MPV Questions

MJTHFC

Calm down people - I only wanted to know if 90,000 on a 3 year old S-Max was excessive!

Call me a snob, but I can't bring myself to go for a van shaped MPV (Galaxy/Sharan) or one of the Vauxhalls that are flooding the market.

That's why I narrowed my choice down to the S-Max or C4 Grand Picasso.

emmell

My son has just bought a Audi A4 avant tdi, 3 years old with nearly 100k. Full service history, one company owner, one company driver and his family of course. On inspection the only downside is more stone chips than usual, but not excessive.
My brother bought an Octavia L&C (ex company) 4 years old but with only 56,000 full history, uses it as his private hire and has never regretted selling his Mondeo to fund it.
Just to add, the Mondeo came from the Auctions via an independent dealer (not a main agent) and run like a dog, my brother thought they may have been using home made bio diesel. I know it's not relevant to the op's question but I thought I would point out that in my opinion, buy an ex company car direct and not through a middle man.
ML.

bigjl

MJTHFC wrote: »

Calm down people - I only wanted to know if 90,000 on a 3 year old S-Max was excessive!

Call me a snob, but I can't bring myself to go for a van shaped MPV (Galaxy/Sharan) or one of the Vauxhalls that are flooding the market.

That's why I narrowed my choice down to the S-Max or C4 Grand Picasso.

Well that is fairy muff.

I understand why you like the more youthful Smax, don't buy a diesel Zafira though they are a knightmare. The diesels are less economical, but i would be tempted to buy a petrol 2.2 auto and get an lpg conversion.

My main issue is the lack of reliability in the diesel ones we have at work, hopefully they will be buying some Skoda Octavia Scouts soon.

Though i doubt a Zafira is a better vehicle than an SMax, you can get an SMax with the same engine as the Galaxy which is a tried and tested engine.

Though have you thiugh about a CMax, lots of ex Motability ones doing the rounds at the moment, Cargaint had lots in but they onky have a couple left, some 1.6 and 2.0 petrols with low miles, under 20k. Ripe for an LPG conversion which would cost around £1200 including Flashlube, stops valve seat wear due to LPG being a dryer kind if fuel, not sure what they mean by that but i think it is a similar concept to having to add an additive to use unleaded fuel in a non unleaded engine. Some cars have no issues, but i wouldn't take the risk with my engine, you can never have too much safety.

EssexPolice armed response units have SMaxs, but theres have twin rear exhausts so i reckon they are the turbo petrol. But the one they use is a 58 plate, at least the one i have seen, so they must be finding it reliable and up to carrying all the kit.

forgotmyname

Depends how many miles you do a year, I always buy high mileage cars, 100,000 - 150,000 miles but
as i do 4000 or less in 3 - 5 years time mine will compare to all the other cars for sale.
My sister does 25,000+ per year so buying a high mileage car for her would be risky if she wanted to keep it 5 years.

MJTHFC

Ok, well we'll generally be using it for short journeys with the occasional longer trip so that allays my fears over a high mileage car.

One other thing - Petrol or diesel? I suppose petrol is more economical for short journeys, but does it make much difference in the scheme of things?

emmell

A petrol version will probably be cheaper to buy, and to get the premium back that you pay for a diesel you have to do a fair few miles.
I think if I were you I'd go for petrol but there may not be as much choice of ex-company cars as most companies now seem to buy diesels.
ML.