New job requires new car to crunch some miles

antc

antc

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Hi All,

As per title I am now going to need to travel some miles for work. Between 10-20k work miles plus 10k personal miles per year.

Pretty sure this takes me to the place where i need to start looking at diesels. On that note i have been having a look around and found four cars i think maybe suitable.

1. Mondeo ST TDCI 2006 models onwards
2. Skoda Octavia VRS 2007 models onwards
3. Vauxhall Insignia CDTI SRI 160 (had one as a hire car last week from work)
4. Saab 9-3 1.9 TID Vector Sport Wagen

A couple of other cars I have looked at but wondered if the running costs/replacement parts prices might be quite high are -

1. Jaguar X type 2 or 2.2 litre diesel (saloon or estate which might be handy for the mountain bike)
2. Bmw 320/325d (e90 shape i think it is, 2005 onwards)

I guess what i am asking from you guys, is for some help and pointers in the right direction. I am not really that knowledgeable about cars and also this will be my first foray into diesels and doing a fair few miles per year. The above are no doubt a very small selection of what is really available. WHat would you do given the criteria i have advised and also is there anything i need to know about the above suggestions?

Budget is up to £10k.
 
First thing I would do with that list is check the service costs,both main dealer and local garage.
Check the cost of spares that normally wear out,brake pads,exhaust etc.
Check if it has a timing belt or timing chain-if its a belt the replacement interval and cost-it can be an expensive service item.
Check the insurance group and cost of business cover.
Get an RAC/AA check done on whatever you decide to buy.
Avoid metallic paint if you can-its expensive to repair.
Check service history and don't forget fleet cars are invariably regularly serviced so dont turn your nose up a an ex fleet diesel-high motorway miles on a late model one of these,diesel engines go on forever.My 6year old Nissan Tino has done 95K and is nicely run in.
Stick to basic cars,Ford, Vauxhall ,Nissan,Toyota( what the taxi drivers use), they are invariably cheaper to fix than more esoteric things like Jags and Beamers
 
go for the saab, we have one. the timing is done by a chain and wont need to be replaced for about 200K+ miles. all the service items are well priced. you have the power to shift if you need it.
 
Ford ST TDCi and Jaguar X-Type share engines, and other stuff too. But the Mondeo has more interior space, rear seat room in the Jag is cramped by comparison so may be worth looking at ST TDCi estate if you are considering the Jag estate. Recommend using good quality fuel with any diesel, less chance of injectors, egr valves etc getting clogged. Egr valve for the Mondeo, if needed, is around £100-120 from Jaguar as opposed to around £240 from Ford dealers.
Things you should consider for possible replacement on any Diesel are, egr valve, injectors, dual mass flywheel, and on later euro v cars departiculate filters, maybe even fuel pump.
If you do go down the Ford/Jaguar choice make sure you only ever fit manufacturers fuel filters or Bosch, other cheaper makes have been known not to function properly and lead to problems.
 
Avoid anything with a DPF filter, although given the mileage you will be doing it shouldn't be so much of a problem.
 
Will you take any passengers or goods at all in it?

Mondeo looks nice, but probably go for 2007+ upgraded model. Make sure injectors are fine (4x £900 job).
I don't like the design of Insignia at all - it is just a bloated corsa with big engine. Terrible rear visibility, small boot, and just enough space at the back for toddlers. I was driven in a rental one and didn't like it at all. I'd rather get Zafira from them. I can't comment on the mechanic side though.
No idea about space in the skoda, which ironically I am considering to buy, but there are certainly some problems with 2.0 TDI PD engine.
 
Vauxhalls don't last well. My dad's is rusting in the wheel arches at less than 10 years old and has been for some time. Tatty build quality even on the Omegas that were built in Germany. Rust is worse than on my alfa which is 2 years older!

Best diesel I've driven was the civic 2.2. Reasonably quiet not like the dreadful ford tractor engines.

