Help me pick a new Car......

tanka006

Hi Guys,

I am provided with a company car by my employer. The current car is due to be changed in January & I want to start looking at various new models now.

I currently drive a 160 Insingia Elite model. Previously drove Mondeos.

I want to avoid purchasing a make / model that will be replaced / updated soon after purchasing.

Basically looking at New, Diesel, circa 2.0L & automatic (I have a sore knee)

Any recommendations / suggestions as to models to consider from you Guys

Any advice would be much appreciated

Many Thanks
Tanka

R.O.R

tanka006 wrote: »

Hi Guys,

I am provided with a company car by my employer. The current car is due to be changed in January & I want to start looking at various new models now.

I currently drive a 160 Insingia Elite model. Previously drove Mondeos.

I want to avoid purchasing a make / model that will be replaced / updated soon after purchasing.

Basically looking at New, Diesel, circa 2.0L & automatic (I have a sore knee)

Any recommendations / suggestions as to models to consider from you Guys

Any advice would be much appreciated

Many Thanks
Tanka

Wait for the new Passat pricing to be released (circa November) and order one for January delivery.

New Mondeo is due around the same time as well, so is the other option to consider.

I'd also be looking at the Mazda6. Only launched last year so won't be replaced for a while. Cracking looking car, and in Platinum specification, with 175ps and an Auto box, it's quite a nice place to be. Interior plastics still not quite up to European standards, but better than they were.

Moneymaker

Have a look at the new Passat as suggested.

Mazda 6 looks a lovely car.

Honda Accord or Volvo S60 would be others to take a spin in.

tanka006

Hi Guys,

Wow thanks for the replies.

That Mazda 6 really looks good & seems to have all of the goodies that the Insignia Elite has - its expensive in the automatic Platinium version - any comments on the executive SE version - would it be underpowered in the automatic version (lower HP)

I found the Mondeo (although the last one was 2008) underpowered & quite large body......

Would the Accord model be changed / updated soon?

Good suggestion on the Passat - thanks

Keep the comments coming!

Thanks

Tanka

bazz26

Accord has been around since 2008 and there is no confirmed replacement model for it in Europe yet so Honda could just discontinue it. Anyway the current model is really old now and expensive so I would rule out a 15 reg one on that basis.

What about the new Mazda 6? Only launched 2 years ago. 2.2 litre but motor tax is no longer based on engine size.

tanka006

Any of you Guys have an opinion on the citroen C5?

bazz26

The C5 is a bit old hat now, they were launched back in 2008 and there must be a new one not too far off. If you want a slightly more up to date C5 then look at the Peugeot 508, it's pretty much the same car mechanically. Just be aware though that the 508 is getting a facelift in the next few months.

The Volvo S60 is worth a look at, it's only been on sale since 2010 and was facelifted at the start of the year so knowing Volvo it will not be replaced by an all new model for at least another 3 years. The new 2.0 litre D4 engine is supposed to be a gem too, good power with 181bhp and very low co2 emissions.

tanka006

Thanks Bazz - good point on the C5 - I hadn't thought at all about a Volvo

its actually handy as its the one dealer up here in Donegal who does both Volvo & Mazda!

does anyone know if the Insignia is due a facelift anytime soon?

bazz26

The Insignia got a facelift less than 12 months ago. Most likely be replaced by an entire new model in about 18 months time.

Moneymaker

Also, if you buy a C5 new you will be hammered on depreciation and it'll be tougher to shift on when you want something else too.

tanka006

Guys,

Thanks for all of the input so far - I've been to look at both the Volvo S60 & the Mazda 6.

Apart from the seats in the Volvo (which were fantastic) I really did not like the cabin - and that's where you spend your time!

I really liked the Mazda - Platinum - however its €5K more expensive that the Executive SE & there is not much difference in spec (leather, keyless camera etc) - but its a lot extra BIK to be paid!

Does anyone know if there is much difference in the power of 170PS Platinum & the 150PS executive - in Automatic version?

Thanks Again to all

Tanka

tanka006

Looked at the new model insignia today - not really much change from the my 2011 model - very slight facelift.

The salesman was reassuring me that there would not be a new model soon.....

Anyway the offer was terrible - next testdrive will be the Mazda - but there don't seem to be many of the 175ps versions around & I am a little worried about the 150ps

any comments

many thanks

carsfan

OP,
Have you made up your mind on what to go for?

tanka006

Hi Carsfan,

No decision made yet - just tomorrow I am going to test drive the Mazda 6

I like the look of it & hope I am happy with the test!

I will report back

Many Thanks

Tanka

tanka006

Hi Guys,

I forgot to report back - decision made, order placed & vehicle already waiting at the dealer for Jan 2nd

Went for the Mazda 6 175ps Automatic Platinum in Soul Red.

Many many thanks to all of you for your inputs.

Tanka

burger1979

Tanka - how did you get the 175 engine and auto, I thought the only engine in the Irish market was the 150 and manual?

What made you choose the 6 over the others? I am thinking of going for one soon.

bazz26

There are a few 175bhp autos about.

R.O.R

tanka006 wrote: »

Hi Guys,

I forgot to report back - decision made, order placed & vehicle already waiting at the dealer for Jan 2nd

Went for the Mazda 6 175ps Automatic Platinum in Soul Red.

Many many thanks to all of you for your inputs.

Tanka

Excellent Choice - I'd have gone for a different colour myself, the Red is fantastic looking, but almost every Mazda on the Road is Soul Red nowadays.

One thing I'd strongly suggest, is to get the dealer to supply a spare wheel option. We've had it fitted to a few 6's, and it's not great. Leaves the boot floor a touch uneven, but it's better than the other option.

With the Platinum running on 19" wheels, tyres aren't always in great supply, so if you do need a tyre replaced, then the car could be off the road at least over night.

If you buckle an alloy is where the fun really starts. We had to get one repaired as Mazda were quoting a couple of weeks delivery for a 19" wheel, which would have meant grounding the car (and auto car hire) for 2 weeks at least.

Special Circumstances

^ It's posters with nuggets of information like this that keep me coming back to the motors forum. Good suggestion R.O.R.

tanka006

Many Thanks - R.O.R. excellent advice - I will follow up:cool:

burger1979

R.O.R - if you were to have to choose between Superb Elegance 140 DSG and Mazda 6 platinum, which would you go for?

Idbatterim

there will be a facelifted Mazda 6 early in the new year...

http://www.carbuyer.co.uk/news/145645/2015-mazda6-facelift-on-sale-early-next-year

bazz26

burger1979 wrote: »

R.O.R - if you were to have to choose between Superb Elegance 140 DSG and Mazda 6 platinum, which would you go for?

The Superb is being replaced by a new model in 2015.

vienne86

R.O.R wrote: »

Excellent Choice - I'd have gone for a different colour myself, the Red is fantastic looking, but almost every Mazda on the Road is Soul Red nowadays.

One thing I'd strongly suggest, is to get the dealer to supply a spare wheel option. We've had it fitted to a few 6's, and it's not great. Leaves the boot floor a touch uneven, but it's better than the other option.

With the Platinum running on 19" wheels, tyres aren't always in great supply, so if you do need a tyre replaced, then the car could be off the road at least over night.

If you buckle an alloy is where the fun really starts. We had to get one repaired as Mazda were quoting a couple of weeks delivery for a 19" wheel, which would have meant grounding the car (and auto car hire) for 2 weeks at least.

I was looking at Mazdas recently, and a friend of mine bought one about six months ago - CX5. There was a big fuss getting a spare wheel. I just don't trust these inflation kits.....friend of mine was let down twice by these kits...with someone else's kids in the car...not funny.