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Car Forum / UK Car Forums / General Car Topics (UK group) / February 2009Looking for an estate
...car that is. Family is expanding, looking for something Passat sized and diesel, ideally around £10K or less. What's the consensus round 'ere on what's good and bad? Current Golf MkIV reliability has kinda put me off VW, Snow has kinda put me off anything RWD (the wife will be driving it too) Wife is trying to put me off anything French + Vauxhalls + old shape Mondeos. That doesn't leave much, Honda Accord? - Estates seem pretty rare around here. Z > ...car that is. Family is expanding, looking for something Passat sized and > diesel, ideally around £10K or less. What's the consensus round 'ere on > what's good and bad? How about a diesel Passat? The model before the current one is better built but drives like a van. The newer one drives better, but is built like an Alfa Romeo. I'd have a preference for the better built one myself. > > ...car that is. Family is expanding, looking for something Passat sized and > > diesel, ideally around £10K or less. What's the consensus round 'ere on [quoted text clipped - 3 lines] > built but drives like a van. The newer one drives better, but is built > like an Alfa Romeo. I'd have a preference for the better built one myself. Just how bloody bad is the Skoda, then, if you think the much higher quality Passat is 'Built like an Alfa Romeo'? I can only assume the Skoda makes a Lada Riva look like the last word in quality.  SignatureSteveH 'You're not a real petrolhead unless you've owned an Alfa Romeo' Alfa 156 TSpark Sportwagon Veloce Selespeed - Alfa 75 TSpark Lusso Ducati 750SS - BMW R100RT - Company Hack Focus TDCI >>> ...car that is. Family is expanding, looking for something Passat sized and >>> diesel, ideally around £10K or less. What's the consensus round 'ere on [quoted text clipped - 8 lines] > I can only assume the Skoda makes a Lada Riva look like the last word in > quality. I've just been driving a '54 plate Skoda Superb. Posh spec one, not bad for a VW. Not as good as a Mondeo, but not a bad effort. SignaturePete M - OMF#9 BMW 325i SE Touring Range Rover V8 Turbo Escort Diesel Van (Woo, stylish) "Wait! We can't stop here, this is Bat Country" > I've just been driving a '54 plate Skoda Superb. Posh spec one, not bad > for a VW. Not as good as a Mondeo, but not a bad effort. I found there's not much to chose between Ford and VW these days. Although the new Focus I looked at in a dealers showroom didn't inspire confidence. The new Superb is a very nice car indeed and unbelievably roomy, especially rear legroom. Why do you want a diesel? It will be more expensive to buy versus the equivalent petrol OR a MUCH higher mileage and as diesel in the UK is more expensive you'll have to do loads of miles. It will also suffer after a few years the VERY expensive dual mass/flywheel prob that modern diesels seem to suffer negating any MPG benefit- I'm no mechanic :) (anyone see 5th gear where the diesel baby suzeki (?) actually got a worse MPG than the petrol?) The Mondeo is a good bet, Vauxhalls seem to have a few engine probs due to their 20k services, personally I'd stear clear of "european" models - even German cars aren't that great - what about Japanese - no sporty image I admit but If you can get an accord great or an avensis that would be great Some will slag these cars off BUT you do want something reasonably comfortable, reliable to insure and run I assume rather than a "sporty" older model thats probably been thrashed and not looked after > Why do you want a diesel? > [quoted text clipped - 5 lines] > (anyone see 5th gear where the diesel baby suzeki (?) actually got a worse > MPG than the petrol?) Good point, but a few years old they aren't much more expensive that I can see (if at all). I worked out that it should save me a few hundred pounds a year in fuel (mpg ~30% better, diesel costs ~11% more) even at 10Kmiles. There are plenty about and I read somewhere that VAG expect >75% of their bigger cars sold now to be diesel. But yes, I've also read about flywheel and DPF (filter) problems. Tax is also less on most diesels and performance seems to be comparable and much better for the mpg. > The Mondeo is a good bet, Vauxhalls seem to have a few engine probs due to > their 20k services, personally I'd stear clear of "european" models - even [quoted text clipped - 