The xantia (curse it) is dying, slowly but it is dying.

So we weed a new car, thats a car thats new to us, not a 'new' car.

We've got approx £5000 ono to spend and are gravitating towards a skoda fabia.

We've had 2 diesels so far, the Golf 1.6 (amazing car over a quarter of a million miles on the clock) and the xantia (it went once) and since its main job will be journeys south of 200 miles or more and round trips to lincoln 2-3 times a week, it needs to be:

economical on fuel
relatively cheap parts (i.e full set of tyres less than £500!)
four door
good on the motorway

apart from that, I thought I'd ask the forum to see what it comes up with...

please don't offer to sell me your car. :)

You could try looking at a nissan primara, mazda 626 (both painfully dull but last forever), vauxhall omega (lots of car for the money - and a good diesel too), mitsibushi gallant (similar to omega, with no diesel but a good 2.4 GDi engine), you could probably also find a diesel SET toledo in that price range.

Oh and if you go for a Fabia be carefull of the engine - there are 2 1.4 engines, an 8 valve and a 16 valve version. The 8 valve version is bored out ould Skoda 1.3 engine and is surprising thirsty and rough - worth avoiding!

If you've been happy with VW then the Skoda is a good choice. I have a Skoda Superb company car which is a 130 TDI. Made in Czech but lift the bonnet and everything is stamped "Made in Germany" anyway. The Fabia is based on the Polo so may be a bit small for you so look at the Octavia which is based on Golf. With a new Octavia out last month the second hand values of previous model should have dropped recently.

2 words

VOKSWAGEN PASSAT

Sounds like your heading for a Mondeo to me. :)

Well the feedback so far is:

We want something smaller than the xantia, so mondeo, octavia etc is out. The new polo is the same size as the old golf, so fabias are looking good.

Any alternatives to a fabia (same price bracket give or take a few hundred) that spring to mind. SEAT Toledo~? Anyone ever driven one?

Blame the other mods for my incessant questioning, but I thought I ought to put my money where my mouth is on how the forum is such a useful source of info!

How about Rover 25 1.4 iL 5dr

I've seen year 2001 retail around 5k. Not sure about reliability though.

Originally posted by Phanerothyme
Well the feedback so far is:
SEAT Toledo~? Anyone ever driven one?

The toledo is a VW Bora / Golf / Octavia with a different body stuck on top so it should drive pretty much the same as those...

Originally posted by Robbie_Lovin
2 words

VOKSWAGEN PASSAT

Bang on Robbie. I have had 4 Passats all TDIs and never had a minutes trouble with any of them them.

Originally posted by Lickszz
How about Rover 25 1.4 iL 5dr

I've seen year 2001 retail around 5k. Not sure about reliability though.

Oh no! Get a Fabia over a Rover anytime. The Fabia has won numerous awards recently, is of VW build quality and reliability and will also hold its value better than a Rover.

I'd go for the Fabia - the diesels are good as well - Clarkson managed to beat a 1.6 petrol Mini in a diesel Fabia! :D

I would deffinately agree with avoiding a rover - its a very old design and lacks safety - best bet is probably to browse on something like www.autotrader.co.uk and see whats availabe in your price range. Good as the fabia is I think you would be lucky to get a diesel or even a 1.4 16v petrol for 5K

I would definitely go for the Rover 25/200 , good value for money and very reliable.

Not sure if you can get a MG ZR for around that price too.

Rover cars get repeatedly slated on Top Gear. Get the Skoda - great VW build quality without the VW price tag.

Best bet is to go to the auctions and see what is going through for £5k, you will get a lot of car for that sort of money.

Cant go wrong with a Focus - cheap on parts, or how about a Peugeot, good diesel engines.


This may help you make up your mind (http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v292/mikeybrad/skoda.bmp)

Originally posted by alchresearch
Rover cars get repeatedly slated on Top Gear. Get the Skoda - great VW build quality without the VW price tag.

Of course they do, Jeremy Clarkson doesn't like them and never will. Its not exactly an unbiased opinion is it? Try driving a car and reading varied reviews rather than trusting one celebrities opinion.

I have driven a 25 and have to see it is a good little car which looks good and drove well. I have also driven a Mondeo which was a pile of poo, so dull. I personally didn't like the Galaxy and Volvo (sorry forget model of Volvo) I have driven either. Also not to mention the build quality on a brand new Alfa my partner has driven.



How about something like this? http://atsearch.autotrader.co.uk/WWW/CARS_popup.asp?nU=0&make=MG&model=ZR&min_pr=75&max_pr=&postcode=S36%201DR&miles=40&max_records=50&modelexact=1&start=1&distance=22&adcategory=CARS&channel=CARS&id=200436159358045

Looks good, is diesel and your buying a british car.

Oops its three door, but I am sure a four door can be found for a similiar price.

Mr Clarkson ain't much of a Vauxhall fan either is he..

'All this modern technology and Vauxhall still can't get a car mechanically right'

Only ever had to change the cambelt on mine :rolleyes:

A few suggestions/examples:

Chrysler Neon 2.0SE - X reg, 19k miles, silver metallic, 5 doors, air con, e/windows, power steering, immobiliser, RAC inspected, 12 month MOT, 12 month parts/labour warranty..... £4,495


Alfa Romeo 156 - 1.6TS, W reg, 28k miles, red, 5 doors, e/windows, immobiliser, power steering, air con, FSH, HPI checked... £4,995 (and a Sheffield dealership)


Ford Focus 1.4CL - W reg, 34k miles, red, 5 doors, e/windows, FSH, immobiliser, power steering, .... £4,995

Originally posted by t020
Alfa Romeo 156 - 1.6TS, W reg, 28k miles, red, 5 doors, e/windows, immobiliser, power steering, air con, FSH, HPI checked... £4,995 (and a Sheffield dealership)

I thought he wanted cars suggesting that are cheap on parts ;)

Originally posted by Skatiechik
How about something like this? http://atsearch.autotrader.co.uk/WWW/CARS_popup.asp?nU=0&make=MG&model=ZR&min_pr=75&max_pr=&postcode=S36%201DR&miles=40&max_records=50&modelexact=1&start=1&distance=22&adcategory=CARS&channel=CARS&id=200436159358045

Looks good, is diesel and your buying a british car.

Oops its three door, but I am sure a four door can be found for a similiar price.


I thought he wanted cars with 4 doors? ;)

Sorry, couldn't resist....

Originally posted by t020
A few suggestions/examples:
Alfa Romeo 156

We have an Alfa Romeo 147, :P. Good car, but not in the "maximum £5,000" criteria.
However, that doesen't answer the... below £5,000 question.

Alex

Originally posted by amhudson119
We have an Alfa Romeo 147, :P. Good car, but not in the "maximum £5,000" criteria.
However, that doesen't answer the... below £5,000 question.

Alex


But 156s are under £5k now, second hand. At the rate of depreciation, it won't be long until the 147 joins it. ;)

Originally posted by Skatiechik
Of course they do, Jeremy Clarkson doesn't like them and never will. Its not exactly an unbiased opinion is it? Try driving a car and reading varied reviews rather than trusting one celebrities opinion.


Its not just Clarkson who slates Rover. Read any motor magazine today and you'll find that the Rover 200/25 seldom gets more than 1 out of 5 in overall ratings, as opposed to the Fabia, which usually scores 4.

As has already been said - a VW without the VW price tag :)

(1.4 Focus would, IMO, be too underpowered - small engine + big car = NO!)

Originally posted by t020
I thought he wanted cars with 4 doors? ;)

Sorry, couldn't resist....

Shame you didn't read the post properly too.

I mentioned it is a 3 door on the link but I am sure a 4 door could be found at a similiar price.

Originally posted by Skatiechik
Shame you didn't read the post properly too.

I mentioned it is a 3 door on the link but I am sure a 4 door could be found at a similiar price.

I did read it I was just making a cheap comeback. :D

Having said that though, I don't think I've ever seen a 5 door ZR.

Originally posted by t020
I did read it I was just making a cheap comeback. :D

Having said that though, I don't think I've ever seen a 5 door ZR.

They do exist, but are quite rare. Not many boy racers want 5 doors do they :)

Originally posted by dinp
They do exist, but are quite rare. Not many boy racers want 5 doors do they :)

True, unless of course girl racer partner gives birth to little Britney-Louise.

Originally posted by t020
True, unless of course girl racer partner gives birth to little Britney-Louise.

The few girl racers i've seen stick to Corsas, Saxos, C2's and 106's - and they aren't usually sporty ones either :D

Originally posted by t020
I did read it I was just making a cheap comeback. :D

:rolleyes: :P

Thanks for the suggestions people, very helpful.

Fabia is on the expensive side, but I hear thefuel economy on the diesel is insanely good. We're leaning that way. Also considering Rover 25 and focus. MAzda 626 yet to be chekced out.

thanks again

Originally posted by Phanerothyme
Fabia is on the expensive side, but I hear thefuel economy on the diesel is insanely good. We're leaning that way. Also considering Rover 25 and focus. MAzda 626 yet to be chekced out.

25 is well worth avoiding - safety is kinda poo in it! The focus is a good car but Ford are very penny pinching in their extras so its worth seeking out one with such nice things as anti-lock brakes and all round disks which for some insane reason don't come as standard like they do on pretty much every other new(ish) car!

How about a Honda Accord. For 5K you can pick up a 2001/2000 car. Get a 1.8 or 2 liter VTEC and i should give you decent mpg and a fair bit of poke for when your on the motoways. Might be a little big for what your after though, about the same size as a 626, i think.

Well, we took delivery of our V reg Diesel 1.9 Golf today with e/sunroof ABS etc (no c/locking or e/windows)

Got £300 for the xantia

very tidy car as they say less than 50k on the clock, one owner, a shade over 5k.

No central locking or electric windows :o Thought new cars came with them as standard nowadays!

Oops forgot to say, glad you decided on a car in the end and hope you are pleased with it. Still would have gone for the 25 myself tho ;)

My friend drives a corsa and its the 2nd one she`s had and she`s very pleased with it

Originally posted by Skatiechik
Oops forgot to say, glad you decided on a car in the end and hope you are pleased with it. Still would have gone for the 25 myself tho ;)

yeah, in the end it was heart over head and our last golf was a total trooper.

The way I look at it, without c/locking, e/windows or aircon just means fewer things to go wrong, and in modern cars it always seems to be the electrics.

odd that the car has an electric sunroof though :)

Originally posted by Phanerothyme
Well, we took delivery of our V reg Diesel 1.9 Golf today with e/sunroof ABS etc (no c/locking or e/windows)

Got £300 for the xantia

very tidy car as they say less than 50k on the clock, one owner, a shade over 5k.

No Central Locking or Electric windows, thats pathetic in this day and age, And you guys have the cheek to Slate Rover cars.

Even my 1991 Rover metro had both electric windows and central locking ! and even my 1988 Metro turbo had central locking as standard.

Im sorry but in my opinion a V reg golf, 50k at a shade over £5k is a rip off ! well at the very least I wouldnt call it value for money.