Recommend me a car before i explode

helimachoptor

Folks, would appreciate some advice on choosing a car asap!

Currently driving a company car but need to hand it back in a couple of weeks.

Had initially planned to go for a S60 but i dont want to spend the ~25k on it.

Would prefer to keep the budget at 20k will be doing around 20,000 kms per year , needs to be diesel though as fuel is paid.

Any recommendations? Would like to keep the car for 3-4 years and will probably have a little me in a couple of years so need something a bit on the bigger side.

Below are some of the cars i've been looking at

http://www.driving.ie/usedcars/index.cfm?fuseaction=car&carID=201110201512618

http://www.driving.ie/usedcars/index.cfm?fuseaction=car&carID=113220415750720

http://www.driving.ie/usedcars/index.cfm?fuseaction=car&carID=213214364633830

http://www.driving.ie/usedcars/index.cfm?fuseaction=car&carID=713256738964380

Matthewjohn

The mondeo and BMW are very good cars the lexus is good too but it is a bit dull compared to the BMW and if you were to get a mondeo the 1.8 tdci (100bhp) is a bit under powered you might consider getting a 2.0 tdci (140 bhp) which might suit you better,also I think you should consider a Volkswagen Passat 2.0 TDI, like this one..........
http://www.carzone.ie/search/Volkswagen/Passat/HIGHLINE/201133203984962/advert?channel=CARS

helimachoptor

Currently in a 1.8 TDCi mondeo, its not bad tbh , thanks for the Passat

mathepac

What about a Honda 2.2 - http://woodlandmotorco.webzone.ie/usedcars/index.cfm?fuseaction=car&carID=613231870503160

or an A4, same price lower tax - http://woodlandmotorco.webzone.ie/usedcars/index.cfm?fuseaction=car&carID=213226498134520

helimachoptor

mathepac wrote: »

What about a Honda 2.2 - http://woodlandmotorco.webzone.ie/usedcars/index.cfm?fuseaction=car&carID=613231870503160

or an A4, same price lower tax - http://woodlandmotorco.webzone.ie/usedcars/index.cfm?fuseaction=car&carID=213226498134520

Really like both, any idea on the mini computer thing on the a4?

Blazer

BMW 520D...a huge step up from Mondeo's.
I was all set to buy a Mondeo and at the last minute took a 520D for a spin...after that the mondeo was a complete non-runner...

You'd pick up a 2008 for 20k easily (more if you wanted a 2 year warranty from a bmw dealer).

Big step up in terms of power, diesel economy and comfort over the mondeo.

below is an example on carzone...

http://www.carzone.ie/search/BMW/5-Series/520d-SE-/201143205224027/advert?channel=CARS

Gary ITR

Blazer wrote: »

BMW 520D...a huge step up from Mondeo's.
I was all set to buy a Mondeo and at the last minute took a 520D for a spin...after that the mondeo was a complete non-runner...

You'd pick up a 2008 for 20k easily (more if you wanted a 2 year warranty from a bmw dealer).

Big step up in terms of power, diesel economy and comfort over the mondeo.

below is an example on carzone...

http://www.carzone.ie/search/BMW/5-Series/520d-SE-/201143205224027/advert?channel=CARS

Or if engine sie isn't an issue a 535D, with a bit of tuning they are stoopid quick. Plus all the other unimportant ****e like being comfortable and toys yadda yadda yadda :P

mathepac

helimachoptor wrote: »

... any idea on the mini computer thing on the a4?

I presume you mean the screens in the centre of the dash. I haven't a clue I'm afraid. Give them a buzz. Is one a Parrot hands-free yoke for the phone although I thought they lived on the sun-visor?

Foxhole Norman

I'd go for the BMW myself. If you do though try and get Leather on one. Can't have a BMW without Leather. Also that Lexus is being advertised with both cloth and leather seats.

166man

Alfa 159 maybe? This one below has been reduced and is alot of car for the money. Seems to have a good spec too.



http://www.carzone.ie/search/Alfa-Romeo/159/1.9-JTDM/213198012754040/advert?channel=CARS

Much nicer than a 1.8TDCI Mondeo in my opinion.

helimachoptor

Blazer wrote: »

BMW 520D...a huge step up from Mondeo's.
I was all set to buy a Mondeo and at the last minute took a 520D for a spin...after that the mondeo was a complete non-runner...

