Recommend decent ~01-06 diesel automatic

dolandy

Hey guys,

Have me a 04 passat at the moment but hurt my back recently and I'm on the look out for something in the 01-06 but unfortunately it needs to be an automatic. Unfortunate in the sense that there isn't as much of a selection and also more oil to change, more grief/money if the auto box goes belly up etc, but necessary none the less. Diesel is preferable also.

I usually service, repair, timing belt change etc etc myself so I know a decent amount about them and well I just want something reliable and efficient and hoping to keep it under the €6k as medical costs at the moment have me a bit strapped.

I was looking at both a VW passat 02 auto and a volvo as well but just don't know what cars have durable automatic gearboxes...

If I'm looking at these years and wanting to keep it sub 2.0L (for tax) what diesel auto saloon should I be looking at. I'd really appreciate experienced views on this one.

cheers

Jim

Anan1

Does it have to be diesel? If you've back problems then SAAB and Volvo have IMO the best seats in the business.

vectra

If your back problem means you have to drive an auto, Then would timing belt changes etc. be a bit too strenous for you as well??

other than that.
Buy a '03 bmw 2.0D auto. Stick the change away somewhere in case the Turbo goes bang.. You would have a decent enough car.

Anan1

vectra wrote: »

If your back problem means you have to drive an auto, Then would timing belt changes etc. be a bit too strenous for you as well??

other than that.
Buy a '03 bmw 2.0D auto. Stick the change away somewhere in case the Turbo goes bang.. You would have a decent enough car.

With sports seats, the standard seats aren't (IMO) very supportive

vectra

Anan1 wrote: »

With sports seats, the standard seats aren't (IMO) very supportive

Indeed. There is a strong possibility that I will be looking at a 330 d next time round ( somewhere between a '04 & '06 )

Thanks for the heads up

166man

How about a Volvo S60 auto with some sort of diesel engine? An underrated can in my opinion so therefore are quite cheap. The diesels are good for reliability too.

trad

There are 44 diesel auto 01 to 06 Mercedes on adverts.ie.

trad

trad wrote: »

There are 44 diesel auto 01 to 06 Mercedes on adverts.ie.

How many are less than €6000 ?

R.O.R

166man wrote: »

How about a Volvo S60 auto with some sort of diesel engine? An underrated can in my opinion so therefore are quite cheap. The diesels are good for reliability too.

Volvo didn't put an Auto box with a 2.0 diesel engine until 08-09 I think, so that just leaves a D5 version of the S60/S80/XC90/V70. Would be a good choice for someone with back pain, but 2.4 litre tax is a bit more than a lot of people can stomach.

trad

RoverJames wrote: »

How many are less than €6000 ?

Didn't see that bit.


6

Bigus

Petrol Prius are all Automatic and 55 mpg real world , no timing belt, pre 08 are €353 to tax post 08 €104, vrt for one from from the uk is very very low, good value in uk high miles ones (and they're well able for it, search million km pruis)

anthony4335

I would go with the prius as weel, most of the diesel autos in the price range you are looking at have high mileage ,and not about half of the ones I have seen are over 2 liter . Another option is the civic IMA

dolandy

dolandy wrote: »

.......... something in the 01-06 but unfortunately it needs to be an automatic. .............. Diesel is preferable also.............I just want something reliable and efficient and hoping to keep it under the €6k as medical costs at the moment have me a bit strapped. ............wanting to keep it sub 2.0L (for tax) what diesel auto saloon should I be looking at. ..............

Rover 75 auto, 2.0 though. If you are willing to go to England for one you'll get a very very decent 2005 one for less than your budget. The ZT may be a tad stiff suspension wise for you, if you're in Cork you are more than welcome to have a spin in mine to see is it remotely to your taste.

aujopimur

I also suffer with back problems, I have Rover 75 diesel auto. which I find very comfortable.
As Rover James says you'll have to buy in UK or NI, check out EBay or Gumtree.