Avensis, Accord, Mazda 6 or some other sensible family car

Scrutinize

Scrutinize

Scrutinize

Soldato
Joined
4 Apr 2003
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I want low running costs and good reliability as a priority and don’t want a high miler (~40k miles max) either, so I am thinking of the above cars with a budget of 6-8k? Petrol 1.8-2.0 will do possibly in estate form. Thinking a Mazda 6 is probably going to be the choice here.

I would possibly go back to an s60 but when I had mine the 2.0T was pretty thirsty and it wasn’t overly cheap to run, maybe a v50?

Any other options worth considering? Oh and sorry boring thread is boring :(
 
Thanks for the suggestion but after looking, I don't fancy a MK3 mondeo unless an ST220, besides that one is rather overpriced. I would consider a MK4. Don't want a Vectra and doubt I will find an Insignia.

Could get a nice 2-3 year old Citroen C5 HDI estate but risk of poor reliability scares me. Could push for finding a ~ year old one (for Cit warranty) through the auctions. Pug 407 is also an option.

Looks like I can get a nice 07 onwards Mazda 6 TS/TS2 with the 2.0, with 20-40k on for around 6k-8k inc from Mazda main dealers. Can get an MPS for this money too, shame I couldn’t run it. Can get a reasonable Accord but these seem to be slightly more expensive. Don’t think I can live with the Avensis looks but they are cheap.

I am really surprised what I can pick up in this budget.
 
Stop worrying about a few extra miles and get a late shape Mondeo.
 
mrk1@1 said:
Will go take a look at them but doesn't seem much point when I can get a much lower mileage car in another make.
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I suppose, but those new Mondeos do drive well. Anyway just a suggestion :)
 
Passat Sport with the 6 speed DSG boxes can be had for around 7k on a 57/08 plate. Natural reliability (?) mid 50-60k miles (this should not be phasing you really), etc
 
Lucero said:
Passat Sport with the 6 speed DSG boxes can be had for around 7k on a 57/08 plate. Natural reliability (?) mid 50-60k miles (this should not be phasing you really), etc
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Good call, will have a hunt, I really like the Passat and hadn't thought of it.

Popped down to Wood to look at 3 series, very tempting although would require PCP to make possible. Residuals help on the finance side.
 
Knowing your circumstances, I suspect a 3 series might end up being a bit small for your needs (especially if you decide to keep for a while), then, the Passat might be too. Plenty of E46 3 Tourings in this budget without desperate mileage however, but clocking on for 6 years old in most cases
 
Friend of mine at work has got a Mazda 6, although I've never driven it, I've been in it a few times.

Seems to be a nice car, reasonably well put together, decent enough go, fair few toys and he's never had a problem with it.
 
mrk1@1 said:
I want low running costs
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Lucero said:
Subaru Legacy B Spec for £5.5k
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I'm sure the 3.0 Flat-Six will provide very low running costs.

I like the Honda Accord. The estate models have a huge load area and they are generally reliable. The 2.0 and 2.4 engines are good but you need to work them hard. 2.2 diesel is excellent if you can cope with a 4cyl diesel.
 
Rilot said:
I'm sure the 3.0 Flat-Six will provide very low running costs.

I like the Honda Accord. The estate models have a huge load area and they are generally reliable. The 2.0 and 2.4 engines are good but you need to work them hard. 2.2 diesel is excellent if you can cope with a 4cyl diesel.
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Lolol, I know, was just using it as an example of what you can get. Sure they also do a 2litre diesel in the Legacy too?
 
Cuchulain said:
NONONONO! They're unmistakeably ****!
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Lucero said:
Rofl, Ops dad has one :p
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Indeed (2.2 HDI), and to be fair apart from a few minor problems and electrical woes, it has been fairly solid for the last few 7 years. Couple of issues with the diesel filters recently. Did have all the suspension done under warranty when it locked up but for cruising along it is epically comfortable and spacious. Returns 50mpg combined to.

HDI 136ps in reach and in budget but would prefer a 407 over a C5

The only reason I would consider a 3 series (320d probably) is the residuals are so good I can get a newer car on a PCP.
 
I had this exact debate with myself about 14 months ago ish, i think!

I test drove them all, i read everything i could and my conclusions at the time were as follows:

Mondeo : I just felt the opinion held on here for them was very overrated. Felt really poor quality inside compared to the fully spec'd accord, indicator stalks like something you'd get in a kinder egg :/ and this sort of thing didnt change in any spec level.

I feel they're hugely overrated on here and couldnt bring myself to drop huge money on them, especially not for an st220 which to me had practically no sense of speed and it'd just annoy the hell out of me and getting crap economy to boot, kind of like the worst of both worlds? mondeo's have a pretty loud and slow as hell diesel option also.

Mazda6 : I've heard some people say the styling inside is a bit tacky but i'm not sure i agree at all. The fully spec'd ones looked pretty nice inside i thought but finding it in this spec was pretty rare. Its standard on the MPS and found in some others if you look carefully. A few things I just didn't like were:

* The chav rear lights.
* The seats look a bit cheap in anything but the top trims which are rare.

Accord :

Command a premium over the other two for sure, as much as a few grand over a mondeo when i wasin the market but the whole feel of things felt a big improvement, especially in the higher spec/trim. Overall it felt like a pretty decent level of luxury without paying out a fortune. The 2.4 variant to me felt a bit like the st220, ie..uneconomical and not quick enough to justify but perhaps not AS bad. The 2.0 seems the daft choice of the bunch. The 2.2 diesel is pretty quiet for a diesel, especially after warmup and pulls v nicely and is allround a very nice drive.

Avensis :

I drove one and while i actually thought they were ok...they did feel a bit "last gen" compared to the other options but the price reflected this too and seem to make them a bit of a bargain. You get the feeling that they'd be very reliable.

Eventually I went for the Accord 2.2 diesel and really have no regrets but a couple of niggles.

The gear changes feel "normal" rather than great. The electrics can act a bit strange at times like sometimes i go to open my drivers window and it doesnt do anything, then 5 seconds later i try again and it does :p The engine i'd describe as really nice. Great for overtaking, plenty of power and great economy all things considered. I've been averaging 46-47 mpg combined all winter with aircon / satnav / wipers/ music etc on. Now its getting warmer that'll creep up to 50mpg again or just over. I've owned it just over a year as i say and i've changed 2 front tyres and could do to find out why my left speaker is tempermental! absolutely nothing else at all. The car always feels great and reliable and is a pleasure to drive.
 
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