Yes, the Mondeo is very good and there's no denying that the spec of the Ghia X is excellent.
The Skoda was discounted mainly on price (I'd ideally like the Elegance model) and for the fact that the 2.0 140 engine didn't seem quite as reliable as the previous 1.9 TDI PD.......One of the main reasons why the Passat is on the list is that engine. The rest of it is pretty bland compared to the other two.
Yes, the Honda diesel has had some teething problems but the rest of the car is very good and to top it all, it's the best looker of the three. Well, in my eyes at least.
The Mondeo does exactly what it says on the tin and is probably the best to drive but it does look a bit dated (especially compared to the Honda). It's been such a familiar site on the roads and for so long now, that I'm not sure I could live with my very own personal version parked on the drive for the next 4-5 years. Yes, I'm fickle I know!
Cheers,
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I had your problem nearly three years ago.
I still have a 54 Mondeo estate 2.2 Titanium X which is excellent and has been no trouble for the 50,000 miles I have had it for. Always worried that it may develop one of the illnesses that can be found on these boards. The Ghia X has better toys than my choice. Fixed price service costs are low at under £200 per 12,500 miles. 50 mpg
The smallest of the three the Honda lost out because my three teenagers claimed the back seat to be too tight a fit for them. Could have high service and parts costs.
The VW is a fine car but may be underpowered at 1.9. I have financially suffered at VW agents with my Golf and I will not be going there again.
Do consider the Skoda but it is smaller. This is where I will go next time.
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Then there's the dealers. I've used two Skoda dealers, one where I bought the car (and who fixed a fault without batting an eyelid when I had a dog guard fitted) and another in Wales for servicing and tow-bar fitting. Both were excellent and honest. Probably the best I've experienced across the board. That has to be an issue.
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Interesting that PU.
The local Skoda dealer round here gets good reports, at least the last time i heard, and they were dealers when the marque was a standing joke.
I wonder if these dealers are still employing the same old fashioned staff they used to, and you're seeing a bit of what used to be normal service? It doesn't do any harm to have a bit of old school care and courtesy, proof in how impressed you are.
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Very much the same in Wales - based in a small village outside Caernarfon they used to sell Estelles and the such like. Very good.
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Yes, second that. They're in Waunfawr - I used them when I had the Superb.
It's also got to be the nicest place to 'have a wander' while you wait for a service or other - there's stunning scenery all around with several walks to 'fit' anything from getting a dealer fit option to a 'full-service' length walk. The recently invigorated Welsh Highland Railway now has its Waunfawr station newly refurbished opened after a long period of closure.
Incidentally, I went there last weekend to test out a Fabia diesel estate (I'm interested in the Greenline estate version as company car, amongst others) & was quite charmed by the car & the owner (who has strong links with the previous owner of 20+ years).
Apologies to OP - above slightly O/T, but don't entirely discount the Octavia - they're really well put together cars with (from vox populi & my own experience..) an excellent dealer network.
Edited by woodbines on 29/06/2008 at 13:12
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Yes, I sure there was a Skoda dealer of the "family run" variety in Watford until recently - I always heard good things about them through the grapevine. Sadly, I'm sure it's changed hands in the last few years and now I don't hear a peep about them.
Funnily enough a Superb 1.9TDi Elegance was on the list until recently.
Cheers,
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You're right - the Honda's back seat is smaller (in width) than the Mondeo's and the average legroom doesn't seem to be as generous either. Though my kids are still relatively young and it shouldn't be an issue. However toddlers protest about legroom unless it's limo proportions by usually kicking the back of your seat - that "trick" can get very tiresome!
H'mmmm I never really considered the 2.2 155bhp version - is there a huge difference in performance/consumption/servicing/problems?
I was under the impression that the TDCi 130 punched above it's weight so to speak and the performance difference between it and 155 wasn't that marked. As usual, I wait to be corrected ;-)
Cheers,
Edited by Chad.R on 30/06/2008 at 00:58
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Chad, did you consider the Mazda6? Always won best estate category in the What Car? awards.
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I'm one of the people on here that has had a disaster with an Accord Diesel, a 55 plate EX Tourer that I've owned from new. Certainly if you search on here then you'll find me sounding pretty unimpressed with it at times.
But. I think it would be unfair to shun it based on that. Everyone concerned, the AA and Honda, looks genuinely gobsmacked when they hear about my woes. The AA rekon that they almost never pick up Honda diesels, and the mechanics at my local dealer look genuinely bemused when I tell them it's broken. I'm pretty sure I'm a statistical outlier (damn it!).
What's it like to live with? Well, when it's working it's fantastic. I've always loved the looks since I first saw one. I'd agree it's really a very comfortable four seater, not a 5, as the rear seats are quite sculpted. It's v comfy though, I've done 850 miles in a day across Europe at (legal) speeds of up to an indicated 135 mph and felt absolutely fine at the end of the day. Fairly quiet, v comfy seats (although my gf who is 5'6" doesn't get on with them), lots of power for overtake and huge amounts of room. Lots of practical touches as well - single folding seats, easy to work stereo (although watch for front door rattles), power boot lid (although I understand that it can fail).
At 70k miles there is a little drive chain shunt (which I was miffed about, but to be fair there is quite a bit less than on a hire Astra I had on 4k) but little other sign of mechanical wear. The gearbox is still mostly silky smooth, and the ride is excellent.
BUT. It's thirsty. Driven enthusiastically it'll do about 40 mpg. Sadly drivin like a nun mine will do about 43. There are people on here with the same car that does 50+ easily; Honda say they can't work out what the difference is - a question to ask a seler about any particular car you're looking at.
