'02 to '05 Family Car Needed - Any Recommendations?

Lemlin

Hi folks,

Just looking to see if anyone has any recommendations for what I'm looking for. Here's the budget details and spec I need:

1. Budget is about 7k, could top at 8k but hoping to stick to around 7k.
2. Need a large saloon-type car with plenty of boot space that will hold a buggy and baby equipment
3. Has to be diesel and manual transmission
4. Want something in the '02 to '05 range
5. 100,000 miles is the top I'd go to but hoping to stick to 80k or so

I've looked mostly at Toyota Avensis' and Audi A4s so far. I was definitely going to go for an Audi but, for even 8k, I'd be lucky to pick up an '03.

With an Avensis, I think I could easily get an '04 for around 7k or an '05 for around 8k. However, I've noticed alot of the cheaper ones are hatchbacks and not saloons. Would the hatchback have the boot space I need?

Any advice on these two models and any other cars people think might suit would be greatly appreciated.

techdiver

Check out a Ford Mondeo such as:

http://www.carzone.ie/search/Ford/Mondeo/2.0-TDCI/200911192154421/advert

or

http://www.carzone.ie/search/Ford/Mondeo/2.0-dies/200908191890673/advert

They are excellent cars with loads of room.

positron

Get a Honda Accord 03 onwards from UK - do a search in this forum, you will find plenty of positive comments! Diesel version is 2.2 ltr.

Drummerboy08

Or have a look at these -
http://www.driving.ie/usedcars/index.cfm?fuseaction=car&carID=1136043


I reckon these pics dont do this car justice -
http://www.driving.ie/usedcars/index.cfm?fuseaction=car&carID=1338892

Try this - you'd get it at a better price I reckon too -
http://www.driving.ie/usedcars/index.cfm?fuseaction=car&carID=1168719

unkel

How about a Skoda Superb? You should be able to get a low mileage '04-'05 for your budget. It's a lot bigger than an Avensis / A4

Lemlin wrote: »

I've noticed alot of the cheaper ones are hatchbacks and not saloons. Would the hatchback have the boot space I need?

Hatchbacks are much better for boot space, especially if you are carrying larger items such as buggies

bazz26

How about a Nissan Primera:
http://www.driving.ie/usedcars/index.cfm?fuseaction=car&carID=1345307
http://www.driving.ie/usedcars/index.cfm?fuseaction=car&carID=1293392

Dynamically they are not the best but they are good value these days as a basic a to b family car. They probably tick alot of boxes on your list.

I'd also look at the Mazda 6:
http://www.driving.ie/usedcars/index.cfm?fuseaction=car&carID=1314705
http://www.driving.ie/usedcars/index.cfm?fuseaction=car&carID=1317416

Anan1

Peugeot 407 HDI?

Countryripple

PM sent to Lemlin

lifer_sean

Lemlin wrote: »

3. Has to be diesel and manual transmission

5. 100,000 miles is the top I'd go to but hoping to stick to 80k or so

With an Avensis, I think I could easily get an '04 for around 7k or an '05 for around 8k.

I wouldn't agree.

I checked prices of 04 Avensis diesel on Carzone over the weekend and if I remember correctly the cheapest ones were 9000 or so, with main dealers at 11-12000. OMSP on these is 12,000 for VRT purposes. If you can get a 04 for 7k or a 05 for 8k then I'll take half a dozen. If a dealer has one at 9000, and he is one of the cheapest on the web already, he won't suddenly drop to 7000.

Petrol ones are a lot cheaper, and would be closer to the price ranges given.

For theat money I'd also look at a Mondeo diesel. Should be able to get a 04 one for 7k.

mumblin deaf ro

Mondeo diesel should be your starting point and then see if anything else you can come up with matches or betters it.

ninty9er

Mondeo Ghia. You should be able to pick up a 03/04 in your budget.

DJ Hafez

Volvo s60 is a thought but I'd push more towards the Mondeo or Accord

Lemlin

lifer_sean wrote: »

I wouldn't agree.

I checked prices of 04 Avensis diesel on Carzone over the weekend and if I remember correctly the cheapest ones were 9000 or so, with main dealers at 11-12000. OMSP on these is 12,000 for VRT purposes. If you can get a 04 for 7k or a 05 for 8k then I'll take half a dozen. If a dealer has one at 9000, and he is one of the cheapest on the web already, he won't suddenly drop to 7000.

Petrol ones are a lot cheaper, and would be closer to the price ranges given.

For theat money I'd also look at a Mondeo diesel. Should be able to get a 04 one for 7k.

Autotrader.co.uk has 05 Avensis' starting at £5250http://atsearch.autotrader.co.uk/ni/cars_popup.jsp?nU=0&make=TOYOTA&model=AVENSIS&min_pr=4000&max_pr=8000&postcode=bt74 4rz&miles=40&max_records=200&modelexact=1&photo=1&hassearched=Y&start=2&distance=36&adcategory=CARS&channel=CARS&id=200912330647446 - . That's €5600. The VRT is then €2300 so that brings it up to 8k. I'd be hopeful the dealer would come down a bit and perhaps meet at 5250e. That means the whole lot would cost about 7500e.

