Which D segment petrol car?

AR76

Hello, currently driving a markV golf. We have a 2 year old and 1 month old so looking to trade up a couple of years to a 2008 and basically want something a bit bigger and especially with a bigger boot!

We currently do approx 10 to 12,000 miles a year, 70 to 80% of which is urban plus a motorway trip "down the county" once a month or so. I've therefore ruled out a diesel as I don’t think it would suit, especially given what I've read on here about diesels and short trips!

I've narrowed it down for the moment to a 1.8 petrol mazda6, 1.6 petrol Mondeo or a 1.4tsi petrol passat . I've attached a few examples. The mondeo would probably be my first choice though I have concerns about the 1.6 engine..but maybe its fine for the type of driving we do.

http://www.driving.ie/usedcars/index.cfm?fuseaction=car&carID=201106201209943

http://www.driving.ie/usedcars/index.cfm?fuseaction=car&carID=201114201890871

http://www.driving.ie/usedcars/index.cfm?fuseaction=car&carID=201114201873898

My golf is a 2006 1.4 petrol 5 door sportline (black) with 91,000 kms. I've owned it since new and it has a full VW main dealer service history. Timing belt and water pump were changed by the VW main dealer at 89,000kms and it's NCT'd until March 2012. I'm hoping that around 5k with the golf would allow me to trade up to one of these...not sure if this is realistic? Would appreciate your thoughts.

Many thanks.

AR76

Does anyone have any thoughts on this.....please!

Many thanks.

Zubeneschamali

Why have you narrowed it down to those cars?


For example, you say you don't know about a 1.6 Mondeo, well why not buy a 1.8 or a 2.0?


http://www.carzone.ie/search/Ford/Mondeo/2.0-GHIA/201110201512803/advert?channel=CARS

AR76

AR76 wrote: »

I'm hoping that around 5k with the golf would allow me to trade up to one of these...not sure if this is realistic? Would appreciate your thoughts.

Many thanks.

I think you'll need closer to €7k unfortunately unless you go for an 08 with a very good lash of miles on it.

166man

I'd say go for a Passat TSI petrol, very classy kind of car and so much better in every way than a 1.6 petrol Mondeo, I can't imagine a worse car, I don't think it even moves with that engine..

For 5-7k though I'm not sure...

How about this?

http://www.carzone.ie/search/Volkswagen/Passat/1.8T-COM/201114201928432/advert?channel=CARS

pajo1981

166man wrote: »

I'd say go for a Passat TSI petrol, very classy kind of car and so much better in every way than a 1.6 petrol Mondeo, I can't imagine a worse car, I don't think it even moves with that engine..

For 5-7k though I'm not sure...

How about this?

http://www.carzone.ie/search/Volkswagen/Passat/1.8T-COM/201114201928432/advert?channel=CARS

Are you joking? Whatever about the completely overrated B6, that B5 Passat is straight off of Noah's Ark.

Tea 1000

I'd go with the 6. Nicest to drive and would probably be the most reliable too.

colm_mcm

You could always get a diesel that doesn't have a particle filter, like an old model Avensis.
It'll have all the safety gear, 125hp, big interior and because you can't throw a lump of shoite over your shoulder without some of it landing on a silver Avensis, there are good deals to be had. Tax is €302

cadaliac

Tea 1000 wrote: »

I'd go with the 6. Nicest to drive and would probably be the most reliable too.

+1
If I were to choose between the 3 listed cars.....the Mazda would clinch it.

166man

The B5 is an excellent car hence the reason that so many taxi's have them. I believe that the 1.8T is a very underrated car and therefore can be picked up quite cheaply.

@Pajo, tell me than which would you rather have a 2008 Ford Mondeo 1.6 with high-ish mileage or a 2005 VW Passat 1.8T with relatively low mileage??

EPM

What about going for a 2 litre petrol Mondeo. There are some bargains out there. My father picked one up at 2 years old, Titanium X spec with very little mileage for under half its original cost. The 2 litres are usually higher spec models.

I'm thinking something like this



Only €160 a year more in motor tax and a nicer drive. Quite good on juice too compared to the 1.6 Focus he had beforehand too.

166man

That is the worst interior I think I have ever seen, that fake wood is so horrible!!

EPM

166man wrote: »

That is the worst interior I think I have ever seen, that fake wood is so horrible!!

No worse than a comfortline Passat.

If you get a titanium you'll get brushed aluminium in place of it and a colour screen in the dash pod.

AR76

Thanks all for the replies...much appreciated. I think the 1.6 mondeo is out then for sure so it would have to be a 2.0 as that model isn’t available with a 1.8 engine. The higher tax is a bit of a downer though.

I'm not really keen on an Avensis so at this stage it’s probably the Mazda6 or Passat I'd be swaying towards. The Mazda6 seems to be a good bit cheaper though the Passat may be a little cheaper to run and would probably be easier to sell on if need be in 2 or 3 years time so might be a better option in the long run.

I think it’s time to so some test drives and see what I think then.

Cheers.

bazz26

AR76 wrote: »

Thanks all for the replies...much appreciated. I think the 1.6 mondeo is out then for sure so it would have to be a 2.0 as that model isn’t available with a 1.8 engine. The higher tax is a bit of a downer though.

I'm not really keen on an Avensis so at this stage it’s probably the Mazda6 or Passat I'd be swaying towards. The Mazda6 seems to be a good bit cheaper though the Passat may be a little cheaper to run and would probably be easier to sell on if need be in 2 or 3 years time so might be a better option in the long run.

I think it’s time to so some test drives and see what I think then.

Cheers.

Petrol Passats are generally not as well sought after as the diesel models. The Passat costs €2k to buy over the similar year 6 right now. I cannot see you getting that €2k back in 2 or 3 years time when you go to sell it.

pburns

Passat's fabled resale is a vicious circle - they're popular because perceived to be good sellers. Over-rated really. Prob nicer interior than Mazda but other than that it's the 6 all the way - reliabilty, nicer drive, more distinctive, better value.

unkel

AR76 wrote: »

I think the 1.6 mondeo is out then for sure so it would have to be a 2.0 as that model isn’t available with a 1.8 engine. The higher tax is a bit of a downer though.

Higher motor tax is a good thing as it makes the car a lot cheaper for you to buy according to the first law of unkel*

Anyway, '08 cars can be taxed by emissions, the Passat would be €302, the Mazda and 1.6 Mondeo are €447 and the 2.0 Mondeo is €630

*any saving of motor tax of €100 means a car is €1000 more expensive second hand

veetwin

OK Passats, Mondeo etc are fine cars but for the same money you could have this;

http://www.carzone.ie/search/Alfa-Romeo/159/1.8-MPI-/201110201511770/advert?channel=CARS

Now if anyone tells me that a Passat beats this I want to know why!

Alfa has managed to produce a 4 door saloon that is actually beautiful. It would probably break your heart but look at it! None of the opposition would make you turn around as you walk away from it.

Plus this one is reasonably well specced and petrol which is rare.

166man

+1 for the above suggestion, not sure if the OP's budget will allow though..:(