Mazda 6, Insignia, Passat??

almostthere12

Hi all,

I have a budget of max €19k, I don't do much mileage, maybe 10k km per year but looking for something half decent. Currently looking at:

Mazda 6 - 2017, around 80k km, 2.0l

Insignia - 2017, around 80k km, 1.6l

Passat - 2017, around 150k km, 2.0l

Insignia is the best priced but would be concerned about the 1.6l engine. What would you go for and why? And are there options I am missing?

Thanks

Tabnabs

Skoda Superb should definitely be on that list.

bazz26

I hope none of those are diesel if your only doing 10k km per year. The likes of the Insignia, Passat and Superb in smaller petrol engine form are fine as they have a turbo which makes them as powerful as the Mazda non turbo petrol engine.

I'd have the Mazda6 as it's the nicest to drive of that bunch. Insignia is the cheapest because they don't have a great image. Passat and Superb are basically the same car underneath but will cost more to buy.

Dr_Colossus

You'll do well to get any of the above in petrol, in fact pretty difficult to get any sort of decent car in petrol as everything since 2008 has been diesel with the CO2 tax change.

I was thinking of changing my 2007 2.0 petrol Volvo last year and the choice of replacements was non existent so holding it for another year or more given the poor choice and value in 2nd hand market. At the time I was thinking of Lexus IS300h, Lexus GS350h and then Merc C350e (likely estate as saloon had quite a small boot with the onboard battery) with similar year and budget as you.

almostthere12

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118539246#Comment_118539246

I would tend to agree but those available for sale at the moment have up to and over 200k km on the clock.

almostthere12

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118539530#Comment_118539530

Not much out there in petrol at the moment unfortunately. You say the Insignia has a poor image, in your opinion is that warranted? thanks

almostthere12

What would people's thoughts be on a Passat 1.6 TDI or the Passat 1.4 TSI estate? used to driving a 2.0 TDI Opel Astra or the V40 so would it be very sluggish compared to these?

bazz26

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118541661#Comment_118541661

The first generation Insignia was not a very reliable car. They also were popular as rep mobiles and rental cars because Opel offered large fleet discounts on them. Dirt cheap Vauxhall imports from the UK didn't help either. The current generation is bit of a damp squib like many Opels in that it's an underwhelming package.

But if you are doing a lot of short journeys then buying a diesel isn't a good idea. While petrol is rare in this class of car there are a few of them out there. I'd certainly be avoiding a Mazda6 diesel anyway as they are a lottery around reliability.

With your mileage I'd be looking at something like this:

https://www.carsireland.ie/2929346

It's a Japanese import but I wouldn't let that put you off. They are generally higher spec and not very dissimilar to what was sold in Europe.

colm_mcm

A petrol Mazda6 Skyactiv-G would be pretty hard to touch for reliability compared to small turbocharged petrols.

problem is there are none in your budget.

youd be a lunatic to go near a diesel.

almostthere12

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118541921#Comment_118541921

Yeah that's a definite option as have been thinking having an estate would be handy. A bit put off by the 1.4 engine but reviews seem to say it ain't too bad!

MAULBROOK

Octavia VRS?

colm_mcm

I’d give one of these a look

https://www.donedeal.ie/cars-for-sale/lexus-is-2015/29992004

almostthere12

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118542422#Comment_118542422

To be honest think they are a bit bland.

almostthere12

Any thoughts on the Mondeo? Price point seems a bit lower than the ones already mentioned.

bazz26

There is even less of those around in petrol than the others above.

colm_mcm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118542478#Comment_118542478

You’ll love the Insignia so 😂

almostthere12

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118542370#Comment_118542370

Why so against diesel, is it because it's less economical with the mileage and short trips I do? Thought there is a lot less between them in this regards compared with 15 years ago.

ratracer

As I say to anyone in here looking at a Mazda 6 Diesel…….. run away from them, very quickly!

I’d give the Mondeo a vote though.

colm_mcm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118549329#Comment_118549329

The diesel will be more economical than the petrol even with shorter trips, the issue is that the short trips will not be good for the DPF as it won’t be able to regenerate, or the regenerations will be interrupted by turning the engine off.

AMKC

How about something a little smaller but still very nice a Mazda 3,

https://www.donedeal.ie/cars-for-sale/mazda-3-executive-se-1-5p-100ps-rear-parking/29821918

almostthere12

Any thoughts on the Volvo S60 older model so 2016?

AMKC

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118558589#Comment_118558589

They are a lovely car. Not sure they are available in petrol do. The brother has a 2013 diesel one. Very comfortable to ride in and handles great too

almostthere12

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118555389#Comment_118555389

Looking for something a step up from that.

Btw which is the better site for available cars from dealers only.........carzone or donedeal? Thanks

Stone Deaf 4evr

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118549373#Comment_118549373

I absolutely loved my red 2.2. skyactive Mazda 6 diesel.

also, to this day, anytime I see one on the road, I look to the sky, and thank god that I moved it on before it gave any more trouble.

bazz26

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118559949#Comment_118559949

I think you will struggle to find a large family car within your budget that isn't diesel. But I still think you would be making a huge mistake buying a diesel with your low mileage and driving style.

Your probably looking at the likes of a second generation Insignia below which while is not the greatest car in the world, it ticks most of your boxes:

https://www.carsireland.ie/2875473

Of if you want an estate then an Auris hybrid might be worth a look at:

https://www.carsireland.ie/2996726

almostthere12

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118559643#Comment_118559643

I used drive a V40 a few years ago, lovely car to drive. Boot space is quite small in the S60, only slight concern.

Ash.J.Williams

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118541661#Comment_118541661

i have an insignia 2012, i've put 350,000km on it now so far and never spend a cent on anything other than service, ie brakes and t-belt .

almostthere12

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118560394#Comment_118560394

I have given up on getting a petrol, no choice at all out there. Not too concerned as at the moment driving a 2.0 TDI Astra that has served me very well but the Mrs will be taking that now.

Always gives the excuse to get out of the house once a week to give the car a proper blow out! ;-)

AMKC

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118566113#Comment_118566113

The Insignia that Bazz posted above is a fine car. Not a thing wrong with it and it even looks good in white.