I know I know, new car time!

Firestar_3x · 9 Feb 2006 at 11:13

Right lads, dad is looking for a new car and we have drawn up a shortlist:

BMW 3 Series 330 or 320D
Mazda 6 2.3 Sport / TS2 (Or Derv depends how good the engine is)
New Vectra SRI 150Bhp TDI
Audi A4 TDI
Passat TDI
Lexus IS200

This is a main family car so it needs to be a 4 or 5 door, my sister going off the Durham uni this summer so its going to be used for general transportation of her stuff .

He wants something with a bit of class so that really rules out the Vectra the only reason that's still in the list is its good value for money and then New model gets a fantastic review.

I'm pushing for the 330d (05 Plate or below) since we both hate the new shape.

Anything else we should be looking at, I told him to look into a 5 series but he just said no its far too big, now in my eyes the Vectra and 5 series seem a similar size, any ideas?

Budget is upto 20k since he wants to pay cash and he won't buy new so pre reg or upto 2 years old and nothing over 20k on the clock, so fire away we might have missed something

Tesla · 9 Feb 2006 at 11:17

Personally I would drop the Vectra and Passat, the newish Passats are espescially disgusting to look at.

http://atsearch.autotrader.co.uk/WW...category=CARS&channel=CARS&id=200605223294490

Something like that seems fantastic and DEFINATELY worth looking at.

Have you considered a slightly bigger A6 too?

My Dad's A6 isn't really any longer than my Mondeo, it's a little bit wider but nothing in it really.

Firestar_3x · 9 Feb 2006 at 11:26

Yea thats the sort of A4 we are thinking about, great looking car imho.

Not considered the A6 yet, good idea! What are they like? Never looked into them.

I had a new Passat on hire last month, it was a nice car and I like the looks bar the front grill, I did however find the lack of a handbrake rather disconcerting, they have replaced it with a button on the dashboard!

Morba · 9 Feb 2006 at 11:27

330dci!

Scottland · 9 Feb 2006 at 11:30

I think a BMW 330D would probably be the better car out of that lot, but personally I really like the looks of the new A4's.

What about any of the SAAB range? Or the New Volvo S40?

Enfield · 9 Feb 2006 at 11:31

If the new passat is anything like the previous one don't get it!

The seats are incredibly uncomfortable!! After about 30 miles or so my backside really hurts. The seats are so hard, that's a good enough reason for me not to buy a car lol.

Tesla · 9 Feb 2006 at 11:31

I cannot comment on the new A6 as have never been in one.

Dad went looking at brand new ones a few weeks ago and came back very impressed.

When buying a car, for £1k or £100k it's definately worth at least looking at all your options.

Scuzi · 9 Feb 2006 at 11:33

Morba said:
330dci!

I assume you mean the 330Cd which would be unsuitable as it is a 2 door Coupe.

Don't rule the Passat out because of its looks, some people like the looks of the new Passat. I've only had a 20 minute drive in the new TDi but based on that it is a very capable family car and extremely well built.

But for £20k I'd be looking at BMW 330D's or the Audi A4/A6. They're in a higher league and are readily available for the budget.

Beepcake · 9 Feb 2006 at 11:33

I'd go for the new A4, went looking at them a few weeks ago, with the S-Line kit in a decent colour it looks fantastic and goes pretty well too.

[DOD]Asprilla · 9 Feb 2006 at 11:34

Volvo S60 D5

Bigger then the A4, and the interiors are a lot nicer for the money.

This is an auto but you get the idea:

http://www.cargiant.co.uk/cars/search3.asp?Id=268315

Haircut · 9 Feb 2006 at 11:34

I know you said you wanted something with class, but I'm going to do a Fox and pimp a Mondeo.

Have you thought about something like this...
http://www.cargiant.co.uk/cars/search3.asp?Id=266040

Offers great value for money for what you get.

Firestar_3x · 9 Feb 2006 at 11:38

Scottland said:
I think a BMW 330D would probably be the better car out of that lot, but personally I really like the looks of the new A4's.

