Can't see wood for trees - 10k for family car

quad_red

After a few weeks of looking, I'm more confused now than when I started looking for a new car.

Current car: 2002, 1.4 Astra, 3 Door
Like: feck all maintenance costs, clean simple interior (no fake woods, finicky plastic bits), smooth to drive, sun roof.
Don't like: not the most accomplished on the motorway, 3 doors, smallish boot

Situation: new arrival in summer

Requirements: 4/5 doors, safe, a bit more power, reasonable running costs (tax/insurance), more fuel efficient.
Would like: a bit more power (but nothing more than 2 litre), aesthetically pleasing, solid interior

Mileage: 13,000 miles p/a, mix of motorway and urban

Budget: 10k

In my head (the Astra is our first car) I've gone from A4's to Passats to Octavia's to Vectra's and back again. I loved the A4 (and have driven a friends one a good few times) but had concerns about the age and mileage we'd be able to afford(plus didn't like stories over high maintenance costs). Didn't mind the Passats I've test driven but have concerns over reliability following the horror stories on here. Despite claims here, didn't find Octavia's particularly good value in my search (haven't driven one though). Have test driven a few Vectras (and they're an easy and safe option cos my wife's uncle works in a reputable Opel dealer) but they are horrible inside (grey plastic ****e) and so sluggish to drive. Have test driven a few Mondeo's and despite all the good reviews, I don't find them very nice to drive. Very jumpy and unforgiving clutch, I know my wife would hate it.

The process so far has been a bit disheartening. Dealerships don't want to know about trading in an 2002 Astra and the majority of private sellers I've talked to have sounded worryingly sketchy (eg. turned out to be sneaky dealers or people who tell you they can 'get' a service history for it 'no problem').

Any advice, tips, suggestions most welcome.

Cheers
Quad

Twin-go

quad_red wrote: »

After a few weeks of looking, I'm more confused now than when I started looking for a new car.

Current car: 2002, 1.4 Astra, 3 Door
Like: feck all maintenance costs, clean simple interior (no fake woods, finicky plastic bits), smooth to drive, sun roof.
Don't like: not the most accomplished on the motorway, 3 doors, smallish boot

Situation: new arrival in summer

Requirements: 4/5 doors, safe, a bit more power, reasonable running costs (tax/insurance), more fuel efficient.
Would like: a bit more power (but nothing more than 2 litre), aesthetically pleasing, solid interior

Mileage: 13,000 miles p/a, mix of motorway and urban

Budget: 10k

I've gone from A4's to Passats to Octavia's to Vectra's and back again. I loved the A4 (and have driven a friends one a good few times) but had concerns about the age and mileage (plus didn't like stories over high maintenance costs). Didn't mind the Passats I've driven but have concerns over reliability following the horror stories on here. Despite claims here, didn't find Octavia's particularly good value (haven't driven one though). Have driven Vectras (and they're an easy and safe option cos my wife's uncle works in a reputable Opel dealer) but they are horrible inside (grey plastic ****e) and so sluggish to drive. Have driven a few Mondeo's and despite all the good reviews, I don't find them very nice to drive. Very jumpy and unforgiving clutch, I know my wife would hate it.

The process so far has been a bit disheartening. Dealerships don't want to know about trading in an 2002 Astra and the majority of private sellers I've talked to have sounded worryingly sketchy (eg. turned out to be sneaky dealers or people who tell you they can 'get' a service history for it 'no problem').

Any advice, tips, suggestions most welcome.

Cheers
Quad

For 10k I think a 2007 Ford Mondeo could be a good fit. Sample Link below:
http://www.carzone.ie/search/Ford/Mondeo/Zetec-1./201102200851609/advert?channel=CARS

bazz26

Have a look at the Mazda 6. New shapes are going for reasonable money these days, petrol models are very reliable:

http://www.driving.ie/usedcars/index.cfm?fuseaction=car&carID=201105201141937

bullology

Try this although i'm not so sure about the running costs for this particular model Honda is a reliable car and you could get less milage for a little more money.....
http://www.carzone.ie/search/Honda/Accord/2.0-EXEC/201037199533981/advert?channel=CARS

bazz26

Or perhaps the Civic saloon. 1.8 i-VTEC is very economical.

http://www.driving.ie/usedcars/index.cfm?fuseaction=car&carID=201107201315505

Zubeneschamali

quad_red wrote: »

Situation: new arrival in summer

Requirements: 4/5 doors, safe, a bit more power, reasonable running costs (tax/insurance), more fuel efficient.

