Many thnaks for the replies so far.
Depreciation shouldn't be too much of an issue because I intend to keep the car for at least 5 years.
Interesting comments about dealers, Gordon, as I also live in the midlands (near Evesham). (And many thanks for your detailed post, it's very helpful.) I think I'll try the local dealers at the weekend.
One other question- does the diesel Accord have a 6 speed box (I'm getting mixed info on this).
I read Clarkson's good car guide in the Sunday Times last wekend and the Accord and Passat came 1st and 3rd respectively in the family car class. (Mondeo came second but I'm not that keen)
Cheers
Pat
|
Why not buy the A4 you so desire? Your budget, if its the same as a new Passat, will easily get you a nice used Audi A4 2.5TDi Quattro.
Let somebody else pay the depreciation and get something a bit special.
|
2. Is there anything else I should seriously consider?
I have done 105k miles in a Mondeo 2.0 TDCi Ghia X and would have another, it has been great. So how about a Mondeo Ghia X or Titanium X with the 2.2 diesel engine, absolutely stonking performance, economical, cheap to service, chain cam engine, well specced, reliability rating much better that VW currently, great handling, really satisfying to drive, great deals from both Ford and brokers currently. If that does not quite do it for you then how about an X-Type with the same engine.
Of the two you mention I really like the new Passat though I am not too sure about the engine, I have experience of it in a Golf and A4 where it seemed a bit unrefined, the Accord on the otherhand has a reputation for not meeting economy expectations.
|
the Accord on the otherhand has a reputationfor not meeting economy expectations.
The Accord loosens up considerably after about 10,000 miles. It needs to be driven fairly hard. Mine is the Tourer and is not as economical as the saloon.
I have now done just over 12,000 miles and fuel consumption is excellent. I was one of the moaners on this forum about this.
Recently travelling down to Cheltenham and back, with queues on the M6 and M5, and some "brisk" driving when I returned, and the M6 was clear in places, and a number of short journeys at home, I was getting 41 mpg. Returning from France in October - and not all autoroute - I averaged 51 mpg. Oil consumption has been nil.
|
|
|
|
Why not buy the A4 you so desire? Your budget, if its the same as a new Passat, will easily get you a nice used Audi A4 2.5TDi Quattro. Let somebody else pay the depreciation and get something a bit special.
Good point, the A4 and Passat are from the same mechanical stable, but I have had both, but on the Audi you can see where the extra money went.
|
|
|
|
One other question- does the diesel Accord have a 6 speed box (I'm getting mixed info on this).
I test drove one for a few days last year and it had a 5 speed box, but the Honda website says 6, so maybe they've given in to the need to conform and changed it?
I liked the fact that it was 5 speed - 1st is too short in many 6 speed boxes, which just seem ti have 6 speeds for the sake of it. The Honda also has an amazing range in any particular gear - 3rd was good for all normal town driving apart from when I actually stopped.
The main reason I didn't buy one was because I really wanted an auto - the Honda was the best manual I tried though and I *almost* could have lived with it.
|
My wife test drove both when last choosing her car. She went for the A4 but I so wish she chose the Accord. Far, far nicer to drive - loves being grabbed by the scruff of the neck too (car not wife . . .)
A4 goes in the next few months. Won't shed a tear at it's departure.
|
|
|
|
|
|
