Need your opinions on family car

billius

Hi all,
Need to get rid of my 4x4 (or poor excuse for one) - and by a proper family car. Main thing is to get something reliable, cheap enough to run (probably a diesel as doing 25k km's+ a year) and comfortable enough for the family - especially on long trips.

Budget is kind of up in the air - depending on what I can get for a trade in on my Suzuki GV (It's a 2007, 140k km's on the clock. Great yolk apart from the engine, it's just an absolute dog and it's just not very economical or reliable...suffice to say I would NOT buy another)

....I'm thinking budget around 13 - 14k euros...at a push.

So here's my shortlist:
'08 Toyota Avensis 2.0 - looks clean enough, low enough mileage and good warranty (God I'm getting old!).

'09 VW Passat 2.0 - again looks nice and clean, and again low enough mileage. Heard the 2.0 can have reliability issues though (if it's a PR - and not the CR version). I can't find this on motorcheck.ie to get more information on the engine type. When I put the reg in it comes up as a Ford Focus (alarm bells?)

'09 Opel Insignia 2.0 - really like the look of this - nice spec and all that. Not sure what they are like for reliability though. Our current 2nd car is an '06 1.8 Astra...which has been faultless! Any idea is there's any DPF issues with the Insignia?

Lastly...
Another '08 Avensis 2.0 - like I said - looking for reliability!

edit - I had my heart set on a Mazda 6 diesel - but after a bit of research, I've decided against it!

Any advice you have would be great...I'm trying to stick with larger garages and main dealers...won't be buying or selling privately. I've been stung once before and trying to avoid a second bout of heartache.

Cheers!

billius

btw - I meant to add, if anyone has opinions on any of the garages in the links, send me a PM. Cheers!

billius

OSI wrote: »

You could pick yourself up a nice '08 BMW 520D for that kinda money.

Would love one - but these are the only ones I can find:

link - mileage is a bit high...and the dealer :rolleyes:

link - again, mileage a bit high, but could be worth a look

maybe I'm not looking in the right places?!

veetwin

Don't know what the diesel auto combination is like in a Mondeo but this looks like better value than some of the other stuff.

http://cars.donedeal.ie/for-sale/cars/4189221

Or rather I would prefer this to any of the stuff in the OP.

BTW that Passat is poverty spec and too expensive.

ofcork

The bmws will probably cost alot more to maintain than the avensis,that insignia looks well but those alloys are 18" at least.

billius

Thanks for the feedback lads! Might have to look at that insignia first! Like the look of that Mondeo too. Will give it a look! Thx.

mr_edge_to_you

I was asking my mechanic recently the same question. I was wondering what those new C5s were like. Also, considering Avensis and Mondeo.

His advice was:
C5 - wouldn't touch them.
Avensis - good car, expensive enough second hand.
Mondeo -good reliable car for the price.

He said that in his experience the insignia is the best all round family car out there. Great spec options, lovely interior, plenty of space and a very reliable engine.

From what I can gather those newer passats can be troublesome.

If our budget can stretch it'll be an 08/09 Superb.

daithi1970

the '10 onwards mazda6 have the dpf and timing belt issues sorted-we have one (2010 2.2td hatch) and has given no trouble so far...

daithi

Constab2

billius wrote: »

Thanks for the feedback lads! Might have to look at that insignia first! Like the look of that Mondeo too. Will give it a look! Thx.

Whatever you do RUN AWAY from the Insignia especially 09,work colleagues x 2 had very similar experiences with them with very little satisfaction from dealer,gear box,fly wheel,clutch replaced 4 times in 1 year.Best way to look at that car is rear view mirror driving away from it.

bazz26

Another one to add to the list OP, the Honda Accord:


http://www.driving.ie/used-cars/Honda/Accord/2.2-I/29913461575164510/

billius

bazz26 wrote: »

Another one to add to the list OP, the Honda Accord:


http://www.driving.ie/used-cars/Honda/Accord/2.2-I/29913461575164510/

This looks the part alright...will add it to the list. Thanks a mill!

vectra

Skoda Superb?

http://www.carzone.ie/search/Skoda/Superb/AMBITION/201247211059410/advert?channel=CARS

veetwin

vectra wrote: »

Skoda Superb?

http://www.carzone.ie/search/Skoda/Superb/AMBITION/201247211059410/advert?channel=CARS

That looks like savage value. Pity he didn't give it a bit of a clean and take a few proper photos. I'd say if someone offered him €13k it might do it.

billius

veetwin wrote: »

That looks like savage value. Pity he didn't give it a bit of a clean and take a few proper photos. I'd say if someone offered him €13k it might do it.