Would I buy it again? Over the VW, definitely, I just prefer the look and feel of the car. Over the Mondeo? Not sure. On paper the Mondeo makes a good case for itself, but the reality is that I'm more of a snob than I would like to think. So yeah, probably I would.
HTH.
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I freely and humbly admit to having been a fully paid up badge bigot in the past. Frankly, if it was not a BMW, Audi, Merc or at a push, a Volvo, I was just not interested.
Then, some years ago I had a reality check. I became self employed. As with any new business I had to look at every cost emotionlessly. I bought a diesel Mondeo estate. I am pleased to say that despite the economic fickleness of the past decade that my wee business has thrived. I have continued to use Mondeos to this day ( on my fourth now )because I really like them and they have never given me a moments bother in a cumulative mileage of well over 300 thousand miles. That is to say nothing at all. Not a rattle, a squeak or anything. The only aftermarket repair I have ever needed was a replacement headlamp bulb on one of them. They are very comfortable, drive excellently, are sensible on fuel and insurance and seem in my experience at least, to be bulletproof.
So am I still a badge snob ? Absolutely, nowadays, if it doesn't come with a blue oval one.............. ;-)
Edited by Shoespy on 30/06/2008 at 10:17
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Good to hear such good reports of the Fords. Ironically, I was put off them partly because of all the reports of problems with the 2.0 diesel injection system (I say ironically as mine has been a complete PITA). Especially with the new car though, I would look seriously, it's a nice looking car.
Deciding factor was really that the Honda was quite a bit cheaper than the Mondeo on a 35k pa PCP deal (about £50/month), and as it was just being facelifted, I could get EX spec (leather etc) and 17" alloys for nowt and a £4k discount. That swung it for me.
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Thanks Gordon.
I've also loved the looks of the Accord (especially the Tourer) since it first came out. I'm very impressed with the quality (or at least my perception of it) and it just pips the Mondeo - and there's no doubt the Mondy is a very well built car.
I can live with 40mpg - I'm currently "enjoying" 20mpg, so that would be a 100% improvement! ;-)
There are a few things riding in the Mondeo's favour though - in no particular order;
1. Lower service/parts costs.
2. More rear passenger room
3. Cheaper to buy* and more choice
4. Lower fuel costs (though this is probably negligible in my case).
* Though have a look through Autotrader and you might no think so - The advertised prices of some of the Mondy estates is ridiculous!
......and I have to agree with your last point, I'd feel "better" having the Honda parked on my drive than the Mondeo. (I must be a car snob too!).
Thanks again.
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In the end I think it's well worth considering both - you'll probably come across a particular car that will be right in terms of spec and price.
Running costs for the Accord so far:
RFL Band D (153 carbons)
2 sets of front and 1 set rear tyres: between 95 and 105 quid a corner fitted.
Servicing:
12.5k £194
25K £254
37k £232
New front pads at 39K £100
50k £250
62.5k £479 inc new rear discs + pads
All work done at main dealers. Service has been adequate but no more.
Edited by Gordon M on 30/06/2008 at 10:46
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Don't Ford dealers have fixed price servicing for the Mondeo? I'm pretty sure it will be cheaper than that. Though again in my case, my mileage usually only warrants 1 service a year.
Have a Honda dealer locally that has a good reputation - it tends to be "Civic" country up our way!
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My Mondeo diesel Ghia X estate was second hand when I bought it. I have personally done another 110 thousand miles in it. I have therefore had eight services so far. They were done by a local independent garage. Total cumulative cost so far for servicing ( excluding tyres ) is still below £1200. Cheap as chips !
Edited by Shoespy on 30/06/2008 at 12:20
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That is cheap! Main cost of the servicing on the Accord is the fully-synth oil; I plan to join Costco to get that down, then at 3+ years will go indy, and hopefully the gap will close.
Edited by Gordon M on 30/06/2008 at 12:27
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Before the 2.2 (155) Titanium X I had a 53 plate company car 2.0 estate (130) Ghia X.
I changed because I wanted something a bit different but the Mondeo estate had been excellent for our needs. I moved away from leather and wood to brushed metal and sporty seats. The change costs me 2 mpg and a move to insurance band 14. If I buy another Mondeo it would be 2.0 petrol to distance myself from all the mechanical worries and the increasing price of diesel.
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I had one as a company car (til April). Over 4 years and 120k miles it averaged 50mpg. A loan car achieved a similar figure. Very nice car to live with.
You don't need all the fingers on one hand to count the non service/non wearing items, Brake master cylinder (70k ish, was squeaking), exhaust manifold (90 odd k) and imobiliser module (nearly 120k & nearly left me stranded). As a private buyer these could have been big bills but mine was a company car.
Dealers variable - On one occasion when they were supposed to do an MOT while I waited I had to remind them after 30 minutes because the car had not moved. On another I turned up with a dodgy immobiliser module (might not start) and they tested it and changed it with one off a new car all in just over an hour. Same dealer.
I changed to an Octavia because we did not need something that big (empty nest) although the Skoda will take everything the Honda took when we go on holiday, and cheaper -130g co2 rather than 153g.
If you go for a Honda look out for the optional space saver and as Gordon says - the back seat is not really made for 3 and IIRC only has 2 sets of Isofix fittings.
Oddly first time round I discounted the Ford because on the lease it (LX with some options) was MORE than the Honda and the Passat was way more than both (due to arrival of new model) - so expect a Honda to cost you more second hand.
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If you do go for the Passat I would recommend a 6-gear manual, these have the higher-torque motor (310nm vs 285nm) and the gearing is perfectly suited to the torque characteristics.
Because of this they do seem to be more economical in ownership than the 5 speed variants.
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