£5-8k - Diesel Reccomendations
08 June 2003, 11:41 AM
#1
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Usual story, job is moving and relocation package is great for first time house buyer so Im thinking of chopping in the scoob to get some cash back to put towards the house and cut down my monthly spending to help towards a mortgage.
Obviously an oil burner is going to be cheaper to run in the long term. Im looking for a sporty-ish hatchback, obviously 2nd hand, aircon, something that is reliable and will last for years.
Suggestions other than VAG cars?
Simon.
Obviously an oil burner is going to be cheaper to run in the long term. Im looking for a sporty-ish hatchback, obviously 2nd hand, aircon, something that is reliable and will last for years.
Suggestions other than VAG cars?
Simon.
08 June 2003, 12:08 PM
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Doing a similar thing myself (albeit looking at Co Car opt out).
Findings so far..... (not 'in depth' research, but a starting point for discussion nonetheless):
Seat Ibiza / Leon etc: good alternative as use VW diesel engines
Skoda Octavia etc: Ditto above, can you live with the badge? (I couldn't with the interior- yuk was the wife's comment)
Audi A3 / A4: Very nice, but good ones are well pricey.
Ford: Old diesels were dog-rough, new TDCis are very well regarded although still pricey (and have some diesel pump problems apparantly).
Peugeot 406 / 306: Well regarded diesel engines but now a bit long in the tooth.
Haven't got as far as driving any of the above (apart from Ford) but I'm sure somebody will be along soon who has.......
Findings so far..... (not 'in depth' research, but a starting point for discussion nonetheless):
Seat Ibiza / Leon etc: good alternative as use VW diesel engines
Skoda Octavia etc: Ditto above, can you live with the badge? (I couldn't with the interior- yuk was the wife's comment)
Audi A3 / A4: Very nice, but good ones are well pricey.
Ford: Old diesels were dog-rough, new TDCis are very well regarded although still pricey (and have some diesel pump problems apparantly).
Peugeot 406 / 306: Well regarded diesel engines but now a bit long in the tooth.
Haven't got as far as driving any of the above (apart from Ford) but I'm sure somebody will be along soon who has.......
08 June 2003, 12:11 PM
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Yeah I was looking at Golf/A3 but still too pricey 2nd hand. Seat is looking top of the list so far.
I dont like the Skodas that much and no I couldnt live with the badge - hey at least I admit it. Can you imagine the ribbing at work, Impreza turbo to Skoda!!
Ford - the focus is very good value for money but dodgy ford reliability and build quality dont inspire me.
As you say, I think its best if I take a few test drives and see what suits me best.
Simon.
I dont like the Skodas that much and no I couldnt live with the badge - hey at least I admit it. Can you imagine the ribbing at work, Impreza turbo to Skoda!!
Ford - the focus is very good value for money but dodgy ford reliability and build quality dont inspire me.
As you say, I think its best if I take a few test drives and see what suits me best.
Simon.
08 June 2003, 12:27 PM
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I don't drive one, have never owned one but I have to say Skoda's are now cool with the "opinion formers" to use marketing speak. Their badge says "I'm secure enough to choose a car for form and function not perceived image- because I'm succesful"
People who don't like them should get BMW's to "boost" their poor self image. It's a class thing- aspiring wannabees need an image boost, those secure in themselves don't and hence choose a car using logic.
People who don't like them should get BMW's to "boost" their poor self image. It's a class thing- aspiring wannabees need an image boost, those secure in themselves don't and hence choose a car using logic.
08 June 2003, 12:59 PM
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Nacro - thats very easy to say but until you go out and buy one then you are just the same as the rest of us. Seat cars arent much more and I much prefer their looks and styling.
Anyone know what kinda servicing costs and intervals Im looking at for a W reg onwards Leon Tdi? Even better the Seat BBS URL
Simon.
Anyone know what kinda servicing costs and intervals Im looking at for a W reg onwards Leon Tdi? Even better the Seat BBS URL
Simon.
08 June 2003, 01:36 PM
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306 HDi would be my choice. Great cars which handle well, and can last well too. Fantastic economy from the newer HDi unit. Later Meridian models have good spec, with half leather, air con etc.
Chris
Chris
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08 June 2003, 01:56 PM
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Hehe, trouble is aside from the VAG/PSA group theres not many excellent diesels. Leon TDi would be a good choice too (Mum has a Golf TDi 130) but watch the residual values.
Chris
Chris
08 June 2003, 02:33 PM
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Yeah the Leon is looking good, I though I would ask though In case I had missed something. VW 2nd hand prices are still pretty high. Buying 2nd hand will mean I miss out on the biggest depriciation hit.
Think I will pop down the local Seat dealer next week and get a test drive.
Simon.
Think I will pop down the local Seat dealer next week and get a test drive.
Simon.
08 June 2003, 02:46 PM
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Yeah they're very Golf like to drive. When you're there, have a look at the Ibiza TDi too. A friend has the new Sport 130, and he raves about it. He used to have a Golf TDi 130 but took it back as it was the worst built thing he's ever had.
Not sure if they will be any in your budget, but worth a look!
Chris
Not sure if they will be any in your budget, but worth a look!
