Quality Reliable and Economical Family Car

Mellio

Hi All,

I am looking to see what peoples opinions are on what they recommend for a Quality Reliable and Economical Family Car.

I am looking at a 2007-08 vehicle.

What would help me determine this is the following points:

Economy
Good Fuel Consumption
Cheap enough Motor Tax
Low Insurance Band
Low Maintainance

Quality
Comfortable
Design
Extra's

Reliabilty
Reason for reliabilty


To give people an Idea I have been looking at the following:

Toyota Avensis 1.6 petrol
VW Passat 1.9 TDI
Peugeot 407 1.8 Deisel
Honda Accord 2.0 Petrol

I would like to hear peoples thoughts on what they suggest?


Thanks

Mellio

Jimbob 83

Accord 2 litre petrol hardly fit's the description, diesel avensis would be better too

The Tyre Dude

2008 Citroen C5 1.6Hdi comes very close to ticking all those boxes.

Mellio

Jimbob 83 wrote: »

Accord 2 litre petrol hardly fit's the description, diesel avensis would be better too

Only said what I looked at, didnt say it was suited to my criteria.

I also found out the tax on the Handa are through the roof as well.

Thanks for the suggestion.

Mellio

The Tyre Dude wrote: »

2008 Citroen C5 1.6Hdi comes very close to ticking all those boxes.

Thanks will have a look at that.

I like the idea of a 1.6 Deisel which should help score on the Insurance, Petrol and Tax.

bazz26

Motor tax is only one aspect of car ownership and not the most important one. Cars that are cheaper to tax are significantly dearer to buy because there is greater demand. Also if you are not doing big miles then stick to a petrol car as generally they are more reliable due to being less complex than modern diesels. Petrol cars are where the best value is at the moment. Yes they cost a little more to fill at the pump but they can be bought for a good deal less than a similar diesel model.

Out of that list the Honda Accord ticks most boxes. Not the most fuel efficent as the others but if doing small miles then fuel costs should not be a major influence on your decision.

166man

Mellio wrote: »

Thanks will have a look at that.

I like the idea of a 1.6 Deisel which should help score on the Insurance, Petrol and Tax.

Won't help if you put petrol into the 1.6HDI engine...




:pac:

166man

bazz26 wrote: »

Motor tax is only one aspect of car ownership and not the most important one. Cars that are cheaper to tax are significantly dearer to buy because there is greater demand. Also if you are not doing big miles then stick to a petrol car as generally they are more reliable due to being less complex than modern diesels. Petrol cars are where the best value is at the moment. Yes they cost a little more to fill at the pump but they can be bought for a good deal less than a similar diesel model.

Out of that list the Honda Accord ticks most boxes. Not the most fuel efficent as the others but if doing small miles then fuel costs should not be a major influence on your decision.

Does that argument not swing both ways though, as in because petrols are cheaper to buy would that not mean that they'll be worth significantly less in two three years time? You may pay more for the diesel but it will be worth alot more come resale time so the difference isn't as great?

I dunno really just curious..

bazz26

166man wrote: »

Does that argument not swing both ways though, as in because petrols are cheaper to buy would that not mean that they'll be worth significantly less in two three years time? You may pay more for the diesel but it will be worth alot more come resale time so the difference isn't as great?

I dunno really just curious..

If you are buying it cheaper then you can expect to sell it on cheaper too. The next budget is changing the tax system so who knows what effect it will have on resale values of any car.

166man

bazz26 wrote: »

If you are buying it cheaper then you can expect to sell it on cheaper too. The next budget is changing the tax system so who knows what effect it will have on resale values of any car.

Yeah I thought so, fair point. Wonder what they'll do with the tax system...:(

Mellio

166man wrote: »

Won't help if you put petrol into the 1.6HDI engine...




:pac:

Sarcasm, the lowest form of whit but highest form of intelligence, so I keep telling myself anyway.

Valid Point Petrol is not Deisel thanks for pointing that out.

Now maybe a suggestion of a car to choose?

166man

Mellio wrote: »

Sarcasm, the lowest form of whit but highest form of intelligence, so I keep telling myself anyway.

Valid Point Petrol is not Deisel thanks for pointing that out.

Now maybe a suggestion of a car to choose?

yeah t'was a stupid joke I know..:D

As for suggestions a well specced Citroen C5 with the 1.6hdi engine would match most of your criteria. If you provided a rough idea of how much you wanted to spend that makes it easier in suggestions alternatives.

If you wanted to go petrol, a smaller capacity 1.4T could be an option. I'd look at something like a Passat with the 1.4TSI engine. Nice car and there are a few well specced ones around. This for example:

http://www.carzone.ie/search/Volkswagen/Passat/1.4-TSI-/201212207404994/advert?channel=CARS

650Ginge

Toyota Prius.

166man

166man wrote: »

yeah t'was a stupid joke I know..:D

As for suggestions a well specced Citroen C5 with the 1.6hdi engine would match most of your criteria. ................

That engine is one of the more troublesome modern units, a relative is on the road and is on his 2nd one and they have been faultless admittedly.

Mellio

166man wrote: »

yeah t'was a stupid joke I know..:D

As for suggestions a well specced Citroen C5 with the 1.6hdi engine would match most of your criteria. If you provided a rough idea of how much you wanted to spend that makes it easier in suggestions alternatives.

If you wanted to go petrol, a smaller capacity 1.4T could be an option. I'd look at something like a Passat with the 1.4TSI engine. Nice car and there are a few well specced ones around. This for example:

http://www.carzone.ie/search/Volkswagen/Passat/1.4-TSI-/201212207404994/advert?channel=CARS

Thanks I like the suggestions.

My original preference was for the Passat 1.9TDI but most that I have looked at are high mileage and still pricey enough, most likely all ex co./rep
cars.

I shall look at the C5 and 1.4 TSI passat(less likely to be a co. car).

I plan on spending around €10-11,000.

omb0wyn5ehpij9

Honda Civic 5 door diesel?

166man

RoverJames wrote: »

That engine is one of the more troublesome modern units, a relative is on the road and is on his 2nd one and they have been faultless admittedly.

I heard that, aren't the engines prone to turbo failure unless the right oil is used or something? I should have said in my OP that I wouldn't touch one unless it had a full service history.

Even with the correct oil at the correct interval they can give bother. The oil needs to be drained the old fashioned way and the filter housing too. One of the Peugeot or Ford chaps on here highlighted some technical bulletin or something some time back.

A chap I know has bought a few cars at trade prices powered by the 1.6 lump and flogged them on privately for handy profit after driving them for a month or three and getting a fresh test on them. He hasn't kept any of them too long though and he doesn't do too many miles in them, as he flogs them privately there's no warranty or anything with them.

gyppo

RoverJames wrote: »

Even with the correct oil at the correct interval they can give bother. The oil needs to be drained the old fashioned way and the filter housing too. One of the Peugeot or Ford chaps on here highlighted some technical bulletin or something some time back.

Totally agree about the old-fashioned way of doing it. I think the modern method of sucking out the oil thru a straw is a kiss-me-arse way of doing things.