OT: C*r thread...(barf)

[Gromit]

It's time for a new motah chez Mr & Mrs Gromit (and the wee Gromette). Don't know much about buying cars tbh - unlike the old bike side of things, it's not something we/I do very often. Just felt like picking the collective brains of Boxertrix to get some opinions (always a bad move!) on what we should get.

We've had a Shitroen C5 HDi Estate for the last 5+ years which has got around 62k on it. It's now really too big for us as we don't have the doggy anymore, plus our little Molly's kit quota isn't as extensive as it used to be (those with babies etc will know all about this of course). Still, the C5's been a bloody good car for us and in many way we'll miss its great comfort on long journeys.

However...

We want to downsize. We need a car which will be <1 yr old, be well screwed together, a Diesel, reliable, reasonably good to drive and have a boot large enough to put a medium-large sized dog in.

Shortlist so far...

Honda Civic CTDi Sport
Toyota Verso T3 D4-D (our current fave choice)
Skoda Oktavia Estate 2.0TDi
Seat Altea 2.0TDi
VW Golf TDi

Other possibilities, although would have to be a bit older (ie 04 plate) as they're a bit more pricey.

BMW 320D Touring
Audi A4 Avant TDi

Anyone with any experience of the above cars? Perhaps even own one?

Thanks for any input.

[JoeC]

Haven't had experiences of any of those cars but I would seriously consider looking at the Octavia. I looked at a saloon version a couple of years back and was mightily impressed with the room in it - boot is massive as well. I understand that the build quality has got even better. People say that it is a poor mans Passat but only price wise - the quality is up there with VW but at cheaper price. Belongs to the VAG group so probably sharing the same parts anyway.

[Gromit]

Thanks Joe - I'm a big fan of the Skoda (my mum runs a Fabia diesel which has been a brilliant little car) but Mrs G isn't convinced...yet

The Oktavia runs on the Mk5 Golf floorpan so to all intents and purposes is the same car, with more room, more toys, for less money.

[Backmarker]

I am a huge fan of Skodas, although the last one I actually owned was a 130 Rapid Coupe.

I regularly got hire cars (about once a fornight, for a couple of days a time) last year. The only thing I would say is that if you are used to the Citreon the Audi has a very firm ride. It is the reason we didn't buy one and got a Subaru instead. (But only 'cause the wife wouldn't have a Skoda )

[bigblackfalco]

The proof is in the pudding.....go and test the ones you are keen on.
I would stay away from the Audi, VW, and BMW purely because you are paying for a name rather than value for money.
The only one I'd pay extra for is the Honda.
The other option is to look at what the police are running......
They really rate the Octavia.
I've been in a BMW 3 series diesel taxi and it is an incredible engine. I actually had to ask if it was a diesel cos I honestly couldn't tell
But anyway.....what do I know about cars??!!
They really don't interest me at all!
Bailey.

[Ruffy]

Hi gromit,we drive a nissan almera,2 kids and a medium size dog size and it's not bad at all,in my humble opinion you can't go to wrong with a jap car as iv'e had a few and theyv'e all been pretty reliable enough to take us all down to La Rochelle and back a few times but i'd test one first as the stealers are all keen to do a deal.

[johnl]

i'm a big fan of the golf tdi. Its got a good pokey engine, very well built, good all round visibility but best of all it seems to handle really well. Its very stable and predictable. Knock off the traction control and induse some understeer and again its still feels in control. It never seems to scare you. Unlike the vauxhall equivalents we have in the fleet. yikes On the downside they cost a lot, have a basic spec as standard and the radio is crap. I'd be interested in the Skoda but hav'nt driven one so i can't comment.

good luck

[GeordieBoy]

My B6 model A4 1.9Tdi chewed the cambelt up at 40k miles / 3yrs old after the water pump seized. It then developed a fault with the alarm system and the f/n/s footwell filled up with water every time it rained! Utter garbage. My Golf GTi was little better.

As a lifelong fan of VAG products I have to say I don't think they're any better built than the new generation of Fords now. IMHO after years of over-engineering their cars, they've jumped on the costcutting bandwagon and let their standards slip. Mercedes went the same way, although BMW seem to have resisted the temptation so far.

Out of your list, I reckon I'd go Japanese mate.

