Anything out there better than a 5K golf?

[karl922]

Hi guys,

My circumstances have changed and I will no longer have the luxury of being able to walk to work (military).

I will be trading in the shogun, and i have about 5K to spend on a used motor. I need a 2005+ for my private plate, something economical, comfortable, reliable and finaly something with a few extras (leather, xenons)

I have singled out the Golf GT TDI, is there anything thats better for what i need?

Cheers guys

[Barchettaman]

You can get the equivalent effect of Xenons, and then some, by simply dimming your interior dashboard lighting as much as possible. Works wonders.

RE car choice, I think there is generally slightly more value to be had in the class above (Mondeo etc) as they depreciate faster.
I think a Mondy on high profile tyres would be an exceptionally comfortable place to roll around in. Your GT TD Golf probably not so much - low profile tyres, 'sports' suspension...?

Best of luck whatever you decide.

[300bhp/ton]

karl922 said:

Hi guys,

My circumstances have changed and I will no longer have the luxury of being able to walk to work (military).

I will be trading in the shogun, and i have about 5K to spend on a used motor. I need a 2005+ for my private plate, something economical, comfortable, reliable and finaly something with a few extras (leather, xenons)

I have singled out the Golf GT TDI, is there anything thats better for what i need?

Cheers guys

The Golf is ok, but you are largely paying for the name/badge and perceived quality. In return you get so so reliability, slightly below par performance and one of the most dreary interiors ever created by mankind.

To the question "Anything better than a Gold for £5k", my honest answer would have to be. Could you really buy anything worse apart from maybe an Audi A3.

[eltax91]

Yes. A 5k Octavia

[300bhp/ton]

The Crack Fox said:

How about suggesting something then, you nugget, that is the reason the OP started this thread

karl922 said:

have about 5K to spend

I need a 2005+ for my private plate

economical

comfortable

reliable

something with a few extras (leather, xenons)

Price and age are fine and easy to work around. Not sure on what economical means without defining some kind of fuel budget or expectation.

Comfortable, well how comfy. Do it matter if it takes away from the driving experience?

Reliable love this one. If you know what is reliable, what then isn't??


My assumption would be the highest spec car for the money that doesn't guzzle fuel, but would need to know more on what would be acceptable.


Personally I think this would be a much nicer place to sit than any Golf.

CITROEN C6 2.7 HDi V6 Exclusive 4dr Auto (2006)
£5,992
http://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/c...



Something slightly less known, more comfy and bigger than a Golf, with a VW engine but a much more roomy and a lot newer.

2009 Dodge Avenger Sxt Td
£5,990
http://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/d...



Personally I think something like this is much nicer than any Golf and will certainly be a nicer ride and just as capable.

2007 JAGUAR X-TYPE 2.2D SPORT
£4,750
http://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/j...

[300bhp/ton]

kapiteinlangzaam said:

Seriously!

Absolute DOG TURD of a car - and yes I have driven one and I know a poor sap who had one.

DONT DO IT!

Funny I've driven one too. And there is nothing wrong with it at all. Nice interior, very comfortable ride, well controlled body. Comfy front seats, lots of rear leg room and a flippin huge boot.

Anyone claiming it isn't perfectly fine is just clamoring to the UK motoring media hype that they must slate these cars without reason.

Maybe you could enlighten us and explain in detail why you claim it is a "DOG TURD"?

[300bhp/ton]

kapiteinlangzaam said:

Because it looks like crap

The interior quality is ste

The plastics are the typical American melted plastic

Did I mention it looks st

It rides like crap

My colleagues car spent more time in the dealership than it did on the open road

All that, and its mated to that wonderful 2.0 VW engine.

It reminds me of the Alfa Arna in many ways - Americas attempt at a car to please the European masses except they got it mixed up and the finished product is the worst of both worlds.

Now, let me predict your response:

'oh, but you hate all American cars, you're just the typical unknowledgeable British motorist who has no idea what they are talking about'.

Sorry chap, wrong. I love most things about Americana and its motoring. But at the same time im not going to fawn over an automotive dog turd simply because a bean counter in Detroit dared to dream the European 'ideal' and lumbered us with this steaming pile of st.

Ignorance must be bliss for you

[Toyocruiser]

Saab 9-3 a lot of car for your money, and do you really need to sell the shogun?

[300bhp/ton]

kapiteinlangzaam said:

Nicely constructed response adressing my many points......

If you could just point out where exactly I have been ignorant, ill be happy to correct myself....

Well simply claiming it looks like crap is somewhat of an immature statement and not really worth the effort trying to discuss. You are evidently ignorant if that is your main stance on it.

Re: the interior quality. Well lets remember you could buy when new buy a Mondeo sized car for Focus money. Both a lot less than a Golf.

That said the interior was/is easily as good as a Focus, Astra, Ibiza and many others and doesn't look as dull and dreary inside as most Golfs do.


