Yet another "What Car" thread

[powerandtorque]

Ok thanks. I did drive one of the new diesel skoda octavias and frankly I thought it was pretty bloody brilliant.
The older ones do look like a decent car for the money and I've heard that they are pretty bullet proof.

The only thing that I would say for a Mk1 Octavia in my experience is to try and get a long test drive if you can - clearly everyone is a slightly different shape and thus it might not apply to you, but I found the seats in my fathers X-reg (IIRC) Octavia to be near enough crippling after about 30 minutes in a way that I've never found with any other seats. Same issue with one he had as a courtesy car that was a similar age, so I don't think it was something wrong with his particular car.

Never worked out why that particular seat design disagreed with me so much, but it did, and I'm someone that can normally sit in a car quite comfortably for hour after hour and step out at the other end feeling fresh as a daisy. Curiously, I've never had issues in any other VAG cars of that era, just Octavia's.

[THE_Liam]

Got to say, found the seats in mine very comfy, but it was a vrs with half leathers. Awful ride though.

[powerandtorque]

I can't remember the exact model now, but it was a fairly low rent variant with barely bolstered cloth seats.

[Toms306]

Probably the same as the seats in Mums old low spec Fabia...solid and slippery lol. End up sitting on the door handle round a corner.

Seats are definitely a personal thing though, I find loads uncomfortable that other people don't seem bothered by. I tend to get lower back ache pretty quickly without support down there, especially on seats without adjustable lumbar.

[RetroPug]

The thing with the alfa is, is that its such a lovely place to be, the seats are like memory foam tbh, its a very small steering wheel aswell which makes it feel very sporty? If you know what I mean. Mine is on 182k and ive just replaced the turbo, which was original, ive got full service history, and its never had any major work done, minus the usual wear and tear items. Even on the 2.4 10v I have thry map upto 190bhp easily and still return 50+ mpg on a run, my average is about 46 and im heavy footed lol

Normal servicable items are cheap as its the same aa the vauxhall 1.9 8v engine with an extra cylinder, a full service kit, timing belt and tensioners, and water pump cost me 130 odd quid.

Oh and the sound is amazing even with a standard exhaust (only backbox and cat as standard) and air filter.

That does look pretty nice.




Thanks for the heads up about the seats. I'll definitely have to wriggle about in them and do a good test drive.


Anyone know anything about this model of astra?
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/a...?logcode=p

[THE_Liam]

Probably the same as the seats in Mums old low spec Fabia...solid and slippery lol. End up sitting on the door handle round a corner.

Seats are definitely a personal thing though, I find loads uncomfortable that other people don't seem bothered by. I tend to get lower back ache pretty quickly without support down there, especially on seats without adjustable lumbar.

My lass gets backache from the seats in the Merc but I find them really firm and supportive on long runs. Don't get backache even after 400 miles!

[Poodle]

Those astras are alright, probably even more boring than the octavia, but decent enough. Severely lacking in go, mind.

[RetroPug]

Right, are any of these a good buy?

Astra

Corsa

Fiesta

The corsa seems amazing value for money and gives great MPG but I'm really not sure I can bring myself to drive a corsa and I must say although that one looks alright I really don't want one.

I am actually rather fond of astras and that one is cheap, has a long MOT so will be legal for at least a certain length of time assuming it doesn't blow up and will also get good MPG.

A 1.4 Diesel Fiesta will be a much pricier option but will get good MPG, be comfortable and generally just good (I think?) I'm doing 50 odd miles a day so want something comfortable and reasonably refined. Also, if I own it a few years cheap tax will be good as that'll save me a few hundred overall. Can't decide whether this one is high miles or barely run in? See lots of astras at 150k-200k but not many fiestas much higher...maybe due to them being a bit newer.


Thoughts? Might have time to view one this weekend. I really just want something cheap to run, reliable nice to be in, with aircon and not totally hateful. It doesn't need to be quick nor cool etc.

