Rf I assume you have considered/discounted - but I believe the deals are good on the SAAB 9-3 which has the the newish 1.9 td engine ! A colleague has just got one and is v pleased. (PS he had a goona before)
Cheers P
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You may find the 9-3 a little small after the goona, and the saloon makes load carrying a chore.
The new 9-3 estate might be worth considering? The 1.9 engine is very willing and smooth and the safety aspect is well covered.
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"Mazda6 (when you gonna do a diesel in this Mazda?)"
SLAP - you suffered brain damage in the crash RF? - 2.0DT Euro4 as well!
And tested on this site at www.honestjohn.co.uk/road_tests/index.htm?id=183
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RF, don't want to put you on the spot or anything, but there has been a lot of threads recently about insurance queries on claims, picking new cars, comp claims etc. Strikes me that you could cover this from all angles with a "diary" of events.
Think this would be of interest to many of the backroomers - what you think?
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Had a Megane Tourer Sport 1.5DCi when my Mondeo was in for a service this week. Not bad but a little quirky to my liking and electric assistance on steering not my preference. And the speedo could have been clearer. Like the fuel filler aperture... open flap and stick in nozel... no scew in fuel filler cap.
I do like VAG cars but my previous (company cars) Golf GTi 1.8T and Passat Sport 1.8T were very unreliable (both needed new turbos and gearboxes from day one!). Maybe latest models better. Service was poor at dealerships too. Would I have another VAG.. probably? but not VW.
But the current Mondeo (sorry) apes the previous Passat (Ford recruited designer from VW?) and IMHO is a better car (apart from paint quality). But the Passat was already mid model-cycle when the Mondeo MKiii/iv appeared so not a real fair comparison.
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Now seen pics and new car from what you say and I've seen should be NCAP 5* rated like the old one!
Hope all realise that NCAP 5* for a Laguna class car is different for say a Megane sized car. Hence the new Beemer 5 series not getting top marks at first but still better than many lower class cars.
Saw a local accident between an old Micra and Astra. Head on and both cars were in a bad way. Thankfully nobody seriously hurt.
Rob
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X-Type 2.0d, quite competitive on lease.
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Octavia 2.0 TDI DSG estate could be worth a try, but it´s short of an NCAP star. Otherwise....Avensis Estate with the new 2.2TDI nutter engine?
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Oh and of course - Sorry, what Mondeo do I need to include?
A 120,000-mile 2.0 litre Mondeo Ghia X. It is the answer to all which-car questions ...
;-)
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You've got to have another Renault, otherwise you will need to change your forum name...
Try the Laguna 3, they've really improved the interior. I always liked the Laguna 2 interior but the latest one is more solid and better finished. Looks really snazy too.
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The new Laguna looks very nice. I saw what I thought was a tourer last night with really snazzy tail lights but I was too far away to tell.
But then again, you wouldn't want me to like the car you have would you?
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>> Oh and of course - Sorry, what Mondeo do I need >> to include? A 120,000-mile 2.0 litre Mondeo Ghia X. It is the answer to all which-car questions ... ;-)
It's got a few more miles now ;)
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>>what Mondeo do I need to include?
Since the range of Mondeos is both known and finite, then you should be asking "WHICH mondeo do I need to include". You may also consider it more appropriate, within the context of your meaning, to substitute "should" for "need".
Mazda6 would be my recommendation.
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Oooh - if we can suggest and "you don't need one of them, you need one of these" then can I "suggest" either another Laguna or the Passat? (In any other colour than that infernal powdery blue!)
Feel free to bring me along on any test drives as a street cred consultant....
.....and before anyone gets in there, if I like the car, then that means it has no street cred whatsoever!
Beat you to it!!!
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How about another 5*NCAP motor-the Toyota Avensis. More airbags than you can shake a stick at!
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Who wants safety at the price of boredo....
ahhhhhh.
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That one is a price to high to pay for safety Adam.
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You won?t find a better looker than a Ssangyong Rodius.
Dare to be different RF.
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You won?t find a better looker than a Ssangyong Rodius.
You have spent too much time looking at your mother in law Dave
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How about another 5*NCAP motor-the Toyota Avensis. More airbags than you can shake a stick at!
