New car advice ...

[Bunkers]

Howdy

Right chaps, need a bit of car buying advice please. The time has come for me to say goodbye to my beloved hairdressers car as, despite it being fun to drive, it is totally impractical, drinks fuel and has started to make a few rather expensive sounding noises. I'm also starting a new job next month that will see me increase my annual mileage from about 10,000 to 20,000 per year.

I've been looking at the new Vauxhall Astra 1.7 CDTI diesel that ticks most boxes (economical, good size, cheap insurance and a lifetime warranty) and wanted to know if anyone else has one and what they think of it?

Also, if anyone can recommend a similar (or more fun!) diesel car for about £14,000 let me know.

Cheers

Ray

 

[Aztecs27]

You're probably already aware but the "lifetime warranty" that Vauxhall offer is actually only up to 100,000 miles. So about 5 years for the mileage you say you'll be doing.

What about the SEAT Exeo saloon (or sport tourer for golf club space). Not the most amazing looking car, but very similar to an Audi A 4 in looks (it's basically the same body with a few bits moulded differently).

You'll get yerself a well spec'd (i.e. Sat Nav, BOSE stereo, "luxury" interior, electric everything etc) 2.0l TDI for that money if you look at ones that are 12-18 months old.

 

[Bunkers]

Cheers mate, hadn't even looked at Seat ... i'll have a look while i'm at "work" this afternoon!

Ray

 

[Aztecs27]

No problem. The Exeo is more of a "big" car and the Leon will be a similar size to the Astra.

I've had a 1.9 TDI Toledo for nearly 6 years. It's got 130k on the clock and other than the usual repairs and renewals it's served me very well and even with the 150BHP engine (the newer cars have bigger, better ones) it's still quick enough to have a bit of fun in.

Or if not SEAT, the Skoda Octavia vRS is an ace car. You get most of the Audi/VW reliability (and sometimes parts) without the price tag. The interior is usually a bit "cheaper" to save costs etc, but I'd look at Seat or Skoda before even considering a VW or Audi.

 

[bladeplayer]

Work in a vw dealer here in ROI .. great motors in general , have you had a look at the skoda range (wouldnt have a clue of prices over your way) vw technology but gud bit cheaper ,, very solid reliable motors ..

 

[stevek1969]

as bill said ray,vw is the way to go in my opinion,i've had my jetta now for 4 years and never had any problems with it,its 1.9 tdi with a huge boot,recenetly on holiday i got 4 sets of clubs and 2 trolleys in the boot.

not the fastest car in the world but a good reliable car which is good on diesel and you'll get them at a good price just now as the new model is due out soon.

 

[thecraw]

Ray, Japanese or German is the way forward for cars. I would also recommend 110% that you go to diesel.

Seat Leon TDI. Ideal car, lovely car infact. VW Golf, you'll pick up a cracker of a TDI for that price. You'll also pick up a new shape Mazda 6 diesel with all the bells and whistles comfortably in your price range.

 

[CallawayKid]

If you don't mind looks or power then the Skoda Octavia 1.6 TDi is very well built and extremely cheap to run. My old man bought one as he squeaks when he walks, £30 a year road tax and he done a run in it recently which returned 72mpg!!!

Also, the boot is huge!

CK

 

[Doc]

Vauxhall and diesel are two words that should NEVER be uttered in the same sentence.

...

 

[Bunkers]

Cheers boys, i'm going to have a good look over the weekend and try to get a few road tests. I'll let you know how it goes!

Ray

 

[beggsy]

we have just bought a vauxhall astra 1.4 petrol turbo and cant fault it 1 bit

 

[kinhell]

Had quite a few company cars and best one by far is the new Ford Mondeo Titanium X 2.0 Dieseel. Get your golf clubs in that easily too The Focus is just as good and parts are cheap. They are 20 odd years old but so refined now issues over the years have been resolved.

