goonersteve 0 Posted August 29, 2011 Report Share Posted August 29, 2011 Hi guys, me and the missus are looking for a (*yawn) family car, now that we have a little nipper on the scene. Looking for some suggestions and advice on what to go for. Criteria is that it must be a 5dr hatchback, but nothing too small, as we need to be able to fit buggy and dog in the boot. MUST be economical (looking for combined 50mpg, preferably), as once my gf finishes her maternity leave, she'll be back to her job which involves driving to various places around the county. No older than 10yrs and price range between £1k - £3k.The main cars we are considering at the moment are Ford Focus, Ford Mondeo, Vauxhall Astra, VW Passat. I would love to go for a Golf, but the missus is being a nob and says she doesn't like the lights on them.If you have any suggestions for other cars, or constructive comments on the existing cars (i know most of them aint 'dubs, but please try!), it would be very helpful. Thanks Link to post Share on other sites
J5KE F 0 Posted August 29, 2011 Report Share Posted August 29, 2011 Hi dude.. I have plenty of experiance on this lol!My missus had golf before but we struggled with boot space!We now have a bora tdi sport 130 and love it! Loads of room and not too big for parking!The boot space is perfect as we now have two children, a double buggy and still have room for shopping, bags etc when going away!We get 55 plus mpg.My mate has a mondeo tdi and has just spent over 1k on new injectors and fuel pump and another mate had a cmax with injector problems.. Link to post Share on other sites
goonersteve 0 Posted August 29, 2011 Author Report Share Posted August 29, 2011 Cheers Jake! Is that 55mpg combined (urban and long distance), or is that just on a long distance drive? I quite like the look of the Bora's.It's funny, Mondeo's have always had positive reviews on Top Gear etc, but the more i mention it to the general public, I seem to hear a fair bit of negative feedback. Link to post Share on other sites
J5KE F 0 Posted August 29, 2011 Report Share Posted August 29, 2011 Thats 55 on a run and average around 48-50..Weve always liked boras and since owning this one ive been keeping an eye out for a 4mo! Link to post Share on other sites
bethslad 1 Posted August 29, 2011 Report Share Posted August 29, 2011 My Mrs has a 2004 passat highline with the 130 bhp turbo diesel engine and it a great car, its the estate aswel so plenty of room in the boot even though we've 3 dogs 1 being a shepard also get good mileage to a tank of fuel which she needs as she's always out in it, I've got a skoda fabia vrs aswel as the vr and that's a great wee car but probably a bit on the small side for you. Link to post Share on other sites
rodney 17 Posted August 29, 2011 Report Share Posted August 29, 2011 the only thing I will say is try and keep over 115bhp as they tend to be a little sluggish below that.The best car you can buy that will run for ever is........................... the Skoda.... Remeber Diesels tend to be good for much higer milage by their nature. So dont run form higer milers as long as all belts/chains/history are up to scratch...It is the previous versions of the VAG car and has all the issues fixed. so you know it can be fixed and insured for virtually nothing... The only thing is to get over the badge...Outside of that... As a company car we have had the following cars with minimal issuesAudi (A4/6/8)BMW (3/5/7 series.... big but dirt cheap second hand)VW (Golf/Bora/Passat)Mazda (if you can find 'em)Honda (Accords)Mercedes (hit and miss - depends... older models E's are better believe it or not)Hit and misses and perhaps slightly older cars with all the faults resolved (end of model) Were Volvo/Ford & vauxhaull..... but they were a mixed bag... and no real reason why... Just Wierdgood luck Link to post Share on other sites
goonersteve 0 Posted August 29, 2011 Author Report Share Posted August 29, 2011 Thanks for your input guys Rod, I had thought about a Skoda and found a decent looking Fabia on Autotrader. Doesn't look great and interior is very basic, to say the least! But.....like you said, it's a VAG engine, just with that name on the badge, which feels a bit dirty to say!Just realised, the Bora / Passat is a saloon, isn't it? So won't be any good for our dog, unfortunately. Link to post Share on other sites
craggsy 91 Posted August 29, 2011 Report Share Posted August 29, 2011 If I was buying a dieseasal then it would either be VAG or Peugeut as they make the 2 best diesesal engines.I use a 307 HDI sometimes at work and is quite good Link to post Share on other sites
J5KE F 0 Posted August 29, 2011 Report Share Posted August 29, 2011 How about golf estate..? Bora front end..??Definately agree with over 115 bhp tho! Link to post Share on other sites
rodney 17 Posted August 29, 2011 Report Share Posted August 29, 2011 Passat can be an estate m8 Link to post Share on other sites
andynick69 0 Posted August 29, 2011 Report Share Posted August 29, 2011 Mrs has a focus tdi 08 plate,lovely drive,had it 3 years no problems nearly 50k on clock,earlier ones need to av fsh Link to post Share on other sites
goonersteve 0 Posted August 30, 2011 Author Report Share Posted August 30, 2011 Passat can be an estate m8Don't think i would trust her reversing one of them Link to post Share on other sites
rodney 17 Posted August 30, 2011 Report Share Posted August 30, 2011 Passat can be an estate m8Don't think i would trust her reversing one of them Halfords reversing sensor kit LOL Link to post Share on other sites
bethslad 1 Posted August 30, 2011 Report Share Posted August 30, 2011 Some of them have reverse sensors already built in my Mrs' has besides they are easy to drive, they would have to be if i was letting my good lady drive ;-) quickly posting this now before she reads it lol Link to post Share on other sites
