Vectra or Mondeo? Or what?
Discussion
As of 4 days ago, I became a dad! Lovely little girl called Eleanor.
We already have two dogs and there will be at least once a month that myself, the missus, Baby and the dogs will be in the car at the same time.
I currently drive a BMW E36 Compact which is a great car and I don't want to sell it, but after a few tries at getting the car seat in and out, I can see that it's going to get very tiresome. I have to climb right into the car and stoop over to get the seat strapped on. Not the end of the world, but when its raining and there isn't much space for access (car parks), its going to be a right pain.
I bought a roof box and bars for the bimmer, which is on and serving its purpose as the pram carrier so will be keeping it for the new car as the dogs take up the whole boot on their own.
Basically, I need a 5 door hatch with a decent sized boot. I have the money from selling the bimmer (around £1000) and maybe a bit more from my wage, so lets say a max of £1200. I want it to be good on fuel and cheap on insurance, but don't want it to be so gutless that I can't enjoy it when the little'un isn't in the car.
I had a Vectra B for a week before it killed itself. My fault, it was a £400 ebay special, although I didn't expect it to die that quickly. I liked it alot for what it was, although it was a mid 90s car so crappy dated material inside but still ok. It was the 1.8 16v Ecotec which was plenty nippy enough. I would happily have another, but would have to be a later 2000 onwards car. I would prefer a Vectra C but expect it would be a ropey, high milage, low spec shed.
The other choice is a Mondeo. I have been driven in a pre 2000 shape car and it was alright. Looking dated inside and out now, but the later cars are ok looking. Ideally I would like a post 2000 shape which it seems I can get within my budget. Ive driven a few of these (not owned though) in the past and whilst being bland, are nice cars. Think I drove the 2.0l versions which seemed quick enough too, although would probably be looking at a 1.8 again.
Open to all other options too. Did think about possibly a Fiat Stilo 5 door but seem to only read reports about build quality issues everywhere.
So what would be your choice out of a late spec Vectra B or a post 2000 Mondeo? Or would a £1000 post 2000 Mondeo be a bit ropey too? There are loads about cheaper but assume I could get a fairly high spec, well looked after pre 2000 car for the same money.
What other similar cars would you recommend?
We already have two dogs and there will be at least once a month that myself, the missus, Baby and the dogs will be in the car at the same time.
I currently drive a BMW E36 Compact which is a great car and I don't want to sell it, but after a few tries at getting the car seat in and out, I can see that it's going to get very tiresome. I have to climb right into the car and stoop over to get the seat strapped on. Not the end of the world, but when its raining and there isn't much space for access (car parks), its going to be a right pain.
I bought a roof box and bars for the bimmer, which is on and serving its purpose as the pram carrier so will be keeping it for the new car as the dogs take up the whole boot on their own.
Basically, I need a 5 door hatch with a decent sized boot. I have the money from selling the bimmer (around £1000) and maybe a bit more from my wage, so lets say a max of £1200. I want it to be good on fuel and cheap on insurance, but don't want it to be so gutless that I can't enjoy it when the little'un isn't in the car.
I had a Vectra B for a week before it killed itself. My fault, it was a £400 ebay special, although I didn't expect it to die that quickly. I liked it alot for what it was, although it was a mid 90s car so crappy dated material inside but still ok. It was the 1.8 16v Ecotec which was plenty nippy enough. I would happily have another, but would have to be a later 2000 onwards car. I would prefer a Vectra C but expect it would be a ropey, high milage, low spec shed.
The other choice is a Mondeo. I have been driven in a pre 2000 shape car and it was alright. Looking dated inside and out now, but the later cars are ok looking. Ideally I would like a post 2000 shape which it seems I can get within my budget. Ive driven a few of these (not owned though) in the past and whilst being bland, are nice cars. Think I drove the 2.0l versions which seemed quick enough too, although would probably be looking at a 1.8 again.
Open to all other options too. Did think about possibly a Fiat Stilo 5 door but seem to only read reports about build quality issues everywhere.
So what would be your choice out of a late spec Vectra B or a post 2000 Mondeo? Or would a £1000 post 2000 Mondeo be a bit ropey too? There are loads about cheaper but assume I could get a fairly high spec, well looked after pre 2000 car for the same money.
What other similar cars would you recommend?
odyssey2200 said:
Deluded said:
Already thought of that but they only come in 2.0l flavor or bigger and the insurance groups are a lot higher than the equivalent Ford/Vauxhall.
But you will save the extra in not having to spend money on repairs like you would with a Vauxhall.Plus, looking at AT, for the performance, the 1.8 honda is pretty poor on economy. The stats state that the 1.8 Mondeo (post 2000) achieves high 30s on a combined and low 50s on a motorway run. The Honda barely manages low 30s and mid 40s.
What are the Mondeos like to live with?
Deluded said:
odyssey2200 said:
Deluded said:
Already thought of that but they only come in 2.0l flavor or bigger and the insurance groups are a lot higher than the equivalent Ford/Vauxhall.
But you will save the extra in not having to spend money on repairs like you would with a Vauxhall.I have had over 70 Hondas (yes 70, seriously)and never spent a penny on repairs and not one missed a beat, ever.
A few sets of pads
A exhaust tail pipe
A Cam belt of the wifes Shuttle at 72k
Not 1 penny more.
Edited by odyssey2200 on Thursday 19th August 23:09
anonymous said:
[redacted]
I don't use the car as much as I used to so want to get a car that can sit on the drive and not cost me a fortune when its not being used (hence wanting low insurance) but want it to be a good drive when I do use it, but still not cost me a fortune on fuel. The quoted 7-8mpg differences (however inaccurate) are a big selling point at the moment. Money is tight (hence the small budget) so I want to get the most value out of a car that I can.
Been looking at the Primera now too. Like the exterior (bar the front end but could live with it) but the interior is just so bland compared to the others.
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