[Sorry this has gotten a bit lengthy, i'm a very wordy chap!]
Hi Folks,
OK, I'm replacing my aging (N Reg) Renault Clio 1.9D, for a number of reasons.
1. It's looking a bit tatty, and i'm having to go visit clients for my firm a lot more recently, and it doesn't look good.
2. It's a bit small. Since buying the car i've taken up Scuba diving, and the clio isn't really big enough to lug two peoples kit around in comfortably (saying nothing of the weight of said kit).
3. I want a new one :)
Budget is £4000, give or take a couple of hundred.
Another diesel would be nice, but petrol ok provided the economy isn't horrendous (i'm set to accept less than the 55 to 60 that the clio gives me, and don't do enough miles for 28-30mpg to break the bank).
I've looked at astra/focus estates (the hatchbacks dont have the boot space I need), and mondeo, vectra, nissan primera and pug 406 saloons, price wise it strikes me that i may as well go for the bigger saloon as the smaller estate is the same money, but generally with less toys.
In order of initial feel i'd rate as follows:
Pug 406 (Drove a 99/T-Reg 2.0 petrol Executive, 76k @ £3995)
Mondeo (Drove a 2.0 zetec X (but 2000 model year) @ £4500)
Vectra (Drove a W plate 2.0TDi at £4300, it had a few "issues" but got the idea that i wouldn't find the vectra too exciting to drive).
Primera (W plate @ £3995, felt very plasticy inside, but drove nicely, i think it's the "feel" being in it that dropped it to the bottom).
From that i'm now having a look / drive of a few different pugs, so i can compare/contrast before making a decision on which one to go for, but thought i'd post here (i've been lurking for a while) and ask for peoples comments, experience with 406s good or bad, anything to watch out for not listed in the car-by-car, and so on and so forth.
I'm still tempted to take a look at a few more mondeos, price wise it's going to be the 2000 model year (sadly), so again comments/experiences with those would be welcome too.
Cheers folks!
Gavin.
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I'm sure a lot of people will come and discuss the virtues of Citroen Xantia and C5 etc.
I would seriously consider the later Xantia HDi. I had an early model 16v 2.0 petrol and was over the moon with it. The drive is extra comfy and, with the exeption of the ABS ECU it was virtually trouble free. The ECU only cost me £80 from a good specialist breakers.
Find yourself a good Citroen specialist. If you live near Tavistock in Devon I can recommend Richard Walke, who's labour rates are reasonable and service is excellent. His phone no IIRC is 01822 616977.
In addition, dont be put off by the suspension. It's actually simple to maintain and fix. It seems to be this factor that keeps the prices down.
In addition there is a good forum on the web where you can find all sorts of advice. Richard W on this site is also a frequent visitor.
www.andyspares.com/discussionforum/faq.asp
Hugo
FiL uses him for his X reg Picasso
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Cheers,
I'm definitely in the "french cars are ok" camp at the moment, having owned a Citroen Dyane (97/T) as my firsy car (rebuilt by my own loving hands, with help from dad and stepdad, and subsequently driven to death on the 300 mile run between uni and home).
Like the look of the C5, never really been a fan of the look of the Xantia however, ultimately it's whats underneath that counts, but i reckon you need to be pleased with it too. May go take a look at a C5 if i can find one around my budget.
In Cambridge, so devon is a bit of a trek, but ta for the info anyway!
Regards,
Gavin.
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Just went to look at a 406 GTX 2.0 petrol, W/00, 45k miles, £4695, very clean, seemingly well kept, drove ok.
The dealer took it in part-ex from the person he sold it to a few years earlier, giving the bloke £4250, so guessing i'm not going to get him to come down much from his £4695 (people with experience, advice'd be good here if anyone has any).
Reason it was part-ex'd was that the couple running it have a caravan, and the 406 petrol didnt have the grunt to pull it. Question, is their trying it (presumably they found the problem when going on a holiday, so it'll have done a few hundred miles with it on the back at least) going to have done much damage to the engine, higher revs, more strain etc? I'm guessing not, but thought i'd ask.
So now, i've seen a few good cars at around my budget, the only thing stopping me buying is the number of "the bad" items in the car-by-car on this site, so would appreciate some personal experiences if people have any?
Finally, anyone know the cambelt change milage on a 406, and how big a job it is?
Cheers,
Gav.
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My father's Cortina wasn't in great shape after towing a 3000lb boat-and-trailer combination. Rear suspension a bit squashed, clutch had been slipped a lot, engine rather strained.
I'm sure the caravan is lighter than that, but probably still worth having the car thoroughly checked over.
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