You'd pick up a 2008 for 20k easily (more if you wanted a 2 year warranty from a bmw dealer).

Big step up in terms of power, diesel economy and comfort over the mondeo.

below is an example on carzone...

http://www.carzone.ie/search/BMW/5-Series/520d-SE-/201143205224027/advert?channel=CARS

Gary ITR wrote: »

Or if engine sie isn't an issue a 535D, with a bit of tuning they are stoopid quick. Plus all the other unimportant ****e like being comfortable and toys yadda yadda yadda :P

I'd love a 535, who wouldnt!

mathepac wrote: »

I presume you mean the screens in the centre of the dash. I haven't a clue I'm afraid. Give them a buzz. Is one a Parrot hands-free yoke for the phone although I thought they lived on the sun-visor?

Yeah i thought it may have been a parrot but it just seems bigger than the standard ones.

Foxhole Norman wrote: »

I'd go for the BMW myself. If you do though try and get Leather on one. Can't have a BMW without Leather. Also that Lexus is being advertised with both cloth and leather seats.

Yeah it will be leather, after having test drives of a few different ones leather is at this stage almost a must have on any car if i can get it.

166man wrote: »

Alfa 159 maybe? This one below has been reduced and is alot of car for the money. Seems to have a good spec too.



http://www.carzone.ie/search/Alfa-Romeo/159/1.9-JTDM/213198012754040/advert?channel=CARS

Much nicer than a 1.8TDCI Mondeo in my opinion.

I'm near enough to the Alfa, but just have the feeling that it'll die on me (ive had a punto and a brava!)

Blazer

That's one thing I've learned about BMW's...
I'm now like Captain Kirk...."I need more power Scotty!!!"

166man

helimachoptor wrote: »

I'm near enough to the Alfa, but just have the feeling that it'll die on me (ive had a punto and a brava!)

I would highly doubt it would die on you somehow but I see where you are coming from, I'm driving my dads 2010 159 SW at the moment and 38k km in and not one thing has gone wrong, other than tyres replaced. Take a test drive OP, you might find yourself pleasantly surprised. Another thing is all the other ''premium cars'' that you are looking at all have far higher miles on them than the Alfa. Heard the manual box in the 3-Series is crap also.

helimachoptor

Thanks 166, took a spin up to the garage, seems a nice motor. Will probably drop up at the weekend and take it for a spin.

Happy to listen to any other recommendations!

MarkR

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uEShEMlI77I

166man

helimachoptor wrote: »

Thanks 166, took a spin up to the garage, seems a nice motor. Will probably drop up at the weekend and take it for a spin.

Happy to listen to any other recommendations!

Not a problem, looks like one of the few well specced 159's in the country at them moment anyway. As for other suggestions, this looks nice but it would be a private buy and you might prefer to buy from a dealer for peace of mind.



http://www.carzone.ie/search/Volvo/S60/D5/201137204447237/advert?channel=CARS

helimachoptor

After my love affair with the current S60 i couldnt go back to the old model and my boss has one and its very thirsty from what he says!

166man

helimachoptor wrote: »

After my love affair with the current S60 i couldnt go back to the old model and my boss has one and its very thirsty from what he says!

Ah right scrap that idea then, go for the 159 instead!Much nicer than a VAG TDI or 80000 mile BMW 318d.

vectra

166man wrote: »

Ah right scrap that idea then, go for the 159 instead!Much nicer than a VAG TDI or 80000 mile BMW 318d.

I can assure you the VAG (CR) tdi is quiter than that fiat lump

How about this OP ?
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2008-58-Reg-Skoda-Octavia-2-0-TDi-CR-170-VRS-/190617398598?pt=Automobiles_UK&hash=item2c61aead46#ht_1803wt_1270

mathepac

vectra wrote: »

I can assure you the VAG (CR) tdi is quiter than that fiat lump

...

Nice car with a football field inside the tailgate.

