Which car to get

blindside88

Hi Guys,

Apologies in advance but this is going to be a bit vague. I've just been offered a new job with company car (currently have a Mondeo as company car). I haven't been given the full details yet as regards spec levels but the choice of car available will be Kia Sportage, Toyota RAV4, Toyota Avensis, Ford Mondeo. I'm going to assume low to mid spec levels. What would be your opinions on the above and what would be your preference. Any pro's or cons on any of the cars. Bearing in mind I won't be paying for fuel consumption or maintanence. Thanks in advance

Cee-Jay-Cee

I’m going to assume your male, if I’m wrong, my apologies. Anyway the RAV4 and Sportage are ‘girls cars’ IMO. I love the look of both the new Mondeo and Avensis and so it would come down to spec but if I had to chose I’d take the Avensis.

blindside88

Cee-Jay-Cee wrote: »

I’m going to assume your male, if I’m wrong, my apologies. Anyway the RAV4 and Sportage are ‘girls cars’ IMO. I love the look of both the new Mondeo and Avensis and so it would come down to spec but if I had to chose I’d take the Avensis.

You are correct, I'm male. I love the "girls cars" discription so they're now automatically rejected What specifically makes them girls cars? I have the Mondeo at the minute so I'm leaning away from that unless it's titanium spec which I can't imagine it will be

ArnieSilvia

I got a brand new Mazda 6 last year, the lads had mk 3 Mondeo's and they said that Mazda was way better. Price wise you're getting all toys and heated leather for same money as base Mondeo. Plenty of poke too. I had sports spec with big wheels and led lights in bronze metallic, lots of people commented on how great car it was

colm_mcm

I dunno, but I think Mondeos are way cheaper to lease than Mazda 6s

6 diesel RRP only €30k though so should be within budget if RAV4 etc are on the list,

CeilingFly

I'd go mazda 6, or kia optima.

The kia is quite striking looking.

blindside88

Thanks for the input lads but I don't have the option of a Mazda 6 or Kia Optima. Just the 4 cars listed above. Any thoughts on those?

colm_mcm

I'd have the Sportage out of that list.
You've done the Mondeo thing and it's superior to the Avensis, the current RAV4 is a bit of a dogs dinner.

The Rav and the Sportage will be the least obvious company cars.

_Brian

Cee-Jay-Cee wrote: »

I’m going to assume your male, if I’m wrong, my apologies. Anyway the RAV4 and Sportage are ‘girls cars’ IMO. I love the look of both the new Mondeo and Avensis and so it would come down to spec but if I had to chose I’d take the Avensis.

Rav4 is far from a girls car, reasonably capable mid sized 4x4

biko

Look at reviews on youtube and go for the car you like, regardless of what internet people say.

blindside88

colm_mcm wrote: »

I'd have the Sportage out of that list.
You've done the Mondeo thing and it's superior to the Avensis, the current RAV4 is a bit of a dogs dinner.

The Rav and the Sportage will be the least obvious company cars.

Thanks for that Colm. I'll have a better idea when I see the spec available but the Sportage looks like a nice car

Miike

I personally think the Rav4 is a pretty nice place to be. I'm thinking about picking up a 171 Rav4 myself

AMKC

The Kia Sportage is the best car there and there is no such thing as a girls car or a mans car. Its your car.

gandalf

I am assuming you have actually sat in all the cars and not just the Mondeo? I'm currently car hunting as well and I have eliminated some of the cars I was veering towards after I sat in them.

I'd suggest going onto some forecourts and seeing what you think about the feel and fit of the cars especially if you are going to be spending any sort of time in it for work.

blindside88

gandalf wrote: »

I am assuming you have actually sat in all the cars and not just the Mondeo? I'm currently car hunting as well and I have eliminated some of the cars I was veering towards after I sat in them.

I'd suggest going onto some forecourts and seeing what you think about the feel and fit of the cars especially if you are going to be spending any sort of time in it for work.

