Petrol Mondeo vs Passat (c. 2012 model)
Discussion
The time has finally come to replace my temporary stop-gap Kia Picanto (quite a comedown from the Jaguar it replaced…)
My driving is mostly low-mileage with lots of standstill traffic, with a 200 mile round trip to see family once or twice a month. Unfortunately small cars really aren’t for me, so despite the busy roads where I now live, I’ve decided I want something similar to the saloon Jaguar I had before, just more economical and reliable. I’d also feel much safer on the motorway when I see family, or fancy a trip to the coast.
Looking up to about £8k very maximum (ideally wanted around £5k, but I appreciate that’s now not really possible with the current market). Must be petrol, I hate diesels and wouldn’t want anything with a DPF to sit mostly in London traffic.
It seems to come down to a Mondeo or Passat. Both would be around 10 years old.
Out of these, are they both a sensible bet for something reasonably sensible to run? The higher spec interior of the Passat really wins me over, but for some reason I’d expect the Ford to be more reliable? Am I totally wrong here?
Also thoughts on a Skoda Superb or Octavia, which would probably be a tad younger than both for the same money?
Many thanks!
My driving is mostly low-mileage with lots of standstill traffic, with a 200 mile round trip to see family once or twice a month. Unfortunately small cars really aren’t for me, so despite the busy roads where I now live, I’ve decided I want something similar to the saloon Jaguar I had before, just more economical and reliable. I’d also feel much safer on the motorway when I see family, or fancy a trip to the coast.
Looking up to about £8k very maximum (ideally wanted around £5k, but I appreciate that’s now not really possible with the current market). Must be petrol, I hate diesels and wouldn’t want anything with a DPF to sit mostly in London traffic.
It seems to come down to a Mondeo or Passat. Both would be around 10 years old.
Out of these, are they both a sensible bet for something reasonably sensible to run? The higher spec interior of the Passat really wins me over, but for some reason I’d expect the Ford to be more reliable? Am I totally wrong here?
Also thoughts on a Skoda Superb or Octavia, which would probably be a tad younger than both for the same money?
Many thanks!
DaimlerJ said:
The time has finally come to replace my temporary stop-gap Kia Picanto (quite a comedown from the Jaguar it replaced…)
My driving is mostly low-mileage with lots of standstill traffic, with a 200 mile round trip to see family once or twice a month. Unfortunately small cars really aren’t for me, so despite the busy roads where I now live, I’ve decided I want something similar to the saloon Jaguar I had before, just more economical and reliable. I’d also feel much safer on the motorway when I see family, or fancy a trip to the coast.
Looking up to about £8k very maximum (ideally wanted around £5k, but I appreciate that’s now not really possible with the current market). Must be petrol, I hate diesels and wouldn’t want anything with a DPF to sit mostly in London traffic.
It seems to come down to a Mondeo or Passat. Both would be around 10 years old.
Out of these, are they both a sensible bet for something reasonably sensible to run? The higher spec interior of the Passat really wins me over, but for some reason I’d expect the Ford to be more reliable? Am I totally wrong here?
Also thoughts on a Skoda Superb or Octavia, which would probably be a tad younger than both for the same money?
Many thanks!
The Mondeo is the better drive & if you get a Titanium X Sport there really won't be much in it interior wise & compared to the Skoda I'd say they're a step up with a noticeably better NVH than the Octavia.My driving is mostly low-mileage with lots of standstill traffic, with a 200 mile round trip to see family once or twice a month. Unfortunately small cars really aren’t for me, so despite the busy roads where I now live, I’ve decided I want something similar to the saloon Jaguar I had before, just more economical and reliable. I’d also feel much safer on the motorway when I see family, or fancy a trip to the coast.
Looking up to about £8k very maximum (ideally wanted around £5k, but I appreciate that’s now not really possible with the current market). Must be petrol, I hate diesels and wouldn’t want anything with a DPF to sit mostly in London traffic.
It seems to come down to a Mondeo or Passat. Both would be around 10 years old.
Out of these, are they both a sensible bet for something reasonably sensible to run? The higher spec interior of the Passat really wins me over, but for some reason I’d expect the Ford to be more reliable? Am I totally wrong here?
Also thoughts on a Skoda Superb or Octavia, which would probably be a tad younger than both for the same money?
Many thanks!
Titanium X Sport 240:
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202211201...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202208048...
