Recommendations for trading up

Pete123456

I'm currently driving about 50 or 60 miles a day, 40 of which are motorway and my fiesta is 11 years old. I'm putting between 45 and 55 quid into it per week so I think it's time to trade up.

I'm thinking a focus diesel would be a good option but I'm open to recommendations. I would like something comfortable and economical, preferably diesel. 2010 or newer ideally, because I'm sick of the nct centre every year. 100000 miles or less.

I would be open to bringing something back from the uk, because the mileage would be lower and the car would probably be higher spec and driven on much better roads!

Any ideas?

PatL23

What is your budget?

Pete123456

Up to 10k I spose... If I could spend 7 or 8 it'd be great but I'd go the 10 if I thought it was a good deal I

bazz26

Renault Megane:
http://www.driving.ie/used-cars/Renault/Megane/1.5-DCI/141214235789877060/

Pete123456

Heard all sorts of stories about Renault and reliability... Are these reliable?

colm_mcm

New model Megan is way better than the previous generation. Also look at hyundai i30

AMKC

How about a Dacia Sandera. You could have one brand new for 100euro,s a month. You don,t need to buy outright you could always go the PCP or Hire Purchase route. Of course that means you, don,t own the car till you have it all paid for over 3years or however long the terms is but it suits a lot of people.
Or if you wanted to buy something maybe and pay back a car loan to the Credit Union or a Bank over a long term maybe a Kia Rio would be good to look at. They come with a 7year warranty. Even if you got one second hand it could still have maybe 6 or 5 years of warranty left on it depending on the year of the car.

Pete123456

I'm not going to be borrowing all that much, and I won't be signing up to any hire purchase agreement I'd say.

I've considered the Renault fluence, seems like a grand bus but the voice in my head is telling my it'd be worth feck all in a few years...

Anybody have an opinion on the seat Toledo/exeo?

I30 looks interesting!

techie

I have a 2013 Toledo, plenty of room in it.
Plenty of toys in mine being a SE(Style)
Mine's a diesel so very economical but doubt your budget will get a diesel?

Pete123456

An exeo 2.0TDI SE 92000 miles with service history for 5100 pounds plus 2200 vrt comes in at about 9500 including flight and ferry and NCT... Fair enough I wouldn't get a Toledo but the exeo is the earlier model.

bazz26

The Exeo is just a re-badged Audi A4 that was launched 15 years ago. They are very small on the inside and the boot ain't that big either. If you don't need the space then it's an option.

The current Toledo is from the class below and based on the saloon Polo that is sold in a few other countries. The Toledo model within your budget is the older saloon MPV shaped one which was a pointless damp squid.

Honda Civic is worth a look at too:
http://www.driving.ie/used-cars/Honda/Civic/SE,-TAX/141014232409465380/

Pete123456

It's mostly just me in the car anyways so it doesn't have to be huge on the inside. Most cars are a step up from a fiesta though in fairness!

2.2 is a fairly big engine... Especially from an insurance companies point of view!

punisher5112

Anyone say an Octavia yet?

Auris diesel, focus or mondeo, seat Leon,
Kia cee'd, golf,

bazz26

Pete123456 wrote: »

It's mostly just me in the car anyways so it doesn't have to be huge on the inside. Most cars are a step up from a fiesta though in fairness!

2.2 is a fairly big engine... Especially from an insurance companies point of view!

Insurance companies are not all about engine size so don't discount it without at least getting a quote first.

AMKC

What about a Mazda 3 saloon. Good looking car.

Pete123456

On the Mazda note, any opinions on the Mazda 6 2.2 diesel? Seems like a 2010 is in my budget... And insurance quote is almost half what a civic was quoted. Are they comfortable? Economical?

MuppetCheck

Pete123456 wrote: »

On the Mazda note, any opinions on the Mazda 6 2.2 diesel? Seems like a 2010 is in my budget... And insurance quote is almost half what a civic was quoted. Are they comfortable? Economical?

Comfortable, not overly economical - its alright but other similar cars are lighter on juice, but the main thing with that engine is service history. Unless there's a folder of receipts proving regular oil changes run away.

Pete123456

Right so I still haven't gotten around to getting the car and I've changed my mind a heap of times in the last few months. At this point I think there's still a bargain to be had by going to the UK for a used car.

Ive been weighing up the options and at this point a hatchback is probably best, I was looking at a 2010 Passat but it seems silly to drive a large car with just me every day. what are people's opinions on a focus 1.6tdci 2011? The mpg figures seem to be good and if I got one with 70000 miles I would hopefully flog it coming up to the 100 to avoid the dpf and flywheel issues.

What's the verdict on the 1.3 diesel Astra? Is it sluggish?

I'm looking at 2010 upwards with low tax, high mpg and not too big. Any thoughts?

Pete123456

?

punisher5112

Pete123456 wrote: »

?

of course a 1.3 will be sluggish in a lot of cases the bigger engine can give better mpg. All depends on driving style and mileage done.

Go test drive a few you got lots of good info and tips 6 months ago.

colm_mcm

The Astra is really heavy though. Needs a 1.7 at least

Autosport

Yea I agree with Colm, I had the 1.3 Astra and then upgraded to the 1.7 and found it much better economically.

bazz26

With all 2010 cars motor tax based on emissions there is very little argument for choosing the smallest engine available and contrary to popular belief smaller engine doesn't always mean better fuel efficiency.