What about any of the SAAB range? Or the New Volvo S40?

We have been put off SAAB because of the stupid high parts costs if something goes wrong, MD's SAAB went wrong and he had a 4k bill for a throttle body and turbo it had only done 50k and was a few months outside its warranty.

Whilst I like the S40 and the V50 my dad can't stand them he had one on a 600 mile round trip and said it handled like a boat.

Beepcake said:
I'd go for the new A4, went looking at them a few weeks ago, with the S-Line kit in a decent colour it looks fantastic and goes pretty well too.

Which engine did you drive mate?

Scuzi said:
But for £20k I'd be looking at BMW 330D's or the Audi A6. They're in a higher league and are readily available for the budget.

At a guess we will get more for our money with an A6?

Beepcake · 9 Feb 2006 at 11:41

The 2.0TDI IIRC.

[DOD]Asprilla · 9 Feb 2006 at 11:42

Firestar_3x said:
Stuff

Have to say that the SAAB 93s have limited rear legroom as well.

True what you say about the Volvos, mine turns like the Queen Mary, but you get used to it.

Firestar_3x · 9 Feb 2006 at 11:42

Haircut said:
I know you said you wanted something with class, but I'm going to do a Fox and pimp a Mondeo.

Have you thought about something like this...
http://www.cargiant.co.uk/cars/search3.asp?Id=266040

Offers great value for money for what you get.

The Mondeo did cross our mind and the one in question was a diesel ST, still not sure about it tbh it will be a well equipped reliable family car but as you say its missing something the others have.

Looks like we can split these cars into three groups.

Vectra
Mondeo
Mazda 6

Volvo
Lexus
Passat
SAAB

BMW 3
BMW 5
A4
A6

Scuzi · 9 Feb 2006 at 11:44

Firestar_3x said:
At a guess we will get more for our money with an A6?

I don't know if you've been in an A4 but for a family it's actually quite small inside. The A4 is smaller than the Passat inside and can feel quite cramped with people in the back seats. The A6 will be much more practical and you will get a lot for your money especially with a £20k budget. The 3 series isn't exactly the biggest either but from my experience it felt slightly bigger than the A4.

Scottland · 9 Feb 2006 at 11:49

Could you squeeze in an A6 TDI Quattro for your budget I wonder?

Enfield · 9 Feb 2006 at 11:49

My mum used to have an Audi A6 Quattro when I was younger so obviously it wasn't one of the new ones but it was at the time (about 7 years ago).

It was very spacious, luxurious and rather fast and suprisingly quiet too. I'd say it be definetly worth looking at some Audi's, but don't bother with the Passat for my reason given above, plus you can hear the road so much - the window seals are very poor. They are built well but they just aren't comfortable!

Oracle · 9 Feb 2006 at 11:51

If he likes it -> 300d, end of thread! I picked one up at the weekend 330cd, and WOW, WOW, WOW!

Firestar_3x · 9 Feb 2006 at 11:56

Scuzi said:
I don't know if you've been in an A4 but for a family it's actually quite small inside. The A4 is smaller than the Passat inside and can feel quite cramped with people in the back seats. The A6 will be much more practical and you will get a lot for your money especially with a £20k budget. The 3 series isn't exactly the biggest either but from my experience it felt slightly bigger than the A4.

Only been in the older a4 but i assume its the same, if its smaller than the Passat that could be a problem, mind saying that i'm 24 so don't go around with them at all really and the only odd time we are all in the car is when we all go to the villa in france.

scottland said:
Could you squeeze in an A6 TDI Quattro for your budget I wonder?

Aint that a 3.2, snip just read the TDI bit

enfield said:
Snip!

Sounds like a good car deffo one for the running

Oracle said:
If he likes it -> 300d, end of thread! I picked one up at the weekend 330cd, and WOW, WOW, WOW!

Age / Spec / Price etc, my choice would be the A4 / Perhaps A6 or 330D but its not my money (Wish it was) so we have to keep our options open.