Looking for a reliable car for under 4k with cruise control and a big boot.

rowanh

My girlfriend has been looking for a car for months, she is using her aunts car so it hasnt been too urgent but its getting to the stage where she needs to get something. The requirments are,

Good fuel economy- she does over 20k miles a year.
Comfortable, ideally with leather seats and some nice features like buttons on the steering wheel.
Has to have cruise control
Must be reliable..
Needs to have a reasonably big boot so small hatchbacks are out.

Budget is around 3500 euro, any suggestions?

Rowan

JuniorB

Jaguar X Type. 2.0 ltr diesel. Should pick up an 04 or 05 for that money.

rowanh

She would like an audi a4 or bmw 3 series but it seems like the 1.9/2l diesels in the audi are prone to expensive problems as it the 4 cylinder e46 engines. The Mazda 6 looked good but again the 2l Diesel seems to have a lot of problems and the 1.8 petrol gets bad fuel economy.

rowanh

The Jaguar X Type. 2.0 ltr diesel is reliable? Is it a ford engine?

Foxhole Norman

I was going to suggest a 1.9TDi A4/A6 Estate, the 1.9 is pretty bulletproof. A 320D Touring would also be a good call once the swirl flaps were removed or if you plan to remove them.

mhackett102

Maybe a Ford Mondeo? Im driving a 2008 with a 1.8tdci engine. Very spacious and economical, and also has cruise control!

Just came across THIS one for sale in Cork.

I wouldnt be too worried about the mileage. Mine has 205k km and drives like new!

*May be over the €4k budget, but im sure there are cheaper around. Still be worth paying the extra bit, great cars.

chewed

I used to have an 04 Mazda 6 1.8 Sports Touring hatchback

It had sun roof, Air Con, Cruise Control, etc. and a very big boot. Drove like a dream and I never had any problems with it in the 6 years I had it. It wasn't brilliant on fuel though, but you could pick up a 06 or 07 model for under €4k

jimgoose

rowanh wrote: »

The Jaguar X Type. 2.0 ltr diesel is reliable? Is it a ford engine?

It's a Ford Duratorq unit. Hard-as-nails, but like most Ford engines if you don't watch the oil you'll hurt it. I've seen a fair few X-Types blow up due to gobadaw owners who wouldn't know oil if they slipped on it. Note that a 2.2l version of this engine appeared in 2005, with the usual motor-tax implications.

rowanh

I think the X-type might tick all the boxes, going to look at one tonight.

jimgoose

rowanh wrote: »

I think the X-type might tick all the boxes, going to look at one tonight.

Word to the wise: there's also a 2.1l V6 petrol version knocking about. Tax and fuel consumption would be a little more than on the Duratorq models, but there's should be tremendous value to be had, as well as the most fun you can have sitting down.

Atlantic Dawn

Volvo S80 or slightly smaller a Honda Accord

rowanh

The s80 and s60 are either a very uneconomical 2l turbo petrol or a 2.4 diesel which mostly have very high mileage. The Accord would be a good option though she doesnt seem to like them much, ive sent her links to a few. Reading about the xtype it seems a lot of people need to change the clutch at fairly low mileage, if the clutch is very worn out does it always have a very high bite point and can they just go very quickly or would they generally slowly ware down?

jimgoose

rowanh wrote: »

...Reading about the xtype it seems a lot of people need to change the clutch at fairly low mileage, if the clutch is very worn out does it always have a very high bite point and can they just go very quickly or would they generally slowly ware down?

You're more likely to notice the clutch slipping somewhat under hard acceleration. The 2.2s in particular give the clutch a hard time. DMF trouble is also not unheard-of with them, check for vibration/rattling while pushing down the clutch pedal slowly.

jimgoose

jimgoose wrote: »

Word to the wise: there's also a 2.1l V6 petrol version knocking about. Tax and fuel consumption would be a little more than on the Duratorq models, but there's should be tremendous value to be had, as well as the most fun you can have sitting down.

Use almost as much fuel as the 2.5 without the benefit of AWD, the 2.1 is quite gutless.

jimgoose

Augeo wrote: »

Use almost as much fuel as the 2.5 without the benefit of AWD, the 2.1 is quite gutless.