Japanese manufacturers build the most reliable cars. BMW diesel I tried was droney and the M sport seats were appalling. Was only the cheapy 1 series though. Petrol insignia I had was ok in that respect. Shame it was leaking coolant and had to go back to Avis! Rear visibility was pants though. Your door mirror blind spot was actually blocked by a pillar so you can't even do a lifesaver.
 
I drive a VW Passat 2l diesel, it's done 90,000 miles in 3 years with no problems. I've driven 30-40K a year for the last 20 years and it's by far the best car I've had including Mondeos, Astras, Citroens of a few types.

Forget the ST models your paying for something you dont need.

Look more for good seats, they are worth 10 times what a fast car is worth if you value your back.

Another to look at is the Skoda Superb, they are well made and comfortable to drive.

Vauxhall sadly are all show and no go these days, I've driven the new Astra and thats fatboy thing they replaced the Vectra with, didn't float my boat.

The Bigger Honda's, and the Mazda 6 are superb cars to drive and they dont fall to bits.
 
If you want a solid car that will just keep going and going, then go for a Volvo or Skoda. We have all makes of cars at work which are abused until destructed, Vauxhall and BMW don't last very long at all.
 
Nikon Fan said:
If you want a solid car that will just keep going and going, then go for a Volvo or Skoda. We have all makes of cars at work which are abused until destructed, Vauxhall and BMW don't last very long at all.
Click to expand...

How do Fords and Skodas compare in your experience?
 
ChrisH said:
I drive a VW Passat 2l diesel, it's done 90,000 miles in 3 years with no problems. I've driven 30-40K a year for the last 20 years and it's by far the best car I've had including Mondeos, Astras, Citroens of a few types.

Forget the ST models your paying for something you dont need.
Look more for good seats, they are worth 10 times what a fast car is worth if you value your back.
Click to expand...

Other than they cost more than other Mk3 Mondeos because they hold their value better, how would you be paying for something not needed. They are great fun to drive, can be thrown around on country lanes and are great motorway cruisers.
I would recommend looking for one with the optional Recaro seats, not essential but more comfortable and better looking in my opinion. If the 153bhp isn't enough for you, add £280 for a larger intercooler and another £399 for custom remap should give you around 190bhp and alot more torque than standard making the car even more relaxed on motorways and I reckon on alot of motorway cruising should see 60mpg average. I get 55mpg plus on mixed driving over a tank, even including alot of enthusiastic acceleration I get 50mpg plus. I've also found overtaking on motorways effortless, keep an eye on your speed though, it's all to easy to get caught out as it doesn't feel like you are travelling that quick.

I've had my ST TDCi 14 months now, it still puts a grin on my face every time I drive it, in the past my average annual mileage is 11-12k, I've done 18k in my ST, I just can't leave it alone.:lol:
 
how would you be paying for something not needed
Click to expand...

Simple, they cost more than a 2L TDCi so why pay more for an ST when you can have a load of fun for less money. They cost more to insure, they are harder on tyres that cost a fortune even for the 2L TDCi. The ST is a harder ride whether they have Ricaro's or not.
If you remap the engine and add another Intercooler they hike the insurance up even more.

Company car driving isn't about larking around on country lanes it's about reliability and cost. Whilst I would agree the Mondeo is a superb car as I drove one for 130K miles you don't need to be ading cost by buying sports versions.

I actually drove an ST250 for a few months and yes I agree it was hilariuos fun going round roundabouts at 55 but I was getting home after a days work and struggling to get out of the car because my back was ******ed. Ricaro's hold you firm but I prefer more padding, it's saves shaking your bones all day.
 
ChrisH said:
Simple, they cost more than a 2L TDCi so why pay more for an ST when you can have a load of fun for less money. They cost more to insure, they are harder on tyres that cost a fortune even for the 2L TDCi. The ST is a harder ride whether they have Ricaro's or not.
If you remap the engine and add another Intercooler they hike the insurance up even more.

Company car driving isn't about larking around on country lanes it's about reliability and cost. Whilst I would agree the Mondeo is a superb car as I drove one for 130K miles you don't need to be ading cost by buying sports versions.