I haven't sat in them yet, only got the offer yesterday but will be test driving a few Saturday. Just wanted to get a few opinions first

gandalf

Well I'm looking at two of the cars you are. The Mondeo and the Avensis and after trying them out I have settled on a 2ltr Avensis. I'll be doing around 40k kms per year so reliability is important so the Avensis ticks that box big time. I drove one yesterday and found it to be a very smooth drive. I also found the new Mondeo to be a bit cramped.

road_high

Second the Mazda 6 here too...have a company one. Very reliable, economical and comfortable. Much better than the Insignia (old model at any rate).

gandalf

road_high wrote: »

Second the Mazda 6 here too...have a company one. Very reliable, economical and comfortable. Much better than the Insignia (old model at any rate).

From reading the OP I believe he only has a choice of four cars and the Mazda 6 ain't one of them. Its a nice car, the only complaint I ever heard about it was the petrol version is a very thirsty beast.

Southeastdobe

Be Careful once you go over the warranted mileage..

Have or should i say have a 132 Mazda 6, perfect in every way, bar that head gasket blew with 126,000 miles on the clock. Full Mazda dealer service history at a major mazda garage. And now i am told 'well, thats sounds about right, as the engine is has only warranty for 60,000 miles'...... Does that seem justifiable, for a modern diesel engine? Ontop of this, this engine is currently in the CX5 which is meant to tow now and then....

Any thoughts would be appreciated...

I have been told the car is now scrappage....What? The car is pristine, but worth nothing???

punisher5112

Southeastdobe wrote: »

Be Careful once you go over the warranted mileage..

Have or should i say have a 132 Mazda 6, perfect in every way, bar that head gasket blew with 126,000 miles on the clock. Full Mazda dealer service history at a major mazda garage. And now i am told 'well, thats sounds about right, as the engine is has only warranty for 60,000 miles'...... Does that seem justifiable, for a modern diesel engine? Ontop of this, this engine is currently in the CX5 which is meant to tow now and then....

Any thoughts would be appreciated...

I have been told the car is now scrappage....What? The car is pristine, but worth nothing???

Mazda diesels have a very bad reputation.

Petrols ok.

colm_mcm

Southeastdobe wrote: »

Be Careful once you go over the warranted mileage..

Have or should i say have a 132 Mazda 6, perfect in every way, bar that head gasket blew with 126,000 miles on the clock. Full Mazda dealer service history at a major mazda garage. And now i am told 'well, thats sounds about right, as the engine is has only warranty for 60,000 miles'...... Does that seem justifiable, for a modern diesel engine? Ontop of this, this engine is currently in the CX5 which is meant to tow now and then....

Any thoughts would be appreciated...

I have been told the car is now scrappage....What? The car is pristine, but worth nothing???

Right, get it out of the dealer for start. Going by the book and buying a new complete engine from Mazda is very expensive, but there are other options.

punisher5112

Have you wrote to Mazda head office?

Southeastdobe

Yes.

The main mazda dealer and mazda head office have wiped there hands, saying beyond warranty.

This was a car that carried one person, me! Motorways miles for work.

From new, serviced by Mazda. You always hear that you are meant to get your car serviced in the 'proper' garage, well i did. Full log. Serviced on time each time. And yet, they still walk away from this.

I actually was considering changing for a mazda cx5 because i did like the car so much. But now, i will not go near mazda again.

Very bad customer service....

biko

Southeastdobe, I have collected your comments in other threads here
https://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=2057836006
Please use that thread only, posting the same stuff in several threads is spamming and frowned upon.

punisher5112

Southeastdobe wrote: »

Yes.

The main mazda dealer and mazda head office have wiped there hands, saying beyond warranty.

This was a car that carried one person, me! Motorways miles for work.

From new, serviced by Mazda. You always hear that you are meant to get your car serviced in the 'proper' garage, well i did. Full log. Serviced on time each time. And yet, they still walk away from this.

I actually was considering changing for a mazda cx5 because i did like the car so much. But now, i will not go near mazda again.

Very bad customer service....

You no longer must have it serviced by main dealers for warranty you just need to prove it was cared for correctly.

You know now to stay well clear of Mazda.