Views on downgrading daily car
03 February 2017, 02:57 PM
#32
^tax is £295 a year as it's the manual box, the auto after 2006 is £500 a year. Fuel is around 30 mpg, not seen it average much under 30 for a tank. Going to try the stage 1 ecu tune which is £80 and increases torque by about 15% but also improves the fuel consumption. Very active owners forums which is surprising given they stopped building cars in 2011.
Would like to get something nearer or better to my book figure of 35mpg combined but don't think it does that or near lol since it's mapped. But at least if I get similar then I won't feel it, but bonus if better.
Not sure if I'm interested in the ford/vuaxhall marque, think I might be a bit too snobby
21 February 2017, 03:53 PM
#33
Find myself looking at facelift newage wagons lol.
Volvo d5s or t5s, is it true the d5 2.4d are bullet proof and nothing really goes wrong? I'm scared if I buy a diesel then I might get stung by the government changing rules all the time and have to suffer in paying for the common diesel faults.
Still looking at the 3/5 series 30/35d and 2.5 petrol variants
Octavia vrs mk3 keeps catching my eye.
I've stumbled upon a insignia 2.0T, look very sleeper looking and seem to have all the toys etc for not a lot of money, but it's gm and probably built cheaply? Are these the Astra vxr engine and are they reliable etc?
Volvo d5s or t5s, is it true the d5 2.4d are bullet proof and nothing really goes wrong? I'm scared if I buy a diesel then I might get stung by the government changing rules all the time and have to suffer in paying for the common diesel faults.
Still looking at the 3/5 series 30/35d and 2.5 petrol variants
Octavia vrs mk3 keeps catching my eye.
I've stumbled upon a insignia 2.0T, look very sleeper looking and seem to have all the toys etc for not a lot of money, but it's gm and probably built cheaply? Are these the Astra vxr engine and are they reliable etc?
£500 a year tax?!
22 February 2017, 07:24 PM
#36
Find myself looking at facelift newage wagons lol.
Volvo d5s or t5s, is it true the d5 2.4d are bullet proof and nothing really goes wrong? I'm scared if I buy a diesel then I might get stung by the government changing rules all the time and have to suffer in paying for the common diesel faults.
Still looking at the 3/5 series 30/35d and 2.5 petrol variants
Octavia vrs mk3 keeps catching my eye.
I've stumbled upon a insignia 2.0T, look very sleeper looking and seem to have all the toys etc for not a lot of money, but it's gm and probably built cheaply? Are these the Astra vxr engine and are they reliable etc?
Volvo d5s or t5s, is it true the d5 2.4d are bullet proof and nothing really goes wrong? I'm scared if I buy a diesel then I might get stung by the government changing rules all the time and have to suffer in paying for the common diesel faults.
Still looking at the 3/5 series 30/35d and 2.5 petrol variants
Octavia vrs mk3 keeps catching my eye.
I've stumbled upon a insignia 2.0T, look very sleeper looking and seem to have all the toys etc for not a lot of money, but it's gm and probably built cheaply? Are these the Astra vxr engine and are they reliable etc?
Volvos and reliability. I'm on my 4th Volvo and doubt I will buy another. I've a v50 diesel and have had to replace front wheel hub assembly, front lower arm bushes, battery, alternator, starter motor, I've a leak that is suspected slave cylinder in bell housing, brakes have gone spongy so probably master cylinder, 3 cd's stuck in my dashboard, CD player won't work, headlamp washers have stopped working, heated drivers seat stopped working, needed about a grands worth of warranty work done a month after I bought it, probably forgotten a lot of other stuff.
D5 ok pre 2006, post 2006 have 6 speed box and about 25 more horses (talking v70 here though) but later have dpf issues. Earlier ones can suffer intercooler and injector failure.
Central electronic modules can be a bit problematic on volvos too.
I see in your initial post you mention Mazda 6 diesel. Just don't. Petrol ok but stay well clear of Mazda diesels, too much grief with dpf.
As for sleeper vauxhalls, I spotted a vectra estate on autotrader the other night, looked like a standard car but was a vxr in disguise (2.8 v6 turbo). It was very cheap, but done a lot of miles (ex police car)
Last edited by WRXrowdy; 22 February 2017 at 07:27 PM.
22 February 2017, 08:39 PM
#37
First off, anything registered pre March 23rd 2006 will be in the lower tax band so about £300 to tax instead of £500.