I actually drove an ST250 for a few months and yes I agree it was hilariuos fun going round roundabouts at 55 but I was getting home after a days work and struggling to get out of the car because my back was ******ed. Ricaro's hold you firm but I prefer more padding, it's saves shaking your bones all day.
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My ST TDCi is no harder a ride than my previous Mondeo, a mk2 2.0 Ghia. Even on the lowered eibach springs it is still no harsher except on really bad road surfaces, but even then it's not unbearable. A harsh ride can be attributed to the choice of tyre. I've opted to stay with the Continental Contact Sport 3's that were one of the chosen brand of tyres Ford developed the cars on and originally supplied them with (Michelins Pilots were also used) and they give great handling and ride quality. Other makes of tyres are harder and ride quality suffers for it. My car was about due for new tyres when I bought it so bought some straight away, 18k miles later they still have plenty of tread left.
My insurance last year, with alot more modifications than those I've suggested above, was £491 this year it's risen to £553. The renewal quote that came through for my Mk2 2.0 GHia X Mk2 last year was over £700.:cuckoo:
 
Wow, tonnes of info in here already cheers everyone!

Passat is a car i hadn't considered so thats a god shout i shall have a look at those!

As for the mondeos i have had a look at the st tdci (driven one a long time ago on a test drive) and also my neighbour has one that i have had a look around. Also been looking at some of the newer mondeos also, 2008/9/10 reg, mostly only the titanium x spec models with either the 2 or 2.2 litre diesel engines. Seem very well specced, lots of toys and seats in the tit x model look way more comfy than that of the other models like the zetec or even the plan titanium model.

As for the Saab 9-3 my mate has one of those which i have been a passenger in many times, i find the seats incredibly comfortable, is fast enough for what i need and again like the mondeo comes well equipped.

I think one thing i should have said in my first post was that i was looking for vehicles with combined mpg of 45+ and with plenty of toys. I thought, if I am going to be spending plenty of time in the car i want it to be as nice and comfortable as possible and with plenty of creature comforts.

Also to give a tiny bit of car history (all of which have been petrol) i have had various different versions of fiesta, a focus and an x-type jag sport v6. I think what i have learned from this is that i don't necessarily want rock hard suspension but i don't mind firm. Not 100% decided on something soft and squishy though if that makes sense.
 
When you are buying enough fuel to cover 30,000 miles a year, then the cost of road tax is probably fairly insignificant.
But my other half has an Audi A3 1.9Tdi that does 45mpg on all around driving. 60mpg on the motorways. Goes like a startled rabbit. And costs £35 a year on the road tax.
 
As an owner of a courier company I would go with the skoda. Its a cheap way in VW/Audi One of our cars odometer stopped working 2 yrs ago @650k miles.

Another needed a alternator belt after 120k miles.

30k a year isn't really alot. I've got a guy doing that every few months. Just keep on servicing
 
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What you really need is a mk3 chavalier 1.7TD - cheap to run, pulls well on turbo and suspension that'll sail over absolutely anything! The CDX even had a CD player that adjusted its volume with your speed, how cool is that!

Mine eventually caught fire during a road rally. Shame, that was a fantastic tank.
 
My skoda 1.9 tdi (130bhp) I bought new in 2004 and I've covered 140,000 miles in it. Apart from the period my wife drove it (resting her foot on the clutch resulting in new clutch a year later) it has been faultless. My next car will probably be another Octavia tdi or a seat exeo tdi.
 
Alan Clogwyn said:
What you really need is a mk3 chavalier 1.7TD - cheap to run, pulls well on turbo and suspension that'll sail over absolutely anything! The CDX even had a CD player that adjusted its volume with your speed, how cool is that!

Mine eventually caught fire during a road rally. Shame, that was a fantastic tank.
Click to expand...

Nope, you lose out on road tax benefits as its not counted emissions, it also won't be as comfortable, well built, fuel efficient or reliable as the soda octavia
 
daugirdas said:
How do Fords and Skodas compare in your experience?
Click to expand...