I'd definitely go for it, if it was a garage selling it. Looking to avoid private sales!
I know there's allot better value to be had buying privately, but I need to trade in my GV and looking for some sort of warranty too. But yeah, that IS savage value. Love the Superb too - especially the estate version, which would be my number 1 choice...if money wasn't an issue. :rolleyes:

veetwin

You are going to pay a big premium for the convenience of trading in your car. Alot of garages will have zero interest in your car and will only offer you tiny money for it. If you could try selling it privately you would do alot better and have the choice of buying from a garage or privately. Plenty value out there for €13K it appears.

vectra

billius wrote: »

I'd definitely go for it, if it was a garage selling it. Looking to avoid private sales!
I know there's allot better value to be had buying privately, but I need to trade in my GV and looking for some sort of warranty too. But yeah, that IS savage value. Love the Superb too - especially the estate version, which would be my number 1 choice...if money wasn't an issue. :rolleyes:

Did someone mention Garage/Dealer??

http://www.carzone.ie/search/Skoda/Superb/2.0-TDI-/31813590223002710/advert?channel=CARS

st1979

ofcork wrote: »

The bmws will probably cost alot more to maintain than the avensis,that insignia looks well but those alloys are 18" at least.

Having had about 10 bmw at this stage i dont believe they cost anymore than other car to maintain. But it amazes me the amount of people who say oh my god i couldnt afford to drive a car like that and go off and buy a newer car with bigger depreciation. 5 series is gorgeous to drive economic and safe. In fact i am off on Saturday to pick up the wifes 08 for less than your budget. When they get to that age the depreciation really slows. Only thing that lets them down is turbo but thats more due to poor serviceing as there is a filter in the head for the turbo that people forget to change

billius

like the look of that superb...nice find!

would I be in for a world of hurt if I went for something like this?

http://cars.donedeal.ie/for-sale/cars/4390104

Someone mentioned the 2.2 diesel being better than the old 2.0 (pre 2009).
And I LOVE the look and spec - but I'm just not sure about mazda diesels.
Anyone had any problems?

September1

billius wrote: »

Would love one - but these are the only ones I can find:

link - mileage is a bit high...and the dealer :rolleyes:

link - again, mileage a bit high, but could be worth a look

maybe I'm not looking in the right places?!

BMW is quite costly to maintain so those would be not best cars to choose, however if you look at diesels I think you should look at high mileage vehicles favorably. They are more likely to last, as they probably were driven on long distances.

veetwin

September1 wrote: »

BMW is quite costly to maintain so those would be not best cars to choose, however if you look at diesels I think you should look at high mileage vehicles favorably. They are more likely to last, as they probably were driven on long distances.

Costly in relation to what? Yes if you get every single thing done at the main dealer they will go to town on you but there are loads of excellent independent garages that will do the same work for a fraction of the price.

I've owned two and found them to be very reasonable to maintain. How much personal experience do you have in maintaining BMWs?

shorthairguy

Avensis is a safe bet. If you are looking for a family car that's reasonable to run and reliable.

JohnBoy26

shorthairguy wrote: »

Avensis is a safe bet. If you are looking for a family car that's reasonable to run and reliable.

They are reliable enough, but are only average in terms of quality imo

Matthewjohn

Audi A6

http://www.carzone.ie/search/Audi/A6/2.0-TDI-/6813376180541040/advert?channel=CARS
Jaguar X-type

http://www.carzone.ie/search/Jaguar/X-Type/2.0-D-LE/29913465070260000/advert?channel=CARS

billius

Matthewjohn wrote: »

Audi A6

http://www.carzone.ie/search/Audi/A6/2.0-TDI-/6813376180541040/advert?channel=CARS
Jaguar X-type

http://www.carzone.ie/search/Jaguar/X-Type/2.0-D-LE/29913465070260000/advert?channel=CARS

I really like that Jag. Looks s bit different and seems to have a decent spec. Anyone have any experience of them?

Audi is stunning too - jaysus lads, you're a mind of info and there's some great suggestions in this lot. Thanks a mill.

colm_mcm

My uncle had a 2.0D S type a few years back. Was happy with it, but it never felt as fast as a TDCI 130 mondeo on which its based.

His was 5 speed, so maybe that was it

Frankie Lee

billius wrote: »

I really like that Jag. Looks s bit different and seems to have a decent spec. Anyone have any experience of them?

Audi is stunning too - jaysus lads, you're a mind of info and there's some great suggestions in this lot. Thanks a mill.

The Jag looks nice and is a decent car, is average enough in terms of reliability but would be extremely dated for a 2009 car.

The A6 is a fine car to be in but is unreliable.

colm_mcm

Worth pointing out that the jag is very small.

Even an s type is small inside.

bazz26

Alfa Romeo 159:

http://www.driving.ie/used-cars/Alfa-/159/1.9-JTDM/32913596333131260/

dinneenp

Constab2 wrote: »

Whatever you do RUN AWAY from the Insignia especially 09,work colleagues x 2 had very similar experiences with them with very little satisfaction from dealer,gear box,fly wheel,clutch replaced 4 times in 1 year.Best way to look at that car is rear view mirror driving away from it.

Is this the general thought?
Insignia seems a very nice car, both exterior and interior but the last thing I want (obviously) is an unreliable car that'll have money thrown at it for repair.

Idbatterim

Op I reckon the only way you will get an decent 08 (with reasonable mileage) for your budget, is if you go private. The below link may be of interest. I actually bought my current car from the guy who is trying to sell car on mothers behalf, to say he is a major enthusiast is an understatement.

http://www.bmw-driver.net/forum/showthread.php?t=40883
http://www.bmw-driver.net/forum/showthread.php?t=43300

I linked to a 07 one above, but you certainly wont have an issue finding a 2007 one for your budget...