car to buy help please

[abittoofat]

I can't decide - do we get a newer style (not brand new) mondeo type car, or an older bmw/volvo type. I see BMW/Volvo as more sturdy cars, but with less gadgets/electric stuff, or a ford/peugeot type, where we could aford a highr spec????

WWYD?

My cousin was very pleased to give up her BMW for a Skoda, as the BMV "drank petrol" (also: the Octavia is diesel).

I have driven all the Fords from Fiesta to Mondeo, and they are very reliable, comfortable cars. Fords are very widespread in the UK so parts are readily and cheaply available, and there are lots of mechanics who have a lot of experience with them.

Skodas are also well worth considering. They are excellent value for money, reliable (VW bought them some time ago), roomy (ever tried the legroom in an Audi or Vauxhall estate's back seat? Rubbish!), look decent, are economical, have various "extra" features, etc. Disclaimer: we have a VW (which we love), but that was just how it worked out with availability, and a Skoda was one of our top choices, too.

Hope that helps, as a starting point.

We have a VW golf which I love. Sturdy, ok to fill up with fuel, nice ride, big boot, leg room in back all good.

We had a vauxhall astra before Christmas when ours was being repaired after a accident. It was awful! Drank petrol like no body's business and felt really flimsy and cheap.

My dad has a BMW and it is mental in the snow due to the rear wheel drive. Something to consider if you are in a snowy area.

I used to drive renaults, but have been converted to a VW lover! Between us we've had Polo, Golf & Passat - all fab, only ever cost us for yearly servicing & never let us down. Trying to buy one is difficult, but selling is easy (my Polo recently went within 10mins of the ad being online) which I think is a good indication of how much they are wanted!
I think Skodas are VWs with different badge on & are cheaper?

Thanks - VW coming out well then. Passat size could work......will investigate.
Anyone want to recomend / warn-off any other cars? we are 2 adults, 2 kids (5+8) and small dog.
Thanks!

Another VW golf here,15 years old,solid as anything, and just passed MOT with a teeny bit of welding..

VW Passat here too. Love it to bits. Solid, reliable, sturdy, very roomy (estate) and never let me down. The boot is cavernous. Wouldn't be without it. Could also recommend Volvo, also pretty useful and reliable. Have fun test driving.

Nearly all the taxis around here are diesel Skoda Octavias. I think that speaks volumes for their reliability and practicability.

The Skoda Octavia is the VW Passat is the Audi A4 to a large extent. The only significant differences - apart from exterior styling - is down to the quality of the materials they use for the interiors and the price.

I used to have a VW Passat as a company car and, while it wasn't the most enthralling of drives, it was very well put together, comfy and I was sorry to see it go. A bit expensive for what it is when compared to the competition these days though.

Fords are good too. I drove a (new at the time) Mondeo Estate belonging to a friend a couple of years ago and it was really nice to drive, huge amounts of space inside and very well designed. It would definitely be high on my list if I were looking for a saloon car. Relatively cheap service costs as well. And if the size is ok the Focus is well worth a look.

BMWs are well built but will likely cost you a fortune in service costs as you need to take them to someone who knows them and the parts (particularly anything electronic or gearbox-related) can be eye-bleedingly expensive.

Hyundai Santa Fe

Plenty of room for you/kids, large boot for dog plus loads of other stuff, very sturdy, 4WD to get you through this weather we keep having, and cheap for relatively new model = updated safety compared with buying something older.

Thanks everyone! SO, Passat and Santa Fe to investigate.

Have seen Mazda 5 that I quite like. Any Mazda owners out there??

I have loved my mondeo estate with automatic everyhing, but very thirsty on deisel, and frankly I fancy a change after 8 yrs of mondeo driving.

Am giving up on Volvo/BMW as I think they will be more expensive to maintain and run.

Off to search car sites now.....