If I had to choose I would go with the Skoda, like the Volvo there are well built, but we use them in a totally different way to how you would hopefully drive them :). The Volvo and Skoda's will run for a long time with no coolant in the engines after car has been used to ram a roadblock with it's radiator squashed against the engine block. These makes also have strong gearboxes and clutches to cope with being slammed into reverse whilst sill going forward (this is when a Vauxhall gearbox explodes into many pieces). Fords are probably about the next best thing.

Again these are using vehicles to their extreme, which hopefully will not be driven like this yourself, but it does show how well they will keep going if you let a bit of Maintenance slip and the odd rough gearchange.
 
antc said:
Wow, tonnes of info in here already cheers everyone!

Passat is a car i hadn't considered so thats a god shout i shall have a look at those!
Click to expand...

I have an Octavia vRS, which I'm really enjoying, & it's serviced by a very experienced VW/Audi specialist.

He's pretty immersed in all things VW/Audi Group & commented that the Passat model had become a disaster & also, interestingly, that Audi were getting grumpy about the Skoda Superb treading on their toes, in terms of quality.

If it's not too large it might be worth a look?
 
Superb is excellent in terms of features, but ugly as sin

Seat Exeo (don't forgat SEAT is VAG) has the previous A4 body shell and has the latest toys on board, a great car. The skoda feels great, but you know that the car was limited on design/looks by the budget price, the Exeo is a much nicer car to look at both inside and outside.
 
I have a 2006 Mondeo 2.0 TDCI Ghia x estate that I got a couple of years ago with 146k on the clock:eek:. It's an ex-lease car and did most of these miles on the motorway and came very cheap with loads of history.

I do very little mileage (about 2k a year) so it hasn't got to 150k yet, but it is absolutely faultless and gives over 45mpg even on my short journey usage.

Even though I would recommend this car, my next one will probably be a VAG as I have an excellent independent garage near to me and he won't touch my Ford:rules:
 
Just to chime in with my two penneth....

I'm on my second company mondeo at the moment, first one was an 07 2l Edge. Had enough bits on it to make it interesting but wasn't ott. It came with the 19" alloys though which was a pain as it was quite firm on the suspension. Did just under 100k then it just stopped one day and had to have a massive amount done to it on the fuelling side, up until then never really missed a beat. Don't know how much it cost to fix as I left the company whilst it was being fettled but I fair bit I guess.

Currently have a new shape 09 1.8 LX. Its underpowered and aside from air con and bluetooth has nothing to it (even has steel rims with trims and electric windows). Not a bad car, so far I've done about 70k in it but its a lot less nimble then the older shape one I had and you can't see the corners as well. The boot is pretty big - in fact a little too big. How can it be too big, easy - things roll to the back and your trousers get all dirty rubbing against the bumper to get things out. I actually think the old chassis is a little better, the new one is definately more for comfort.

Its up for change in December and I'm going for either an Alfa 159 JDTM Ti (because I've always wanted one) or a Saab 9-3 Vector diseasel thing. The Saab is easily the most comfortable thing I have ever driven, just effortless on a long journey and its full of things to make driving less of a chore - eg a nightpanel switch that turns all the interior lights off aside from the speedo at night to make it a bit easier on the eye.
 
German engineered all the way, Passats retain their value for a reason, I know several with over 250k on the clock, and many others with 150k without any major work ever being done. Skodas are the same car pretty much, the superb is well, superb! BMWs can be had pretty cheap used and can be a good buy if you find the right car, just watch tyres as run flats as recommended are just silly prices.

Don't go near a Mondeo. Do some research and find out how unreliable they can be. You either get a very good car, or an absolute dog. After 2005 they got a bit better, but they are cheap used for a reason. Two common faults are handbrakes seizing (poor rear calumet design) and clutch/flywheel/csc failure. The Jags do seem better even though they are the same car underneath, different production lines though, which probably explains it.
 
Not many new cars do, you just get a can of squirty foam to try and repair any puncture at the roadside, part of the EU initiative to minimise risk - eg its 2 minutes to fill a punctured tyre at the roadside or at least 15 to change a wheel.

