Cheapish second car! Suggestions £5k MAX!

Oracle

Oracle

Oracle

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Ok it pains me to say this but I need a second car and i've been looking at facelift Mundano's. Ideally i'd like it to be Diesel and ideally i'd also like it to have a few toys, cruise, leather, and stuff. It also needs to be able to cruise motorways comfortably as well as offer some A road handling.

Can you suggest any alternatives, because as much as it pains me, the facelift mundano (MY01 onwards) seems to be offering exceptional value for money.

I take it that the TDCi (which i've heard good things about) is not too troubled by mileage.

Fox....any views?

Off the record, I dont mind an older car, but it must be reasonably newish looking.

Thanks
 
You'd get a nice Rover 75 for that money, if it's your cup of earl grey that is.

If high miles doesn't put you off, there's some bargains amongst that class.

You can get Passat's for that money, they'll be a little older and aren't as nice inside IMO but you would get one with all the toys for that money I think. This looks good for the cash, although a little too cheap?

You've also got Skoda Octavia's, but they all look the same (bland) at this price.

Other than that, Mondeo TDCI is a good buy and seems to tick all your boxes. I think they first started putting in the TDCI engines late '01 or possibly '02. Look out for people advertising it as TDCI when its actually a TD or TDDI.
 
Bug One said:
I'm sure Fox will be along to big up the mondeo, and also having a look at a BMW 528.
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I get the feeling you've just asked for whatevers coming to you!

In all fairness to Fox, his recommendations are valued, his opinion is not always valued, but then its just that, his opinion. Frankly, 95% of the time I think he's spot on with his recommendations and his opinions!

Mondeos DO tick all the right boxes for me, its just that I have a phobia about Fords and I cant explain what! E39 5ers are also great cars IMO, if only BMW facelifted them the same way as the E46 (upswept lights), then i'd consider one. Ideally tho, it needs to be a diesel and a 530d is going to be a push at £5k, that and the fact that i've just got hold of a 330cd, could start to be pricey!

That Passat is actually BANG on what i'm looking for, and slightly different to the Mondeo masses!
 
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Oracle said:
Ideally tho, it needs to be a diesel and a 530d is going to be a push at £5k
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Understatement? :p

What about the French? :o

You *might* get a Mazda6? Although the Mondy would be a much better buy.
 
Its a close run thing between a Mondeo and a Passat. The Mondeo is the sharper car to drive, is generally better value for money when buying and will cost less in parts and service.

The Passat offers slightly better refinement in terms of noise and ride comfort, but at the expense of body roll and general lack of feel through the chassis and steering. Some say it has the nicer interior of the two but its a close run thing.

Both offer great diesels, I prefer the TDCi 130 as it behaves more like a Petrol on the move and has a less clattery idle than the PD engines which have a very narrow powerband.

I'd suggest you try both of them.
 
Oracle said:
I get the feeling you've just asked for whatevers coming to you!
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Whats coming to me. I dont follow. :confused:

I'm not dissing fox. Just from reading the past however many threads virtually identical to this one, his usual recommendations would be a mondeo and a 528. Nothing wrong with that.


Anyhoo, I'll contribute myself in a positive way.

How abouts a Seat Leon, a Laguna. Or even an Accord. Some Type R wheels, and a bit of kit later ;)
 
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