Boring "what car?" for a friend.

[essexplumber]

A mate of mine has been given a £400 a month car allowance by his employer, he wants to spend £5k on an estate, 55 or newer, 70k miles max (ish) preferably a diseasel. I'm thinking 407 HDi but he quite likes Vauxhall's. He doesn't know much about cars so he asked for some help and I'm passing that request over to you lot . Thanks in advance.

[5lab]

accord

[ewenm]

Focus or Mondeo.

[essexplumber]

5lab said:

accord

I thought of that, but £5k on a 55? I'd buy it myself.

[blugnu]

essexplumber said:

A mate of mine has been given a £400 a month car allowance by his employer, he wants to spend £5k on an estate, 55 or newer, 70k miles max (ish) preferably a diseasel. I'm thinking 407 HDi but he quite likes Vauxhall's. He doesn't know much about cars so he asked for some help and I'm passing that request over to you lot . Thanks in advance.

If he likes Vauxhalls, and doesn't really care about cars he'll find a Vectra fits his need perfectly. The 1.9 diesel is quite a nice engine (largely the same as in in various Fiats, Alfas and Saabs) - it's quiet, reliable, economical and reasonably powerful. The Vectra is large and comfortable, although I never got on with the try-hard indicators. I hired one to go to Scotland a few winters ago to see the snow - the last winter it didn't snow - 2007? Anyway, I drove it 1,500 miles in a week and can only remember that it did 50mpg, the texture of the steering wheel was a bit unpleasant and that we fitted an awful lot of stuff in it. Oh, and having driven it to Aveimore and seen no snow, it was snowing in Sheffield when I took it back so they didn't notice I'd chipped the screen and ripped off a bit of the air dam thing at the front. Result.

Where was I? Oh yes, the Vectra. Probably gets short shrift from most posters on here, but it's a perfectly capable machine.

[essexplumber]

blugnu said:

essexplumber said:

A mate of mine has been given a £400 a month car allowance by his employer, he wants to spend £5k on an estate, 55 or newer, 70k miles max (ish) preferably a diseasel. I'm thinking 407 HDi but he quite likes Vauxhall's. He doesn't know much about cars so he asked for some help and I'm passing that request over to you lot . Thanks in advance.

If he likes Vauxhalls, and doesn't really care about cars he'll find a Vectra fits his need perfectly. The 1.9 diesel is quite a nice engine (largely the same as in in various Fiats, Alfas and Saabs) - it's quiet, reliable, economical and reasonably powerful. The Vectra is large and comfortable, although I never got on with the try-hard indicators. I hired one to go to Scotland a few winters ago to see the snow - the last winter it didn't snow - 2007? Anyway, I drove it 1,500 miles in a week and can only remember that it did 50mpg, the texture of the steering wheel was a bit unpleasant and that we fitted an awful lot of stuff in it. Oh, and having driven it to Aveimore and seen no snow, it was snowing in Sheffield when I took it back so they didn't notice I'd chipped the screen and ripped off a bit of the air dam thing at the front. Result.

Where was I? Oh yes, the Vectra. Probably gets short shrift from most posters on here, but it's a perfectly capable machine.

Funnily enough that is the 1st car he mentioned. I just thought I may be able to find better although I know VX isn't the laughing stock it used to be. He mostly wants something with a good spec as opposed to driving thrills.

[poing]

Mondeo would be my first choice followed by something Japanese, only make him buy the French car if you don't like him

[blugnu]

blugnu said:

Where was I? Oh yes, the Vectra. Probably gets short shrift from most posters on here, but it's a perfectly capable machine.

essexplumber said:

Funnily enough that is the 1st car he mentioned. I just thought I may be able to find better although I know VX isn't the laughing stock it used to be. He mostly wants something with a good spec as opposed to driving thrills.

I'd have thought a high-spec Vectra would be well within budget. The Mondeo mentioned is generally thought to be a better car, but that is only if you value driving dynamics. If you don't then the Vectra is the one to get, especially if you like Vauxhalls.

Or he could have a look at a Signum? It's on a Vectra estate floor I think, but it was built to be a bit posher. Some have four individual seats as I recall.

[kwakus]

I quite like the Signum if he likes Vauxhall, ok not an estate but big boot and bit less common than vectras. quick search i foiund this one: http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/2006-Vauxhall-Signum-Black-d...