ninty9er

kluivert wrote: »

Thanks guys some really good ideas there.

It looks like its going to be the Corolla. She has her eye on it now.

Hopefully it will still be there come the weekend.

If you can hold off for a few weeks and see if any Luna hatchbacks come in. They're like hen's teeth, but better specced than the Strata. Air Con included AFAIK, which will be necessary doing that milage in the summer time.

Edit: Strata has aircon, Luna has climate and rear elecs.... dash should look like this

meathstevie

Whoever thinks a Skoda Octavia is an expensive car to run needs their head checked. When you're talking about getting a bearing done for 400 euro I assume you're talking about replacing a wheel hub. A bearing as such doesn't even cost a 100 euro and deffo doesn't take 5 hours to fit.


For the mileage that's intended a brace of cars ( all diesels ) are suitable. My personal preference would be an Octavia or a Focus with the Corolla as a serious option as well.

bazz26

E92 wrote: »

The Vectra doesn't sell well here and that is also available in 1.6! Vauxhall in the UK sold less than 900 Signums a year at one stage IIRC.

The Signum wasn't helped by the fact either that it was just a Vectra from the mid section forward.

Generally people who needed that much extra rear leg room bought a car from the next segment up or the cheaper Skoda Superb.

E92

ninty9er wrote: »

If you can hold off for a few weeks and see if any Luna hatchbacks come in. They're like hen's teeth, but better specced than the Strata. Air Con included AFAIK, which will be necessary doing that milage in the summer time.

Edit: Strata has aircon, Luna has climate and rear elecs.... dash should look like this

The old Corolla only had aircon in Luna trim(bar the 06 MY hatchback which you linked to and actually had a lot of the features found in the Sol model), Climate Control for the Sol(in fairness the Sol has everything including the kitchen sink as standard) and T Sport, finding either is a task inself.

The Strata comes with a lot of Sporty looking bits and a couple of bits 'n bobs here and there inside like a multifunction steering wheel, and was only available from July '04 on.

From 02 to mid 04, there was Terra and Luna(and T Sport which was a hot hatch). The Luna has aircon, alloys and fog lights, and side airbags, because Toyota thought that 2 was enough when rivals were selling cars with 6 at the time, so you had to go for the Luna to get 4 'bags.

Then from mid 04 there was Terra, Strata(hatch only), Luna and Sol(hatch only). All facelift cars have 4 airbags.

There are 2 different versions to the facelifted Luna, the hatchback version and the Saloon.

The saloon was there from the start, and it was the same as the prefacelift in terms of additional extras, bar the fact that all now had 4 airbags as standard.

The hatchback was a special edition, introduced in 06, and is a halfway house between Strata spec and Sol. It had Climate Control for example as standard, and the much nicer alloy look dash, as shown by ninty9er.
Unfortunately these can't be found within the OP's budget of 15k.

All saloon and/or pre facelift Lunas have the standard boring black dash.

maidhc

E92 wrote: »

Unfortunately these can't be found within the OP's budget of 15k.

Unfortuantely for most of its life the Corolla 1.4D4D was only available in Terra trim. I know because I tried to buy one new in early 2006 and was told I could have a terra or I could bugger off!

I'm glad I buggered off now though.

mvpr

If you intend doing more than 50k miles a year, you'd be mad paying €15k on a car that no-one will touch in a couple of years time.

Here's another idea:

How about a Citroen C5 2.0 HDI, either 90 or 110bhp. You should be able to pick one up for €6-7k.

These cars will run forever, do 50+mpg on your gf's long commute, and are arguably the most comfortable car in its class.

Oh, and they can be converted to run on vegetable oil (40c/litre with the same performance).

Alternatively, the Xantia would be cheaper again, with the same engines. You could be saving thousands a year in depreciation and fuel costs.

That, or a 00/01 Octavia Tdi.

It BeeMee

Personally, I'd haggle with this guy:

http://www.carzone.ie/usedcars/index.cfm?fuseaction=car&carID=880444

Plenty comfortable, and respectable mpg on motorway cruising....

kluivert

She wants a standard size car, Astra Corolla Gofl size am afraid.

Id like that Superb fro myself though.

Corolla it is lads. She's not looking for a fast car, I have tried to convince her but its her choice at the end of the day.

I think when doing that sort of mileage its not wise to spend big money.

Thanks for all the input lads.