Spec me a flavour of wallpaper paste...

[monkey_boy]

I think you actually need to look at some cars - the boot on a Mondeo/Octavia/Mazda6 hatchback is not like that on a Golf or a Focus - it's basically the same as the boot on a Passat but with a MUCH bigger more practical opening.

I drive a saloon and the boot is huge but you cant fit anything through the opening making the size irrelevent.

It's not difficult to get the pushchair in a 5 or a 3. The focus was tight but it went it eventually. The problem is not the access to the boot, it's the boot itself. It just doesn't go far enough back. The pushchair is 110mm long when folded. I'll take the measurements of Dad's when I see him next, but from the back of the seat to the inside edge of the boot is less than that.

A passat will be limited due to the way a sallon boot opens, why dont you just have a look at a Mondeo, or Mazda 6, or Toyota Avensis hatch, and see what we mean.

With those types of hatchbacks it doesnt matter how much stuff you put in the boot, as you can remove the parecel shelf, or have it at an angle, you cant with a passat, as the saloon has a "fixed" space. The boot on a mazda 6\ford mondeo etc is massive, and i bet you can fit the pushchair along the front of the boot, and the many suitcases in there too.

I see what you're saying but if I went for an avensis, where the pushchair only goes in diagonally, you would always have to take the parcel shelf out when you went away.

Isnt the Mazda 6 a saloon only?

AFAIK you're correct. I've only seen saloons/estates.

 

[monkey_boy]

It's no assumption - somebody suggested the Mk4 Mondeo, which starts at about £8k. He replied saying it was out of budget, which informs us what his ceiling is. So somebody else says well the Mk3 is a decent car which is more practical than a Passat, but obviously as spending £8k on a Mk3 Mondeo is daft, points out you could save a bit as well.

These threads would be so much easier without have-a-go-heros wading in to defend the honour of the OP every 34 seconds.

Can you find a couple at 8k? I can only find them from £9k and the titanium starts at at £11.5k.

The 'have-a-go heros' make it so there's discussion. I'm trying to be open to suggestions, but there are some solutions to the wrong problem here. Access isn't the problem, the dimensions of the boot are. I don't put the Passat on some sort of pedestal, but I do think the quality of materials inside is better than in the Focus, Mazda 6 and the Avensis. I've not driven one yet, but the purpose of the thread was to find out which engines and trims should be avoided or whether theres a particular combination that is the lesser of two evils. In the same way that you would tell people that a 330d sport would be a better option than a 320d se without being outragously different to what they were orginally after, I'd just like to know which engines and trims to avoid.

I think the threads would also go easier without the arrogant "admit you're wrong and buy an 8k sports car" people too.

 

[Fr0dders]

dare i say it the vectra hatch has a very big boot. Get pushchairs etc.. in it no problem.

Only problem is that the normal run of the mill vectras arent very nice inside

 

[jamief]

It's no assumption - somebody suggested the Mk4 Mondeo, which starts at about £8k. He replied saying it was out of budget, which informs us what his ceiling is. So somebody else says well the Mk3 is a decent car which is more practical than a Passat, but obviously as spending £8k on a Mk3 Mondeo is daft, points out you could save a bit as well.

These threads would be so much easier without have-a-go-heros wading in to defend the honour of the OP every 34 seconds.

Oh God, its not like you to overreact is it "have a go hero" "defend the honour".

I was merely pointing out that maybe, just maybe, the OP could actually afford the budget they had stated. I guess it stems from the fact that if I were to ever post a "spec me" thread, I would post a budget which I knew I could afford, well aware that I could get something for less than my budget, but that my budget was not the utter maximum I could comfortably afford.

I'll hang up my cape and let the OP's "honour" be at the mercy of forum 14 if it suits you better.

 

[[TW]Fox]

I was merely pointing out that maybe, just maybe, the OP could actually afford the budget they had stated.

I dont think anyone has questioned whether he can afford £8k. He quite clearly can. But this is a discussion forum where people will offer advice. Some of the advice people offer is utterly rubbish, see the recommenation of a 1997 Galant. Some of it is very good advice which perhaps isnt quite relevant to the OP. Some of it is good advice that is relevant. It's up to the OP to decide if he wishes to follow any of it or not and who knows - somebody might suggest something he hadn't thought of.

He may be unaware that he could get something a similar age to a Passat and just as suitable for a few thousand quid less. In which case, he might be grateful to find out. Or he may already know that but have discounted it, in which case it's cost him nothing to read somebodies post suggesting it.

I guess it stems from the fact that if I were to ever post a "spec me" thread, I would post a budget which I knew I could afford, well aware that I could get something for less than my budget, but that my budget was not the utter maximum I could comfortably afford.

