Another Car Question...Focus, Passat/Octavia or V40?

[GLOC]

Okay, some of you know me and know that I have the greenest dive mobile going, but as I am getting more and more kit (shock horror I hear you cry!), it is starting to get ridiculous as to the complexity of the jigsaw puzzle to get eveything in.

So...I am now looking at replacing my '51 Smart Passion Car for something a little bigger.

I have about £7k to play with which is based on a £2-£2.5k sale on my Smart and I want a diesel as I have now moved further from work (200yds to 40 miles )

Top contenders at the moment are:

Skoda Octavia 1.9TDI seen for £7k this week in Autotrader, 04 with 83000 on the clock.
Ford Focus 1.9TDi, again similar prices but more choice out there
Volvo V40, 6 or 7 out there within 40 miles of me for £6-7
Volks Passat, 5 x 100bhp 1.9 TDI for around £5-6k

I have read that the Octavias and Passats can be dogs danglies, not too keen on the Focus from a looks point of view but then again as Woz said in another post dive mobile and nice car are normally mutually exclusive so it might be a player! However, I haven't heard anything about the V40 so any comments about the V40 or the other cars?

Regards

[Moz]

Another to add to the list Gareth?

Avensis estate.

I'm on my second (Company car) First one didn't feel tired with 130,000 on the clock in 3 years and a less than full service history(my fault!)

[Rob Dobson]

Well I'm going through the same thing right now - I want something no smaller than my CRV but want more MPG for the Scapa runs.

Out of the ones you've listed I would say the Passat but a A4 or A6 estate may also be around your budget.

I used to have a V40 as a long term hire car and it was fine - quite a good car, but the load space wasn't up there with what I need today (had 4 X-scooters and a twinset in the CRV earlier and there wasn't much space for anything else - doubt the V40 would have coped).

There is a new 45MPG CRV out now but I don't want to spend new car money - especially on a 4x4 type thing with the potential tax burden...

I think I'll go for a diesel Passat estate or an Audi A6 estate (basically the same car AFAIK).

[GLOC]

Originally Posted by Rob Dobson

Out of the ones you've listed I would say the Passat but a A4 or A6 estate may also be around your budget.

Thanks Rob, pushing it for an Audi though at 7k, cheapest I could find was one for 8k on Autotrader, it did look nice though, 2002 with 107k on the clock.

All I have the moment is 2 twinsets, 2 stages, photo rig and the dive box. However more toys might be coming, just need to work how to justify them

[Rob Dobson]

My brother-in-law just bought an Audi diesel estate (auto - for the missus) for £7K - I think it's a bit over 2yrs old and that may have been through a mate in the trade.

Now if *only* you knew someone in the trade...

Paging Martin.

Paging Howard.

[GLOC]

Originally Posted by Rob Dobson

Paging Howard.

Deal with that Arfur Daley

[Rob Dobson]

Good point well made.

Paging Martin...

[recurve]

The Octavia (estate) as a car is really quite nice, and FANTASTIC vfm. As far as your engine choice goes I can't comment as I've got the VRS which is tons of fun. Thinking of going the LPG route which would give me similar economy to a diesel. Our 03 plate cost us 7.5k 6 months ago but we probably paid a bit of a premium for the performance

[Miss Roxy Chablis]

V40 is like driving a whore house mattress. Even yer Dads too young to drive one.

£7k for a 73k Octavia - they're having a giraffe at that mileage..

Focus - very good but not pretty

Passat great but need the 130bhp.

Honest H The Punters Friend xxxx

[Mary]

I like my V40, I've got the 1.9D with all the trimmings ex fleet car. Dead easy to drive, nice little toys (I like my bum warmer) and you can fit 2 inspos, stages and gubbins in the boot. All that plus 40+ miles to the gallon (real), I'm sure you could get it significantly less than this is you reign in your motorway speeds too.