4 lines] > comfortable, reliable to insure and run I assume rather than a "sporty" > older model thats probably been thrashed and not looked after I'm happy with Japanese cars (I already have a Mazda), but again I can't get over the Avensis ugliness. Z > Why do you want a diesel? > > It will be more expensive to buy versus the equivalent petrol OR a MUCH > higher mileage and as diesel in the UK is more expensive you'll have to do > loads of miles. Not that many. There isn't as much of a price difference in cars now , and while diesel is 10% more than unleaded you should get at least 30% more MPG > It will also suffer after a few years the VERY expensive dual > mass/flywheel prob that modern diesels seem to suffer negating any MPG > benefit- I'm no mechanic :) You say that like it's a certainty on all cars. > (anyone see 5th gear where the diesel baby suzeki (?) actually got a worse > MPG than the petrol?) No idea how they managed to do that. 5th Gear have a habit of getting figures very far removed from reality on their tests. SignatureAlex "I laugh in the face of danger , then I hide until it goes away" >> Why do you want a diesel? >> [quoted text clipped - 18 lines] > 5th Gear have a habit of getting figures very far removed from reality on > their tests. It wasn't exactly scientific, but what the guy did was drive both versions on the same mixed route on the same day in a similar manner. He started from the same garage for both, after topping up the tanks, and determined the fuel consumptionon by topping them up again on his return. I can't remember the exact figures, but the diesel did about 42mpg, with the petrol doing about 3mpg more. What's more is that he noted that compared to the petrol car, the diesel was much noisier and not as nice to drive. Mike. >>> Why do you want a diesel? >>> [quoted text clipped - 21 lines] > It wasn't exactly scientific, but what the guy did was drive both versions > on the same mixed route on the same day in a similar manner. Watch the 5th Gear video here if interested. http://tinyurl.com/akf72m Mike. >>>> Why do you want a diesel? >>>> [quoted text clipped - 25 lines] > http://tinyurl.com/akf72m > Mike. Lets see, trains, lorrys, buses, ~75% of larger cars sold, all diesel. Very small and light Suzuki, better mpg on petrol. Perhaps the extra torque of a diesel engine is more efficient when shifting heavy loads rather than light ones? Z > Why do you want a diesel? > [quoted text clipped - 8 lines] > The Mondeo is a good bet, Vauxhalls seem to have a few engine probs due to > their 20k services What engine problems are these? I've had four Vauxhalls in a row with three different engine types: 1.8 petrol, 1.9CDTi and 2.0 petrol turbo and never encountered any problems. One of these cars did 103k in 3 years with normal 20k servicing and didn't miss a beat as far as the engine was concerned, and I pretty much drove it everywhere like I stole it. > Just how bloody bad is the Skoda, then, if you think the much higher > quality Passat is 'Built like an Alfa Romeo'? The Octavia has a build quality you would expect from a VW. The new Passat, for some reason, just doesn't seem as well put together. > I can only assume the Skoda makes a Lada Riva look like the last word in > quality. I believe the Toyota Prious is well made. >> Just how bloody bad is the Skoda, then, if you think the much higher >> quality Passat is 'Built like an Alfa Romeo'? > > The Octavia has a build quality you would expect from a VW. The new > Passat, for some reason, just doesn't seem as well put together. Neither did the old one, IMO. Electric windows, door locks etc., were for ever going wrong. >>> Just how bloody bad is the Skoda, then, if you think the much higher >>> quality Passat is 'Built like an Alfa Romeo'? [quoted text clipped - 4 lines] > Neither did the old one, IMO. Electric windows, door locks etc., were > for ever going wrong. I'm not sure about further down the line. I only know about them as new or nearly new. > >> Just how bloody bad is the Skoda, then, if you think the much higher > >> quality Passat is 'Built like an Alfa Romeo'? [quoted text clipped - 4 lines] > Neither did the old one, IMO. Electric windows, door locks etc., were > for ever going wrong. That was water getting into a box of tricks fitted in the same place to more or less all VAG products from the mid 90s up until the replacement of the MkI Skoda Superb. SignatureSteveH 