Hi All
Need a new tin top. Boring car required must be:
1) low fuel consumption (45mpg+).
2) cheap to run (read service, by garage don't have time at the moment to DIY).
3) reliable
4) enough room for baby stuff in back, taking junk to tip ect.
5) room for 2 children!
6) able to tow at least 1300kg.
7) We intend to keep for 10+ years, do about 12K a year (but you never know might end up commuting in it some-point).
8) Cheap to insure
9) Budget 4-5K
Anyway Looks like 1.9 diesel 2004 Skoda Octavia estate might suite (about 100k on the clock, looks like they eat the millage expect about 350K for a
well looked after one??)?
What are the other options?
Never had a Diesel, is it best for reliability/cost to go for an SDI?
I wonder if the TDI's are as reliable/cheap to run, do the turbos cause reliability problems with high mileages?
I suspect for towing we will need to go TDI?
Dan
[Edited on 2/6/11 by Bluemoon]
[Edited on 2/6/11 by Bluemoon]
I think the Skoda would d you fine but I have to ask, why do you want to keep it for 10+ years? I know a few people whp've planned on keeping a car for a long time like this and it's always come back to bite them when they've had to swap it after 3 or 4 years.
quote:
Originally posted by morcus
I think the Skoda would d you fine but I have to ask, why do you want to keep it for 10+ years? I know a few people whp've planned on keeping a car for a long time like this and it's always come back to bite them when they've had to swap it after 3 or 4 years.
. I have a 2002 Octavia 1.9 TDI and it is great.
bought with 110k now almost 180k miles.
I service it myself every 10k miles, takes 60 mins max. (not sure about garage costs though)
Not sure about towing
It is generally cheap with tax 120ish and insurance fully comp only around 230 for 20kmiles
If I had a bit more money I would quite like and Audi with the same engine or the Octavia VRS diesel (170hp, but around 60mpg IIRC)
Only real downside of the diesel is that it is louder.
also make sure that you get teh elegance if you go for an Octavia. (top of the range comes with alloy wheels and other extras)
ummm the 1300 kg tow 'capability' seems a bit ludricous
quote:
Originally posted by Bare
ummm the 1300 kg tow 'capability' seems a bit ludricous
Octavia's do seem to be pretty good value for money. As an alternative what about something like this Altea . Fiancee is on her second Leon FR diesel and they are absolutely fantastic and very well built. The Altea just gets you more car for your buck than the Leon being a less "trendy" looking motor. Similar year but a lot less miles than the Octavias and with the more modern 2.0TDi engine.
SAAB 9-5 estates come as diesels (IIRC an Alfa unit), go pretty well, last and last, plus have lots of whistles and bells.
A fair few indies provide service and parts.
My MY2000 is still going strong (famous last words) and others on here will probably say the same.
Worth checking to ensure it's been run on fully synth all its life.
HTH.
Cheers, Pewe.
Don't get an SDI or it'll take you 10 years to get home in it.
Octavia sounds good to me.
I had a 98 Audi A4 Tdi 1.9 that I sold at 240k miles and was still working fairly fine. Original clutch, original exhaust, great car.
The newer 2.0Tdi engine might be better on paper and it may offer an extra horse or twenty, but I have it in our two current cars and personally I
don't like it as much as the 1.9, although it does have a mighty mid-range. I think it is cleaner and more complicated but that is just more
bits to go wrong. Don't even contemplate a non-turbo diesel.
Worth getting a more bling model, as the price difference isn't that great once they are 2nd hand, and it makes you feel better in traffic
jams.
Matt