166man

vectra wrote: »

I can assure you the VAG (CR) tdi is quiter than that fiat lump

That's true the CR engine is probably quieter, but I'm not sure a 80k mile A4 TDI is nicer than a 159 JTDm with 27k miles. Alfa has a nicer spec too.:p

Saab Ed

Disassociate yourself from the ordinary folk .......

http://www.carzone.ie/search/Saab/9-5/1.9TID-L/413228271656640/advert?channel=CARS



But then again I would say that wouldnt I

mathepac

Saab Ed wrote: »

Disassociate yourself from the ordinary folk ...

drive a Vauxhall Vectra with a Fiat engine and a user manual translated into Swedish.

Saab Ed

mathepac wrote: »

drive a Vauxhall Vectra with a Fiat engine and a user manual translated into Swedish.

Ignorance is bliss, thats why we leave the regular cars to regular people

galwaytt

I can assure you the VAG (CR) tdi is quiter than that fiat lump

We'll have to agree to disagree on that.......and the VAG engine isn't as reliable. Lighter on juice, yes, but not as refined, either....

helimachoptor

Saab Ed wrote: »

Disassociate yourself from the ordinary folk .......

http://www.carzone.ie/search/Saab/9-5/1.9TID-L/413228271656640/advert?channel=CARS



But then again I would say that wouldnt I

I've looked at a few 93s on carzone specifically from this guy
http://www.driving.ie/usedcars/index.cfm?fuseaction=car&carID=201147205696141

Any idea how much that would be going for?

Cant do an estate unfortunately, the OH doesn't want one.. yet!

unkel

Gary ITR wrote: »

Or if engine sie isn't an issue a 535D

Smart choice and not as far fetched as people might think!

Tax is a reasonable €677 per year at the new rate - about the same as a pre-08 2l car

And you get 300BHP, enormous torque, an excellent automatic transmission and faster acceleration than any hot hatch

Big engined / powerful cars scare Irish buyers, hence they are cheap to buy second hand

And 40-45MPG or even more with a light foot (but please don't try this )

unkel

And you'd be absolutely crazy to spend €15k on a '08 Saab diesel when you can get a '08 BMW 520d for only a few grand more

And that's coming from me, a Saab owner

Darwin

For something a little less run of the mill if you are not too fussy about looks:
http://www.driving.ie/usedcars/index.cfm?fuseaction=car&carID=131600615882823
AWD makes a lot of sense for Irish roads and weather, annual road tax circa €300, 50mpg or so, Subaru reliability.

Blazer

unkel wrote: »

And you get 300BHP, enormous torque, an excellent automatic transmission and faster acceleration than any hot hatch

mmm...300BHP...next car will definitely be a 530

vectra

Blazer wrote: »

mmm...300BHP...next car will definitely be a 530

535D

helimachoptor

Thoughts on this?

http://www.driving.ie/usedcars/index.cfm?fuseaction=car&carID=213208617876880

heate

helimachoptor wrote: »

Thoughts on this?

http://www.driving.ie/usedcars/index.cfm?fuseaction=car&carID=213208617876880

The only problem is that as with all the cars in that class and around that price the mileage is nutty 160km in 3.5 years!
If its an A4 you're after I'd look toward the UK and get one with 50kmiles and some options like at least leather

Matthewjohn

The A4 is some car but that one has almost 100,000 miles which is a lot for an 08 which means that It could have lead a hard life you should look at one with less miles for slightly more money

fanadman1

wat about a jetta ? you can pick up a really good 08 one for 10 grand in places but watch when they are bought overseas cause a 2.0 jetta is nearly 3 grand to take in

helimachoptor

fanadman1 wrote: »

wat about a jetta ? you can pick up a really good 08 one for 10 grand in places but watch when they are bought overseas cause a 2.0 jetta is nearly 3 grand to take in

yeah i do like them, but after having a car with a centre armrest i couldnt go back to one without one tbh

166man

helimachoptor wrote: »

Thoughts on this?

http://www.driving.ie/usedcars/index.cfm?fuseaction=car&carID=213208617876880

I think you'd be mad to spend €15k on a 160k km A4, when there are better cars out there. In two years time than Audi will have more than 200k km on it. They don't have the best reputation for reliability. But again that's just my own opinion..:)

helimachoptor

Thanks 166, yeah the audis do have plenty of kms on them but trying to get a one with less really pushes the cost up!