'You're not a real petrolhead unless you've owned an Alfa Romeo' Alfa 156 TSpark Sportwagon Veloce Selespeed - Alfa 75 TSpark Lusso Ducati 750SS - BMW R100RT - Company Hack Focus TDCI > ...car that is. Family is expanding, looking for something Passat sized > and diesel, ideally around £10K or less. What's the consensus round 'ere [quoted text clipped - 7 lines] > That doesn't leave much, > Honda Accord? - Estates seem pretty rare around here. Nothing wrong with a previous shape mondeo. An Octavia estate could be worth a look. There are also some cracking buys on Vectras as well. Not my first choice for a car in that size but the huge discounts make them very tempting. SignatureAlex "I laugh in the face of danger , then I hide until it goes away" >> ...car that is. Family is expanding, looking for something Passat sized >> and diesel, ideally around £10K or less. What's the consensus round 'ere [quoted text clipped - 11 lines] > > An Octavia estate could be worth a look. Can't get over the Octavia's "80's Rover" styling though. :-( Z > Can't get over the Octavia's "80's Rover" styling though. :-( Be honest, you're worried about that badge, aren't you? ;-) >> Can't get over the Octavia's "80's Rover" styling though. :-( > > Be honest, you're worried about that badge, aren't you? ;-) Not really, if they looked like Audis I'd have one with a Skoda badge on it tomorrow. Everybody knows they're VAG now. Z >>> Can't get over the Octavia's "80's Rover" styling though. :-( >> Be honest, you're worried about that badge, aren't you? ;-) > > Not really, if they looked like Audis I'd have one with a Skoda badge on it > tomorrow. Everybody knows they're VAG now. The new Octavia isn't that much different in looks to an A4 and is arguably built just as well. > >>> Can't get over the Octavia's "80's Rover" styling though. :-( > >> Be honest, you're worried about that badge, aren't you? ;-) [quoted text clipped - 4 lines] > The new Octavia isn't that much different in looks to an A4 and is > arguably built just as well. That's damning with faint praise if ever I heard it. >>>>> Can't get over the Octavia's "80's Rover" styling though. :-( >>>> Be honest, you're worried about that badge, aren't you? ;-) [quoted text clipped - 4 lines] > > That's damning with faint praise if ever I heard it. There's nothing wrong with an A4, apart from the extra premium for the badge. > >>>>> Can't get over the Octavia's "80's Rover" styling though. :-( >> Be > >>honest, you're worried about that badge, aren't you? ;-) > Not really, [quoted text clipped - 6 lines] > There's nothing wrong with an A4, apart from the extra premium for the > badge. And the fact that it's a bigger car, completely different engineering (longitudinal Audi platform vs transverse Golf), and the interior is of a much, much higher quality with completely different, and more comprehensive control systems. I had a demo. car for a day - it was better than the current 3-series, and a whole order of magnitude better than the Golf based VAGs. SignatureSteveH 'You're not a real petrolhead unless you've owned an Alfa Romeo' Alfa 156 TSpark Sportwagon Veloce Selespeed - Alfa 75 TSpark Lusso Ducati 750SS - BMW R100RT - Company Hack Focus TDCI > And the fact that it's a bigger car, completely different engineering > (longitudinal Audi platform vs transverse Golf), and the interior is of [quoted text clipped - 3 lines] > I had a demo. car for a day - it was better than the current 3-series, > and a whole order of magnitude better than the Golf based VAGs. I agree, Audi probably make the best built and best looking cars out there at the moment - although the A6 is a bit of a munter. But order of magnitude better than the rest of VW? I think not. Even taking residuals into consideration, it's not enough to make me want to get a poverty spec A4 over a top spec Octavia or, even better, the new Superb. > > And the fact that it's a bigger car, completely different engineering > > (longitudinal Audi platform vs transverse Golf), and the interior is of [quoted text clipped - 7 lines] > there at the moment - although the A6 is a bit of a munter. But order of > magnitude better than the rest of VW? I think not. It's based on a much bigger and better engineered platform. The difference between a Golf and an A4 is night and day. > Even taking residuals into consideration, it's not enough to make me > want to get a poverty spec A4 over a top spec