Want a car but no ideas what make or model!

jase1

> 1.4 Laguna

Yikes. Did it move?

I have a 1.6 Focus and I find that slow!!

And no, TSis don't count :P

funkycoldribena

flyingscotno1 wrote: »

We had a 1.4 Laguna and it was ok.

I dont think you had a 1.4.

flyingscotno1

funkycoldribena wrote: »

I dont think you had a 1.4.

Either did we until we checked the registration which had it at 1.4l engine. I specifically remember the really? moment when we found out in office esp as we couldn't find info on it. I have a feeling it was DVLA mistake but it was apparently a 1.4l.

funkycoldribena

flyingscotno1 wrote: »

Either did we until we checked the registration which had it at 1.4l engine. I specifically remember the really? moment when we found out in office esp as we couldn't find info on it. I have a feeling it was DVLA mistake but it was apparently a 1.4l.

There wasnt ever a 1.4 Laguna made,most likely it was 1.6.

jase1

Does seem a bit small for such a heavy car.

Earlier larger cars (Sierra, Cavalier) did have 1.4 or even 1.3 engines, and of course the Lada (which was quite heavy in its day) started with a 1.2. But these were much lighter than modern cars.

KierNet

funkycoldribena wrote: »

Why do people keep mentioning a Focus? 1.4 is too small in a Focus.
Better off with a Fiesta or a Fabia.

The OP said they didn't any idea on what they wanted, just some people might think a 1.4 isn't big enough in a Focus, doesn't mean others feel the same.

Hintza

Strider590 wrote: »

They're just over-priced. (VW's)
It'll take a very long time before this popular myth dies off.... Even people who own them and experience troubles, they just think "Oh well, think myself lucky it'd be much worse if it was a XYZ".

Thik you will find the prices are on par and in many case cheaper than Ford.

It's amazing how long it takes for this perception that they are over priced to die off.

Volkswagen has declared war on Ford in Britain.

ailuro2

Thought I'd tell you what we have, and what I think about each of them...

we have a 53 plate Peugeot 206,1.1 bought as a 2nd car, had 43K on the clock when we bought it for £2.5K 2 years ago.

we also have an 03 plate 1.8 Mondeo, bought when it was a year old but worth around the same as the Peugeot now.

Over the last 2 year we've had to do the handbrake/brakes on the Mondeo, the exhaust on the Peugeot and had them both MOTd, so the Mondeo cost us more in garage fees.

For insurance they both work out about the same as the 206 is DH's car, he's not been driving as long as me.

For road tax the 206 is £125 or thereabouts, the Mondeo is £220. The 206 uses about 10% less petrol than the Mondeo.

Driving through town is about the same in both cars, the 206 is a breeze to park on-street, Mondeo we both struggle to fit into some smaller spaces ( terribly small wing mirrors)

For cruising up the motorway the Mondeo wins hands down, it's fantastic, very comfy, feels very stable.
However, we I did take the Peugeot about a 2 hour drive away on the motorway and was surprised how decent it was. Not big and comfy like the Mondeo is, but not too bad at all, I was pleasantly surprised.

So, for your money I'd stay away from the bigger cars and stick with something in-between. Not a Ka or a Daewoo Matiz, but not an old repmobile either, you've no need for somethign that big.

I used to have a Mazda 323 and loved it, never had a day in the garage apart from its MOT, got rid when DD came along as we needed a 5 door. Have you thought about a Mazda / Toyota / Honda / something with a Japanese engine in it?

gingerdad

Strider590 wrote: »

Let me put it another way

They're no better or worse than any other car, but what I object to is that VW's fetch a premium based on a myth that far too many people continue perpetuate.


I'm someone who believes in paying the extra if it's going to make a difference (like a decent set of kitchen knives or a Maglite versus a cheap pound shop torch).
"The poor man always pays twice"

But in the case of VW, id rather not pay good money for something im not getting.

But Maglite is like vw been surpassed in quality and reliability by many others. If you want a decent torch go led lenser. I wouldn't go near vw or audi. Recently test drove the new passet very disappointing and a number of friends/colleagues been let down by them. For the money I'd look at another member of the same group skoda fabia or the focus.

wba31

it's been said before and I'll say it again - the 2001-2005 Honda Civic.

I own a 1.7 diesel which i dont think quite fits your bill, but they did a 1.4 and a 1.6 Vtec that might be a good engine for you.

Extremely reliable, the 5 door has plenty of room for adult passengers, easy to drive, massive windows for visibility, cheap tax, reasonably low insurance groups (especially compared to the new civic i believe), the boot is decent for your dog (i take my collie round in mine, although the boot entry is a little high for his arthritic legs)

I looked at the Focus when i bought it and I feel i made the right choice, A friend of mine runs a 1.6 diesel focus and he prefers my civic...