Should I change to one of these?

Diamonddec

Hi, I live in Northern Ireland and I've got a privately bought/owned from new March 2008 Mazda6 2 litre diesel with 29k miles. I've had a few quotes of it's current value from dealers and they say approx £9,500. I am getting restless to change my car, but I don't want to add more than £5k or so with the p/x. Anyhow, there are deals at the moment for both a Renault Laguna 1.5 HDI Dynamique tomtom version, which is very well-specced and costing £14,500 new ... and a Citroen C5 Saloon 1.6 HDi 110 VTR for approx £15k new.

I just have this nagging feeling that both those French brands are a backward step from the Mazda ...

WHAT WOULD YOU DO?

Bodhan

Keep the Mazda, the Laguna is a horrid looking thing and the Citroen, well not going to be as long lasting as the Mazda.

Look at other brands, there's lots to choose from if you've cash in your pocket.

Diamonddec

Sound advice I know ... thanks. I have looked at other brands and discounted them:

Ford Mondeo ... Not enough style, and due a facelift in the next couple of months, so would date current model still further and ... the new model would be out of my price range.

Toyota Avensis ... can get a clearance 2 litre diesel D4D T2 new for £16K, but the styling is so very bland IMO.

Volkswagen Passat... can get a 2010 low mileage (under 10,000) 2 litre diesel for around £15k, but again, it hasn't changed much in the last 5 years ... and ... there is a heavy facelift due in the new year, so once again, will quickly date current shape.

Skoda Octavia ... I'm no badge snob and would certainly buy a Skoda, but the Octavia shape is the same as the older (5 years old in fact) Passat. The Superb ain't bad, but really too big for my needs ... and my garage!

Vauxhall Insignia... I quite like the shape of them, and there is a garage in Enniskillen currently selling the 2 litre 160 Exclusiv for £15995. (offer 2) However, I test drove a couple last week and TBH, they didn't drive nearly as well as my Mazda, though the interior is classy and comprehensive.....

Apart from updating my Mazda6, (which I don't wanna do) there isn't much choice left...

I have fleetingly thought about downsizing and getting an ex demo 3 month old Seat Leon 2 litre diesel with about 2k miles on the clock for about £12.5k, but the wife reckons it'll look bad to the neighbours ... like we've fallen on hard times! LOL! :rolleyes:

Your suggestion of keeping the Mazda looks more appealing all things considered ...

Cheers

Anan1

I'd second keeping the Mazda. At 2 years old/29k miles, is there any reason to change it?

R.O.R

Anan1 wrote: »

I'd second keeping the Mazda. At 2 years old/29k miles, is there any reason to change it?

It's a 2 Litre Diesel Mazda 6 - I'd get rid of it before it becomes a very expensive paperweight!

Laguna is getting a facelift shortly as well. Current stock models are likely to be the last of the current model.

Any decent deals on ex. demo Accord's? If it's in budget, would certainly be worth considering.

Or, the Octy VRs is always worth a mention

Anan1

R.O.R wrote: »

It's a 2 Litre Diesel Mazda 6 - I'd get rid of it before it becomes a very expensive paperweight!

Fair enough, I hadn't thought of that!

Bodhan

Bodhan wrote: »

and the Citroen, well not going to be as long lasting as the Mazda.

My uncle as a rep is on his 2nd C5, put 90K miles on the first no bother, new one (an 09) I think has been faultless too. Savage comfy car with a great interior. I'd class a Mazda 6 as dirt compared to one.

Diamonddec

Well, I'm just back from test driving the Renault Laguna. It's OK, just OK. It's the extensive kit list that makes it appealing, but the drive is nowhere near as enjoyable as my Mazda... then again it was only the 1.5 diesel (110). And ... it's actually a bit dated looking, TBH. The salesman reckons it's less than halfway through it's 7 year lifecycle, so there won't be a new Laguna until 2014!!!!!! So that's ruled out at least. I've set up a test drive in the Citroen C5 tomorrow as well.

No, I don't have to change the Mazda, it's just that after 2 1/2 years, I fancy a change. As I mentioned before, the dealers are averaging around £9.5k for my px, and I've also been told that it'll lose about £150 per month from here on for the next 18 months or so, so thought it would be timely to change now.

Looked briefly at Accords, but out of my price range. I saw a March 2010 with 7,000 on the clock for £19,000, meaning about £10k to change, whereas, I'm thinking £6k max!

Padraig Mor

Diamonddec wrote: »

Hi, I live in Northern Ireland and I've got a privately bought/owned from new March 2008 Mazda6 2 litre diesel with 29k miles. I've had a few quotes of it's current value from dealers and they say approx £9,500. I am getting restless to change my car, but I don't want to add more than £5k or so with the p/x. Anyhow, there are deals at the moment for both a Renault Laguna 1.5 HDI Dynamique tomtom version, which is very well-specced and costing £14,500 new ... and a Citroen C5 Saloon 1.6 HDi 110 VTR for approx £15k new.

