More car advice

[kerry red]

I'm selling my van before I move back to UK and am looking to get a 2nd hand estate - preferably diesel.

Thinking of a Laguna. Anyone got any suggestions

[Chubbs]

I'm selling my van before I move back to UK and am looking to get a 2nd hand estate - preferably diesel.

Thinking of a Laguna. Anyone got any suggestions

volvo

[4D]

Focus, Astra or mondeo

[paul backskin]

dont touch the Laguna, the best in class to look at but they came with a lot of electric parts but have loads of problems with failure. sensors everywhere too which are prone to failure, like already said, mondeo is a good un, also look for audis.

[horlock07]

How many miles you doing a year, to be honest if its less that 15k its probably cheaper to get a petrol with the price of diesel these days.

[Peter Venkman]

Volvo V50 DrivE, I can get 75mpg fully loaded on a run.

[Ginginho]

If I can hijack this thread also, as I will quite possibly be in the hunt for a new car in the next month or so as chances are I will be working in Gloucester from February.

Budget of approx £6-£7K, looking at possibly an Astra diesel or something like that.
Any recommendations for a good (reliable & economical) commute car?

Ta muchly.

[kerry red]

My projected mileage will be quite low - just used to transport the dogs from house to walk and trips from Swindon to just outside Bassett daily to the kennels.

Gingho - Mrs Kerry Red is bring her Opel (Vauxhall) Corsa 1.4 SXi back with her. Very economical and perfect condition - 2008 with less than 40k miles on the clock

[dporter]

If I can hijack this thread also, as I will quite possibly be in the hunt for a new car in the next month or so as chances are I will be working in Gloucester from February.

Budget of approx £6-£7K, looking at possibly an Astra diesel or something like that.
Any recommendations for a good (reliable & economical) commute car?

Ta muchly.

Personally i wouldn't go for an Astra (although that's what i have as a company car). My old one -  08 plate - was sluggish to accelerate, clunky and uncomfortable on long journeys due to the seat design. Several colleagues have experienced ball ache after long journeys because everything squashes together! My new Astra - 12 plate - does drive better and the seats aren't so profiled but it seems to guzzle fuel more despite being an Eco Flex.

I'd go for a Focus or Civic if i had a choice.

[Honkytonk]

Used to drive a Peugeot 406 2l HDI estate. On Motorway journeys got 70-80mpg out of it easy. Had tons of power and torque (could go up Willoughby Hedge on the A303 in 5th easy peasy) too, huge boot, great car. Have to be wary of the electrics, much like all French cars really, but I only had the air con crap out on me whilst I had it.

Or, as I've said on another car-related post, new-ish Skoda's are pretty excellent for what you get. Diesel Octavias are pretty damned excellent.

[Ticker45]

The owner of the garage that does both mine and wife's services/repairs has always said that you really cannot beat the Japanese for cars as they basically just do not go wrong, and conversely stay away from the French.

Having said that I have a Focus and wife a Fiesta and have had very few problems over the years. Tend to pay more for Japanese though.

[walrus]

If Budget allows, Alfa 159.  Not another Euro-wagon, and a stunning car to look at.  Nice interior, and pretty rare too.

If you're buying second hand, Alfa's from the last five years or so is the way to go.  The reliability gremlins of old are behind them, and now use Bosch electrics (as most modern car manufacturers do).

My Alfa has been bulletproof (albeit the heater switch came off when it was new, but I forgave it that for it's sexy face).

If you don't care about your image or cars, Ford Mondeo diesel is the way to go.  I'd recommend against the Laguna - the latest carnation was a flop, and my Twingo had a few build-quality issues.

[Fred Elliot]

If Budget allows, Alfa 159.  Not another Euro-wagon, and a stunning car to look at.  Nice interior, and pretty rare too.

If you're buying second hand, Alfa's from the last five years or so is the way to go.  The reliability gremlins of old are behind them, and now use Bosch electrics (as most modern car manufacturers do).

My Alfa has been bulletproof (albeit the heater switch came off when it was new, but I forgave it that for it's sexy face).

If you don't care about your image or cars, Ford Mondeo diesel is the way to go.  I'd recommend against the Laguna - the latest carnation was a flop, and my Twingo had a few build-quality issues.

you bought a Twingo ?

 

[london_red]

If I can hijack this thread also, as I will quite possibly be in the hunt for a new car in the next month or so as chances are I will be working in Gloucester from February.

Budget of approx £6-£7K, looking at possibly an Astra diesel or something like that.
Any recommendations for a good (reliable & economical) commute car?

Ta muchly.

Get a Golf

[donkey]

My old Skoda Fabia vRS was great, you'll love tearing around in one.