What car?

[hcanning]

Suggestion, everyone shuts up about the merits of diesel and petrol and answers the poll.

.

Done. Toward the beginning of the thread. The OP also asked for "any thoughts". But the OP decided not to listen to any of the sensible advice and decided to get het up over the perfectly acceptable debate (until people started with childish insults and the spouting of absolute nonsense) that ensued as a result. Isn't that what 'discussion forums' are for? If not, then I'll get my coat.

 

[dod]

off topic posts removed

 

[The Greek]

off topic posts removed

Thats fair enough, I wouldnt want to go off topic in this thread.

 

[dod]

Done. Toward the beginning of the thread. The OP also asked for "any thoughts". But the OP decided not to listen to any of the sensible advice and decided to get het up over the perfectly acceptable debate (until people started with childish insults and the spouting of absolute nonsense) that ensued as a result. Isn't that what 'discussion forums' are for? If not, then I'll get my coat.

OP's thread, OP's prerogative to disregard your advice. What you should have done was stated your case and walked away, you're just as much to blame as anyone else for the way this thread has gone.

This thread is as bad as the Canon/Nikon, raw/jpeg, mac/pc "debates".

My previous suggestion still stands

 

[Gary]

I need to upgrade to a sensible and v. reliable car.

This will be used for everything: commuting to work (involves a long steep-ish hill), photographic trips anywhere around Somerset, Devon, Dorset, Exmoor, Cornwall and Wales, and finally an odd shopping day out in Birmingham, and some conferences all round the country. Mostly it's just for me, but on an odd occasion there are passengers.

The original list was: 2004-07 non-DPF diesels (up to £4 and if I can LESS) Octavia 1.9 TDI PD 105bhp or Avensis 2.0 D4D. I also thought about Golf plus 1.9tdi.

I've spoken to a mechanic yesterday.

He thinks I should go for 130+ bhp engine, as anything less is 'not powerful enough' in a family saloon / estate (He's got 6L!). Could I get a second opinion on this? Is 130-140 a must? 90 on A170CDI clearly isn't.

He was OK with Octavia, but pointed to 2.0L TDI Pd, or perhaps Superb 1.9TD PD 130

Avensis 2.0 d4d was swiftly crossed out from the list, leaving an option of 2.2L. Golf was wiped out very passionately.

Accord 2.2 Executive is going to hit me very hard on insurance.

Any thoughts? I suppose I need to do some road tests now somehow (who's in their sane mind gonna give me their car for a day?! renal - not sure I can find any that age). Going round the block isn't going to help much with my hills and motorway

tbh all those cars are gonna be fine.. my suggestion is assign each car a number from 1 to 5 and roll a dice. If it lands on 6 then go down the pub instead. It'll be just as effective as reading this thread.

or... find the best example of one of those cars that you can find and buy it.

 

[middlearthimages]

Thanks, but isn't petrol engine pretty much dead after 100k? Diesels go to 250k-500k with right maintenance. There are some unlucky cars, both petrol and diesel - I am currently going through 'divorce' with one. All cars eat tires, oil, filters, suspension, clutch, gearboxes, exhaust, etc.
I'll be doing at the very least 10k next year, in town about: 2x4x300=2400 miles, the remainder being lots of motorway and B road miles.

My 1.8 petrol toyota avenses has done 190,000 nearly and still drives lovely!

That's why taxi drivers use them.

 

[TheNissanMan]

Sure.

I'll wager the 1.5dci in his Micra isn't as responsive as the 1.2 petrol engine also on offer. I know which one I'd rather have, if push came to shove.

And in case there is some confusion, my definition of "responsive" is throttle response, i.e. pressing the pedal and waiting for something to happen whilst the diesel engine girds its loins and the turbo thinks "yeah I'd better spin up now and produce some horsepower" .

I haven't read the whole thread as I started falling asleep on page one but then I have these discussions all day everyday in work!

Only reason I posted is from reading this post is the 1.5dci micra is far better and responsive than the 1.2 of the age.

And yes I mean throttle response.

 

[Strangways]

I haven't read the whole thread as I started falling asleep on page one but then I have these discussions all day everyday in work!

Only reason I posted is from reading this post is the 1.5dci micra is far better and responsive than the 1.2 of the age.

And yes I mean throttle response.

You have missed all the excitement, but I can understand why. It did start off a bit boring. The problem is that we have all lost the plot and forgot what the OP had asked. It seems that you did the same

 

[Lynton]

mate has the superb 1.9 TD thingy on an 11 plate - the "off road" version - not driven it but very nice.

Depending on the price difference 140bhp from a 2l sounds a lot better than 105 from a 1.9 for octavias. Quite a big heavy car so the extra 35 nags would I assume come in handy.

No idea on the Accord / Avensis. I would imagine real world not a lot of difference between these 2 and the 2.0 octavia or 1.9 superb......... other than different toys etc.....

Is it a lease thing you are going for / company car / private buy?

