Practicality-Power-Economy

[exelero]

As above.
I’m stuck in my search, my Saab decided that whatever i spend on it two months later something else breaks. I got the green light from my better half to buy something else. But what? I’m doing around 20-25 k a year but it’s very variable (Did 20 last year but only 10 the year before).
Got a budget of 4 k which I can stretch but ideally under this.
Needs to be practical because the baby is coming in 8 weeks so a decent size boot wouldn’t hurt. I’m considering either and estate or saloon or saloon type hatch.
Need some power ideally around the 200 mark
Need fuel economy also something like 40-50 mpg.
What I have on my shortlist at the moment would be a C220-350 Mercedes, a mondeo or a Mazda 6. No insignia please
What did I miss ? What would my best option be ? Thanks

[ZX10R NIN]

You won't be getting 200bhp unless you remap what you end up buying, also don't discount the Insignia because with your budget it's one of the better options, especially when you take age/mileage/spec/decent MPG & power.

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202105112...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202106204...

SRI

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202106204...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202105232...

Mondeo Titanium 160

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202106214...

Zetec 160

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202104241...

DS4 DSport 160

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202105313...

C5 Exclusive

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202106013...

If you only have the one child then going for something the next size down

Giulietta Veloce 170

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202104061...

Astra Elite 165

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202106254...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202106143...

SRI

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202104191...

[exelero]

You suggestions as always are good. I can’t really have an Astra size car even though I like the Giulietta, but it’s just too small. I like the mondeo you sent and well she likes the insignia.

Are insignias really as bad as they say?

[ZX10R NIN]

What makes you think they're bad?

They're decent cars like all cars of this age/mileage I would recommend an oil flush & then a service every 10k because long life service intervals are responsible for engines (oil pick up pipes on the Insignia) getting clogged up so plan to flush every 30k.

I'd be going for the Insignia with your budget in mind as it's the best option yes the Mondeo is the better steer but for me the newer/lower mileage car would be my pick.

[stevemcs]

As much as i dislike anything VAG, how about an A4 - i'd go SE spec and cloth interior

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/324671772160?hash=item4...

The Golf boot is massive considering its size, there is also the passat

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/304011531950?hash=item4...

Or there is always a Volvo

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/265195754901?hash=item3...

[exelero]

Thanks.
Cloth interiors are hard to clean, the golf looks good to be fair. The Volvo however is too big but I would consider a V50/60

[exelero]

ZX10R NIN said:

What makes you think they're bad?

They're decent cars like all cars of this age/mileage I would recommend an oil flush & then a service every 10k because long life service intervals are responsible for engines (oil pick up pipes on the Insignia) getting clogged up so plan to flush every 30k.

I'd be going for the Insignia with your budget in mind as it's the best option yes the Mondeo is the better steer but for me the newer/lower mileage car would be my pick.

The internet makes me think I’m bad. I never heard anything good about them

[stevemcs]

The Insignias are not too bad, we see less issues with them compared to anything vw. Cambelt S are cheaper as it’s only a couple of hours compared to the 4 it takes for a vw, rear calipers and glow plugs are the main issues. Some glow plugs are cheap, some have pressure sensors built in which makes them much more expensive.

Personally I wouldn’t use an engine flush as it can sometimes move dirt to the wrong place and cause more issues, they can suffer with the o ring wearing on the pick up pipe which causes low pressure. This will kill the engine if left. However if the v70 is too big then so is the insignia, it’s just as long, if not longer and offers less interior space.