Spec me a fun-to-drive dog carrier

rodenal said:
Same problems ad the golf 160 - do like them though
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Although I have read that a lot of the problems with the 160 were with the earlier made models - how true that is who knows. I've seen a hatch and an estate at the same garage a 2 hour drive away on 60 plates so I'd get some manufacturer warranty still and I'd enquire into extended warranty (although it states it can only be spec'd from new) - provided they're on the same hymn sheet as me for part ex then I might be onto something...
 
This might not at all be what you're looking for.

I don't recall you specifying age, this is a 2005, it's considerably less than you're looking to spend which may not be what you want, reasonable mileage, plenty of toys, space and performance too.

2.2 TDCi may be a better option if the economy is a bit scary (low-mid 20's), however I have a feeling if you were to look at Mondeos you would look at the MK4?
 
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Would a Ford Focus ST-2 do the job? It's a hatchback and is quicker than your minimum but it won't quite meet your economy requirements, it's also going to be about the same age or older than your current car - it does have the advantage though that there are lots available in your budget as far as I can see so you could always put the money "saved" towards the fuel bills.
 
I'm looking for something on the newer end of the spectrum - the ambition is to keep it for 4-5 years and be happy to live with it with the potential for sprogs on the horizon at about year 3-4...buying an older car with the need to change again sooner than I'd like isn't desirable but I'd willing to listen to reasoning and logic if people think that's pap.

Anyone ever had any dealings with Volvo V50s? There's a 09 D5 R-Design with 30k miles for £13.5k (tickling the top end of my budget) in the lolvo dealership next to the VW one I'm test driving from tomorrow. It had only just come in so the cream interior looked mucky which turned me off at first, but I am intrigued by absurdity and unusualness of it as an option...
 
Do like the volvo but how much would an equivalent with a decent petrol engine be? Seems a waste for you to go diesel as it's not going to save you an awful lot and come with the potential to go belly up, though at least if your journeys are of decent length you'll be at less risk of the usual dpf worries
 
rodenal said:
Do like the volvo but how much would an equivalent with a decent petrol engine be? Seems a waste for you to go diesel as it's not going to save you an awful lot and come with the potential to go belly up, though at least if your journeys are of decent length you'll be at less risk of the usual dpf worries
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With most of the cars I'm browsing near by it's more than anything to get me a feel for what the car is like to then lead me down a different route in the browsing. Odds on £13.5k is more than I'd like to spend anyway, but if I like the car then I'd be more willing to search further afield to fine tweek the one I'd actually buy. I'm especially looking forward to test driving a Fabia vRS tomorrow with a view to potentially driving 2 hours to Dumfries to have a pick of a hatch or an estate!

edit: I've just scoured Autotrader for petrol ones and the selection is spread thin in my price bracket. There's a 12-18 month newer 2.0 petrol R-Design about 2 hours away for £13k with 26k miles which is slower and worse on fuel, so I'd be torn then between getting the newer less interesting car for £500 less, or the older faster one for £500 more. The more interesting V50s seem to be a rarity, although one I'd be interested in investigating.

edit-a-go-go: Just been reading about the prospect of retro-fitted sat nav in the Golf and that the RNS510 is pretty bells-and-whistly with a HDD etc...mighty tempting!
 
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