Affordable used all-wheel-drive 4-door saloon?

Affordable used all-wheel-drive 4-door saloon?

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Discussion

Riley Blue

20,915 posts

225 months

Thursday 27th October 2016
quotequote all
J4x4K said:
Well, Opel is German in name only really. It's GM and the maintenance costs are not as high as VW, BMW, Audi or Mercedes. So I'm fine with Opel. wink
S'cuse me but Opel designs and manufactures cars for sale worldwide. Those cars are as German as any of the others you've listed.

kambites

67,462 posts

220 months

Thursday 27th October 2016
quotequote all
Riley Blue said:
S'cuse me but Opel designs and manufactures cars for sale worldwide. Those cars are as German as any of the others you've listed.
I think what he means is that he doesn't want "premium German".

J4x4K

Original Poster:

235 posts

106 months

Thursday 27th October 2016
quotequote all
s m said:
Or the Saab 4wd 9-5
Yes, I had already thought of a Saab and to be honest it's what I'm leaning towards at the moment.;)

Apart from not being made anymore, which scares me a bit when it comes to having work done and finding parts, it is the best option I could come up with. But I started the thread to see if I am overlooking something else.

J4x4K

Original Poster:

235 posts

106 months

Thursday 27th October 2016
quotequote all
Riley Blue said:
S'cuse me but Opel designs and manufactures cars for sale worldwide. Those cars are as German as any of the others you've listed.
You are of course technically right. But Rüsselsheim can't let a fart out without an approval from Detroit first. They are not independent like BMW, VW or Mercedes. For that reason they are also not as special. That is just not the type of car they make. So they are lower cost to buy, run and maintain. Believe me, I have had both types. wink

Same thing with Ford Europe. Technically German. But not really.

I would be fine with both Opel or Ford Europe cars.

J4x4K

Original Poster:

235 posts

106 months

Thursday 27th October 2016
quotequote all
kambites said:
There has never been a saloon version of the Octavia in the literal sense - the rear glass opens with the boot. But yes, it's shaped closer to a saloon than to most hatches.
I see what you mean now. I never paid attention to that as Skodas were never my thing. But I'm fine with that then. It looks like a saloon, like the Vectra does. wink

But they are VW. Are the costs as high as VW? I know them Seats are for example. They think they are Alfa Romeos or something. biggrin

vetrof

2,468 posts

172 months

Thursday 27th October 2016
quotequote all
kambites said:
J4x4K said:
The Octavia is a hatchback? I thought they came in saloon and estate only?
There has never been a saloon version of the Octavia in the literal sense - the rear glass opens with the boot. But yes, it's shaped closer to a saloon than to most hatches.
Are you thinking about the Superb, with it's dual opening boot?

kambites

67,462 posts

220 months

Thursday 27th October 2016
quotequote all
J4x4K said:
But they are VW. Are the costs as high as VW? I know them Seats are for example. They think they are Alfa Romeos or something. biggrin
That rather depends on what you mean. Servicing at main dealers will generally be cheaper than VW but I can't imagine why anyone would take a seven+ year old car to a main dealer. Buying the parts to service it yourself will be the same (because they're the same parts). Independent specialists will probably charge you the same for both marques.

J4x4K

Original Poster:

235 posts

106 months

Thursday 27th October 2016
quotequote all
kambites said:
That rather depends on what you mean. Servicing at main dealers will generally be cheaper than VW but I can't imagine why anyone would take a seven+ year old car to a main dealer. Buying the parts to service it yourself will be the same (because they're the same parts). Independent specialists will probably charge you the same for both marques.
So in other words, yes they are as expensive as VW then. wink

kambites

67,462 posts

220 months

Thursday 27th October 2016
quotequote all
J4x4K said:
kambites said:
That rather depends on what you mean. Servicing at main dealers will generally be cheaper than VW but I can't imagine why anyone would take a seven+ year old car to a main dealer. Buying the parts to service it yourself will be the same (because they're the same parts). Independent specialists will probably charge you the same for both marques.
So in other words, yes they are as expensive as VW then. wink
If you don't use main dealers, yes. But I'd say parts prices are comparable with the Fiat Punto we had before hand, certainly not enough more than I noticed a difference. I wouldn't expect Vauxhall to be any cheaper (although from my experience of Skoda, a Vauxhall might prove more reliable).