The reality is the foam only works if you get a pinhole puncture. However, all can carry a spacesaver.
 
troutfisher said:
Stick to basic cars,Ford, Vauxhall ,Nissan,Toyota( what the taxi drivers use), they are invariably cheaper to fix than more esoteric things like Jags and Beamers
Click to expand...

The X-type is just a Mondeo in drag. Up here the taxis are all Skodas (sorry Yves :lol:), plenty of 2 year old ones with 200k on them.
 
realspeed said:
Skodas don't come with spare wheels

Realspeed
Click to expand...

Eh?

I have a full size spare in mine
 
I've just changed to a motorway cruiser from my brilliant SEAT Leon Cupra R. Petrol prices have gone stratospheric, made worse by the fact that I have a pap fuel allowance so the Leon was always losing me money, especially when started doing 30K+ miles per year.

I just changed to a Volvo S60 D5. It's a 2005 facelift model (has the chrome bits and different lights) and it fits the role you want filling very well. A 2.4l engine sounds a bit scary when most cars that size are 1.9/2.0l. However, I put that aside in my head, knowing combined MPG figures don't equate to motorway MPGs. Doing shopping trips and popping round town it's returning mid-40mpg, and motorway runs I'm getting between 53 - 56mpg on the trip computer. Take a few MPG off because those things are never right and it's still very economical. Tank is 70 litres and I recently got a week's motorway and town driving (780 miles) out of it.... about 50mpg all told. Not bad...

Alongside the Saab 9-5, it has THE most comfortable seat you'll find. I have a full leather interior and it's worn its 90K well, with just some general wear. Seating position is superb and very adjustable and the head restraints are brilliant. Visibility is really good, although parking sensors help, as it's a deceptively large car. For a saloon, the boot is enormous.

Cruising is effortless, although it's not a car for B-road thrashing but it's a very solid, sedate drive that actually has changed how I drive within a week of owning it. It promote s really easy driving, which is a massive change from my Cupra R.

From your list, the Mondeo represents a very, very good value and was the car I was aiming to get (couldn't find one I liked). Those VRs Octavia are well-known for their DPF problems; a mate has one and he has got the point where just wants rid because it's been so unreliable. The Insignia looks nice... if it's anything like the new Astra it should be very good indeed. The SAAB is a nice motor but I know three people who've had major, major issues with their low-milers, from electronics problems, to gearbox failures and loads of niggles inbetween. The 9-5 is a better buy IMO....
 
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Andy_S_T said:
German engineered all the way, Passats retain their value for a reason, I know several with over 250k on the clock, and many others with 150k without any major work ever being done. Skodas are the same car pretty much, the superb is well, superb! BMWs can be had pretty cheap used and can be a good buy if you find the right car, just watch tyres as run flats as recommended are just silly prices.

Don't go near a Mondeo. Do some research and find out how unreliable they can be. You either get a very good car, or an absolute dog. After 2005 they got a bit better, but they are cheap used for a reason. Two common faults are handbrakes seizing (poor rear calumet design) and clutch/flywheel/csc failure. The Jags do seem better even though they are the same car underneath, different production lines though, which probably explains it.
Click to expand...

Working for Ford, I know loads of people, other than myself, who own mk3 Mondeos, none have had handbrake or clutch/dmf problems, just because a few people have had problems, it doesn't necessarily follow that everyone will suffer the same problems.
 
nilagin said:
Working for Ford, I know loads of people, other than myself, who own mk3 Mondeos, none have had handbrake or clutch/dmf problems, just because a few people have had problems, it doesn't necessarily follow that everyone will suffer the same problems.
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All cars have problems, its just that some brands are reported more than others. Unfortunately for Ford, they sell s lot of cats so stories are more common....

I had a dodgy 52-reg mondeo TDCi with poor electrics that did shake my faith in Ford, but the other five mondeos at work owned by different individuals who all do a variety of miles, have been great, which is why the ST was a big consideration for me. Alas, I couldn't find one I fancied. The two guys with 55/06 Passats have both had major probs, one being a new engine. The other had clutch issues. The only car at work I've never heard of needing anything done to it is an Alfa 156 JTD that has done about 130k!!!!
 
