Looking to change car

GreeBo

Hey all,
Im currently in possession of a 98 1.8 Avensis.

I got it for next to nothing from a relative and its starting to show some wear. The radiator (or something nearby) is leaking. I threw in a bottle of rad seal a few weeks ago and it hasnt made any difference. I've been unable to trace the leak.
The exhaust is also blowing quite badly.

At this stage Im thinking of just getting a new car.

I want something a similar size/ride to the Avensis; though will go for 1.4-1.6 rather than the 1.8.
Looking to spend ~€7k.

Main options for sale seem to be Almeras, but Im not a big fan of them. Whats anyone think of this S40?

The Passat doesnt seem to be that popular on here either, is that due to reliability?
How about the Octavia? Seems to be high spec. for good money?

Appreciate any pointers lads. Never bought a 2nd hand car before.

Atreyou

S40 - nice car, was thinking the other day of buying it myself. Parts are cheap as most of them are exactly the same as in Focus 2, or mazda 3. Recomend 1.6 diesel.

GreeBo

yeah it looks like a nice car alright...though some reviews seem to say that its quite tight for space in the back and the boot?

L-M

GreeBo wrote: »

yeah it looks like a nice car alright...though some reviews seem to say that its quite tight for space in the back and the boot?

And the front as well... And storage space. I was shocked at how small they are inside. Something like a Tdi Passat maybe? And you looking to save on the tax, the economy or the whole lot? Do you do long journeys regularily?

Edit: Also a friend of mine has a 1.6D V50 (the estate) with around 150k and they've spent 15k on it in the last few months. Although most of that was to cover a new engine. Another friend has one the same with 130k on it and he's has nothing but minor, costly problems.

Atreyou

similar space at the back compare to octavia, boot will be less practical though, as it's typical saloon (octavia liftback) made on hatchback.

L-M

Atreyou wrote: »

similar space at the back compare to octavia, boot will be less practical though, as it's typical saloon (octavia liftback) made on hatchback.

But see you are coming a Passat etc. priced car with a smaller saloon car, if you understand me.

kermitpwee

Not much help on your new car for you. The avensis radiator is generally made from plastic at the top which can crack. If its not from the rad and you can't see it leaking from anywhere else then it probably needs a water pump. Its a common problem. It might be cheaper to fix your avensis. The model avensis you have are very reliable and cheap for parts. If you want to change it because your bored thats fair enough. If the car hasn't been abused then a few hundred could keep you in motoring for a long time.

P.s stay away from the modern almera it will cost a lot in repairs. Timing chain causes problems with them.

Esel

^ +1 on the above.

bazz26

Atreyou wrote: »

S40 - nice car, was thinking the other day of buying it myself. Parts are cheap as most of them are exactly the same as in Focus 2, or mazda 3. Recomend 1.6 diesel.

Volvo parts are not cheap. Identical Focus parts are cheaper but not all parts are from the Focus. Something to be aware of.

GreeBo

Limerick man wrote: »

And the front as well... And storage space. I was shocked at how small they are inside. Something like a Tdi Passat maybe? And you looking to save on the tax, the economy or the whole lot? Do you do long journeys regularily?

Looking to save on both really, though wasnt planning on going Diesel.
From what I can see the Passat gets an awful bashing on here? (or is it only the post 04 ones?)
No regular long journeys, once a year might go somewhere longer than 2 hours drive.



The Avensis has 133k on the clock and I got the timing belt etc done at 125k. Now Im wondering if they didnt do the water pump It was a "Full Service" in a Toyota Main Dealer. Bloody cost enough for a water pump to have been done!


To be fair to it, its a bit of a tank i.e. indestructible.
Its only ever been serviced in a Main Dealer though in the last 3 years it got sprayed by a cement truck and crashed into by a herd of cattle. (Dont ask!) so its looking its age badly. I guess I just fancy a change.

kermitpwee

GreeBo wrote: »

Looking to save on both really, though wasnt planning on going Diesel.
From what I can see the Passat gets an awful bashing on here? (or is it only the post 04 ones?)
No regular long journeys, once a year might go somewhere longer than 2 hours drive.



The Avensis has 133k on the clock and I got the timing belt etc done at 125k. Now Im wondering if they didnt do the water pump It was a "Full Service" in a Toyota Main Dealer. Bloody cost enough for a water pump to have been done!


To be fair to it, its a bit of a tank i.e. indestructible.
Its only ever been serviced in a Main Dealer though in the last 3 years it got sprayed by a cement truck and crashed into by a herd of cattle. (Dont ask!) so its looking its age badly. I guess I just fancy a change.

Generally toyota dealers wont do the water pump in the avensis unless you ask. I dont think the water pump is run off the timimg belt in the avensis and thats why they wouldn't do it automatically. i could be wrong though.

bazz26

I would have got a good indy mechanic to change the timing belt on the Avensis, the car is 11 years old and well out of warranty, I could see no valid reason for paying main dealer prices on a car that age to be honest.

GreeBo

bazz26 wrote: »

I would have got a good indy mechanic to change the timing belt on the Avensis, the car is 11 years old and well out of warranty, I could see no valid reason for paying main dealer prices on a car that age to be honest.

Yeah, I agree with you now.
At the time the car was in need of a major service which would be the first service "I" would be giving the car. Decided to give it to a main dealer in the (wrong) assumption that it would be more thorough job.