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If reliability is your main aim then Japanese/Korean is the way to go. Along with the cars already mentioned you may be able to get something like a pre-reg Kia Magentis which have been very keenly priced.
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it seems almost ironic to suggest a Mazda - not that I would oppose it in any way.
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What\'s for you won\'t pass you by
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The models suggested (which I agree with) won't, on the other hand, be cheap. Mazda in particular seem to have a fairly tight grip on nearly new 6s and compared to Mondeo/Vectra will be at least £2K dearer. A Laguna springs to mind but many posters will attest to their unreliability. A petrol Octavia, whilst not as big, might be of interest. Widening the net slightly, a three/four year old S60 might do the job. I can't recommend VW as I spent ten years being utterly frustrated by their incompetent and arrogant dealers.
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>>I won't consider another Mondeo due to quality problems with the current one >>
Irrelevant surely, the current one has diesel related issues possibly caused by mis-fuelling, not at all applicable to a petrol one.
>>and poor service from the dealers.>>
How many dealers, just the one? I have had excellent service from three Ford dealers over the last four years, light years ahead of my experience with Vauxhall dealers.
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>>a PETROL car of similar size. I cannot afford new, but I would like something less than 2 years old and the cheaper the better. Any suggestions for a similar sized vehicle? Reliability is of greatest importance, with safety also being relevant.>>
Vectra - worthy though very poor dealers.
Passat - previous model - stodgy drive and poor reliability record, 2.0 petrol rather sluggish.
Laguna - characterful though reputation for niggly faults, top for safety.
Primera - yawn, no redeeming features IMO, reliability OK.
Avensis - Fine car to drive if not as sharp handling as a Mondeo, not great looking, good reputation.
Mazda 6 - As Avensis though better looking and slightly sharper.
Accord - new model - relatively pricey.
Vectra, Laguna and Primera are likely to be cheapest for age followed by Mondeo and Passat.
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Vectra - worthy though very poor dealers.
Not all of them though.
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>>>Vectra - worthy though very poor dealers.
I hired a Vectra estate on holiday, I hated it. Horrible chrome everywhere, gearchange stiff, seats awfull, front pillars too thick, it was black; it would make a good hearse.
Oh by the way, how do you turn the radio off in a Vectra?I pressed everything and it always came back on again when started.
I have owned many Ford's over the years and have considered myself a Ford fan. But after the treatment I received from the Ford main dealer when my wife's car was 2 weeks old, never never again. But I would sooner have a Mondeo than a Vectra.
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Oh by the way, how do you turn the radio off in a Vectra?I pressed everything and it always came back on again when started.
You need to turn off the feature that operates the stereo when you turn the ignition key.
Switch on ignition.
Switch off stereo.
Press and hold down buttons 1 & 3 on the stereo, and then turn on the stereo.
Before a confirmation beep is heard the stereo display shows the current state of the ignition logic. It can be either IGNI ON or IGNI OFF.
When the confirmation beep is heard, the status of the ignition logic is changed from one to the other.
If you don't want the stereo to come on with the ignition, then set it to IGNI OFF.
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Switch on ignition. Switch off stereo. Press and hold down buttons 1 & 3 on the stereo, and then turn on the stereo. Before a confirmation beep is heard the stereo display shows the current state of the ignition logic. It can be either IGNI ON or IGNI OFF. When the confirmation beep is heard, the status of the ignition logic is changed from one to the other. If you don't want the stereo to come on with the ignition, then set it to IGNI OFF.
By heck! What's wrong with a switch?
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>>>By heck! What's wrong with a switch
That's what I thought!!!
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By heck! What's wrong with a switch?
Nothing whatsover. The above proceedure is for stopping the stereo automatically coming on every time you turn the igniton key, and once implemented you have to use the switch on the stereo to manually turn it on and off.
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By heck! What's wrong with a switch?
Not all of them are so complicated. In my 2005 MY Vectra with a higher model stereo, you can just press the Settings button whilst the multiscreen is showing the Audio screen and you can turn ignition logic on/off from there.
I wonder how it's done with BMW's I-Drive? Probably three pages of manual instructions! ;)
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>> Switch on ignition. >> Switch off stereo.etc....
Thanks for the warning. That is reason enough for me to choose a different car.
It's almost as bad as the Golf I had where you can adjust one mirror independently but
not the other mirror (as both mirrors move together).
Frightening to think that some clown consciously designs these things.
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I'll try it on the Astra.
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>> Vectra - worthy though very poor dealers. Not all of them though.
You mean they are not all worthy? ;-)
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How many dealers, just the one? I have had excellent service from three Ford dealers over the last four years, light years ahead of my experience with Vauxhall dealers.
No, two dealers. One could not fix and the other declined to try. I am pleased that you have had a good experience. I have been motoring for forty and more years and this is the worst service I have had. I had a niggle with the drivers seat base when I bought the car, it creaked and squeaked. They said that it might be the way I was sitting on it! Anyway, they did eventually replace it but not without three visits.
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I know what you mean Menz.
Much as I love my car (and I do), the dealers are enough to put anyone off. That's why I never go anymore and I still don't think I'm missing much!
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I have seen some 55-reg Kia Magentis with 1000 - 5000 miles for under £7k. What do people think of those?
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If you look at it as a direct rival to a Mondeo you'll be disappointed. That's if you like how the Mondeo drives of course.
If you look at is as a cheap barge with toys and comfier ride, then you'll be made up.
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Motorpoint have a couple of 2005 Magentis for £5299,seems like value to me,and a Kia wont give you grief.
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I have seen some 55-reg Kia Magentis with 1000 - 5000 miles for under £7k. What do people think of those?>>>>
A fine car but zero street cred.. and savage depreciation. Why do you think they are so cheap?
A squeaky drivers seat is hardly a major issue with quality to dismiss a Mondeo.
It's light years ahead of a Magentis in most areas.
Own a Magentis for a year or indeed any car and you'll be lucky to have any issues as trivial as a squeaky seat.
As for dealers? most are rubbish anyway.
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I have seen some 55-reg Kia Magentis with 1000 - 5000 miles for under £7k. What do people think of those?
I wouldn't have one - it's an ugly car, and it's been replaced by a much better model now, so it's no surprise it's dirt cheap - buy one and you'll be able to sell it next year for about £3k!!
Have a look at a new-model Hyundai Sonata if you want a decent large Korean car (apparently they're better to drive as well). All the petrol engines on the Jap/Korean cars are spot-on reliability and durability wise, I'd be more inclined to get a Toyota or a Honda if you want it to hold its value. If you're planning to keep it for years and years, buy a Korean one.
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I wouldn't have one - it's an ugly car, and it's been replaced by a much better model now, so it's no surprise it's dirt cheap - buy one and you'll be able to sell it next year for about £3k!!
Yeah Magentis depreciation is savage, although having said that I doubt it'll lose value any more over three years than a new car costing £7000 (which is how much these were going for a few months back new). They ain't great but they are very reliable and a good long-term option -- minicab springs to mind (were it not for the big engine fuel consumption).
You don't buy Korean new unless you intend to keep for a while (new smaller vehicles and 4x4s excepted). Put it out of your mind, or have a punt on a 3yo one for £3000 maybe. The 2.5V6s seem good value to me, a lovely smooth barge with loads of toys (these cars are old Citroen-like comfy, with handling to match).
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No, two dealers. One could not fix and the other declined to try.
That is surely no reason to criticise the second dealer, they were aware that one of their felllow dealers was on the case.
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