 

[Davec223]

Daugridas
I have had 3 cars in the last 6 years have covered in excess of 230k miles in that time.
I have had 2 diesels and 1 petrol car, so this is all personal opinion and I know will be scoffed at by some.

the 2 diesels were
2005 Renault grand scenic 1.9 130bhp
2010 Nissan Qashqui 1.5 dci 108bhp

petrol car

2007 Honda Civic 1.8 vtec.

Both diesels were/are great cars
Never had any real issues with he Renault which in 3.5 years covered over 130k miles, only thing that went on it was the dashboard but that was replaced under warranty anyway.
Nissan, since I picked it up in mid may I have only covered about 14k so far it has been excellent and I have not had any issues with it pus it is great to drive, as was the Renault

The Honda was a different kettle of fish, In fact I would say it is the worse car I have ever driven, there were 3 of us at work and all had similar issues, just a quick summary in the Time I had it ( 2 years) excluding services I had the following issues
4 batteries
4 sets of disks plus several more sets of pads
3 full sets of tyres plus an extra pair on the fronts
Faulty alarm sensor
Siezed UJ joints on drive shaft,so new drive shafts

Plus a lot of other annoying things

Plus I have had back ache ever since I have had it.

I really wouldnt buy the honda.

A mate has got a 1.9 avensis which has been excellent, Thats what I voted for

 

[LongLensPhotography]

Thanks Dave. Did you mean avensis 2.0? I don't think they have 1.9 diesel.
My mechanic told me he had seen a number of these (2.0 not 2.2) at 100k with turbo failure. I am not sure how close this is to the general trends, but he scared me off slightly.

How would you test the turbo?

Lynton: it is private buy

 

[Davec223]

Thanks Dave. Did you mean avensis 2.0? I don't think they have 1.9 diesel.
My mechanic told me he had seen a number of these (2.0 not 2.2) at 100k with turbo failure. I am not sure how close this is to the general trends, but he scared me off slightly.

How would you test the turbo?

Lynton: it is private buy

It could well be the 2l had it about 8 months and done 32ish k in it and not missed a beat, I am notsure how to test the turbos, oil changes I seem to remember are really important.

Dave

 

[LongLensPhotography]

Oh, how about Passat (04+?)

Is it any better or worse than Octavia / Superb?

I noticed top gear always rates Skoda better than VW, not sure why?

 

[LongLensPhotography]

oil changes I seem to remember are really important.

Dave

Yes. Engine oil every 6-10k, gearbox oil every 30-40k. Well the question is, has the previous owner done it, has he used CORRECT OIL, has he faked service history, etc. etc...

 

[Davec223]

Yes. Engine oil every 6-10k, gearbox oil every 30-40k. Well the question is, has the previous owner done it, has he used CORRECT OIL, has he faked service history, etc. etc...

No need to do more often than recomended. Look through all the paper work, mot's service history and receipts, I caught a garage out a few years ago who had given a car a false service history, it really wasn't difficult to find, dates millage and mots didn't match up.

 

[specialman]

...I noticed top gear always rates Skoda better than VW, not sure why?

Probably down to VFM. Same kit, same build, same spec, just a lower price and to be fair, the Octavias and the Passats I've been in have been virtually identical in every respect.

Yes. Engine oil every 6-10k, gearbox oil every 30-40k. Well the question is, has the previous owner done it, has he used CORRECT OIL, has he faked service history, etc. etc...

Although you can never be sure, especially where people are unscruplulous when it comes to saving money, I think you do have to have a fair bit of faith in individuals that they're looking after their property in the correct manner. A couple of thousand miles extra between services - no issue IMO, providing the following service was to manufacturer spec. Again, that's a minefield but again, it's a case of going with your gut instinct.... the Volvo I bought recently had a stack of receipts, plus a full service book. The first four services (every 12k) were done on time but the fifth service was left until 18k miles later. Then things have been done to schedule again. I just look at it as one of those things.

If it looks too good to be true, it generally is

 

[whiteflyer]

Yes. Engine oil every 6-10k, gearbox oil every 30-40k. Well the question is, has the previous owner done it, has he used CORRECT OIL, has he faked service history, etc. etc...

WOW Every 6-10K

The service interval for my Micra is every 18K or two years, I bought the car new in 2003 and did check with Nissan after the first 12 months about an oil change, and was told there was no need at all the change it so soon.

Does make it a cheap car to run with 2 Years service and £30 road tax

 

[LongLensPhotography]

WOW Every 6-10K

The service interval for my Micra is every 18K or two years, I bought the car new in 2003 and did check with Nissan after the first 12 months about an oil change, and was told there was no need at all the change it so soon.