 

[chris661]

Had quite a few company cars and best one by far is the new Ford Mondeo Titanium X 2.0 Dieseel. Get your golf clubs in that easily too The Focus is just as good and parts are cheap. They are 20 odd years old but so refined now issues over the years have been resolved.

I had an oldish (03) mondeo and it was a cracking car, should have kept it. Used to run forever on a tank of diesel mostly on motorways, but still pretty good round town too.

 

[Tommo21]

Howdy

Right chaps, need a bit of car buying advice please. The time has come for me to say goodbye to my beloved hairdressers car as, despite it being fun to drive, it is totally impractical, drinks fuel and has started to make a few rather expensive sounding noises. I'm also starting a new job next month that will see me increase my annual mileage from about 10,000 to 20,000 per year.

I've been looking at the new Vauxhall Astra 1.7 CDTI diesel that ticks most boxes (economical, good size, cheap insurance and a lifetime warranty) and wanted to know if anyone else has one and what they think of it?

Also, if anyone can recommend a similar (or more fun!) diesel car for about £14,000 let me know.

Cheers

Ray

Mmmm, two or three years, 40/60 thousand miles later and your 14k will be about 6k if you're lucky. Next to buying your house, motoring takes up the biggest amount of your money. IMHO dont buy new, a second hand 3 year old 45,000 mile Astra 1.7 cdti will sell at auction for about 5,500. dont do it man.

 

[NWJocko]

Had quite a few company cars and best one by far is the new Ford Mondeo Titanium X 2.0 Dieseel. Get your golf clubs in that easily too The Focus is just as good and parts are cheap. They are 20 odd years old but so refined now issues over the years have been resolved.

Couldn't agree more. We've got the Titanium X 2.0 diesel and it is a great car. Huge boot aswell, we were initially looking at 4x4 or estates for baby/golf stuff but the boot on the hatchback is so big didn't need it.

Very happy with our new Mondeo. Never really been a fan of Fords before then either.

 

[0]

Had quite a few company cars and best one by far is the new Ford Mondeo Titanium X 2.0 Dieseel. Get your golf clubs in that easily too The Focus is just as good and parts are cheap. They are 20 odd years old but so refined now issues over the years have been resolved.

Couldn't agree more. We've got the Titanium X 2.0 diesel and it is a great car. Huge boot aswell, we were initially looking at 4x4 or estates for baby/golf stuff but the boot on the hatchback is so big didn't need it.

Very happy with our new Mondeo. Never really been a fan of Fords before then either.

didnt like Fords at all until I saw the new Ford Explorer
I want one

 

[Evesdad]

Honda civic, great use of space and economical. Easy get 2 yr model with top spec for that money. Must agree on japanese or german cars.

 

[palindromicbob]

Had quite a few company cars and best one by far is the new Ford Mondeo Titanium X 2.0 Dieseel. Get your golf clubs in that easily too The Focus is just as good and parts are cheap. They are 20 odd years old but so refined now issues over the years have been resolved.

Couldn't agree more. We've got the Titanium X 2.0 diesel and it is a great car. Huge boot aswell, we were initially looking at 4x4 or estates for baby/golf stuff but the boot on the hatchback is so big didn't need it.

Very happy with our new Mondeo. Never really been a fan of Fords before then either.

Another one for the Mondeo here. If I could afford one I'd have one. One of my golfing buddies has one. Took four sets of clubs, without taking out drivers, and 4 pull trolleys with room to spare in the boot. The four of us were all sat in comfort with plenty of leg room in the back.

 

[ivan]

just another suggestion - hyundai i30 with a proper 5 year warranty and good deals around. if warranty is an issue, kia offer 7 years on most of their range.

 

[Bunkers]

Cheers for the advice guys, have gone with the general feeling and decided against the Vauxhall diesel and gone German. Got a good deal on a pre-reg VW Golf 1.6 TDI Match in a lovely metallic grey that took my fancy. Comes with a 3-year warranty, 2-year service plan and claims 62mpg (combined). It can fit the clubs as well so it ticked most boxes!

Cheers

Ray