2ltr Tdi with big boot and sporty drive?!

Arequipa · 13-03-2014 8:27pm #1

Hi!

I am looking at replacing my current car over the next few months..
-I drive mostly around Dublin during the week and to Galway, Kerry etc at weekends.
-I cycle a lot and surf, so would like good boot space to carry a bike and or surfboard.
-I currently drive a 1.6 petrol 00 Vectra; so I would like more power and a higher spec: leather seats, bluetooth etc...
-I am looking at any car post July 2008 to avail of new tax regime...possibly around a 2 litre turbo diesel.
-I'll have approx 15K to spend...

In my search for a potential car...i loved these two

1)My first was an Audi A4 Cabriolet: love them, and see quite a few around, but i think bootspace is crap and convertible for 10 warm sunny days a year?

http://www.autotrader.com/research/car-models/2009-Audi-A4/18372-302332-Convertible/2dr-Cabriolet-CVT-2.0T-FrontTrak--Ltd-Avail-~model.jsp

Still lovvvee the look of the A4 Cab

My next car was
2)the Alfa 159 1.9 jtdm Ti spec.... but I drove a mates Alfa 159 estate, and was disappointed; thought it was slow and heavy and disappointing; the car has around 100k miles on it, but it just didnt feel as well built as a skoda or vw or audi...

http://www.carsguide.com.au/news-and-reviews/car-reviews-road-tests/test_drive_alfa_romeo_159_jtdm

So what would you recommend?

colm_mcm · 13-03-2014 8:40pm

Seat Exeo?

Bpmull · 13-03-2014 8:40pm

Tbh your title basically describes a skoda octavia vrs so that's a good suggestion to start with

dougie-lampkin · 13-03-2014 8:40pm

Sporty diesel, big boot? There can be only one option here

Noccy_Mondy · 13-03-2014 9:29pm

Passat CC

Can't comment on the boot size though.

http://www.carzone.ie/search/Volkswagen/Passat-CC/2.0-TDI-/43713944625698600/advert?channel=CARS

Supergurrier · 13-03-2014 9:36pm

Saw sporty, opened thread saw nothing but daysuls.

Left

DaveJac · 13-03-2014 9:40pm

get a Legacy B4 Estate diesel and sporty dont go

Arequipa · 13-03-2014 9:44pm

Thanks for the replies... Like those 2 cars: the Octavia vrs looks animal...

A car i quite like is the Audi A4 Estate..they any good?!

spank_inferno · 13-03-2014 9:49pm

Any estate would trump a saloon & the A4 is a good looking car.

I think the basic ones have 140hp & its the s-line that has 170+ HP?? (Could be wrong).

Arequipa · 13-03-2014 10:07pm

Like the Octavia... My Mam had one a few years back..
The VRS would be a perfect mix of practicality & power. Just seems that they are not much cheaper that VW/Audi models...

Any Mercs u guys could recommend with these specs?

romperstomper · 13-03-2014 10:14pm

520d. there is even an option to have a bike carrier fold under the boot when not in use. 15K buy a 2008 as they are asking 17 in dealers

Marty McFly · 13-03-2014 10:27pm

Would you not go for an estate? Sound like an estate be more practical for what you want it for.

Marty McFly · 13-03-2014 10:43pm

Arequipa · 13-03-2014 11:34pm

520d.....nice car.. Thanks for the advice.. Didnt think i'd be able to afford it!

bear1 · 14-03-2014 9:24am

Arequipa wrote: »

520d.....nice car.. Thanks for the advice.. Didnt think i'd be able to afford it!

Are you in Australia or Ireland? Reason I ask is because your link are from Australian websites and people are showing you Irish prices which are lower than Aussie prices.

TheBigGreen · 14-03-2014 9:54am

I have a 2010 vRS. Would highly recommend one. Best of luck with your search.

Tea 1000 · 14-03-2014 10:55am

spank_inferno wrote: »

Any estate would trump a saloon & the A4 is a good looking car.

I think the basic ones have 140hp & its the s-line that has 170+ HP?? (Could be wrong).