I wouldn't say that, but you do have to cane it a bit to get the best out of it.

166man

rowanh wrote: »

My girlfriend has been looking for a car for months, she is using her aunts car so it hasnt been too urgent but its getting to the stage where she needs to get something. The requirments are,

Good fuel economy- she does over 20k miles a year.
Comfortable, ideally with leather seats and some nice features like buttons on the steering wheel.
Has to have cruise control
Must be reliable..
Needs to have a reasonably big boot so small hatchbacks are out.

Budget is around 3500 euro, any suggestions?

Rowan

You're asking a lot for a budget of €3.5k to be fair....

An older 406 HDI could be a good call....

Foxhole Norman

166man wrote: »

You're asking a lot for a budget of €3.5k to be fair....

An older 406 HDI could be a good call....

Have to agree, if you're willing to go over 2.0 into bigger tax you can find some really high spec cars.

ba_barabus

http://cars.donedeal.ie/view/8845510


What about one of these Volvos? Fairly rugged, well specced, comfortable but not sure about cruise control

Northern Monkey

This forum has changed. They need a big boot and no one has mentioned an Octavia? :pac:

ba_barabus

Northern Monkey wrote: »

This forum has changed. They need a big boot and no one has mentioned an Octavia? :pac:

They also want extras.....

166man

ba_barabus wrote: »

http://cars.donedeal.ie/view/8845510


What about one of these Volvos? Fairly rugged, well specced, comfortable but not sure about cruise control

The cynic in me says I'd be looking carefully at that mileage... Back in 2001 diesels were bought for doing proper miles, that one claims less than 10k miles a year.....................

ba_barabus

166man wrote: »

The cynic in me says I'd be looking carefully at that mileage... Back in 2001 diesels were bought for doing proper miles, that one claims less than 10k miles a year.....................

Can't argue with that at all. Its very hard, but not impossible, to find a low mileage older diesel.

fricatus

Something like this?

http://www.carzone.ie/used-cars/honda/accord/used-2005-honda-accord-executive-cork-fpa-201451229542249

I have the exact same car, down to the colour, except with even higher mileage! It still runs beautifully and still feels like it was screwed together yesterday.

Couldn't recommend it highly enough, but of course a lot will depend on how well it's been looked after, and its service history. Tax is fairly saucy, the guts of €900, but there you go. I get around 50 mpg with about half motorway and half city driving.

rowanh

Might be asking a bit much for the budget but the x-type looks good, going to look at this later,

http://cars.donedeal.ie/cars-for-sale/jaguar-x-type-2-0d-2005/9008566?offset=1


One of the older s40s would be an option but i dont think she would go for an 01 reg, a most of them seem to have leather and cruise control alright.

Dord

Northern Monkey wrote: »

This forum has changed. They need a big boot and no one has mentioned an Octavia? :pac:

Fits the bill! Any of the leather ones on DD are way too scruffy.

http://cars.donedeal.ie/cars-for-sale/skoda-octavia-1-9-tdi-dsg-/8585326?offset=8

jimgoose

rowanh wrote: »

Might be asking a bit much for the budget but the x-type looks good, going to look at this later,

http://cars.donedeal.ie/cars-for-sale/jaguar-x-type-2-0d-2005/9008566?offset=1


One of the older s40s would be an option but i dont think she would go for an 01 reg, a most of them seem to have leather and cruise control alright.

Nice, but how about this monster:

http://cars.donedeal.ie/cars-for-sale/jaguar-s-2-7-diesel-luxury/8946082?offset=5

Now I know the tax is a bit mental, but 43MPG is not to be sneezed at from such a behemoth, and your missus won't do better in terms of pampering!

runawaybishop

Foxhole Norman wrote: »

I was going to suggest a 1.9TDi A4/A6 Estate, the 1.9 is pretty bulletproof.

