Can I canvass you sages for an oppinion? Up to £6k to spend,annual milleage 12k usual mix of commute and days out. I am thinking Accord/avensis/Primera 2 yr old 50 k miles or corolla with lower mileage. I want ABS and aircon, nothing to attract attention, and maximum reliability, modest running costs for 8 years. Are all these pretty much the same or does one stand out ( I know they are bland motors as such but I want VALUE)
Mark
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if reliability and low costs matter most then you will not beat a japanese built corrolla (ie a 3 door not the UK built 5 doors) of the previous model
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If you want value, check out the car by car breakdown on the site you will see the Mitsubishi Galant. Same build quality, high miles reputation but better value, better equipped and rather more stylish without being flash. I think many people automatically think of the ones you mention, but there are alternatives.
I am slightly biased because I just put mine on Autotrader this week, if you live near Windsor you are welcome to come and kick its tyres if only out of curiosity.
PB
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You can add Mazda Xedos 6 to your list. Top value with all your required attributes and more.
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Agree about Xedos, but not so many around(had a HUGE task trying to find one last year!)
Honda easier to source & bit more up-market street cred, maybe?!
Mark
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I bought a three-year-old Avensis estate a year ago for all the reasons you outlined and after 10K I can say it has been great. It had a FSH and 80K when I bought it and apart from the central locking (fixed under warranty) it has not missed a beat. Is very quiet, economical (very good on motorways at 85mph when it does 40mpg plus)comfy, good stereo, security, a/c, abs etc
I've been very happy with it and would reccomend one to anyone.
good hunting
MB
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I have had very good experiences with Honda (93 Civic) and Nissan (97 Primera).
The Honda did 60-115k miles with my other half at the wheel most of the time and a stone through the radiator caused the only failure in that time.
Primera I had as a company car from new and was similarly faultless. I thrashed it mercilessly for its first 50k miles and it remained with others in the company until 115k and suffered no failures at all.
Both cars really impressed me. No experience of the Toyota.
hth
Andy
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Hi Mark,
We currently have a Honda Accord, 1997. Only fault have been failed raidiator but that happened twice. The Honda fitted replacement lasted less than 1 year. Honda contributed 50% of replacement price. Rubber trim also dodgy. Then the usual perishbles, tyres exhausts etc. However, Honda garages have really got my goat. Car returned with scatches, electric adjusted seat not reconnected, front windscreen cracked and had to be replaced, courtesy car not available and parts always pricey. So when a decision was made to get a new car, Honda's put to bottom of heap. Personal experience is good reliable cars, very poor dealer network (for the money).
A previous car was an E reg Toytoa Corrola GTI. Superb little car. Enormous fun, very reliable, good dealer network. Sadly written off when someone pulled out of a side turning. Excellent value but one big accident, beyond economic repair.
Hope that helps. I would be interested to hear the results of your research if you would care to share.
regards
Vercin
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I've owned a Primera and found it a better drivers car than I had imagined. The Service manager of a Nissan Main dealer opinioned that they gave very little trouble.
HJ's Car-by-Car breakdown on this site rates them all quite highly.
Hondas seem to fetch more in private sales - they don't have the fleet car image of the other two.
Marcus
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