3 Mondeos, 1 Octavia: Help me narrow down my choices

mike gunnz

mike gunnz

mike gunnz

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I’ve listed them in order of preference although the top two both look cracking IMHO and either would fit my needs. The second ‘only’ has 138bhp which is a shame but it’s the newest of the lot and has the lowest miles.

The third links to a slightly older (08) 2.2 model with slightly more power but 6 grand seems a lot to pay for an 8 year old car. Its probably the least sensible choice but I like it and it’s the quickest of the lot.

The Octavia is a 1 owner with 4 good Michelin tyres, loads of tread, cambelt done and full Skoda service history.

Budget is up to 8k.


£6,995 Ford Mondeo 2.0 TDCi Titanium X (60) 93k 161bhp
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201510258141363/usedcars?logcode=visc


£7,975 Ford Mondeo 2.0 TDCi Titanium X (61) 78k 138bhp
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201511309114696/usedcars?logcode=visc


£5,995 Ford Mondeo 2.2 TITANIUM X TDCI (08) ESTATE 98k 173bhp
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201512119397646/usedcars?logcode=visc


£6,895 Skoda Octavia 2.0 LAURIN & KLEMENT TDI (09) ESTATE 89k
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201509146907774/usedcars?logcode=visc
 
mike gunnz said:
The third links to a slightly older (08) 2.2 model with slightly more power but 6 grand seems a lot to pay for an 8 year old car. Its probably the least sensible choice but I like it and it’s the quickest of the lot.
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.2 of a second quicker to 60 and 2mph higher top speed, I wouldn't think you would even notice. However the 2.0 has slightly better mpg and £50/year lower VED
 
Was going to suggest the Superb too - they're much closer to a Mondeo in size/practicality and a really nice place to be
 
I'd go for the second one. The facelift cars are a bit fresher inside and out, and the ride is improved. It's got a few options on it too - the proper keyfree system, electric memory seats, privacy glass and heat reflective windscreen

Superb's are good, but you'd want an Elegance to match the Titanium X spec and they are more expensive.
 
blueboy2001 said:
I'd go for the second one. The facelift cars are a bit fresher inside and out, and the ride is improved. It's got a few options on it too - the proper keyfree system, electric memory seats, privacy glass and heat reflective windscreen

Superb's are good, but you'd want an Elegance to match the Titanium X spec and they are more expensive.
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Surely it's the L&K you would want? Being the top of the range? Although I don't know if the L&K were available on the Superb at this age.
 
What do you like about the Octavia that you odnt like about the Superb? Seems a bit contradictory
 
The Superb isn't exactly a pretty car from the outside. I don't like how the saloon looks, but I do like the estate. Maybe that's it?
 
iaind said:
What do you like about the Octavia that you odnt like about the Superb? Seems a bit contradictory
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I like the Octavia in L&K spec and I like its size and practicality. Also there are enough of them about within a reasonable radius with 2 litre engines, for me to give it consideration (not something that can be said for the Superb). TBH I only just about like the Octavia (and then only in estate form) which is why its only in fourth place on my list in terms of preference.

I don't like the Superb anywhere near enough to put much effort into finding a decent one. :)

LiE said:
The Superb isn't exactly a pretty car from the outside. I don't like how the saloon looks, but I do like the estate. Maybe that's it?
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Probably agree with that. Still not wanting a Superb estate though.
 
Yes, that's kind of my point. The Octavia in almost any form other than VRS looks dull, bland and pretty darn ugly.

The Superb has far better proportions and design cues.

Seems odd that you would prefer the looks of the bland Octavia when clearly you like edgy and aggressive styling, as per the MK4 Mondeo.
 
Isn't your 5 series a better car than these even though it's older? I would go for a top spec Titanium X Mondeo. They look great with the 18's on etc. The Octavia is so bland to look at and the only people I see driving Superb's are those in the 60+ caragory :D
 
paradigm said:
Yes, that's kind of my point. The Octavia in almost any form other than VRS looks dull, bland and pretty darn ugly.

The Superb has far better proportions and design cues.

Seems odd that you would prefer the looks of the bland Octavia when clearly you like edgy and aggressive styling, as per the MK4 Mondeo.
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I'm not interested in the Superb.

Dav4 said:
Isn't your 5 series a better car than these even though it's older? I would go for a top spec Titanium X Mondeo. They look great with the 18's on etc. The Octavia is so bland to look at and the only people I see driving Superb's are those in the 60+ caragory :D
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The Titanium X is what I'm after primarily. The Octavia estate was a more of a wild card. From that, people seem to be getting hung up on the Superb - a car I have zero interest in.

My E39 is 15 years old and I've done well over 50k miles during my ownership, but given that it returns ~27mpg it's really not ideal as a daily which I use for my work and for which I often have to travel out of county.

I may just keep it as its worth peanuts but I do like it, or I may sell it privately at my leisure. But right now it makes sense to buy a more modern and family oriented daily which requires fewer visits to the pump.

Plus I simply want a change.
 
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Anyway, why are some car dealers so bafflingly unhelpful? Called to arrange a test drive of this car on Saturday which involves a 90 mile trip up the M62. Clearly I'm making the trip as I'm serious.

Told the salesman that should I like the car, before buying I'd want to arrange an independent inspection at a local authority garage local to them (one of the useful perks of working for a Local Authority). Salesman asked his boss then came back saying 'no' as apparently inspections can only be done on their site. I asked to speak to a manager who has since failed to return my calls.

Frustrating to say the least, especially so as it's a nicely specced car.
 
NooBish AbbZ said:
2nd Mondeo :)
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Yep the second Titanium X seemed like the logical choice based on its decent spec, and after taking it for a test run last weekend I immediately put a deposit down on it without bothering to look at any others.

I was swayed by the spec options of proper keyless entry & go, sat nav, privacy glass, sunroof and rear parking camera.

The sunroof came as a nice surprise as it wasn't mentioned in the advert. I don't believe the sunroof comes as standard in the facelift MKIV Titanium X, but I could be wrong? My three daughters will love the sunroof :)

Also not mentioned in the advert, I found that there were OE retractable blinds in the rear windows along with the tinted glass - so an additional unexpected bonus.

Unfortunately the tyres weren't at all excellent as was erroneously stated in the advert. In fact they were mismatched with Primacy 3s on the front and Contis on the rear all of which were just legal.

I didn't let that put me off and negotiated 4 new tyres to be fitted prior to purchase, Ok they are budgets but I'd rather be driving the 100 miles home on 4 brand new matched budgets over mismatched midrange rubber with minimal tread.

Another issue was that the alloys are 17" and not 18" as listed in the advert, but again, this was a minor annoyance and by no means a deal breaker.

I'm a crap negotiator but at 8 grand I like to think I got a decent car at a decent price. Had the dealership listed the car accurately with all its options I would have expected the asking price to be a fair bit higher.

Picking it up next weekend.
 
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I thought the Titanium X came with 18's standard :confused: everyone I have seen has them. IMO the alloys on that are too small u can tell there not 18's just by the pics. Other than that it's a nice car interior is very nice. Wouldn't your budget have stretched to the Titanium X Sport?
 
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