Buying a new car

[Hsbgriff]

Hi Everyone,

I'm after some advice please, I'm in the process of moving house which is going to increase the size of my commute to a 52 mile round trip a day (mosty motorways).

I currently have a 3 door 06 corsa that is to impractical with my 1 year old baby and want something bigger and with 5 doors .

I have around 3k to spend and am thinking of getting a Golf, I have seen a 2009 1.9 tdi on auto trader for 2k that looks good.

Questions I have are
- is a golf the right car to go for, is this age and millage prone to issues?
- should I get a diesel and if so what are pros and cons of the engine size

Thanks for your help, cars aren't my strong point!!

[LightningBlue]

I’ve never owned a diesel but I know plenty who’ve been stung by big bills to replace the particulate filter. VW reliability is also a myth really, at this budget and for a commuter car I’d be looking for a Toyota Auris or a Honda Civic. The 1.8 petrols of the Civic could easily do 50mpg on a motorway run.

[fflump]

I would get a diesel yes.

I'd advise you stick in your criteria to autotrader and see what comes out.

e.g. 5 doors, diesel, under 70k miles, 2.5-3k, over 100 bhp (decent power makes a commute less arduous)

Spits out newer cars than a 09 golf

e.g. Pug 3008, 2013

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202102169...

Citreon C4, 2013
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202010285...

Astra 2012
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202104010...

Insignia 2012 hatch.
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202102189...

[fflump]

LightningBlue said:

I’ve never owned a diesel but I know plenty who’ve been stung by big bills to replace the particulate filter. VW reliability is also a myth really, at this budget and for a commuter car I’d be looking for a Toyota Auris or a Honda Civic. The 1.8 petrols of the Civic could easily do 50mpg on a motorway run.

Surely his DPF would burn off fine if he's mainly motorway commuting?

[tomwilliams0326]

something like a 1.6 diesel skoda octavia sounds like itll tick all the boxes, or go for the newest jap car you can like a civic, toyota auris is a good shout if you want something to run without much added cost.
my S/O has a 2010 kia soul and its got the 1.6 diesel, insurance is nothing and is pulls decent with 126hp and cruise means it eat motorways, kia are a really good shout around your budget

[mat205125]

Value for money will come from a dull and unexciting family hatch

This mileage justifies diesel

Reliability will come from a Japanese brand

Accord or Avensis would be ideal.

Skoda would be the pick of the VAG

[Aunty Pasty]

A VAG diesel of that age would have been been embroiled in the diesel gate scandal. Depending on the engine it may have had a small hardware modification or a engine software remap (affected power/torque curves IME )so check for these if you're considering it.

[LightningBlue]

fflump said:

LightningBlue said:

I’ve never owned a diesel but I know plenty who’ve been stung by big bills to replace the particulate filter. VW reliability is also a myth really, at this budget and for a commuter car I’d be looking for a Toyota Auris or a Honda Civic. The 1.8 petrols of the Civic could easily do 50mpg on a motorway run.

Surely his DPF would burn off fine if he's mainly motorway commuting?

For this buyer yes but could still be clogged from inadequate use from previous owners?

[fflump]

LightningBlue said:

fflump said:

LightningBlue said:

I’ve never owned a diesel but I know plenty who’ve been stung by big bills to replace the particulate filter. VW reliability is also a myth really, at this budget and for a commuter car I’d be looking for a Toyota Auris or a Honda Civic. The 1.8 petrols of the Civic could easily do 50mpg on a motorway run.

Surely his DPF would burn off fine if he's mainly motorway commuting?

For this buyer yes but could still be clogged from inadequate use from previous owners?

DPF warning lights exist for this reason.

[ZX10R NIN]

Yes go for a diesel I'd say go for a 2.0tdi VAG engine but with your budget I'd be looking at these.

Alfa Giulietta Veloce 170 very good cars with proven reliability

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202104040...

Astra GTC SRI 165 you'll have to haggle to land one for close to 3K but they're very good value for money when you consider age/spec/mileage & price:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202101298...

Astra Elite 165 haggle & you'll get one bang on budget & it's a higher spec than the GTC above but it's 3 years older:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202104051...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202103210...

Renault Laguna 2 GT 180 these are a great buy reliable swift & a lovely place to while away the miles & you'll get a nice one under budget:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202103290...

Insignia Elite 165:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202103230...

SRI

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202103230...

C30 D5 SE

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202103310...

Auris SR180 with Toyota's reputation for diesels this engine is decent.

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202012127...

As you can see you have some good options at this price point.

The Astra & Laguna are the choice picks.

[Wagonwheel555]

LightningBlue said:

I’ve never owned a diesel but I know plenty who’ve been stung by big bills to replace the particulate filter. VW reliability is also a myth really, at this budget and for a commuter car I’d be looking for a Toyota Auris or a Honda Civic. The 1.8 petrols of the Civic could easily do 50mpg on a motorway run.

Plenty?

I don't know one person other than anecdotal stories online. I am sure there are some who have had to replace them but like most car horror stories, you don't hear about the hordes of people who drive 5 mile journeys for years with zero DPF issues.

The mileage the OP is doing warrants a diesel. My wife has a 330D, her commute to work is 6 miles each way but she does a 100 mile journey twice a month, no DPF issues.

[Belle427]

If the Golf has the 1.9 pd engine it should be fine, I’ve had several of these engines over the years and they have been bomb proof.
The 2.0 pd engine did have its issues so this is one I’d avoid.
If it were me I’d try to find a car with the later 2.0 Tdi common rail engine, it’s a much more refined unit and more pleasant to drive.

[LightningBlue]

Wagonwheel555 said:

LightningBlue said:

I’ve never owned a diesel but I know plenty who’ve been stung by big bills to replace the particulate filter. VW reliability is also a myth really, at this budget and for a commuter car I’d be looking for a Toyota Auris or a Honda Civic. The 1.8 petrols of the Civic could easily do 50mpg on a motorway run.

Plenty?

I don't know one person other than anecdotal stories online. I am sure there are some who have had to replace them but like most car horror stories, you don't hear about the hordes of people who drive 5 mile journeys for years with zero DPF issues.

The mileage the OP is doing warrants a diesel. My wife has a 330D, her commute to work is 6 miles each way but she does a 100 mile journey twice a month, no DPF issues.

Got to love the confrontational nature of these forums...but yes several people at my work have had to replace the DP filter. Really that’s because each did short mileages and their usage didn’t want diesel. All I wondered was could these be clogged from previous misuse? Personally I’d be wary of buying diesel as certain areas seem to want them out of town centres.

[Hsbgriff]

Thanks everyone for your detailed and helpful feedback. I think I am being swayed towards a Civic or Astra. Some good options though!