What new car to buy - €29,500 budget

laurpat

Folks,

I'm in the middle of changing car with a budget of €29,500. I have been searching around and have struggled to find anything I'm crazy about. I have thought about the following:

Skoda Superb Ambition 2.0 Diesel 170Bhp

Kia Optima 1.7 Diesel 136Bhp

Nissan Xtrail 1.6 Diesel

I'm coming out of a 132 Octavia (1.6 Diesel). Great car but the older model (had previously a 2.0 Diesel 2011) was a much better drivers car. Torsion beam suspension was a huge step backwards and that 1.6 engine... It's awful.

Ideally, I'd love a VRS but I can't get the figures to work... Any other suggestions guys? I'll be entitled to fleet discount, the car must be new and suitable for two kids.... I've no concerns about residual values.

JC01

laurpat wrote: »

Folks,

I'm in the middle of changing car with a budget of €29,500. I have been searching around and have struggled to find anything I'm crazy about. I have thought about the following:

Skoda Superb Ambition 2.0 Diesel 170Bhp

Kia Optima 1.7 Diesel 136Bhp

Nissan Xtrail 1.6 Diesel

I'm coming out of a 132 Octavia (1.6 Diesel). Great car but the older model (had previously a 2.0 Diesel 2011) was a much better drivers car. Torsion beam suspension was a huge step backwards and that 1.6 engine... It's awful.

Ideally, I'd love a VRS but I can't get the figures to work... Any other suggestions guys? I'll be entitled to fleet discount, the car must be new and suitable for two kids.... I've no concerns about residual values.

Why does the car have to be new? There is an amazing choice of car out there with that budget if you don't care too much about the numbers on the reg plate.

Foxhole Norman

Has to be the Superb, you get a lot of kit in that package plus it's the best Diesel in the range.

JC01 wrote: »

Why does the car have to be new? There is an amazing choice of car out there with that budget if you don't care too much about the numbers on the reg plate.

It has to be new because it's going to be a Fleet/Company car.

laurpat

JC01 wrote: »

Why does the car have to be new? There is an amazing choice of car out there with that budget if you don't care too much about the numbers on the reg plate.

I don't make the rules - I just abide by them...

JC01

laurpat wrote: »

I don't make the rules - I just abide by them...

Apologies I just skimmed through your post missed the point about fleet/company car.

mikehn

I hope to be in the market myself in about a month, what I am going to buy will be my "forever car" as due to my age it will prob be the last car I buy.(,hope it lasts a long time:)). I am seriously looking at the new C4 picasso as the running costs are really good, low emissions, roomy, good mpg and comfortable on a long journey.

MuppetCheck

If you'd like a VRS then a Leon FR184 might be worth a look. Same car but a good bit lighter and therefore feels livlier, nicer interior imo and can be had as an estate too. Only the 184 gets the more sophisticated rear suspension.

pm.

I have the Superb Elegance 170, got it last November has almost 70k on the clock and have to say its a great car, great power for overtaking also great mpg and having 3 kids a lot of room. You wont get a better car for the money imo

Damien360

I assume it is a lease car same as myself.

I got the 140bhp superb ambition estate and love it. The 170bhp was only a fiver extra on the lease but I was watching BIK and the fact that it was just over allowed lease value so I would have to contribute the fiver.

The superb is huge in the back for the kids. The boot is huge and comes with tools and guards to separate out the boot so you can take have the stuff out and clamp the rest in place. Satnav is through my phone via Bluetooth but the only downside is it refuses to play instructions through the radio unless I am in BT mode. SD slot, mp3 compatible 6 slot CD player and Bluetooth for your music also.

The car is loaded to the gills and it gets heated seats plus at the moment, all leather/leatherette ?

6 speed box with plenty of poke. Bit noisy on motorway as insulation not as good as the insignia which is mad money on lease at the moment. Very little to complain about.

Stella Virgo

mikehn wrote: »

I hope to be in the market myself in about a month, what I am going to buy will be my "forever car" as due to my age it will prob be the last car I buy.(,hope it lasts a long time:)). I am seriously looking at the new C4 picasso as the running costs are really good, low emissions, roomy, good mpg and comfortable on a long journey.

well thats a conversation/thread stopper if i ever saw one.....:eek:

For Forks Sake

MuppetCheck wrote: »

If you'd like a VRS then a Leon FR184 might be worth a look. Same car but a good bit lighter and therefore feels livlier, nicer interior imo and can be had as an estate too. Only the 184 gets the more sophisticated rear suspension.

This.

knucklehead6

Stella Virgo wrote: »

well thats a conversation/thread stopper if i ever saw one.....:eek:

Not really. My dad is in the market now too, he's 'only' 72, but being realistic he knows that he's only got about 5 years driving left in him before he has to hang up the keys due to age. His father stopped driving at 75 after a hip replacement.

Sorry for going OT but I see where the other poster is coming from.

bazz26

Mazda 3 2.2d Platinum:


http://www.driving.ie/used-cars/Mazda/Mazda3/Mazda3-2.2D/91014126131439320/

Very well speced and the 150bhp SkyActive engine is deceptively brisk with almost petrol engine like characteristics.

Moneymaker

You'll be hard pressed to get better value for money then the Superb, alright.

The 3 is nice but would it suit the OPs needs?

ba_barabus

Moneymaker wrote: »

The 3 is nice but would it suit the OPs needs?

I see no reason it wouldn't. Can be gotten in a hatch, lots of power, good handling, very well equipped, looks great etc etc.