Edited by kambites on Thursday 27th October 13:07

TIGA84

5,204 posts

230 months

Thursday 27th October 2016
quotequote all
J4x4K said:
Are there any all-wheel-drive 4-door saloons which are affordable but not too old? Something besides German. But it needs to be LHD.

To give an example of what type of budget and car I'm looking for, if the 2005-2008 Opel-Vauxhall Vectra was all-wheel-drive I would buy one. Specially the fastback-liftback or whatever it's called version. It tickles all boxes but all-wheel-drive. But needs to be a saloon. No Estates or hatchbacks such as a Fiesta or Focus style.

I have gone through the options but didn't find much. I'm wondering if I overlooked something?
Why so specific, I can't think of any eventuality that would require such a specific vehicle.

A LHD, Budget, 4WD, non-german, saloon that's not new, but not too old.

And this fixation with all german cars being more expensive in terms of running cost/repairs? WTF?



J4x4K

Original Poster:

235 posts

106 months

Thursday 27th October 2016
quotequote all
TIGA84 said:
Why so specific, I can't think of any eventuality that would require such a specific vehicle.

A LHD, Budget, 4WD, non-german, saloon that's not new, but not too old.

And this fixation with all german cars being more expensive in terms of running cost/repairs? WTF?
Sorry, I thought it would be obvious as for my reasons. But I can explain. wink


A LHD: I live in Europe where LHD cars are the standard.

Budget: I'm not rich.

4WD: I want more safety when driving on ice, snow and rain with family.

saloon: Need 4-doors but don't like estates. Hatchbacks are too small for family.

that's not new: Again, I'm not rich. Would love me some AWD 2017 Mercedes. But can't afford.

but not too old: I'm not rich. But also don't want a 20 years old car. The rust, finding parts, too old tech etc.

As for German, I speak from personal experience. No WTF needed. It's a personal choice. wink


TIGA84

5,204 posts

230 months

Thursday 27th October 2016
quotequote all
Lets cut to the chase.

Your choices are going to be Volvo/Saab/Jag/Ford etc given you don't like Jap either now.

Being honest, running a car out of warranty is going to throw bills at you at some point regardless of whether they're German/Italian or wherever so just buy what you can afford, and buy it right to minimise the risk. An A6 Quattro could run for 100k miles with barely a penny spent or your S60 could lunch its engine 10 mins after you pick it up.

Also, why don't you just tell us the budget, it might actually throw some real-world examples at you to consider.

J4x4K

Original Poster:

235 posts

106 months

Thursday 27th October 2016
quotequote all
TIGA84 said:
Lets cut to the chase.

Your choices are going to be Volvo/Saab/Jag/Ford etc given you don't like Jap either now.

Being honest, running a car out of warranty is going to throw bills at you at some point regardless of whether they're German/Italian or wherever so just buy what you can afford, and buy it right to minimise the risk. An A6 Quattro could run for 100k miles with barely a penny spent or your S60 could lunch its engine 10 mins after you pick it up.

Also, why don't you just tell us the budget, it might actually throw some real-world examples at you to consider.
I actually did give a budget in the first post. I gave the 2005 Vectra as an example of style AND budget. wink

I have nothing against Japanese cars. They are great cars really. But I already explained in detail the problem with them around here. smile



schmalex

13,616 posts

205 months

Thursday 27th October 2016
quotequote all
To be fair, OP, at the age and budget you are looking to buy, there isn't much else apart from:

Audi A3 / 4 / 6
Mazda MP6
Jag X Type 2.5 / 3.0
Skoda Octavia
Alfa 156
VW Passat
Saab 9-3x

Out of those, my money would be heading to Audi for either an A4 3.0 Quattro or A6 3.0 Quattro Tdi

I would be willing to bet that the running costs of any of the cars on this thread are within £100 / year of each other. A 2006 / 2007 car is still a pretty new piece of machinery and, contrary to many internet myths, they don't conk out at the drop of a hat

Edited by schmalex on Thursday 27th October 14:44

TIGA84

5,204 posts

230 months

Thursday 27th October 2016
quotequote all
J4x4K said:
TIGA84 said:
Lets cut to the chase.

