A little advice on buying please

KeithTS

Hi all,

I'm not a big car guy, I know a little but could use some advice.

My commute is increasing from 30km to about 130km a day so I'm looking to buy a more suitable car from what I have now (I'm a micra driver currently - you can see that I'm not a big car person now I hope!).

I've been toying with the idea of a Volvo V40 (D2 or D3 not quite sure yet), the mpg looks stellar (I know the numbers on the brochure are lot more optimistic than I'll achieve but they're an indication) and it's an all round decent motor by the reviews online.

My main requirements are that it's efficient as spending a weeks pay on fuel isn't ideal, has decent running costs and is comfortable to sit in for a long commute (AC, no horrible rattles etc. & cruise control would be a bonus).

Does anybody here have advice about these cars or are there any other suggestions that may be better or that fit the bill that are worth looking at?

Thanks in advance!

Atlantic Dawn

So you are looking at buying brand new?

mighty magpie

budget?

KeithTS

Sorry, should have given more detail.

Looking at something 2-3 years old most likely. In the UK and my budget is around £10k, could pay more for the right car but a 2013 V40 with 50-60k (miles) on the clock comes in around £8k which I'm happy to pay. Less is obviously better though if possible.

I'm presuming a car that age with that mileage is just belting up and down motorways so I wouldn't be overly concerned with the clutch etc. but will get it looked over before I buy if possible.

As I said, I'm here for some guidance as I could easily get screwed.

R.O.R

If it's a brand new car, then either the D2 or D3 would be fine. If it's used then don't go for a 1.6 D2 (115ps) - that was replaced last year with a 2.0 D2 (120ps).

Frugal cruiser with very comfy seats and also a bit of fun to drive if you want to push on, but Volvo's do tend to have annoying squeeks or rattles in the cabin - if that's a deal breaker then maybe the V40 isn't for you.

Civic 1.6 diesel? Seats aren't as comfy as the Volvo and the interior is no where near as nice as the Volvo, but that engine is incredibly effecient (managed over 80mpg on a 50km Motorway spin), but still able to be a bit sporty when needed. Poor rear visibility in the hatch and very short supply of brand new ones (if any left).

New Astra isn't a bad place to be either - especially with the heated and cooled, electric massage seats - that's the way to spend 130km a day!

KeithTS

R.O.R wrote: »

If it's a brand new car, then either the D2 or D3 would be fine. If it's used then don't go for a 1.6 D2 (115ps) - that was replaced last year with a 2.0 D2 (120ps).

Frugal cruiser with very comfy seats and also a bit of fun to drive if you want to push on, but Volvo's do tend to have annoying squeeks or rattles in the cabin - if that's a deal breaker then maybe the V40 isn't for you.

Civic 1.6 diesel? Seats aren't as comfy as the Volvo and the interior is no where near as nice as the Volvo, but that engine is incredibly effecient (managed over 80mpg on a 50km Motorway spin), but still able to be a bit sporty when needed. Poor rear visibility in the hatch and very short supply of brand new ones (if any left).

New Astra isn't a bad place to be either - especially with the heated and cooled, electric massage seats - that's the way to spend 130km a day!

Why not go for a used 1.6 D2?

Squeeks and rattles aren't a deal breaker but I'd rather something that sounded solid and well made.

I've heard decent things about the Astra alright, may take a gander.

IAlthough for a longer commute I'm drawn to diesel, I'm also anxious about them as there are rumours being thrown about that they'll be adding levies onto the fuel or the road tax in coming months.

R.O.R

KeithTS wrote: »

Why not go for a used 1.6 D2?

The 1.6 D2 is just a bit underpowered when you've driven the 2.0 diesel versions. D3 is much better to drive, and there's probably a few D4's around as well in the UK - more or less the same fuel consumption in the real world, but with the ability to surprise a few people as it's pretty quick.

KeithTS

R.O.R wrote: »

The 1.6 D2 is just a bit underpowered when you've driven the 2.0 diesel versions. D3 is much better to drive, and there's probably a few D4's around as well in the UK - more or less the same fuel consumption in the real world, but with the ability to surprise a few people as it's pretty quick.