Firstly, I'd advise against 4 door saloons. Hoiking buggies and folding cots into the boot of a saloon is a pain, get a hatch or estate.

How about an A4 Avant? A V50?

MrDerp

I feel your pain, OP.

I'm in the market for a similar car, giving myself a similar budget, though I've a small bit more to trade in.

It's a dangerous place to be, IMO.
- Premium brands are attainable, but look unreliable at the age/mileage presented
- 'Family saloons' meet the price and age, but are a bit dull
- I have a hatchback, can't see myself spending the next 3 years in one

I don't have anything on the way that I know of, though the dog likes the hatchback for hanging out at the back window

A few weeks ago I was considering a 15K budget for diesels. Now I couldn't be arsed because I'm not poor and a lower mileage petrol can be had for much less.

I've been looking at:
Saab 93s (1.8t and 1.8i)
Volvo s40s (1.8)
Mondeos
Pug 407s
Honda Accords

My mind is fried. There's fine examples of all of these around my estate, I like the look of all of them, so I think I'd be happy sitting in any of them.

The Accord is supposed to be the most reliable, but repairs when they do happen are supposedly expensive.
The Mondeo and Pug seem huge so I'm not sure I want them. They're a bit heavier and weak as a result

Which leaves the s40 and Saab.
- The Saab is based on the Vectra, but would have a bit more power if you get turbo, and a much better interior. Any opel dealer ought to be able to service these as the parts are GM. I've always liked Saabs
- The s40 1.8 (haven't seen 1.6) I like a lot. But there's so few knocking around that it makes me nervous. I like to see a choice of 20 odd cars in my range, not 3 or 4. But its based on the Focus platform (I have one) and its light and nimble. It's also a bit different. Not huge so your missus will thank you (only 6 inches longer than my focus). They come nicely specced too.

As for reviews, I keep seeing, limited head space in rear, cramped cabin, small boot blah blah blah. Bo11ox. I know plenty of women who've managed two kids and a double buggy in a golf. You don't need a boat because you've a couple of smallies

quad_red

Zubeneschamali, fair point on the hatchback issue.

Good to hear from someone in a similar situation MrDerp

MrDerp wrote: »

It's a dangerous place to be, IMO.
- Premium brands are attainable, but look unreliable at the age/mileage presented
- 'Family saloons' meet the price and age, but are a bit dull
- I have a hatchback, can't see myself spending the next 3 years in one

Nail on head. I was looking forward to a 'new' car but now I'm just deflated.

I agree on the Mondeo's size - I didn't like it (and I'm used to driving an estate E class in work!). And I know the Mrs would feel terrified of trying to park it the beached whale. I like the look of the S40 but the boot on them *is* very small (at least the 'mouth' of the boot is).

Idbatterim

you could probably get the current mondeo for that i.e 07 on, at 13k miles per year, are you looking for petrol or diesel? you could pick up the current E90 bmw saloon for that... the 318d has 120bhp and the 320d has 163 bhp...

http://www.carzone.ie/search/BMW/3-Series/320-se-d/201109201476117/advert?channel=CARS

Tea 1000

Idbatterim wrote: »

you could probably get the current mondeo for that i.e 07 on, at 13k miles per year, are you looking for petrol or diesel? you could pick up the current E90 bmw saloon for that... the 318d has 120bhp and the 320d has 163 bhp...

http://www.carzone.ie/search/BMW/3-Series/320-se-d/201109201476117/advert?channel=CARS

I smell a scam with that Beemer. That or there's something wrong with it.
OP, Mazda 6 new shape hatchback would be an excellent all rounder.

quad_red

Idbatterim wrote: »

you could probably get the current mondeo for that i.e 07 on, at 13k miles per year, are you looking for petrol or diesel? you could pick up the current E90 bmw saloon for that... the 318d has 120bhp and the 320d has 163 bhp...

http://www.carzone.ie/search/BMW/3-Series/320-se-d/201109201476117/advert?channel=CARS

That does seem rather cheap...