goonersteve 0 Posted September 5, 2011 Author Report Share Posted September 5, 2011 lol We have decided we may consider an estate now. But parking sensors would definitely be a helpful thing to have! There is a nice BMW 320d SE Touring i have seen. Got lots of gadgets, including the parking sensors Also seen an Octavia, which would possibly be a better option, particularly in terms of running costs. Link to post Share on other sites
rodney 17 Posted September 5, 2011 Report Share Posted September 5, 2011 they'll both be very similar. I assume the BMW has more BHP (and is RWD) and will be a very nice car to drive... which model is it??? I have no idea on insurance etc so it's out with the spreadsheet for you I am afraid...... Link to post Share on other sites
goonersteve 0 Posted September 5, 2011 Author Report Share Posted September 5, 2011 There are a couple: http://www.autotrader.co.uk/search/used/cars/bmw/postcode/nr65bp/radius/40/fuel-type/diesel/price-from/1000/sort/priceasc/price-to/3000 Link to post Share on other sites
rodney 17 Posted September 9, 2011 Report Share Posted September 9, 2011 this is not a Diesel... but is cheap and goes forever... a very rare car in this condition... http://pistonheads.com/sales/3191471.htm Link to post Share on other sites
rodney 17 Posted September 9, 2011 Report Share Posted September 9, 2011 in fact the older the model the more reliable it is for thses... (before they "improved their manufacturing process")Here are a couple more... a lot of car for not a lot of money...http://autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201136414395528/sort/priceasc/usedcars/body-type/estate/maximum-mileage/up_to_80000_miles/fuel-type/diesel/make/mercedes-benz/postcode/wd187ql/radius/1500/page/1?logcode=phttp://autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201135413215470/sort/priceasc/usedcars/body-type/estate/maximum-mileage/up_to_80000_miles/fuel-type/diesel/make/mercedes-benz/postcode/wd187ql/radius/1500/page/1?logcode=phttp://autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201126395677699/sort/priceasc/usedcars/body-type/estate/maximum-mileage/up_to_80000_miles/fuel-type/diesel/make/mercedes-benz/radius/1500/postcode/wd187ql/page/2?logcode=phttp://autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201132409912178/sort/priceasc/usedcars/body-type/estate/maximum-mileage/up_to_80000_miles/fuel-type/diesel/make/mercedes-benz/radius/1500/postcode/wd187ql/page/2?logcode=pObviously there are more but you get the idea... Link to post Share on other sites
VR6-DUB 3 Posted September 10, 2011 Report Share Posted September 10, 2011 mk5 golf gt tdi 140 bhp :-) Link to post Share on other sites
VR6-DUB 3 Posted September 10, 2011 Report Share Posted September 10, 2011 or mk4 golf gt tdi Link to post Share on other sites
goonersteve 0 Posted September 14, 2011 Author Report Share Posted September 14, 2011 in fact the older the model the more reliable it is for thses... (before they "improved their manufacturing process")Here are a couple more... a lot of car for not a lot of money...http://autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201136414395528/sort/priceasc/usedcars/body-type/estate/maximum-mileage/up_to_80000_miles/fuel-type/diesel/make/mercedes-benz/postcode/wd187ql/radius/1500/page/1?logcode=phttp://autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201135413215470/sort/priceasc/usedcars/body-type/estate/maximum-mileage/up_to_80000_miles/fuel-type/diesel/make/mercedes-benz/postcode/wd187ql/radius/1500/page/1?logcode=phttp://autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201126395677699/sort/priceasc/usedcars/body-type/estate/maximum-mileage/up_to_80000_miles/fuel-type/diesel/make/mercedes-benz/radius/1500/postcode/wd187ql/page/2?logcode=phttp://autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201132409912178/sort/priceasc/usedcars/body-type/estate/maximum-mileage/up_to_80000_miles/fuel-type/diesel/make/mercedes-benz/radius/1500/postcode/wd187ql/page/2?logcode=pObviously there are more but you get the idea... Two words....fuel economy! Link to post Share on other sites
goonersteve 0 Posted September 14, 2011 Author Report Share Posted September 14, 2011 I think we are decided on the mkII Ford Focus 1.6 tdci. Decent boot space and up to 70mpg on a long run! £95 tax as well. Can pick up an 05 or 06 plate one for under £3k. Link to post Share on other sites
rodney 17 Posted September 16, 2011 Report Share Posted September 16, 2011 did you sort it?http://www4.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201137415603282/sort/priceasc/usedcars/maximum-mileage/up_to_40000_miles/fuel-type/diesel/engine-size-cars/2l_to_2-5l/price-to/6000/body-type/estate/make/toyota/radius/1500/postcode/wd187ql/page/1?logcode=phttp://www4.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201134411791948/sort/priceasc/usedcars/maximum-mileage/up_to_60000_miles/fuel-type/diesel/price-to/5000/body-type/estate/make/skoda/page/1/postcode/wd187ql/radius/1500?logcode=phttp://www4.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201137415639538/sort/priceasc/usedcars/price-to/5000/maximum-mileage/up_to_60000_miles/fuel-type/diesel/body-type/estate/make/ford/radius/1500/postcode/wd187ql/page/1?logcode=p Link to post Share on other sites
goonersteve 0 Posted September 18, 2011 Author Report Share Posted September 18, 2011 Not bought one yet. Spent most of Friday travelling to see what i was assured was a legit bargain (think he thought that if we travelled that far, we would be committed to going through with the purchase), but it turned out to be a complete dog! Still on the lookout, but we are 99% decided on a 1.6 Focus TD. Link to post Share on other sites
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