I just have this nagging feeling that both those French brands are a backward step from the Mazda ...

WHAT WOULD YOU DO?

I changed from a Mazda6 to a new model Citroen C5 and was delighted with the improvement.

Diamonddec

Padraig Mor wrote: »

I changed from a Mazda6 to a new model Citroen C5 and was delighted with the improvement.

That's very interesting! ... Which spec/engine did you go for?

bazz26

OP, did you look at the 2.0 CDTi (160bhp) Vauxhall/Opel Insignia? I reckon it is the best car in it's class at the moment. They look very tasty in Elite trim with metalic black.

Padraig Mor

Diamonddec wrote: »

That's very interesting! ... Which spec/engine did you go for?

I had the 1.8 petrol (hey, I got a good deal!) Dynamique model. This was the equivalent at the time of the UK VTR+ model (note: NOT the VTR). This has now been replaced in the UK by the VTR+ Nav model. I would not go for the VTR model as this is pretty basic - stretch to the VTR+ Nav which has a lot of nice kit. One thing not apparent from photos - although cloth, the seat material is actually really nice on VTR+ models - very 'luxurious'. (This material is not on the VTR I think BTW).

Diamonddec

bazz26 wrote: »

OP, did you look at the 2.0 CDTi (160bhp) Vauxhall/Opel Insignia?

Hi Bazz... yes I did look at the Insignia, which is on offer at one of the dealers in Enniskillen (see my 2nd post of this thread). TBH, that would have been my 1st choice, as I still think the shape is pretty fresh and the interior is nice, but the drive didn't compare with my Mazda somehow. It's hard to explain, but it just didn't handle as well, with a lack of feedback and vagueish, light steering. Also, the engine was a tad noisy IMO. It hasn't put me off it completely, but dampened my initial ardour!


Cheers Padraig Mor. Will look at the differences in the VTR and VTR+ spec when I go to the Citroen dealers tomorrow.

_Kaiser_

Diamonddec wrote: »

Volkswagen Passat... can get a 2010 low mileage (under 10,000) 2 litre diesel for around £15k, but again, it hasn't changed much in the last 5 years ... and ... there is a heavy facelift due in the new year, so once again, will quickly date current shape.

I have to say I hate the look of the upcoming facelifted Passat that's coming. Looks far too much like the current Golf for my tastes, and I just don't like Golfs.

Personally I prefer the look of my current 06 one, but even the B5.5 (previous model) is still around in large numbers and still looks well. Though I always laugh when I see a last-gen Skoda Superb and think "don't you feel silly having bought a new car that looks mostly identical to one that was out in 2001" - or 1997 if you include the B5

Maybe I just like big boring saloons?

Anyway, I reckon a 10 model Passat would be a good buy as it has the newer CR engine, the issues SHOULD have been ironed out, and I hear they've thrown a load of extras at it being the last one?

Bodhan

Diamonddec wrote: »

Well, I'm just back from test driving the Renault Laguna. It's OK, just OK. It's the extensive kit list that makes it appealing, but the drive is nowhere near as enjoyable as my Mazda... then again it was only the 1.5 diesel (110). And ... it's actually a bit dated looking, TBH. The salesman reckons it's less than halfway through it's 7 year lifecycle, so there won't be a new Laguna until 2014!!!!!!

There's a new looking Laguna due this year, it's at the Paris motor show, picture attached, dealers!

Diamonddec

Bodhan wrote: »

There's a new looking Laguna due this year, it's at the Paris motor show, picture attached, dealers!

W T Fack? :mad: ... I'm p****d at that dealer! :mad: I explicitly asked him this morning if they were selling the Laguna's off because there was a new model/facelift happening soon ... and as such, I would be facked off if I bought one and a newer design came out in the next few months. He looked me square in the eyes, and without even a hint of a sly snigger, said "No ... nothing, not even halfway through 7 year life-cycle......"!

Coincidentally Bodhan, I had just found out about this update when you posted!... http://www.zercustoms.com/news/2011-Renault-Laguna-Facelift.html

Frigging Dealers ... they would sell their grannies ... *****! :mad:

Diamonddec

With the Laguna facelift happening shortly... (frigging lying dealer) :mad: ... I've just been thinking about my visit to Citroen tomorrow to test drive the C5. That too is in its' 3rd year now, so surely a makeover must be imminent, although I cannot find anything on t'web ... except for mention of a DS5 model in 2011... I wonder if I should ask the Citroen dealer? :mad: :rolleyes:

galwaytt

R.O.R wrote: »

It's a 2 Litre Diesel Mazda 6 - I'd get rid of it before it becomes a very expensive paperweight!

