what to get for €25k

TimG

Hi, the old man wants to change his vectra for something a bit newer and more reliable. He's impressed with my '98 A4, and wouldn't mind a newer model diesel a4, but after looking at 2005 A4's I'm not really impressed with price and base spec's. Does anyone have suggestions for a diesel family sized car for about the €25k mark, he'd like 2 get something abit more up market than the usual run of the mill mondeo/vectra/passat. Also, about how much is his '02 2.0dti vectra with 60k on the clock worth? Unfortunatly its a '95-'02 shape.

E92

It would have to be an E46 3 series for me. One with those delightful sounding 6 cylinder engines. That would be my choice. However you said a diesel, in which case it would still be an E46 3 series:) Get a 320d, but for gods sake make sure to ask them about the turbo. Lots of 320ds have had turbo failure, depending on the year(especially the older ones), so be sure to check that out if your dad decides to buy an E46. You don't say where your location is, but it is possible to get a '03 320d(I know its only a year newer than your dads present car, but trust me it will feel about 10 year newer) for €24k from here http://www.usedcars.ie/usedcars/index.cfm?fuseaction=car&carID=596106 That one is nice even though it is a bit basic inside in it, and not from a genuine BMW dealer either. http://www.usedcars.ie/usedcars/index.cfm?fuseaction=car&carID=543584
This one is very nice,and it'll have a one year warranty, but it is the same age as your dads car.http://www.usedcars.ie/usedcars/index.cfm?fuseaction=car&carID=593689 This one initially thought was geogeous, but then when I saw that it had a 6 speed box, I became suspicious, because the only E46 I can recall with a 6 speed box is the M3. I would have originally said the Mondeo or even the Avensis(the Passat could be troublesome reliability wise, plus I'm not a major fan of it), but you said your Dad didn't want them. Don't go near a C-class anyway, you'd nearly get better reliability from an Alfa than from one of them. the only alternative I can see is the Audi A4. You could have this one, which looks lovely IMO http://www.usedcars.ie/usedcars/index.cfm?fuseaction=car&carID=569340.
this one is nice but it has only the 100 bhp engine http://www.usedcars.ie/usedcars/index.cfm?fuseaction=car&carID=555799

Unfortunately I couldn't find a really high spec A4, though what I would say is that the standard has the basics anyway. http://www.usedcars.ie/usedcars/index.cfm?fuseaction=car&carID=594411
This is how much a '02 Vectra diesel is worth, and thats the new shape one.
http://www.usedcars.ie/usedcars/index.cfm?fuseaction=car&carID=364949

And thats how much an old shape '01 one is worth. I'd say recon on getting €6-6.5k from a dealer

bazz26

How about one of these:

http://www.usedcars.ie/usedcars/index.cfm?fuseaction=car&carID=585571

Same engine as the Passat and A4, they are huge on the inside and better speced than your average A4 or Passat.

Regarding the value of his Vectra, i'd say it is worth about €6,500 to €7,000.

E92

The Superb is an underrated car, if not a great car. Those things have suffer badly from depreciation though, so you'd suffer come resale time. Also the OP said his dad wanted something more upmarket than even a Passat, so I don't think a Skoda badge will cut the munstard there(even though it is a streched Passat):) I'd have a Passat over a Superb, but then again, I'd have a Golf over an Octavia even though the Octavia has way more space and will probably offer better customer service, so you can read into that what you want:) try this for size http://www.usedcars.ie/usedcars/index.cfm?fuseaction=car&carID=563166 It's some bargain imagine the equivalant car costs €34,600 new(probably a bit less back in '03 I'd say, but still) A Mondeo(Zetec TDCi) by comparison costs €31,825 new (slightly less back then as well) yet is worth more http://www.usedcars.ie/usedcars/index.cfm?fuseaction=car&carID=520366 If your dad was willing to consider petrol or a Honda, how about this? http://www.usedcars.ie/usedcars/index.cfm?fuseaction=car&carID=540140 The Accord is a great car, if it had say an Audi badge, it would be everywhere or maybe your old man might like this too, cause this one is a diesel(I'd have the diesel anyway, that i-CTDi is supposed to be a belter of an engine, even though this car is an english import)http://www.usedcars.ie/usedcars/index.cfm?fuseaction=car&carID=557396
Don't ignore the Volvo S60 either, I know its a Volvo, but Volvo predjudices are long gone

craichoe

I have a 1.9 Octavia TDI the mark one, cracking car.

The badge thing is a load of nonsense, i'd go on the comfort and drive more than anything else. The interior is identical to the Golf and Seat Leon.

I wouldnt go back to petrol after going diesel either. Much more economical and a nicer engine sound, except when its idling, then it sounds like theres a massey ferguson stuck at the lights

ninty9er

Does it realllllllllly have to be diesel or is it a preference

here's a diesel anyway...the VRT should be just within budget

and another please Carol!!!

A bit of difference

and finally

TimG

Thanks 4 the replies. Hmmm, think he was hoping 2 get closer 2 €10k for the vectra, ya really drop your pants in depreciation with opels. I really like the old shape 3 series, how much power does the 320d put out, and is it really a 2litre?

He isn't 2 happy with skodas, the rear window heater is still for keepin ur hands warm when pushing one! but he might go for a volvo, what is the s40 like, this one seems very nice, with a healty 136bhp and 6 speed. The biggest prob I have with the new model A4 is the 1.9tdi is as old as the hills and only knocks out 115bhp, but the 2.0tdi costs a whopping 5grand extra:mad:.

