David Jenkins
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| posted on 14/10/09 at 09:06 PM |
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What car?
I'm thinking about buying a new (newer) car - my 10-year-old Toyota Yaris SR is still going strong and serving me well, but it's not a
rewarding experience on long runs. It'll (hopefully) become my wife's runabout.
The main criteria are:
* I have no brand loyalty - although I have been happy with the Toyotas I've owned (about 4 in succession so far).
* I want something medium-sized, with 4/5 doors.
* I want respectable handling - not sports car, but no vices - just something I can trust.
* I want very good mpg.
* I don't care if it's auto or manual.
* I don't care if it's petrol or diesel.
* I want good reliability.
* I want something that I can run for quite a few years - if I like a car I'll keep it for a long time.
* I couldn't give a monkeys whether the exterior/interior is boring.
* I'm not fussed about gimmicks and accessories, but I do like abs, air con and electric windows.
* It's going to spend most of its life going from home to the station and back, with occasional long runs across the UK.
I was impressed with my son's turbo diesel Focus - but not with the heap of money he had to spend to get the engine fixed a while back.
I don't like Peugeots - and not impressed with the other French makes such as Citroen. I think VWs are over-rated.
So - what should I be considering?
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COREdevelopments
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| posted on 14/10/09 at 09:13 PM |
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What are you going to do with your yaris?
Have you test drove any cars? Toyot corolla is a good car bit boring but reliable, or the new auris? Also try out any of the vag range.
Rob
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David Jenkins
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| posted on 14/10/09 at 09:18 PM |
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I'm trying to persuade my wife to use the Yaris instead of her Matiz, which is getting 'tired' - but she wants 4 doors... the
discussion continues...
I wouldn't mind another Toyota, but they do carry a price premium compared to other makes.
I haven't test driven anything yet - I have a slight problem, in that I really HATE dealing with used car salesmen... I always feel that
I'm being ripped off, probably because I am. 
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mookaloid
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| posted on 14/10/09 at 09:30 PM |
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for a bargain buy at an auction - pay the price that the used car salesman pays before he adds his mark up.
Avoid anything French like the plague.
stick with Japanese if you want the best reliability.
Cheers
Mark
"That thing you're thinking - it wont be that."
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COREdevelopments
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| posted on 14/10/09 at 09:33 PM |
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Yes salesmen can be offputting. But they want your cash so make them work for it. Yes toyotas can be a bit over priced for what they are. but look
around, big dealers offer big discounts on dealer registered cars so they can shift them quicker. Also get rid of that matiz. They really are lowest
of the low. Yaris is a hell of an upgrade!
Rob
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Benzine
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| posted on 14/10/09 at 09:33 PM |
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Pontiac Aztek
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Ninehigh
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| posted on 14/10/09 at 09:34 PM |
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My mum's got a Prius which is pretty nice, sounds like it'd fit all your requirements and for the most part it's effing
silent even with the engine running. Oh and gets a few mgp less than my diesel mondeo on the motorway.
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liam.mccaffrey
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| posted on 14/10/09 at 09:34 PM |
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I'll chip in with what i run a volvo v70 estate
So I suggest either v50 or v70 with the 2 lt or D5 diesel. good MPG and good power/torque
They are really comfortable and fantastic cruisers.
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dinosaurjuice
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| posted on 14/10/09 at 09:35 PM |
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skoda octavia is a good mile-muncher. boring inside and out. the tdi will do over 50mpg.
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nib1980
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| posted on 14/10/09 at 09:35 PM |
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Nissan Qashqai
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COREdevelopments
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| posted on 14/10/09 at 09:39 PM |
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The best salesman ever!!
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COREdevelopments
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| posted on 14/10/09 at 09:40 PM |
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quote:
Originally posted by nib1980
Nissan Qashqai
Its half french though. 
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macspeedy
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| posted on 14/10/09 at 09:40 PM |
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pug 306 hdi 2001 60 mpg if driven carefully low mileage for not 2 much money fsh... my new run around
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omega0684
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| posted on 14/10/09 at 09:44 PM |
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got to second the shout for a Skoda Octavia or a Supurb! can be picked up very cheaply and as they are VAG they are reliable and robust! if you want
some fun get the vRS, you still get 50+mpg with the diesels!
