which second-hand automatic family car?

crol

hiya,

i'm looking to replace my current car, a manual 02 nissan almera (60k), due to me missus only driving automatics and having a baby on the way.

i don't really know much about all the different models that are out there so i was hoping some of you lads would give me a few pointers.

main requirements are -

1. must be an automatic.

2. will be driven around 10k miles per annum.

3. want reliability and predictable maintenance costs.

4. needs to be reasonably large in the back, as will have to take the baby and my old folks from time to time.

5. budget with trade in will be 6k - 8k, ideally closer to 6k.

based on the merlin snapshots, i reckon i would get 2.0 - 2.5k for my current car at auction.

i don't think i am cluefull enough to buy privately so will probably try to buy at a garage with a warranty.

so, far i've been thinking along the lines of:
toyota avensis
vw passat
skoda octavia

what would your advise be?

thanks for your help,

colm

TURRICAN

toyota corrolla verso

renault scenic long wheel base.

just two off the top of my head.

EPM

Something like this Octavia would be worth looking at. Petrols ones available too for a few quid less. Should have timing belt done prior to sale I'd say and should last well. Space in the back can be tight with taller front passengers but should be more than enough for your needs tbh.

crol

thanks for the feedback!

TURRICAN wrote: »

toyota corrolla verso

renault scenic long wheel base.

just two off the top of my head.

some of the mpv's look really comfortable but they also seem to be quite expensive second hand.

if i was going for a mpv, a 5 seater would be enough for me.

EPM wrote: »

Something like this Octavia would be worth looking at. Petrols ones available too for a few quid less. Should have timing belt done prior to sale I'd say and should last well. Space in the back can be tight with taller front passengers but should be more than enough for your needs tbh.

driving 10km a year, do you think it would be worth the extra money to get a diesel?

also, is there a significant difference between the pre 2005 and post 2005 octavia models?

one more thing, if you had to choose between a good warranty and a full service history. which would you take?

thanks again,

colm

EPM

FSH for me would be a must. I'd chose a 100k car with a FSH over a 60k car without any.

With the octavias the diesel has the better DSG auto box whereas the 1.6 would have an older tiptronic one. Not too sure but I think the petrols one is a 4 speeder whereas the DSG is a 6 speed. Diesel would have better residuals but higher tax. Better economy though - if you could det a diesel DSG for close on a petrol auto price it would be worth it. If it was me and I was in your shoes I'd probably pay the extra few quid for the DSG.

crol

EPM wrote: »

Something like this Octavia would be worth looking at. Petrols ones available too for a few quid less. Should have timing belt done prior to sale I'd say and should last well. Space in the back can be tight with taller front passengers but should be more than enough for your needs tbh.

oops ... they forgot to mention that this car was used as a taxi (according to mywheels.ie)!

R.O.R

EPM wrote: »

Something like this Octavia would be worth looking at. Petrols ones available too for a few quid less. Should have timing belt done prior to sale I'd say and should last well. Space in the back can be tight with taller front passengers but should be more than enough for your needs tbh.

We used to have one of these as a runner car in work and they are fantastic to drive. I didn't find the seats that comfortable if I was driving any sort of distance, but it was the first car everyone checked to see if it was about before they went out.

We had a MK1 1.9Tdi Auto back earlier this year with over 210,000km so with regular maintenance the cars are well able to run for years.

_Kaiser_

The problem in this country seems to be (in my own experience anyway) that to get a decent automatic saloon car (AND a diesel), you are immediately limited to the German brands, and then primarily VAG cars. Even if you go to premium marques, you're still talking mostly German (BMW, Merc)

Don't get me wrong, I love my DSG Passat, but it'd be nice (for example) to be able to readily get a Mondeo, or even an automatic Caddy-sized van - and yes I know VW do DO a DSG Caddy but they're as rare as hen's teeth!