Need Advice - Octavia, Insignia or Mazda 6?

[Skibz81]

Hi there. With a growing family I am having to buy a bigger car. We have two little ones. I have always had small hatch backs so this would be my first big car. My budget is £7000 - £8000 max.

I am looking for a car that is practical for a small growing family so it must have a decent sized boot and roomy enough interior. I also want a car that is economical, low road tax as I am fed up with paying extortionate road tax.

I am also looking for a car that is nice to drive. I do want a smooth car as there are so many bumps and pot holes every where.

I am looking for a car that has not done too much mileage. Max of upto 60,000 miles and no older than 5 years.

After a lot of research I have condensed down to three motors:

Vauxhall Insignia 2.0 CDTI Start/Stop Ecoflex - Nice looking, very economical, Good BHP for such an economical car, very low road tax, nice interior. The only issues are that the rear leg room is not as good as it could be and it does not hold its value aswell.

Skoda Octavia 1.6 TDI Greenline - Reasonably looking, very economical, very low road tax. Huge boot space and good rear leg room. Good overall car. Although a bit more pricey and not as good looking as the insignia and the interior looks a bit boring.

Mazda 6 2.2 (128 or 163 bhp) - Stunning looking motor, fun to drive. Chain cam belt. On the negative side it is not as economical as the above two and higher insurance and road tax. The interior is also very basic.

So what are your thoughts? Or any good or better alternatives?

Thank you in advance

Edited by Skibz81 on Monday 12th January 21:35

Edited by Skibz81 on Monday 12th January 21:39

Edited by Skibz81 on Monday 12th January 21:42

Edited by Skibz81 on Tuesday 13th January 13:22

[schmunk]

S-Max 2.5T meets all of your requirements. *

• errr, except fuel economy, perhaps...

[willmagrath]

My dad's got an 09 insignia and although it looks good with a nice interior, he's had amny dpf issues and inlet manifold issues, its awkward to drive, the engine is rubbish (2.0 cdti 160) and its very thirsty for a diesel!

If you want smooth though, how about a citroen c5 with the fancy suspension? Incredibly good ride, cheap to buy, but also quite thirsty and may go wrong too

Edited by willmagrath on Monday 12th January 21:47

[morgrp]

I'd recommend the Skoda - literally huge and decent drive too, but a word of advice would be to ditch the dreadful Greenline package - Pile of crap - gear ratios are nasty and the spec pretty crap. Much better would be a higher spec 1.6 or 2.0 TDI

[sonarbell]

Ive had an 11 plate and 14 plate Insignia. 2.0 litre 160 Diesel Ecoflex Elite Nav.More toys than most cars fitted as standard. Did 120k miles in the first and just clocking up 20k miles in the second. Both highly reliable,great to drive and average over 55 mpg. 20k miles service intervals. Will definitely have another.

[38911]

Avoid the Mazda. The cam chains on the 2.2D engine are weak and prone to stretching and ultimately have been known to break altogether. Mine needed changing at 30k (under warranty) and was well on its way out again when I got rid of the car at 45k.

[poing]

Mondeo? Lots to pick from and seem to be well rated.

Of your 3 I would go Mazda, Skoda, Insignia in that order just from personal preference.

[Skibz81]

poing said:

Mondeo? Lots to pick from and seem to be well rated.

Of your 3 I would go Mazda, Skoda, Insignia in that order just from personal preference.

The Mondeo just looks far too big and not as attractive as either the Insignia or the Mazda.

[Skibz81]

Which models of the Insignia, Octavia and Mazda 6 are considered the best in terms of economy and reliability?

I am looking at 2009-2011 year models

[Renovation]

Mazda6 - looks good, drives well.

But Mazda can't make a reliable diesel.

[DB9]

Can't go wrong with the Octavia tbh, however have you looked at the Accord 2.2DTEC?

Within your budget you are probably looking at the last of the 'old shape' but they're still a cracking motor.

[morgrp]

DB9 said:

Can't go wrong with the Octavia tbh, however have you looked at the Accord 2.2DTEC?

Within your budget you are probably looking at the last of the 'old shape' but they're still a cracking motor.

I looked at some 2.2 diesel Civics about a year ago and heard some horror stories with reliability and was ultimately scared off - is this justified or just internet tripe?

[DB9]

morgrp said:

I looked at some 2.2 diesel Civics about a year ago and heard some horror stories with reliability and was ultimately scared off - is this justified or just internet tripe?

Tripe. Mostly traffic light grand prix's causing clutch issues but you'll get that with any car.

I've owned a 2.2 over roughly 80k and haven't had one issue other than routine maintenance. That's where my hard-earned would be going. Just my opinion and experience of course.

[Skibz81]

DB9 said:

Tripe. Mostly traffic light grand prix's causing clutch issues but you'll get that with any car.

