My much loved Impreza WRX import has to go - a change of circumstances meaning 20,000 miles a year and a recent engine rebuild (ouch!) has forced the issue...
I'm thinking that one of these modern turbo diesels which handles well may be the way to go? Budget is £9k max, preferably less because the Scooby won't be welcome as a p/ex. Comfort is very, very important as the miles are racked up on long journeys of often 600 miles in one go.
I do the occasional gig so a hatchback or estate would be the best configuration, although a big boot and split/fold rear seats may suffice.
I've driven '02 VW TDi 130 Golfs and found them to be a little mushy for handling and the power delivery will take a lot of getting used to - no arguing with the economy or resale though. I've heard the TDi 150 handles far better and has a nicer spec, but it will be a high miles example at my price level.
I've also driven an '01 BMW 330D and absolutely loved it, so a manual tourer could be the thing, although it would be high mileage within my budget.
The Mondeo tdci seems to tick most of the boxes, but there are a lot of negative reports concerning reliability and inherent faults.
Left-field choices and words of wisdom most welcome!
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Why not a Skoda Octavia - also comes in estate form.
Outlets such as Fords of Winsford offer diesel models from 2004 and 2005 for your top price.
The taxi drivers in my area love Skoda Octavias, finding them tough and reliable.
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Do not disagree with Octavia but might be too expensive or high mileage. I would suggest a Citroen Picasso or possibly a Fiat Stilo Multiwagon.
With the Fiat you can get a very recent diesel model for £9000 (see pilot.fiat-approved-cars.co.uk/Acl-vfc/vfc/fiat/in...2) with only 9,000 on the clock. I drive a Fiat Marea (earlier model) and would certainly recommend you have a look as my car is a lovely car to drive. Fiat have been getting some very good reliability reports, similar to BMW and VW. Remember that Fiat designed diesel engines are fitted to many other makes of car.
No car you look at will have the performance of your Impreza, but all will probably be cheaper to service, cheaper for insurance and lower fuel costs.
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Roger
I read frequently, but only post when I have something useful to say.
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The Octavia diesel will be economical and spacious, but take a long test drive - the seats are quite firm (but not uncomfortable on a long drive), so you may not like them. For the WRX lover in you, don't forget either that the 1.9 TDI in 110bhp guise offered better 0-60 times than the Golf Mk4 GTI.
When he was picking his current car - a 1.6 petrol Octavia estate - my father and I also tested a Stilo multiwagon. Again, try before you buy - this didn't strike us as being designed with speed in mind. Everything about its layout and road manners suggested a car planned around hauling an Italian family down the autostrada on a hot July weekend with everything they'd need for a month's holiday in the back. So think comfortable, practical and leisurely.
How much equipment do you carry to gigs? Its not an obvious choice, but the Skoda Superb diesel is comfortable, quick, and has plenty space for a saloon in its boot. Or a later-plate Citroen C5? There are some very contented C5 drivers on here...
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For the WRX lover in you, don't forget either that the 1.9 TDI in 110bhp guise offered better 0-60 times than the Golf Mk4 GTI.
So I'm not making up the speed of the Toledo...wondered how much of it was 'new car' syndrome!
The Peugeot used to run out of puff at 3200rpm...this will rev around to 5000 quite happily! But, you simply don't need to. Amazingly flexible.
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You need a BMW 330d or a 530d - absolutely fantastic cars, economy AND pace for sure. Leagues above anything else in this thread in quality terms, also.
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>>The Mondeo tdci seems to tick most of the boxes, but there are a lot of negative reports concerning reliability and inherent faults.>>
I have done 108k from new in my Ghia X TDCi, only a few minor faults, still drives as new, goes like stink even without using more than 3000 revs, IRO 50MPG, entertaining to drive, crisp turn in, fun handling, difficult to replace.
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Or even a 320d. Will try and beat Cheddar on this one but both the Mondeo TDCi and 320d have similar torque to a standard Imprezza WRX. Whilst the Subaru would always win the 0-60 dash, the diesels can stay fairly close above 40- 50mph. Over those speeds on the motorway the BM and Ford will surprise you.
As for the Picasso- don't. I've now got one, and really like the car, but it compared to my old Mondeo it is very slow.
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Forgot to add, Mondeo was extremely reliable, and comfortable car to commute in.
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Do not disagree with Octavia but might be too expensive or high mileage>>
When I stated "at your top price" I meant to infer that a) they would be very recent examples and b) that figure would obviously drop for earlier models.
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Sounds like you need largeish, depreciating (given budget) and reliable.
I'm not a big Vauxhall fan, but would a Signum be within your price range?
My other thought is a Mazda6 - bit more sporty than other rep-style cars, thus easing the transition from the Scooby.
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Do not disagree with Octavia but might be too expensive or high mileage.>>
The diesel 2005 05 Octavia hatchback at Fords of Winsford has done 16,500 miles...:-)
It's the same price as a 2004 equivalent that has done 3k more. See:
tinyurl.com/oqotz
There are obviously many other sources of Skoda Octavias, but these provide some sort of guide.
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2004 JAGUAR X-TYPE 2.0 Diesel,
04 reg. 75000 miles, Manual, metallic burgundy, one owner, fJsh, SE spec i.e. leather, phone-kit, alloys, immaculate condition. £9,495. ono
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TourVanMan TM < Ex RF >
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Thanks for the replies thus far.
I like the idea of the BMW 320D and I'm glad there's good support for the Mondeo. I'm torn between the value of the Ford and the 'prestige' of the Beemer. Mind you, a friend has a Fabia vRS and he's really smitten with it. Personally I think it's a little small for my needs and I don't like the interior, but a great car nonetheless.
I get confused with all the TDi variants of the VW/Audi group, but I'm after a six-speeder for economy. Audis are off because of their wooden handling, but I've no experience with Seats.
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Seat Leon TDI 130 is a cheaper Golf with sharper handling
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