Thats just you. Everyone is different and advice given has to reflect the fact that you don't 100% know the person. Lots of people look in the bank at the car pot, find £xk, and decide thats exactly how much they must spend. Others leave a bit in reserve, others spend much less. When I bought my car I had a budget of up to about £9k. I didn't end up spending £9k on a car.

Again - advice costs nothing. On this forum you get everyones opinions for free. As a result, many of them are crap, some are useless but every so often, some will be really handy.

And the thing is, you just dont know which ones are which until we've all had the discussions.

 

[chrislusty]

It's not difficult to get the pushchair in a 5 or a 3. The focus was tight but it went it eventually. The problem is not the access to the boot, it's the boot itself. It just doesn't go far enough back. The pushchair is 110mm long when folded. I'll take the measurements of Dad's when I see him next, but from the back of the seat to the inside edge of the boot is less than that.



I see what you're saying but if I went for an avensis, where the pushchair only goes in diagonally, you would always have to take the parcel shelf out when you went away.


AFAIK you're correct. I've only seen saloons/estates.

Mazda 6 is hatch\saloon and estate, i think some people are getting confused between hatch and sallons.

A friend of mine has gone from an 03 plate Avensis hatch, to an 07 3 Series Saloon, and guess what, pushchaire does not fit in the boot as it used to in Avensis. The avensis boot was much bigger than the 3 Series.

 

[[TW]Fox]

Can you find a couple at 8k? I can only find them from £9k and the titanium starts at at £11.5k.

Only a quick search so its probably not a good spec but:

http://search.autotrader.co.uk/es-u...cleYearOfManufacture=2007&vehicleRegLetter=57

Although there doeasnt appear to be an awful lot about for £8k. Edge is the spec of Mk4 I drove, and the spec was a bit pants really - it only had manual AC, cruise and electric windows.

. I've not driven one yet, but the purpose of the thread was to find out which engines and trims should be avoided or whether theres a particular combination that is the lesser of two evils.

The problem with the Passat is that a quick look at the used market would have you beleiving they only ever offered them with a 2.0 TDI as basically... 99.9% of them are fitted with this engine so you dont have an awful lot of choice.

I think the threads would also go easier without the arrogant "admit you're wrong and buy an 8k sports car" people too.

Oh I quite agree. If there is one thing thats annoying about this forum its people suggesting ridiculous performance cars in threads where its quite obvious the OP doesn't want the tradeoffs associated with such cars (Running costs, older car for for the money, etc).

Everytime you spec a Focus ST Turbo in a 'spec me a 1.6' thread, god kills a kitten. Remember that.

 

[G J]

I can't really offer advise on the car front but would changing the pushchair to something smaller and/or one that folds better be more ideal?

Seems better to get a pushchair to fit the car, not the other way around

 

[DrDee]

Don't particularly like the look of estate cars.

I'm sorry im going to have to bring this up, I know its already been pointed out but do you not feel a little stupid saying you want a Passat but at the same time are turning down all estate cars based on there appearance?

You are not buying a sports car here, nor are you spending loads of a prestige car that looks good that you can show off, you are buying a car based on whether or not you can get a pushchair in the back "without it needing to go diagonal". No one is going to see you in a Passat and judge you any differently, nor will you look any cooler in a non estate car than you will in an estate.

Please explain why you have ruled out estate cars, they are the obvious choice here.

 

[Fr0dders]

I can't really offer advise on the car front but would changing the pushchair to something smaller and/or one that folds better be more ideal?

Seems better to get a pushchair to fit the car, not the other way around

thing is, if he has a childs pushchair to go on in there, he's a family man and might want to put other large objects in there as well. A pushchair is just an example.

If you've got young children theres all sorts of crap you might have to take with you when visiting places like high chairs for example. if you're going to visit your parents for the week and take the kid with you. Your parents havent got one, what do you do ? take it with you of course.

Again this isnt specific, so theres no poing finding specific workarounds for each one. Its much easier just to buy a hatch. Unless he finds a saloon he's willing to sacrifice things for. But he doesnt seem that overly keen to get one, so why bother compromising. if you dont particularly like the saloons that have been suggested

As already said, there are numerous alternatives to the passat.

Please explain why you have ruled out estate cars, they are the obvious choice here.

my missus point blank refuses to entertain me having any estate car whatsoever as

"they look like a hearse"

my protestations that this is complete nonsense fall on deaf ears

 

[DrDee]

my missus point blank refuses to entertain me having any estate car whatsoever as

"they look like a hearse"

my protestations that this is complete nonsense fall on deaf ears

"My girlfriend/wife wont let me" - ugh! So lame!