Second this - the 1.9 is better than the 2ltr.You'd pick a 2004 a6 up with leather seats and cruise control for around that budget, boot is also massive.

bazz26

A first generation Skoda Superb would be worth looking at, boot and rear legroom are huge and 1.9 TDi engine should last once it has been looked after. Need to watch out for knackered ex taxis/hackneys though as they were popular with them.

http://cars.donedeal.ie/cars-for-sale/1-9-tdi-105-bhp/8992353?offset=3

rowanh

The S Type jag would be savage, pretty cheap for a diesel one, tax is pricy but she is going from a petrol bmw 325 so overall would be cheaper to run.

I think she would prefer an Audi over anything else, if she got one with 100k miles on it what would be expected cost wise over the next 40k miles outside of normal servicing? From posts on here and other forums it seemed like they have a lot of expensive repairs which would be likley to crop up in that mile range.

Leather is not essential just would be nice, cruise control is essential though which i dont think any skodas have otherwise the superb would be great.

Foxhole Norman

rowanh wrote: »

The S Type jag would be savage, pretty cheap for a diesel one, tax is pricy but she is going from a petrol bmw 325 so overall would be cheaper to run.


Leather is not essential just would be nice, cruise control is essential though which i dont think any skodas have otherwise the superb would be great.

Most of the midrange Superbs would have it, generally I've found that if they have a leather wrapped wheel they'll have cruise as well.

jimgoose

Foxhole Norman wrote: »

Most of the midrange Superbs would have it, generally I've found that if they have a leather wrapped wheel they'll have cruise as well.

Oh yeah, any Superb I've seen has CC.

smokie72

Somebody has already mentioned an Octavia. I owned an 05 Octavia for 3 years. It was a 1.6l petrol Elegance model with cruise control and leather seats. The boots are huge. I found it very comfortable as I'm 6 ft 3 in height and it was very comfortable on long journeys. Heated seats, mirrors and air con too. As it was a big car the fuel consumption was pretty average. A diesel version would be easier to find. I didn't have many problems with it over the 3 years and kinda regret getting rid of it but I had another car and didn't want 2 cars. I sold mine for 4000 euro so you should be able to buy one with your budget. But you might have to wait for a good one to come up on donedeal or whatever.

rowanh

The xtype wasnt great, lots of engine noise, seemed to shake a little inside when idling in gear, oil just below the min level and it didnt have cruise control.

a 2.2D Accord or 2.4D S60 might be worth checking out, 1.9 a4/a6 or passat maybe also.

Thanks for the help, any other ideas or links are welcome even if they are a little outside the requirements the only real deal breaker is cruise control..

toastedpickles

Shameless plug here :pac:

I've a saab 9-5 estate going for sale, needs a bit of repairing, but it has pretty much everything you're looking for

biko

That is pretty shameless alright
How about you PM OP your adverts/donedeal link and you guys can discuss it offline?

toastedpickles

biko wrote: »

That is pretty shameless alright
How about you PM OP your adverts/donedeal link and you guys can discuss it offline?

[noshame] Yeah i'll let the op pm me if they're interested [/noshame] :pac:

jimgoose

rowanh wrote: »

The xtype wasnt great, lots of engine noise, seemed to shake a little inside when idling in gear, oil just below the min leve...

They've murdered another one. Oh well...

sean1141

rowanh wrote:

Leather is not essential just would be nice, cruise control is essential though which i dont think any skodas have otherwise the superb would be great.

Cruise control is pretty easy and fairly cheap to fit to most of the VW/Audi/skoda cars.

rowanh wrote:

The xtype wasnt great, lots of engine noise, seemed to shake a little inside when idling in gear, oil just below the min level and it didnt have cruise control.

the Ford diesel wouldn't be the quietest engine at the best of times

Noccy_Mondy

mhackett102 wrote:

Maybe a Ford Mondeo? Im driving a 2008 with a 1.8tdci engine. Very spacious and economical, and also has cruise control!

*May be over the €4k budget, but im sure there are cheaper around. Still be worth paying the extra bit, great cars.

You'd be really scraping the barrel at 4k though, even scraping it with the boggo spec one in the link there.

mhackett102

Noccy_Mondy wrote: »

You'd be really scraping the barrel at 4k though, even scraping it with the boggo spec one in the link there.

