What would you chose?

A

azazelus

Member
Hi Guys

Just like i said in my other post i just lost my 3 series :(

The zed is still going strong :)

What would you choose between these cars? i have a budget around 5-6k

1. Vw Passat Diesel 2.0 ( i think i can find it with a 2007 plate )
2. Volvo S40 Diesel ( around 2007 plate )
3. Audi A3 ( 2004 plate )
4. Mercedes C class Diesel ( 2005 plate ? )


I can get an older 3 series ( 2006 plate + ) but my wife doesnt want back traction anymore since the accident.

i am really good in fixing BMW engines since i have a lot of experience with 3 series petrol and diesel and my zed. i am doing all the garage work myself.
I want to choose something quite easy to work on the engine in case something is wrong. I know that mercedes is pretty complicated at engine work but maybe i am wrong?

I really like the S40 from Volvo but i dont have any experience with volvo cars?

Or i can just find a temporary solution and buy a focus 2000 plate with around 1000 pounds? just for my wife to get her job done

What do you think?
 
Any VAG 2.0 diesel of that age will be the older problematic engines. If you go for a VAG diesel then go for something with the 1.9. It;s not much slower than the 140ps 2.0tdi and it's absolutely bomb proof.

Yup, Mercedes of that vintage are an absolute nightmare to work on. Got a mate that runs a garage and he actively tries to avoid working on them.

No experience of Volvo but you rarely read a bard word about them on car forums. Lots of people seem to have them as work horses that they've had for years and have driven to the moon and back.

We had a 2006 1.6 Style Ford Focus at work for years and it was bloody brilliant. Lovely handling, fairly economical and never ever spent a single day in the garage.
 
Is the C class not RWD? Personally if you want luxury then the merc is the way to go. If you want something to get her from A to B cheap and cheerfully then the focus diesel is the way to go.


Sent from my iPhone 5s using Tapatalk
 
aquazi said:
Is the C class not RWD? Personally if you want luxury then the merc is the way to go. If you want something to get her from A to B cheap and cheerfully then the focus diesel is the way to go.


Sent from my iPhone 5s using Tapatalk
Click to expand...


yes you are right... i forgot :)
 
I would go for Volvo. VW are usually overpriced due to "prestige".
Volvo has those two motors: 1.6 109 hp and 2.0 136 hp are actually engines that are build by PSA company. They are used in Citroens, Peugeots, and Fords. They are very good engines. Causes much less problems than new VAG diesels. Don't get decieved by cliche about french cars;) Those motors are bullet proof - though not as good as legendary 1.9 tdi.
 
My wife has a 2000 W Reg Focus 1.8 with 103k on the clock as our family hack, which she's had for 18mths now - it's excellent, good handling, very comfortable and has never let us down.
 
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201312050355154/sort/default/usedcars/onesearchad/used%2Cnearlynew%2Cnew/make/ford/maximum-mileage/up_to_70000_miles/fuel-type/diesel/price-to/5000/radius/1500/postcode/ox284ag/page/10/model/mondeo?logcode=p

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201308278486204/sort/default/usedcars/price-to/5000/page/17/maximum-mileage/up_to_70000_miles/radius/1500/onesearchad/used%2Cnearlynew%2Cnew/make/ford/model/focus/postcode/ox284ag/fuel-type/diesel?logcode=p

A few for you to look at.
 
I would have a look at the early model Seat Leon FR interior is awful, however the 170 pd engine and internals are very good. Plus if you are that way inclined (may not be the case if it's for your wife) a remap takes this to around 205 bhp and the clutch is still well within it's limits.
 
vauxhall astra CDTI? very reliable and very frugal. Use mine a daily run around. Average 53mpg and havent had any issues for 3 years and 47k miles.
 
I can't comment on the cars you listed unfortunately however, I would agree with gordongecko500 and machine monkey about a Ford Focus being a good choice. Though my test drive experience (so yes, limited) was with a second hand 2008-9 Ford Focus, can't remember exactly the year. It was part of the normal range with lots of extras for the price. What made me chose another car was that the interior finish didn't seem as high quality as some of the others which cost slightly more. It was a petrol and felt strong and the handling was really good. We've had a Y-reg Ford Fiesta with over 120k miles and the handling on that is superb for the type of car so I wasn't surprised the Focus handled well.

Also test drove a Seat Ibiza Diesel which was okay, nothing wrong with it but seemed the cabin space in the front of the car was a little small, like narrow across the passenger / driver bit, for me, which I know is down to preference, again. That was a facelift type, I think reg about 2010.

But temporary solution, you lose money changing cars don't you, as in if you get a cheaper car to change it in a year, you'll be forking out two car taxes, insurance, running costs unless you maange to time changing or get it in as a part exchange?
 
Hi

i know i am losing money exchanging cars but my situation is like this.

The bmw i lost was on finance and i dont have the GAp insurrance. Now they told me if the gap is 2000 pounds i will have to pay the same amounth per month like im paying now till i finish those 2000 i own.

So no chance to get another finance till i finish with the gap. :(
 
Mazdas worry me. I've never seen one go beyond a certain number of years without the wheel arches starting to rust. I used to think it was a problem exclusive to MX5s but i've now seen it on RX8's, 6's 3's and Premacy's. I don't understand how they can't get that right. Next time you see a Mazda parked up take a look.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

R
Chose only one
Replies
2
Views
125
buzyg
buzyg
M
WHY DID YOU CHOSE YOUR E89?
2 3
Replies
43
Views
2K
Baza
B
S
If you had to, and had £30K to spend, what would you chose?
2
Replies
38
Views
2K
rhodesey35iM
R
D
Z4 buying advice Pt2. Which would you chose?
2 3
Replies
40
Views
2K
Daffy
D
H
Why I chose the 2005 3.0 over the 2006 3.0si
Replies
9
Views
793
rollingstone
R
Back
Top Bottom