Your choices are going to be Volvo/Saab/Jag/Ford etc given you don't like Jap either now.

Being honest, running a car out of warranty is going to throw bills at you at some point regardless of whether they're German/Italian or wherever so just buy what you can afford, and buy it right to minimise the risk. An A6 Quattro could run for 100k miles with barely a penny spent or your S60 could lunch its engine 10 mins after you pick it up.

Also, why don't you just tell us the budget, it might actually throw some real-world examples at you to consider.
I actually did give a budget in the first post. I gave the 2005 Vectra as an example of style AND budget. wink

I have nothing against Japanese cars. They are great cars really. But I already explained in detail the problem with them around here. smile
"To give an example of what type of budget and car I'm looking for, if the 2005-2008 Opel-Vauxhall Vectra was all-wheel-drive I would buy one."

Not really a budget, but given what 2005 Vectra's are I'm going to say an average based on here of what they are, that's about £1500.

I've been generous and allowed £2000.

These are your options, based on 4 doors, AWD and £2000, in the UK of course.

http://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds?Category=us...

You're at shed money, you need to change your expectations.



twoblacklines

1,575 posts

160 months

Thursday 27th October 2016
quotequote all
I've had 2 b5.5 passats and they are my go-to cars for cheap driving.

First was a 1.9tdi to which I added HID 6000k lights, correctly aimed, in projectors (I appreciate these were halogen designed projectors but still did not blind anyone as far as I could tell with 3 years ownership, also passed 3 MOT's) for £55. Then a remap for torque which transformed the car. Only thing that bothered me was the cloth seats were hard to clean and it required changing gear a LOT at low speeds because the rev range was so limited.

Then I sold that and bought a 1.8t Highline, full leather, satnav etc... but mine was a bit fked, used to do SILLY mpg, cost me £80 to do a 120 mile journey, after diagnosing and spending lots of money I sent it to WBAC before BCA bought them - £1200 loss.

If I were you I would buy a passat b5.5 2.8V6 4motion. Avoid the v6 diesel. I have been considering buying another b5.5 estate as I do a lot of lugging around lately.

Pic of my old b5.5 1.8t when it was clean



Some examples

http://www.ooyyo.com/germany/c=CDA31D7114D2854F111...

Or you could YOLO and get the 4.0 W8 version

http://www.ooyyo.com/germany/c=CDA31D7114D2854F111...




Edited by twoblacklines on Thursday 27th October 15:56

talksthetorque

10,815 posts

134 months

Thursday 27th October 2016
quotequote all
The U.K. does not get all the variations of each model, due to not having mountains and being right hand drive. So asking questions on a uk forum might not get you the most knowledgeable answers.
Your criteria is very narrow, so you may have to be a bit more imaginative and do some work.
Buy a megane saloon for 800, and a scenic 4x4 for the same and body swap them.

J4x4K

Original Poster:

235 posts

106 months

Thursday 27th October 2016
quotequote all
I understand my choices are limited. At least I didn't ask for RWD. biggrin

RWD 4-door saloon, not older than around 10 years, European and excluding BMW and Mercedes there is only Jaguar and the Omega left. biggrin

RWD are a rare breed these days. Mercerdes, BMW and Jaguar are the last line of defense. Sad but true. frown

InitialDave

11,856 posts

118 months

Thursday 27th October 2016
quotequote all
J4x4K said:
RWD 4-door saloon, not older than around 10 years, European and excluding BMW and Mercedes there is only Jaguar and the Omega left. biggrin
Maserati Quattroporte.

talksthetorque

10,815 posts

134 months

Thursday 27th October 2016
quotequote all
InitialDave said:
J4x4K said:
RWD 4-door saloon, not older than around 10 years, European and excluding BMW and Mercedes there is only Jaguar and the Omega left. biggrin
Maserati Quattroporte.
For 2k?
Cheap running costs?
Remember we're looking for the moon on a stick. wink