Help choose a car

highwall32 · 20-05-2025 08:26PM #1

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 · 20-05-2025 08:28PM

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

User1998 · 20-05-2025 08:32PM

Sounds like you should probably just keep the Passat

highwall32 · 20-05-2025 08:35PM

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 · 20-05-2025 08:46PM

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 · 20-05-2025 08:59PM

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 · 20-05-2025 09:13PM

2 litre diesel superb . Better value than passat

highwall32 · 20-05-2025 09:14PM

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 · 20-05-2025 09:20PM

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

highwall32 · 21-05-2025 08:19AM

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 · 21-05-2025 09:17AM

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 · 21-05-2025 11:21AM

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 · 21-05-2025 09:31PM

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 · 21-05-2025 09:35PM

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 · 21-05-2025 09:48PM

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

highwall32 · 21-05-2025 09:52PM

What model?

Larbre34 · 21-05-2025 10:02PM

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

BrianD3 · 22-05-2025 08:26AM

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 · 22-05-2025 10:17AM

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

goochy · 22-05-2025 10:10PM

Superb 1.5 petrol

BrianD3 · 23-05-2025 07:39AM

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 · 23-05-2025 08:22AM

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

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

User1998 · 23-05-2025 08:35AM

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 · 24-05-2025 10:30AM

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 · 24-05-2025 10:44AM

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 · 24-05-2025 10:49AM

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 · 24-05-2025 12:43PM

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

highwall32 · 24-05-2025 12:43PM

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

User1998 · 24-05-2025 12:54PM

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 · 24-05-2025 12:57PM

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 · 24-05-2025 06:20PM

€20 K for a 9 year old passat ?.

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

Help choose a car

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