Octavia or, even better, > the new Superb. The new Superb is taking things too far. It's an A6 sized car, on an overgrown Golf platform, with a slightly modified B6 Passat interior. Great for minicab drivers wanting something 'posh' for airport runs, but I really don't see why anyone would buy one for private, or even business use. A decently specified Superb costs the same as a Passat CC TDI-140 GT. Putting aside all the spats we've had - look at the new Seat Exeo when it arrives. Essentially an old shape A4 with Seat badges and a price to match. It'll be a tad more expensive than an Octavia, but the outgoing A4 was, and still is, a very good car. SignatureSteveH 'You're not a real petrolhead unless you've owned an Alfa Romeo' Alfa 156 TSpark Sportwagon Veloce Selespeed - Alfa 75 TSpark Lusso Ducati 750SS - BMW R100RT - Company Hack Focus TDCI >> Even taking residuals into consideration, it's not enough to make me >> want to get a poverty spec A4 over a top spec Octavia or, even better, [quoted text clipped - 4 lines] > It's an A6 sized car, on an overgrown Golf platform, with a slightly > modified B6 Passat interior. But in fairness, isn't that pretty much what the B6 Passat is? :-) A6 size - tick (almost). Overgrown Golf platform - tick. Slightly modified B6 Passat interior - well, some might say it's not modified at all... Signature"For want of the price of tea and a slice, the old man died." > >> Even taking residuals into consideration, it's not enough to make me > >> want to get a poverty spec A4 over a top spec Octavia or, even better, [quoted text clipped - 11 lines] > Slightly modified B6 Passat interior - well, some might say it's not > modified at all... It's even bigger than a B6 Passat, which is now around the size of an A4. I just can't see the appeal in an A6 / E-Class size car with a low-rent badge - you may as well buy a Hyundai Sonata for several grand less, and get an extra 2 years warranty. Or just buy a year old E-Class / A6 for the same money. SignatureSteveH 'You're not a real petrolhead unless you've owned an Alfa Romeo' Alfa 156 TSpark Sportwagon Veloce Selespeed - Alfa 75 TSpark Lusso Ducati 750SS - BMW R100RT - Company Hack Focus TDCI > A decently specified Superb costs the same as a Passat CC TDI-140 GT. IMO, the new Passat is the most over-priced uder-spec'd cars out there. It even looks cheap, especially inside. > Putting aside all the spats we've had - look at the new Seat Exeo when > it arrives. Essentially an old shape A4 with Seat badges and a price to > match. It'll be a tad more expensive than an Octavia, but the outgoing > A4 was, and still is, a very good car. Seats are just too ugly for me. I was wondering whether you've actually seen the new Superb in the flesh. It really is a nice motor with bags of room and can be had with the 170bhp CR engine. It is a bit pricey for top spec though. The new Mazda 6 is still on my shortlist - I like the idea of the 185bhp diesel. My next car will almost certainly be another Skoda, although I have until the summer to make my mind up. I may see something else by then. The 3 series is tempting, but even taking into account residuals and excellent diesel fuel economy, it's still very pricey. To be honest, I'm not really a car fan. I like something reasonably nice, but I can find other, more worthwhile things to spend the money on. >> A decently specified Superb costs the same as a Passat CC TDI-140 GT. > [quoted text clipped - 8 lines] > Seats are just too ugly for me. I was wondering whether you've > actually seen the new Superb in the flesh. I have. It looked f.cking odd, and not in a good way either. HTH SignatureJackH Rest: 03 VW Passat TDI Sport Play: 98 Yamaha Fazer FZS600 > > A decently specified Superb costs the same as a Passat CC TDI-140 GT. > > IMO, the new Passat is the most over-priced uder-spec'd cars out there. > It even looks cheap, especially inside. Note the 'CC' bit, that's important. However, the only thing my 2.0TDI-SE was missing was digital climate. Had just about everything else I needed and was nicely 'minimalist' with everything nice and simple. > > Putting aside all the spats we've had - look at the new Seat Exeo when > > it arrives. Essentially an old shape A4 with Seat badges and a price to [quoted text clipped - 5 lines] > room and can be had with the 170bhp CR engine. It is a bit pricey for > top spec though. The Exeo is just the outgoing A4, with the