Good to know, I'm driving a Micra at the minute so anything is going to have a lot ore power than I'm used to but I have heard that the D2 is a little slow off the mark when compared to the D3. Although they're available over here I reckon the D4 is overkill for my needs.

Thanks for the advice!

TitianGerm

R.O.R wrote: »

The 1.6 D2 is just a bit underpowered when you've driven the 2.0 diesel versions. D3 is much better to drive, and there's probably a few D4's around as well in the UK - more or less the same fuel consumption in the real world, but with the ability to surprise a few people as it's pretty quick.

Sorry for reviving an old thread but I was just searching for opinions on the V40 and came across this one.

OP did you buy the D2 1.6 after?

R.O.R I'm coming from a 07 1.6 Petrol Mazda 3 and really tempted by a 13 V40 1.6 D2 in the UK. The one I've spotted will cost me just under €10k. You've said the 1.6 D2 can feel sluggish but would you think this would be the case to me coming from the Mazda?

R.O.R

emmetkenny wrote: »

Sorry for reviving an old thread but I was just searching for opinions on the V40 and came across this one.

OP did you buy the D2 1.6 after?

R.O.R I'm coming from a 07 1.6 Petrol Mazda 3 and really tempted by a 13 V40 1.6 D2 in the UK. The one I've spotted will cost me just under €10k. You've said the 1.6 D2 can feel sluggish but would you think this would be the case to me coming from the Mazda?

It will probably feel fairly punchy coming from a 1.6 Petrol Mazda. You will need to make sure it has a full, verifiable service history - if it hasn't been serviced every 12,500 miles, on the button (or before), walk away - that engine doesn't take well at all to service intervals being stretched longer than they should be.

Speedo is MPH only, but you should have the option of KM/h on the digital display as a live read out, rather than having fuel consumption/distance to empty etc.

TitianGerm

R.O.R wrote: »

It will probably feel fairly punchy coming from a 1.6 Petrol Mazda. You will need to make sure it has a full, verifiable service history - if it hasn't been serviced every 12,500 miles, on the button (or before), walk away - that engine doesn't take well at all to service intervals being stretched longer than they should be.

Speedo is MPH only, but you should have the option of KM/h on the digital display as a live read out, rather than having fuel consumption/distance to empty etc.

Perfect thanks for the help. I'll give the garage a ring and see what the story is with the service history.

Is there anything else I should look out for? This one was registered in January 13 and has done 103k miles.

http://m.v12sportsandclassics.co.uk/Stock/Details/6108062

Squeaksoutloud

I have a V40 with the D2 engine. Find it well suited to the car in fairness so would have little concerns from a nippiness or power point of view. Love the car overall.

I was concerned that it was the PSA engine but my understanding is that the newer 8 valve version is much more reliable than the older 16 valve 1.6 engine up to 2011? I wouldn't have gone for the car if it was the older version as that is the one that seems to give a lot of issues if not serviced regularly etc. Anyway will be looking after mine either way! I hope the new one is better anyway as that made up my mind on it - the 2.0 D3 or D4 was just too much more (about 5k :eek:)as Volvo had a special offer on the D2 with free leather etc.

TitianGerm

Squeaksoutloud wrote: »

I have a V40 with the D2 engine. Find it well suited to the car in fairness so would have little concerns from a nippiness or power point of view. Love the car overall.

I was concerned that it was the PSA engine but my understanding is that the newer 8 valve version is much more reliable than the older 16 valve 1.6 engine up to 2011? I wouldn't have gone for the car if it was the older version as that is the one that seems to give a lot of issues if not serviced regularly etc. Anyway will be looking after mine either way! I hope the new one is better anyway as that made up my mind on it - the 2.0 D3 or D4 was just too much more (about 5k :eek:)as Volvo had a special offer on the D2 with free leather etc.

What are the seats like on a long journey? I find I get very uncomfortable in my Mazda and the girlfriend Focus. I'm hoping these are a bit better.

Squeaksoutloud

Volvo seats...best in the business sure!