Would a 6speed make much a difference to motorway driving, ie would it make enough of a difference to be able 2 drive at say 2k rpm instead of 3k rpm when doin 70mph? or is it simply a closer ratio 'box with an extra gear?

ninty9er

There's a 1.9 130bhp VAG engine in some of the A4s, but be careful that it is a 130 and not 115 if you look at one with the intention of buying

E92

TimG wrote:

Thanks 4 the replies. Hmmm, think he was hoping 2 get closer 2 €10k for the vectra, ya really drop your pants in depreciation with opels. I really like the old shape 3 series, how much power does the 320d put out, and is it really a 2litre?

He isn't 2 happy with skodas, the rear window heater is still for keepin ur hands warm when pushing one! but he might go for a volvo, what is the s40 like, this one seems very nice, with a healty 136bhp and 6 speed. The biggest prob I have with the new model A4 is the 1.9tdi is as old as the hills and only knocks out 115bhp, but the 2.0tdi costs a whopping 5grand extra:mad:.

Would a 6speed make much a difference to motorway driving, ie would it make enough of a difference to be able 2 drive at say 2k rpm instead of 3k rpm when doin 70mph? or is it simply a closer ratio 'box with an extra gear?

The 320d has 150 bhp after 02, before that it has 136 bhp. the S40 is a lovely car. We have the old one, a 1.8 with that dreaded Mitsubishi engine, and its grand, but its small in the back and has a noisy engine making a tick tick tick sound all the time(they all do that apparantly, and ours has done it since we bought it 4 years ago, its cause it has direct injection)(kinda like diesel clatter, just a bit more refined). I've sat in the new one, and its much nicer inside, though still very small. As regards engines, if it were me, I'd have the T5 or the D5(is the D5 on sale here?), the 4 cyl petrols are meant to be slow, and while the diesels are meant to be nice, the 1.6D and 2.0D are from Peugeot-Citroen, so may not be terribly reliable.You said ur old man wanted diesel though, so it would have to be the 2.0D, or when prices become more affordable, the D5(which is a Volvo engine). I have been in its sister car, the Mazda3, and was impressed with that. Another car that should be selling much better.
I dunno about 6 speed boxes, I've never driven a car in my life(will be soon when I've finished the leaving cert), so can't make any comment about that.

E92

edited because I posted the same thing twice

DeBeere

ninty9er wrote:

...and another please Carol!!!...

Suppose he would have to take that dangerous bullbar off before he could drive it.:rolleyes:

maidhc

E92 wrote:

A Mondeo(Zetec TDCi) by comparison costs €31,825 new

You would get a new old-shape Mondeo Platinum TDCI 115bhp right now for a bit with 25k. Very good value!

Padraig Mor

I'd go for a 2004 Honda Accord i-CDTi. Meant to be a superb car.

dts

The Nissan Qashqai, just out on Saturday. Went to have a look at one and must say I was impressed. From 23500 for the 1.6petrol up to 32000 for the 2.0 disel with all the toys.:D

bazz26

maidhc wrote:

You would get a new old-shape Mondeo Platinum TDCI 115bhp right now for a bit with 25k. Very good value!

Shocking depreciation though. With the new model almost here it would be better to go to a 2004/2005 Zetec where most of the depreciation will have already been hit by the previous owner(s).

Henry Ford III

bazz26 wrote:

Shocking depreciation though. With the new model almost here it would be better to go to a 2004/2005 Zetec where most of the depreciation will have already been hit by the previous owner(s).

I agree. 2006 models with a warranty should be good value too.

TimG

Hmmm, don't think he's too keane on fords, and the mondeo is a bit bland.

I have been looking at the old model A4's, do extras like quattro help the resale value much. If an A4 has a quattro kit, does this mean it's 4WD, or is it just a body kit? The bodykit looks naff imo, but 4WD would be nice (would be very handy for me doing motocross at the wkends, don't know if the old man would let me:D) Is there any issues with relabilty in the quattro, I know the Calibra 4x4 had massive prob's with the transfer 'boxes.

Putting numbers on things, assuming he get €7k for the vectra, thats €16k over 3yrs, or €5,300 pa. With an '03 A4 for 21k, i'll guess he'll get €5k for it in 4 yrs time(what my '98 a4 is worth now), with would work out at 4k pa, he should be happier with that.

Villain

Get him to buy a decent car and go for either of these:
http://www.usedcars.ie/usedcars/index.cfm?fuseaction=car&carID=593139
http://www.usedcars.ie/usedcars/index.cfm?fuseaction=car&carID=589819
AWD is the business, he won't drive a 2WD again.

colm_mcm

Those Subarus are hardly great all-rounders are they?

Villain

Why not Colm_mcm?

Subaru's are very reliable cars, their AWD system is excellent, safest cars I have ever driven, have you driven an AWD Subaru?

TimG

Hmm, that's a blood good spec for an '05 at that price, will defo suggest one, although I don't think he'll go back 2 a petrol. it's a massive pitty the is no diesel version.

colm_mcm

I've driven Subarus, and while they're drivers cars, they aren't really upmarket, they're more sporty. Also, they're not diesel.

Villain

Ok obviously they don't have diesel but I think people get a bit carried away insisting on Diesel.

As for them not being upmarket I take it you mean instead of being overpriced they are good value. My mates have Audi A4's and they are lovely cars but man come on they are so overpriced. I have a 2001 Subaru Legacy with heated leather seats, Auto, Cruise control etc and of course AWD and honestly it is a dream to drive.

I live in a rural area and in the winter the roads get very slippy but my AWD never spins or slides its safer than any car I have driven, except maybe a Quattro but they are stupid money. Subaru will be reliable comfortable and above all very safe. Don't confuse the few WRX and STI performance cars with the sensible 2ltr Impreza and Legacy.

colm_mcm

I'd sooner have a Legacy than many similarly sized cars, but I accept that it will never have the same kudos as the possibly inferior German stuff.