Avensis has bags of room, and feels well made and comfortable. I recently spent quite a bit of time as passenger in one of those, followed by even more time in a Vectra. The Vectra was awful by comparison -- jerky, bouncy, and made me carsick for the first time ever (yes, it was the same driver).
All you need now is for Adam to reassure you that he thinks the Avensis has no street cred ;-) [sorry Adam, just taking you at yr word]
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And the first to be voted out of strictly come driving, is.....
The Focus. See the RF focus test drive thread.
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He knows what he really wants, another Laguna dCi but this time with the Euro 4 compliant 2.0 litre engine with 150 horses.
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Whats the golf plus like folks? (yes read the HJ report) Looking at 1.9pdiSE
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Just more spacious than the Golf - the 2.0 TDI is worth the extra so maybe your lease allowance would run to an ordinary Golf hatch with the 2.0 engine.
I do hope your (how do I put this politely!) difficulty in bending is only temporary - at the moment you'd find the Golf + at an advantage as the seats are higher off the ground.
I loved my previous, totally reliable, Golf TDI estate, but it was built in the Fatherland rather than South Africa, where I think the quality problem may come from.
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It's a Golf with a fraction more head room - seems like the answer to a question nobody asked, can't see a reason to pick it over the Golf?
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>>Whats the golf plus like folks? (yes read the HJ report) Looking at 1.9pdiSE>>
The 1.9 PD would be a rough engine after the Goona, the 2.0 would be better, a C-Max would handle better and probably be more reliable, as would a Mazda 5 if you want that type of thing.
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Right well okie dokie. Here is the list of contenders. A Vectra and a Zafira will be throw in for good measure.
VOLKSWAGEN GOLF PLUS 5D 06 1.9TDi SE
VOLKSWAGEN GOLF 5DR 06 1.9TDi SE
VOLKSWAGEN TOURAN 5DR 06 1.9PD S5S
VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT 4D NEW06 1.9TDi S
VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT EST 05 1.9TDi100T/LNE
SKODA OCTAVIA 5DR 06 1.9PD AMBIENTE
SKODA OCTAVIA EST 06 1.9PD AMBIENTE
MAZDA 6 5DR 05 2.0TS
FORD MONDEO 5DR 05.5 2.0TDCi30 ZT
FORD MONDEO EST 05.5 2.0TDCi30 LX
FORD MONDEO 5DR 05.5 2.0TDCi30 LX
RENAULT LAGUNA 5DR 05 1.9d120 EXPRSSN
RENAULT MEGANE EST 05 1.5d106 DQUE
RENAULT SCENIC 5DR 05 1.5d106 EXPN
VAUXHALL ZAFIRA 5DR 06 1.9D120 CLUB
VAUXHALL VECTRA 5DR 06 1.9D150 LIFE
BUt wait - there is a sleeper. The hire focus goes back next week, and a longer term loan car arrives.
Its a VOLKSWAGEN TOURAN 1900 PD SE 7S with mono Sat Nav, dual zone climate and red spice metalic as extras. I will get the option to keep it if I wish
Now you can waffle away about whats best, whats worse, whats missing, but nothing else gets added to the list.
The question is.
What car will RF choose! you are allowed one guess each and the winner gets an all day gut buster breakfast at the newly re-opened Little Chef on the A46 at Warwick. (and a stroke of Fifi the faithful RF hound)
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The sweary thing deleted s p i c e {amended. DD}
As well it might, its a foul colour.
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I reckon you'll end up keeping the new courtesy car.
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RENAULT LAGUNA 5DR 05 1.9d120 EXPRSSN
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Disappointed that the Skoda specs are not better.
However, I reckon you'll keep the loaner, but may be tempted by the Mondeo Zetec if it doesn't suit..
--
Espada III - well if you have a family and need a Lamborghini, what else do you drive?
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Disappointed that the Skoda specs are not better. However, I reckon you'll keep the loaner, but may be tempted by the Mondeo Zetec if it doesn't suit.. -- Espada III - well if you have a family and need a Lamborghini, what else do you drive?
