Petrol cars

hadepsx

Hi all, I'm looking for advice. I'm in the market for a used petrol car. Had diesel cars before with nothing but problems with them. I don't do enough milage. I've narrowed the search down to a 1.6 nissan qashqui, a 1.6 VW Passat, and a 1.6 Toyota avensis. I've heard that petrol Passats are trouble, is this actually the case? The qashqui would be last in my preference, but would like to hear people's opinions on them. Thanks.

User1998

1.6 petrol Passat? You must be looking at buying a 17 year old car then?

murphym7

I have very low mileage and have been driving petrol Octavia's for 15 years, I've had 3 of them. Never had an issue with them. Plenty of space and of course the famous boot.

Wossack

We got caught with a timing chain issue on a 2010 1.2tsi octavia good few years back, but was part covered by good will by the dealer. It was a little bit breathless truth be told, but there were a few different power outputs of that particular engine, so we could have had the weaker one

Driving our 1.4 superb (182) and its been great last 3/4 years. Water pump went in it few months back, but bit of a known issue with the engine afaik. There was a 1.5TSI, but from memory when we were buying our superb, I was trying to avoid it, and getting the 1.4 with ACT, but cant recall specifically why.. I note for the new hybrids superbs, they are back at 1.4 - might have to do your own research there

Both combi's, low mileage etc

yagan

What's your criteria as those three cars you mention aren't all alike?

AuldDaysul

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122682823#Comment_122682823

That 1.4tsi is a good engine. The 1.5 you were probably avoiding because of the kangarooing issue. The 1.4 with ACT needs a vag computer to set timing properly, a laptop with 2 angle gauges fixed on the cams, the 1.4 without ACT is a little easier and can be done with standard vag timing tools. I don't do the ACT timing belts, I advise customers to bring it to dealer although I think there are some aftermarket timing tools starting to appear for ACT belts for big money. The water pumps are on the other side of the engine driven by a small belt off the cam so they aren't done with timing belt like normal and are often overlooked, they don't need replacing until they start to leak. New genuine pump and belt is about €250 from the dealer, I do a fair few of them. The 1.4tsi with ACT 150bhp is certainly an engine I'd recommend but there aren't many for sale, most are 1.5 or diesel.

littlevillage

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/2058372043/petrol-cars

As usual this thread has gone down a rabbit hole.

OP... What years are these cars you are focusing on and what kind of budget do you have in mind. Furnished with that knowledge, posters might be better able to advise you.... and maybe even suggest some other worthy alternatives.

User1998

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122682960#Comment_122682960

1.6 Petrol Passat suggests 15+ year old cars.. yet its almost new cars that are being discussed

bazz26

OP, you need to share the car years you are looking at as well as your budget.

hadepsx

Sorry everyone. Yeah it'll be an old enough car. 2010 to 2015, as budget only allows this. Budget is max 7k. I've seen these cars in that range.

I would rather buy from a dealer, which offers a warranty, even if only 3 months, of which I have seen online. I've been stung in the past by going private, no comeback etc.

Im looking for a spacious car. Low tax band, reliable. I've looked at auris, corolla, new shape astra, all petrol, all too small for us inside. As have 2 children, and would like a decent size boot, for the dog etc.

I like the size of a Passat, have driven a diesel version before. But are the petrols troublesome?

I have driven qashqui before in diesel version, herself really likes them. But are the petrol versions ok.

I have never driven an avensis, but they look a good sized car, and I've been told if going petrol, go jap/ Toyota.

hoodie6029

Prius is your only man by the sounds of your driving and needs OP. Loads of them within budget for you on DoneDeal at a quick glance.

hadepsx

Prius? Never thought of those. I'll have a look thanks for the advice

bazz26

Dealer warranties on cars of that age and value won't cover much irrespective of it being 3 months or not. You will be paying mostly the dealer's profit margin.

hoodie6029

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122683916#Comment_122683916

Very good and reliable car. I’m on my second one.

Ignore the online hate and pub talk about them. Toyota hasn’t sold millions of them for over 20 years because that BS is true.

