Well, not entirely, but number one son has finally decided to buy a car, having resisted until the ripe old age of 24. He has a wife and a forthcoming infant, and would like some advice on suitable transport. I have my own views, but as these are obviously based on limited experience, it would be nice to know what you all feel.
The only real criteria are that it has five doors and an engine, but it would also be nice if it cost less than £3k and was not too barge-like. I think mid-size is preferable to mini (and likely to be better value) and my happy experience with the family Mazda makes me look favourably upon 323's and similar. I like my old Audi, too, but I cheerfully admit to bias, which is why I'm asking you lot...
What say you all?
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Only one choice for me. A 97-01 Mondeo. plenty to choose from, cheap , good to drive, roomy, reliable, easy DIY, cheap parts, I could go on and on.
I've had one for 3 years and *never* regretted it.
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If a Mondeo is a bit big why not a Focus with loads of choices!
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Its not what you drive, its how you drive it! :-)
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If a Mondeo is a bit big why not a Focus with loads of choices!
Not as big choice in the Focus for under 3k. Come to think of it don't recall seeing any FF under 3k?
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Not a decent one.
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Adam
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"a decent one"
ie one without a boot in any colour but beige???? :)
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Xantia? 1,9 diesel, more class than a Mondeo, and a better ride.
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Xantia? 1,9 diesel, more class than a Mondeo, and a better ride.
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More class?.. no disagree with that. Xantia image is rock bottom.
Better ride.. Yes correct it is.
More reliable.. Certainly NOT!
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Image and class are two different things ----
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"Xantia image is rock bottom"
Not in our house - cracking cars (and very reliable so far, mind you, only owned them for 10 years so maybe I am being a bit premature)
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Image is individual isn't it? Only had Xantia for 2 years, BX,s for 13. They were extremely reliable. Xantia is a better build, for 3k you could probably pick up a beauty.
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ie one without a boot in any colour but beige???? :)
or even one without a boot in any colour but beige, and without two blokes falling through the roof? ;-)
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One of the last Escorts to be made (T-V reg)? It'll be fairly high spec, and cheap, and would fit the criteria of "5 doors and an engine", if not the most enjoyable car ever to drive.
And he'll get value for money compared to finding a high mileage poor spec Focus.
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Thank you for the rapid response! I tend to agree about a Xantia (I mean, I like them) but would welcome experiences with anything, however unfashionable.
On reflection, last criterion is probably decent visibility, which might rule out Golfs, with their large rear pillars. Most of their driving is likely to be short range, unless they develop a taste for motorways...
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"a Xantia "
Nice 3 litre V6 Exclusive 57k here
www.xm-centre.com/
for £3250
Not your usual first car!!
Also an HDi
No connection with company quoted
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"a Xantia " Nice 3 litre V6 Exclusive 57k here
for £3250 Not your usual first car!!
Now that's not very sensible is it. A V6 French car as a first car. If you must insist on a Xantia, a 1.9 turbo diesel is a much more sensible choice.
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"Now that's not very sensible is it. A V6 French car as a first car. If you must insist on a Xantia, a 1.9 turbo diesel is a much more sensible choice. "
Hence the exclamation marks and the mention of the HDi and the "not your usual first car!!"
Must remember to put lots of those smiley things on my posts or perhaps TIC several times.
TIC :) :)
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Ooh, that does sound nice. He's got more money than me, unfortunately...
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Try a Golf estate - all the advantages of the Golf without the blind spot. But for £3k it would be a fairly old one.
Something Japanese might make more sense, especially if you have a good Mazda dealer looking after yours who might have a trade-in which would suit.
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A small-to-medium estate is probably a good idea. Useful extra space and easy to see the corners. Not that many to choose from, that I can think of - I wish Citroen still made the GS... :-)
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"small-to-medium estate"
306? Xsara?
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I think you should go with your original thoughts on a Mazda 323, - they are far more reliable than anything suggested so far on this thread. My BIL has a 323 on 170k which still does`nt burn any oil between 6k oil changes and has had no major mechanical problems over that mileage, other than routine brakes, tyres, plugs etc.
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You're not wrong, Dude. It's easy for petrolheads like me/us to forget what matters most to everyone else. Even HJ describes the 323 as "sensationally reliable" and certainly ours just works.
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I asked for that.
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Adam
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>>I asked for that.<<
PhilW's comment I mean.
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Adam
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Imagos's first post has it right.
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Hi SjB. I wish I could bring myself to like Mondeos, but I haven't managed it yet, I'm afraid! Still, it's not for me, so I'll pass it on. I think he'll probably go for something slightly smaller, but it's nice to have the input.
How's the Hornet?
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Hi JBJ,
How about a Skoda Octavia? Excellent family cars, very well built, practical and reliable. My brother ran one for 100k miles as his company car and was delighted with it. You will get a good choice of petrol models for £3k but, as with most VAG group cars, everyone wants the TDI so these command substantial premiums.
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TDI premium could work to their advantage, given that they'll be low mileage users a petrol Octavia would be fine.
As well built as a Golf IMHO.
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Funny you should say that, BG - I had much the same thought, and suggested it to his nibs, who thankfully does not share his generation's obsession with brand names. I particularly like the estate version, although I appreciate that it comes at a premium.
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No to Ford mondeo?
Don't knock it 'till you've tried it..
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I have, really! All the ones I've experienced have felt big on the outside and small on the inside. Not sure which bit is the illusion, but I assume it's to get reps thinking they've been promoted when they haven't... :-)
Quite nice to drive, I will admit, but that probably isn't the main issue for my son, who just wants something practical and reliable.
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Just a thought - has anyone any experience of things like the Mazda Demio or Mitsubishi Space Runner? They both look half-way sensible and should be reliable, but I've no personal experience.
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I have driven a Space Runner and it was perfectly adequate. A friend of mine has a new Space Runner every 18 months. He loves them. Square and boxy makes for lots of inside and small on the outside.
My secretary has just bought one as well without interference from me. A 1.9DiD and thinks its great. The slightly higher position makes it very easy to get into and out of and very good for strapping children in without hurting ones back. Very important that. Its the reason why my wife and I only have MPVs or 4wd - its not the space as much as the height.
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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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If it is his first car I presume he has no insurance history or NCB. It might be wise to check out what insurance premiums are quoted on the different cars before deciding on anything.
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Good point, expat. Happily, he works in for an insurance company, so he may the inside track on that, although I expect he'll still have to part with a fair wedge. It's certainly worth checking groups, though, as some cars fall into unexpectedly high ones.
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That sounds encouraging, Espada. IIRC, the original one only had a (sliding) rear door on the nearside, which struck me as pretty sensible, although it must have done odd things to the torsional rigidity!
I know what you mean about the height - I'm sure it explains why so many children arrive at school in that sort of vehicle.
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