Low mileage Astra vs high mileage A3
Discussion
king awful things to drive... I'd rather walk the 20k. Having said that I haven't driven an a3, whats up with the usual focus/ golf/skoda/ etc? Surely there will be options other than the two your asking about?if you are looking at a high mileage VAG diesel I'd steer clear of the modern common rail engines and go for the PD engine.
the CR engine is astounding; quiet, efficient, powerful and drives really well. But I wouldn't want to own one.
the PD engine is agricultural but they are bulletproof and (in my opinion) better than the ford or GM alternative.
the CR engine is astounding; quiet, efficient, powerful and drives really well. But I wouldn't want to own one.
the PD engine is agricultural but they are bulletproof and (in my opinion) better than the ford or GM alternative.
Whichever has been serviced correctly, looks most "honest" in terms of paint / numbers matching up.
My Leon has done just over 80,000 now and I've had it from new. It's been serviced every 10,000 miles and most of that mileage was clocked up on motorways. However it's just had a new turbo fitted and the cambelt changed, both hefty bills.
I plan to keep if for a while longer, hoping that there are no more big bills due (have budgeted in for a clutch / DMF and some brakes before it hits 100k).
On the other hand a 30,000 mile car could have been neglected, never serviced, done a lot of stop start miles, been driven around town, short journeys etc etc.
My Leon has done just over 80,000 now and I've had it from new. It's been serviced every 10,000 miles and most of that mileage was clocked up on motorways. However it's just had a new turbo fitted and the cambelt changed, both hefty bills.
I plan to keep if for a while longer, hoping that there are no more big bills due (have budgeted in for a clutch / DMF and some brakes before it hits 100k).
On the other hand a 30,000 mile car could have been neglected, never serviced, done a lot of stop start miles, been driven around town, short journeys etc etc.
Go for the Astra.
Low mileage is the key, with turbo diesels. Once over the 100k, they all generally need massaging to get to the reportedly 200k+ high mileges, often quoted on here.
My VAG 1.9 ran to 180k, and was great up to about 130k, then cost an arm and a leg to maintain afterwards. For every, one person, you'll get on here, quoting their mega mileage diesel, costing nothing to keep running, there'll be another 100 having to have their TURBO/EGR/DMF/DPF/INJECTORS/CAMS/MAF/CTS seen too, and they aint cheap.
The Astra's Ok too, wrt the interior/general build quality, not AUDI quality, but not bad as it happens.
Just re-read your post, the bottom range A3's are a bit dire too.
Low mileage is the key, with turbo diesels. Once over the 100k, they all generally need massaging to get to the reportedly 200k+ high mileges, often quoted on here.
My VAG 1.9 ran to 180k, and was great up to about 130k, then cost an arm and a leg to maintain afterwards. For every, one person, you'll get on here, quoting their mega mileage diesel, costing nothing to keep running, there'll be another 100 having to have their TURBO/EGR/DMF/DPF/INJECTORS/CAMS/MAF/CTS seen too, and they aint cheap.
The Astra's Ok too, wrt the interior/general build quality, not AUDI quality, but not bad as it happens.
Just re-read your post, the bottom range A3's are a bit dire too.
I just want something reliable, economical and a nice place to be for my commute. £6-£8k is what I'm comfiest with spending and I don't want a small car, or particularly a large car. Those two hatches look nice and seem good for that price bracket. I like the Leon tdi FR too but not the interior.
Neither. Seriously.
The difference in fuel is going to be anywhere between £30-80per month if you can get a petrol car returning around 35-24mpg & your Dag Dag can do 45mpg. It's just not worth it.
I bought an 06 Passat on 50k miles, 2 years on and it has 102k miles. In that time it's had so much gone wrong with it. And it's not just routine stuff breaking either. Stuff like handbrake issues, turbocharger problems (sticking vanes from day 1), radiator started leaking at 70k, wheelbearings, CV boots, interior lights, RUST!! You could poke a screwdriver through it in places, glow plugs, wiring looms, injectors, flywheel etc....
It's such a pup. My old Corolla (which I gave to my parents) hasn't been serviced properly in 3 years since they've owned it and has cost them £50 for a pair of brake pads. In all the time we had it, it wanted nothing. If you have to buy a mundane car, make sure it's reliable. I couldn't recommend a second hand 4 year old diesel as reliable.
The difference in fuel is going to be anywhere between £30-80per month if you can get a petrol car returning around 35-24mpg & your Dag Dag can do 45mpg. It's just not worth it.
I bought an 06 Passat on 50k miles, 2 years on and it has 102k miles. In that time it's had so much gone wrong with it. And it's not just routine stuff breaking either. Stuff like handbrake issues, turbocharger problems (sticking vanes from day 1), radiator started leaking at 70k, wheelbearings, CV boots, interior lights, RUST!! You could poke a screwdriver through it in places, glow plugs, wiring looms, injectors, flywheel etc....
It's such a pup. My old Corolla (which I gave to my parents) hasn't been serviced properly in 3 years since they've owned it and has cost them £50 for a pair of brake pads. In all the time we had it, it wanted nothing. If you have to buy a mundane car, make sure it's reliable. I couldn't recommend a second hand 4 year old diesel as reliable.
Edited by VB on Monday 9th January 09:15
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