Thinking of upgrading my car - want a 2008 or 2009 with the following:

podgeandrodge

Thinking of upgrading my car - want a 2008 or 2009 with following:

1) Saloon preferable
2) Petrol or Diesel don't really care
3) Must have Air Conditioning
4) Must have Cruise Control
5) Would like Bluetooth for phone calls

Don't really like the look of Opel Astra's (which appear to tick all the boxes)

Looked at Laguna's, Focus, Avensis - but don't see all these items as standard..

Any suggestions welcome!

Anan1

I'd focus on the important stuff first - make, model, engine size, fuel type. Almost all 2008-9 cars will have a/c, bluetooth is easy to fit, same for cruise if the car doesn't have it. Top spec versions of many cars will likely have both.

EPM

Focus Ghia with the Bluetooth option. Many actually have that option actually

mumblin deaf ro

What's your budget? Saab 9-3 maybe?

http://www.carzone.ie/search/Saab/9-3/1.9-Tid/201036199486803/advert?channel=CARS

podgeandrodge

Hi and thanks for replies. Not concerned about petrol or diesel - don't do enough mileage for it to be a serious consideration (12k a year).

Would prefer to have cruise control car factory fitted (I know, I know - just a feeling safe thing )

Focus Ghia sounds interesting - didn't realise they had cruise control as standard.

My budget is only about 12 or 13k max and I only want an "ordinary" saloon or hatch - nothing in the Saab category ta.

I was surprised that the Astra ticked all boxes but it just looks to like a small car.

Currently driving a 1.4 Citroen C4 but want something zippier - the C4 is like a tank.

EPM - just googling for Ghia's there - none of them coming up mentioning Cruise Control - do you know is it standard or just an option on the Ghia's? Thanks.

cantdecide

3 biggest factors in car choice- budget, useage and how long you wish to keep it.

Eric Cartman

BMW 7 series
BMW 530i
Saab 9-5 Aero
Lexus GS300 / LS430

pajero12

Eric Cartman wrote: »

BMW 7 series
BMW 530i
Saab 9-5 Aero
Lexus GS300 / LS430

Ohh..think you mignt be onto something :rolleyes:
Volvo S40?

podgeandrodge

Eric Cartman wrote: »

BMW 7 series
BMW 530i
Saab 9-5 Aero
Lexus GS300 / LS430

When I said nothing in the Saab category I meant BMW's and "Lexi" as well - nothing fancy and I don't think I'd get a 2008 model in any of those cars within my budget anyway

pajero12 wrote: »

Ohh..think you mignt be onto something :rolleyes:
Volvo S40?

Volvo S40...hmmmmm might look at those but doubt if I'd get a 2008 for my money - tempting though! Thanks. (don't know what you meant by "think you might be onto something" to Eric Cartman?)

pajero12

podgeandrodge wrote: »

(don't know what you meant by "think you might be onto something" to Eric Cartman?)

Oh sorry,that was sarcasm

EPM

It's definitely standard on the Ghia. My dads old 06 one had it plus Bluetooth. The 1.6 manual focus Ghia has a different engine to the other 1.6 focus saloons. It's a peach, plenty of go and very economical too. If you are going petrol at that age it's one of the best in the class. Ford owner forums also mention that they put out a bit more power than claimed too.

The focus boot is big in the saloon but the opening is a bit narrow for golf clubs and the like

podgeandrodge

pajero12 wrote: »

Oh sorry,that was sarcasm

Thought it might have been

EPM wrote: »

It's definitely standard on the Ghia. My dads old 06 one had it plus Bluetooth. The 1.6 manual focus Ghia has a different engine to the other 1.6 focus saloons. It's a peach, plenty of go and very economical too. If you are going petrol at that age it's one of the best in the class. Ford owner forums also mention that they put out a bit more power than claimed too.

The focus boot is big in the saloon but the opening is a bit narrow for golf clubs and the like

Thanks for that - any words of wisdom on the Focus Hatch? (I'm open to a 5 door hatch as well!)
And are the Diesel models a lot slower - I want something I can confidently accelerate in!

EPM

Boot will be smaller but the same otherwise. The 115ps 1.6 petrol is a good reliable choice. Shop around as many Ghias had some nice options and you might get a better car for the price. But you should at least be able to find one with bluetooth

benj

Passat comfortline have all these and its a nice car

Eric Cartman

didnt see the budget, just didnt see an engine size so decided to throw some nice things in there

THE LINK WALSH

OP will find the spec hes looking for in a New shape Renault Laguna petrol,he'll buy one for around 11-13k aswell,ive never driven one but they look ok.

delly

Although you've ruled out the Astra due to size, have you looked at the Vectra. Even the most basic spec has AC and cruise control and you'd get an '08 with change from 10k. Of course you could go for the Design spec and get all the bells and whistles, but they are rarer models.

podgeandrodge

THE LINK WALSH wrote: »

OP will find the spec hes looking for in a New shape Renault Laguna petrol,he'll buy one for around 11-13k aswell,ive never driven one but they look ok.

