Help French or German
Discussion
Im in a quandry people?
I am considering spending upto 6k on a 5dr family hatchback for 3 people.I would prefer diesel not only for the improved mpg but I like the lazy torquey nature of diesel and I can get my thrills on two wheels if need be.
I have been looking at French & Italian stuff eg Clio & Megane, pug 207 & 307 and Alfa 147. As you are aware you can get a 4 or 5yr old car with reasonably lowish miles for my 5 or 6k but im nervous about spending my money on what could be a timebomb.Yes I know all cars go wrong and need maintenance but French & Italian stuff generally seem to get hit with the big poor reliability stick.
Alternatively I could sink my money into a Golf or Audi A3 TDi but it will be older(7-8yrs)and have a few more miles.I havent really had any particularly bad experiences with VAG in the past so I am admittedly biased.
Would appreciate thoughts & experiences.
Thankyou in advance all.
I am considering spending upto 6k on a 5dr family hatchback for 3 people.I would prefer diesel not only for the improved mpg but I like the lazy torquey nature of diesel and I can get my thrills on two wheels if need be.
I have been looking at French & Italian stuff eg Clio & Megane, pug 207 & 307 and Alfa 147. As you are aware you can get a 4 or 5yr old car with reasonably lowish miles for my 5 or 6k but im nervous about spending my money on what could be a timebomb.Yes I know all cars go wrong and need maintenance but French & Italian stuff generally seem to get hit with the big poor reliability stick.
Alternatively I could sink my money into a Golf or Audi A3 TDi but it will be older(7-8yrs)and have a few more miles.I havent really had any particularly bad experiences with VAG in the past so I am admittedly biased.
Would appreciate thoughts & experiences.
Thankyou in advance all.
The 307 is regarded as being one of the most unreliable cars built. I had one and from my own experience I'd never buy one again. Nothing major went wrong with it and it never let me down but there was a constant barrage of niggling problems. Everytime something went wrong and I got it fixed, a week later something else would need doing. I got rid of it in the end as I lost my patience with it. I wrote a huge list of everything that needed doing for my mechanic and spent a few hundred getting it all done. It went a week with no faults and then the air conditioning packed in and I noticed oil in the coolant, so I traded it in and got a C4 Grand Picasso. Which has been great, no problems or faults yet and still feels as good and solid as it did when I bought it. So not all French cars are bad.
TheTurbonator said:
The 307 is regarded as being one of the most unreliable cars built. I had one and from my own experience I'd never buy one again. Nothing major went wrong with it and it never let me down but there was a constant barrage of niggling problems. Everytime something went wrong and I got it fixed, a week later something else would need doing. I got rid of it in the end as I lost my patience with it. I wrote a huge list of everything that needed doing for my mechanic and spent a few hundred getting it all done. It went a week with no faults and then the air conditioning packed in and I noticed oil in the coolant, so I traded it in and got a C4 Grand Picasso. Which has been great, no problems or faults yet and still feels as good and solid as it did when I bought it. So not all French cars are bad.
Peugeot is one I read a lot about and then Reanault but I keep hearing from people with great experiences with french/Italian cars like yourself.StoatInACoat said:
Everybody is going to tell you to buy German. Everybody knows someone else who's brother had a Megane and it broke down all the time and so all French cars are unreliable turds.
Yes reading the owners reviews on the Parkers webby dont help either its rare to read of owners who are satisfied sadly.Don't get hung up on where your car is made. Just check that the particular make and model you are considering is generally reliable, and that the car you are viewing is well maintained. There are bad german cars and good French cars. I believe German cars are generally better built and easier to fix, but I would not have a problem with buying a french car.
P.S. I'm pretty sure my 1996 BMW was made in spain anyway, as was my mate's 1993 Polo.
P.S. I'm pretty sure my 1996 BMW was made in spain anyway, as was my mate's 1993 Polo.
StoatInACoat said:
Everybody is going to tell you to buy German. Everybody knows someone else who's brother had a Megane and it broke down all the time and so all French cars are unreliable turds.
Well I've got a Passat Tdi estate and I am more than happy with it. Will be getting a newer one. Plus I drove a few Peugot diesels before getting the Passat, they were awful in comparison.
Jasandjules said:
Well I've got a Passat Tdi estate and I am more than happy with it. Will be getting a newer one.
Plus I drove a few Peugot diesels before getting the Passat, they were awful in comparison.
In contrast I have a 306 diesel that has 140k and has been more or less faultless. A friend has an 07 Passat diesel with about 50k on it which has cost a fortune in rear calipers and headunit gremlins in the first couple of months of ownership. Bad cars, good cars, it's just the luck of the draw I think not soley the country of origin. Plus I drove a few Peugot diesels before getting the Passat, they were awful in comparison.
Though Renaults are pretty crap to be honest.
The Crack Fox said:
macp said:
The Crack Fox said:
Niether. Korean. You get great warranties, they're OK to drive, and they're keenly priced family motors.
Fair comment but I cant get her interested in anything japanese never mind korean sigh...
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