Insignia v mondeo v Mazda v passat v focus estate

[Blenkiron]

First post...

Having to get rid of my A4 because the boot isn't big enough for a push chair and things... narrowed my decision down to -
Insignia, Passat, Mondeo, focus estate or a Mazda 6

Spending about 5-6k, be looking at around 10-12 plates

At the minute I'm more steered towards the insignia, because I can get more toys, newer and less Miles for the money.

My main concern would be reliability, which is least likely to fall apart every few mile.
Looking for people's opinions or past experiences with any of the cars.

[ZX10R NIN]

Petrol or diesel?

[Blenkiron]

Preferably diesel, looking at 2.0 but Mazda would be the 2.2

Edited by Blenkiron on Sunday 11th June 20:18

[benjijames28]

I think the Mazda 6 touring is a beautiful car for the money if your looking at the previous shape. Newer shape is beautiful too.

Mondeo... Cant go wrong, cheap parts, good steer, st loads of space.

Insignia... I dislike Vauxhall to be honest. Girlfriend's dad has one, always buys Vauxhall, this latest insignia bought new has been nothing but problems.

Passat... Nice cars but a bit boring?

Focus estate... I think you will find the Audi A4 probably has a bigger boot.

I suggest you take a look at Hyundai i30 estate. Huge boot.

[LordHaveMurci]

Honda Accord Tourer or Volvo V70 are what we're considering alongside the Mazda & Fords you have suggested.

[ZX10R NIN]

The 2.2 Mazda engines can suffer from timing chain issues so bare that in mind when looking at them, from your list I'd say the Mondeo (which is the best steer & also loaded with kit) Mazda then Insignia although I understand the draw of a newer car but if you want one loaded with kit to the same level as the Mondeo there's not really much in it.

2009 2.2d Titanium X Sport 78k FSH 175bhp

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2017...

2.2d Titanium X 61k

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2017...

2009 2.2d Mazda6 Sport 61k 185bhp

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2017...

2010 Mazda6 Sport 61k 185bhp

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2017...

2009 Insignia Elite 49k 160bhp

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2017...

2010 Elite 71k 160bhp

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2017...

IMO the Passat isn't a better car than the first two cars above.

2010 Passat Highline Plus 72/76k 140bhp

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2017...

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2017...

There are no really bad cars in this class but like any car look for receipts & do your due diligence, that way you should end up with a good car.

[Loyly]

How big is this pushchair!? My wife used her Civic for carrying our daughter's stuff when we used to take her pushchair or pram out, and that still had room in the boot for a big shop alongside the requisite baby change bags etc. That's got a sizeable boot for a hatchback, I would have thought an A4 would have been more than adequate.

Out of the list, there isn't really a bad car among them but I'd be hesitant to pick the Passat over reliability concerns, unless you're buying with manufacturer's warranty. The Insignia is a good bet. We have a few at work that have proven solid workshorses and some of my colleagues drive them as personal cars. They seem to come with a very good level of equipment for a reasonable price.

I'd expect the Mondeo to be the best drive of the lot, if that matters.

[ScoobyChris]

If you're considering the Passat the Octavia may also be worth a look, although if it were my money, I'd struggle to look past the Mondeo....

Chris

[Zad]

The 2.2 diesel Mondeo is also available in 200bhp spec on more recent cars. Optionally available to around 2009 with the Volvo 2.5 turbo 5-cylinder petrol engine, which tend to be cheaper to buy (unfashionable big petrol engine, more tax etc). Superb chassis, lots of toys, cheap parts, every garage knows how to service them. I'm not sure Vauxhall know you can make a chassis like this. VAG do, but rarely seem to bother.

[Taita]

I've got one of these in black.

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2017...

Exceptionally reliable and pretty quick. I checked the timing chain using ODB2 and got it swapped. It cost £800 at a dedicated Mazda garage but they also did a full service which was included.

I've done every other bit of maintenance myself and had no problems, in 6.5 years all it has needed was consumables. It's on 90k now.

Boot is pretty big however the slope of the rear screen can poach a lot of space!

[Blenkiron]

benjijames28 said:

I think the Mazda 6 touring is a beautiful car for the money if your looking at the previous shape. Newer shape is beautiful too.

Mondeo... Cant go wrong, cheap parts, good steer, st loads of space.

Insignia... I dislike Vauxhall to be honest. Girlfriend's dad has one, always buys Vauxhall, this latest insignia bought new has been nothing but problems.

Passat... Nice cars but a bit boring?

Focus estate... I think you will find the Audi A4 probably has a bigger boot.

I suggest you take a look at Hyundai i30 estate. Huge boot.

Completely agree with the Passat comment, the new shape is nice but the model I'd be looking at just isn't nice to look at, going to look at i30 👍

[Blenkiron]

Loyly said:

How big is this pushchair!? My wife used her Civic for carrying our daughter's stuff when we used to take her pushchair or pram out, and that still had room in the boot for a big shop alongside the requisite baby change bags etc. That's got a sizeable boot for a hatchback, I would have thought an A4 would have been more than adequate.

Out of the list, there isn't really a bad car among them but I'd be hesitant to pick the Passat over reliability concerns, unless you're buying with manufacturer's warranty. The Insignia is a good bet. We have a few at work that have proven solid workshorses and some of my colleagues drive them as personal cars. They seem to come with a very good level of equipment for a reasonable price.

I'd expect the Mondeo to be the best drive of the lot, if that matters.

Ha just a standard one.. but were going away soon and it can't fit much else in there, one bag down side and that's it, thinking insignia or
Mondeo 👍

[Jag_NE]

id shoot for an insignia diesel auto in elite trim, immense value out there with the new shape coming out.

very un-ph but they are huge, comfy and in elite trim nicely specd.

reliability across the brands is equivalent these days, pay your money take your chance.

[mr_spock]

This may not be the idea you're looking for, but surely for an occasional trip some roof bars and a top box would be cheaper than changing cars? Or even rent a top box, worked well for me on our old B class Merc when we needed some more space on holiday.

[Jag_NE]

mr_spock said:

This may not be the idea you're looking for, but surely for an occasional trip some roof bars and a top box would be cheaper than changing cars? Or even rent a top box, worked well for me on our old B class Merc when we needed some more space on holiday.

good shout. a4 should be ok for day to day, roof box for holidays etc

[ALawson]

I bought a 57 plate Honda Accord 2.2 Cdi EX in 2011 for £5.3k.

Apart from servicing I think I have spent about £1-1.3k on front lower arms, labour for a 10 year warranty replacement manifold and one rear caliper.

Its does about 44mpg on a run. Has electric everything, it has dealt with two kids and all the crap that needs carting about, it pretty big in the back with the seats up and bigger with the, down.

Ok, it looks like a boat from the back but I never think it won't start or get me where I need to go.

Last weekend it did 1400miles to the Alps and back, taking 3 bikes in the back and luggage. I got an old shape one due to pdf on the newer version.

For your budget you can get a leggy later shape Accord with pdf or a petrol (thirsty in 2.4l version). I am still thinking about getting a later shape 2.4 petrol manual or a 2.2Cdi and the pdf may accidently fall off! Honda's are a bit marmite but they keep on going if looked after.

Failing that I may look at the Mazda.

[b19rak]

I had the same dilemma. A 2012 Octavia VRS was more the big enough for anything you can throw at it.