Saloons are better than estates from a drivabaility point of view.
And s-line in Audi's is just a badge and trim, no bearing on the engine.

Arequipa wrote: »

Like the Octavia... My Mam had one a few years back..
The VRS would be a perfect mix of practicality & power. Just seems that they are not much cheaper that VW/Audi models...

Any Mercs u guys could recommend with these specs?

The A4 isn't that much fun to drive though, bit numb. A Merc C220 CDI might fit into your budget, nice handling car.

bkehoe · 14-03-2014 11:49am

Noccy_Mondy wrote: »

Passat CC

Can't comment on the boot size though.

http://www.carzone.ie/search/Volkswagen/Passat-CC/2.0-TDI-/43713944625698600/advert?channel=CARS

It's probably similar to the A5 (coupe) which I have and the boot is massive, bigger than my folks A4 saloon. 2L TDI gives 170hp. Depends how often you have rear seat passengers though as the rear seats in the A5 are a bit short on legroom if tall people in front.

Harcrid · 14-03-2014 1:46pm

CC boot is a decent size. Quite deep but you are restricted by the boot opening. You can fit a bike in there with seats down but not much else with it. Having had an Octavia before my CC I would choose the Octavia if carrying a lot of stuff in the back regularly.

noelf · 14-03-2014 2:36pm

Marty McFly wrote: »

Would you not go for an estate? Sound like an estate be more practical for what you want it for.

Audi A4 avant 2 litre tdi 09/10

PN14 · 14-03-2014 5:55pm

You could get an octavia VRS estate as well.

pred racer · 14-03-2014 6:41pm

I'd bet your mates 159 was an 8v with 130 Bhp, it is disappointing. Try a 16v with 150 Bhp, it makes all the difference.
Not the biggest estate in the world though!

Nixer Jim · 14-03-2014 7:08pm

dougie-lampkin wrote: »

Sporty diesel, big boot? There can be only one option here

This epitomizes what's wrong with the modern perception of "sporty" Yes this is fast but it's a million miles from sporty. Firstly it's a diesel so the power delivery is all wrong to be sporty. Secondly it's far too heavy to be genuinely sporty. Last but not least, because of all that weight, it has the handling ability of a front loaded shopping trolley. Too be fair, there isn't really many what you could call sporty diesels.

Sporty cars need to be light, precise, agile and give superb feedback. While the Skoda is quick, it can't be described as any of the above.

Pov06 · 14-03-2014 7:14pm

There you go

dougie-lampkin · 14-03-2014 9:04pm

Nixer Jim wrote: »

This epitomizes what's wrong with the modern perception of "sporty" Yes this is fast but it's a million miles from sporty. Firstly it's a diesel so the power delivery is all wrong to be sporty. Secondly it's far too heavy to be genuinely sporty. Last but not least, because of all that weight, it has the handling ability of a front loaded shopping trolley. Too be fair, there isn't really many what you could call sporty diesels.

Sporty cars need to be light, precise, agile and give superb feedback. While the Skoda is quick, it can't be described as any of the above.

in my opinion

Fixed that there for you.

Some people need to make compromises, an RX8 or 335i doesn't work for everyone.

Marty McFly · 14-03-2014 9:24pm

dougie-lampkin wrote: »

Fixed that there for you.

Some people need to make compromises

People do need to make compromises but there also not sporty

.

Nixer Jim · 14-03-2014 9:34pm

dougie-lampkin wrote: »

Fixed that there for you.

Some people need to make compromises, an RX8 or 335i doesn't work for everyone.

You just contradicted yourself there. Fixed my post then admit to compromise. You're right, an RX-8 or 335i doesn't work for everyone. That's because they're sporty. A Skoda, a diesel and a front wheel drive lumbering saloon do not a sports car make. A fine car yes but not sporty no matter how many badges or bodykits you endow it with.

Arequipa · 14-03-2014 9:44pm

Hey! Thanks for all the replies...
I am in Ireland and included links fir Aussie websites: dont know why?!

Re the Alfa 159 i think the 1.9 jtdm was the underpowered one, but it seemed slow and heavy and disappointing, but must try the 16v...
Loved the look of the 159 though: stunning car...