upgraded Cabrio dash and Seat badges, though..... and yes, I've seen the Superb in the flesh. I thought it was a Renault until close enough to read the badge. That's not a good thing. > The new Mazda 6 is still on my shortlist - I like the idea of the 185bhp > diesel. My next car will almost certainly be another Skoda, although I > have until the summer to make my mind up. I may see something else by then. > > The 3 series is tempting, but even taking into account residuals and > excellent diesel fuel economy, it's still very pricey. £28k for the spec. I was looking at. Great if someone else is paying, but not if you're paying out of your own pocket. > To be honest, I'm not really a car fan. I like something reasonably > nice, but I can find other, more worthwhile things to spend the money on. ISTR you spent more time in your car than I did in my old job. That, to me, means it's worth paying out for exactly what you want - and the reason I bought a 156 Sportwagon in the end. The lure of a semi-auto box and Momo leather was too much to resist. SignatureSteveH 'You're not a real petrolhead unless you've owned an Alfa Romeo' Alfa 156 TSpark Sportwagon Veloce Selespeed - Alfa 75 TSpark Lusso Ducati 750SS - BMW R100RT - Company Hack Focus TDCI >>> ...car that is. Family is expanding, looking for something Passat sized >>> and diesel, ideally around £10K or less. What's the consensus round 'ere [quoted text clipped - 13 lines] > > Can't get over the Octavia's "80's Rover" styling though. :-( Really? http://www.vwvortex.com/artman/uploads/skoda_750.jpg That doesn't remind me of a rover at all. The Mk1 Octvia looks a bit dated now but a Mk2 is well within budget SignatureAlex "I laugh in the face of danger , then I hide until it goes away" >>>> ...car that is. Family is expanding, looking for something Passat sized >>>> and diesel, ideally around £10K or less. What's the consensus round [quoted text clipped - 18 lines] > http://www.vwvortex.com/artman/uploads/skoda_750.jpg > That doesn't remind me of a rover at all. Sorry, that should've been "90's Rover": http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Rover_214_front_20070902.jpg http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Skoda_Octavia_I_front_20080213.jpg Z >>>>> ...car that is. Family is expanding, looking for something Passat >>>>> sized and diesel, ideally around £10K or less. What's the consensus [quoted text clipped - 24 lines] > > http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Skoda_Octavia_I_front_20080213.jpg I can see a vague similarity , but thats cause that's a 90s designed octavia :0) The current one does look a fair bit different SignatureAlex "I laugh in the face of danger , then I hide until it goes away" "Dr Zoidberg" <AlexNOOOO!!!!!!!!@drzoidberg.co.uk> gurgled happily, sounding much like they were saying: >> Sorry, that should've been "90's Rover": >> >> http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Rover_214_front_20070902.jpg >> >> http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/ File:Skoda_Octavia_I_front_20080213.jpg > I can see a vague similarity , but thats cause that's a 90s designed > octavia :0) ITYM "Yep, bang to rights there, Guv" > The current one does look a fair bit different No, it doesn't. http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/5/50/ Skoda_Octavia_Combi_front_20071125.jpg >>>>>> ...car that is. Family is expanding, looking for something Passat >>>>>> sized and diesel, ideally around £10K or less. What's the consensus [quoted text clipped - 29 lines] > > The current one does look a fair bit different Only if you've bought one! ;-) Its still the minicabber's favourite (and for good reason), but thats a good enough reason for me not to want one, shallow as I am. Z Z > Nothing wrong with a previous shape mondeo. Nope. > An Octavia estate could be worth a look. The turbos blow up with sickening regularity. The coil packs are as shite as they are on other VAG vehicles. And the only people who buy Octavias are pikeys from Cribbs Causeway. >> Nothing wrong with a previous shape mondeo. > [quoted text clipped - 3 lines] > > The turbos blow up with sickening regularity. Mine did - Cheap VW crap ;0) If you look at most modern TDIs you'll find a fair amount of turbo issues on all makes though. > The coil packs are as > shite as they are on other VAG vehicles. > > And the only people who buy Octavias are pikeys from Cribbs