advice on family car appreciated

quad_red

Hi folks,

I'm looking for a car to replace our 3 door 2002 Astra (baby on the way, need back doors). Have been intently (wife would say obsessively ) going over options but after going through our budgetary situation, we've decided to lower what we want to spend.

So, we've got 8k cash plus whatever we can get for the 2002 Astra. Perhaps stretch a bit more than 8k if an absolute bargain presented itself.

Current mileage: 13k per year. Car not getting much use during the week, mostly motorway miles.
Predicted mileage: moving out of city centre so likely more miles during the week (commute), similar weekend miles. So probably 15k/16k per year?

Requirements: isofix, bigger boot than Astra, reliable (Astra has been a dream in terms of reliability. Nothing to do bar change timing belt/fuel pump on cue), better mpg than Astra, comfortable and quiet cruising at 120km/hr.

Would like: cheaper to tax would be nice (currently €333), a decent interior spec, something nice to look at.

Like: I like the styling of the S40, something definite.

Don't like: Ford handling (don't like my folks Focus and haven't like either of the Mondeos I've test driven), Octavia looks (Skoda don't really do customer service either. Couldn't be arsed barely talking to us).

Anyway, after testing driving a few cars I came across this on carzone. An 08 A4 within reach with low mileage....

http://www.carzone.ie/search/Audi/A4/A4-2.0-T/201104201034718/advert?channel=CARS

Is this too good to be true?

Cheers,
QR

Zubeneschamali

quad_red wrote: »

I'm looking for a car to replace our 3 door 2002 Astra (baby on the way, need back doors).

I wouldn't buy a saloon if I was you: have you ever tried getting a folded buggy in and out of a saloon's boot? You want a hatch or estate.

That A4 you linked to is too cheap to be real.

R.O.R

quad_red wrote: »

Anyway, after testing driving a few cars I came across this on carzone. An 08 A4 within reach with low mileage....

http://www.carzone.ie/search/Audi/A4/A4-2.0-T/201104201034718/advert?channel=CARS

Is this too good to be true?

Cheers,
QR

By God, there is some bang of scam off that ad. It's far too cheap for an A4, and it's even a fairly decent spec A4 for Ireland - SE with the electric seats and 17" wheels.

If you aren't keen on the Skoda, would a Jetta float your boat? From memory, it's only the VAG cars that have ISOFIX as standard - as it's an option from other manufacturer's it's rarely specified.

Lex Luthor

That A4 price is defo a typo

agree with above, saloon can be limited, would recommend a hatch or an mpv. MPV's are ideal with babies as they make putting them in/out in their carriers as the seats are higher up. They are also more practical inside with more cubby holes, etc and are designed with the needs of a young family in mind.

alias no.9

Lex Luthor wrote: »

That A4 price is defo a typo

agree with above, saloon can be limited, would recommend a hatch or an mpv. MPV's are ideal with babies as they make putting them in/out in their carriers as the seats are higher up. They are also more practical inside with more cubby holes, etc and are designed with the needs of a young family in mind.

This is good advice. OP how far down the line are you thinking? You are changing your car now because of a baby, if you have another within two years, have you seen the size of double buggys? An MPV or estate now could mean not being forced to change again in a short time frame.