New car/bike bus advice

[s_zigmond]

I keep getting drawn back to a big 5 series diesel estate. Lovely. Mercs of the same era? Pah.

Other options if it were me? Either Honda Accord diesel estate or Mazda 6. If you're feeling saucy and not planning on doing high mileage, Subaru Legacy estate.

Knock that van/MPV nonsense right out the window too

Oh aye, this is defintely an STW thread, get yerself over there if you haven't posted there already

Do lots of research before you consider a Diesel Accord. If they have the same clutch as the Diesel Civic (which im sure they do) then avoid like the plague. Also if your in the Leeds area dont even bother with Honda main dealers, infact anywhere in the UK be wary of Honda main dealers.

Yikes, just read some of the honda clutch stuff

Yup Hondas and the dealers arent what they once were!!

If anyone is concidering a Civic or any Honda for that matter drop me a PM.

Seem to remember your username from the old Honda Revolutions forum???

Just sold a Civic (old MB6 VTi) myself and getting a company car, seats and space were my primary concern so I have ordered a Grand Scenic of all things!
I am considering replacing our Ranger Thunder Doublecab with a smaller more practical car as well and was going to go for a breadvan (EP) Civic 1.7 Diesel, hopefully be a reliable as the last.

I would have automatically said Accord to this or possibly Civic Stream if diesel wasn't a priority, but after reading about the problems with the Accord I wouldn't bother.
It does ring true to what my mechanic friends tell me, which is anything with a DMF is shit and needs changing for solid.

Carl.

Carl.

Nope was only ever on civinfo. As said else where old Hondas are fine. Its just the new ones (especially the ones built in the UK).

 

[s_zigmond]

If you want a big family estate for buttons, then a Saab 9-5 takes a lot of beating. Solid, refined and comfortable. The 1.9 diesels are the ones to get - high power petrol is thirsty and the chassis cannot take it anyway. But they are desperately uncool, hence silly cheap prices. I saw one on a dealer forecourt last week for 7k, a 2007 with 20k on the clock.

I've just sold my 14 year old 9000, still solid and reliable if a little scruffy at the edges.

Id be careful with the 1.9's.Lots of DPF issues amongst other things. However it is the same engine as the Fiat / Alfa / Vauxhall use so cheap to source parts.

The 2.2 diesels are bomb proof (if left standard) as are the 2.0 and 2.3 petrols. The manual 2.3's are cheap to tax, and if you contact the DVLA they have been lowing the tax on the autos for alot of people as it would appear the figure is wrong, so they should be lower tax also.


Same goes with the Vectras. If your after a quick spacious car. You could do alot worse then a Vec C 3.2 GSi estate and low tax bracket. Very reliable reasonably quick and absolutely massive. Ive just got 2.8T but at £430 a year tax these arent cheap. But mines running 400lbft torque so its worth it

 

[Mr Panda]

Around £7k eh? - you'd get a very nice New Shape Toyota Previa for that . My older one is currently set up for five people plus three bikes.

Went away last August with three people, six bikes, plus luggage for six, all inside the car

Wifey followed with other peeps in E46 beemer rocketship - would also go for a touring (estate) one of those, but not without brain numbing electrical niggles. Parked the beemer in carpark last year and got ferry to Islay for a couple of days work - came back and all the windows had opened themselves :shock:

 

[sam_white]

What about a Vauxhall Vivaro? I've seen a smart one around with a set of back seats in it and a huge loading area. I doubt it handles brilliantly tho ...

 

[The Ken]

Dr S might be selling his van - it's never been raced or rallied, just been taxed and mot'd too.

 

[kaiser]

Dr S might be selling his van - it's never been raced or rallied, just been taxed and mot'd too.

 

[kaiser]

The shortlist is...

BMW 5 series E60
Audi A6
Ford Mondeo


I know the Mondeo sticks out a bit but for that dough you can get a nice spec! Anything else along these lines?

 

[The Ken]

Mazda 6 Estate probably the same as a mondeo though.

 

[kaiser]

6's do come up as being a nice car, albeit one of those I'd have trouble pointing to one.

EDIT I will add it to the list though!

 

[john]

The shortlist is...

BMW 5 series E60
Audi A6
Ford Mondeo


I know the Mondeo sticks out a bit but for that dough you can get a nice spec! Anything else along these lines?

Sounds similar to the shortlist I ended up with when buying a shooting brake two and a bit years ago. Assume you'd be looking at a Mk 4 mondeo? For what it's worth (i.e. nothing) despite fancying a e39 5 series went with the mk3 mondeo. Did this because it was a) cheaper to buy b) cheaper to run (esp if my other BMW is anything to go by) and c) could get a far better spec for the money.


As for the Honda comments visited plenty of dealers and as with everything some are good and some less so. Same goes for the plants.