Cheap commuter wagon

[defblade]

You've got my problem - I'm 6' 4", any family car needs to be quite big to get the family in... but bigger means heavier, heavier means less fuel efficient and so on.

And then you're lugging a massive car around for zero reason on the commute.

I got around this for 6 years by commuting by motorbike most of the year, but a small crash broke my wrist earlier this year and the sheer magnitude of the ensuing hassle (rather than pain or anything) has convinced me that the game's not worth the biscuit on that one.

If you really need to swap cars, just look at how much more car you get with petrol compared to diesels at that end of the market, usually with less servicing costs etc - I think it'd take a good while to break even, and in the meantime, you'd be having to drive a grotty old diesel, too.

Have you considered LPG?

I think you'd find an A4 too small overall; the A6, on the other hand, is great

Also, consider some smaller cars - if there's enough headroom, a more upright seating position is good for overall space - for example, I can drive an (old model) Aygo, and also fit behind the driver's seat when it's set for me (no boot, mind, not saying you should get one, just an example of a very small car with upright seats). Old Fiats used to be good at this, too.

[funkyrobot]

Thanks for that. Motorbike is tempting, but still need to think about it to make sure I want to go down that route.

I guess the thing to do is take my time, have a good look around and size a few cars up for space etc.

I was planning on swapping the car soon for a newer Mazda 6 estate. However, I don't want to be paying finance on anything due to the work situation.

I'll take a look at the examples posted on here and have a think.

Thanks all.

[Qubit]

Similar position to myself recently, problem is that volvos and saabs in that range have a high risk of borkage and as a result could very easily end up in a worse position financially (I did).

In that price range the thing Id be looking at would probably be a Skoda Superb 1.9 tdi 130 or anything with that engine in thats also got good seats - Octavia 1.9tdi L&S would be another good one. Or sticking with what you've got, sometimes its better the devil you know.....

[ZX10R NIN]

The 2.2 diesel Saab is a good call no DPF reliable plus if you get the 9-5 space won't be an issue

[funkyrobot]

Qubit said:

Similar position to myself recently, problem is that volvos and saabs in that range have a high risk of borkage and as a result could very easily end up in a worse position financially (I did).

In that price range the thing Id be looking at would probably be a Skoda Superb 1.9 tdi 130 or anything with that engine in thats also got good seats - Octavia 1.9tdi L&S would be another good one. Or sticking with what you've got, sometimes its better the devil you know.....

Thanks. I've been looking at VAG stuff. As I said above, my Bora (at the time) was very reliable.

[funkyrobot]

ZX10R NIN said:

The 2.2 diesel Saab is a good call no DPF reliable plus if you get the 9-5 space won't be an issue

Will take a look.

[funkyrobot]

Right. My fiancée has officially stopped being paid now so I'm running the ship.

Anything good out there at the moment car wise?

Have been thinking about keeping the Mazda. However, I've noticed some rust appearing inside the boot. The alarm dicks around (just goes off at random) and my mileage is now well over 250 miles a week. It's a good car, but I need to be spending less on fuel if I can.

I suppose a smaller petrol engined car will do.

I know a different car could cost more, but I fancy a change too. It would be ideal if I could find something that I could leave in a car park and not care about.

[hornetrider]

Passat 1.9TDI PD130.

[funkyrobot]

hornetrider said:

Passat 1.9TDI PD130.

Looking now.

[Rammy76]

funkyrobot said:

hornetrider said:

Passat 1.9TDI PD130.

Looking now.

I had the above quoted car, now got a Volvo S60 D5 SE.

The Volvo is leagues ahead in most areas, I'd highly recommend one.

[morgrp]

I recommend the volvo - The D5 engine is not only a nice unit in the way it performs it also has very few major issues which is rare for a modern diesel lump - the best V70s were made after the 2004 face lift. Earlier models have some known issues but sometimes they are worth a gamble

Edited by morgrp on Wednesday 8th July 12:30

[morgrp]

I recommend the volvo - The D5 engine is not only a nice unit in the way it performs it also has very few major issues which is rare for a modern diesel lump - the best V70s were made after the 2004 face lift. Earlier models have some known issues but sometimes they are worth a gamble

Edited by morgrp on Wednesday 8th July 12:30

[VolvoT5]

funkyrobot said:

Have been thinking about keeping the Mazda. However, I've noticed some rust appearing inside the boot. The alarm dicks around (just goes off at random) and my mileage is now well over 250 miles a week. It's a good car, but I need to be spending less on fuel if I can.

I suppose a smaller petrol engined car will do.

I know a different car could cost more, but I fancy a change too. It would be ideal if I could find something that I could leave in a car park and not care about.

Have you done the numbers, 250 a week still isn't huge. Unless the Mazda is on its last legs it is nearly always better to stick with what you know... in my experience anyway. Any new car for 2k is a gamble.

However, how about a Vauxhall Signum? They are massive inside and come in various diesel engines, 1.9 TDI / 2.0/2.2 DTI. I would avoid the 3.0 diesel personally.
Saab 9-3 or 9-5... Probably get a V70 D5 in budget but it would be mega mileage.

[funkyrobot]

VolvoT5 said:

Have you done the numbers, 250 a week still isn't huge. Unless the Mazda is on its last legs it is nearly always better to stick with what you know... in my experience anyway. Any new car for 2k is a gamble.

However, how about a Vauxhall Signum? They are massive inside and come in various diesel engines, 1.9 TDI / 2.0/2.2 DTI. I would avoid the 3.0 diesel personally.
Saab 9-3 or 9-5... Probably get a V70 D5 in budget but it would be mega mileage.

Yes. A flat week at work is 250 miles. If I do anything else around it, it can go up to 300+. For example, parents live 25 miles away, good shopping centre is 20 odd miles away etc. It soon adds up.

This isn't something I'm going to rush into so I'll take a good look around a see what's out there. If I don't find anything decent, I'll keep the Mazda. If I do though, I'll snap it up.

The Volvo's do look good and if I'm honest, I was thinking about a D5 earlier in the year anyway. They have more room, seem comfortable and would be a nice change.