Thanks I'll search some Lagunas but 11 grand looks good value!

podgeandrodge

Still looking

Saw a nice Ford Mondeo the other day - no-one suggested this - any thoughts (hatchback version)

Thanks.

EPM

If it's a 1.6 its the same engine as the focus but detuned slightly. Zetec will give you the spec you want. My father went from a focus Ghia saloon to a Mondeo titanium x hatch and he's very happy. Boot is huge and easily accessible. Also, he does mileage similar to yours and reckons a tenner a week more in juice for a 2 litre petrol. Might be worth searching out a petrol titanium x for a bargain barge...

ofcork

For what its worth i would stay away from lagunas there is a reason why they are always a few grand cheaper,they are trouble.

DjBryn

what about an bmw e92

suppose it would be better to wait till january when the dealers have cars coming back as people upgrade for their 2011's

Guy:Incognito

ofcork wrote: »

For what its worth i would stay away from lagunas there is a reason why they are always a few grand cheaper,they are trouble.

Can you come up with anywhere that has bad reviews for its reliability?

Heres everything from honestjohns "whats bad" section after 3 years on sale:

What's Bad: Feedback welcome.
What to Watch Out For: Feedback welcome.
Recalls:

Stevie Dakota

ofcork wrote: »

For what its worth i would stay away from lagunas there is a reason why they are always a few grand cheaper,they are trouble.

Wrong, they are are still a free grand cheaper but are now reliable. But keep it quiet will you...

Absurdum

Mazda 6

http://www.carzone.ie/search/Mazda/Mazda6/1.8-Exec/201038199646798/advert?channel=CARS

Almaviva

Man, take a look at the news. The Celtic Tiger is over. That Irish hangup about buying cars by their number plate is so yesterday. Factor it out of your thinking.

VolvoMan

podgeandrodge wrote: »

When I said nothing in the Saab category I meant BMW's and "Lexi" as well - nothing fancy and I don't think I'd get a 2008 model in any of those cars within my budget anyway

Volvo S40...hmmmmm might look at those but doubt if I'd get a 2008 for my money - tempting though! Thanks. (don't know what you meant by "think you might be onto something" to Eric Cartman?)

I don't know how you classify a SAAB as too fancy when you say you'd consider an S40. SAAB and Volvo would be more or less on the same level regarding brand perception.

R.O.R

Not sure what price range they are in now, but an 08 S40 1.8 Flexifuel might be worth a look. Essentially a Focus saloon, with excellent standard kit, and a lot more common than a high spec Focus. SE version has leather and cruise, but it will be rare to find one with Bluetooth as it was an expensive option. If you can try to find one with a phone kit fitted already, as it's fairly expensive to get it done properly (mute leads are about €125).

Tax is quite a bit higher than your 1.4, and the fuel consumption is pretty poor. No point running them on E85 as fuel consumption is even worse than Petrol and the price difference between the 2 is no longer that big. 10,000km service intervals is a PITA as well.

vectra

I know you said 08-09. But this 07 would suit your budget.
Should have everything you need
http://cars.donedeal.ie/for-sale/cars/1563939

Fugs!!

Snooze!

Sand Wedge

What about a Seat Leon 1.9tdi. Should be able to get an '08 in your price range!

podgeandrodge

Thanks again for all your comments....

Sort of edging towards a 2007 Ford Mondeo 1.6 petrol (zetec) but only getting a trade in offer of 4,500 on my 2006 C4 which I've had since new..so would be an expensive trade up..:(

argosy2006

what size engine can you have?
how much have you to spend?
spill de beans alreadly

podgeandrodge

argosy2006 wrote: »

what size engine can you have?
how much have you to spend?
spill de beans alreadly

A 1.6 petrol will do me - was hoping to trade up from the 2006 C4 to an '07 or '08 Mondeo Zetec for less than 6 grand...

bazz26

The 1.6 engine in the new shape Mondeo is underpowered and heavy on juice as a result. A false economy in a car of that size and weight.

podgeandrodge

bazz26 wrote: »

The 1.6 engine in the new shape Mondeo is underpowered and heavy on juice as a result. A false economy in a car of that size and weight.

Doh! Please don't tell me that!:( Is it really that bad - I'm not going to be driving it hard? Are you talking "left behind at the lights" underpowered?

Ta.

EPM

podgeandrodge wrote: »

Doh! Please don't tell me that!:( Is it really that bad - I'm not going to be driving it hard? Are you talking "left behind at the lights" underpowered?

Ta.

If you're going petrol check out a 2 litre. Simple enough engine and very trouble free. It's a big heavy car so smaller engines will struggle. Fine car though, and even 1.6 should be trouble free. Parking sensors are a must in the saloon