New car help!

daz90 · 9 Sep 2005, 02:22 (Ref:1402462)

Its time for me to go out and get a new (second hand) car, time to trade in my 99T 1.6 8V LS Vauxhall Astra, which trade in is worth roughly two grand. I have Four grand of my own cash to put towards this making it roughly six thousand pounds.

I have some cars in mind, i just dont know which one i should choose, or even if there is something better.

In my mind i am thinking of these, a VW Golf 1.9 tdi 115BHP, or the Bora version. A Seat Leon with the same engine, an Audi A3 again with a diesel unit (although this might be a little outside my price range, and less pratical) A Ford Mondeo mk3 2.0tdci. This time i do want all the luxurys, so either a top spec Ghia, or a sporty spec like the Golf GT diesel, diesel is a must, and i want to keep my insurance down as much as i can.

I also quite fancy a Saab 9-3, petrol or maybe the 2.2 diesel, but this would be pushing the running costs up a bit.

So any advise or opinions would be more than welcome

i have even thought about a Focus diesel or an Astra dti, like the one i have now, but these are not as classy as the above mentioned cars.

Pug620 · 24 Sep 2005, 15:14 (Ref:1415421)

I have got the leon Cupra TDI slightly over your price range but get a older 115 bhp and then chip it great fun and still get45mpg

marty

daz90 · 24 Sep 2005, 17:01 (Ref:1415466)

Thanks for the reply hawkesfire. Not interested in getting anything chipped though

But i am almost certain it will be the 1.9 tdi 115 bhp engine, just not sure which car yet, but i am in no rush.

Test drove a petrol Mondeo last week, i quite liked that, but i definatly want a diesel.

**garcon** · 24 Sep 2005, 20:55 (Ref:1415611)

You won't go far wrong with that diesel unit, and I reckon it's best in the Seat Leon. Cheaper running costs than the VW versions for basiacally the same car!

Sheila M · 24 Sep 2005, 21:14 (Ref:1415622)

I see you have an Audi A3 on your list. Have you considered a Skoda? I know they used to have a bad reputation in the past but honest, they are cracking motors these days. My son has an Audi A3 but only because he says he's a snob and goes for the badge. He gets all his spares from the local Skoda dealer.

We went for a second hand Skoda Octavia Elegance 1.9 Tdi Estate earlier this year and I have to say it's a really good car - very economical on diesel - today only cost £6 ish to fill it up.

Apart from anything else - no self respecting car thief would ever nick a Skoda diesel!

daz90 · 25 Sep 2005, 09:07 (Ref:1415813)

I have always liked the shape of the Octavia, and the engine in that fits my criteria. But i am also not keen on the badge, and the Octavia has been around for ever now.

I really like the Leon, but finding one around Grantham is nearly impossible, i dont want to travel any further than say 30 miles from here, because no doubt what ever i buy there will be something go wrong with it whilst it's under waranty (all my other cars have had something wrong with them).

Still not in any rush, and this time i intend to buy the 'right' car.

gfm · 25 Sep 2005, 16:26 (Ref:1416037)

I don't think you can go wrong with any of Audi A3/VW GT1/Ford Mondeo; I've run them all and they are all good cars.
Try driving one or two.
I think these sort of decisions boil down to what role the car plays in the family, what type of driving you endure. All round the Mondeo is brilliant and /but big, VW and Audi smaller less special.
Personally, I'd steer clear of Saabs and Skoda because as good as they undoubtedly are, their residuals need to be checked carefully. I find them idiosyncratic - maybe an advantage.

jump · 29 Sep 2005, 12:36 (Ref:1419921)

Maybe a bit over budget but a 2nd hand Fabia vrs?

daz90 · 29 Sep 2005, 13:53 (Ref:1419996)

Quote:

Originally Posted by jump

Maybe a bit over budget but a 2nd hand Fabia vrs?

Tad on the small side, and again its a Skoda.

I think its definatly going to be a Golf/Bora now, just got to find 'the right one'.

jump · 29 Sep 2005, 14:05 (Ref:1420006)

(Just read that you wern't keen on the badge... Didn't see that.)

daz90 · 29 Sep 2005, 16:57 (Ref:1420174)

Quote:

Originally Posted by jump

(Just read that you wern't keen on the badge... Didn't see that.)

no problem mate.

Alienman_69 · 6 Oct 2005, 15:50 (Ref:1425455)

Well, since I have a Audi myself, although not the Tdi one, Ill have to say Audi. After I got mine I cant think of any other car I liked better... true the price is always above the others... but its a Audi.

Sorry if I wasnt very helpful... but if you drive the latest Audi's, you will know what I mean.

AussieV8 · 11 Oct 2005, 03:32 (Ref:1430345)

look at the t/d Mazda 6

daz90 · 11 Oct 2005, 14:33 (Ref:1430763)

I do actually really like the shape of the Mazda 6, and the current Honda Accord, but both are out of my price range at the minute. Having said that because i still am not 100% sure which car i want i might just wait a bit longer, untill i can afford a Saab 9-3 tid, current shape. That is one car i really do like the look of. And one i think i would be very happy with.

AussieV8 · 12 Oct 2005, 02:53 (Ref:1431433)

and the new MPS 6 awd turbo is a awesome car...

blackx · 13 Oct 2005, 22:51 (Ref:1433157)

Doubt you can go far wrong with a Mondeo tdci
We have a tddi which is the 115bhp one and that gives us close to 40mpg round town and on a run gives us 45-48 mpg @ 80ish mph...

The tdci has 130hp and more torque and even an lx version has lekky windows all round....Aircon.....ABS.....EBD.......cd player and global closing alarm system...