What's the best small family diesel?
 

I'm looking for a new car for the missus and a more sensible family car...

I can't decide if a Skoda VRS is right for us - even though it is VERY perky...

Also looking at Pug 307 HDI, Focus HDI

We have a maximum budget of £11k and want something with a maximum of say 6k miles or so - no p/ex...

The more I think about it, the more confused I get...

Skoda all the way, will hold its value better than the other 2 as well. What have you seen about for 11k any examples. ?

Yeah theres a VRS on an 04 plate with 2,000 miles for £11k with airbag switch, sunroof, cc and a cargo net!!

Don't forget we've also got a Scoob - so I'll get my speed thrills in that...

Seem drawn to a 307 HDI - could get a similar deal...

My head hurts - been looking for a couple of weeks and now more undecided than ever.

The VRS is warm with it's performance and a real bargine for spec !!! Try any of that range, the 130TDI octavia is a good choice, or a Volvo S40 1.9D. giving them away at the moment with every option available. You might be able to get a brand new one (but old shape) for that money !!!!!!

http://www.volvocars.co.uk/NR/rdonly...40_0_1_big.jpg

I just sold my scoob for a Fabia VRS and 900 miles on i'm very happy with it.

Performance once moving is very respectible, its quiet, well built and economical, but since its a family run about you are going to hate the fact that the seats are pretty much beige (in fact they're light grey), any spills or mess will REALLY notice.

It may be worthwhile looking at a 1.9tdi elegance fabia, its pretty much the same car but doesnt have all the tarty boy racer bits on (since thats the market for the VRS), 110hp from that and you can jabbasport it to 170. You'll also get softer suspension than the VRS.

The Fabia has a largish boot but the rear isnt that big, probably ok for kids tho! Octavia is a fantastic car tho ;)

Just one minor correction, the fabia TDI is also a PD model and has 100bhp, but the different set up means a map can take it so slightly less than the RS, but i would agree that it is a good alternative to the sport model, esspecially with the 15" factory upgrade wheels

If its sensible shoes time, I'd go for the Focus TDCi 115hp. Having had plenty of chance to drive them both that and the Fabia RS, I'd chose to Focus as a family car. Still plenty quick enough, more room, more practical and still better handling car. The Fabia is a great little car, good performance and good fun to go boy racer baiting, but it is a little car, only Fiesta sized. The 307 just doesn't impress in the same way, yes its roomy and has a nice ride, but the handling isn't that sharp, and they are very lardy things, and don't go anything like as fast as you think they should with a 110HDi engine.

Just be sure to get a very good deal on the Focus as the new version goes on sale in two months time.

I've just bought a Fabia TDiPD100 for my wife and can't praise it enough, it's very solid, comfortable and handles well.
Performance is good as you would expect with 177lbft in a small car and a 150bhp,230lbft remap is only £375 away.

Spec wise Comfort has CD, ABS, EDL, ASR, EBD, fuel computer, elecy windows and mirrors, remote locking and until the end of the year climate control with chilled glovebox.
Elegance adds Climate, heated seats, alarm, alloys, etc.

Should be able to pick a new Comfort spec for under £10250 and an Elegance for under £11000.

On my 20mile round trip to work I average 63.4mpg, around town my wife gets around 55mpg and group 6 insurance.

Cheers
Lee

The Skoda vRS isn't a diesel,but they do a 1.9PD TDI (130bhp) which is quickish for a diesel,but the best 2 surely have to be the Golf GT TDI,as a package,and the 120D Sport,for outright pace

Depends wether you are talking about an Octavia or Fabia.

The Octavia vRS is a 1.8T 180bhp Petrol
The Fabia vRS is a 1.9 TDiPD 130bhp Diesel.

I would never pay VW money when Skoda and Seat have better versions of the same car far cheaper.

Lee

I know,its why I own an Octavia vRS :).Currently looking at the lot of 'em with a view to opting back into the car scheme.The Skodas and Seats are great value,but residuals effect them on company car lists,although they are still better than anything except Golfs,A4s and BMWs

its difficult to ignore the 1 series 120 becuase the emissions are so low they are in the lowest tax band,the VAGS aren't.

Well, made a decision - gone with a Skoda vRS...

Managed to source a brand new for £11,080 OTR, 12 months tax, UK car...

Gets delivered in 2 weeks... :)

Congratulations mate. :)


I purchased an Octavia TDi Elegance today so should go well with my wifes Fabia. They are both the same colour as well. :)

Cheers
Lee

I can see a trend starting here which I'll carry on with:-
So impressed with my Octavia last 2 years that we've bought a Fabia as well (petrol)

if only they had a genuinely fast diesel in the range (Octavia) then company car drivers could have another performance bargain on their hands.the PD130 is not fast enough,I suppose they want to protect Golf sales by not putting the bigger engines in,although the vRS wiped the floor with the Mrk IV turbos so i dont see why not

180-190bhp for the PD130 is only a remap away if you have a friendly dealer who doesn't mind. ;) :D

Cheers
Lee