Help choose a car

highwall32

Currently have a 2016 Highline Passat 1.6 Diesel. I do between 500-800km per week, all on regional and local roads. In the last 3 months I’ve had to replace shocks and springs on the Passat, and I in no way drive fast.
Anyway, time for a change. I want something smooth on the road…always found the Passat to be rough and sluggish. Obviously something economical with the mileage I do. Budget would be around €20k including trade in. Hoping to get around €10k for my own. Should I go for a 1.5 petrol golf. Was looking at Corolla 1.8 petrol hybrid. Kia Sportage and Tucson, both diesel. All of those come in around €20k for a 2020.

Any advice and help appreciated.

mickdw

A passat will a better engine and auto box would be a good start.

User1998

Sounds like you should probably just keep the Passat

highwall32

So an upgrade to automatic diesel Passat would be best choice? 1.6 or 2.0l? Heard the 2 litres give problems, but most cars do anyway.

mickdw

The 2.0 is far more suited to the passat. Don't like the 1.6 in the B8 passat at all.

Imo, the 2015 on passat is a very good car with right engine and a bit of spec. It's no bmw but for someone clocking up miles on a budget, it's a good option.

black & white

What about a 2L Octavia, you’d get a decent one for 20k plus your own. A good selection of them around at the moment.

goochy

2 litre diesel superb . Better value than passat

highwall32

Budget is around €20k total. My own plus €10k roughly. Are the 2 litre Octavia’s a decent car, As long as it’s economical and comfortable and doesn’t give trouble!

goochy

Friend went from octavia to superb same similar regretted it . Just price of new superb even before latest model had increased so much

highwall32

There doesn't seem to be much of a price difference between the Passat and Octavia anyway. Also 2.0l diesel automatic passats look scarce.

bazz26

You will struggle to trade up 5 years on a budget of 10k unless it's to something with high mileage. The days for trading up a few grand per year are long gone.

BrianD3

500-800 km a week isn't massive - and as you are driving on r and l roads your average speed would be low and economy relatively good. I'd say you'd save 15 quid a week by going for a diesel Octavia vs a petrol.

A Passat 1.6 tdi shouldn't be rough or sluggish though. The type of driving i.e. l roads may be a factor. Large cars on narrow roads can feel unwieldy, when you meet something you have to slow right down etc. A smaller car might be more pleasant.

highwall32

just did a typical 120k round trip (60 each way) that I do 3-4 times a week….checked and I’m getting average 3.8l/100km which I think is good?

pooch90

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123469230#Comment_123469230

i have a 2.0 diesel automatic Superb estate and love it. Really comfortable to drive and acres of space. We've had it since 2019, it's a 151 and hasn't given us any trouble at all.

goochy

My friend bought 3 year 1.5 petrol on my recommendation. 3 years later very happy

highwall32

What model?

Larbre34

Get an '18 or '19 Rav4 Hybrid. Your budget will cover that and its one the best cars going.

BrianD3

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123473074#Comment_123473074

Pretty good, about what I'd expect from a 1.6 TDi that was well driven on R and L roads in the current weather. Would be worse in wetter/colder weather and a lot worse on a motorway.

Given the type of driving, your fuel spend in the year is not that high so you're not benefitting that much from driving an economical diesel vs a less economical petrol.

highwall32

That’s why I was thinking should I move to a 1.4/1.6 patrol or maybe the 1.8 corolla hybrid.

goochy

Superb 1.5 petrol

BrianD3

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123474280#Comment_123474280

The hybrid Corolla would seem a good choice for driving on R and L roads. Driving at moderate speed, slowing down for bends and then accelerating. The battery will be getting plenty of use and regen.

highwall32

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123476307#Comment_123476307

Think the Superb are too big…Octavia would be more suitable.

User1998

If your considered a petrol Octavia you might as well just buy a Passat instead because the market is flooded with petrol automatic Jap imports whereas the petrol Octavia is quite rare.

highwall32

what year Passat is an upgrade from my 2016? And has there been only one upgrade since they were discontinued? According to google the B8 model was from 2016-2023?

bazz26

They got a mild interior facelift in late 2017, mostly just a new touchscreen infotainment system and digital instruments:

In 2020 they got a more detailed facelift including revised exterior led lights, grill and a new steering wheel. Boot got the Passat name spread across it also:

bazz26

Did you look at the Arteon? Basically a Passat underneath but with a prettier and sportier exterior. Majority of them are automatic but you won't get one for Passat money:

https://www.carsireland.ie/4065835?journey=Search

highwall32

So the upgrade in 2020 was the last one? Every Passat after that year is the same?

highwall32

I didn’t look…smashing car but out of my budget.

User1998

If your trading in your Passat and only have another €10k to put towards the new car you won’t even be able to go up in years. A 2016 Highline Passat has a retail price of €20,000 if you want petrol automatic.

bazz26

Yes they are pretty much the same. The saloon was discontinued in 2022 and only the estate remained until early 2023. There is a newer model Passat plug in hybrid estate only but VW never sold it in Ireland.

goochy

€20 K for a 9 year old passat ?.

Better value with superb and more distinctive car ..not by much but passat very bland