Volvos and reliability. I'm on my 4th Volvo and doubt I will buy another. I've a v50 diesel and have had to replace front wheel hub assembly, front lower arm bushes, battery, alternator, starter motor, I've a leak that is suspected slave cylinder in bell housing, brakes have gone spongy so probably master cylinder, 3 cd's stuck in my dashboard, CD player won't work, headlamp washers have stopped working, heated drivers seat stopped working, needed about a grands worth of warranty work done a month after I bought it, probably forgotten a lot of other stuff.
D5 ok pre 2006, post 2006 have 6 speed box and about 25 more horses (talking v70 here though) but later have dpf issues. Earlier ones can suffer intercooler and injector failure.
Central electronic modules can be a bit problematic on volvos too.
I see in your initial post you mention Mazda 6 diesel. Just don't. Petrol ok but stay well clear of Mazda diesels, too much grief with dpf.
As for sleeper vauxhalls, I spotted a vectra estate on autotrader the other night, looked like a standard car but was a vxr in disguise (2.8 v6 turbo). It was very cheap, but done a lot of miles (ex police car)
Volvos and reliability. I'm on my 4th Volvo and doubt I will buy another. I've a v50 diesel and have had to replace front wheel hub assembly, front lower arm bushes, battery, alternator, starter motor, I've a leak that is suspected slave cylinder in bell housing, brakes have gone spongy so probably master cylinder, 3 cd's stuck in my dashboard, CD player won't work, headlamp washers have stopped working, heated drivers seat stopped working, needed about a grands worth of warranty work done a month after I bought it, probably forgotten a lot of other stuff.
D5 ok pre 2006, post 2006 have 6 speed box and about 25 more horses (talking v70 here though) but later have dpf issues. Earlier ones can suffer intercooler and injector failure.
Central electronic modules can be a bit problematic on volvos too.
I see in your initial post you mention Mazda 6 diesel. Just don't. Petrol ok but stay well clear of Mazda diesels, too much grief with dpf.
As for sleeper vauxhalls, I spotted a vectra estate on autotrader the other night, looked like a standard car but was a vxr in disguise (2.8 v6 turbo). It was very cheap, but done a lot of miles (ex police car)
I wouldn't be bothered about an ex police car tbh as it's 1 owner, maintained regardless, as long as not been in crash I'm ok with it. I've seen VRS and v70d5 that were ex undercover police cars .
Yes I think I'll stick with petrol if I make the change as at least I'll know my way round the engine if needed for self servicing etc, diesels are too complicated to diagnose for me as I've never personally owned one. But I also keep looking at the 535d for that power and mpg lol, delete dpf, egg etc and should be mainly troublesome 'I hope' but then again afraid of what the government are going to do to the diesel taxes lol.
I'd have a wrx newage wagon again I suppose, but I don't think I could be comfortable with it as a daily, comfortable and discrete. That noise will be annoying after a while when I want to be civilised lol.
Ocatvia vrs mk3 can get away with both and still be quick when needed but imo lacks a bit of luxury.
Aghhh, I don't bloody know.........
I'll think on it more as I'm not fully committed on what to do yet, maybe I'll decide next year
Last edited by bustaMOVEs; 22 February 2017 at 08:42 PM.
22 February 2017, 09:17 PM
#38
Although I'm happy with the Saab Aero estate, I'm always wondering what next. The Saab was intended as a cheap quick reliable runaround to give me some time to think to get next, I've always fancied a Porsche, but I like fast estate cars. The RS6 is probably the obvious choice, but I'm not an Audi person. What has caught my attention is the Volvo V70 R, bit thin on the ground so unfortunately the price reflects this. With a exhaust sound that's almost as nice as the Subaru, AWD, and 300 bhp standard, it could be the next car, and with some easy tweaks it could give the RS audis a run for their money.
22 February 2017, 10:36 PM
#39
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I just cannot see a 2.5 competing with a 4.2 turbo except for running costs. Even the old C5 RS6 is bonkers (when it works) and feels it like a 911 Turbo, GT-R etc. The newer C6 5.0T and C7 4.0T are signficant steps further forwards, but in a different budget although the 5.0T might be lower total cost of ownership than the 4.2T. Most of the 3 litre class turbo stuff just seems to never hit really hard and run out of breath, they don't tend to take your breath away. With a few expections, the turbo(s) are usually too small on 3 litre engines whereas the 4 litre class they tend to be more generous as they don't need to worry about low end torque. I run a BMW 3.0T and an Audi 4.0T, the difference is much more than 1 litre's worth, with the same tune only the 4.0T is 310 HP ahead.
Last edited by john banks; 22 February 2017 at 10:41 PM.