Amen, +1000

Bodhan

Diamonddec wrote: »

With the Laguna facelift happening shortly... (frigging lying dealer) :mad: ... I've just been thinking about my visit to Citroen tomorrow to test drive the C5. That too is in its' 3rd year now, so surely a makeover must be imminent, although I cannot find anything on t'web ... except for mention of a DS5 model in 2011... I wonder if I should ask the Citroen dealer? :mad: :rolleyes:

There's no press release about a new C5, it came out in 2007ish so expect a face lift version next year. Keep in mind a car gets a face lift about 3-4 years into a life cycle, with a new model around 5-6 year mark.

The C5 is a lovely looking car, you'll be very comfortable with the big seats.

Guy:Incognito

Diamonddec wrote: »

W T Fack? :mad: ... I'm p****d at that dealer! :mad: I explicitly asked him this morning if they were selling the Laguna's off because there was a new model/facelift happening soon ... and as such, I would be facked off if I bought one and a newer design came out in the next few months. He looked me square in the eyes, and without even a hint of a sly snigger, said "No ... nothing, not even halfway through 7 year life-cycle......"!

Coincidentally Bodhan, I had just found out about this update when you posted!... http://www.zercustoms.com/news/2011-Renault-Laguna-Facelift.html

Frigging Dealers ... they would sell their grannies ... *****! :mad:

While dealers should be upfront about things like this, buyers need to do their homework too. It's so easy nowadays and theres no excuse for taking salespeople at face value (it's hard to know the honest ones before you deal with them). At the end of the day they are going to have pre facelift ones left coming up to and even after the change unless they have been very good with their orders and they need to shift them. At that stage the only people going to buy them will be someone who prefers the look of the pre facelift.

As a rule of thumb 7 years is roughly a models lifespan with a mid model facelift at 4-6 years.

Sikie

I wouldn't be waiting for a new Laguna Renault wouldn't have a good track record in my mind of having flawless launches of their new models

Guy:Incognito

Sikie wrote: »

I wouldn't be waiting for a new Laguna Renault wouldn't have a good track record in my mind of having flawless launches of their new models

Facelift =/= New model. The current model is around since 2007 without issue.

Also, they were making cars before 2001


FWIW heres everything honestjohn has in its "whats bad" section for the Laguna:

What's Bad
Feedback welcome.

What to Watch Out For
Feedback welcome.

Diamonddec

UPDATE:

Went to Citroen garage this morning to test drive a C5. Firstly I drove a 1.6 HDI VTR+. I was very impressed with the flexibility of the engine, seeing as it is just 110bhp... and so quiet too! ... Then, the rep asked if I wanted to drive a 2.0 ... so I did ... amd preferred it, solely because on the odd occasion I like to put my foot down.:rolleyes: Anyhow, I was well impressed with the high levels of spec ... superb ... and refinement!

Call me impulsive, but I ended up buying a May 2009, one owner (Citroen) 2.0 litre EXCLUSIVE (tons of kit) with 18000 miles for £13450.

Well pleased and pick her up on Wednesday.

pajo1981

Congrats. The C5 is a sweet car. Did you the the messaging seats?

Drummerboy08

I've always thought that if I was spending someone else's money I'd love a 2.0HDi C5 with a bit of spec. Its a lovely car, nice and comfortable too. Well wear.

Diamonddec

Thanks guys! Not sure about massaging seats! :eek: ... The wife did say that her arse was warm after driving it, so they might be heated though!... The dealer was decent enough and offered me a weekend test. As it happens, my mind was pretty much made up after 5 minutes in the car... However, I had the car for about 5 hours, drove the 35 miles to my house, made sure it fit in my garage , let the wife have a blast and got her final OK (just so she feels like she makes the big decisions) :rolleyes: ...

Drummerboy08

If it has massaging seats there should be buttons to activate/set it down on the base of the seat to the right. They should be quite visable to you when your sitting in the seat.

They're a great addition to a car if you have them - delivered a C5 to a customer last year with it and it was a great drive!

Padraig Mor

Well wear!

Diamonddec

Padraig Mor wrote: »

Well wear!

Cheers fella!

Bodhan

Keep it between the hedges OP, best of luck with it!

Diamonddec

Bodhan wrote: »

Keep it between the hedges OP, best of luck with it!

Cheers, I'll try ... and thanks for your comments on this thread!

Diamonddec

Hi guys ... picked up the C5 on Wednesday and so far very pleased...







Thanks everyone for taking the time to post on this thread!

Bodhan

Very nice Dec, enjoy it. You made the right choice, now you just gotta keep it that shiny

Diamonddec

Bodhan wrote: »

Very nice Dec, enjoy it. You made the right choice, now you just gotta keep it that shiny

Cheers! ... It's gonna be hard ... I got her on Wednesday night, (first black car) washed her on Thursday, washed her yesterday and spent 4 hours today washing, polishing and buffing! ... wanting to make sure she was looking her best when friends and family came calling ... Now the honeymoon is officially over and she'll be lucky to see a damp rag every fortnight until next summer!