Saw this on another thread and might take a gander at it next week http://www.driving.ie/usedcars/index.cfm?fuseaction=car&carID=201109201488331

YouTookMyName

Zubeneschamali wrote: »

Firstly, I'd advise against 4 door saloons. A V50?

Lovely Looking Motor that.

quad_red

Zubeneschamali wrote: »

Firstly, I'd advise against 4 door saloons. Hoiking buggies and folding cots into the boot of a saloon is a pain, get a hatch or estate.

How about an A4 Avant? A V50?

Missed the V50.

I'm coming around to the estate way of thinking this weekend - we're in the process of moving house and even messing with a hatchback is painful compared to the room we had when we moved last (using wife's cousin's A4 estate, very much like the one you linked to).

Would mpg be much less on an estate compared to a standard saloon? (of the same model)

MrDerp

quad_red wrote: »

Missed the V50.

I'm coming around to the estate way of thinking this weekend - we're in the process of moving house and even messing with a hatchback is painful compared to the room we had when we moved last (using wife's cousin's A4 estate, very much like the one you linked to).

Would mpg be much less on an estate compared to a standard saloon? (of the same model)

Put a deposit on an s40 yesterday, quad_red. Happy out. Had another look at the boot though, with you in mind, and it would NOT work for you I'd say.

Herself's sister picked up a v50 when her 3rd child arrived and its a great car by all accounts.

-Corkie-

Idbatterim wrote: »

you could probably get the current mondeo for that i.e 07 on, at 13k miles per year, are you looking for petrol or diesel? you could pick up the current E90 bmw saloon for that... the 318d has 120bhp and the 320d has 163 bhp...

http://www.carzone.ie/search/BMW/3-Series/320-se-d/201109201476117/advert?channel=CARS

Thats odd because its advertised at a dealer yet the pics are outside a house in different positions.

Great to see a thread here and no mention of the O word.

Zubeneschamali

quad_red wrote: »

Would mpg be much less on an estate compared to a standard saloon? (of the same model)

No, Volvo quote the very same official figure for the S40 and V50 (with the same engine).

quad_red

I keep getting drawn back to Passats.

This is low mileage, recent and just within budget.

http://www.adverts.ie/car/passat/passat/volkswagen-passat-2007/350752

Any advice?

bazz26

That is a horrible baseline model and poor value. Here is a higher spec Comfortline model asking €1000 less:
http://www.driving.ie/usedcars/index.cfm?fuseaction=car&carID=201044200116639

Here is a Highline for similar money again:
http://www.driving.ie/usedcars/index.cfm?fuseaction=car&carID=201109201488331

Personally myself I would buy this instead, a much better car than the Passat:
http://www.driving.ie/usedcars/index.cfm?fuseaction=car&carID=201111201608369

TheAceFace

If fuel costs aren't a massive issue what about a Legacy ? Bullet proof mechanics and electrics. Big enough for lugging around kids and buggies etc.. A bit more upmarket than a Passat(money pit) or Mondeo(boring)

tobsey

Have you considered a Qashqai? I test drove one last year when I was looking but it was a bit out of my price range. The one below is in the same price range as the Passat you listed but it has a lot of extras.

http://www.carzone.ie/search/Nissan/Qashqai/1.6-SVE-/201110201551747/advert?channel=CARS

partyatmygaff

An A4 Avant - Very economical, relatively spacious and only 59,000 miles.

http://www.carzone.ie/search/Audi/A4/TDI-130B/201106201207893/advert?channel=CARS

bazz26

partyatmygaff wrote: »

An A4 Avant - Very economical, relatively spacious and only 59,000 miles.

http://www.carzone.ie/search/Audi/A4/TDI-130B/201106201207893/advert?channel=CARS

Are they on drugs, €11k for a 7 year old A4 estate? That car needs to be added to the "dreamer of the year" thread.