Unsure What To Buy

TitianGerm

Hi folks I'm looking for a little help, I'm currently looking at changing my 2007 1.6 petrol Mazda 3 with 137,000 KM on the clock.

I'm looking to come up to a 2012 or there abouts. The budget will be €13,000 - €15,000 less my car as a trade in. I test drove a 2012 Passat 1.6 over the weekend and liked it and have been offered €3,000 for my own car as trade so €10,000 left to pay.

Now I'm unsure what to do as I'd have 6 short journeys a day, Monday to Friday (about 5kms each way) and then three longer journeys during the week of about 60-70km round trip each, so I'm thinking diesel will not suit the best?

Saying that I do like the Passat but also like the look of this Jetta

http://www.wexfordvolkswagen.ie/used_car/used_car_detail.aspx?id=114483

Then again I've also had a look at a 1.0 Ecoboost Focus but haven't had a chance to test drive one yet.

The main thing I need is a comfortable seat as I do tend to get back pain on longer journeys in the Mazda.

Will plan to hold onto the car for 3 to 5 years and then trade up again.

Any help would be appreciated guys.

bazz26

If you want comfortable seats then you need to think either Volvo or something French, they have some of the most comfortable seats around:

Volvo S60:
http://www.driving.ie/used-cars/Volvo/S60/D3-2.0D/5729850708474520508/

bazz26

If you want something different but reliable then a hybrid might be worth a look at:

http://www.driving.ie/used-cars/Lexus/CT200H/1.8-FULL/4868739589399958617/

TitianGerm

bazz26 wrote: »

If you want comfortable seats then you need to think either Volvo or something French, they have some of the most comfortable seats around:

Volvo S60:
http://www.driving.ie/used-cars/Volvo/S60/D3-2.0D/5729850708474520508/

Cheers for that Bazz. Think I'll try get a test drive out of this at some stage over the week.

Am I right in thinking that the D3 engine has far fewer problems than the D2?

TitianGerm

bazz26 wrote: »

If you want comfortable seats then you need to think either Volvo or something French, they have some of the most comfortable seats around:

Volvo S60:
http://www.driving.ie/used-cars/Volvo/S60/D3-2.0D/5729850708474520508/

Just back from the test drive and I have to say I love it. It's an absolute peach of a car and I'm strongly considering pulling the trigger.

R.O.R

emmetkenny wrote: »

Just back from the test drive and I have to say I love it. It's an absolute peach of a car and I'm strongly considering pulling the trigger.

Do it! Very little goes wrong with the 5 Cylinder D3 and I think the one you linked is the 163ps version, which is pretty damn quick. Also handles very well, as well as being comfortable.

Only downside is servicing - best to stick with Volvo as the on board computer is a bit tricky, unless you can find a Volvo specialist with the right tools. Volvo parts are expensive, and dealers pretty dear too.

TitianGerm

R.O.R wrote: »

Do it! Very little goes wrong with the 5 Cylinder D3 and I think the one you linked is the 163ps version, which is pretty damn quick. Also handles very well, as well as being comfortable.

Only downside is servicing - best to stick with Volvo as the on board computer is a bit tricky, unless you can find a Volvo specialist with the right tools. Volvo parts are expensive, and dealers pretty dear too.

I've always gotten my cars services at the main dealer but that just me been awkward

It was very smooth on the test drive and had plenty of poke when I accelerated, and the sales man let me bring it for a good spin.

I'm heading back up Saturday to drive it again to make sure I'm happy with it as it wasn't valeted or anything today so looked a little grubby but that still didn't put me off.

Only sticking point is he only offered me €1,500 for my own which was a bit disappointing after been allowed €3,000 against a cheaper Passat. I'll have proper chat with him on Saturday though as I was in a bit of a rush today.

colm_mcm

Might be worth contacting the Passat dealer and seeing what he'd buy your own for. Tell him you saw a car privately. He might give you €1500. Then see why you could buy the Volvo for straight.

TitianGerm

colm_mcm wrote: »

Might be worth contacting the Passat dealer and seeing what he'd buy your own for. Tell him you saw a car privately. He might give you €1500. Then see why you could buy the Volvo for straight.

That's not a bad shout, no harm in trying anyway.

bazz26

Volvo dealer is probably giving you the trade value on your Mazda as it's too old for them to resell. I'd nearly try selling it privately if the Passat dealer doesn't want to buy it. I know you are going to be dealing with donedeal time wasters and messors but you could get lucky and sell it quickly at around 2k which is still better than what Mr Volvo is offering.

TitianGerm

bazz26 wrote: »

Volvo dealer is probably giving you the trade value on your Mazda as it's too old for them to resell. I'd nearly try selling it privately at that price. I know you are going to be dealing with donedeal time wasters and messors but you could get lucky and sell it quickly at around 2k which is still better than what Mr Volvo is offering.

Yea I had assumed he'd be selling mine straight to the trade, if I can get another €500 from him I'd be very happy.

Mine would be a very good starter/second car for someone who's starting out driving and shouldn't give any trouble.

I had thought of selling privately but I don't think I'd be able to deal with all the clowns on Done Deal. Although it's taxed until next August so that might help move it on quicker.

bazz26

I'd say push them for another €500 off the Volvo.

TitianGerm

bazz26 wrote: »

I'd say push them for another €500 off the Volvo.

Yea that's what I'm going to try and do. His first offer was the €1,500 and I explained I had an offer of €3,000 against a slightly cheaper Passat but I'd talk to him again on Saturday when I'm up.

Cheers for the link to the Volvo as well because I had kinda focused in on the Passats and hadn't considered the S60.