[Niall]

My experience of Vauxhalls is they are just awful. Even brand new ones. Id rather use public transport than own a vauxhall in all honesty.

The Fiesta is ok. Nothing special. We had a few at my old company and they were reliable enough, comfortable enough but very small and be prepared for trim falling off!

[RetroPug]

My experience of Vauxhalls is they are just awful. Even brand new ones. Id rather use public transport than own a vauxhall in all honesty.

The Fiesta is ok. Nothing special. We had a few at my old company and they were reliable enough, comfortable enough but very small and be prepared for trim falling off!

I own a ph.1 306 I know all about poor trim.

Is there much better than a fiesta diesel for 1k-2k?

My friend's astra SXi 1.8 was a lovely car tbh...although that was when I owned a 106 for comparison.

[Toms306]

Have you driven any yet? Really need to try some for yourself tbh.

Out of those Id have the Fiesta. But I really wasn't keen on that shape Fiesta, harsh ride, small and the dash layout isn't great.

[RetroPug]

I'd like to drive some. Tbh I'm leaning towards not spending 2.something k on a car.

It will easily save me more than 1k in fuel costs in the first year though.

[Toms306]

If you'll save that much in fuel, maybe the tax isn't so important? You can get a lot more car for your money if you move up to Mondeo/Vectra sized cars.

[DavidA]

I've had a Corsa CDTi and it would do 64mpg on a run but my current 306 is better to drive.

[RetroPug]

If you'll save that much in fuel, maybe the tax isn't so important? You can get a lot more car for your money if you move up to Mondeo/Vectra sized cars.

You can, but with a heavier car comes worse economy hence their lower prices. My main concern isn't tax it is cheap running costs, reliability and comfort. Cheap tax is a nice bonus.[/size]

It would be nice to save 1k per year on fuel and a couple of hundred per year on tax as well lol. I don't consider 200 quid an insignificant amount of money I consider it an amount that goes straight into savings.

or gti6 parts

[Poodle]

Seconded on lack of comfort in that shape fiesta, makes the 106 feel like a barge.(!) The corsa is pretty similar imo, older vauxhalls are better at handling than at comfort as a rule.

The old 1.7 engine is pretty agricultural, but similarly bomb proof as far as i've seen.

[C.A.R.]

How frugal does it need to be?

A Mk1 focus isn't that great on fuel (less power and less economical than a 2.0 hdi) but the rest of the car is surprisingly well put together and they handle incredibly well. There's a reason you still see loads of mk1s on the roads! Definitely better than the same age Astra/Corsa/Fiesta.

At your price point there isn't much choice sadly.

[Matt-Rallye]

I will repeat my point of mind numbing daily epicness needs a mk1 facelift focus TDCI sport like this one

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/FORD-FOCUS-1-8...3a9bfb0e77

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This one is slightly better specced with half leathers etc.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Ford-Focus-1-8...3a9c4b05d3

Also with a focus you get a heated front screen and heated mirrors etc as standard, helps so much this time of year!

[RetroPug]

How frugal does it need to be?

A Mk1 focus isn't that great on fuel (less power and less economical than a 2.0 hdi) but the rest of the car is surprisingly well put together and they handle incredibly well. There's a reason you still see loads of mk1s on the roads! Definitely better than the same age Astra/Corsa/Fiesta.

At your price point there isn't much choice sadly.

Well the more frugal it is the less money it costs me so the more the better really.

I will repeat my point of mind numbing daily epicness needs a mk1 facelift focus TDCI sport like this one

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/FORD-FOCUS-1-8...3a9bfb0e77

---

This one is slightly better specced with half leathers etc.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Ford-Focus-1-8...3a9c4b05d3

Also with a focus you get a heated front screen and heated mirrors etc as standard, helps so much this time of year!

Thanks, I have been looking at mk.1 focuses as well.

I know they are great my family always had fords as company cars when I was young.

