Which car would you buy?

wannabedebtfree_2

Ok, after the tragic demise of my car I have spent countless hours on the autotrader website and feel like I'm going insane!

I think we've narrowed it down, so those of you more mechanically minded than me please give your opinion on whichyou feel is the better option, I want something reliable......

2005 Ford Mondeo Zetec 2.0 TDCi 115 Diesel (106k on the clock - one owner FSH - recent service, flywheel and clutch change) Its an ex-leasehold car, but NOT a hire car, there is a full print out of every single thing done to it, all at Ford garages (2 different ones)

2004 Peugeot 206 2.0 HDi 90 Diesel Estate (78k on the clock - one owner FSH - recent service, cambelt, exhaust and water pump change)

Now the Peugeot's a few hundred pounds cheaper to buy and the running costs in terms of mpg, tax and ins are slightly lower, but I don't know how reliable they are - and this is where I need your honest opinions!

I think my OH has fallen for the Mondeo, but I think thats cos it had part leather seats and a 6 disc CD player and was very swish and luxurious, absolutely smooth and quiet drive, camchain so no scary cambelt snaps, and I mmust say I enjoyed the drive!

I haven't yet seen the Peugeot in the flesh yet, hope to go and see it on Monday, but I know that the inside won't be as good as the Mondeo!!

This is horrific, I feel sick about making a decision!! I was going to go for something cheap and cheerful, but have decided to raid the kids savings accounts and get something that will (hopefully) last longer...........

HELP!!!!!

exup

I know there have been horror stories about Peugeots but Ive never really had a problem with them - I know on the 206 the brakes need servicing at the recommended intervals or they can start squealing. Other than that they are OK. Just check that the brake and accelerator pedals are far enough apart for you. Even though Peugeot wouldnt officially admit a problem with early 206s it was possible to catch the throttle when pressing the brake. They modified the pedals in later models (why the need if it wasnt a problem).
If you are over 6ft you may struggle in the 206 - Seat was all the way back for me - Im 5ft9.
As for interior - for the class of car (we had a 206verve then 206sw verve then another 206sw) it was very good, the only car that came close to the original 206 was the Rover 25 - but GF didnt want a Rover. It beat the pants off the Saxo, Fiesta and Ibiza < perhaps these are aimed slightly lower.
Not heard any horrors with the Mondeo - but then again I havent looked for them

dehaani

Go with the Mondeo. I don't rate Fords very highly but it's not that old and anything's better than a French car. Never buy a French car.

exup

dehaani wrote: »

Go with the Mondeo. I don't rate Fords very highly but it's not that old and anything's better than a French car. Never buy a French car.

Thats unhelpful and smacks of being xenophobic. Do you have anything solid to back up your opinions or are you basically just being anti french?

emmell

If it's any help my brother runs a Mondeo as a taxi (just turned 200,000 miles). They have quite a lot of Mondeo's but won't buy Peugeots as they don't stand up to the mileage.
Taxi's are an extreme case though, but usually a good guide to a cars longevity. For comfort there will be no contest, the Mondeo will win, but you are not comparing like for like as a 407 would be more comparable to the Ford and would probably be the same comfort wise.
I would say if you want a city car, go for the Peugeot. If you want comfort and a nice car to drive then the Ford would win.
ML.

Prudent

exup wrote: »

I know there have been horror stories about Peugeots but Ive never really had a problem with them - I know on the 206 the brakes need servicing at the recommended intervals or they can start squealing. Other than that they are OK. Just check that the brake and accelerator pedals are far enough apart for you. Even though Peugeot wouldnt officially admit a problem with early 206s it was possible to catch the throttle when pressing the brake. They modified the pedals in later models (why the need if it wasnt a problem).
If you are over 6ft you may struggle in the 206 - Seat was all the way back for me - Im 5ft9.
As for interior - for the class of car (we had a 206verve then 206sw verve then another 206sw) it was very good, the only car that came close to the original 206 was the Rover 25 - but GF didnt want a Rover. It beat the pants off the Saxo, Fiesta and Ibiza < perhaps these are aimed slightly lower.
Not heard any horrors with the Mondeo - but then again I havent looked for them

I had one of the horror story peugeot 206s. A really lovely car until all the problems started including simply cutting out at 70 mph on the motorway. I sold mine on in Dec 2006 after coming across a whole website devoted to the problems. There were literally hundreds of remorts from angry owners & Peugeot was refusing to admit a problem. Mine simply would cut out, fail to accelerate, the barkes would go hard when brake peddle pressed etc. I would avoid them in future, although loved the car when it was going well. Many people spent £1000's on them without the problems ever really resolving.

dehaani

exup wrote: »

Thats unhelpful and smacks of being xenophobic. Do you have anything solid to back up your opinions or are you basically just being anti french?

It's not unhelpful. I've had three different French cars, all of which were riddled with problems. My father used to buy and sell "lots" of cars and after his experience, he advises me not to buy French vehicles too. My (admittedly) opinions, were somewhat backed up with the recent FOA information from VOSA. If you go to a car auction, or get the CAP black book then you'll see that French cars generally depreciate much quicker than others.

I was being asked for an opinion, not for quantifiable proof of which car would be better. I think it's obvious that any advise on two cars without seeing them would only be subjective.

exup

dehaani wrote: »

It's not unhelpful. I've had three different French cars, all of which were riddled with problems. My father used to buy and sell "lots" of cars and after his experience, he advises me not to buy French vehicles too. My (admittedly) opinions, were somewhat backed up with the recent FOA information from VOSA. If you go to a car auction, or get the CAP black book then you'll see that French cars generally depreciate much quicker than others.

I was being asked for an opinion, not for quantifiable proof of which car would be better. I think it's obvious that any advise on two cars without seeing them would only be subjective.

There is a lot of difference between saying "Never buy a French Car" and then listing a few reasons like you did above.
I have had one French Car - an old peugeot 309 which didnt have any serious problems, Also my GFs 3 206s and my Dad had a 2.0 Megane Dynamique which also didnt have any problems.
I also have a Fiat Seicento where most people say dont touch Fiats - but at nearly 90K now - its still going strong apart from the crap handbrake cable - which is easy to sort out.
You can get problems with any make of car, including Ford.
Fortunately I have been lucky with the cars I have owned - regardless of make and never had a serious problem with any of them.
Chances are the Mondeo will be the better car, despite being more expensive - If you (the OP) do manage to get in the Peugeot then definately make sure you can get a comfortable position in it- or it will make you ache in under 50 miles

natlol

As a side issue check the Mondeo for rust. Especially along the bottoms of all doors. It is not un heard of for there to be substantial rust in the door bottoms on the year that you are considering.

Both are nice cars to drive and the Mondeo Derv has got a pretty good engine unlike the smaller units used in the Fiesta range which suffer from injector troubles. The 206 HDI is also a good car..not without its electrical faults but not hard to fix. The HDIs reliability record is pretty good. There have been issues with fuel pumps which can be expensive to replace.

Cool_Username

Like it or not it's a pretty well-documented fact that many French cars have reliability issues - bit silly to start calling this isn't "anti French" - its simply a comment on the fact that Renaults and Peugeots have a pretty deserved reputation for reliability issues.

Look at the forums on Parkers.co.uk for example - disproportionatly large amounts of people complaining about Renaults and Peugeots.

harveybobbles

Mondeo all day long. Though, comparing a Mondeo to a 206...? Erm.....