Yeah, I read (and ignored it) the first time. In case you didn't understand my adice I'll put it another way: If you are sensitive about what car you purchase it pays to not buy something crap.
Okay, lets work through this. I asked for real-life Espace experiences. I like them, but I know there are some issues, so my hope is that those with experience can guide me a little on what I have to look for. Everyone does; except you and your pithy comment -
Brave man to even touch one. Gook luck, hope you didn't pay too much for it. Renault have now stopped selling these in the UK.
No information, nothing of relevance, no experience. Just a vague pop at my choice of car with nothing substantive. But y'know what. I know that sometimes all may not be as it seems. Perhaps you do have good knowledge, maybe you just aren't able to articulate it in a helpful manner for my thread, but have done for other threads.
'lovely to drive and pretty inside'
Not going to happen for 3K...
Also, I have a couple of friends with Passats that have had loads of problems with them. I think the Mazda is better built and certainly more reliable.
We purchased a new VW a few years ago and were very dissapointed by the build quality. Trim quality was very poor - parts literally falling off and very rattly. So bad I would not buy VW again. Lots of stuff on the net saying the same thing - VW build quality is now a myth.
MF - The oldest X model is the X5 (updated 2-3 years ago), which is the only good looking one imo. Doesn't look dated at all (again, imo).
The X3 has just been updated. Is getting very good reviews, but the looks are still questionable. The old one was ugly and crap.
Almost universally reviewed as being WORSE than the Golf it's based on (also my experience). Only reason for buying one is that you REALLY like the shape and don't care about all the other parameters you consider when buying a car.
I suspect the Beemer driver also feels a nice warm glow when he looks back and thinks 'This traffic jam sucks but at least I'm in a nice, safe, high performance car, not a worthless piece of crap like this guy'. Deciding not to buy(or not being able to afford)a nice car really does not make you a better person. You are just tight, cheap or have other priorities (which is fair enough, but the chip on your shoulder isn't doing you any favours).
'Ex demo/dealer ones are more than brand new due to waiting lists'
Don't be ridiculous, it's still a Skoda, no ones going to pay over list price.
Er, apparently not.
With respect, anyone can google, which would appear to be the basis of your extensive Espace motoring knowledge. Everyone else but you has provided valuable information. You come across as the shouty bloke in the pub with an opinion of everything, but with very little practical knowledge.
I've no doubt that you're a real 'petrolhead' and that you know how to 'drift' and 'apply a dab of oppo'. Leave this thread for those that, in the spirit of STW, want to help me, not bark out baseless opinion to mask their lack of experience/knowledge of the subject matter.