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As it is customary to suggest something other than the options given by OP, how about a Rover 75 estate/MG ZT-T diesel? It's a BMW lump so pretty decently engineered, and the cars themself are very well made.
Similar to OP, my old bangernomics car died so wanted a different bangernomics car with a view to keeping for a bit until something else came up. I ended up with a MG ZT-T 190. It's great, load of room, and it is very nice to drive. 13 years old and there isn't a panel out of alignment nor a single squeak from the interior. Probably the best made car I've owned so far, and I doubt I'll be in any rush to sell it.
Bonus is they're very cheap. Buy one and have £3k left from your budget, plus you'll not lose money when it comes time to sell later on in the year. Reasonable looking, too.
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is that a bottle of cider sitting in the gutter?
Trucker bomb.
bearGrease - Member
@40mpg, is that a bottle of cider sitting in the gutter?
Yep mine - was needed after 4 hours of riding on the beach 😀
I'd go BMW. The Passat has a number of issues which could prove very expensive. Personally I'd look for one of the later old shape Passats with the 1.9 130bhp engine - so much better built than the later version and a looked after 1.9pd is a great trusty engine. Loads of refined car for the money and cheaper than the 2 you're looking at
Not especially helpful I know, but I gotta agree with this.
Got a 1.9Tdi 130bhp Sport Passat estate and its a fab car. They're well known for being much better made than the newer (Golf based) cars (just as the older 5 series were much better made than the newer ones).
I bought my car in a similar situation to yours, needing a reliable/practical car for 6 months, before a newer/company vehicle would be arriving. I've had it 8 months so far now and have delayed buying a company van as to be honest, the Passat is so good! If I sold it tomorrow I might lose £200 over the £1700 I bought it for, and in 8 months I've done 2 oil changes, a pair of tyres, and filled it with diesel numerous times and it's been superb.
Either of the 2 cars you're looking at could be great cars, or a costly mistake. If you have to buy one of those 2, buy based on condition and service history. If you're only keeping it 6 months, the one that's in the best condition with the better history will be easier to sell on at a smaller loss at the end of it.
Update: the VW seller decided not to sell and keep it, BMW seller wouldn't accept a (much) lower offer so in need of some wheels quickly I spotted below for sale just down the road for me, a 52 reg Honda CRV 2.0 Sport for £1200 with 110k miles, history, long MOT and when I drove off it had a full tank of petrol. I don't think it's going to be very economical though, a big lump with a petrol engine. All the gadgets work, drives lovely and already had bikes in the back no problem. Stop gap sorted until new van comes
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Now that is a Top Gear ending.
Today we have the Beeemer with loads of powwwwweeeeeerrr but it's a bit expensive !!! And another German diesel super estate that's hard to buy.
But we wouldn't buy either we want an old Japanese suv.
And on that bombshell its time to end.
a 52 reg Honda CRV 2.0 Sport for £1200 with 110k miles, history, long MOT and when I drove off it had a full tank of petrol. I don't think it's going to be very economical though
If you're only keeping it 6 months, I'd bet that though it might cost you £200-300 more in fuel than either of the German estates would, it won't depreciate a penny whereas they would probably lose maybe £400-500 in that time...
So along with having £3k less cash tied up, sounds like win win from a money saving point of view!