23 February 2017, 12:50 AM
#40
Although I'm happy with the Saab Aero estate, I'm always wondering what next. The Saab was intended as a cheap quick reliable runaround to give me some time to think to get next, I've always fancied a Porsche, but I like fast estate cars. The RS6 is probably the obvious choice, but I'm not an Audi person. What has caught my attention is the Volvo V70 R, bit thin on the ground so unfortunately the price reflects this. With a exhaust sound that's almost as nice as the Subaru, AWD, and 300 bhp standard, it could be the next car, and with some easy tweaks it could give the RS audis a run for their money.
14 March 2017, 01:12 PM
#41
Right I think I'm gonna go for it, decided to sell my car and downgrade for a bit, so next month I'll put it up for sale.
So the contenders are,
530d/535d touring, top 2 in my list
Ocatvia 2.0tfsi vrs mk3 probably 3rd in my list.
Audi A6 avant 3.0 v6tdi, top 2 in my list although with it being Quattro this would be better.
Volvo d5 or t5 not sure on Volvo though.....
I'd rarther get the Audi or BMW as my first choices depending on the best mileage, service and least owners, the best one I can find really at the time when looking as they will be high mileage anyway at my budget, ideally I'd like the A6 as the Quattro will retain the confidence in crap weather, but tbh either I'll be happy with.
The only thing that's makes me weary is a diesel as I've never owned one.
So the contenders are,
530d/535d touring, top 2 in my list
Ocatvia 2.0tfsi vrs mk3 probably 3rd in my list.
Audi A6 avant 3.0 v6tdi, top 2 in my list although with it being Quattro this would be better.
Volvo d5 or t5 not sure on Volvo though.....
I'd rarther get the Audi or BMW as my first choices depending on the best mileage, service and least owners, the best one I can find really at the time when looking as they will be high mileage anyway at my budget, ideally I'd like the A6 as the Quattro will retain the confidence in crap weather, but tbh either I'll be happy with.
The only thing that's makes me weary is a diesel as I've never owned one.
14 March 2017, 01:54 PM
#42
Scooby Regular
My choice would be the BMW 535d out of that list, I noticed Skoda's really seem to depreciate quickly, the Mk2 Octavia VRS's are getting really cheap now!
14 March 2017, 02:55 PM
#43
But I do need on board sat nav and a few luxuries along with a bit of power to boot.
The Saab deprecate quite a bit too, look nice but don't look very special inside.
Last edited by bustaMOVEs; 14 March 2017 at 02:57 PM.
16 March 2017, 07:02 PM
#44
I'm really rethinking of not getting a diesel now lol, I'm a bit scared of the low miles I do that I'm gonna run into the diesel issues as I don't do the miles to warrant one (never owned) but I do know the bigger 3.0 diesels are a bit better than the 2.0d ones for going wrong.
Here's my short list, I'm considering a 5dr hatch also now as only got a small dog to carry, but wondering if it's enough for when we go away for weekends etc. A 5dr hatch would suit for my daily thrashing though.
What do you think of my list? Ideally I would like built in sat nav and a bit of luxury but I suppose I can fit a modern head unit to give me that and the a bit less luxury maybe a bit of a comprise.
Family estates
330/35d, 525/30/35d, x3 30d, estates (or 325i/525i the later 3.0 engines as better on mpg and running costs)
Audi A6 avant 3.0 v6D
Octavia vrs mk3 hatch TFSI
Volvo v50 t5/d5 estate r design
Saab 9-3 estate no sat nav
5dr hatches
Leon Cupra mk2 TFSI
Golf gti mk5 TFSI
Focus mk2 ST
The desperate options lol
Mondeo 2.5T (st engine) hatch
Insignia 2.0T (vxr engine) hatch
Passat 2.0Tfsi estate
Here's my short list, I'm considering a 5dr hatch also now as only got a small dog to carry, but wondering if it's enough for when we go away for weekends etc. A 5dr hatch would suit for my daily thrashing though.
What do you think of my list? Ideally I would like built in sat nav and a bit of luxury but I suppose I can fit a modern head unit to give me that and the a bit less luxury maybe a bit of a comprise.
Family estates
330/35d, 525/30/35d, x3 30d, estates (or 325i/525i the later 3.0 engines as better on mpg and running costs)
Audi A6 avant 3.0 v6D
Octavia vrs mk3 hatch TFSI
Volvo v50 t5/d5 estate r design
Saab 9-3 estate no sat nav
5dr hatches
Leon Cupra mk2 TFSI
Golf gti mk5 TFSI
Focus mk2 ST
The desperate options lol
Mondeo 2.5T (st engine) hatch
Insignia 2.0T (vxr engine) hatch
Passat 2.0Tfsi estate
Last edited by bustaMOVEs; 16 March 2017 at 07:05 PM.
