What car?

jam pie

jam pie

jam pie

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Joined
18 Dec 2007
Posts
209
Hi there

Currently lease a Scirocco diesel variety of some sort (TDI 140 i think). Use it day to day for work, do approx. 20k a year, mainly long distance

Love the car, got no issues with it... nice to drive, been reliable etc. but it's going back in April so I need to start planning my next car

I pay 340 a month for it (through work), non maintained, 20k miles a year over 2 years.

I can look to lease again and pick up something similar, although i'm not sure what... but would need to put down a deposit again, or I could take a loan over 3 years and buy something

I can get approx 11k-12k loaning the same amount, does anyone have any recommendations for cars that will fit into this bracket that suit a commuter and are decent on the fuel?

Cheers,
 
Giving this a quick bump as I am returning my car in the next few weeks and need to make a purchase before work wonders why I'm not turning up to clients :p

I've decided to go down the personal loan route to avoid having to find a deposit for contract hire/purchase... and I've set a figure @ 12k as that'll equate to what i'm spending p/m currently.

My main criteria is high mpg as I get paid per mile so this usually supplements the pay packet.

Golf's seem to be popping up frequently in this price range.. e.g. ;

http://www.pistonheads.com/classifi...fl-62mpg-combined-16in-atlanta-alloys/1054311

http://www.pistonheads.com/classifi...f-diesel-hatchback-2-0-tdi-140-gt-5dr/1053801

or moving to something like a 3 series BWM?

http://www.pistonheads.com/classifi...ition-se-4dr--leather--m-sport-extras/1055834

My main reason for moving away from leasing is i'm a pretty careless car owner and foresee the leasing company asking me for a nice lump of cash when I return my current car to fix various bits and bobs :) Also - I do not want to be restricted to a specific amount of miles .. I've had a few trips up to Scotland this/last year which has ate into my current allowance..

Any advice would be mucho appreciated. Pretty crap when it comes to buying cars, or knowing what's out there for the budget :)
 
Will scan through some A4s now

Problem being with continuing leasing is I'd need to find a deposit (usually 3/6 months up front, circa 1.2 - 1.7k) and I also have the issue of probably being charged a some money for various bits of damage that will be considered above and beyond fair wear and tear (according to their guidelines)

Whereas if I was to take a loan and buy, there is no up front deposit... just a continuation of what I pay monthly. Additionally I'm covered up to 20k per year. I've hit that very easily... I'd like the ability to use the car whenever I needed it rather than having to hold back due to mileage restrictions.
 
The A4's do not seem too bad, for instance...

http://www.pistonheads.com/classifi...9-audi-a4-2-0-tdi-se-4dr-diesel-manual/584986

Would probably be looking to keep it for 3 years (as that would be the length of the loan)... and being over the top @ 30k miles per year this would be that particular model at approx 150k after the 3 years. I'll be keeping it serviced as I have to with the leased cars... would the car be a scrapper after 3 years at this sort of mileage? What are the engines like in them?
 
Please, please, please please do not buy a 1.6tdi golf with your own money! It's simply not worth it. If one was forced upon you as a co car then fair enough and at least it's still a mk6 inside but not through choice!

The A4 looks a far better purchase but I know very little about this shape. It wont be a scrapper no, but you will have significantly reduced its value so take that into consideration when trying to guestimate what it'll be worth when you're done. Look at some tdi's with similar mileage that are 3 years older (B7 possibly) for an indication.
 
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You'll pay more for a 3-series or A4 than you will for a better specced similar aged 5-series or A6.

If you do go for an E91 3-series, try to get one that isn't as poverty specced as that one! iDrive (and leather) would be a must for me.

You would get a nice A6 for the money though.
 
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paradigm said:
You'll pay more for a 3-series or A4 than you will for a better specced similar aged 5-series or A6.
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I disagree - he wouldn't be getting a 40k mile 520d Touring on an 08 for £10k for example. Perhaps its different with the Audi A6 (Which would be my choice anyway over an E60).
 
That 318d is a fantastic looking car with a great spec, just a shame it's a gutless 318d and the mileage is quite high so no cheap warranty available.
 
Seriously, if you don't mind a Skoda, you might as well get a Superb. Far better specced for the money, and a much nicer car as a whole.
 
[TW]Fox;23695426 said:
That 318d is a fantastic looking car with a great spec, just a shame it's a gutless 318d and the mileage is quite high so no cheap warranty available.
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Holy mother of leather!

Tbh the 318d is useable - it's pretty much exactly the same bhp as the ubiquitous 2.0 TDI 140 that honors most A4s. It's not setting the world on fire but it's not like it's doing 25mph up steep hills or anything.

Crazy good fuel economy too - horses for courses. Best thing to do is drive it and see if he finds the lack of power offputting
 
iaind said:
Holy mother of leather!

Tbh the 318d is useable - it's pretty much exactly the same bhp as the ubiquitous 2.0 TDI 140 that honors most A4s. It's not setting the world on fire but it's not like it's doing 25mph up steep hills or anything.

Crazy good fuel economy too - horses for courses. Best thing to do is drive it and see if he finds the lack of power offputting
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Not really fussed on power. Fuel economy would probably be preferable. Need something to munch the miles and be fairly reliable as I am lazy at getting anything fixed.

I'll have a look through some Skoda's tonight. Only issue with the Superb is it's name. It sounds like a board game.

I think I like the 318d so that might be the one I hone in on :) Need to make a decision ASAP as my car goes back in a month :(
 
Trouble is modern diesels are such a pain that I wouldnt want to rely on one without a cast iron manufacturer warranty and somebody else to deal with the faff, which is quite expensive to get on an 85k mile example.
 
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