£3k diesel with toys
Discussion
Will be needing a new car soon and thought about getting another 1.9TDI Leon but would have liked something a bit more comfy with a few toys like cruise control and an armrest (going all out..) The Leon isn't very nice in slow moving traffic due to the heavy clutch but I'm guessing a lot of the older cars have this problem? The MK5 Golf courtesy car I have now has a clutch that's like pushing air, lovely.
It also must have a nice interior, nothing too old but something that's a nice place to be.
I thought about a Jag X-type but was put off by the engine problems, same with the 9-3 and 320d. And with these cars I don't want to be buying at the bottom of the market. Saying that, I have owned a couple of Alfa's which weren't /too/ bad, so horror stories don't put me off completely.
The 110bhp in my Leon is more than enough for me but wouldn't say no to more power.
Am I best getting another Leon for £2k? I would prefer a Golf, I've owned a couple before and feel like the cabin is more welcoming but they're more expensive.
It also must have a nice interior, nothing too old but something that's a nice place to be.
I thought about a Jag X-type but was put off by the engine problems, same with the 9-3 and 320d. And with these cars I don't want to be buying at the bottom of the market. Saying that, I have owned a couple of Alfa's which weren't /too/ bad, so horror stories don't put me off completely.
The 110bhp in my Leon is more than enough for me but wouldn't say no to more power.
Am I best getting another Leon for £2k? I would prefer a Golf, I've owned a couple before and feel like the cabin is more welcoming but they're more expensive.
Edited by beatngu on Sunday 8th July 17:38
You can retro fit a arm rest and cruise control to your Leon for less than £100. Arm rest from a breakers, and cruise requires a new indicator stalk and a quick go on VAG-com to unlock the function in the ECU.
Alternatively (and lets face it, changing cars is far more fun than keeping the same one), you could check out the Rover 75/ MG ZT - either comes with the same engine as the 320d, but you can get a better version of one of these for your budget.
Alternatively, how about a Volvo s60 D5? People on here seem to rave about those cars.
Alternatively (and lets face it, changing cars is far more fun than keeping the same one), you could check out the Rover 75/ MG ZT - either comes with the same engine as the 320d, but you can get a better version of one of these for your budget.
Alternatively, how about a Volvo s60 D5? People on here seem to rave about those cars.
Codswallop said:
You can retro fit a arm rest and cruise control to your Leon for less than £100. Arm rest from a breakers, and cruise requires a new indicator stalk and a quick go on VAG-com to unlock the function in the ECU.
Alternatively (and lets face it, changing cars is far more fun than keeping the same one), you could check out the Rover 75/ MG ZT - either comes with the same engine as the 320d, but you can get a better version of one of these for your budget.
Alternatively, how about a Volvo s60 D5? People on here seem to rave about those cars.
Thanks. With those fitted to the Leon it'd help but the car just feels too firm in traffic, the seats, clutch, steering, everything.Alternatively (and lets face it, changing cars is far more fun than keeping the same one), you could check out the Rover 75/ MG ZT - either comes with the same engine as the 320d, but you can get a better version of one of these for your budget.
Alternatively, how about a Volvo s60 D5? People on here seem to rave about those cars.
Not keen on Rovers, but I do like the idea of the Volvo. Originally I wanted something that looked nice/sporty but beggars can't be choosers and inside the car/comfort/toys are much more important for now. Volvo seems fully loaded too!
Is there much seating difference between a hatchback and saloon type car?
Edited by beatngu on Sunday 8th July 19:33
G600 said:
Weirdly the same reason I didn't like the one I drove for a week, what about a honda accord?
Not even in stop/start traffic? Nearly get a cramp in the Leon. 
rb5er said:
Volvo s60 d5
As above this is a good choice, do they usually come fully kitted out?kentmotorcompany said:
VW Passat.
VW Bora.
Similar mechanicals to what you are used to, cheaper than the more popular Golf. Both can be found with leather and few toys, maybe even auto if you do a bit of traffic driving.
Was looking at a few Bora's today actually. Nice cars and hear nothing but good things about the Passat.VW Bora.
Similar mechanicals to what you are used to, cheaper than the more popular Golf. Both can be found with leather and few toys, maybe even auto if you do a bit of traffic driving.
blugnu said:
Enough for a nice 156 or 147 JTD. Perhaps even a GT?
Clutch was very light on my 156 2.4. You'd need a face lift to get cruise control I think, so you'd also get dual zone climate. They all have arm rests. The 147 doesn't feel luxurious to me as it's so narrow inside.
I actually found the 147 bigger than the 156 inside! At least for the driver and front passenger.Clutch was very light on my 156 2.4. You'd need a face lift to get cruise control I think, so you'd also get dual zone climate. They all have arm rests. The 147 doesn't feel luxurious to me as it's so narrow inside.
The two I've owned had the exact same issues and I found them a hassle to be honest. And not exactly cheap to run with expensive consumables. Lovely motors and you do get used to fixing the niggles yourself but just want something I can slip into without a warning light popping up.
However, neither car ever left me stranded at the side of the road.
Edited by beatngu on Sunday 8th July 20:25
beatngu said:
I actually found the 147 bigger than the 156 inside! At least for the driver and front passenger.
The two I've owned had the exact same issues and I found them a hassle to be honest. And not exactly cheap to run with expensive consumables. Lovely motors and you do get used to fixing the niggles yourself but just want something I can slip into without a warning light popping up.
Weird. I had a pre-facelift (2001) 156.Don't know if they got more 'padded' after the facelift?The two I've owned had the exact same issues and I found them a hassle to be honest. And not exactly cheap to run with expensive consumables. Lovely motors and you do get used to fixing the niggles yourself but just want something I can slip into without a warning light popping up.
Whenever I got a courtesy 147 it always felt like I was almost touching the passenger seat.
I know what you mean about the warning lights now, because I never had any in the Alfa, but the current car (Leon, ironically) has the engine light on at the moment ....
Alfa had an appetite for bushes, but was otherwise sweet. I must have been lucky.
blugnu said:
Weird. I had a pre-facelift (2001) 156.Don't know if they got more 'padded' after the facelift?
Whenever I got a courtesy 147 it always felt like I was almost touching the passenger seat.
I know what you mean about the warning lights now, because I never had any in the Alfa, but the current car (Leon, ironically) has the engine light on at the moment ....
Alfa had an appetite for bushes, but was otherwise sweet. I must have been lucky.
The thing with the Alfa warning lights is that it isn't just one, it goes through the entire selection at will, from numberplate bulbs to VDC/ABS failure. I had the exact same warning lights on two different 147's.Whenever I got a courtesy 147 it always felt like I was almost touching the passenger seat.
I know what you mean about the warning lights now, because I never had any in the Alfa, but the current car (Leon, ironically) has the engine light on at the moment ....
Alfa had an appetite for bushes, but was otherwise sweet. I must have been lucky.
And if you don't DIY then it would get pricey, the brake switch for example, on both cars my cruise control and VDC stopped working because the brake switch needed a clean, at a stealers they would have charged for a brand new one + labour. Same with the squeaky clutch which just needs a good lube.
Most are easily sorted but hassle none the less.
The cambelt is also another big issue because of the price, especially if your variator goes.
billybob69 said:
406 coupe 2.2 hdi is good bet easierly remapped to 180hp with no fuss.
leather and all the toys.
Never thought about a peugeot but their diesel engines are always mentioned as being very good. Will look them up.leather and all the toys.
confused_buyer said:
Volvo S60 D5 ticks all your boxes and is a damn fine car to boot.
Just what I'm looking for from the sounds of things, reading a few reviews.
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