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specialman said:
All cars have problems, its just that some brands are reported more than others. Unfortunately for Ford, they sell s lot of cats so stories are more common....
Click to expand...

You also have to factor in the internet's unparalleled ability to collect info on faults & problems! Hence you rarely here the good stuff because no-one bothers to tell.

Eg: I give you;
noisy 7d images
40d shutter failure
focus chart results
etc,etc.

It's obviously still useful to read about problems but you need to consider details, sample size & generally read between the lines.
 
Comfortably Numb said:
You also have to factor in the internet's unparalleled ability to collect info on faults & problems! Hence you rarely here the good stuff because no-one bothers to tell.

Eg: I give you;
noisy 7d images
40d shutter failure
focus chart results
etc,etc.

It's obviously still useful to read about problems but you need to consider details, sample size & generally read between the lines.
Click to expand...


I've always felt the same about the much-lauded JD Power surveys. To my mind there are only two types of people who take part in these things. Those, as highlighted above, who have an axe to grind and Skoda owners.
 
specialman said:
I've just changed to a motorway cruiser from my brilliant SEAT Leon Cupra R. Petrol prices have gone stratospheric, made worse by the fact that I have a pap fuel allowance so the Leon was always losing me money, especially when started doing 30K+ miles per year.

I just changed to a Volvo S60 D5. It's a 2005 facelift model (has the chrome bits and different lights) and it fits the role you want filling very well. A 2.4l engine sounds a bit scary when most cars that size are 1.9/2.0l. However, I put that aside in my head, knowing combined MPG figures don't equate to motorway MPGs. Doing shopping trips and popping round town it's returning mid-40mpg, and motorway runs I'm getting between 53 - 56mpg on the trip computer. Take a few MPG off because those things are never right and it's still very economical. Tank is 70 litres and I recently got a week's motorway and town driving (780 miles) out of it.... about 50mpg all told. Not bad...

Alongside the Saab 9-5, it has THE most comfortable seat you'll find. I have a full leather interior and it's worn its 90K well, with just some general wear. Seating position is superb and very adjustable and the head restraints are brilliant. Visibility is really good, although parking sensors help, as it's a deceptively large car. For a saloon, the boot is enormous.

Cruising is effortless, although it's not a car for B-road thrashing but it's a very solid, sedate drive that actually has changed how I drive within a week of owning it. It promote s really easy driving, which is a massive change from my Cupra R.

From your list, the Mondeo represents a very, very good value and was the car I was aiming to get (couldn't find one I liked). Those VRs Octavia are well-known for their DPF problems; a mate has one and he has got the point where just wants rid because it's been so unreliable. The Insignia looks nice... if it's anything like the new Astra it should be very good indeed. The SAAB is a nice motor but I know three people who've had major, major issues with their low-milers, from electronics problems, to gearbox failures and loads of niggles inbetween. The 9-5 is a better buy IMO....
Click to expand...

Tonnes of info in this one! Thanks.

To be honest, lots of good and sound advice so far. I have given myself a proper headache now trawling autotrader and pistonheads looking at whats out there. I think the next step is going to be to get some test drives and try and whittle the list down that way.

:bonk::bonk::bonk:
 
I'm on my fourth Saab- we just keep going back to them!
 
antc said:
Tonnes of info in this one! Thanks.

To be honest, lots of good and sound advice so far. I have given myself a proper headache now trawling autotrader and pistonheads looking at whats out there. I think the next step is going to be to get some test drives and try and whittle the list down that way.

:bonk::bonk::bonk:
Click to expand...

Seeing cars in the flesh and actually driving them is a must, if only to avoid boxing your head in by looking at advert after advert. There was another thread about buying a car from a member in Bristol but he was getting himself into a bit of a lather because he was reading too much info about cars instead of actually driving them - that's the only way you can discount them from the list. What suits someone else might be different to what you want. :)
 
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