New car - suggestions

[cptwhite_uk]

Hi all,

Not being a car fanatic I wondered if some of you would have suggestions for where to look for my next car.

I'm currently driving on old VW Golf Estate '53 reg. 130bhp / 1.9 diesel. With 2 kids it's been ideal for throwing prams etc in the back and can also accelerate if needed.

The car is now 14 years old and has 130k on the clock, things are likely to start failing in the next couple of years I suspect, so I'm looking at what my next purchase might be. I've really enjoyed driving this so something along the same lines is what I'm after.

My initial thoughts are looking towards a Passat Estate or Audi A4 Estate, no older than 5 years and no more than 60k on the clock. Ideally it would have similar power and offer 55+ mpg on motorway journeys (my commute is mainly motorway and around 16 miles each way).

I want an Estate again (or something with tons of boot space).

What other ranges in other makes should I also be considering?

I'd say my budget is £10k max, but ideally £8k to 9k

[directhex]

Passat Estate is the worst car I've ever driven.

And I used to own a Seicento.

[Zak33]

2 to consider:

Toyota Avensis Estate Diesel
Skoda Octavia is you want something a little smaller

[cruiser]

Toyota Avensis Estate Diesel

+1. Toyota's been a reliable vehicles here. Good family ride

[wazzickle]

I really love my 07 mazda 3 1.6, pretty sure my next car will be a mazda too.

[peterb]

Is it still a good idea buying a diesel, giving the current concerns and groundswell of political,opinion against them?

[Jowsey]

That budget could get you a Volvo v60 diesel for your criteria.

I drive the s60 and it's a nice place to be.

[Guy]

Not that I'm biased at all but if you'd like to stay within the VAG family I'd highly recommend giving an Octavia a look.

[spacein_vader]

Consider a mondeo too, there's millions of them which means you can be choosy and get a good spec with FSH for your money, the diesels are economical with good pull and the load space is huge.

[cptwhite_uk]

Thanks for the suggestions, I've already been looking at Octavia, but also spotted this:

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classifi...had=New&page=1

It's a little over budget, but looks like a lot of car for the money. What do you all think?

[kalniel]

Superbs are a lot of car for the money! High mileage for the age, but that's often a good thing. It's quite a lot of weight for the 140ps engine, but it doesn't sound like you're buying for drag races

Check what the Euro air rating is for the model though - if Euro 6 then you don't have to worry about the anti-diesel stuff quite so much, but if Euro 5 you might need to - also check if it's one of the emissions cheating cars and if so, whether a recall has been done.

[Guy]

The Superb is lovely.

I'd always opt for a higher mileage (in proportion to age) on a common rail diesel. Not guaranteed but usually a sign of less small journeys that'll usually shorten the life of a DPF.

[Smudger]

I've been in a Superb a couple of times, and they have loads of room. Also quite well kitted out.

Another option might be a Pug 508 Estate. They seem to be a bit more reliable now than they were, you get loads of kit, and the engines seem to be quite...adequate. Should be able to get a 13 or 14 plate for £10k...

Like this one...

https://www.robinsandday.co.uk/used-...re-5dr-fj13suo

[EndlessWaves]

The current Mazda 6 Estate would be a great candidate. Good to drive, 150 or 175ps diesels and while it's not the biggest estate around, it should compare favourably with your current golf.

[norman044]

I would suggest a BMW 320d. You really cant beat BMW`s diesel engines for reliability and power delivery.

[DanceswithUnix]

I would suggest a BMW 320d. You really cant beat BMW`s diesel engines for reliability and power delivery.

And yet they put their swirl flaps on the wrong way around so if they stick the flaps get sucked off into the inlet valves and wreak the engine. Happened to someone I worked with. So yes they are very advanced engines, but from the number of Audi, VW and BMW cars I saw stranded on the M4 over the weekend I have to say the Germans were showing some European unity with French cars on their ability to fall apart

I think it was a Subaru that had the bonnet smashed into the windscreen though, blimey that must be a scary thing to have happen to you!