May be a bit over budget, but would be worth paying imo.

Noccy_Mondy

mhackett102 wrote:

May be a bit over budget, but would be worth paying imo.

Ya, but you're paying 4750 for a basic basic mondeo, maybe the op could live with that, I couldn't. To get a zetec or titanium the asking would be well over 6k. Best off dropping back a few years and get a comfortable, well specc'd cruiser.

mhackett102

Noccy_Mondy wrote: »

Ya, but you're paying 4750 for a basic basic mondeo, maybe the op could live with that, I couldn't. To get a zetec or titanium the asking would be well over 6k. Best off dropping back a few years and get a comfortable, well specc'd cruiser.

I know my one has 205k km, alloys, spoiler, cruise control, bluetooth etc. and is a 2008 - a very similar model is €6k on carzone.

The previous model mondeo (2006) weren't too bad of a car either, were they?

Foxhole Norman

530D? Tax is pretty large but the spec is good and they're a fantastic car to do 20K a year in.

http://cars.donedeal.ie/cars-for-sale/bmw-530d-msport/8971003?offset=8

bazz26

Foxhole Norman wrote: »

530D? Tax is pretty large but the spec is good and they're a fantastic car to do 20K a year in.

http://cars.donedeal.ie/cars-for-sale/bmw-530d-msport/8971003?offset=8

According to motortax.ie that car is taxed as a 2.0 litre yet Motorcheck have it listed as a 530d. I wonder is it one of these recent cars caught by Revenue for having the wrong engine size listed on the log book?

rowanh

I could actually see her going for a 530d, she would like to get a 316/318/318ci, id be a bit worried about their reliability, mpg and general costs doing 40k over two years. This weekend id like to check out an Accord and a couple other cars, maybe a 530d, the tax is a killer but i think it might get 50+ mpg on the motorway? Any idea what the realistic combines mpg would be? If it would be mid 40s then it might negate the high tax.

Foxhole Norman

bazz26 wrote: »

According to motortax.ie that car is taxed as a 2.0 litre yet Motorcheck have it listed as a 530d. I wonder is it one of these recent cars caught by Revenue for having the wrong engine size listed on the log book?

Most of those targeted were E60's as far as I know, best thing to do would just get declared properly when bought.

rowanh wrote: »

I could actually see her going for a 530d, she would like to get a 316/318/318ci, id be a bit worried about their reliability, mpg and general costs doing 40k over two years. This weekend id like to check out an Accord and a couple other cars, maybe a 530d, the tax is a killer but i think it might get 50+ mpg on the motorway? Any idea what the realistic combines mpg would be? If it would be mid 40s then it might negate the high tax.

While you might struggle hit to 50 my buddy regularly returns around 45 with his Manual 530D SE, motorway of course. That plus them being pretty reliable it'd be a good buy in my opinion. Some things to watch for would be warped brake discs causing a bit of play in the steering wheel at higher speeds/when braking, rust on the boot and arches and make sure you check out the suspension thoroughly.

rowanh

Just wondering how realistic people think these numbers are


Car Cost Tax mpg 20k mls Depreciation Cost for two years

Accord 4000 994 51 2264 500 7516

Bmw 318ci 4000 700 30 4030 500 10460

Merc CLK 3500 636 32 3664 437.5 9475

Audi A4 TDI 5000 636 45 2687 625 7896

Bmw 530D 2500 1500 45 2687 312.5 8999

Mazda 6 1.8 4000 636 35 3455 500 9182

It wont paste very well from a spreadsheet, the 20k miles is fuel cost for 20k miles, the deplreciation i just divided by 8 for an annual cost and the cost for two years is tax + fuel + depreciation X 2, obviously there would be servicing and repairs etc on top of that.

Crasp

Merc E class estate??

http://cars.donedeal.ie/view/8368477

i only say estate as i can't vouch for the boot size in the saloon version.

power pants

toastedpickles wrote: »

[noshame] Yeah i'll let the op pm me if they're interested [/noshame] :pac:

how come you are selling it already? Must have spent a huge fortune in under a year trying to keep it on the road :eek: