What else other than opinions and comparisons can you expect when asking about cars? If there was a scientific measure there would be about 5 different types of cars on the roads, only varying in size. As far as I know there is no SI or derived unit of car decency.
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What family car??(hatch)
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Posted 2 years ago #
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I like my Meriva. Ticks most of your boxes.
Posted 2 years ago # -
He may be right, but there's no need to be a complete nobber about it. Coming on to a forum like this and asking a question is not necessarily a bad thing.
True enough, he certainly went off on one a bit! But the OP has had a few opinions (informed or - more usually - not) and we've all had a bit of entertainment, so job done.
Posted 2 years ago # -
Skoda Octavia Vrs hatch.
Quick, decent handling, efficient, comfy, plenty of room, big boot, reliable.
Posted 2 years ago # -
Most family hatches are fairly grim. I had a 406 which was reputed to handle wonderfully for a car of that class, and whilst it would carry a lot of speed, it wasn't engaging to drive at all. Was a good motorway cruiser so long as you weren't in one of the rev ranges that the dashboard resonated at. As for Renault, most Meganes seem to come from the factory looking like they had a cheap accident repair.
If driver enjoyment is a serious issue, I'd go and try a BMW estate. The 2.0D can do its turbo in 50k though.
Posted 2 years ago # -
Twice last night mastilles, and you? I love the speculation and assumptions about my financial status, lack of success in business and life in general, age, lifestyle, politics and agenda. And if I was right... .
All those material things are no substitute for what you crave most NZCol.
Posted 2 years ago # -
You're right.
Posted 2 years ago # -
Does fisting one or two count?
(anyone prepared to brag clearly *isn't* getting any action). Posted 2 years ago # -
Avensis
Funnily I test drove a 2001 1.8 petrol yesterday. full history/1 owner for 1.7k. It was tight, not a squeek and perky. I drove it over the same roads that I'd come in on and I did notice quite abit of under/oversteer compared to mine
Saying that. Theres a reason why taxi drivers buy S/R/W reg Avensis's and run them to potentially stellar mileages.
I'd consider a hatchback Avensis for peanuts. No cambelt on the 1.8 either and its PEANUTS to buy/run with an interior that doesnt look tired.
Im sold. As soon as I sell my Subaru I am buying one.
Posted 2 years ago # -
For your budget i would be looking at the vectra CDTi as you will get a newer one with less miles compared to pretty much anything else. I owned one for a couple of years and they are good family cars/workhorses with a decent mix of power and economy(i averaged 45+mpg) also if you want more power they are very tunable like most modern diesels.
The faults to look out for are - EGR valves, inlet manifold issues, injector #3 fault, DMF's....
HTH
Posted 2 years ago # -
Honda - well built, reliable, and reasonably priced servicing.
Posted 2 years ago # -
no one makes a bad car.
opinions are based on heresay and one off experiences.you see just as many german cars at the side of the road with the bonnet up as you do french, japanese and any other nationality or make.
one person can say "ive never had a problem with my beemer, but my renault was always in the garage" and the next (a colleague of mine) "would never buy another german car, had a beemer, a VW and an audi and had nothing but grief off all of them, never had to touch my c5 and its on well over 200k"
FWIW IMO, french cars are the coolest, summer in paris says so. german cars are dull and driven by berks. the new renaults are loooverly and pretty, and an HDi drives 100x better than a TDi or a JTD.
but of course thats my opinion and not based on anything (apart from personal comparison of the three engine types)
Posted 2 years ago # -
Has edukator taken his meds today then?
Posted 2 years ago # -
FWIW IMO, french cars are the coolest, summer in paris says so. german cars are dull and driven by berks. the new renaults are loooverly and pretty, and an HDi drives 100x better than a TDi or a JTD.
Until they hit their 3rd birthday
Posted 2 years ago # -
The idea that French cars being flimsy/unreliable comes not only from past experience, but also because they tend to do very badly in reliablity/satisfaction surveys, while Japanese cars tend to do very well.
Obviously, there are many, many owners of French cars out there that never have a major problem with their car while they own it. However, statistically, you are more likely to have a trouble free experience with a Japanese car. Ask any mechanic.
I think anyone wanting to argue that French cars are as reliable as anything else is either i) trying to justify their purchase, or ii)not capable of looking beyond their personal experience. Same as Skoda owners really. Skoda are good value, moderately built cars with average performance. Nothing special at all, but the owners are so paranoid about the status of the badge (a Skoda is still a Skoda to alot of people) that they have to constantly justify them.
Posted 2 years ago # -
I however prefer petrol cars
AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAARGH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Posted 2 years ago # -
But seriously, as for French cars - I sat round a table with about 5 peugot owners and all but one had had major fundamental problems with their cars. Like, suddenly cutting out on the motorway, that kind of thing.
As for which car to buy - make up a random short list based on whim and a few things you consider important (fuel economy, bike space etc) and then test drive that list. Don't go mental.. there are no bad cars any more so there's not much point in trying to find the best possible place for your cash out of every motor out there.
I like my Passat, but I've never driven a Mondeo or Avensis or any other car in that class for that matter. But who cares, I get in my car I smile. If I've never driven any of those other cars then I don't care about them
Posted 2 years ago # -
(goes back through memory). Nope I've only ever owned one French (no Italian) car. That was a Dyane6
Posted 2 years ago # -
PS You can get a fully kitted out 56 plate Prius for £6k ish I believe, might be worth a look
Not sporty, but nice to drive and own.
Posted 2 years ago # -
I used to have VWs - an old square shape Passat was a fave, and had a few Golfs. But VW are a bit too up-market for my taste now - just a little bit too poncy and not that nice utilitarian quality they used to have. They have another brand that sits in that place now - Skoda. +1 for Oktavias.
Only drawback with driving a Skoda is people automatically attempt to overtake you, regardless of how fast you're going. My wife calls it Skoda rage.
Posted 2 years ago # -
Only drawback with driving a Skoda is people automatically attempt to overtake you, regardless of how fast you're going. My wife calls it Skoda rage.
The same people that will ask you at a party what you drive (so they can 'assume' how good/successful/worth knowing etc).
Such drivers/people arent worth bothering with.
Posted 2 years ago # -
Only drawback with driving a Skoda is people automatically attempt to overtake you, regardless of how fast you're going. My wife calls it Skoda rage.
Interesting - we have recently fitted a roof rack to our Mazda 3 and I see exactly the same mentality from other drivers that wasn't there before it was fitted.Posted 2 years ago # -
Only drawback with driving a Skoda is people automatically attempt to overtake you, regardless of how fast you're going. My wife calls it Skoda rage.
Had the exact same experience in my girlfriend's old Citroen ZX. People would still tailgate like hell through 30mph limits. Disappeared as soon as I was out of them, as a ZX is quicker than it looks...
Posted 2 years ago # -
It is interesting (in an annoying way!) - there's a whole subconscious web of judgement going on when it comes to cars. To be fair it is the same process which gives me a certain reaction when I see a 4x4, or worst of all a BMW 4x4!
With the Oktavia I have literally been forced to jink my car and flash the brake lights to stop cars attempting to pass into oncoming traffic.
Probably goes for bikes too I guess!
Posted 2 years ago # -
Pugeote 206/7 SW,
Great car as long as you;
- dont like going round corners (trackign needed re-doing every few hundred miles)
- are not epileptic, the dashboard will be permentanly flashing a warning at you telling you to go and spend another £400 at the garrage.Apart from that, french cars are exceptionaly well build IME. Ohh apart from the ex's 206, none of the interior electrics worked on that, and every other pugeote I've sat in where the interior comes off in clumps.
Posted 2 years ago # -
we have recently fitted a roof rack to our Mazda 3 and I see exactly the same mentality from other drivers that wasn't there before it was fitted
Put a pair of muddy bikes up to and that's make the situation even worse
Posted 2 years ago # -
Put a pair of muddy bikes up to and that's make the situation even worse
I wish - full of baby things and no time to ride
At the weekend we were waiting to turn left onto a main road at a crossroads. From our right a car was indicating right and almost stopped so we pulled out as the cars behind couldn't proceed. As soon as the car had turned, the car that had slowed behind it speeded up as quickly as possible then overtook us as we were accelerating to traffic speed, swerving in right in front of our car then had nowhere to go as we were in a queue of traffic.
I have no idea if he would have done the same thing had the roof box not been fitted, but it is indicative of the type of behaviour we seem to see more now.
Posted 2 years ago # -
I would recommend that you don't worry about mileage and age. Instead, you should go for a 10 year old Nissan Primera. The GT model handles really well, has a good engine, is extremely reliable and last for ages. These cars run as Taxis and you see them still going strong living a hard life. It comfortably takes bikes in the back. I have one of these and I can get over 40mpg out of it with careful driving. Not bad for a 2litre 150bhp car.
As it happens, I have mine for sale as we're going to cut to a 1 car household with a baby nearly here...
Posted 2 years ago # -
just a little bit too poncy and not that nice utilitarian quality they used to have. They have another brand that sits in that place now - Skoda
Heh.. that's exactly why I don't like Skodas.. interiors to grim..
Tinas - Exceptional build quality apart from all the shocking things that go wrong.. I think a lot of cars fall into that category!
Posted 2 years ago # -
Each to their own eh? I like the "honesty" of nice quality mouldings with minimal fuss. Can't see how the addition of a little fake chrome strip here or plastic wood there makes the interior more acceptable. Mind you I do like a utilitarian car - to my mind virtually all cars have been quiet and comfortable enough for at least ten years.
Posted 2 years ago # -
traildog - Member
I would recommend that you don't worry about mileage and age. Instead, you should go for a 10 year old Nissan Primera. The GT model handles really well, has a good engine, is extremely reliable and last for ages. These cars run as Taxis and you see them still going strong living a hard life. It comfortably takes bikes in the back. I have one of these and I can get over 40mpg out of it with careful driving. Not bad for a 2litre 150bhp car.
As it happens, I have mine for sale as we're going to cut to a 1 car household with a baby nearly here...
Traildog- mail in profile please
Posted 2 years ago # -
Can't see how the addition of a little fake chrome strip here or plastic wood there makes the interior more acceptable.
I can. Not JUST a bit of fakery tho, but nicely designed, nice lighting and whatnot. Too much smooth bland grey in my mate's Skoda for my liking.
Mind you I do like a utilitarian car
A van, you mean?
Posted 2 years ago # -
Mine is way scruffier than the typical builder's van.
Posted 2 years ago #
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