What to buy...

[Chaz9950]

So, in my mission to find a car which is absolutely bomb-proof and reasonably well looked after, I've narrowed my selection down to one of two cars.

A Ford Mondeo of 1999-2004 vintage, or an older Volvo V70 / 850 TDI. My only solid requirements (other than rock-solid reliability) is that it needs to be a diesel, and it needs to have cruise control. My previous cars have had cruise, and since 90% of my driving is on motorways it's a pretty handy tool.

Anyway, my choice has been narrowed to either a V70 / 850 or a Mondeo. I'm open to other suggestions too, though. I figured these two were good choices since there are TONS of Mondeo's in every scrap-yard and parts are super easy to come by. Less so for the Volvo, but they are out there. Parts are a touch more expensive too.

So I put it to you PH'ers - which is more likely to be more reliable and cheaper to repair if (when?) something does go awry.

Thanks,

Chaz.

[mboon]

320d or 330d if it was me.

[Chaz9950]

Haha, I'm trying to sell my 520d! I need a cheap car to run about in since I need some money for a mortgage, and I've got a few thousand tied up in my car.

I had a 330d auto before - brilliant car! However, something is very attractive about bangernomics again. Something that I don't car about particularly - bashed doors, kerbed wheels. Kind of a stter, but it needs to be solid.

[mboon]

I have seen lots of stories of issues with the mondeo diesels you are looking at. Could just be unlucky etc.

[JU5T1N]

I know its not a Ford but have you considered a Toyota Avensis D4D....

[nipsips]

I work for Ford and I drive a Volvo (an S60 admittedly).

No car is completely reliable without failure however if it was me id go for the Volvo - older the better. Just be careful if its a phase 2 - electrics are terrible.