Just to clarify, I get the free meal and doggie stroke if we're both right, yes? ;)
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Do I get to say ~~~hello~~~ in a suave voice to Nicole then?
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Espada III - well if you have a family and need a Lamborghini, what else do you drive?
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"Do I get to say ~~~hello~~~ in a suave voice to Nicole then?"
:: shudder ::
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"Just to clarify, I get the free meal and doggie stroke if we're both right, yes? ;)"
First correct entry recieved wins, Judges results are final.
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Men and Motors' Pulling Power programme last night (presented by Mike Brewer and Mike Rutherford) did the Renault Espace Sport and the top equipped version of the Modus - each came out well under Rutherford's examination of both models.
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What\'s for you won\'t pass you by
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I'll go for the MAZDA 6 5DR 05 2.0TS. Assume you're going to test drive each one on your list?
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"Assume you're going to test drive each one on your list?"
Oh yes.
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>>Renault Espace Sport>>
Invented a new model there - should be Renault Megane Sport...:-))
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What\'s for you won\'t pass you by
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>>should be Renault Megane Sport..>>
Limited Edition.....
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What\'s for you won\'t pass you by
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Don't forget RF, if the car is registered after Jan 1 you lose the 3% E4 discount on the tax, might affect the choice & the speed of choosing.
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Now there is a man on the ball. I have the pre Jan1 3% E4 in reserve so to speak with the loan Tourvan. Specially as its got a P11D of £18.5k
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And to make some people eyes water. I turned down the Clio 172 *CUP* as a loaner!!!!!
Young RF is not best pleased.
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The VAG 1.9 PD's are just not as refined as some of the others and are all 100ps, that being said if you get used to the loan Touran and like it then the BiK benefit is an added attraction, the Renault 1.5 might be a bit of a dispointment after the 1.9 Laguna, 05 is probably not the latest facelift Mazda 6, so aside from the loan car in order:
1/ FORD MONDEO 5DR 05.5 2.0TDCi130 Zetec
2/ VAUXHALL VECTRA 5DR 06 1.9D150 LIFE*
3/ MAZDA 6 5DR 05 2.0TS
4/ RENAULT LAGUNA 5DR 05 1.9d120 EXPRSSN
*not sure about the Vx LIFE spec though.
Regards.
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Vectra LIFE spec is basic, Mondeo by a mile.
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The VAG 1.9 PD's are just not as refined as some of the others and are all 100ps>>
Wherever did you dream that one up from? There are several units available with much higher outputs.
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What\'s for you won\'t pass you by
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Yes there are, up to 150 PS, but only the lower output versions appear to be being fitted now in VAG cars (one Golf Plus has the 90PS version, Skoda appear to be using the 105PS). If you want a higher output you need to go for the 2.0 TDi - 140PS or 170PS in the Passat.
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The touran is the 105 Pferdestärken PD engine.
Its seems that this is the highest they make now in new models with the 1.9 PDI. YOu want more Pferdestärken you get the 2.0 versions. (at much higher cost)
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VAUXHALL ZAFIRA 5DR 06 1.9D120 CLUB - very nice - good spec - 7 seats. Just test driven one as my next company car.
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I would go for the Laguna providing it's the latest model and not a runout of the old one.
1.5 dCi not the best option for the Scenic, ok in the Megane but 1.9 much more torquey.
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Mondeo Zetec 130
It'll be one of the best drivers on that list...
But possibly the VW Pasatt, but I'm not sure that the S might be a bit of a poor spec when compared with a Zetec.
Blue
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I say the loan car or the Zafira.
I cannot see you going down in spec in the Laguna to the Expression. Surprised about the Scenic model available - I wouldn't fancy that engine and again a lower spec from what you are used to.
Zafira - new model, quite like the look of it, IMHO more Estate looking than MPV.
However, my 2p is on the Touran staying..
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One other possibility:
tinyurl.com/ad855
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What\'s for you won\'t pass you by
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My choice would be, boringly, Mondeo or Passat. Depends entirely on the way the Passat drives, particularly the engine, compared to the Mondeo.
Laguna Expression spec really isn't bad - I think you lose the half leather from your old Dynamique, and 16" rather than 17" alloys, but generally decent if you wanted another Gooner.
