Which car would you buy?

ahillsy

I've had 2 Peugeot's in the past, and personally wouldn't again. 1st one was OK (106), was my first car. 2nd one (306) had the "engine cutting out" problem mentioned in an previous reply. This happened a number of times, always when I was at low speed, and mostly when pulling out on to a roundabout - having cars flying round at me as my engine cut out was not enjoyable. Dealership couldn't find a problem, despite taking it in a few times. Even when I found evidence of a known problem online and giving them the info, they couldn't sort it.

So, +1 for the Mondeo from me. Especially as you have kids, it should be more practical.

flyingscotno1

Yes, I would stop short of saying 'Don't buy X cars because it's French or Italian' but often you need to look more carefully.

For example, Fiat gets slammed for reliability, yet there are a lot of common parts between Fiat and Opel/Vauxhall/GM from their failed merger. Indeed VW get slammed for poorer reliability than they should be.

My Dad had a Ford that broke down 300yards from the dealer once, but I wouldn't pick too much on Fords because of that.

Nowadays you can still generalise to some extent but with so many shared parts it is a narrower gap.

andygb

wannabedebtfree wrote: »

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!!!!!

Why just these two cars?
I am a Mondeo owner (2000 1.8 Verona 98000 miles), they are lovely cars, but the newer ones suffer from rear suspension problems, and the clutch/flywheel which you have stated. The small diesels are not that reliable.
The Peugeot which you have mentioned is a small car and not comparable for comfort or reliability.
Please look at the following:
Mazda 6
Toyota Avensis
Skoda Octavia
Toyota Corolla

Take your time, and good hunting,

Andy

hethmar

Same as Prudent, son had a lovely 206 until its engine stopped as he was overtaking a lorry. Google for horror stories on them.

hethmar

I cant see a budget there?

waynedance

Mondeo for me, but comparing a family size car to a small town car?

CHR15

Mondeo for me every time (would prefer the 130bhp though over the 115)

Easy cars to work on, readily available parts. I'm not saying cheap parts, those days are over, I find servicing costs on a Mondeo on a par with other makes.

I've had a French car......never again! In fine French tradition it surrendered every time I put my right foot down to overtake something.

wannabedebtfree_2

My budget is about £4k, thats the uppermost limit.

Went back for a second look at the Mondeo, but the dealer wasn't willing to budge an inch on price and I found the paperwork a bit suspect. In the office he showed me the ford service book, with all the stamps and a printout from the lease company with all the work done on the car......all sounds good yeah? WELL.........on the V5 doc the car was listed as 'GREY' but its clearly more a champagne colour, and then when I took it out for another run we looked in the glovebox and there was another service book, with all the details of the car in the back stating 'CHAMPAGNE' as the colour, and with no service stamps......why would there be two copies of a service book?? Made me a little supicious!

I haven't been to see the 206sw yet, I am relying on other peoples cars so will have to figure out an afternoon where I can keep one of my borrowed cars a little longer to go and see it, if it hasn't sold today!

We're looking at all sorts really but the Mondeo's seem to be the frontrunner at the moment, there's a few around so I'll keep looking, its just very draining searching the net and the papers constantly, I work full time, am doing 2 OU courses and I am finding it very difficult to cope all round, I just can't seem to do anything but look at cars at the moment!

Thanks for the advice, I appreciate all of it!

ukjoel

If you have any doubt over the mondeo pick up the service book - look at a recent service stamp and phone the dealer. If its all main dealer they will happily confirm over the phone whether the car was indeed serviced that day at that dealer or not. Re the colour - Ford went through a silver phase when everything was silver or grey but the marketing guys loved coming out with new names. Champagne and grey quite possibly the same thing.

harveybobbles

DVLA only use basic colour names. Champagne/Oyster Silver on Fords comes out as either Grey or Silver on V5's.

As for 2 Service books: One was lost, duplicate was obtained, original found. But both used.