PCSD 329 Posted August 19, 2012 Share Posted August 19, 2012 Hello folks, Just to pick your brains and get the opinions of those of you who have had experience in different cars, I recently started work in Manchester (Didsbury to be more precise) which leaves me with a 60 mile each way commute (120 mile round trip) each day. At the moment I'm driving to work in a lowly Peugeot 106 1.1 which manages the motorways fairly well, but I either have to make it scream to get to the upper motorway speed limits which uses more petrol than when I'm content to just doddle along at 60. So for convenience/comfort I'm looking at a new car, which is where I'd like the advice experience you kind people may have, I'm thinking a 1.6D may be right up my street for more torgue, better economy and cheaper insurance. So far I've looked along the Ford Focus/Audi A3/Astra route but wondered if there were any better options/rides out there? I've also looked at the Kia Rio etc but they're not much cheaper than the more MOR models. Any advice greatly appreciated! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Administrative Account 7 Posted August 19, 2012 Share Posted August 19, 2012 How much are you looking at spending? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
G.Retriever 147 Posted August 19, 2012 Share Posted August 19, 2012 (edited) Depends obviously on your budget but I have driven the Ford Focus, Ford Fiesta, Vauxhall Astra (old and new styles) and Vauxhall Vectra and currently have a Vauxhall Insignia. I only ever had two petrols in that list which were the Vauxhall Astras. I disliked the engines for the MPG but otherwise, of all the cars I have driven the older style Astra has been by far the best for me. Second to that was the Vectra when I needed more room for bikes etc. I was getting over 50mpg on motorway hauls with a 1.9 150BHP Tdi in the Vectra. I am not a fan of the new style Astra. My recommendation therefore is a mid-range diesel in an older Astra (not the current model, I have found mine awful!) If the Astra interior just doesn't strike you then I would go for same engine in a Ford Focus! Hope that helps somewhat. ps. look for words like eco/ eco-flex etc if you have a little extra to spend (makes no difference on second hand) On my insignia, the insurance and tax is actually lower with a bigger engine because it has the eco credentials! Edited August 19, 2012 by csc2290 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fruitandveg + 26 Posted August 19, 2012 Share Posted August 19, 2012 For most people I'd actually pull together a lot of sources stating diesel engines could end up costing more, but at that kind of daily mileage a diesel will certainly save money! I've always agreed with that there are only three reasons to buy a diesel: you do mega miles, to minimise company car tax or because you have preference towards a diesel engine. Anything else petrol engines are still a better buy financially having accounted for all costs, despite doing less MPG. I'm going to say to avoid the super-economy versions such as BlueMotion/EcoFlex/BlueEfficiency (VW/Vauxhall/Merc terms respectively) as they're a lot more highly strung to get the higher MPGs - owner reviews suggest that they have more problems than the normal versions. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PCSD 329 Posted August 19, 2012 Author Share Posted August 19, 2012 How much are you looking at spending? I knew there was something I'd forgotten! Ideally around the £20k price bracket with a couple of grand either way being manageable. Cheers CSC, I had been looked at used Vectras in 1.9 150 SRi spec but the insurance would be a killer for someone my age! As for the new Astras they dont tickle my fancy as much and I would prefer new purely for the warranty/reliability/servicing sake. Indeed, fruitandveg, i've looked into the normal diesel engine problems but for an average of 25000 miles a year I'd save a fortune on petrol and shouldnt have any DPF issues on long motorway slogs.I am trying to avoid the eco-boost models, primarily because they appear to be the lower powered engines that have them for around town or lower NSL roads. My current fancy is a new Focus in Titanium spec with a 1.6 TDCi due to the decent Ford service we've experienced in the past. Though I've still been browsing the Skoda Octavia/Volvo C30/S40 and numerous other model ranges. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Administrative Account 7 Posted August 19, 2012 Share Posted August 19, 2012 I'd look at Skodaa Octavias... You could get a vRS (tdi) for that money, and with change for the insurance.... Personally if I were spending 20k I wouldn't be looking at an Astra or a Focus! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Administrative Account 7 Posted August 19, 2012 Share Posted August 19, 2012 I'd look at Skodaa Octavias... You could get a vRS (tdi) for that money, and with change for the insurance.... Personally if I were spending 20k I wouldn't be looking at an Astra or a Focus! Indeed! Skoda vRS TDi all day long for that money! :D Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Boots 0 Posted August 19, 2012 Share Posted August 19, 2012 Not only is the Ford Focus 1.6 TDCI a great car, the engine is fantastic too! Many trim levels (the Zetec S being the best if you like the sporty looks) and you can grab some bargains out there! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pottheed 50 Posted August 19, 2012 Share Posted August 19, 2012 problem with the focus is the depreciation. My current car - 3 year old focus 1.6 zetec 48k on clock full ford service history - 5k at auction :D if you are spending that kinda money get a octavia vrs Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Administrative Account 7 Posted August 19, 2012 Share Posted August 19, 2012 problem with the focus is the depreciation. My current car - 3 year old focus 1.6 zetec 48k on clock full ford service history - 5k at auction :D if you are spending that kinda money get a octavia vrs Talking of depreciation... The Octavia VRS TDI is really very resistant to it compared to others in the class. If depreciation is going to be an issue though I'd not bother buying new, I'd get a good 2-3 year old one. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PCSD 329 Posted August 19, 2012 Author Share Posted August 19, 2012 Indeed, I'm not too fussed about depreciation, I'm looking at new for the reliability and ease of servicing, the fact whatever I get will have over 100,000 miles on the clock at the age of 4 will dwarf whatever depreciation is caused by the badge on the front. Looks wise, I've seen the Zetec S and it looks alright but would need 18inch alloys as it looks silly on 17s with the body kit. The Octavia has been a contender for a while, but the new Focus' look very nice indeed and the estate looks lovely. My list of cars to test drive over the next few weeks is definitely firming up now though. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SZ1 292 Posted August 19, 2012 Share Posted August 19, 2012 That's pretty much the extent of the vehicles I'd trust you with. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
McFlurry 88 Posted August 20, 2012 Share Posted August 20, 2012 Have you thought about spending a bit less on an older bus if you're doing that kind of mileage? a 1.6D pug 307/Citroen C4 you could be spending £3/4k for something with not that many miles, drive in comfort and still be getting decent mpgs, yes the electrics can mean you change bulbs a bit more often but the French have produced some of the best diesel engines for years. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
i-plod 155 Posted August 20, 2012 Share Posted August 20, 2012 I would agree unless you have lots of money to spend on another car in 4-5 years time as opposed to spending your life savings on something that wont look new for long with these kind of miles.... Even something that's 1.5-2yrs old will still be under things like manufactures warranty's and be allot cheaper Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Administrative Account 7 Posted August 20, 2012 Share Posted August 20, 2012 I would agree unless you have lots of money to spend on another car in 4-5 years time as opposed to spending your life savings on something that wont look new for long with these kind of miles.... Even something that's 1.5-2yrs old will still be under things like manufactures warranty's and be allot cheaper Just have a look at this for example - http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201231480611368/sort/default/usedcars/fuel-type/diesel/price-from/8000/maximum-mileage/up_to_10000_miles/model/octavia/make/skoda/onesearchad/used/onesearchad/nearlynew/onesearchad/new/page/1/keywords/vrs/radius/1501/postcode/w67en?logcode=p (not my postcode by the way) But for another £1200 ish you can get a 12 month old one with similar mileage on it, also manufacturers normally offer the ability to extend warranty to about 5 years in some cases. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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