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I had a vision whilst sweating the mushrooms for an operatic pasta sauce.
RF will buy the Passat PD 100 estate, and chip it to 130bhp.
It shall come to pass.
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VOLKSWAGEN GOLF PLUS 5D 06 1.9TDi SE
VOLKSWAGEN GOLF 5DR 06 1.9TDi SE
VOLKSWAGEN TOURAN 5DR 06 1.9PD S5S
VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT 4D NEW06 1.9TDi S
VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT EST 05 1.9TDi100T/LNE
SKODA OCTAVIA 5DR 06 1.9PD AMBIENTE
SKODA OCTAVIA EST 06 1.9PD AMBIENTE
MAZDA 6 5DR 05 2.0TS
FORD MONDEO 5DR 05.5 2.0TDCi30 ZT
FORD MONDEO EST 05.5 2.0TDCi30 LX
FORD MONDEO 5DR 05.5 2.0TDCi30 LX
RENAULT LAGUNA 5DR 05 1.9d120 EXPRSSN
RENAULT MEGANE EST 05 1.5d106 DQUE
RENAULT SCENIC 5DR 05 1.5d106 EXPN
VAUXHALL ZAFIRA 5DR 06 1.9D120 CLUB
VAUXHALL VECTRA 5DR 06 1.9D150 LIFE
He won't get the Mondeo because of what it is regardless of how nice it drives.
He won't get the Octavia because it's a bit of a basic spec.
Can't see him having a Zafira nor can I see why he'd want one.
If the Life spec in the Vectra is as basic as you say, then that's out.
Scenic's probably a but underpowered for him.
Megane possibly but maybe a bit small for the RF's F.
Golf plus, well - one of the most stupid cars ever.
Laguna - maybe a bit of a kick in the head going down a spec level but given it saved him last time...
That leaves us with:
The Mazda - possibly - nice looking car but not sure whether it's RF.
The Golf - I reckon this is probably too small but you never know.
The Passat - Basic spec. Doubtful.
Keep the Touran. Depending on how it goes, if he likes then for the ease of it all I reckon he might keep it.
I would be inclined to agree that he keeps the Touran. Failing that, I reckon he'll get the Mazda....
...or possibly the new Goona.
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RF-why no Avensis on the list?
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Of course! 5 star NCAP, more airbags you can shake a stick at. Economical 1.8 petrol engine (2 new diesels on the way), bags of room, even mid-range spec car has dual climate, auto wipers, auto dim rear view mirror, electric folding door mirrors, 8 speaker stereo, comfy ride, good road holding.....the list goes on!
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Yeah but - not very exciting is it?
Although granted, neither is the Zafira.
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you have to ask?
Apart from being much more comfortable than a Vectra, the Avensis is appalling reliable. By choosing an Avnensis, RF would be missing out on all the surprises which can await the driver of a French car ... ;)
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RF
see my comments from earlier this year
www.honestjohn.co.uk/forum/post/index.htm?v=e&t=30...4
I took the 1.9TDi SE Golf; after 6 months and 20k miles I am very pleased. First service was 18.5k miles, it is appreciably quicker than any other 110bhp TDi VW or Audi I have driven and is returning 53mpg (calulated, not trip computer). Only fault has been an intermittant incorrect exterior temp readout (sender replaced at service).
The 'semi-auto' air-con makes as least a good a job of maintaining a constant temperature as the climate control did in my MKIV Golf, Laguna Tourer and A4 Avant. (The '97 Passat was brilliant - true set and forget).
The 105bhp unit does not suffer from the sudden step surge of torque at low speeds that the 115/130bhp did (and from HJ's comments, the 140bhp also) and so is easy to drive around town.
2 other points for you to consider:
- delivery time; the diesel Euro4 3% Benefit in Kind rebate will no longer apply to cars registered from 1 Jan 2006, so beware of delivery times (you mention lease company so I presume it'll be a 'company car')
- what are your local dealers like? I use a good VW dealer, but had an indifferent Renault agent. A good dealer for warranty and servicing does make a difference...
Run out of lunch time... HTH
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