Looking for a new (used) car

[GDVS]

So it's nearly 12 months since my Nissan blew up (bits of engine down the M18, not pretty) and my cheapy Rover 420 has done it's job and got me through the year so it's time to buy a replacement.

My main problem is leg room, I'm 6'6" so Fiesta/Micra types are off the list straight away. Every single Nissan (yes, including the Primera) and Toyota (yes, including the Avensis) is too small (I don't count honking great pickups) as I tried them all on at dealerships yeaterday.

Peugeot, Fiat, Renault and Vauxhall are also off the list. None has any idea how to make a reliable car (IMNSHO) which is a shame as the Vectra is affordable and quite nice (had 2 Astras, never again).

While the power of a 2.0 petrol is nice the fuel consumption is nasty, I'm looking for a diesel this time but that makes the 6k budget a little tight.

I've tried the Mazda 3 and it's got acres of room but a little too dear in Diesel (7.5k) so maybe next tgime, same goes for the new Mitsubishi Colt (damn I want that car but again it's just a little too dear in diesel).

Focus is ok, nothing great in the space department but it's definitely on the list.

VW Bora is currently the front runner (under 5 years old and under 60k miles they keep cropping up at 6k) as it's a nice roomy car with that little bit of extra class. 60k in a petrol would make me laugh but the 1.9 diesel in the Bora should be just nicely run in at that point.

I can afford the 1.1 Colt but there's just something about driving a 3 cylinder 1.1 petrol across half of Europe (I'm off on a tour of Europe in a few months in whatever I buy) that doesn't fill me with confidence.

My main criteria are comfortable, reliable, and diesel (the way fuel prices are going we'll all be driving them soon!). Oh, and 6k or just (and I meant just!) over. Anyone else know of anything I should look at before making a decision? Not that there's much left after my "No" list above

[jon bda]

Audi A4, Passat, Octavia TDi?.

[GDVS]

Audi A4, Passat, Octavia TDi?.

A4 is too dear unless I buy high milage/old. Octavia and Passat are good calls, cheers.

[jon bda]

A4 is too dear unless I buy high milage/old. Octavia and Passat are good calls, cheers.

They're all basically the same car mate...have a go and see what you think. I suffered with a little lack of headroom in the A4 (6' 2") but it was the bosses sisters car so i didn't fiddle with seat height or position...just opened the sunroof . Went like s**t off a stick though and was a nice drive at speed...

[Howard]

They're all basically the same car mate...

Aye but the Audis are more expensive

[jon bda]

Aye but the Audis are more expensive

Ignore the badge, i'd love an Octavia VRs estate as my next car...

[Howard]

Exactly

[BenW]

Mondeo TDCi, get all the toys on the ghia x models too (Air conditioned seats for the summer sound like a great idea!)

[5lab]

you should actually try the smaller cars - i'm 6'3 and find i can fit in some small things ok (a mk2 polo for instance).

my reccomendation is get something with a multi-adjust drivers seat - one where you can adjust the seat squab tilt. top end mondies (for instance) have that, and i can fit in a lower end one ok, i'm soon changing my drivers seat so i can sit 'arse down knees up' and fit my legs in that way. i'd say that is more vital than actual car size.

6k - you've got a lot of money to spend. if you get something with too crap a badge (ie, a mondeo) you'll loose a chunk of your money. how about a seat leon?

[chrislusty]

Avensis is too small but a Colt is ok???

TDCI Mondeo ftw

[Flibb]

Have a mondeo estate TDCI as a hire car at the moment, its actually rather nice. Its a ghia so has loads of toys, and they only time its sounds like a diesel is on tikeover. I have had mondoe before as my own car and found them to be reliable and comfy on long drives.

[rainbow]

[QUOTE=5lab]you should actually try the smaller cars - i'm 6'3 and find i can fit in some small things ok (a mk2 polo for instance)[QUOTE=5lab]

hes 6.6 which is a lot more, i mean how much are those new golf gt tdi? or even just a tdi~? or even just a 1.9 di without turbo??

[Butuz]

My old man's got a Passat TDI (115bhp) and its a thouroghly decent car! I actually like it alot. It's nippy too - whatever you do go for the 115 or 130 deisil.

Butuz

[rainbow]

the new passat tdi beats a starlet turbo off the lights lol torque me up

[Andeh13]

Citroen c4? bags of equipment for your money and 6k will get you a nice 1.6hdi.

An old honda civic? they are rock solid reliability wise, and now that the new one was been relesed they should be even cheaper.

As for perfomance, diesels can be remapped very easily(for a few £100) and that will up the performance of the car without denting fuel consumption or reliabilty too much.

edit: im 6'1ish and drive a saxo, its a small car but its more then big enough for me, i can still move the seat back further then where i usually leave it. My dad is 6'4 and he doesnt have any problems getting into it either.

[5lab]

[QUOTE=rainbow][QUOTE=5lab]you should actually try the smaller cars - i'm 6'3 and find i can fit in some small things ok (a mk2 polo for instance)

hes 6.6 which is a lot more, i mean how much are those new golf gt tdi? or even just a tdi~? or even just a 1.9 di without turbo??

its probably only an inch, possably 2 in the leg. i found its more about the cussion angle htan anything else in a drivers seat. alternitively, get whateveryouwant and get a garage to move the runners for the drivers seat back - most cars it can be done - i'd budget around £500 for the job (to get it done nicely)