166man

helimachoptor wrote: »

Thanks 166, yeah the audis do have plenty of kms on them but trying to get a one with less really pushes the cost up!

To be fair if you want an Audi A4 with lower km for the same price, buy a VW Passat instead...

EPM

166man wrote: »

To be fair if you want an Audi A4 with lower km for the same price, buy a VW Passat instead...

Or try one of these?

That car, imo, is overpriced and underspecced but you might see a few nice ones coming up in the next few weeks. Later Ambition spec cars are better equipped, and the Elegance has everything you'd ever really need.

166man

EPM wrote: »

Or try one of these?

That car, imo, is overpriced and underspecced but you might see a few nice ones coming up in the next few weeks. Later Ambition spec cars are better equipped, and the Elegance has everything you'd ever really need.

Didn't think of the Skoda Superb actually, in fact OP if you want a Audi A4 with even lower km's buy a Skoda Superb.:)

Mr Simpson

Skoda Octavia/Superb ftw

helimachoptor

EPM wrote: »

Or try one of these?

That car, imo, is overpriced and underspecced but you might see a few nice ones coming up in the next few weeks. Later Ambition spec cars are better equipped, and the Elegance has everything you'd ever really need.

A friend has a 2010 one, really nice to drive and personally i think they're a great car.. however the OH is a bit of a badge snob about them but its defintely on the watch list. She laughed when i said i wanted a Yeti :mad:

Mr Simpson

helimachoptor wrote: »

A friend has a 2010 one, really nice to drive and personally i think they're a great car.. however the OH is a bit of a badge snob about them but its defintely on the watch list. She laughed when i said i wanted a Yeti :mad:

You could probably change your OH's mind by bringing them for a test drive. Worked with my Dad

helimachoptor

mmcn90 wrote: »

You could probably change your OH's mind by bringing them for a test drive. Worked with my Dad

Cheers actually hadnt thought of that, I may blindfold her first tbh and then drive around.. i presume she'll think shes getting out of a 5 series

helimachoptor

Folks if i could thoughts on the below, it would be appreciated!

http://www.driving.ie/usedcars/index.cfm?fuseaction=car&carID=813256739575320

http://www.driving.ie/usedcars/index.cfm?fuseaction=car&carID=613242842071300

http://www.driving.ie/usedcars/index.cfm?fuseaction=car&carID=213231670471030

A little bit left-field

http://www.driving.ie/usedcars/index.cfm?fuseaction=car&carID=113226619882920

http://www.driving.ie/usedcars/index.cfm?fuseaction=car&carID=613256057162640

Matthewjohn

The jaguar is based on an the old mondeos platform so it is a bit dated so I think that a high spec current mondeo would be more suitable choice than the jaguar

166man

I think that red Citroen C5 is really nice but mileage is a bit low for a diesel. Lovely colour though and a step up from a Mondeo. That Jag looks great though. Out of the 5 cars linked the Jag would be my choice, if the 159 wasn't there that it.:D

positron

From everything linked in this thread so far, I would go for either the C5, A4 or the Accord. I didn't think I would ever consider C5 with A4 and Accord, but looks nice. They are all nice cars, and with 20k you are in a great position in this market.

helimachoptor

Appreciate all the advice so far folks.
Going to look at a few cars tomorrow.
Will take a test drive in the Alfa... but in the same garage this really caught my eye.. its petrol

http://www.driving.ie/usedcars/index.cfm?fuseaction=car&carID=131771857418192

FrankGrimes

I know helimachoptor so PMed him with details but the basic message was I recently bought a Skoda Superb and simply couldn't recommend it highly enough: the spec you get for the money (mine is Elegance but even the Ambition seems better specced than top line Passat, Mondeo, BMW 5series) is fantastic and the drive is really excellent (mine has the DSG gearbox which is outstanding but the manuals I drove were very swift too). An 09 Ambition TDI would be had for under 20k and would be a lot of car for that money.