Mark

[Gromit]

Thanks guys

G-B, your experience seems to echo quite a few I've been reading about ie VAG products ain't what they used to be. A real shame. Ironically, it's only Skoda who come out of this relatively untarnished v VW and Audi.

Must admit, for sheer solidity and 'hewn from solid' the Verso takes some beating. Looking round one at the Toyota dealer its interior passed the 'twat it, squeeze it, thump it' test with flying colours. A very tightly-built and well-finished car.

I suggested the Beemer and Audi because we quite fancy, for the first time ever, owning a 'quality' car. Always had Citroens before (and one Renault). Having said that, the Citroens were great - the C5's blown away the myth that French cars are unreliable. It's been great. We'd keep it but it really is a bit too big for our needs.

[tripe]

Family car for the last two years is a Subaru Forester
For a family of five with a dog it is a bit cramped
In a nasty metallic green it looks butt ugly, especially from the rear
The trim is basic but hard wearing
Drinks petrol if heavy footed
But an absolute joy to drive. Planted round corners and when the turbo kicks in it can still make you smile, not something I would have thought of from a car.

You can't beat a boxer engine after all

[boxerpan]

H*nda Civic CTDi Sport
Toyota Verso T3 D4-D (our current fave choice)
Skoda Oktavia Estate 2.0TDi
Seat Altea 2.0TDi
VW Golf TDi

Anyone with any experience of the above cars? Perhaps even own one?

Thanks for any input.

Just plumped for the VW Touran tdi 140 after road testing round in circles for the last 9 months trying to replace the Scenic we've had from 1998. Two dogs, two kids have shown it to be spot on so far but we are still in the honeymoon period. Goes well, good on fuel but they are expensive to buy - not as much of an issue for us since we keep our motors for 8-10 years.
Missus didn't want to lose the raised driving position so that disallowed the Skoda range (unless you fancy the oddball Roomster). Seven seater was the other stipulation.
We tried the Toyota - brilliant engine, poor rear visibility and it made Kerry car sick within 4 miles (world record) so that was out.
Having come from French cars anything from the sport section of VAG was too lumpy over the rough stuff so the Seat/Golf was out.
Had a look at the new Citroen Picasso but it looked huge and had too many confusing controls on the steering wheel.
After having had a cambelt go on the Renault at 78k (3 years)and no help from the manufacturer even with full service history another Renault was out of the question. The lack of cambelts in the VW sealed the decision

Good hunting

[Gromit]

Henry - we love Subarus (especially the Legacy Estate mmmm...nice) but they don't do a Diesel and the fuel consumption - which the Subaru-owning folk we know have confirmed - isn't too pretty if you want to make *cough* progress.

A flat 4 Diesel would be rather interesting though.

[Gromit]

Thanks Lloyd - seems you've come from somewhat similar ground to us ie French stuff. To be honest, Citroen have always done us proud but there's nothing in the current range that shouts 'buy me'. If they did a C4 estate, or even a 'stretched' version it would be perfect.

We've test-driven a Golf TDi (great to drive) Golf Plus TDi (yeeukk...horrific car), and an Altea XL TDi in the last month or so and none of these has such a sweet diesel engine as the Citroen. The Altea felt good though - engine was smooth enough and only a tad raucous when giving it some beans. A lot of road noise though and 3/4 visibility is very poor.

The Touran does appeal but it is somewhat pricey, like you say. We've limit of 15k - 15.5k at an absolute push which doesn't quite stretch to a good TD140 Touran with the sort of age/mileage we'd consider. We do like the car though. We'd be keeping this car for at least 8 years (we tend to do 5 years at least) probably more.

[tripe]

Your friends are right the fuel consumption isn't that pretty but then neither is the car.
A friend with an Impreza STI type Uk can get his fuel consumtion down to an appalling 160 miles off of a full tank when making *cough* progress.

[Gromit]

A friend with an Impreza STI type Uk can get his fuel consumtion down to an appalling 160 miles off of a full tank when making *cough* progress.

Zoiks!!

Saying that my RGA Jota would dip under 20mpg if given enough *cough* encouragement (plus the cost of octane booster).

Was following a Legacy Estate in London this afternoon - it is one seriously nice-looking car.