Not sure what to buy?

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Thu 11 Apr 2013 20:55
Not sure what to buy? - abs982
Hi I have a budget of £5-7k and I'm really lost in what car to buy. I have 2 cars in mind: seat Leon tdi fr 170 or Honda civic 2.2ctdi ex.

Not sure please help.

Both are very nice cars and have good reviews. I personally haven't test driven any of the 2.

What would you guys recommend?

Thanks

Abs982
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Thu 11 Apr 2013 22:10
Not sure what to buy? - Avant

I'd recommend you to test drive them and see whether you like either.

Also consider whether you really need a diesel - i.e. if your mileage is over about 15,000 a year. If not, a petrol will be cheaper to buy and less expensive to repair if it goes wrong.

Incidentally if rear visibility is important to you, don't buy either of these: both are appalling in that respect.

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Thu 11 Apr 2013 22:55
Not sure what to buy? - Andrew-T

If rear visibility is important to you, don't buy either of these: both are appalling in that respect.

That seems to be the current styling norm: side windows taper almost to nothing at the tail of most saloons, to meet the falling roofline - low headroom in the rear. Foolish thinking, for the wrong reasons. You really notice it when you ride in a 90's car like a 205, with a deep rear screen. Result: designers have to put in cameras so drivers can see to park. Huh!

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Thu 11 Apr 2013 23:45
Not sure what to buy? - abs982
I want something that has bit of an umph!! And at the same time economical.

Reliability, economical, performance and has to be 4/5dr.

Any recommendations?
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Thu 11 Apr 2013 23:47
Not sure what to buy? - abs982

(Duplicate post)

Edited by Avant on 11/04/2013 at 23:57

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Fri 12 Apr 2013 00:24
Not sure what to buy? - Avant

Your original suggestions are good ones if you don't mind about the visibility. Look at petrol versions of these two models, and also consider the VW Golf and Ford Focus if this is the size of car you need.

If you do need a diesel, the Skoda Fabia vRS mark 1 had the 1.9 130bhp TDI engine, although this model wasn;t made after 2007. Avoid the VW Group 2.0 PD diesel; the 1.9 should be OK as should the later 2.0 common-rail diesel.

A final thought - you'd have to lok at an older car, but you could try to find a good BMW 3-series for your money.

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Fri 12 Apr 2013 00:37
Not sure what to buy? - abs982
On average we 5-6k miles annually. would you say getting a petrol seat Leon 2.0 fr kill us on petrol. A few months ago I was considering automatics especially be golf 2.0 gti dsg?

What would your personal choice be including performance, 4/5 dr, reliability and not to expensive to run?

Thanks
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Fri 12 Apr 2013 00:39
Not sure what to buy? - abs982
Or even a golf gt tdi 170bhp dsg or manual?
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Fri 12 Apr 2013 00:49
Not sure what to buy? - Avant

I have a DSG in my Octavia vRS and am delighted with it - but I've had it from new and there are too many stories of DSGs failing at higher mileages for me to recommend a used car with it. HJ shares that view.

A manual Golf GTI will be worth considering, but you'll have to check as far as you can that it's been looked after by previous owners. The Leon would undoubtedly be cheaper for a car of the same vintage.

If your lowish mileage is mostly aroung town avoid diesels; if it's mainly longer trips then a diesel is fine although not worth paying more for than a petrol. Golf GTIs hold their value well, and a GTD might be comparable in price.

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Fri 12 Apr 2013 00:55
Not sure what to buy? - abs982
Really appreciate your advice.
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Fri 12 Apr 2013 00:53
Not sure what to buy? - abs982
The main reason we're having to get a new car is because we are expecting our 2nd baby so ideally we need something that will last us and be the right car for us and something that I will enjoy driving.

Last we I was so close and tempted to get a Saab 93 1.9 tid vector sport auto (a lot of car for money) but I read so much negative comments about it?)

Sorry I'm just so confused and don't know what I should be going for with the 2nd one on the way.

Thanks
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Fri 12 Apr 2013 00:58
Not sure what to buy? - Avant

Ah - that's a new factor. As you know from your first, babies and their accompanying gubbins take up a great deal of room. Add the Skoda Octavia to that list - a vRS like mine gives GTI performance and lots more space, and the cheaper 1.8 TSI also has plemty of oomph.