If you really think an interior such as this isn't perfectly fine for a car in this class/price of vehicle, then it simply shows you are a complete fool.

[karl922]

I am afraid the shogun needs to go, 3.2 diesel auto = 25mpg, and its awful and tiring to drive over long distances.

I had a 2006 Audi a6 3.0tdi Quattro that i sold in april to free up some cash, i know i wont match this in terms of refinement with the £5K, but i would like to have a few creature comforts.

I would like around 50mpg combined, and a good stereo is a bonus, i have been looking at the S60's but they arent really aging very well.

I think anything would be comfy after the Shogun and a SLine Audi on 20" wheels...

Forgot to say i am not a french fan sorry, been burnt a few times with them.

[bqf]

300bhp/ton said:

Personally I think this would be a much nicer place to sit than any Golf.

CITROEN C6 2.7 HDi V6 Exclusive 4dr Auto (2006)
£5,992
http://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/c...

£5,992??? Christ, thats ridiculous money for one of these. Theyre fabulous, and not at all unreliable - that Diesel unit is unbreakable.

I might have a proper look at that

[300bhp/ton]

The Crack Fox said:

Are you blind or mental or on crack or what ?!

What exactly is wrong with it?

[300bhp/ton]

kapiteinlangzaam said:

Substitute 'crap' for un-cohesive blandness with a hint of stereotypical design laziness and then I suppose we would be nearer the mark.

Doesn't that describe the Golf perfectly however?

[karl922]

Relieabilty is a mine field i know, but i would be after something that doesnt break down constantly and cost a small fortune to fix. I know i could get a yaris that could always break down and an Alfa that never goes wrong once... it is pot luck sometimes but i want to limit that chance as much as possible.

Didnt even think about the Jag... any good?
I have had a mondeo before and that was a dog, so put me off with the dreaded DMF.

I have also considered;

Passat
corrola
leggy BMW 5 series (se)

all diesel varients.

[300bhp/ton]

kapiteinlangzaam said:

Yes, it describes 99% of the car market today. However, the Golf is immeasurably better in every other respect.

Id be interested in any kind of thought through and reasonably constructed response to my earlier points - when you spin the discussion off on a new tangential each time, it rather gives me the impression that you know im right

No, I know you are not right.

Had the Avenger been a Nissan or a Honda, then it simply wouldn't attain the same ridicule and completely biased views.

For the record I couldn't care less its country of origin, so please don't try and pigeon hole me in that regard.

But as a car the Avenger is perfectly adequate and then some. It is also a way of getting a 2009 plate car for £5k.

I admit, I can only draw on my own experience, but the one I drove a manual 2.0 Tdi with 4 people in, rode and drove perfectly well and was more comfy than something like a SEAT Ibiza.

While you personally may not like the looks, I do. And I think the interior was a far nicer place to sit and a whole heap less dreary than almost any Golfs interior. But then I'm not one of these weirdos that feel the need to touch and fondle the dashboard while driving down the road.

[Bill]

The Crack Fox said:

How about suggesting something then, you nugget, that is the reason the OP started this thread

Now look what you've done

Q: What is better than a £5k Golf.
A: A £6k Golf...

[fathomfive]

A £5k Golf GT FSi?

[anonymous-user]

300bhp/ton said:

But as a car the Avenger is perfectly adequate and then some. It is also a way of getting a 2009 plate car for £5k.

'Adequate' isn't good enough and even at £5K it's not a great buy. The Golf is more practical and better in pretty much every regard. Come resale time in a few years it might even be worth a sensible sum unlike a 2009 Avenger which will have to be given away.

This is awful BTW

[E65Ross]

Sorry 300 but I'm with the others on this one, that avenger is truly awful
A friend of mine borrowed one from a dealer of some sort whilst his 300c went in for a service and it was absolutely awful, the inside especially felt well and truly nasty. It didn't ride that well either.

[matthias73]

300bhp/ton said:

kapiteinlangzaam said:

Because it looks like crap

The interior quality is ste

The plastics are the typical American melted plastic

Did I mention it looks st

It rides like crap

My colleagues car spent more time in the dealership than it did on the open road

All that, and its mated to that wonderful 2.0 VW engine.

It reminds me of the Alfa Arna in many ways - Americas attempt at a car to please the European masses except they got it mixed up and the finished product is the worst of both worlds.

Now, let me predict your response:

'oh, but you hate all American cars, you're just the typical unknowledgeable British motorist who has no idea what they are talking about'.

Sorry chap, wrong. I love most things about Americana and its motoring. But at the same time im not going to fawn over an automotive dog turd simply because a bean counter in Detroit dared to dream the European 'ideal' and lumbered us with this steaming pile of st.

Ignorance must be bliss for you

MURRICA!

Good to see a well structured and balanced argument there mate.