Okay, if you like no space, questionable crash protection, dated styling, an underpowered engine and basic trim, then the current S40 is undoubtedly the car for you.
Seriously, apart from a slightly prestige badge, the S40 is outclassed in every way by more modern rivals. For that money you can get a larger, safer, faster, better equipped, better looking Mondeo Zetec - I know it's a Ford but it really does everything brilliantly. Try www.newregcars.co.uk
As for the C5 - that's an excellent price for this spec, it's very well equipped, the styling and interior are a bit of an acquired taste, by which I mean I don't like or dislike them especially but you might go either way. It's also a decent performer, and while you might lose a bit in depreciation, you'll do no worse than the Volvo and have a much more pleasant experience getting there, and being a diesel it will be much more economical too.
The subjective build quality isn't the best and allegedly the HDi engines aren't great at high mileages (although that probably isn't such an issue for you after your current car).
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Thank you, David. I will definitely look at your suggestions as you are a man of great experience indeed!
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Some experience only, please; I'm a bit of a car nut (my first word was 'car', apparently while pointing to an Allegro or some such monstrosity) but I'm not in the trade.
I do have some legal education, I have sold finance products in the past, and I am a natural port of call about four or five times a year when friends or family buy cars. Anything else is just filling in the gaps, so please don't take my comments too seriously.
I hope (and think) they're helpful but at the same time it's very personal to me. I just spend too long on this site to bother with any kind of disclaimer :-)
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Thanks, David. I will let you know what eventually happens....
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Its a shame you have to sell your current car, but life can be a bit of a pink fluffy dice sometimes.
Regards the choices you mention i would find alternatives to 2 of the cars you mentio.
The C5 has good points but personally i feel they are outweighed by the bad. Firstly it does nothing that any other car of it size can generally do. In some instances (like the mondeo) others do them a lot better. If you are going from an S Class Merc to a Citroen the build quality and quality of plastics will be a real shocker. A lot of parts feel very flimsy and will rattle like hell at 60k miles where a \'quality\' reputation manufacturer wont at 160k miles. The discounts are very good, but with a new car the depreciation is savage, and the effect of those great discounts will definitely knock on down to resale when you sell. Certainly they already have a poor residual standing, let alone when the dealers are knocking 18-20% of the new list price. I would avoid.
If you\'re talking about the old Volvo it has pretty much no redeeming features. Old, slow, heavy, dated looks and interior, and with below average resale already, the imminent new model will knock it down even further.
The C Class in 180 or 200 guise is so slow. The 230K and above are reasonable but not amazing. still better than both the above. Just make sure you get a well specced one.
For £12k i\'d go 2nd hand A4 or 3 Series, and should be able to pick a S or T 323i with the creamy 2.5 6 cylinder engine for that money. Alternatively on a new car maybe try the Focus or even the Honda Civic.
I\'m not definitely right but i hope it helps a little.
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p.s i meant the C5 does nothing BETTER that any other car of its size can generally do.
sorry about that!...
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Well.......I agree that some of the plastic parts on the C5 are a bit flimsy - but if you treat the car with respect, they don't break, rattle or creak at all. Let's face it, the car is unbeatable value for money, so corners have to be cut. For my money I'm more than happy to save £1-2k on purchase price and just take a little more care when flicking switches etc.
I would suggest that there are one or two things that the C5 DOES do a little better! The suspension eg, is absolutely unique - pile the boot high with junk, or hitch up a heavily loaded trailer and the car instantly self-levels.
The 2.2 HDI is pretty much unequalled. It is one of the very few diesels with the particle filter system. This makes it exceptionally clean burning. My tailpipe still shines brightly inside after 20,000 miles (The C5's one is similar :-) :-) )
Performance is storming but very very refined. Unlike the Mondeo it starts first time - every time! Totally without temperament.
How about the emergency braking assistance? About a week after I bought the car two young deer suddenly ran out in front of me. The car stopped dead, the hazard warners automatically triggered and the animals were unscathed. If I'd been driving the old Xantia I would have hit them - and Xantia's have fearsome brakes at the best of times!
Handling? Well like Rolls Royce's traditional response to questions of engine performance, it's 'adequate'. So adequate, in fact that you take corners with considerable panache.Why? because they don't roll! Scary until you're used to it! Then there's the push button suspension control - it stiffens for more 'enthusiastic' driving and learns your driving style.
Interior room? I can't think of a more roomy car in the class.Unlike big saloons, the hatchback style of C5 makes it extremely versatile (sorry Pug 405)
Yes, it has it's faults (all cars do)- but there are some outstanding features too. Do drive one before deciding. If it suits your lifestyle and priorities it can be a compelling option.
Graeme
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Thanks, Graeme. I have seen the C5 and like it very much - for the current price of under £14K it is a lot car and is pretty much unbeatable. However, based on the helpful comments given here, I will also look at the Audi A4 s/hand.
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Thank you very much for both your messages. It is a shame as you said that the S320 has to go! I had not considered the A4 and will now do so - it is good advice indeed!
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