Test driving a dreaded Laguna this weekend, but given several people's negative feelings what else should I consider (although the dealer lady I spoke to did admit they'd had problems in the past, but reckons they're sorted now - but I s'pose she would, wouldn't she?).
I can probably get most things in the £18-24k band (and a bit above), but lease costs are obviously higher for stuff like audis/beemers/mercs etc.
I know I can get a Mondeo diesel Ghia X for the same outlay s the renault, but I don't think it looks as good, and I'm not keen on the look of the passat either. You just seem to get a far better equipped car for your money with the renault (and i admit it - I like toys!)
I want a good diesel engine, estate/hatch, reasonably comfy (air con, Cd etc) - any ideas?
Cheers
andy
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I had better hold my tongue!
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You better had, C5, especially when the £18-24k bracket also contains the brand new Saab 9-3 TiD 2.2 diesel and the Volvo S60 D5. Neither of these are estates/hatches, but have you absolutely got to have that?
Again, lease costs will be higher than Ford, but lower than BMW/Merc.
A compromise, with an estate version, is the Mazda 6, which is available with a 136bhp diesel. Stylish, solidly made, class-leading dynamics.
Not sure an A4 Avant TDi would be quite as sky high lease-wise as you think, BTW.
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Dare i suggest the new Avensis estate? Saw one today and it looked a lot better in the metal. The hatch has had rave reviews and the diesel engine is an improved version of toyota's D4-D.
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My money would be with a 6mth to 1 year old Citroen C5 HDI SX (or above).
Massive reduction from new price, economical, fantastically tourquey engine, much nicer than the Mondeo in my opinion, (See Mazda 6 Diesel thread).
The main problem with the C5 is the knocking suspension, but apprantly the dealers have a good fix for that, I'll say more next week or so when I have the fix applied to my car.
Ben
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Audi A4 lease is quite high on our co. list - not as much as beemers and merc but still fairly high 9and very few bells and whistles) - can't have nearly new - but C5 is reasonably low cost. No mazdas on the list - one of the few makes not there apart from Italians.
Do they do a diesel accord?
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You test drive the laguna, specially if its got the 1.9dci. IF you like it, then go for it..if not then dont.
IF you want toys the high spec primera is loaded with them and cheap on the leasing lists too.
I really wanted to like that car with all its toys and different looks, ended up hating it with a passion but there you go.
Mentioning the laguna on here is like sticking your foot in a aligator pool. Mind you like aligators most of them have never got close to one.
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Oh I think I'm still likely to get the renault, to be honest - everyone I work with that has them seems to think they're great, and they've just won lots of used car awards, so the reliability can't be too appalling, I guess.
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Andy, have you considered the relatively new 2.2 chain-cam diesel engined Primera?
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Audi A4 lease is quite high on our co. list - not as much as beemers and merc but still fairly high 9and very few bells and whistles) - can't have nearly new - but C5 is reasonably low cost. No mazdas on the list - one of the few makes not there apart from Italians. Do they do a diesel accord?
March 2004
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And which HDi engine, Ben? the big 'un or the little 'un?
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Skoda Superb PD 130.
checkout HJ's road test.
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If you wish to avoid gravity defying depreciation then I would avoid the C5, then again, I would avoid it anyway :)
Like it or not, the new Laguna 2 has had major quality and some quite alarming technical faults. I read in another thread somewhere that all major chains can fix the tyres after a puncture, this is true but Renault then refuse to touch the thing because they didn't do the work etc.
The new Mondeo is a very good car but like the Laguna has some reliability issues.
The new Primera is a very ugly car IMO but reliable and packed with gadgets.
Get one of the new 190HP Honda Accords, not only are you buying reliably that Citroen and Renault can only dream of but its a car that won't be worth £3.50 after 2 years.
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"Skoda Superb PD 130.
checkout HJ's road test."
Then check out Jeremy Clarkson's road test!
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In the 18-24K range, have you considered a top-spec Rover 75 CDT? With the performance chip, 130Ps, 0-60 in 10 and good for 50mpg?
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If you want a quality "Rep" car then the Mazda6 and new Accord look tempting.
However the B*W 318i has a fairly powerful petrol engine with ultra low emmissions. This means a lower BIK tax liaibility which may partly offset the difference in lease (I assume you get/pay for differences). It's also a much better car than pretty much any Repmobile.
For me, the key issue with a company car is that you're stuck with it for 3-4 years. Hence, unless money is tight, it's good to pick a car you *really* like rather than one which saves a few bob each month.
Peter
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Laguna 2, from the car by car breakdown :(
Joint Second Bottom (to Espace) in 2002 Which reliability survey of cars up to 2 years old; 56 cars surveyed
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