38 replies to this topic

[StrikedOut]

Take a look at Skoda Octavia's. Great cars with VW build quality. My 2003 1.9TDi is still going strong at 131k. Otherwise Mondeo's are another great car.

[watkinsx2]

If your commute is only 4 miles and you do opt for a diesel, make sure it does not have a DPF filter as it will cause you problems.

[Dan~]

You've been driving a Vauxhall, so you obviously don't care for quality etc, if you did then I'd recommend something German; VW, Skoda, Seat, Audi & BMW

Just buy another Vectra

[FloatingFatMan]

^ Heh, I'm asking because I -don't- want a Vectra! I got that for specific reasons at the time which no longer exist, and didn't know it was a turkey at the time.

This time, I'm trying to research better to make a more informed choice. So far, I'm kinda leaning towards a Ford Focus... Good reliable car by all counts, and very popular meaning parts won't be stupidly expensive. I'm not brand whore though, so happy for any sensible suggestions (gotta be cheaper to run than the Vectra was).

[what]

320d/330d Estate or A4 Avant 2.0 or 3.0 TDI. All the space, performance, fuel economy, reliability and toys you could possibly want in a car.

Bonus with the A4 is the quattro permanent all wheel drive for those three days of the year we have snow.

[Tuishimi]

Saabs are fun to drive... a little expensive tho'... (at least here in the states they are... Saabs and Volvo's both).

[+zhiVago]

FloatingFatMan, on 06 February 2013 - 22:07, said:

So far, I'm kinda leaning towards a Ford Focus... Good reliable car by all counts, and very popular meaning parts won't be stupidly expensive. I'm not brand whore though, so happy for any sensible suggestions (gotta be cheaper to run than the Vectra was).

Ford Focus directly competes with VW Golf/Jetta.

In my humble opinion, VW is better in every way: efficiency, dynamics, ergonomics, the quality of the plastic materials used to decorate the interior, etc...even the design, subjectively speaking.

VW Golf

VW Golf Plus

VW Jetta

VW Tiguan - I'm not too sure if it's a real deal, the price is too good to be true.

Skoda Octavia

Skoda Roomster

Skoda Fabia

[FloatingFatMan]

Alas, no VW's of appropriate size are within range of my address.

As for the Skoda's... There's a couple in my range, but they seem to have an even higher tax band than my Vectra did! I'm not looking to increase costs! The Vectra is a tax band H, so I'm looking for something smaller, with probably either a 1.4 or 1.6 litre engine (depending on car size - a 1.4 is fine in a Corsa, not so much in a Focus!)

[+zhiVago]

FloatingFatMan, on 07 February 2013 - 10:31, said:

Alas, no VW's of appropriate size are within range of my address.

No pain, no gain

When I was in the market for a used car last time, that was three years ago, I was literally searching day and night for the car, visited several dozen dealerships, inspected dozens of cars, etc...And then you find what you really want and need, drive happy ever after, and enjoy life

[1941]

http://www.neowin.ne...#entry595507036

This looks great!

[Albert Bonici]

FloatingFatMan, on 07 February 2013 - 10:31, said:

Alas, no VW's of appropriate size are within range of my address.

As for the Skoda's... There's a couple in my range, but they seem to have an even higher tax band than my Vectra did! I'm not looking to increase costs! The Vectra is a tax band H, so I'm looking for something smaller, with probably either a 1.4 or 1.6 litre engine (depending on car size - a 1.4 is fine in a Corsa, not so much in a Focus!)

How far are you prepared to travel?
Have you considered a car auction?
Have you considered brand new/lease hire type of purchase?

[FloatingFatMan]

Albert Bonici, on 07 February 2013 - 10:43, said:

How far are you prepared to travel?
Have you considered a car auction?
Have you considered brand new/lease hire type of purchase?

Up to about 30 miles realistically (I'm in Kent). I have no transport right now as they've taken the courtesy car back, so getting around is a complete <bleep!> currently! I literally -can't- go too far.

I've considered auctions, but I'd prefer from a dealer. Auctions are always sold as seen and I've been stuck with a total lemon from one once before.

With a budget of £7000, new is out of the window for the size I'm looking for. I'm not looking to lease as that would actually cost more than loan repayments would.

[Albert Bonici]

FloatingFatMan, on 07 February 2013 - 10:49, said:

Up to about 30 miles realistically (I'm in Kent). I have no transport right now as they've taken the courtesy car back, so getting around is a complete <bleep!> currently! I literally -can't- go too far.

I've considered auctions, but I'd prefer from a dealer. Auctions are always sold as seen and I've been stuck with a total lemon from one once before.

With a budget of £7000, new is out of the window for the size I'm looking for. I'm not looking to lease as that would actually cost more than loan repayments would.

K', I think its a buyers market just now, be patient,
Have a look @ Ebay Motors(classified),I think the prices there are high, like high end dealer prices, compare those prices to your local dealers, also use the parkers price guide to help you decide,

Most dealers will haggle a bit, but initially give the impression that they wont,

The last "trade car" I bought was on ebay motors, I asked the trader; " OK, whats the least you can take on this car?", he come down £800 on that question alone.

But the last "dealer" car I bought I paid showroom price because I went for a trade in, but at least I got some warranty with the deal..

http://www.parkers.c...rs/prices/used/

[FloatingFatMan]

Yeah, I love haggling. The last thing I want when I go to a dealer, though, is for them to realise I need a car urgently. That'll shut down any chance of haggling REAL fast!

My dad's coming up at the weekend with his nice new BMW; so I plan to be spending most of it driving his car to various dealers, looking for a "second car".

[sagum]

FloatingFatMan, on 05 February 2013 - 07:40, said:

I'm thinking maybe something like a Renault Megane, a Ford Focus or possibly a Vauxhall Astra, but I'll welcome any suggestions!

Having being a big fan on the Astra as a hot hatch over the last several years, yesterday I picked up a Megane for something slightly bigger with plenty of leg room in the back seats, even with the front pushed back. Being 6'2 I haven't really had any problems with the car's I've driven as they've all had rake on the steering wheel. I'm very pleased with it so far, but I'm aware of problems with the car that could arise such as the key card's becoming dead. Quite a cost to have them replaced (around £150 a go), so do try and do a bit of a check on common problems that you might be faced with and try to factor that in.

I highly recommend that you visit a few places and take the cars you're interested in on a test drive. Simply things such as the clutch they use can be a real big turn off for a lot of people, and generally across the range of same year the likes of Vauxhall is going to be using the same technology where it can so you'll know pretty much what you're looking at when you think about cars. I prefer the slightly harder clutch on the Astra, but still prefer the Megan's over a Volvo's S60. One of the biggest things that won me over with the Megan was the ride height was quite high, it feels almost mini-van style. I took a KIA Sportage for a test drive and while that was a tall 4x4 car the ride height felt quite low and I found it quite worrying that I couldn't see over the sides properly.

For most test drives from a dealer (even used cars), you won't even need your own insurance to cover it just a valid driving license. So go have some fun in the cars, see what you like and then go from there.
As for cost of insurance, the base line is where you live so as long as you've got a lot of extra points on your license, the only real issue is the size of engine. Of course there are other factors such as if its a hard sports car or import etc but the family/business cars you're generally looking at you shouldn't have to worry too much.