My old man wants a car.

Princey · 3 Oct 2011 at 22:07

£3,000 is the budget.

Requirements are larger than a focus so Mondeo size
Diesel prefered as 20,000 miles per annum
Some nice toys such as Auto Lights & Wipers
Manual
Relatively light day to day running costs

Some things I've been thinking about...

Mondeo 2.0TDCi Ghia X
Saab 9-3 1.9tid
Renult Laguna 2.0T or 1.9DCi
Nissan Primera 2.0i

All of the above come pretty well specced.

This one was a stand out for me, seems almost too cheap.
http://www2.autotrader.co.uk/classi...e/1/keywords/xenons/postcode/dy82ds?logcode=p

Fr0dders · 3 Oct 2011 at 22:09

Accord has to be considered at this budget. Will be a hell of a lot more reliable than the Laguna.

Princey · 3 Oct 2011 at 22:11

But will you get as much for your money?

SkodaMart · 3 Oct 2011 at 22:14

Just my opinion but I think you are brave buying a Laguna for £2000
I prepare to be corrected however.

I have owned a few cheap and cheerful French vehicles - all very basic, all diesel and all very reliable.
French electronics at your own risk.

davy89 · 3 Oct 2011 at 22:15

Mondeo every day of the week.

Princey · 3 Oct 2011 at 22:19

I wonder what the mileage would be on this.

http://www2.autotrader.co.uk/classi...rd/postcode/dy82ds/page/1/radius/30?logcode=p

[TW]Fox · 3 Oct 2011 at 22:30

Princey said:
But will you get as much for your money?

There is always a reason why you get lots for your money. In the case of the Renault its because nobody wants the liability.

Princey · 3 Oct 2011 at 22:32

Are they really that bad though? It's not like they'll be breaking down monthly with £100s worth of bills each month? Or am I wrong?

Anyway that Mondeo I linked too seems very nice if genuine and without silly mileage.

OpenToSuggestions · 3 Oct 2011 at 22:33

Get a Ghia X mondeo.

I can't think of anything that comes close in terms of a value-for-money mile muncher.

Fr0dders · 3 Oct 2011 at 22:36

at the end of the day, we can suggest alternatives

But if you want the best value for money family 4 door for 3k.

Its the mondeo every time.

Irish_Tom · 4 Oct 2011 at 08:19

I've just gone through this exact scenario.

I got a Mondeo Mk3, Ghia X, 2.0 TDCi with 90k on the clock for £3,000.

SkodaMart · 4 Oct 2011 at 19:33

mglover070588 said:
Get a Ghia X mondeo.

I can't think of anything that comes close in terms of a value-for-money mile muncher.

Octavia

OpenToSuggestions · 4 Oct 2011 at 19:47

SkodaMart said:
Octavia

OK I will give you that

.

Tinders · 4 Oct 2011 at 20:23

Ive been seeing 04/05 plate Accord CDTI's for this kind of money in AT recently, and imo its a brilliant buy, great smooth diesel engine and its a Honda, next i'd look for a Mondeo TDCI, and then a Octavia.

One thing to look out for on CDTI accords, is that they should sound sweet and smooth (its a very sewing machine-esque sound), if it doesnt, then it means its been run on crap oil or low on oil, and the bottom end will soon be only its way out, the old fella has had 3 in this week!

Ryan-3 · 4 Oct 2011 at 20:28

For me, its see what you can get for that price from the selection of Octavia/Accord/Mondeo really.

SkodaMart · 4 Oct 2011 at 20:56

Ryan-3 said:
For me, its see what you can get for that price from the selection of Octavia/Accord/Mondeo really.

Agree, plus have a drive of all three to see if you prefer one from the rest.

Scania · 5 Oct 2011 at 09:04

£3k?

Car for Dad?

Hmm, e30 320i I reckon.

lordrobs · 5 Oct 2011 at 09:21

SkodaMart said:
Octavia

I wouldn't agree tbh. Mk1 doesn't really compare to the Mondeo on a number of levels and the Mk2 costs proper money. Also not comparable class wise to any of the other cars mentioned despite everyone thinking of it being a Mondeo sized car it is closer to being competition to the Focus.

elmuzzy66. · 5 Oct 2011 at 10:58

R420LA6X2/4MNA said:
£3k?

Car for Dad?

Hmm, e30 320i I reckon.

only if its 'mint'

Princey · 5 Oct 2011 at 20:30

We're going to have a look at this hopefully at the weekend.

http://www2.autotrader.co.uk/classi...ia/page/1/postcode/dy82ds/radius/40?logcode=p