4k, spacious, economical... ultra reliable!

[viciousj377o]

Hi guys!

Me and a couple of mates are looking to pack up and take a trip across europe for a few weeks, as I was selling a car anyway I figured I could just replace with something suitable!

I've been looking at nice pd130 engined stuff, familiarity and knowledge is on my side here, know what i'm looking for and what to expect! Obviously minty boras and golfs for example are south of 2k, and i'm ok with that! But max budget is 4k so figured I should open the search up!

Spacious, frugal, big boot and capable of carrying 3 lads 3000 miles in a week if needs be! Fun to be had!

Open to any suggestions, but I am a VAG guy so I think these always end up being my preference!

[Summit_Detailing]

First gen Skoda Superb with the PD130 engine is the first thing that sprung to mind.

Cheers,

Chris

[Jamescrs]

Summit_Detailing said:

First gen Skoda Superb with the PD130 engine is the first thing that sprung to mind.

Cheers,

Chris

Beat me to it I was going to say exactly the same thing. Brilliant cars, massive internal space, only downside is no estate option

[RazerSauber]

Have you considered the usual suspects? Mondeo, Insignia, Mazda6, etc? Should be able to get something suitably out of one of them and try something new!

[viciousj377o]

Is there any difference between the superb and the b5.5 passat? I'm aware they're the same chassis but the passat was always better loaded?

I haven't considered Vauxhalls and fords, I need reliability and the price range and era I'm looking at it just isnt there.

[TeamBigfoot]

viciousj377o said:

Is there any difference between the superb and the b5.5 passat? I'm aware they're the same chassis but the passat was always better loaded?

I haven't considered Vauxhalls and fords, I need reliability and the price range and era I'm looking at it just isnt there.

Same chasis however the superb mk1 was a little more stretched at the back which gives a little more rear legroom. Specs wise quite similar. One thing to watch out for is drainage channels behind the dash getting clogged. This leads to water in the passenger footwell and eventually into the electrics which causes chaos.

Good cars though. A B5.5 passat helped save my life a few years back when i was involved in a nasty smash up in one.The paramedics were surprised by how well the car absorbed in side impact, and made comments to this effect.........after they had finished cutting me out of the car :-)

[viciousj377o]

TeamBigfoot said:

Same chasis however the superb mk1 was a little more stretched at the back which gives a little more rear legroom. Specs wise quite similar. One thing to watch out for is drainage channels behind the dash getting clogged. This leads to water in the passenger footwell and eventually into the electrics which causes chaos.

Good cars though. A B5.5 passat helped save my life a few years back when i was involved in a nasty smash up in one.The paramedics were surprised by how well the car absorbed in side impact, and made comments to this effect.........after they had finished cutting me out of the car :-)

Yeah owned a b5.5 whip the plugs out the plenum is the first job on the list... and if the carpets are wet walk away haha!

Not surprised to hear how a b5.5 was sturdy, i've always felt particularly safe in this era of volkswagen, they have a sturdy feel to them!

[viciousj377o]

Any more for anymore?

[clockworks]

Don't rule out the larger Fords and Vauxhalls on the grounds of reliability. I used to alternate between Mondeos and Cavaliers/Vectras as company cars. They all got to well over 120k miles over the course of 3 to 4 years. Never had a single breakdown or problem that affected running, just went in for servicing and tyres as required - apart from a Vectra 150 diesel that came out of the factory with a leaky manifold (fine after it was fixed under warranty).

My last company car was a Mazda 6, but that went back with a lot less miles as I quit the job. Built on the Mondeo platform, so no reason to suspect that it wouldn't have lasted equally well.

[anonymous-user]

V70 D5? As long as your legs aren’t too long because there’s not actually that much room in the back. Bloody comfy though, huge boot and mine gets a calculated 46 mpg with an injector on the way out and a few other issues, other people report even higher.

[shake n bake]

Avensis estate.

[ZX10R NIN]

viciousj377o said:

Is there any difference between the superb and the b5.5 passat? I'm aware they're the same chassis but the passat was always better loaded?

I haven't considered Vauxhalls and fords, I need reliability and the price range and era I'm looking at it just isnt there.

You are joking both the Fords are as reliable VAG cars of this era:

Mondeo Titanium

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

Also if you want reliable and spacious you need to be looking at the E Class with the inline 5/6 cylinder engine these cars are pretty much bulletproof:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

Otherwise it's a Volvo S80:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

S60:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

[nickofh]

Octavia 4x4 estate. 1.9 tdi 58 plate 50k miles

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

Or save a grand and squeeze into a Golf plus with the same engine and low miles.
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

Edited by nickofh on Monday 15th July 21:20

[viciousj377o]

[quote=ZX10R NIN]

You are joking both the Fords are as reliable VAG cars of this era:

Sorry but that simply isn't true, pd130 and later CR engines absolutely destroy anything ford use in terms of reliability.


Also if you want reliable and spacious you need to be looking at the E Class with the inline 5/6 cylinder engine these cars are pretty much bulletproof:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

Seems a bargain prospect, definitely one to go and take a look at if its still available!

[aka_kerrly]

For a PH worth road trip with a £4k budget, spend less on the car and spend a bit more on fuel: sure you could haggle these down to nearer £3k.

a Audi S8
https://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/...


a lexus LS460
https://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/...


or if Diesel really is a must
a S class
https://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/...

[roscopervis]

Honda Accord Estate, surely?

[viciousj377o]

roscopervis said:

Honda Accord Estate, surely?

Love them, they seem to have all done moon miles but keeping my eyes open.

I actually prefer driving diesels, the cost of fuel is irrelevant, I do like that s8 though. Ls460 is lovely but the bork value on a 172k is terrifying haha

[aka_kerrly]

viciousj377o said:

Love them, they seem to have all done moon miles but keeping my eyes open.

I actually prefer driving diesels, the cost of fuel is irrelevant, I do like that s8 though. Ls460 is lovely but the bork value on a 172k is terrifying haha

Maybe it's just me who looks at high mileage relatively young cars and thinks it Must be reliable to rack up those miles. I've been bitten by more ultra low mileage cars than high mileage ones! Low miles cars sit around for ages not getting used which in my opinion can do more harm than daily use.

[Sterillium]

I'm going with a 5 litre V8... 300+ BHP, leather, DVD players, drinks holders front and rear and plenty of room.


https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...