Mondeo, Octavia or Volvo for rural commute?

MayoForSam

OK, so I'm looking at upgrading my car in the next few weeks. I'm currently driving a 2008 1.6 TDCi Ford Focus on a 110-mile round trip daily commute, over a 50:50 mix of good quality primary road and rural, bendy roads. I'm looking for a bigger, more comfortable ride with a few extras thrown in. The Focus is a nice car to drive with good handling and also the fuel economy is quite good, I'm getting close to 55 mpg most of the time. Barring a few problems with the DPF (which hopefully are sorted), I've no major complaints.

I imported the Focus myself from the UK and doing this again is most definitely an option this time, more choice and better quality in general over there.

So I'm looking at getting either a Mondeo, Octavia or Volvo S40/S60 (hatchback not estate).

Mondeo pros: Roomy, good build quality, good engine (2.0 diesel), had one before.

Mondeo cons: Bit too common, bit too big (some of my route is down narrow country lanes).

Octavia pros: Good reputation, reliable, decent build quality.

Octavia cons: Again, a bit too common, lack of extras.

Volvo S40/S60 pros: A bit more classy than Ford or Skoda, loads of extras with the right model, leather, heated seats, etc., safe.

Volvo S40/S60 cons: S40 has a smallish interior (but that's OK, we have another family estate car for the kids at weekends), both heavy cars so fuel economy not so good, lack of dealers around me in case things go wrong.

Assuming I sell my own car privately, I am reckoning on a budget of €15K all in including VRT if I buy in the UK. High mileage up to 75K is OK provided the car has a FSH. My diesel spend is currently around €80 per week, hopefully keep it around this maybe a bit more. Annual car tax shouldn't be too high, I could cope with €500 or thereabouts.

Here's a few possibilities spotted on Autotrader:

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201311200023897/sort/pricedesc/maximum-age/up_to_4_years_old/fuel-type/diesel/price-to/8000/page/2/postcode/bt39jp/model/mondeo/radius/1500/keywords/leather/make/ford/onesearchad/used,nearlynew,new/usedcars?logcode=p

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201310029082580/sort/pricedesc/usedcars/postcode/bt39jp/fuel-type/diesel/make/skoda/maximum-age/up_to_3_years_old/page/1/radius/1500/price-to/8000/keywords/leather/onesearchad/used%2Cnearlynew%2Cnew/model/octavia?logcode=p

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201308098241373/sort/pricedesc/usedcars/postcode/bt39jp/price-to/8000/radius/1500/fuel-type/diesel/page/2/make/volvo/maximum-age/up_to_3_years_old/model/s40/onesearchad/used%2Cnearlynew%2Cnew?logcode=p

Any thoughts/opinions? Any other models I should be considering?

Bpmull

Out of them 3 I'd go for the octavia but not in green line or classic poverty spec. Get an elegance they have all the usual extras sat nav, parking sensor, auto centre mirror/ wipers, dual climate, cruise control, a/c and all that stuff . They are a very roomy car inside a lot bigger inside than an s40. My parents have two Octavia's and neither has ever given any trouble whatsoever.

racso1975

I would second the octavia. Have one since 08 and it's an 05. Probably spend more on road tax then car bills. It has 160k miles on it and only big prob was the alternator belt going on it.....not really that big.

As said above the elegance model from england is the way to go. Mine came with leather heated seats, air con, dual climate, cruise, 6 cd changer( bit out-dated now) reversing sensors etc

Brother has 08 mondeo and has put a lot more into it then me in regards to stuff going on it and has much lower mileage.

I know the skoda love gets a bit of bashing on here but i really have stand up for it.

I cannot comment on the volvo as i have no experience. The father gat the v50 2010 this year. it's a 1.6 diesel but i honestly would go for a 2.0 everytime

bazz26

If it's a bigger car you want then rule out the S40. It is the same size as the Focus, in fact it uses the Focus's chassis and engines also.

colm_mcm

Also wouldn't the s40 be a bit severe on suspension components?

Noccy_Mondy

I'd personally go Mondeo, as smooth as anything on the crappy back roads, handles good around the bad bends too.
Fair enough it is wide for the narrow roads, and the wing mirrors are always catching the briars :rolleyes: I have to go out with the hedge clippers myself and cut them, seeing as the co council "have no money" to cut them. :mad:

bazz26

Yeah, I replaced both front wishbones when I had one. But to be fair, they are a very comfy cruiser.

Moneymaker

Mondeo is a class car, does everything well.

The S60 is a lovely place to sit though. Extremely comfortable and superb on motorways.

For rural roads though i'd probably go for the Mondeo. The S60s handling is a bit sluggish compared to the Mondeo(i've driven both) It'd be cheaper to service then the Volvo too.

I don't care for the Octavia at all tbh. I'm sure it's a very good car but not what i'd pick.

veetwin

Mondeo for me too. It is a class above the other 2 in every respect. Serious value in the UK for a top spec one.

bazz26

Moneymaker wrote: »

Mondeo is a class car, does everything well.

The S60 is a lovely place to sit though. Extremely comfortable and superb on motorways.

For rural roads though i'd probably go for the Mondeo. The S60s handling is a bit sluggish compared to the Mondeo(i've driven both) It'd be cheaper to service then the Volvo too.

I don't care for the Octavia at all tbh. I'm sure it's a very good car but not what i'd pick.

OP was talking about the S40 as opposed to the S60 though.

spank_inferno

The Octavia is in the same class as the Focus, so that said I would go for the Mondeo.

It is a class above the other two in size. The Mondeo is heavier also, to me they have always felt more robust.

C.K Dexter Haven

It would be Volvo and comfort for me on the long daily commute but appreciate you've other considerations like economy to take into account but I think with these 3 cars it will be a trade off between economy and comfort and gizmos like cruise control on primary routes, heated seats in Winter, good acceleration for over taking, good sound system, quick frost clear on windscreen, climate control- all those things when you're in a car for that long makes the commute more bearable. I find Octavia's very uncomfortable seating - that's me but others I'm sure will differ so do try all 3 out first to see how you'd feel being there for a few hours a day.

ninty9er

We have all of those cars at work. I'd take a well specced S40 over the other 2 any say. The 1.6d is powerful enough for the average driver and is practically teetotal on the juice.

TheBigGreen

I have a '10 vRS and getting 50-55mpg with good amount of toys. Highly recommend the Octavia.