17 March 2017, 12:08 AM
#45
Still loving my vRS. save should have had petrol.
Can honestly say don't wish for anything. It has it all. Don't look at any of the other cars in the list and think 'wish I had one of those' lol.
Would you get a Mk 3 for £5k though?? Got to disagree on the depreciation argument on skoda nowadays! secret is out the bag unfortunately !
Can honestly say don't wish for anything. It has it all. Don't look at any of the other cars in the list and think 'wish I had one of those' lol.
Would you get a Mk 3 for £5k though?? Got to disagree on the depreciation argument on skoda nowadays! secret is out the bag unfortunately !
17 March 2017, 12:50 AM
#46
Still loving my vRS. save should have had petrol.
Can honestly say don't wish for anything. It has it all. Don't look at any of the other cars in the list and think 'wish I had one of those' lol.
Would you get a Mk 3 for £5k though?? Got to disagree on the depreciation argument on skoda nowadays! secret is out the bag unfortunately !
Can honestly say don't wish for anything. It has it all. Don't look at any of the other cars in the list and think 'wish I had one of those' lol.
Would you get a Mk 3 for £5k though?? Got to disagree on the depreciation argument on skoda nowadays! secret is out the bag unfortunately !
Theres just too many to choose from which i keep changing my mind lol.
I suppose when im ready ill see what's about at the time for the best deal, but i think I should stick to petrol.
Have you got the mk2?
17 March 2017, 12:58 AM
#47
Absolute bargain ive stumbled upon, wish i was in the position now as id snap this up in a heartbeat, albeit missing the mmi and sat nav dsg etc but still a steal
I just found a great car on Auto Trader:
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classifi...01702242627326
I just found a great car on Auto Trader:
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classifi...01702242627326
Last edited by bustaMOVEs; 17 March 2017 at 12:59 AM.
19 March 2017, 10:09 AM
#48
I'd still prefer a v70 over a v50 if you are still considering a Volvo, as the v50 is just a focus in a frock.
Update on my reliability issues, clutch started slipping like fvck, pedal going to floor, so it's now in having the clutch, dmf, and slave cylinder replaced.
Got a good deal on a kit with all three items, and my mechanic reckons on 250-300 to fit it all, but then that equates to roughly what I paid for my previous volvo I had before this one (v40 t4) that I had for nearly three years and didn't need to spend a penny on.
Update on my reliability issues, clutch started slipping like fvck, pedal going to floor, so it's now in having the clutch, dmf, and slave cylinder replaced.
Got a good deal on a kit with all three items, and my mechanic reckons on 250-300 to fit it all, but then that equates to roughly what I paid for my previous volvo I had before this one (v40 t4) that I had for nearly three years and didn't need to spend a penny on.
19 March 2017, 11:57 AM
#49
Scooby Regular
Absolute bargain ive stumbled upon, wish i was in the position now as id snap this up in a heartbeat, albeit missing the mmi and sat nav dsg etc but still a steal
I just found a great car on Auto Trader:
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classifi...01702242627326
I just found a great car on Auto Trader:
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classifi...01702242627326
I must say it's a machine on the motorway and on road good solid car
he's had the software updated on it from his bro in law that makes it do extra gandupan gadgets on it nice things even the key is pretty sick
19 March 2017, 12:45 PM
#50
I'd still prefer a v70 over a v50 if you are still considering a Volvo, as the v50 is just a focus in a frock.
Update on my reliability issues, clutch started slipping like fvck, pedal going to floor, so it's now in having the clutch, dmf, and slave cylinder replaced.
Got a good deal on a kit with all three items, and my mechanic reckons on 250-300 to fit it all, but then that equates to roughly what I paid for my previous volvo I had before this one (v40 t4) that I had for nearly three years and didn't need to spend a penny on.
Update on my reliability issues, clutch started slipping like fvck, pedal going to floor, so it's now in having the clutch, dmf, and slave cylinder replaced.
Got a good deal on a kit with all three items, and my mechanic reckons on 250-300 to fit it all, but then that equates to roughly what I paid for my previous volvo I had before this one (v40 t4) that I had for nearly three years and didn't need to spend a penny on.
Was only looking at the r-design facelift ones as only they are appealing, bit crap that hardly any come with sat nav.
The v70 for a facelift are HIGH mileage ex police.
When I'm ready, I'm just going to see what's on market and just go for the best value and car at time and see what I stumble upon as I keep changing my mind lol
Last edited by bustaMOVEs; 19 March 2017 at 12:47 PM.