Causeway. <waves> I'm not from Cribbs causeway SignatureAlex "I laugh in the face of danger , then I hide until it goes away" > I'm not from Cribbs causeway Have you checked your birth certificate lately? >> I'm not from Cribbs causeway > > Have you checked your birth certificate lately? ? > ...car that is. Family is expanding, looking for something Passat sized > and diesel, ideally around £10K or less. What's the consensus round 'ere > on what's good and bad? > > Current Golf MkIV reliability has kinda put me off VW, > Snow has kinda put me off anything RWD (the wife will be driving it too) Positives and negatives - the fact that my Sprinter's RWD (as are all of 'em) meant that I could get off the drive up the uphill slope onto the main road, as it had a dry "run-up" thanks to the ground beneath the van being snow-free. I'd have been f.cked if it was a FWD pile of french poopoo. > Wife is trying to put me off anything French + Vauxhalls + old shape > Mondeos. > > That doesn't leave much, > Honda Accord? - Estates seem pretty rare around here. I see a fair few Accord estates about actually - quite a nice looking car IMHO. New Mondeos are fugly as uck, old shape ones you should get a good deal on. And Vectras aren't terrible cars either and they're giving them away. Though going for something slightly older, and "expensive and German" might be a good bet. Signature"For want of the price of tea and a slice, the old man died." >> ...car that is. Family is expanding, looking for something Passat sized >> and diesel, ideally around £10K or less. What's the consensus round 'ere [quoted text clipped - 7 lines] > road, as it had a dry "run-up" thanks to the ground beneath the van being > snow-free. I'd have been f.cked if it was a FWD pile of french poopoo. My old E30 is great fun in the snow. If you don't drive it like a muppet it behaves impeccably. I didn't have a single moment of worry in the snow the other week, although it was a bit directionally dyslexic if it caught a wagon rut on the motorway. Don't get me wrong, it also had a happy half hour doing donuts on a snow covered car park... RWD with an LSD, rude not to. SignaturePete M - OMF#9 BMW 325i SE Touring Range Rover V8 Turbo Escort Diesel Van (Woo, stylish) "Wait! We can't stop here, this is Bat Country" >> ...car that is. Family is expanding, looking for something Passat sized >> and diesel, ideally around £10K or less. What's the consensus round 'ere [quoted text clipped - 20 lines] > away. Though going for something slightly older, and "expensive and > German" might be a good bet. Came as quite a shock that A4 Avant's are actually Golf estate sized, they look bigger on the outside. Plus all Audis seem to have at least a £3-4K premium on everything else. An older A6 is a possibility but I read their handling was a bit iffy. Z > Came as quite a shock that A4 Avant's are actually Golf estate sized, they > look bigger on the outside. Plus all Audis seem to have at least a £3-4K > premium on everything else. > An older A6 is a possibility but I read their handling was a bit iffy. As in the early shape (late Audi 100 shape) A6? Dunno about "iffy" - not exactly the sharpest handling machine in the world, nor do they do speed bumps particularly well, and they have a trademark Audi firm ride, but they are bloody good motors. Mate of mine said that the ride on my old A6 wasn't as bad as his wife's A3 (06 plater), and Albert T Cone of these parts said he reckoned the A6 was a better drive than the B5 Passat, going on the two he'd owned. But yeah, worth a look - 5-pot diesels are great (you want the 140bhp one) but with expensive cambelt changes, 2.8 30v petrol I think is supposed to be the pick of the bunch on that front. Of course, with a £10k budget you've probably got something newer in mind.... Signature"For want of the price of tea and a slice, the old man died." > ...car that is. Family is expanding, looking for something Passat sized and > diesel, ideally around £10K or less. What's the consensus round 'ere on [quoted text clipped - 9 lines] > > Z SAAB 9-5 :-) Charles > ...car that is. Family is expanding, looking for something Passat sized and > diesel, ideally around £10K or less. What's the consensus round 'ere on [quoted text clipped - 4 lines] > Wife is trying to put me off anything French + Vauxhalls + old shape > Mondeos. The previous generation Mondeo has topped car reliability surveys for "quite some time". The only car maker that does better is Honda. Honda Accord estates are shite. Toyota do almost as well as Ford for reliability. The Avensis estate is shite to look at and to drive. The big (huge) Mondeo diseasel estates, particularly TDCi models are a hoot to drive and the loadspace is so big you get an echo. Tell "the wife" to shut up because she knows f.ck-all about cars. >> ...car that is. Family is expanding, looking for something Passat sized >> and [quoted text clipped - 9 lines] > "quite some time". The only car maker that does better is Honda. Honda > Accord estates are shite. Any reasons why? > Toyota do almost as well as Ford for > reliability. The Avensis estate is shite to look at and to drive. The > big (huge) Mondeo diseasel estates, particularly TDCi models are a hoot > to drive and the loadspace is so big you get an echo. I know. > Tell "the wife" to shut up because she knows f.ck-all about cars. Tried that. However great Fords are some people won't like them because they're so ubiquitous, and you simply get fed up looking at them. Z > > The previous generation Mondeo has topped car reliability surveys for > > "quite some time". The only car maker that does better is Honda. Honda > > Accord estates are shite. > > Any reasons why? The roofline comes down at the back and for an estate the room inside is poor. I reckon an Accord estate inside is about as big as a Focus estate. OK, it may hold more ping-pong balls but the usable volume isn't great. And TBH I hate the way the Accord estates look. >> > The previous generation Mondeo has topped car reliability surveys for >> > "quite some time". The only car maker that does better is Honda. Honda [quoted text clipped - 6 lines] > estate. OK, it may hold more ping-pong balls but the usable volume isn't > great. Its actually supposed to be 'class leading' but knee room in the back loses out to the boot I reckon. The new 08 one must be the first car thats actually smaller than its predecessor. > And TBH I hate the way the Accord estates look. Fair enough, they remind me of Boba Fett's helmet from Star Wars (no not that one!). Z The previous generation Mondeo has topped car reliability surveys for > "quite some time". The only car maker that does better is Honda. Honda > Accord estates are shite. Toyota do almost as well as Ford for [quoted text clipped - 3 lines] > > Tell "the wife" to shut up because she knows f.ck-all about cars. Its a bit early in the day to be SO unpleasent and SO pissed innit Filth ? I would suggest that If you cannot find something pleasent or useful to say you should shut up - oh hang on. that means you'd never say anything ;-) >> ...car that is. Family is expanding, looking for something Passat sized and >> diesel, ideally around £10K or less. What's the consensus round 'ere on [quoted text clipped - 11 lines] >big (huge) Mondeo diseasel estates, particularly TDCi models are a hoot >to drive and the loadspace is so big you get an echo. Agreed re. the '01 onwards Mondeo wagon, but the V6's are "much" more fun. Nippy, quiet, lazy car to drive, but if one can be bothered to take the engine beyond 3/4K RPM, then it's fun..... Granted, high insurance & road-tax can be off-putting but I don't care! Much more flexible than the diesels, & with the 6-speed box you can be lazy & miss a ratio at each shift. As for being a common old Ford, I reckon that my Ghia X 3.0 litre is much less common than the ST220, & they used to sell in tiny numbers. I lived with a "posh" V70 D5 for 9 months & the fun just wasn't there, nor was the load-space. As for economy, that just averaged 36 mpg for me, the Mondy has averaged 28.6 so far. Since diesel fuel stiil seem to cost 11 /12% more than petrol, is it worth worrying about the cost. It's how your drive them............. >Tell "the wife" to shut up because she knows f.ck-all about cars. Not such a good idea with my (late) spouse, but if you wan to be brave..... DC >>> ...car that is. Family is expanding, looking for something Passat sized >>> and [quoted text clipped - 24 lines] > As for being a common old Ford, I reckon that my Ghia X 3.0 litre is > much less common than the ST220, & they used to sell in tiny numbers. Na, even my brother has a 2.5 V6 Ghia X auto saloon (seriously!, maybe the 3 litres are rarer). A very nice car, but looks like just another Mondy on the outside. Z |
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