[Matt-Rallye]

Tbh your an idiot if you dont get one. desperately boring cars but epic comfort and driveability make for an awesome daily barge. TDCI engine is nice and reliable / economical. Im yet to hear any horror stories about the 1.8's

[C.A.R.]

Yup, my 1.8 was solid (TDCi 115) Only ever got high-40s out of it when trying to be economical, but it revs slightly better than a HDi. It's less refined and noisier, though.

Seating position is naff and the gear change is very vague but it works and it's reliable. As mentioned, they do handle incredibly well - better than a 306 even - and they're much more predictable on the limit. When my friend needed a car I immediately recommended one, albeit he ended up with a petrol. Incredibly reliable and never had a problem with it.

Brakes are very good too.

[Toms306]

Also no DPF on a 1.8 TDCi...

However you can break them, I've read of quite a few faults with waterpumps, injectors and DMFs on the 1.8. They don't seem to suffer with turbo issues though.

I'm not a fan of the Mk1 Focus if I'm honest...the asymmetrical dash vents do my head in and the exterior looks fairly dated now. You could easily pick up a mk2 in your budget though! Tax about £125 and roughly 50mpg.

[RetroPug]

Also no DPF on a 1.8 TDCi...

However you can break them, I've read of quite a few faults with waterpumps, injectors and DMFs on the 1.8. They don't seem to suffer with turbo issues though.

I'm not a fan of the Mk1 Focus if I'm honest...the asymmetrical dash vents do my head in and the exterior looks fairly dated now. You could easily pick up a mk2 in your budget though! Tax about £125 and roughly 50mpg.

I've not seen any good Mk.2s myself.

I found a pretty nice Vauxhall Signum:

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/a...?logcode=p

Cruise control, aircon, loads of space, 50 MPG on work runs.
CC is a big plus, didn't think it'd be easy to get on this budget.


Perhaps I should just get an HDi...lol.

[Toms306]

I've had cc on a few cheaper cars lol, mk4 golf, avensis, Vectra... It tends to be standard on bigger cars. Was an option on the golf and focus though.

How have you not seen a mk2 lol? There's several around 06 plate under 2k on ebay.

[RetroPug]

I'll have another look. I have been putting distance options and mileage restrictions on.

[Toms306]

Oh, what sort of mileage restriction are you using?

[Orta]

Under no circumstance buy a vauxhall with the 1.9 diesel. You will have problems. Not a matter of "if" it's when.

[MCH]

I'll echo what others have said about staying away from Vauxhalls...

My brother had a Corsa C CDTI (53 plate) which developed no end of troubles (he bought it new)
Vauxhall couldn't fix it and he ended up trading it in against a Citroen C4, a friend of his also bought a Corsa (he told them not to) and that was trouble as well...

Also I have hire cars occasionally with work, anytime I get a Vauxhall its been rubbish...

I've considered a comfy daily and keep the gti6 for weekend fun, I looked a Bora's and A4's...

[RetroPug]

Oh, what sort of mileage restriction are you using?

100k.
If it is dirt cheap I will consider high miles, if it is expensive then I want something that is the right side of 100k as I'd like to keep this quite a few years until either it dies, or I'm really rich and can afford something nice.

I worry that something with 150k on it will start falling to bits at 165...
I know that's not always the case but I would really rather like something that I'm not underneath 24/7.


Thanks for the input RE. Vauxhalls...I see astras everywhere, but those have the 1.7 diesel which is supposed to be fairly bombproof I guess.

[Toms306]

Ah, you'll struggle to find an old diesel under 100k, and those that are tend to hold a lot more value. The focus is the first diesel I've owned with less than that! Well technically the vec was at 99,700 lol.

Tbh though, I wouldn't hesitate to go for something else with around 130k, considerably cheaper than sub 100k and most will still have life left. Just try and get one that's had major things replaced (cambelt, dmf etc). Not sure if mk4 golf has been suggested, seem to be a few about atm, get a few toys as well like cruise and electronic climate if you buy the right one.