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Major Stare
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| posted on 14/10/09 at 09:46 PM |
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Budget?
In no order..........
Skoda Octavia
Qashqai are excellent but dont have the fuel economy as have 4x4 stance (1.5dci is a cracker though)
Mazda 3
Kia Ceed
Hyundai i30
Toyota Auris
SEAT Altea/Leon
[Edited on 14/10/09 by Major Stare]
Jon "FISH"
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nib1980
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| posted on 14/10/09 at 09:49 PM |
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quote:
Originally posted by COREdevelopments
quote:
Originally posted by nib1980
Nissan Qashqai
Its half french though.
It's not I can assure your it's 100% British
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BenB
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| posted on 14/10/09 at 09:52 PM |
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My Dad's got a D5 V70. MPG is quite good for a Volvo but not so good when you consider it's DERV.
I've got a DERV Renault Megane II (1.5dci). Powerful enough for me, lots of torque etc etc. Does 55mpg all day long, up to 66mpg on a long run,
cheap to ensure, £35 p.a. road tax and free congestion charge if you get a EuroIV one...
As much as people say French cars go wrong electrically I don't think that's true. The weaknesses on the Megane are the acquired taste re
the booty (which I quite like), the window regulators (not a Renault part so can't really blame them for dodgy gaskets on the motor body) and
having to remove the front bumper to change the headlight bulbs.
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COREdevelopments
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| posted on 14/10/09 at 09:54 PM |
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quote:
Originally posted by nib1980
quote:
Originally posted by COREdevelopments
quote:
Originally posted by nib1980
Nissan Qashqai
Its half french though.
It's not I can assure your it's 100% British
Even the 1.5 dci renault engine thats in them?
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nib1980
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| posted on 14/10/09 at 09:57 PM |
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Even the 1.5 dci renault engine thats in them?
you mean the K9K engine developed at our Spanish tech centre from the Renault base engine
[Edited on 14/10/09 by nib1980]
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COREdevelopments
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| posted on 14/10/09 at 10:06 PM |
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yes the renault engine. worth avoiding imo.
Rob
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nib1980
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| posted on 14/10/09 at 10:09 PM |
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quote:
Originally posted by COREdevelopments
yes the renault engine. worth avoiding imo.
Rob
no problem we're all entitled to our opinion 
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designer
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| posted on 14/10/09 at 10:18 PM |
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Nissan Note
Loads of room, comfortable, easy to drive.
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omega0684
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| posted on 14/10/09 at 10:24 PM |
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quote:
Originally posted by designer
Nissan Note
easy to drive.
REALLY!!!! i thought that when i drove the note it had one of the worst driving positions in the world, i couldn't find any position in it that
i could drive it in comfortably, just my 2p.
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Nash
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| posted on 14/10/09 at 10:27 PM |
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Have you considered the scapage scheme? FORD have some greats deals at the moment on FIESTA's KUGA'S, etc.
Lots of cheap cars out there that fall under your criteria and are heavily discounted at the moment.
SEAT (if you like VW but find them "over-rated". LEON is a good car based on GOLF.
I have had three Renault company cars in a previous life and two V70's, V70 every time. I've had 3 BMW's 3 series (E30, E36 and E45)
at 6 cyl models. All great driving cars. Currently run a MkV GTI Golf 5 door (well mostly my wife drives it). Probabley the best All round car I have
owned, quick, smooth (DSG box is magic), economical, roomy, big load carrying space. understated but those that know.... know.
In reality I don't think there is any such thing as a bad car these days, just choice.
Good hunting.
..........Neil
[Edited on 14/10/09 by Nash]
It's What You Do Next That Counts.
Build It, Buy It, Drive It:
Southern Kit Car Club
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franky
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| posted on 15/10/09 at 12:05 AM |
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octavia all day long..... oh they're VAT free at the minute too.
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