13-15k to spend - which 4 door car?

VW 1

So as title says, I'm looking to move on from my 08 1.4 TSI 140bp Golf, 3 door 80k km on the clock, nct to be done in Feb and all in good order. Have a budget of my car plus 7-9k.

Main reason is that with a child I'm sick of getting in out with the 2 doors.

Main things I have in mind are A4, 3 series, Passat and Insignia.

3 series would be my fave but with my budget I'm not exactly looking at great examples, usually high mileage and not great engines (saw 2 x 318d's at the weekend).

A4 would be second but with similar issues to the above.

Passat is the least fancied option.

Insignia I am warming to, as can generally get a newer model with less miles on the clock despite not being wowed by its looks.

Any other suggestions that I may be overlooking, or things with the above cars/models that I may not know about or need to keep in mind? Petrol/diesel isn't a huge issue as my weekly mileage is relatively low, but would like to keep the taxing costs lowish.

NIMAN

No Ford on your list?

Focus or Mondeo, good cars.

worded

Honda accord
Huge deep boot

Timing chain - no timing belt cost
Bullet proof

colm_mcm

3 series might be a bit tight with a child seat. obviously rear doors help, but AFAIK the A4 has better access and more room in the back.

VW 1

worded wrote:

Honda accord Huge deep boot

Timing chain - no timing belt cost Bullet proof

There is an 08 one in the family but not overly enamoured with the interior, its all very plastic-y and light feeling. It hasn't given an ounce of hassle in the past 3 years to be fair.

The Mondeo is worth consideration, but haven't sat in or driven one, will do some research and look at one or two examples to get an idea of what they are like.

billie1b

Id personally be looking at a 520d, huge interior, huge boot, great engine, economic and bullet proof. Id also be worried about your budget of €6000 for your golf, trade in your looking about 3 to 4g's, private sale around €4,500 - €5,000

VW 1

billie1b wrote:

Id personally be looking at a 520d, huge interior, huge boot, great engine, economic and bullet proof. Id also be worried about your budget of €6000 for your golf, trade in your looking about 3 to 4g's, private sale around €4,500 - €5,000

Hadn't considered the 5 series, didn't think it would be within budget tbh.

I was given a price of 6k when talking to a dealer on Saturday, looking on carzone there are a huge amount up for 8-9k. It is a sportline model with very low mileage, I've had it for 7 years. Think I'd be safe with the 6k tbh.

billie1b

VW 1 wrote: »

Hadn't considered the 5 series, didn't think it would be within budget tbh.

I was given a price of 6k when talking to a dealer on Saturday, looking on carzone there are a huge amount up for 8-9k. It is a sportline model with very low mileage, I've had it for 7 years. Think I'd be safe with the 6k tbh.

If your budget is 13k to 15k you should be able to pick up a nice 5 series. I have a 5 series, 2008 msport, 105,000km on the clock, full leather, auto. The works basically, paid 11k with a 3k trade in, 14k in total

Newoven

I have a 320d, though as it's a 2012 reg it's probably a bit newer than your budget would offer. it's fine - reliable, quick, fairly comfortable, low tax, reasonably efficient and utterly dull. So can I suggest you take your money and buy something that gives you a a bit of pleasure. I recommend the last car I owned as being fantastic value to buy and a pleasure to own and drive, the Alfa Romeo 159. In lusso spec you get all the toys you'll ever want and it looks fantastic inside and out. The flawed belief that Alfas are inherently unreliable makes them a bargain to buy second hand. Not too many around either so you can add exclusivity to the other joys of ownership.

SmartinMartin

billie1b wrote: »

Id personally be looking at a 520d, huge interior, huge boot, great engine, economic and bullet proof. Id also be worried about your budget of €6000 for your golf, trade in your looking about 3 to 4g's, private sale around €4,500 - €5,000

I wouldn't touch an 08 to 11 520. Their worst engine for a long time. That's not to slag off your motor, that's to save the OP a possible fortune.

billie1b

SmartinMartin wrote: »

I wouldn't touch an 08 to 11 520. Their worst engine for a long time. That's not to slag off your motor, that's to save the OP a possible fortune.

Never once had a problem with my 520, maybe im lucky

NIMAN

Newoven wrote: »

I have a 320d, though as it's a 2012 reg it's probably a bit newer than your budget would offer. it's fine - reliable, quick, fairly comfortable, low tax, reasonably efficient and utterly dull. So can I suggest you take your money and buy something that gives you a a bit of pleasure. I recommend the last car I owned as being fantastic value to buy and a pleasure to own and drive, the Alfa Romeo 159. In lusso spec you get all the toys you'll ever want and it looks fantastic inside and out. The flawed belief that Alfas are inherently unreliable makes them a bargain to buy second hand. Not too many around either so you can add exclusivity to the other joys of ownership.

I was just checking some of the Alfas there, and was wondering why their diesel engines seem to have high road tax/CO2 emissions?

Most manufacturers, their diesel engines are low co2, and hence load road tax, Alfa seem not to be.

worded

VW 1 wrote: »

There is an 08 one in the family but not overly enamoured with the interior, its all very plastic-y and light feeling. It hasn't given an ounce of hassle in the past 3 years to be fair.

The Mondeo is worth consideration, but haven't sat in or driven one, will do some research and look at one or two examples to get an idea of what they are like.

There are sports versions of the accord with half leather, lovely interior

Newoven

NIMAN wrote: »

I was just checking some of the Alfas there, and was wondering why their diesel engines seem to have high road tax/CO2 emissions?

Most manufacturers, their diesel engines are low co2, and hence load road tax, Alfa seem not to be.

The engines in the 159 are older than the current generation of low emissions engines and so I assume it either wasn't a priority or they just didn't bother. Or they didn't have software engineers of the calibre of the VW lads! On the face of it €600 is 3 times the road tax of more modern 2 litre diesels but if you buy the car for a few grand cheaper than the equivalent Ford or Toyota then it's still good value.

PatL23

billie1b wrote: »

If your budget is 13k to 15k you should be able to pick up a nice 5 series. I have a 5 series, 2008 msport, 105,000km on the clock, full leather, auto. The works basically, paid 11k with a 3k trade in, 14k in total

Was your 520d an import? 08s with 180k are still making upwards of 14k

twin_beacon

Im planning on selling my Insignia for a Mondeo or a Mazda 6. The Insignia has had the engine replaced, and a grarbox rebuild, both happened under 80k miles. My brother has a Mondeo (2007+ model), I think they are a great car, and most online independent reviews have them as top of the class.

billie1b

PatL23 wrote: »

Was your 520d an import? 08s with 180k are still making upwards of 14k

Not that im aware, registered in July 2008, full Irish service history