I do like the sound of the OCTAVIA Vrs..
How would this Octavia compare to the A4 avant, Volvo, Honda, citroen in terms of build quality and driveability?!

Lads, i said sporty, but basically i would be happy with a more powerful car than my crappy 1.6 Vectra!!

pred racer · 14-03-2014 9:47pm

Nixer Jim wrote: »

You just contradicted yourself there. Fixed my post then admit to compromise. You're right, an RX-8 or 335i doesn't work for everyone. That's because they're sporty. A Skoda, a diesel and a front wheel drive lumbering saloon do not a sports car make. A fine car yes but not sporty no matter how many badges or bodykits you endow it with.

The rest of us understood what the op was asking for;)
You howsoever are just being pedantic:rolleyes:
We'll get a mod to change the thread title to "2ltr Tdi with a big boot and a bit of power that handles ok" would you be happy then?

pred racer · 14-03-2014 9:50pm

Arequipa wrote: »

Hey! Thanks for all the replies...
I am in Ireland and included links fir Aussie websites: dont know why?!

Re the Alfa 159 i think the 1.9 jtdm was the underpowered one, but it seemed slow and heavy and disappointing, but must try the 16v...
Loved the look of the 159 though: stunning car...
!

Where are you based?
If you're in Tipp anytime soon you can take mine for a spin.

Arequipa · 14-03-2014 9:55pm

Predracer, have u the more powerful 159 jtdm: how do you find it?!
-power
-reliability...

pred racer · 14-03-2014 10:07pm

Arequipa wrote: »

Predracer, have u the more powerful 159 jtdm: how do you find it?!
-power
-reliability...

Yeah I have the 16v. The extra horses make all the difference. Mine is a lot of fun to drive and has no lack of power for overtaking;)
I have driven the 8v one and I didn't like it.

Reliability.
I have had a lot of problems recently with my front suspension but most of them were caused by aftermarket parts not lasting (gone after 2000km in one instance) apart from that it's been fine. (Alfa parts in now)
I have mine 2 yrs now and there is 225K Km on the clock (it's an 08)

Arequipa · 14-03-2014 10:48pm

Thanks Predracer: they're a beautiful looking car!
Wonder how the Octavia VRS tdi would compare in terms of build quality & reliability?!

pred racer · 15-03-2014 12:02am

Arequipa wrote: »

Thanks Predracer: they're a beautiful looking car!
Wonder how the Octavia VRS tdi would compare in terms of build quality & reliability?!

Engine wise the lump in mine, while old and not very refined (and much higher tax) is a very reliable engine. Everywhere else (except looks, IMO the Octavia is an ugly car)the skoda would be well ahead! All those taxi drivers can't be wrong.

John_Rambo · 15-03-2014 7:17am

Tea 1000 wrote: »

Saloons are better than estates from a drivabaility point of view

I'm not sure about this, they're just roomier and look slightly better than their saloon counterparts. Unfortunaty they are a bit pricier too.

Op, if you're a surfer and cyclist go for an estate.

knucklehead6 · 15-03-2014 7:32am

Mondeo hatchback?

I have one, 2tdci 2010. Nice and powerful, nice and comfortable. And a boot that looks like a fkn cavern.

Tea 1000 · 16-03-2014 6:07pm

John_Rambo wrote: »

I'm not sure about this, they're just roomier and look slightly better than their saloon counterparts. Unfortunaty they are a bit pricier too.

Op, if you're a surfer and cyclist go for an estate.

Structural rigidity is better in a saloon. Although to be fair you'd need a decent engine and to drive it hard to notice!

MuppetCheck · 16-03-2014 6:27pm

Arequipa wrote: »

Thanks Predracer: they're a beautiful looking car!
Wonder how the Octavia VRS tdi would compare in terms of build quality & reliability?!

The Octavias get very rattly with mileage. I had to offload a VRS because of constant problems, but I think I got unlucky.

I'd rather be in a 159 though as the Octavias can be noisy and it annoys you after a while.

2ltr Tdi with big boot and sporty drive?!

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