I've owned a 2.2 over roughly 80k and haven't had one issue other than routine maintenance. That's where my hard-earned would be going. Just my opinion and experience of course.

What is the boot space like in of those? Will it take a double buggy with all the stuff that comes with it?

[Skibz81]

DB9 said:

Can't go wrong with the Octavia tbh, however have you looked at the Accord 2.2DTEC?

Within your budget you are probably looking at the last of the 'old shape' but they're still a cracking motor.

What model Octavia would you recommend for 2009-2011 models? In terms of economy, reliability and performance?

[kambites]

Skibz81 said:

What model Octavia would you recommend for 2009-2011 models? In terms of economy, reliability and performance?

The VRS.

Just avoid the 18 inch wheels. They're awful.

Edited by kambites on Tuesday 13th January 13:31

[rob.e]

vRS octavia. Much better than the alternatives.

I'm on my second one..

[Dave81]

Skibz81 said:

What is the boot space like in of those? Will it take a double buggy with all the stuff that comes with it?

The Mazda 6 has huge boot space. I came from an 07 Focus Estate to a 60 plate Mazda 6.
Don't regret it for one moment. Not as useful area as an estate (not that I thought it would), but the floor area is bigger!
Only had the car 2 months but so far really taken with it......in fact at my budget it was the only car I actually really liked (styling and place to sit)!

Reliability issues. Most were issues with the 2.0 diesel which they managed to sort with the 2.2.
Doesn't mean they are bombproof, but which modern diesel is.......I too read all the horror stories and had a long hard think about pumping 10k of my hard earned into one.

My justification (bar it being the best looking in its class at that price IMO), was that I do 20k a year.
Most of the stories regards dpf regen issues happen to people who buy cars and do low milages, doesn't complete cycle and dumps diesel into the sump!!!

One last thing.....I ended up buying the Sport version. I only decided to look at one as I was passing a garage and seeing the 6 on the forecourt. Didn't even consider the Mazda before that day, but after sitting in it to me it was the only one to have. The half leather and sport dash make it feel a lot nicer place to be than the TS or TS2. Plus you get 185 or 180hp dependant on year plus all the toys!

At your budget you could get an 09/59 plate one form a Dealership with less than 60k on the clock and full MSH.

I ended up busting my original budget of £8-9k and spent the extra to get a 60 plate facelift model with 36k and FMSH.

Also drove a TS2, performance was absolutely fine, but it doesn't feel like the same quality of car inside with the cloth seats!

As I said.......much nicer place to sit than others in its class (also looked at Insignia, 9-3, Mundano etc).
It handles really well and the 180hp and 295ft lbs is more powerful than anything else I could get for the same money!

[Dave81]

Dave81 said:

The Mazda 6 has huge boot space. I came from an 07 Focus Estate to a 60 plate Mazda 6.
Don't regret it for one moment. Not as useful area as an estate (not that I thought it would), but the floor area is bigger!
Only had the car 2 months but so far really taken with it......in fact at my budget it was the only car I actually really liked (styling and place to sit)!

Reliability issues. Most were issues with the 2.0 diesel which they managed to sort with the 2.2.
Doesn't mean they are bombproof, but which modern diesel is.......I too read all the horror stories and had a long hard think about pumping 10k of my hard earned into one.

My justification (bar it being the best looking in its class at that price IMO), was that I do 20k a year.
Most of the stories regards dpf regen issues happen to people who buy cars and do low milages, doesn't complete cycle and dumps diesel into the sump!!!

One last thing.....I ended up buying the Sport version. I only decided to look at one as I was passing a garage and seeing the 6 on the forecourt. Didn't even consider the Mazda before that day, but after sitting in it to me it was the only one to have. The half leather and sport dash make it feel a lot nicer place to be than the TS or TS2. Plus you get 185 or 180hp dependant on year plus all the toys!

At your budget you could get an 09/59 plate one form a Dealership with less than 60k on the clock and full MSH.

I ended up busting my original budget of £8-9k and spent the extra to get a 60 plate facelift model with 36k and FMSH.

Also drove a TS2, performance was absolutely fine, but it doesn't feel like the same quality of car inside with the cloth seats!

As I said.......much nicer place to sit than others in its class (also looked at Insignia, 9-3, Mundano etc).
It handles really well and the 180hp and 295ft lbs is more powerful than anything else I could get for the same money!

Forgot to add. I also really liked the Octavia.
But again after sitting in them it would have had to be the VRS.
I couldn't find a VRS with the mileage, history and condition to match the Mazda in. It would have been a year or 2 older with higher mileage!

[Jasandjules]

What about a Passat 140 Tdi - 2011 should be within budget. Should get 50mpg and £30 tax. Ok to drive, nippy enough too.