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'New' car ideas for my brother (help)
#1544489
13/07/2015 17:59
13/07/2015 17:59
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Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 3,486 London Tan
technics
OP
I need some sleep
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OP
I need some sleep
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 3,486
London Tan
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My brother has been living abroad for some time now but coming back next month and he will need a family car and asked me for some ideas. I couldnt think of much as family cars is not my forte. The car is for himself, wife and 2 young kids under the age of 10.
So criteria is as follows in no particular order:
4 doors Reliable Not too old Reasonable maintanance/running costs Budget 3-6k but 5k is optimum.
Mnay thanks for an input.
Cheers, M
Now in the 400+ bhp club!
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Re: 'New' car ideas for my brother (help)
[Re: technics]
#1544492
13/07/2015 19:05
13/07/2015 19:05
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Big_Muzzie
Unregistered
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Big_Muzzie
Unregistered
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Bravo Punto Abarth Volvo c30 Mazda 3
All a bit left field and not your usual astra / focus. I wouldn't get a French car, meganes fall apart faster than you can repair them and there isn't a really a good pug / cit model about atm.
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Re: 'New' car ideas for my brother (help)
[Re: technics]
#1544498
13/07/2015 19:46
13/07/2015 19:46
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Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 3,486 London Tan
technics
OP
I need some sleep
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OP
I need some sleep
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 3,486
London Tan
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I was going to say, contenders so far, just for some ideas, would be mazda 3 but 6 would suit better but not sure that fits in the budget or Renault Laguna look quite nice and good size.
Any ford c max or the like??
Now in the 400+ bhp club!
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Re: 'New' car ideas for my brother (help)
[Re: Jim_Clennell]
#1544543
14/07/2015 12:25
14/07/2015 12:25
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Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 5,988 Sunny Darlo
Wishy
Forum is my life
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Forum is my life
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 5,988
Sunny Darlo
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How about what's in my sig picture, Volvo V50? Mine (06) was roughly in the middle of that budget 18 months ago so he could either get a newer one or be down at the bottom of the budget. Not massive (bear in mind I came from a cavernous Saab 95 estate) but enough for a couple of wee ones. Fairly standard 1.8 Ford unit so nothing scary on the running front. I'd go for a bigger engine if I did longer trips more frequently but it's fine for a couple of long trips yearly and 35mpg most of the time pootling round town and my 35 mile round trip commute.
Up yours Photobucket.
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Re: 'New' car ideas for my brother (help)
[Re: technics]
#1544548
14/07/2015 13:21
14/07/2015 13:21
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Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 869 Germany
neil_r
Enjoying the ride
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Enjoying the ride
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 869
Germany
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A quick look at Autotrader throws up a lot of Astra Estates and Zafiras that are not too old and don't have high mileage. Not exciting but good. It should be easy to locate some to see/drive.
6k will get a 2011/2012 car, e.g.:
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201506054075751?radius=1500&price-from=4500&sort=ageasc&onesearchad=used%2Cnearlynew%2Cnew&postcode=st72pd&maximum-age=up_to_6_years_old&page=1&minimum-seats=5&model=zafira&engine-size-cars=1-7l_to_1-9l&price-to=6500&body-type=mpv&search-target=usedcars&make=vauxhall&channel=cars&quantity-of-doors=5&maximum-mileage=up_to_60000_miles&logcode=p
1997 20V 2000 V6 manual S-Type and 2011 5.0 XKR 2016 Tucson 1.6T AWD 2018 Mazda2 GT
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Re: 'New' car ideas for my brother (help)
[Re: technics]
#1544556
14/07/2015 14:41
14/07/2015 14:41
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Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 869 Germany
neil_r
Enjoying the ride
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Enjoying the ride
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 869
Germany
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Sh!t, are they so bad? They look OK from the outside, seem well screwed together and appear to do their job. Opels don't seem to get too bad a write up from the German car mags either. Most seem to be more powerful than our 115 bhp Impreza and that is certainly not dangerously slow. Nor is it real sports car fast though However, I guess there is usually a good reason for cars that are cheap used.
1997 20V 2000 V6 manual S-Type and 2011 5.0 XKR 2016 Tucson 1.6T AWD 2018 Mazda2 GT
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Re: 'New' car ideas for my brother (help)
[Re: technics]
#1544562
14/07/2015 16:10
14/07/2015 16:10
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Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 3,611 S. Wales. Way beyond my means
Gripped
Club member 1924
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Club member 1924
Forum is my job
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 3,611
S. Wales. Way beyond my means
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I think people get confused about the "SRi" badge on Vauxhalls now. IIRC it used to mean a bit of performance, but since the 1990s it has meant a trim level like the SLine of Audi.
When I had my Astra Mk 4, you could get an Astra 1.8 sport or the 1.8 SRi, but apart from cosmetic differences they were the same performance.
Since then, the VXR badge came out, and that is where the performance is.
I like the new Astra, and so long as you read up on the engine specs, you'd be fine. The 1.6 engine is the base level and is known to be a bit sluggish.
The 1.4 turbo is above the 1.6 in the performance stakes and probably a better buy. The diesels are also a better prospect than the 1.6 petrol.
Other options :
Mk 2 Leon TDi Skoda Octavia ...
Last edited by Gripped; 14/07/2015 16:14.
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Re: 'New' car ideas for my brother (help)
[Re: technics]
#1544783
17/07/2015 09:50
17/07/2015 09:50
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Barney
Unregistered
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Barney
Unregistered
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We've a Touran for the family bus and there's lots to recommend it. Practical and drives nicely; not like an old van. Beware all VAG 2.0L Turbo diesels - the VNT clogs up after around 50K miles (if frequently driven sensibly) and in the case of Tourans the body panels can be eager to rot.
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Re: 'New' car ideas for my brother (help)
[Re: ]
#1544807
17/07/2015 14:04
17/07/2015 14:04
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Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 3,611 S. Wales. Way beyond my means
Gripped
Club member 1924
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Club member 1924
Forum is my job
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 3,611
S. Wales. Way beyond my means
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Beware all VAG 2.0L Turbo diesels - the VNT clogs up after around 50K miles (if frequently driven sensibly) .
I can see a way to solve that issue.... As a matter of fact, our 2 litre Variable turbo did start sticking, but only after 100k miles. I seem to have fixed it by cleaning it. It's been fine for the last 20k.
Last edited by Gripped; 17/07/2015 14:05.
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Re: 'New' car ideas for my brother (help)
[Re: technics]
#1545160
21/07/2015 19:12
21/07/2015 19:12
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Joined: Oct 2013
Posts: 1,291 Staffs
Dazvr6
My job on the forum
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My job on the forum
Joined: Oct 2013
Posts: 1,291
Staffs
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The missus has a 1.6 petrol Mazda3 and it has been fantastic so far. (3 years) Based on the focus chassis but with a mazda engine it's quite nippy and averages 36 mpg (mostly town) Much better than the C-max she had previously!
5K would see a 09/10 reg low mileage example easily.
Last edited by Dazvr6; 21/07/2015 19:19.
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