The Superb is a huge car but its nothing like a VRS in the handling department if that's what the OP seems to want.

Old diesel

ba_barabus wrote: »

I see no reason it wouldn't. Can be gotten in a hatch, lots of power, good handling, very well equipped, looks great etc etc.

The Superb is a huge car but its nothing like a VRS in the handling department if that's what the OP seems to want.

I know the OP mentions "drivers car" - but is it to do with ride or handling he or she doesn't like the new model Octavias rear suspension with the torsion beam????.

A number of reviews ive read suggest that the new Octavia when fitted with torsion beam suspension (not all do - like the VRS or anything above a certain bhp level) have a firm ride.

The Mk 1 and 2 - ime - tend to ride very well - so an owner may well be less then impressed with the new one - if the reviews are correct.

laurpat

Old diesel wrote: »

I know the OP mentions "drivers car" - but is it to do with ride or handling he or she doesn't like the new model Octavias rear suspension with the torsion beam????.

A number of reviews ive read suggest that the new Octavia when fitted with torsion beam suspension (not all do - like the VRS or anything above a certain bhp level) have a firm ride.

The Mk 1 and 2 - ime - tend to ride very well - so an owner may well be less then impressed with the new one - if the reviews are correct.

I just find the new MK 3 Octavia has been left wanting and suffers from oversteer quite badly. I got caught a few times facing the way I was coming but in saying that I probably was pushing hard. I thought this was a problem with the Mk 2 but it was nothing to that of the Mk 3

Moneymaker wrote: »

You'll be hard pressed to get better value for money then the Superb, alright.

The 3 is nice but would it suit the OPs needs?

I love the look of the 3 but it's just a bit small. Is it a focus chassis? If I had some more €€€ I would be buying the 6 - I love the Mazda 6

ba_barabus wrote: »

I see no reason it wouldn't. Can be gotten in a hatch, lots of power, good handling, very well equipped, looks great etc etc.

The Superb is a huge car but its nothing like a VRS in the handling department if that's what the OP seems to want.

Comparing the Superb to the VRS is a very different proposition. There is no point going down the route of average handling Skoda unless i have the space of a superb...

If I'm honest - I am struggling with how ugly the superb is... In fact it's not ugly it's Fugly....

ba_barabus

laurpat wrote: »

In fact it's not ugly it's Fugly....

I think the estate is quiet nice if you'd consider that.

laurpat

ba_barabus wrote: »

I think the estate is quiet nice if you'd consider that.

That's true...The estate aint bad looking at all!

smcgiff

Damien360 wrote: »

I got the 140bhp superb ambition estate and love it. The 170bhp was only a fiver extra on the lease but I was watching BIK and the fact that it was just over allowed lease value so I would have to contribute the fiver.

Extra €5 per month? What's that, €180 total over 3 years?!?

Hand over your licence now! :pac:

codrulz

Have you looked at the new Alfa Romeo giulietta sportiva nav unreal specs best diesel 2.0ltr out there imho and unreal looking.
It's very practicle, great mpg,great interior,good bit of grunt and some new features for 2014.

Damien360

smcgiff wrote: »

Extra €5 per month? What's that, €180 total over 3 years?!?

Hand over your licence now! :pac:

I would make your average scot and Cavan man blush. I refuse to pay extra for what is basically my tool box.

MuppetCheck

codrulz wrote: »

Have you looked at the new Alfa Romeo giulietta sportiva nav unreal specs best diesel 2.0ltr out there imho and unreal looking.
It's very practicle, great mpg,great interior,good bit of grunt and some new features for 2014.

Nice car but that engine is an evolution of the old 1.9 and very similar to the one in Opels. It was a great engine in its day but it's well past it at this stage.

bazz26

The Giulietta isn't any bigger than a Mazda 3.

What about the new Ford Mondeo?

Dia1988

Maybe try a Mazda 2.2d 150 BHP Platinum, looks identical to a Mazda 6 but handles far better!

Idbatterim

new passat op? you arent far from entry level 3 series money at that stage, they start at 35k ish...

http://www.whatcar.com/car-news/volkswagen/passat-saloon/2015-volkswagen-passat-review/1316432

laurpat

Idbatterim wrote: »

new passat op? you arent far from entry level 3 series money at that stage, they start at 35k ish...

http://www.whatcar.com/car-news/volkswagen/passat-saloon/2015-volkswagen-passat-review/1316432

Not bad the new facelift - I have always put them as a "Boring motor" - Wonder where the Passat CC sits on the €€€ scale?

ianobrien

Another vote for the 184hp Leon FR here OP

laurpat

ianobrien wrote: »

Another vote for the 184hp Leon FR here OP

OK OK - I'm going to check out the LEON.... Didn't even consider cos of the size but will check it out...

Breffnigolfer

Damien360 wrote: »

I assume it is a lease car same as myself.

I got the 140bhp superb ambition estate and love it. The 170bhp was only a fiver extra on the lease but I was watching BIK and the fact that it was just over allowed lease value so I would have to contribute the fiver.

.......

You need to sack your buyer. Anyone who couldn't negotiate a €5 reduction in cost to meet a budget should get his/her walking papers.

ianobrien

laurpat wrote: »

OK OK - I'm going to check out the LEON.... Didn't even consider cos of the size but will check it out...

I'll make it slightly easier. I was in a similar situation to you and having examined the others I went for the Leon. The VRS was too "flashy" and a terrible waiting list. The Mazda 3 dash was too "higgildy piggildly" and the Golf GTD was too eexpensive.

The options I went for was 18" wheels and half leather interior.