 

[Fr0dders]

she has to sit in it too

plus if you want to go spending thousands of pounds modding it, you need her on board

to be honest, in this particular incident i didnt mind too much as there were plenty of cars that we looked at she did like. She did like the ST220 hatch we looked at for example, and she like the impreza i was toying with till i found out how much insurance would be

I cant think of any car thats available in estate only form or that looks desperately better in estate form apart from maybe the RS6

but both new and old are well out of my league so its an academic point really

 

[DrDee]

she has to sit in it too

Its the principle of the thing that makes me feel bad for men across the world

 

[monkey_boy]

The problem with the Passat is that a quick look at the used market would have you beleiving they only ever offered them with a 2.0 TDI as basically... 99.9% of them are fitted with this engine so you dont have an awful lot of choice.

the same can be said of the e46 and e39. But good advice suggests that holding out for a good sport model is worthwhile. There are a plethora of engines and trims, I just need to know if there's one worth holding out for. Is the 2.0fsi any good or is it problematic like 1.6fsi? If a diesel has to be had should it be the 1.9 or the 2.0 140? Should the dpf models be avoided? Is the sport spec any good or should I stick with se? Is it worth holding out for an sel? Is there a decen wheel/suspension combo to watch out for? Are all the available engines cam belt driven or is there one with a chain that might be a better option?

It's things like this that I would really appreciate some help with.

 

[[TW]Fox]

the same can be said of the e46 and e39.

No it can't - it's nowhere near like the Passat, even less so with the E39. And even though the E46 is quite diesel dominated there is more of a choice of engine capacity.

Is the sport spec any good or should I stick with se? Is it worth holding out for an sel?

Get the top end non Sport model. A Sport Passat is like me going to play Football, ridiculous and pointless. All you'll get is a crap ride, some posh seats and still rubbish handling so you might as well get the more comfort orientated model instead. IIRC this is the Highline.

But read merlins post again. He had a brand new Passat for 2 years. Ask yourself, do you want his experience?

You are 22. If you were 60 then perhaps you wouldnt be that bothered but come on, you can do better than a Passat. It's perfectly possible to have a decent car AND a baby. You dont need to buy a kitchen appliance.

 

[chrislusty]

The 2.0fsi in my Dads Jetta seems ok in the few trips i have been in the car, he hasnt had a problem in the two years he has owned it.

I would try and go for the 2.0TDi over the 1.9

I still think you should be looking at other cars too.

 

[DrDee]

It's things like this that I would really appreciate some help with.

You have decided on a Passat and have ruled out everything else, and therefore wont reply to any posts that don't revolve around giving you information on said turd car, haven't you?

 

[Cuchulain]

It's been said (JanesyB I believe) that choosing a model of Passat is a bit like choosing which variety of wallpaper paste you'd rather eat.

Well I think I need one. I have a little one on the way and having done the rounds of the favourite Bavarian Motors, and others, I've found that the Passat has the best boot space, being deeper than the 5 series (and possibly wider), so it fits the pushchair we're having without it needing to go diagonal.It's also got all of the isofix gear that we need, whereas none of the e46s we viewed had.

So, which Passat is the one to look out for and which ones should be avoided. Is the 2.0FSI any good? With petrols being in very short supply, it ming end up being another derv, so should it be the 1.9 or 2.0 TDI?

I'm looking at the B6 (2005-onwards). Looking to spend upto £8k.

Irrespective of what Jeremy "Fox is my biggest fan and will use everything I say as irrefutable proof of his point" Clarkson say's, the Passat is definately a good choice as a family car, I'm after another myself now we have another little one on the way. It's reliable, roomy, not too thirsty and priorities such as how cool it is and how fast it goes don't really apply in this market.

 

[iaind]

Can I just clarify something here - a pushchair which you already own is dictating the choice of car for 8k car? I dont know what pushchairs cost but it cant be more than a few hundred quid at most surely?

Your budget is right on the cutoff point for the mk4 and the 8k mk3s are all STs - while they are fine cars they probably arent what you're looking for. Personally I'd spend £6,500 on a mint mk3 rather than a base spec mk4 - http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/2006-FORD-MON...s_UK?hash=item3a517dd9a7&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14

 

[monkey_boy]

No it can't - it's nowhere near like the Passat, even less so with the E39. And even though the E46 is quite diesel dominated there is more of a choice of engine capacity.

sorry I was referring to it being es and se dominated rather than diesel. The point being that the car to have isn't neccesarily easy to find.