Chris
08 June 2003, 03:52 PM
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P1fanatic
Call me an anti-snob but I'm another (there's a least 4 others I know of) happy convert from Impreza to Skoda. I've also owned 14 4x4 road cars (not off roaders) and can honestly recommend them.
Anyway, assuming that you are not averse to chipping your diesel, and an A4 Tdi 1.9 110 Quattro isn't good enough for you:-
- Toyota Avensis D4D common-rail (not TD) just about £8k trade.
Call me an anti-snob but I'm another (there's a least 4 others I know of) happy convert from Impreza to Skoda. I've also owned 14 4x4 road cars (not off roaders) and can honestly recommend them.
Anyway, assuming that you are not averse to chipping your diesel, and an A4 Tdi 1.9 110 Quattro isn't good enough for you:-
- Toyota Avensis D4D common-rail (not TD) just about £8k trade.
08 June 2003, 11:16 PM
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Nipped down and had a look at some Seats PM today- interiors are not too impressive (IMHO- flame me if you wish). Then thought about it and I reckon its similar to Skoda, ok you're getting VAG mechanical bits, so the moneys got to be saved somewhere.
Simon- Let us know how you get on with the test drive, I'd be interested.
Simon- Let us know how you get on with the test drive, I'd be interested.
09 June 2003, 05:15 AM
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I'm not going to flame you - the interior of the Ibiza is ****. Hard plastics (in blacks that didn't match between the dash and the door cards when the sun was out!) even on the range-topper.
Fen
Fen
09 June 2003, 07:15 AM
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Oil burners I've had in the past year or so are a 2001 Pug 406 Hdi and a 2002 Laguna 19dci.
Renault wins on the looks although been new it had quite a few problems and customer services seemed non existent...a novelty at first with the card as a key and stop/start button & 6 speed box.
406 is a bit fuddy duddy and repish too look at, but seemed a better build quality and more mpg. On a run to York and back I managed to get just over 700 miles to a tank
. Servicing costs weren't an issue for me, although their customer services were better than Renault, by far.
The 406 (110bhp) had climate where as the Laguna (130bhp) had normal A/C although the Laguna felt quicker (if at all possible in a diesel ) It felt more like an acclerator pedal than a loud pedal...
The only other model I was thinking of getting but didnt was the new tdci mondeo...drove it and liked it, but they werent any Ghia X's available at the time. Looks very much like a Passat as well, so unsure of who tried to copy who!
Just my twopennies worth if its any help...
Nath
Renault wins on the looks although been new it had quite a few problems and customer services seemed non existent...a novelty at first with the card as a key and stop/start button & 6 speed box.
406 is a bit fuddy duddy and repish too look at, but seemed a better build quality and more mpg. On a run to York and back I managed to get just over 700 miles to a tank
. Servicing costs weren't an issue for me, although their customer services were better than Renault, by far.The 406 (110bhp) had climate where as the Laguna (130bhp) had normal A/C although the Laguna felt quicker (if at all possible in a diesel
) It felt more like an acclerator pedal than a loud pedal...The only other model I was thinking of getting but didnt was the new tdci mondeo...drove it and liked it, but they werent any Ghia X's available at the time. Looks very much like a Passat as well, so unsure of who tried to copy who!
Just my twopennies worth if its any help...
Nath
09 June 2003, 08:25 AM
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Are we talking worse than a classic scoob? I thought they'd be similar to VW Golf interior?
I will be off to take a look this Thursday and see how much they will give me p/x on the Scoob. Want to get the ball rolling as Ive got a 800mile round trip to Cornwall end of July which is gonna cost a small fortune in Optimax.
Simon.
I will be off to take a look this Thursday and see how much they will give me p/x on the Scoob. Want to get the ball rolling as Ive got a 800mile round trip to Cornwall end of July which is gonna cost a small fortune in Optimax.
Simon.
09 June 2003, 02:43 PM
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About as bad as a classic Scoob in terms of materials. Design is way better - not 1980's Nissan Bluebird.
The earlier Ibizas use better materials but the previous model (Mk3) had the heater and stereo controls / display integrated into one unit in the dash - how crap is that?
Fen
The earlier Ibizas use better materials but the previous model (Mk3) had the heater and stereo controls / display integrated into one unit in the dash - how crap is that?
Fen
09 June 2003, 03:36 PM
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jlanng - too much of a rep mobile for my taste. So no Vectra's, 406's, Mondeo's, Laguna's, Passats etc.
Im not dissing ur input - thats just my personal preference.
Im off out this Thurs to test a Leon out.
Simon
Im not dissing ur input - thats just my personal preference.
Im off out this Thurs to test a Leon out.
Simon
09 June 2003, 03:38 PM
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The Passat TDi's are very good, and much better value than the Golf. A friend ran a TDi 90 Estate for 140,000 miles and only ever replaced service items. It was still on its original clutch, exhaust, shocks etc. when he sold it and got a new Laguna dCi Tourer. He wishes he had got another Passat now as the Laguna is really sh!tly built.
Chris
Chris
10 June 2003, 10:33 PM
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VW diesels are said to be the best in the business- look for the PD versions, they come in 100, 130 and 150bhp versions. If you want a laugh look up the torque figures for these engines- the PD130 has more torque than a UK Scooby!!!
