Suggestions for alternatives to Passat

i_steal_sheep

I have been driving a B6 Passat for the past while and I want to change it again now for no other reason than an upgrade exept I can't stretch to the brand new model and I don't want to have to buy the except same kind of car again - just a few years fresher. Was looking at maybe a 2010 Insignia... Was wondering if anyone had any suggestions... I would not mind looking at 'smaller' cars either just not a golf.

haminka

Octavia or Superb? both VW, very economical and run well.

bazz26

The "brand new" Passat as it is known is just a refreshed version of the B6 but VW like to call it a brand new model in order to sell it. Only the US got a brand new model Passat which is larger than the one sold in Europe.

Anyway OP, what sort of budget do you have? The Insignia is a fine car but I have heard some complaints about boot space being smallish and rear headroom being low due to the design. Also heard a few complaints about fuel economy and performance of the Ecoflex diesels not being great.

Have you looked at the Honda Accord i-DTEC, you might have to go back to a year older than a similar Insignia or Passat but they are a nice car, rare enough and well equipped.

I think if you are used to vag cars then stick with them.

You will find decent spec A4 or A6's. The newer A4 is a really nice car to drive. And their interiors are a vast improvement on anything with a VW badge!

The B8 A4 came out in 08 so you should find plenty for a decent price, just look for the better spec ones as they usually go for around the same price as the bog standard 2nd hand. You will find the seller sometimes trying to charge more than the book value because he spent 2-5k more on options!

I too have heard complaints about opel mpg, and fords. But I've no experience with them.

You will have everyone telling you one thing or another, so best go and take a few for a spin and see what you prefer.

bazz26

A Volvo S40 might be worth looking at too if you are interested in a smaller car too. They are very well equipped, well built and a 10 reg may well be in your price range. They have a premium feel to them without the premium price.

mike65

Sheep? Hmmm, have to an Octavia shirley?

bladespin

Mondeo!

A4 !!!!!!!

ongarite

Mazda 6

Or Nissan Leaf, drive on cheap electricity!

mister gullible

anything

166man

Alfa 159 JTDm, c'mon you know you want to...

Foxhole Norman

Either the above or I'd be looking at a Skoda Superb Combi Elegance.

i_steal_sheep

Any opinions on this http://www.westernmotors.ie/usedcars/index.cfm?fuseaction=car&carID=201203206641243

Worried about the hign miles and the fact it has already had 2 owners. JJ Reillys has a similar one with lower mileage but having read some horror stories on here, I don't know if I should even have a look (even though it has a full Audi Service History).

Is there anything I should be looking at in particular with the A3 (timing belt would need to be done obviously if miles are high).

MidlandsM

OP,if you'd consider an A3, you may as well get a Golf.

Moanin

i_steal_sheep wrote: »

Any opinions on this http://www.westernmotors.ie/usedcars/index.cfm?fuseaction=car&carID=201203206641243

Worried about the hign miles and the fact it has already had 2 owners. JJ Reillys has a similar one with lower mileage but having read some horror stories on here, I don't know if I should even have a look (even though it has a full Audi Service History).

Is there anything I should be looking at in particular with the A3 (timing belt would need to be done obviously if miles are high).

I wouldn't say the mileage is high for a 3 year old diesel......

L-M

How could one consider an essentially bog spec, 3 door, High mile A3 with a 17k budget is beyond me.

L-M

Priced a little high but uber gorgeous.

http://www.carzone.ie/search/Alfa-Romeo/159/1.9-STDM/201211207328411/advert?channel=CARS

Again, miles on the high side and an OY reg but still.

http://www.carzone.ie/search/BMW/3-Series/320-D-SE/5813313213066890/advert?channel=CARS

High end budget.

http://www.carzone.ie/search/Honda/Accord/2.2I-DTE/713255865977360/advert?channel=CARS

Old design but looks gorgeous and a nice spec.

http://www.carzone.ie/search/Jaguar/X-Type/S-2.0-Di/201210207241119/advert?channel=CARS

A Lexus

http://www.carzone.ie/search/Lexus/IS220/Executiv/5113292343433860/advert?channel=CARS

Not a back looking Opel

http://www.carzone.ie/search/Opel/Insignia/SRi-2.0-/5013297362463510/advert?channel=CARS

Octavia VRS

http://www.carzone.ie/search/Skoda/Octavia/VRS-2.0-/5013306940586160/advert?channel=CARS

Superb

http://www.carzone.ie/search/Skoda/Superb/AMBITION/1013274241671300/advert?channel=CARS

Low mile Avensis

http://www.carzone.ie/search/Toyota/Avensis/2.0-D4D-/4913307094051260/advert?channel=CARS

S40 Under budget

http://www.carzone.ie/search/Volvo/S40/EUR480-T/4313291364225470/advert?channel=CARS

Tea 1000

Limerick man wrote: »

How could one consider an essentially bog spec, 3 door, High mile A3 with a 17k budget is beyond me.

And the 1.9 at that.

This:
http://www.carzone.ie/search/Subaru/Legacy/2.0-TD-0/413267043969840/advert?channel=CARS

Tea 1000

Tea 1000 wrote: »

And the 1.9 at that.

This:
http://www.carzone.ie/search/Subaru/Legacy/2.0-TD-0/413267043969840/advert?channel=CARS

A sensible choice, if a saloon is your thing!

However the interior is not nearly as nice as the A3, I just love Audi interiors!

So am I right in saying the OP has a budget of around 18K max ?

OP do you want diesel because of low tax or because of fuel economy ? if you are driving 20K miles a year I would say go for the diesel, if not then I would say go for the 2.0 TFSI vag cars! But if the petrol costs 2-4 k less than the diesel you would need to drive 100,000+ miles to make that back. 40 mpg in the petrol v 50 mpg in the diesel, work that out!

You will pick them up several k cheaper than the tractor diesels, with far less mileage, and 0 timing belts to replace!

You would probably need to drive 100,000 miles to make up the difference in the fuel consumption these days anyway!

http://www.carzone.ie/search/Audi/A4/1.8-TFSI/5713318100097830/advert?channel=CARS&featuredListingClickThru=true

http://www.carzone.ie/search/Audi/A4/1.8-TFSI/5513315614999550/advert?channel=CARS

http://www.carzone.ie/search/Audi/A4/1.8-TFSI/5513323323789790/advert?channel=CARS

This car below has the colour screen and mfd, and a really good choice and low miles

http://www.carzone.ie/search/Audi/A4/1.8-turb/201211207347659/advert?channel=CARS

These A4's are stunning cars to own and drive, my brother had the A4 B8 now he has the A5, Stay away from the 1.6 petrols!!!

At that price and mileage you would be mad not to buy it, diesel isn't the big money saver people think it is!!!

bazz26

If you want a Passat but still want something a little different then what about the Passat CC? It basically has the same bits and pieces as the current Passat but not as bland.


http://www.driving.ie/usedcars/index.cfm?fuseaction=car&carID=2013279415194380

Better than an ancient bog standard A3 anyday.