Help choose a car

Zampa the Lion

Hi All,

Spent the day visiting car dealers and have narrowed our choices down to the following:

2008 Ford Mondeo (UK) 1.8 Diesel 125 BHP EDGE 57k miles Price €11,000
2009 Vauxhall Vectra (UK) 1.9 CDTI 120BHP LIFE 5DR 19k miles Price €11,000
2008 Renault Laguna 1.5 DCI PRIVILEGE 110 BHP 35k miles Price €12,000

All costs based on trading in a 2003 Mazda 6 2.0 diesel with 138k miles.

This car will be used for long daily commutes so looking for something comfortable and economical.

Any advice on these 3 models or suggestions on alternatives would be greatly appreciated.

We have circa 15k to spend.

Thanks

toshy321

One bit of advice i'll give ya don't buy a renault trust me there not worth the tears:mad: I know all about them from my own experience and I know people that have had plenty of hardship with them as well. VW Diesel all the way they tick all your boxes.

EPM

They are all pretty basic models for a start. I'd expect a lot more for €15k than fitness windows in the back and a plastic steering wheel.

Aim for at least Zetec with the Mondeo. I'd discount the Vectra straight out as it's an old design and not a patch on the others. Also the VX badge may hamper resale. The new Laguna is a fine reliable car by all accounts. Big improvement on the old model. Would this one be of any interest? Better engine.

Zampa the Lion

Thanks for the advice. VW is worth considering but I feel they are overpriced and would consider a Passat rather than a Jetta.

The bigger engine in the Laguna certainly appeals as I'm used to a 2ltr engine but 1.5ltr should be more economical so also has appeal. Also have noticed a lot of negative comments online regarding the electrics in the Laguna.

challengemaster

Zampa the Lion wrote: »

Thanks for the advice. VW is worth considering but I feel they are overpriced and would consider a Passat rather than a Jetta.

The bigger engine in the Laguna certainly appeals as I'm used to a 2ltr engine but 1.5ltr should be more economical so also has appeal. Also have noticed a lot of negative comments online regarding the electrics in the Laguna.

Common assumption / mistake people tend to make is that lower engine size means more economical. In a lot of cases, yes, but when you lump an underpowered engine into a big car, it's even less efficent. Just something to be mindful of

spcw

+1 renault are rubbish no build quality costs a fortune to fix small things

Antomus Prime

toshy321 wrote: »

One bit of advice i'll give ya don't buy a renault trust me there not worth the tears:mad: I know all about them from my own experience and I know people that have had plenty of hardship with them as well. VW Diesel all the way they tick all your boxes.

Couldn't agree more, the renault will break your heart, i bough one and had to get rid of it 2 months later, i drive the older model mondeo diesel, cant fault it at all and ive heard nothing but good things about the newer ones.

Another option would be the diesel accord. Beautiful cars and really reliable!!

spcw

dont laugh but I just bought a skoda superb 2008 1.9 tdi for €13K the guys on this board tell me its a passat v-1. I hope so.

Squall19

spcw wrote: »

dont laugh but I just bought a skoda superb 2008 1.9 tdi for €13K the guys on this board tell me its a passat v-1. I hope so.

Why would they laugh, great cars.All one's listed OP are too company car spec for me, very boring way to spend 15k.Your mazda 6 if in decent condition is worth about 3-4k imo.

Mazda diesel is torquey and with 136bhp has decent power, so laguna 1.5dci will be a big step down and the lack of outright power will drive you crazy in time.

Honda Accord 147bhp

http://www.driving.ie/usedcars/index.cfm?fuseaction=car&carID=201044200069042

Saab 9-3 Aero 180bhp

http://www.driving.ie/usedcars/index.cfm?fuseaction=car&carID=201101200762479

Skoda Octavia Vrs 170bhp

http://www.driving.ie/usedcars/index.cfm?fuseaction=car&carID=201051200613319

Zampa the Lion

Okay I've pretty much ruled out the Laguna and Vectra so. I like the idea of an Accord but probably out of my price range as would have to be a dealer sale to trade up and don't want anything older than 2008. Saabs and Octavias don't really do it for me but suppose we all have different tastes. I'm starting to gear towards the Mondeo but will take another day or two to decide.

Thanks a million for all the replies.

Tragedy

I've heard nothing bad about the Laguna III's reliability, are all the low postcount peoples the usual who come out and talk about how 'a mate had one 7 years ago and it broke his heart so the new ones are as bad' etc?

I find the new laguna bland, but the engines and spec are decent for the price you can usually find it for.

spcw

Low post count guy i am but I have also owned a grand scenic bought from new for the past 5 years and each year have had to have a major job done 3 windows regulators € 300 (i learned to fix them my self €40). 1 dash board control panel thingy. 2 batteries and god knows how many light bulbs one every 3 months or so. 2 hoists for the spare tyre € 250. and now it says check injection if I accelerate to fast on the motorway and knocks when I turn the stearing wheel. The last one started after It was dropped into the reno dealer to replace a wish bone that cracked.

Never ever again even if I live to 2500 posts !

bazz26

1.8 TDCi in the Mondeo is a dog, i'd rather go with the 2.0 TDCi.

BTW you should also be able to get a 08 Honda Accord 2.2 diesel close to your budget.

http://www.driving.ie/usedcars/index.cfm?fuseaction=car&carID=201029198944407

When you have a trade in the sticker price of the new car doesn't matter that much. The cost to trade up price is all that matters. But to be honest I would try and sell the Mazda privately, it should sell easily being a diesel, if priced right. Allows you to bargin harder on the new car.

Tragedy

spcw wrote: »

Low post count guy i am but I have also owned a grand scenic bought from new for the past 5 years and each year have had to have a major job done 3 windows regulators € 300 (i learned to fix them my self €40). 1 dash board control panel thingy. 2 batteries and god knows how many light bulbs one every 3 months or so. 2 hoists for the spare tyre € 250. and now it says check injection if I accelerate to fast on the motorway and knocks when I turn the stearing wheel. The last one started after It was dropped into the reno dealer to replace a wish bone that cracked.

Never ever again even if I live to 2500 posts !

That's great, what does it have to do with the new laguna?
Nothing I hear you say?
Yes, I agree.