Your original choices are definitelty too small. There's a bigger SEAT - the Altea - but it's never sold well and could be hard to find.

Edited by Avant on 12/04/2013 at 01:00

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Fri 12 Apr 2013 01:02
Not sure what to buy? - abs982
What's your view on Saab 9.3 1.9 tid vector sport auto facelift model (08 onwards) and Volvo s40 sport (05 onwards). Don't know why but I'm not very keen on skodas and no offence sorry.
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Fri 12 Apr 2013 20:24
Not sure what to buy? - abs982
What's the skoda Octavia like? Fuel wise? Is costly fuel wise considering its 2.0 gti engine and a big car?
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Fri 12 Apr 2013 21:20
Not sure what to buy? - Cyd

You mention 'performance' but don't actually give any idea just how much performance you're after!

I'm very very very happy with my 07 9-3 Aero 2.0T. I've also had a Maptun tune and is something of a Porsche chaser now (30 - 90 thro' the gears in 10.2). Is that the sort of performance you're after?

Over Easter i did 300 miles at an average of 32mpg. And i do not hang about!

Fantastic car.

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Fri 12 Apr 2013 21:44
Not sure what to buy? - abs982
Well I need something that's 5dr between 150-200 bhp roughly. Something I can put foot down in sometimes to enjoy (without the wife and babies obviously). On the same token it needs to be economically hence the reason why I was keen on a seat Leon tdi fr (170 bhp) or petrol (200 bhp).

As we will be expecting our 2nd end of this year Avant mentioned it may not be practical.

After reason majority of the reviews on Saab it kin of put me off because people personnel experiences.
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Fri 12 Apr 2013 22:15
Not sure what to buy? - Cyd

There do appear to be some issues with the GM 1.9tdi, but I don't really know much about them 'cos I'm not interested in diesels (they're for vans afaiac). The petrols are bomb proof from what I can make out as long as you change the oil frequently. I defy you to drive a 2.0T and not like it. But if you're looking at Leon-sized cars then th e9-3 is prob bigger than you want.

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Fri 12 Apr 2013 22:39
Not sure what to buy? - abs982

Thanks will bare that in mind.

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Fri 12 Apr 2013 22:47
Not sure what to buy? - daveyjp
For 5-6000 a year I wouldn't go near a diesel. Its only 100 miles a week, 14 miles ish a day. Unless you only intend to use it for a few trips of many hundreds of miles over a year when will you get to use all this "oomph"?

A cmax 1.6 petrol will fit your needs.

Edited by daveyjp on 12/04/2013 at 22:47

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Fri 12 Apr 2013 22:48
Not sure what to buy? - abs982

definetly some wise words and advice there.

Thanks

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Fri 12 Apr 2013 23:24
Not sure what to buy? - Ed V

How have you assessed your annual mileage? We all change our needs / usage from 17 to no-longer-safe-to-drive. You'd be amazed how much children can add to car use, unless you're very disciplined or live in an area well served by public transport.

Generally, only pensioners manage less than 8,000 per year, and even if you don't use it to get to work, you may find yourself driving more as your time becomes more precious, and you have a depreciating asset available, with fuel almost the only extra.

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Sat 13 Apr 2013 00:37
Not sure what to buy? - jamie745

The last time I made remarks about children taking up far too much room in the car, we did receive some complaints. With that in mind I'll just nod with the mileage comment. How do you really know how many miles you'll drive in the future? Mine is insured up to 20k a year just so as no smarta*** can catch me out.

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Sat 13 Apr 2013 09:59
Not sure what to buy? - Andy P

6000 miles a year in a modern diesle and you're just asking for the particulate filter to fail (cost usually > £1000). For under 10k miles a year, a petrol engine is by far the safest option.

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Sat 13 Apr 2013 13:51
Not sure what to buy? - abs982
Wicked thanks for that advice andy
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Choosing a child seat can be a quite baffling experience – there are so many sizes, types, brands and price points available that you might not know where to start.

How to choose the right child seat