Does make it a cheap car to run with 2 Years service and £30 road tax

£40 for a piece of mind doesn't hurt I guess. 18K might be OK for Nissan, but is certainly not acceptable for any overpriced poor Merc :annoyed:

P.S. Shame I can't quite afford Qashquai, this would be my perfect car

 

[nilagin]

£40 for a piece of mind doesn't hurt I guess. 18K might be OK for Nissan, but is certainly not acceptable for any overpriced poor Merc :annoyed:

P.S. Shame I can't quite afford Qashquai, this would be my perfect car

I'm a believer in more frequent oil changes too, it's an easy enough DIY job too.
I got stuck behind a Qashquai the other day on a dual carriageway over a bridge. Driver thought he could overtake a slower moving van on the climb over the bridge, it was a long painfull wait for him to get out of my way. :shrug:

 

[Davec223]

I'm a believer in more frequent oil changes too, it's an easy enough DIY job too.
I got stuck behind a Qashquai the other day on a dual carriageway over a bridge. Driver thought he could overtake a slower moving van on the climb over the bridge, it was a long painfull wait for him to get out of my way. :shrug:

Well it would have been the driver not the car, mines fine for overtaking, stir the gears occasionally no issues at all.

 

[Strangways]

WOW Every 6-10K

The service interval for my Micra is every 18K or two years, I bought the car new in 2003 and did check with Nissan after the first 12 months about an oil change, and was told there was no need at all the change it so soon.

Does make it a cheap car to run with 2 Years service and £30 road tax

That is pretty good for a 2003 car. I have just got a new Alfa Giulietta and the service interval is 21K and £0 road tax.

 

[nilagin]

Well it would have been the driver not the car, mines fine for overtaking, stir the gears occasionally no issues at all.

It was a diesel Qashqai, and from figures I can find on the net it's about 1.5 secs slower 30-50mph than my car (diesel) even when mine was standard. I wasn't even on half throttle and I was still gaining on him I had to back right off to remain a safe distance and just to give him a chance to move out of the way. At one point I thought he wasn't even going to be able to move back over again before the roundabout at the bottom of the bridge.
Mind you I've encountered quite a few cars that struggle to accelerate up hills as quick as I'd like.

 

[LongLensPhotography]

It was a diesel Qashqai, and from figures I can find on the net it's about 1.5 secs slower 30-50mph than my car (diesel) even when mine was standard. I wasn't even on half throttle and I was still gaining on him I had to back right off to remain a safe distance and just to give him a chance to move out of the way. At one point I thought he wasn't even going to be able to move back over again before the roundabout at the bottom of the bridge.
Mind you I've encountered quite a few cars that struggle to accelerate up hills as quick as I'd like.

I bet he was in a wrong gear and half-asleep, and perhaps that was 1.5dCi (Renault?!), i.e. not the best for accelerating up a hill.
I get many of those types, who go at 40mph regardless of speed limit and road conditions. Very annoying - they pull out in town, then I can't quite overtake them on the highway (oncoming trafic, poor visibility, etc), then again town so for 30miles!

--------------

P.S. 2.0L TDI is off the list now due to oil pump problems. http://briskoda.net/forums/topic/168825-picking-an-engine-19tdi-pd-vs-20tdi-pd/ it sounds like 1.9 is better suited for my needs with our without tuning.

Now I am also seriously considering a Passat, if one comes in cheaper than Skoda in the right condition.

 

[nilagin]

I bet he was in a wrong gear and half-asleep, and perhaps that was 1.5dCi (Renault?!), i.e. not the best for accelerating up a hill.
I get many of those types, who go at 40mph regardless of speed limit and road conditions. Very annoying - they pull out in town, then I can't quite overtake them on the highway (oncoming trafic, poor visibility, etc), then again town so for 30miles!

--------------

P.S. 2.0L TDI is off the list now due to oil pump problems. http://briskoda.net/forums/topic/168825-picking-an-engine-19tdi-pd-vs-20tdi-pd/ it sounds like 1.9 is better suited for my needs with our without tuning.

Now I am also seriously considering a Passat, if one comes in cheaper than Skoda in the right condition.

We'd just pulled way from a set of traffic lights so he'd have been accelerating through the gears, same as me, so hard to have been in the wrong gear unless he stuck it in 5th instead of 3rd.


Back on topic, I know it pays to read up on what problems can arise with different cars, although they become known as common faults, not every car will suffer such faults. My car for instance, a few people on a forum I frequent have fitted 3 egr valves on similar year/mileage cars to mine. My car has only had one replacement, some have never had to have one replaced. If you took on board every fault that someone has with a car you'd probably never buy any car ever again.
I only run my car on BP Ultimate diesel as it has extra additives for lubrication of fuel pump etc. which supermarket fuels lack. (I also add 200ml of low ash two stroke oil per tank full for good measure as it will help with lubrication and also helps prevent carbon build up). My car "could" suffer injector failure, egr valve failure (again), fuel pump failure, dual mass flywheel/starter motor/clutch failure. Whether it will is a chance I'm willing to take but I'll do everything/anything to prevent the liklehood of such failures, even if it means spending a little extra on preventative measures/maintenance.

 

[LongLensPhotography]

Back on topic, I know it pays to read up on what problems can arise with different cars, although they become known as common faults, not every car will suffer such faults.

With my luck my car is almost certain to suffer these common faults. I took a risk with A-class , but thankfully, common sense is slowly coming back.

 

[nilagin]

With my luck my car is almost certain to suffer these common faults. I took a risk with A-class , but thankfully, common sense is slowly coming back.

Hopefully time for a change of luck then.