Kia Ceed/ seat Leon or Opel Astra.

luppy

Need to change my car. Want a 5 door hatchback and have narrowed it down to these 3. Hoping to buy 2010/2011 version 5 door. Doesn't bother me whether it's petrol or diesel as don't do vast amount of driving. Anyone have any opinions?

dm1388

avoid the astra at all costs, the head gasket went on my parents yesterday 08 model with 80000 kilometers bought new, well maintained and always serviced on the button

Nissan doctor

luppy wrote: »

Need to change my car. Want a 5 door hatchback and have narrowed it down to these 3. Hoping to buy 2010/2011 version 5 door. Doesn't bother me whether it's petrol or diesel as don't do vast amount of driving. Anyone have any opinions?

If you don't do much driving then its should be petrol only that your after, not least because they will be cheaper to buy then the equivalent diesel models.

ofcork

I assume the new astra is better and is the best looking of the three in the right spec.

Nissan doctor

The only reason that head gaskets go on the Astra engines is when coolant levels are not checked regularly.

si_guru

How long will you keep it? The Kia has a 7 year warranty.

luppy

si_guru wrote: »

How long will you keep it? The Kia has a 7 year warranty.

I suppose 4-5 years

si_guru

Don't forget Hyundai.. 5 year warranty.. there is a new i30 next month, so the current model will drop a little. Also they have been running a 5 year servicing deal - which I think transfers to the cars new owner.

dm1388

Nissan doctor wrote: »

The only reason that head gaskets go on the Astra engines is when coolant levels are not checked regularly.

surely being serviced on time, with the main dealer they would have kept an eye on this. you'd expect when buying a new car it should be trouble free

Nissan doctor

dm1388 wrote: »

surely being serviced on time, with the main dealer they would have kept an eye on this. you'd expect when buying a new car it should be trouble free

The owner of the car should be checking the levels regularly. You don't wait a year to have them checked during your service.

It shouldn't have a problem with leaking coolant when so new, but its a mass produced machine, and you will always get an issue with one now and again.
But if the levels where checked regularly, you'd be looking at maybe a replacement rubber seal to stop the leak instead of a replacement head gasket because the leak was never noticed.

si_guru

dm1388 wrote: »

surely being serviced on time, with the main dealer they would have kept an eye on this. you'd expect when buying a new car it should be trouble free

Coolant, oil, tyres presures... and other things should be checked weekly or so. The owners manual would say this too! The service is really the bare minimum to keep the car sound.

EPM

1.4 tsi Leons worth a look. The model with it is designated sport plus.

I wouldn't go for a diesel if you're only doing small miles. You won't make back the premium and may have reliability issues.

Gophur

dm1388 wrote: »

avoid the astra at all costs, the head gasket went on my parents yesterday 08 model with 80000 kilometers bought new, well maintained and always serviced on the button

So, one Astra HG blows and this is enough to recommend nobody should buy another one?

Don17

Astra ,

My wife has one since 08, never a problem with it, now my mother and sister in law have bought one.
she has the 1.6 club version - higher spec and a bit more poke and they have the 1.4 version.

Good sized boot reliable etc.