Looking to buy a family tourer? any suggestions?
Discussion
I'm planning to change my wife's 2004 Audi A4 avant sport tdi in the new year.
I have a 2008 Skoda Octavia vRS, but with it's fuel consumption, I only use that for commuting to work, we use my wife's car for all family outing's and general weekend use, the vRS may also be changed in the new year!
My requirement's for the new car are 2008 onwards for the road tax here in Ireland, diesel, open to either saloon or estate, must have high spec e.g. xenon lights, sat nav are a must, generally the higher the spec the better, I'm a bit of a geek!
Other than that, I'm open to any suggestions.
initial thought's were to get a 2009 Honda Accord EX GT 2.2D-tec, they have a super list of spec and have some ok reviews, have read some negative reviews also!
I have also looked at the Passat CC, but I will need a 5 seater car, they are out of my price range.
I've searched a few other car's too like the Legacy diesel, insignia and a few other's but finding it hard to decide what is best!
Anybody got any input or suggestions?
I have a 2008 Skoda Octavia vRS, but with it's fuel consumption, I only use that for commuting to work, we use my wife's car for all family outing's and general weekend use, the vRS may also be changed in the new year!
My requirement's for the new car are 2008 onwards for the road tax here in Ireland, diesel, open to either saloon or estate, must have high spec e.g. xenon lights, sat nav are a must, generally the higher the spec the better, I'm a bit of a geek!
Other than that, I'm open to any suggestions.
initial thought's were to get a 2009 Honda Accord EX GT 2.2D-tec, they have a super list of spec and have some ok reviews, have read some negative reviews also!
I have also looked at the Passat CC, but I will need a 5 seater car, they are out of my price range.
I've searched a few other car's too like the Legacy diesel, insignia and a few other's but finding it hard to decide what is best!
Anybody got any input or suggestions?
What's your budget and mileage?
Also How many people do you need to carry in the car?
My dad bought an Accord Saloon in July and it's a really good car!
The Positives-
The interior is a very nice place to be, EX model comes with lots of toys: Sat Nav, Premium audio system, Bluetooth (only for phone calls though, no audio streaming), blue ambient lighting, reversing camera, sunroof, heated front seats and parking sensors front and rear. There are also probably a couple more things I've forgotten but it's very well equipped.
It's handles decently considering it's a front wheel drive car but doesn't touch the likes of a 3 series. However, the trade off is that it's not as stiffly sprung as the germans, so is quite a comfortable ride around town (more comfortable than the 3 series and A4 IMO). The rear seats are as comfortable as those up front and will easily accomodate 3 teens.
Engine is very refined and cabin noise isn't too bad at all. The Engine can sound a little rough at idle especially on colder days but those are the Joys of diesel ownership. The Autogearbox is very wafty and also comes with a sport mode with paddleshifts behind the wheel.
Negatives-
The car is quite wide so it can be difficult to manouver around tight city streets or width restrictions.
The Satnav screen feels a little low rent because it's got a low resolution, it's not shockingly bad, but not as good as a 2010 screen should be.
Honda charge a lot for a Diesel Service, it think it's £390 for a service and a diesel fuel filter change. Minor service is due every 12,500 miles, major service every 25,000.
The tyres are RFT's so ride can sometimes be a bit jiggly over bad roads, also no spare tyre as standard, but yuo can get a rear tyre kit from your dealer.
Depending on how you drive, it might be hard to achieve good MPG, my dad's car is showing 36 combined. That's 40 miles of extra urban commuting (70 mph) and 20 miles of town driving a day.
Interior materials are quite high quality but lower down in the cabin, on the lower door cards and such, you will find some cheap toyota-esque plastics.
That's about all I can say for the Accord. I would highly recommend that you go to a dealership and try one because they are definately worth considering. The petrol versions depreciate faster than the diesels and the most expensive models are the diesel autos, but they will hold their value well.
We also considered an insignia but the drive wasn't as refined or comfortable as the Accord, and the cabin wasn't quite as nice either.
Also How many people do you need to carry in the car?
My dad bought an Accord Saloon in July and it's a really good car!
The Positives-
The interior is a very nice place to be, EX model comes with lots of toys: Sat Nav, Premium audio system, Bluetooth (only for phone calls though, no audio streaming), blue ambient lighting, reversing camera, sunroof, heated front seats and parking sensors front and rear. There are also probably a couple more things I've forgotten but it's very well equipped.
It's handles decently considering it's a front wheel drive car but doesn't touch the likes of a 3 series. However, the trade off is that it's not as stiffly sprung as the germans, so is quite a comfortable ride around town (more comfortable than the 3 series and A4 IMO). The rear seats are as comfortable as those up front and will easily accomodate 3 teens.
Engine is very refined and cabin noise isn't too bad at all. The Engine can sound a little rough at idle especially on colder days but those are the Joys of diesel ownership. The Autogearbox is very wafty and also comes with a sport mode with paddleshifts behind the wheel.
Negatives-
The car is quite wide so it can be difficult to manouver around tight city streets or width restrictions.
The Satnav screen feels a little low rent because it's got a low resolution, it's not shockingly bad, but not as good as a 2010 screen should be.
Honda charge a lot for a Diesel Service, it think it's £390 for a service and a diesel fuel filter change. Minor service is due every 12,500 miles, major service every 25,000.
The tyres are RFT's so ride can sometimes be a bit jiggly over bad roads, also no spare tyre as standard, but yuo can get a rear tyre kit from your dealer.
Depending on how you drive, it might be hard to achieve good MPG, my dad's car is showing 36 combined. That's 40 miles of extra urban commuting (70 mph) and 20 miles of town driving a day.
Interior materials are quite high quality but lower down in the cabin, on the lower door cards and such, you will find some cheap toyota-esque plastics.
That's about all I can say for the Accord. I would highly recommend that you go to a dealership and try one because they are definately worth considering. The petrol versions depreciate faster than the diesels and the most expensive models are the diesel autos, but they will hold their value well.
We also considered an insignia but the drive wasn't as refined or comfortable as the Accord, and the cabin wasn't quite as nice either.
BMW E60 5 Series - 520-530d ?
Pros - great handling (especially on non-run flat 17/18"s), spacious, comfy, solid, looks great in my opinion, good MPG, 530d is torquey
Cons - run flat tyres as standard, DPF (diesel particulate filter) as standard which can cause problems on a car that isn't "run hard" occasionally, 520d a little "flat" (four cylinder) at low RPM.
Pros - great handling (especially on non-run flat 17/18"s), spacious, comfy, solid, looks great in my opinion, good MPG, 530d is torquey
Cons - run flat tyres as standard, DPF (diesel particulate filter) as standard which can cause problems on a car that isn't "run hard" occasionally, 520d a little "flat" (four cylinder) at low RPM.
If money allows, look at a Hyundai i40 tourer with the 1.7 diesel ( 136bhp ) engine
It's 'only a 1.7' but is plenty fast enough and keeps up with everything else easily, and happily cruises at 70. It has all the kit you could ever need and loads of space.
I know it's a Hyundai but they are now competing with passats and Mondeos.
Looks awesome aswell!
It's 'only a 1.7' but is plenty fast enough and keeps up with everything else easily, and happily cruises at 70. It has all the kit you could ever need and loads of space.
I know it's a Hyundai but they are now competing with passats and Mondeos.
Looks awesome aswell!
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