Replacement car ideas (not for me!)

[shreddedmeat]

Hi all,

Had an interesting week or two scouring the depths of Autotrader's used car selection, on behalf of my parents who are looking to change their 1.6 Skoda Fabia auto for something a bit newer and more economical. Will be used primarily by my mother who will soon be retiring, and therefore won't be buying another new car for quite some time.

Main requirements:

• Under £13,000
• 'Reasonable' mileage
• Must be automatic
• On paper at least, should far exceed the Skoda's real world MPG (which is about 33 )
• No higher than VED band D (£105 for the year).
• I'm told it mustn't feel like a 'cheap little car like the Aygo' (the car the Skoda replaced)
• 5 doors and space enough for the grandkids

Now, as I have learned there aren't actually that many cars that fit the bill! The current front runner (and my personal preference) is a MK6 Golf 1.6 TDI DSG as it ticks all those boxes. In fact they have first refusal on one which is due into our local dealer next month - a 60 plate Match with just 15k on the clock. However it's not set in stone - it's the top end of the budget, and there seems to be a bit of a psychological barrier about spending 13k on a three year old car (I personally don't see it as an issue). So now we're looking into the Seat Leon, where the same money will buy you a 12 plate with 7k miles, with the same engine and transmission.

Anyone able to offer any suggestions? Anyone own one? And is there any car I might have missed?

Cheers

 

[Birchall]

Hi,

Why not buy an Audi A1, they are economical and FREE road tax.

I have the 1.6 TDI and the WORSE MPG I have had is 43, in traffic jams too.

On the motorway 60 MPG is easily achievable.

The next best thing to a new A2 !!

Mine is two years old now and not had a single problem.


Steve B

 

[shreddedmeat]

Hi,

Why not buy an Audi A1, they are economical and FREE road tax.

I have the 1.6 TDI and the WORSE MPG I have had is 43, in traffic jams too.

On the motorway 60 MPG is easily achievable.

The next best thing to a new A2 !!

Mine is two years old now and not had a single problem.


Steve B

Would be a great option Steve, however they don't do a diesel in a DSG (I couldn't believe this) and so MPG and tax become more of an issue than we'd like...

 

[Hooley]

How about something like this

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201306147291123

3 years old and C band tax
With a bit if negotiation should be under £11.5k

J

 

[shreddedmeat]

Good spot - it's CAT D'd though. A3 would perhaps be even preferable to the Golf though, as you say it drops a tax band lower.

Cheers

 

[Hooley]

Good spot - it's CAT D'd though. A3 would perhaps be even preferable to the Golf though, as you say it drops a tax band lower.

Cheers

Pasted the wrong one...

 

[dicko]

Am in the same situation re another car. Been looking at a nissan note. It seems to tick all the boxes for me - auto, right price, ideal for the grandkids, good reliability and plenty of them to choose from. Good luck with your search.

 

[shreddedmeat]

Do they like the Fabia other than the running costs? If so why not get another one, the interior space is impressive for the class and they are solid good value cars - broadspeed has the 1.2TSi Elegance DSG down at £11,887

http://www.broadspeed.com/new_cars/Skoda/Fabia

I would avoid a diesel unless they are really doing higher miles in some way as they are paying a premium and not getting the single benefit a diesel offers. Failing the Fabia, look at the Ibiza, both the FR and SE with the 1.2 TSi engine and DSG are available in-budget;

http://www.broadspeed.com/new_cars/SEAT/Ibiza

Job jobbed.

It's fine other than the running costs - think they would prefer something a 'bit different' though. Fabia is looking a bit old hat compared to its VAG stablemates IMO. My sister has an Ibiza 1.6TDI but they've ruled it out as they just don't like the way it looks !

I've driven a 1.2 TSi and they're a good little motor. However I'd recommended the TDI as 90% of the miles on this car will be accumulated up and down the A1 to Durham and back (38 mile commute). Bread and butter for a TDI

 

[shreddedmeat]

How long with the commute continue if your mum is retiring though? No point in buying a car to keep for 5 years on the basis of the next 6 months! For the same reason if looking at A3's or Golf's I'd be inclined to seek out 1.4TFSI DSG models rather than the boat-fuel 1.6, I've driven an A3 1.4TFSI S-Tronic a few years back and the engine is a peach of a unit, works well with DSG too - despite me driving it like a courtesy car it got jut shy of 40mpg.

OK, it's an SE and in true VW style the plastic steering wheel on an otherwise decent spec is a disgrace, but apart from that;

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classif...4/page/1/postcode/ne991bb/radius/60?logcode=p

If they must go boat-fuel this would get my vote other a 3 year old Golf Match;

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classif...60/advert-type/standard-listing?logcode=ucnnp

It'll be commuting for 18-24 months yet. I share exactly the same sentiment as you when it comes to petrol vs. diesel but frankly they couldn't care less about the driving experience! I doubt I can persuade them the reduced economy and higher tax band of the 1.4 based on its strength as an engine. They're very much of the mindset that diesel is the way to go - my dad gets 45MPG average and nearly 50 on a run from his Volvo D5, which is staying for now, which I think might have swayed it a bit! I will suggest it though.

I keep finding Leons and being surprised at just how much cheaper they are

Cheers and thanks for the advice so far!

 

[shreddedmeat]

Would they consider an Altea for ferrying duties? It's not a people carrier as such but a more practical bigger hatch.

Potentially, a family member had one and rated it highly. Would have to see it in person I think. I think it's better looking than the Leon

Cheers

 

[Adrian888]

I had the Toledo (ugly stick) version of the Altea with DSG and 2.0TDi engine. Personally I found it a great car save for running into DMF problems at 120k miles the repair costs of which were half the cars value. If they made something 4x4 and reasonable wight I would happily have another Seat. I personally like the Exeo (ex A4) estate.

 

[shreddedmeat]

Just a quick update. Seat was out sadly as just couldn't live with the interior. So today they have chosen a different 1.6 TDI DSG Golf. An SE, but the price was right and I managed to haggle a few extras as part of the deal - namely a set of OEM parking sensors fitted before we collect it. VW warrantied with 2 years free MOT and Service as well. It's only done 10k, it's immaculate, and so we're happy! Thanks for the advice!

 

[mrmosky]

Too late now, but I was impressed with the Mitsubishi Colt Diesel and automatic. They have stopped making these now, but the new Mirage looks to be a good package. Free tax.