This '05 on Carzone is only 7,900e.

http://www.carzone.ie/search/Toyota/Avensis/D4D/200910192016250/advert

This '04 Avensis is 4600e and then VRT would be 2300e:

http://www.carzone.ie/search/Toyota/Avensis/D4D/200910192086308/advert

Most of the '04s are priced between 8k and 9k and I'd be hopeful of getting any dealer down in the present climate.

Thanks for the feedback lads. I'm going to have a look at the Honda Accords now. I'm not really big into Mondeos (just personal preference) and Dummerboy08, thanks for the response but I'm not interested in an estate.

Any other suggestions?

On a separate note, are dealers dropping their advertised prices much? I know I'm in a strong bargaining positioning at the mo but could I really expect someone advertising a vehicle at 8995 to come down to 8k as some people have suggested to me?

up them Schteps

What about a VW passat?

MarkR

The avensis hatch has an enormous boot. I have the hatch, my uncle has the saloon, and I much prefer the saloon. I always have my 2 year old's buggy in it, and never notice it taking up space. I tend to load a lot of stuff for work, never a bother.

I fit a 50" rear projection TV and the stand in the boot with the seats folded down.

Saloon I believe has the same size boot, but the opening is not as accessible.

I've the 2 ltr D4D, a 04 one. Not the most exciting car in the world, but for a family car I like it. Loads of airbags too.

Lemlin

up them Schteps wrote: »

What about a VW passat?

Passat is like the Mondeo. Just don't like them through personal preference.

The diesel Accords on Carzone all seem to be 8k with VRT to be paid so out of my price range.

bazz26

Most UK Avensis are hatchbacks, very little saloons sold there as they tend not to like them. Hatchback will be more practical than the saloon anyway.

enviro

Jaguar X Type 2.0D Sport 4 door? Some nice examples on Carzone. Although you may find it hard to get one under 100k within your budget.

Here is a nice one.(over budget when you include VRT)
http://www.driving.ie/usedcars/index.cfm?fuseaction=car&carID=1328446


Under budget.
http://www.driving.ie/usedcars/index.cfm?fuseaction=car&carID=1325707

Lemlin

enviro wrote: »

Jaguar X Type 2.0D Sport 4 door? Some nice examples on Carzone. Although you may find it hard to get one under 100k within your budget.

Here is a nice one.(over budget when you include VRT)
http://www.driving.ie/usedcars/index.cfm?fuseaction=car&carID=1328446


Under budget.
http://www.driving.ie/usedcars/index.cfm?fuseaction=car&carID=1325707

Have a friend who has a 2009 Jag and never shuts up about it so don't want to go there!

Lemlin

Someone recommended an Opel Vectra to me and they seem to be relatively well priced. Anyone have any views on them?

EPM

they are so cheap because there are loads about, a lot ex company cars or rentals. The upside is that you can be very picky to get a good one. The Fiat 1.9 diesel would be the pick-avoid the older 2.0 or 2.2. You can get it with 120 or 150 brake

VolvoMan

DJ Hafez wrote: »

Volvo s60 is a thought but I'd push more towards the Mondeo or Accord

+1

S60 would make a fantastic family car for the money. They are stupidly cheap to buy for no reason and have great looks, engines, and comfort.

Lemlin

EPM wrote: »

they are so cheap because there are loads about, a lot ex company cars or rentals. The upside is that you can be very picky to get a good one. The Fiat 1.9 diesel would be the pick-avoid the older 2.0 or 2.2. You can get it with 120 or 150 brake

I was looking at an '05.

At the moment I think what I'm looking at:

'03 Audi
'04 Avensis
'05 Vectra

Which do people think would be the best value for 7k to 8k?

groupb

Lemlin wrote: »

Passat is like the Mondeo. Just don't like them through personal preference.

The diesel Accords on Carzone all seem to be 8k with VRT to be paid so out of my price range.

There is no need to slag off the mondeo that much!

richiepoorman

Lemlin wrote: »

I was looking at an '05.

At the moment I think what I'm looking at:

'03 Audi
'04 Avensis
'05 Vectra

Which do people think would be the best value for 7k to 8k?

None of them mate, go to the UK and get a Mondeo diesel a 2 litre TDCI (130 bhp ) great car, loads to chose from, and will obviously have a better spec than one,s from over here.

Hey, have a 04 Avensis for sale. Details here...http://adverts.ie/103102

EPM

Lemlin wrote: »

I was looking at an '05.

At the moment I think what I'm looking at:

'03 Audi
'04 Avensis
'05 Vectra

Which do people think would be the best value for 7k to 8k?

You need to show specific cars for people to give opinions. But you would be better off going to the UK

slookie wrote: »

Hey, have a 04 Avensis for sale. Details here...http://adverts.ie/103102

OP is looking for a diesel as he said all along...

Lemlin

EPM wrote: »

You need to show specific cars for people to give opinions. But you would be better off going to the UK



OP is looking for a diesel as he said all along...

I was looking at this Avensis:

http://www.carzone.ie/search/Toyota/Avensis/2.0-DIES/200912192217906/advert

HashSlinging

Is safety a concern? This has 5 star NCAP, and is diesel and this is diesel also, both have loads of space for everyone.