Well worth a test drive.

littlevillage

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122684549#Comment_122684549

How long do the batteries last in those hybrids? If they die aren't you effectively carrying around a (10 to 12 stone) 'passenger' all the time....with your usually quite large petrol engine.

User1998

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122686543#Comment_122686543

Like anything else if they break you replace or repair them. They should easily last 10+ years without issue. Toyota give 12 months hybrid warranty if you service the car with them.

Raichų

Qashqai are lovely to drive in my experience. Had an 07 petrol I believe 1.4, never a day, frankly never so much as a minute of trouble with it. First time every time.

Spacious and a nice big boot as well which would suit for kids. Mind you if you go lower than 2010 or so you’ll get ate in tax so mind that. They also appear to be constantly for sale so you should easily get one cheap enough.

hadepsx

Thanks for the advice everyone 🙏

hoodie6029

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122686543#Comment_122686543

nah, those cars do half a million plus without it needing to be replaced. You’ll get the odd one where a cell dies etc but they are the exception and not the rule.
Whatever about an extra passenger, the cars get at 50mpg without even trying so Toyota did something right with the engineering

Keep an eye for Priuses for a while you’ll be amazed how many 04/05/06 etc ones are still on the road. Compare that with passats/mondeos etc of the same era. You’ll see next to none. That’s my simple test for how good they are.

Mad_Lad

Plenty of old petrols out there, I'm back driving petrol myself, it's a 1.0l Tgdi 120 Hp manual kia cee'd, with it had 4 cyl and no turbo but that's the way it is now.

Direct injection comes with it's own issues too but older petrols of the year your looking should be fine.

A prius is a good car but if you get battery issues you'll most likely have to pay main dealer prices to fix it and it's not cheap.

I don't like the CVT transmission either in any car they are awful but one of the most reliable in the prius vs most other CVT transmissions which can give issues with higher mileage.

You can't beat the simplicity of an older tech free petrol car and It's a scandal they don't make cars like them today, cheap, simple and as little tech as possible, it's gone ridiculous now.

hadepsx

Yeah I agree. It's just a car, not an aeroplane. Basic but reliable is what I'm after.

Raichų

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122687923#Comment_122687923

in fairness there’s plenty of cars without “technology” left and right. In fact the majority of base spec cars won’t come with screens and switches all over the cabin.

But don’t let facts get in the way of a good rant.

User1998

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122687923#Comment_122687923

Prius batteries can be replaced in a few minutes by independent specialists. Not that expensive either as you give your old batteries away to be refurbished

hoodie6029

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122687971#Comment_122687971

ah man. The last you do in the Motors forum is read or respond to one of Mad Lad’s posts. That’s wasted time you’ll never get back!

Raichų

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122688213#Comment_122688213

🤣

In fairness sometimes that’s the case for any thread here!!

hoodie6029

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122688239#Comment_122688239

😂😂

Mad_Lad

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122687971#Comment_122687971

In fairness, cars like that are increasingly rare so too are affordable hatchbacks.

Mad_Lad

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122687980#Comment_122687980

I must admit, it's a long time since I had the MK II Prius, what indis can replace prius batteries ? do you know what the cost is ?

User1998

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122688778#Comment_122688778

Ballpark €800. Theres a few specialists dotted around the country

https://www.donedeal.ie/view/31084779

Raichų

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122688776#Comment_122688776

no they’re not though? The Dacia is an example of a budget car with low tech.

A Dacia Sandenro 242 is starting at around €18k basic spec.

Mad_Lad

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122689226#Comment_122689226

Yeah risky business getting reconditioned batteries, no thanks, not for 800 euro, I'd rather spend that and the rest and rebuild an engine in a car that had high mileage but was otherwise in good condition.

Mad_Lad

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122689837#Comment_122689837

Yeah the Dacia is one example, but there's not many budget family hatches any more because the manufacturers are hell bent on selling SUV and high tech cars.

User1998

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122694884#Comment_122694884

12 months warranty included. No need to rebuild a Prius engine, they go to 500k km regardless

Mad_Lad

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122694958#Comment_122694958

So will most engines if properly taken cared for.