Recommend a Car for 12-15k

DEVEREUX

Getting rid of my "money pit" passat soon and looking for a car to replace. I'll have a budget of between 12-15k. Volkswagon, due to my bad experience is not an option I would consider.

My requirements in order are

• Not a Volkswagon
• Reliability
• Economy
• accomodate two under 5's
• Boot space
• Easy on the eye

Thanks

Eric Cartman

INB4 Octavia

http://www.carzone.ie/search/Toyota/Landcruiser/3.0-D4D-/201104201022569/advert?channel=CARS

TestTransmission

Volkswagen

colm_mcm

New fluence or grand Megane?

5 year warranty etc.

doOh

Lexus IS 220d or IS 250 :P diesel does around 40mpg (180hp), petrol around 30mpg (210hp)

Lex Luthor

colm_mcm wrote: »

New fluence?

Colm, easy on the eye?

How about a Mazda

colm_mcm

The fluence is not that bad looking, its grown on me the more I see it.

shanec1928

colm_mcm wrote: »

The fluence is not that bad looking, its grown on me the more I see it.

blind?:D

colm_mcm

I think it'll date well, its simple and well proportioned.

I quite like the squared front, reminds me of the new mx5 for some reason. The rear end is quite handsome and it all goes together quite nicely.

DEVEREUX

colm_mcm wrote: »

New fluence

Not my cupan tae and outside my budjet anyway

toshy321

You wouldn't go too far wrong wit second hand toyota auris or corolla plenty of decent offers of these availible second hand

colm_mcm

Far as I know you'll get a new fluence for 15k

An auris? Reasons please?

Eric Cartman

how do you feel about 4x4s and large engined saloons >2.5 litre ? great bargains to be had

bazz26

Ford Mondeo:
http://www.driving.ie/usedcars/index.cfm?fuseaction=car&carID=201105201072982

Honda Accord:
http://www.driving.ie/usedcars/index.cfm?fuseaction=car&carID=201037199567213

Renault Laguna III:
http://www.driving.ie/usedcars/index.cfm?fuseaction=car&carID=201103200904377

Citroen C5:
http://www.driving.ie/usedcars/index.cfm?fuseaction=car&carID=201104201002545

enfant terrible

Probably get this for 15k

http://www.carzone.ie/search/Audi/TT/2.0-TFSI/201105201085533/advert?channel=CARS

Forget that
# Boot space
# Economy

DEVEREUX

Eric Cartman wrote: »

how do you feel about 4x4s and large engined saloons >2.5 litre ? great bargains to be had

No aversion to 4x4s. Are they not heavy on juice and tax??

DEVEREUX

bazz26 wrote: »

Citroen C5:
http://www.driving.ie/usedcars/index.cfm?fuseaction=car&carID=201104201002545

I'm liking the backside on the C5 not mad about the front though

shanec1928

enfant terrible wrote: »

Probably get this for 15k

http://www.carzone.ie/search/Audi/TT/2.0-TFSI/201105201085533/advert?channel=CARS

Forget that
# Boot space
# Economy

forget the children while your at it:p

DEVEREUX

enfant terrible wrote: »

Probably get this for 15k

http://www.carzone.ie/search/Audi/TT/2.0-TFSI/201105201085533/advert?channel=CARS

Forget that
# Boot space
# Economy

I'll just tether the kids to the roof....they'll be grand!

shanec1928

DEVEREUX wrote: »

I'll just tether the kids to the roof....they'll be grand!

thats the spirit.

Squall19

What went wrong in the passat?

I had a Volvo S40 D3 as a rental car two weeks ago in Germany and thought it was a great machine, really comfortable, excellent power from its ford-derived 2.0 turbo diesel, 150bhp and averaged 44mpg over the week and thats flat out 220kmh on the autobahn, you would easily see 50mpg+ on our roads.It was great on fuel and a fancy looking machine as well.

If your not bothered with power they have an excellent 1.6 diesel as well, 115bhp ford engine,that engine like the 2.0d version is supposedly bullet proof with very little problems.If you get a 08 one which shouldnt be a problem with 15k to spend, you will get 156e road tax.I dont think the 115bhp 1.6 diesel would struggle, it has a decent amount of torque and its not too heavy.I dont know exactly so couldnt recommend it,but the 2.0d is excellent, better pulling power on the motorway and out handles the bmw 318d I had a year before that.

Its hard to get a decent 2.0d here as they are nearly all 1.6, but in the uk you would have no problem finding a good one.Road tax is very low on that one too if you find a 08, cant imagine its more than 300e

Sporty R Version

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201104378182258/sort/priceasc/usedcars/fuel-type/diesel/price-from/10000/maximum-age/

supersaint3

How about this?

I have one and I love it

Tea 1000

The fatter Focus that is the S40 does NOT out-handle a 3-series.

enfant terrible

forza rovers wrote: »

forget the children while your at it:p

You'll fit two under 5's no problem

Squall19

Tea 1000 wrote: »

The fatter Focus that is the S40 does NOT out-handle a 3-series.

You have driven both I presume?

318d was grand but at high speeds on the autobahn it was susceptible to cross winds and faster moving traffic at 200kmh+, s40 was alot more composed and safer at those speeds, 318d moved around way too much.It also felt twitchy under heavy braking at high revs into corners,( 3rd gear b road ), S40 liked to be pushed and revved, 318d didnt imo.s40 had more grunt in 6th on the motorway.

colm_mcm

I've driven both (1.6 SE and 316i) and the bmw is far superior.
Can't see how cross winds at 200 kmph are a realistic or relevant test.

The s40 is a nice car, but it doesn't handle that well and the 3 has way more feel and poise.

Tea 1000

Squall19 wrote: »

You have driven both I presume?

318d was grand but at high speeds on the autobahn it was susceptible to cross winds and faster moving traffic at 200kmh+, s40 was alot more composed and safer at those speeds, 318d moved around way too much.It also felt twitchy under heavy braking at high revs into corners,( 3rd gear b road ), S40 liked to be pushed and revved, 318d didnt imo.s40 had more grunt in 6th on the motorway.

Yep, although it was a 320d, but that doesn't matter, as the engine is the same weight so same handling. The 3-series is very composed and responsive.
Heavy braking at high revs into corners isn't exactly the best way to drive a diesel, but regardless, if it's twitching you may find that it's actually the wide tyres following road imperfections and the steering letting you know that.
Crosswinds? Dunno about crosswind performance at 200km/h, but you'd need to make sure the same road and same speed and direction wind was taken into consideration.