New Car Advice...

[dave87]

There have been a few of these threads on Hexus recently, some of which have had some pretty good responses, proposing things I probably wouldn't have thought of.

So where am I going with this?

Well, parents are looking at replacing one of their cars - a 52 Reg Volvo V70 2.4SE (auto) with 40000 miles on the clock.

They're looking at replacing it with a similar car - similar quality, possibly a diesel, probably new, but I'm trying to get them to look at cars up to 2 years old aswell (brings more into their budget). Semi Automatic gearboxes a bonus, seems to give the best blend between lazyness & control. They mainly do around town mileage, but needs to have boot big enough for golden retriever & uni trips. Mum's car is probably the main family car - so needs to seat 4 comfortably for longer journeys - Dad's only has 2 seats

Probably looking to spend somewhere in the region of 18-25k, being that the Volvo could probably sell for 12k (good condition, desirable extras etc).

So guys - do your worst

[Howard]

Audi A4 Avant

[kalniel]

Upper model Skoda Octavia (assuming they do the gearbox you want).

Lower model Mercedes.

Jaguar X-type estate.

[5lab]

an a4 or x-type would be no-where near as big as a v70 - you'd need to look at an a6, 5 series, e-class and so on..

volvo are bringing out a new v70 next year, so it might be worth waiting for that if they're after more of the same - the current model is nice, but a little long in the tooth. i don't think an octavia would have the percieved quality they're after, but an option that may suit is the accord tourer - quite nice inside by all accounts, and a mahoosive boot.

you might be able to pick up a zt-t (did they do one with a diesel engine??) for pennies these days, and they're actually very well made, and stonking value.

[SilentDeath]

Probably looking to spend somewhere in the region of 18-25k, being that the Volvo could probably sell for 12k (good condition, desirable extras etc).

So guys - do your worst

I know almost nothing about boxes-on-wheels and the price of them new, but for almost 5 years old at 40k, your not going to get 12k back.

40k over 5 years is not much...

[dave87]

I know almost nothing about boxes-on-wheels and the price of them new, but for almost 5 years old at 40k, your not going to get 12k back.

40k over 5 years is not much...

Considering the car would have cost 26k new, (we got it as pre-registered car, so knock a chunk off that) either way its depreciated rather a lot.

According to parkers, the Private Good price for the car is 11k, when you take into account options such as heated seats, full leather interior, upgraded sound system (I think the option price on that is about a grand) and being an auto - it should reach 12

40k over 4 (its a September 02 car) years isn't much admittedly, but according to parkers thats the average mileage for this car on a 52 plate.

[kalniel]

an a4 or x-type would be no-where near as big as a v70 - you'd need to look at an a6, 5 series, e-class and so on..

Of course not, but that wasn't the requirement, which was 'big enough for a golden retriever and uni trips' - the A4 and X-Type are certainly big enough for that.

[Rack]

lol 5lab, I'm looking at the ZT-T now too - cheap as chips, but I don't think it's what his parents are after.

For 20k I'd go A4 Avant quattro 3.0L

Or a Mazda 6

[dave87]

Of course not, but that wasn't the requirement, which was 'big enough for a golden retriever and uni trips' - the A4 and X-Type are certainly big enough for that.

Uni Trips being the important bit - we filled the boot of the v70 when I came up to uni, probably will do the same when I move from halls to private residences.

The v70 and the A6 are very nice, do they do a 2.5 diesel? I know the volvo has, but is underpowered (163bhp - the current 2.4 petrol is slow and thats got 170bhp)

Kalniel is thinking along the same lines as my dad, thinking we can downsize now that I'm at uni, mum likes the idea of the big car but not the fuel costs

The Accord is a good suggestion, I think they can be had new in the price range we are looking at. What about the Merc E Class? which would be the best petrol/diesel version to go for - whether it be brand new or second hand?

Cheers, Dave

[kalniel]

Well maybe things have changed, but last I knew most people didn't need a V70 to do the uni trip (gf managed with a fiesta!). Obviously it varies from person to person, but with some consideration you should be able to get it down to a more managable stash - also if you're moving from Halls to rented you can always do a couple of trips (or would you be taking it home inbetween?). I wouldn't have thought that one trip would be the cause for a whole restriction in car type

[5lab]

i needed 2 journeys in a van the last time i moved from uni..

diesel speed can't really be measured just in power - look a the torque figures..

volvo do 2 diesel engines - the 2.4d and the d5. 163/185bhp comparitively.. but the torque is hte killer. your petrol model has 225nm torque at 4,500 rpm - but think how your rentals drive - do they really use 4,500 rpm much? mine barely go above 3,000.. so lets say they'd have 200nm at 2,500 rpm (typical motorway pull) - the diesels have 340/400nm of torque at 1750/2000rpm repsectively.. that means, in real life driving (punching your foot to the floor on the motorway), you've got nigh on *twice* the power on tap. with the autobox the d5 still manages 60 in 8.5 seconds, which i don't think anyone would call slow. I'm not sure about the audi, but i'd be fairly sure they have something comparible..

e-class was heavily updated this year, so if you go for one, i'd try and make sure it was an updated version - they fixed alot of stuff on it. might just be able to get ex-rental or something for your money..

[dave87]

i needed 2 journeys in a van the last time i moved from uni..

diesel speed can't really be measured just in power - look a the torque figures..

volvo do 2 diesel engines - the 2.4d and the d5. 163/185bhp comparitively.. but the torque is hte killer. your petrol model has 225nm torque at 4,500 rpm - but think how your rentals drive - do they really use 4,500 rpm much? mine barely go above 3,000.. so lets say they'd have 200nm at 2,500 rpm (typical motorway pull) - the diesels have 340/400nm of torque at 1750/2000rpm repsectively.. that means, in real life driving (punching your foot to the floor on the motorway), you've got nigh on *twice* the power on tap. with the autobox the d5 still manages 60 in 8.5 seconds, which i don't think anyone would call slow. I'm not sure about the audi, but i'd be fairly sure they have something comparible..

e-class was heavily updated this year, so if you go for one, i'd try and make sure it was an updated version - they fixed alot of stuff on it. might just be able to get ex-rental or something for your money..

Cheers mate very helpful. So the d5 would be heaps better than the 2.4d?

With the Merc, looked at the 2.5 litre diesel, possibly the 3 litre - but they look hideously more expensive, purely for the badge (this is making the assumption quality levels are on a par with volvo?)

[5lab]

i think the merc vs volvo quality is fairly comparible these days - volvos generally have much better seats than anything else.. looked at a saab 9-5 estate thingy? they look pretty big at the rear..

d5 would be a bit better than the 2.4d. both loads better (imo) than the 2.4 petrol. i'm fairly sure the d5 just has a bigger turbo or better chip in it - same engine underneath. probably best to drive both and make yer mind up, as to whether you notice the extra speed (that said, there's *no* difference in economy, so i'd plump for the d5)

[dave87]

I hadn't actually considered the Saab - will have a look inna sec. Wheres Fox when you need him? I looked at old shape 5 Series touring, and some of the early new ones in the 530d guise, but they are still at the top end of the budget or with ridiculously high miles (109k in 3 years anyone?).

Mum had a look at the Passat - my understanding is thats similar to the a6 just not as good build quality?

[frazered]

the 9-5's are great, very quiet, you can get good specs on them as well as being of a good size... a little quirky but a solid vehicle - the aero's are nippy too

[frazered]

16k will get you a 9-5 with less than 20k on the clock with all the trimmings !