Another practical what car thread

[tenohfive]

Have posted on similar lines before in the past and got some answers but need some help broadening my horizons.

What I'm looking for is:

1. Something £6K max
2. Something no more expensive to insure than a 98 Vectra SRi (I'm 24 and can't afford anything sporty)
3. Turbo diesel - I do 15k+ motorway miles a year
4. Cruise control a must and a comfortable interior
5. Reliable and with less than 60K on the clock
6. Something that can still be a bit of fun down the back lanes

In summary, something comfortable, economical, cheap to run (thats not going to break i.e anything French) and ideally not a barge when cutting across country down the back lanes.

I've test driven and Octavia 1.9TDi and liked it, although it was slightly slow in 1st and 2nd. I've looked at a Mk5 Golf 1.9 TDi SE but haven't had the chance to test drive one.

The urgency comes from the fact that I need to have the car by Friday. If I have to I'll pick up a little runabout but I'd prefer to avoid that. There aren't any Golf's/Octavia's ticking those boxes nearby right now, so I'm trying to broaden my horizons.

Suggestions? I'm in the st right now, so I could do with some alternatives that'll tick those boxes.

[tenohfive]

Am about to take a 1.9TDi Bora Highline on a 54 plate for a test drive. Anyone know of any issues with them?

[Bill Carr]

Mondeo?

[V8mate]

Do you like your current Vectra?

You could get a 2005/2006 Vectra CDTI SRI for that budget.

[tenohfive]

V8mate said:

Do you like your current Vectra?

You could get a 2005/2006 Vectra CDTI SRI for that budget.

Unless Vauxhall build quality improves in the next few years, I will not buy a Vauxhall again.

Mondeo's an option (as is the Mazda 6, which seems to be cheaper like for like for some reason) and I'm hoping to take one for a test drive.

[V8mate]

You'll also get a facelift (which is quite important, as the original is fugly!) Citroen C5 HDI for that budget - very comfy for your mile-munching.

[tenohfive]

V8mate said:

You'll also get a facelift (which is quite important, as the original is fugly!) Citroen C5 HDI for that budget - very comfy for your mile-munching.

Not considered the C5 in all honesty because of my famous theory of French=fall apart after a few miles.

Has that changed since I worked in the trade 7 or 8 years ago?
I was always impressed with the low pressure turbo's in citroen/peugeot diesels, just wary of reliability issues and build quality.

[Bill Carr]

tenohfive said:

the Mazda 6, which seems to be cheaper like for like for some reason

Mazda 6 has a nicer interior than the Mondeo IMO, although I think there's less rear-seat space.

[tenohfive]

Can close the thread:

Mentioned above I was taking a Bora for a test drive. Well I've fallen for it. Its not much more on the insurance, should be economical, is the Highline trim - which means heated leather seats, cruise control, electric windows and mirrors, CD multichanger, aircon, nice interior. Very very impressed. 53K on clock, ex fleet vehicle.

And its pretty nippy too - as nippy as my Vectra, and alot less noisy than most diesels. The only drawback is that the rear leg room isn't great - but I don't intend to carry passengers often. Great car, very happy. Have put a deposit down and intend to have by Friday.

Cheers for the advice, sorry it wasn't necessary in the end.

[james_tigerwoods]

tenohfive said:

Can close the thread:

Mentioned above I was taking a Bora for a test drive. Well I've fallen for it. Its not much more on the insurance, should be economical, is the Highline trim - which means heated leather seats, cruise control, electric windows and mirrors, CD multichanger, aircon, nice interior. Very very impressed. 53K on clock, ex fleet vehicle.

And its pretty nippy too - as nippy as my Vectra, and alot less noisy than most diesels. The only drawback is that the rear leg room isn't great - but I don't intend to carry passengers often. Great car, very happy. Have put a deposit down and intend to have by Friday.

Cheers for the advice, sorry it wasn't necessary in the end.

Ummmm

I've had a Bora and I really liked it - however.... The Cambelt needs doing at 60k and can cost between £230 to £300 - try to get them to do it for whatever you paid for it - and make sure they do the pretensioner and the water pump too.

[tenohfive]

Didn't know that, cheers for the heads up.

[james_tigerwoods]

tenohfive said:

Didn't know that, cheers for the heads up.

No worries - I bought one that, at 45k, had it done - I bought it there and then

I didn't lose much on it either, but they are underrated. But the don't handle all that well

Going backwards at 40 into a field will testify to that - I may, however, have been driving too fast...

ETA - I assume it's the 130BHP model?

Edited by james_tigerwoods on Tuesday 17th March 16:18

[ajprice]

If you've looked at VW and Skoda diesels how about a Seat Leon?

[james_tigerwoods]

ajprice said:

If you've looked at VW and Skoda diesels how about a Seat Leon?

Not as roomy or comfortable as a Bora (I've had both - Leon, then Bora, then another Leon). A Toledo is the alternative - but an Octavia would be better.

[tenohfive]

Trouble with the Octavia being that its very sluggish in first and second - and makes alot of noise about it too. The Bora was alot quieter, and frankly it shifted alot quicker in first and second than I expected a 1.9 diesel to be able to. I have to admit I didn't get the chance to test the handling much - it was a test drive with the salesman in the passenger seat, so I didn't push it as hard as I'd have liked to. Whats the main issue with the handling - not particularly grippy, or just loads of understeer?

Leon's are even rarer than Golfs.

Can't remember if I mentioned but I've put a deposit down on the Bora, if all goes to plan I'll pick the car up on Friday.