What to get?

TwistedPixel88

I have fairly limited knowledge of cars and could use some help, i'll be spending €3.5k - €5k on a 08+ probably hatch but open to suggestions. I'll be changing from petrol to diesel for tax and fuel savings. I've narrowed it down to the below but not sure which might have major issues.

08 ford focus 1.8 tdci
08 ford focus 1.6 tdci
08 VW Golf 1.9 tdi
08 Volkswagen Golf GT Sport 2.0
09 Seat Leon 1.9 tdi

In saloons an audi a6, mazda 6 or mondeo

any help much appreciated.

James Bond Junior

What mileage do you do and what style of driving? I would add an auris or corolla to the list.

Edit: throw in the Audi A3 too. I've owned Golfs and A3s and they are nicer places to be than the Golf.

colm_mcm

With the budget you won’t really get good condition desirable cars post 08. You might be lucky of course.
For that reason I’d rule out all the VW stuff on the list. I personally would avoid all 1.6 and 1.8 diesel focus unless they’re exceptional and have an immaculate service record, which they won’t for your budget.

The safest bet on the list is the 1.9 TDI stuff unless it’s BXE engined.

I wouldn’t chance a Mazda 6 either.

Maybe look at a Ceed/i30

TwistedPixel88

Low mileage mostly motorway, around 300km a week. Fairly quiet but would like something with a bit of go. Driving 1.6 petrol focus atm

TwistedPixel88

colm_mcm wrote: »

With the budget you won’t really get good condition desirable cars post 08. You might be lucky of course.
For that reason I’d rule out all the VW stuff on the list. I personally would avoid all 1.6 and 1.8 diesel focus unless they’re exceptional and have an immaculate service record, which they won’t for your budget.

The safest bet on the list is the 1.9 TDI stuff unless it’s BXE engined.

BXE engined?

Ok had a quick google, any way of knowing beforehand?

colm_mcm

Just on the fuel savings, I would guess that you’re spending €1400 a year (assuming around 36mpg and 1.36 a litre)

With a 50mpg diesel at 1.26 a litre you’ll spend €900 on fuel.

So you’re saving €10 a week.

On tax, it’d be €514 vs €280 so saving €234 or €4.50 a week.

So you’re saving €15 a week or €60 a month but you’re spending say €4k.

Say you spread out the cost of €4k a year over 3 years, thats €1333 a year or €25 a week.

So in effect it’s costing you money to change, that’s before you take into account the fact that a 10 year old diesel is likely to need more maintenance or repair than your 1.6 Focus. A single failure like a turbo or a set of injectors could cost you your fuel savings.

TwistedPixel88 wrote: »

BXE engined?

Ok had a quick google, any way of knowing beforehand?

There’s normally a sticker in the boot with the vehicle info on it.

TwistedPixel88

colm_mcm wrote: »

Just on the fuel savings, I would guess that you’re spending €1400 a year (assuming around 36mpg and 1.36 a litre)

With a 50mpg diesel at 1.26 a litre you’ll spend €900 on fuel.

So you’re saving €10 a week.

On tax, it’d be €514 vs €280 so saving €234 or €4.50 a week.

So you’re saving €15 a week or €60 a month but you’re spending say €4k.

Closer to 2k on fuel, easily and I need a new car anyway so went for the cheaper in the long run option.

James Bond Junior

TwistedPixel88 wrote: »

Closer to 2k on fuel, easily and I need a new car anyway so went for the cheaper in the long run option.

If you are changing anyway fair enough. Have you thought about a 2.0d s40?

TwistedPixel88

James Bond Junior wrote: »

If you are changing anyway fair enough. Have you thought about a 2.0d s40?

I have had a look at them alright, someone mentioned the dpf goes very quick in them?

colm_mcm

TwistedPixel88 wrote: »

Closer to 2k on fuel, easily and I need a new car anyway so went for the cheaper in the long run option.

If you’re doing 15kkm and using 1500 litres of fuel, that’s 28mpg. My 3.0 S type Petrol did better than that. I would double check the calculations.

TwistedPixel88

colm_mcm wrote: »

If you’re doing 15kkm and using 1500 litres of fuel, that’s 28mpg. My 3.0 S type Petrol did better than that. I would double check the calculations.

It's a 02 so possible that's all it's doing?

colm_mcm

Anythings possible, certainly if it wasn’t properly serviced that could happen. My brother had one of those and was getting a lot better than that
It’s probably time to upgrade at this stage but just have your eyes open in terms of the potential trouble a bad example of a diesel car can cost to put right.

TwistedPixel88

colm_mcm wrote: »

Anythings possible, certainly if it wasn’t properly serviced that could happen. My brother had one of those and was getting a lot better than that
It’s probably time to upgrade at this stage but just have your eyes open in terms of the potential trouble a bad example of a diesel car can cost to put right.

Yea I found out later it was clocked and had no service history. Thanks, so would you suggest any diesel around 08?

colm_mcm

Safest bet is probably a Corolla/Auris 1.4 D-4D

Kia Ceed/Hyundai i30worth a look too.

TwistedPixel88

colm_mcm wrote: »

Safest bet is probably a Corolla/Auris 1.4 D-4D

Kia Ceed/Hyundai i30worth a look too.

What would you think of this https://www.donedeal.ie/cars-for-sale/seat-leon/17991400 ?

bazz26

Those 1.4 VAG engines in the likes of the Leon are as slow as a wet week.

TwistedPixel88

bazz26 wrote: »

Those 1.4 VAG engines in the likes of the Leon are as slow as a wet week.

0-60 in 9.8s in a 1.4band ok mpg would do me grand

bazz26

Where are you getting 9.8 seconds? For what it's worth I think it's about 13.9 seconds on those cars with that engine. 0-to 60 times aside it's the ability to accelerate in gear that's more relevant, you will need to plan your overtaking well in advance with that engine. A 1.4 Corolla would be more lively and more reliable.

TwistedPixel88

bazz26 wrote: »

Where are you getting 9.8 seconds? For what it's worth I think it's about 13.9 seconds on those cars with that engine. 0-to 60 times aside it's the ability to accelerate in gear that's more relevant, you will need to plan your overtaking well in advance with that engine. A 1.4 Corolla would be more lively and more reliable.

https://www.cartell.ie/ssl/servlet/beginStarLookup?registration=08OY1306

125bhp model

https://www.parkers.co.uk/seat/leon/hatchback-2005/14-tsi-reference-sport-5d/specs/

bazz26

TwistedPixel88 wrote: »

https://www.cartell.ie/ssl/servlet/beginStarLookup?registration=08OY1306

125bhp model

https://www.parkers.co.uk/seat/leon/hatchback-2005/14-tsi-reference-sport-5d/specs/

Ok, thought it was the older 80bhp version as the TSi usually have a Tsi badge on the bodywork.