Nearer 5k will get you a Titanium X Sport 200:
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202211171...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202204184...
Very cheap facelift 240 do your checks:
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202210180...
You'll need to make sure that both the VAG options & the Ford (if you go for the Autos) have had their gearbox fluid & filter changes carried out on time, with the VAG 2.0T's oil consumption can be a concern.
VAG wise the 2.0T Passat CC GT 210 is a nice pick:
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202211091...
Alternates at <8K
2.0T Elite Nav 250:
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202210281...
Mazda6 Sport Nav:
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202209179...
Around 5k.
SRI 220:
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202210030...
2.5T S80 SE Lux 200:
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202211181...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202210140...
Infiniti G37 saloon high spec reliable but high road tax:
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202208098...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202210220...
IS250 F Sport:
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202209300...
Thank you for the very detailed reply. A lot to think on there.
My personal experience of the Insignia is slightly lacking build quality, feels plasticky. I like the look of it, but have had bad experiences with that and a modern Vectra, so for those reasons my heart/gut wouldn’t be in it.
The Passat interior is still my favourite, but you definitely get much more for your money with the Mondeo. I was looking at the 1.6, but with a regular low mileage and to have the benefit of an auto (especially in London traffic - I’ll probably kill a clutch quickly here), the 2.0 probably makes more sense with acceleration not much worse than my old Jag. Plus I do really miss my heated windscreen!
I think this confirms for me it’s between a Passat and Mondeo. I’ll take a look at both - I think Passat is heart and Mondeo is head!
My personal experience of the Insignia is slightly lacking build quality, feels plasticky. I like the look of it, but have had bad experiences with that and a modern Vectra, so for those reasons my heart/gut wouldn’t be in it.
The Passat interior is still my favourite, but you definitely get much more for your money with the Mondeo. I was looking at the 1.6, but with a regular low mileage and to have the benefit of an auto (especially in London traffic - I’ll probably kill a clutch quickly here), the 2.0 probably makes more sense with acceleration not much worse than my old Jag. Plus I do really miss my heated windscreen!
I think this confirms for me it’s between a Passat and Mondeo. I’ll take a look at both - I think Passat is heart and Mondeo is head!
DaimlerJ said:
Thank you for the very detailed reply. A lot to think on there.
My personal experience of the Insignia is slightly lacking build quality, feels plasticky. I like the look of it, but have had bad experiences with that and a modern Vectra, so for those reasons my heart/gut wouldn’t be in it.
The Passat interior is still my favourite, but you definitely get much more for your money with the Mondeo. I was looking at the 1.6, but with a regular low mileage and to have the benefit of an auto (especially in London traffic - I’ll probably kill a clutch quickly here), the 2.0 probably makes more sense with acceleration not much worse than my old Jag. Plus I do really miss my heated windscreen!
I think this confirms for me it’s between a Passat and Mondeo. I’ll take a look at both - I think Passat is heart and Mondeo is head!
Good to have a pair to sort out from, with the Passat you'll be wanting GT/Highline spec at least.My personal experience of the Insignia is slightly lacking build quality, feels plasticky. I like the look of it, but have had bad experiences with that and a modern Vectra, so for those reasons my heart/gut wouldn’t be in it.
The Passat interior is still my favourite, but you definitely get much more for your money with the Mondeo. I was looking at the 1.6, but with a regular low mileage and to have the benefit of an auto (especially in London traffic - I’ll probably kill a clutch quickly here), the 2.0 probably makes more sense with acceleration not much worse than my old Jag. Plus I do really miss my heated windscreen!
I think this confirms for me it’s between a Passat and Mondeo. I’ll take a look at both - I think Passat is heart and Mondeo is head!
Edited by ZX10R NIN on Tuesday 22 November 21:48
MC Bodge said:
DaimlerJ said:
I think this confirms for me it’s between a Passat and Mondeo. I’ll take a look at both - I think Passat is heart and Mondeo is head!
Does a Passat really promote such longing?Might not win the heart short term, but certainly is a jack of all trades when needed. I just didnt gel with ford interiors - but thats personal taste rather than the capability of the Mondeo!
MC Bodge said:
DaimlerJ said:
I think this confirms for me it’s between a Passat and Mondeo. I’ll take a look at both - I think Passat is heart and Mondeo is head!
Does a Passat really promote such longing?Gassing Station | Car Buying | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff