Superb v Passat v Avensis

unkel

bazz26 wrote:

the overall package (standard kit, value for money, after sales service, etc) of the 3 Series falls short of the Lexus. This is where I think Lexus have really hurt the more established makes

I agree. Especially the after sales service. I gather it is rather excellent

Value for money is the same point really as standard kit, as we are talking about similarly priced cars. Thankfully all BMWs sold in Ireland recently are UK spec, so that is a big improvement

Still comparing the base model IS200 to the same-ish price base model BMW 320, the main extras the Lexus has are leather (big bonus) and the BMW doesn't even have alloys as standard :rolleyes:

bazz26 wrote:

since earlier this year any new Lexus models lauched carry the Lexus badge on them in their home market.

Ah, I wasn't aware of that

curieux2

maidhc wrote:

...I'm saying this as someone who intends to buy an Octavia in the new year.

2.0 TDI is undoubtedly faster. But more expensive, wont hold its value as well (just yet anyway, and certainly not in a plain jane car), will cost more to tax and more to run. The 1.9 TDI is a fine engine, I doubt the extra costs of the 2.0 are justified.

The reports say the 2.0 is a bit slow at lower speeds, and slightly brutal once it gets going. But most reports are pure bull anyway, so I wont stand over that comment.

So which one are you going for ? 1.9 or 2.0 ?
I'm also looking at getting one within the next few months and fancy the 2.0 DSG

colm_mcm

mmuf200 wrote:

The superb has better residuals that Passat and avensis. In two years you will be offered 22K for the Superb with 45K on the clock.

are you on drugs?

junkyard

The Avensis is the best choice by far, VW's being reliable well built cars is a myth, Skoda's are starting to show their true colours with poor trade-in values and the same VW build quality problems. The Toyota is a super car for the money, you should also consider a Ford Mondeo.

maidhc

As a mondeo owner (Mk1) I cant fault them in any way, but they are worth very very little secondhand. In fact Skoda Octavias make bigger money with all else being equal (which says something considering the price differential new).

Toyotas are good cars, but not troublefree by any measure (we have had many at home though the years, most recently a 99 and 02 Avensis). I know many people with Skodas and VWs, and apart from a few electric problems and dodgy MAFs, that is about it reliability wise. And since I have pretty much decided to buy a octavia, as I said before, I have been asking around a terrible amount.

Are Skoda resale prices that bad? I dont think the Superb holds its value anything like the Avensis, but the Octavia fares quite OK IMO.

Eitherway I cant see the sense in paying 3k extra for the 2.0TDi... and another 2k for the DSG. I was quoted €23.5k cash for a 1.9TDI Ambiente, and €24.9 for the elegance with climate control and alloys (only 15"s though).

junkyard

As I said before in my previous threads, I'm involved in supplying and servicing fleet cars among other things, and VW has been knocked off the list of cars for next year due to unreliability and poor build quality. Skoda aren't even on the list but I do know that they don't hold their value and don't have much value on them in the motor trade in general. For your own interest you should take a trip to Merlin Car Auctions some Saturday and see with your own eyes the true value of cars in general....its a real eyeopener.

maidhc

junkyard wrote:

For your own interest you should take a trip to Merlin Car Auctions some Saturday and see with your own eyes the true value of cars in general....its a real eyeopener.

Humm interesting. I know I'm going OT now, but when one sees Mayo/Louth/random county cars for sale in Cork/Limerick is it fair to assume some, or even many have been bought in auction?

I agree with the Avensis D4D being excellent value for money at what, €30k list. It is a little outside my budget though. The corolla is a far less substantial car than the octavia for very similar money. I havent visited any Toyota dealers yet, but wont do anything without a trip!

bazz26

The Corolla diesel is available in 1.4 90bhp and 2.0 110bhp. But there is a new Corolla due at some stage in 2006.

colm_mcm

bazz26 wrote:

The Corolla diesel is available in 1.4 90bhp and 2.0 110bhp. But there is a new Corolla due at some stage in 2006.

it'll be at least 2007before we see a new Corolla, and the 2.0 is no longer available (it was 116bhp by the way)

bazz26

colm_mcm wrote:

it'll be at least 2007before we see a new Corolla, and the 2.0 is no longer available (it was 116bhp by the way)

Interesting. I was chatting to my local dealer when the car was in for a service and he was expecting the new one around June.

No surprise about the 2.0 being no longer available, it wasn't a huge seller in the current model mainly due to 30% VRT and high road tax.

colm_mcm

well, they've just launched a run out model, and they usually last about a year