New Car Advice

sligoguy1

Hi Folks,

I am hoping someone can offer some advice. Starting a new job outside Longford so will be over an hour commute each way every day and I am looking for a good reliable diesel estate car.

I have it down to 2 options...

Audi A4 estate 2006 Audi A4 Avant SE TDI 140 Estate Nctd 16 - its €5,000, 150K miles- 710 tax and will cost approx 800 to insure. (from a garage - with warranty on it)

Volvo 2008 V50 - €6,000 - 1.6 diesel engine 135K miles.tax 280 pa, insurance about 1,000(private sale no warranty)

Part of me is saying volvo as it's a newer car. Main thing I am looking for a is a good solid reliable car that economical. Any suggestions? Are there any know faults with those models/years?

I've looked at garage websites and they are all 1,000 to 2,000 more for similar cars online. Should I stick with a garage or if a mechanic looks over the potential car, should be ok?
Thanks in advance for any help.

duffman3833

the Audi i think would be more reliable but really it all depends if the car was well maintained, i got a 07 Audi a4 1.9tdi about a year and a half ago with full service history and it hasn't missed a beat. Altho i heard the 2.0tdi can be troublesome. For long journeys the audi would be nicer to drive also. How long of warranty do you get, 3 months?

sligoguy1

Hi Duffman, thanks for the reply.
Ya, 3 months warranty with audi. Does it matter that it's a 06? the tax is more expensive on it than the volvo because of the new rules... One of my friends dad had an audi from 01 and it's still going strong... this is a 2.0 tdi not the 1.9

duffman3833

you could check a uk website called Parkers and click on car review and browse for the vehicle, it has customers reviews on it, can also get the specs on the car, as in weight, power, mpg, fuel tank size etc. also id Google the cars, there is loads of forums where owner post bout any faults of cars. Im sure other user on this site will give you more info on the volvo and 2.0tdi engine also

sligoguy1

Will check that out, thanks for your advice duffman

Atlantic Dawn

The Volvo seems too cheap for the year.

_Kaiser_

sligoguy1 wrote: »

Hi Duffman, thanks for the reply.
Ya, 3 months warranty with audi. Does it matter that it's a 06? the tax is more expensive on it than the volvo because of the new rules... One of my friends dad had an audi from 01 and it's still going strong... this is a 2.0 tdi not the 1.9

For me it'd be the A4. I've a 05 A6 that I do a lot of mileage in and she's very very comfortable Tax bill is more than both of the ones you mention combined though

In any case, a verifiable service history is key.

sligoguy1

thanks kaiser, the volvo was snapped up, I'll take it for luck. Will keep looking about, I've a month before I need to buy so not under extreme pressure. Has anyone gone to auctions? are they any good or am will I get as good a deal online privately?

duffman3833

what about a vw passat? would that car interest you, there would be loads on donedeal

jimmycrackcorm

I'd buy a private car for cheaper than pay more from a dealer because chances are that anything that needs warranty work will happen after the three months. If you can save some money in a private deal then it could be useful for any work down the line.

Prenderb

honestjohn.co.uk is another useful car research website, similar to the Parkers site another poster suggested.

sligoguy1

thanks for the advice and info folks