What automatic estate to buy?

dktreesea

We had a 2003 VW Golf estate. A good drive, and nice and high so could see everything around about. But next we are going for a VW 1.9L Diesel Passat estate. Sadly a manual car (I hate manual cars! Grrrr!) cost the OH doesn't like driving automatics.

We had a look at the Audi A4 estate. Beautiful car, but felt low compared to the VW.

Didn't consider BMW. Too expensive to insure and thieves target them. I thought the Skoda Octavia looked quite good. But it feels an ordinary drive compared to the VW and Audi.

oliverr

Right, I've put in a central Manchester postcode and come up with a few options that fit your requirements (hopefully).

2007 (57) VW Passat Estate 2.0 TDi DSG SE (comes with Sat-nav, nice extra fitted there ;-) ). Top end of your mileage but good price

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201241488252490/sort/default/usedcars/price-to/9000/fuel-type/diesel/transmission/automatic/maximum-mileage/up_to_60000_miles/body-type/estate/model/passat/make/volkswagen/onesearchad/used/onesearchad/nearlynew/onesearchad/new/radius/40/page/1/postcode/m23dw?logcode=p

2007 (07) Skoda Octavia 2.0 TDI PD Lauren + Klement DSG. Another top of the range model, lower mileage but a higher price

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201245491806916/sort/default/usedcars/body-type/estate/maximum-mileage/up_to_60000_miles/fuel-type/diesel/price-to/9000/transmission/automatic/make/skoda/onesearchad/used/onesearchad/nearlynew/onesearchad/new/postcode/m23dw/radius/40/page/1?logcode=p

I have checked out the dealers and they seem fine. I would choose the Passat, it's half a year newer and comes with sat nav as an added bonus, too. It's also a bit bigger.

The Octavia is still a decent car, higher price but lower miles. Hope this is of some help

bodgerx

oliverr wrote: »

Right, I've put in a central Manchester postcode and come up with a few options that fit your requirements (hopefully).

2007 (57) VW Passat Estate 2.0 TDi DSG SE (comes with Sat-nav, nice extra fitted there ;-) ). Top end of your mileage but good price

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201241488252490/sort/default/usedcars/price-to/9000/fuel-type/diesel/transmission/automatic/maximum-mileage/up_to_60000_miles/body-type/estate/model/passat/make/volkswagen/onesearchad/used/onesearchad/nearlynew/onesearchad/new/radius/40/page/1/postcode/m23dw?logcode=p

2007 (07) Skoda Octavia 2.0 TDI PD Lauren + Klement DSG. Another top of the range model, lower mileage but a higher price

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201245491806916/sort/default/usedcars/body-type/estate/maximum-mileage/up_to_60000_miles/fuel-type/diesel/price-to/9000/transmission/automatic/make/skoda/onesearchad/used/onesearchad/nearlynew/onesearchad/new/postcode/m23dw/radius/40/page/1?logcode=p

I have checked out the dealers and they seem fine. I would choose the Passat, it's half a year newer and comes with sat nav as an added bonus, too. It's also a bit bigger.

The Octavia is still a decent car, higher price but lower miles. Hope this is of some help

Both these cars are out of warranty and have DSG's. This is not a good combination. Particularly with the Passat - awful reliability record with that box.

JoeyEmma

bodgerx wrote: »

Both these cars are out of warranty and have DSG's. This is not a good combination. Particularly with the Passat - awful reliability record with that box.

The problem is that in our price range for what we want there is very little that will be in warranty or isn't part of the vw group (which all have dsg gear boxes). I was under the impression that if they've been serviced to eschedule and had an oil change on the dsg and cambelt replaced, they should be ok. In addition we plan on paying on a credit card (and paying it off immediately) to get the section 75 protection. We know that we will probably have to pay a processing fee but we get 1.25% cash back which should cover it.

Can I ask what you would recommend instead?

bodgerx

JoeyEmma wrote: »

The problem is that in our price range for what we want there is very little that will be in warranty or isn't part of the vw group (which all have dsg gear boxes). I was under the impression that if they've been serviced to eschedule and had an oil change on the dsg and cambelt replaced, they should be ok. In addition we plan on paying on a credit card (and paying it off immediately) to get the section 75 protection. We know that we will probably have to pay a processing fee but we get 1.25% cash back which should cover it.

Can I ask what you would recommend instead?

I would do some research on the DSGs. I was after a Passat for a while. It didn't take me long after talking to tech in a VW dealership and having a look around the forums to put me off.

I assume you are after auto estate diesels?

Alternatives:

Honda Accord Auto Diesel
Hyundai i40 Auto Diesel
Mondeo Auto Diesel Estate
Toyota Avensis

The Mondeo is good driver's car, the Toyota is an appliance and is not a driver's car.

I'd go with an Accord personally.

The thing is, modern diesels have enough potential eye-wateringly expensive issues (Dual Mass Flywheel failure, Diesel Particulate Filter related engine failure, premature clutch wear) without throwing in the lottery of a VAG DSG.

JoeyEmma

bodgerx wrote: »

I would do some research on the DSGs. I was after a Passat for a while. It didn't take me long after talking to tech in a VW dealership and having a look around the forums to put me off.

I assume you are after auto estate diesels?

Alternatives:

Honda Accord Auto Diesel
Hyundai i40 Auto Diesel
Mondeo Auto Diesel Estate
Toyota Avensis

The Mondeo is good driver's car, the Toyota is an appliance and is not a driver's car.

I'd go with an Accord personally.

The thing is, modern diesels have enough potential eye-wateringly expensive issues (Dual Mass Flywheel failure, Diesel Particulate Filter related engine failure, premature clutch wear) without throwing in the lottery of a VAG DSG.

The Honda Accord Diesel is too expensive. They start at £10k which is out of out price bracket. The Hyundai i40 is over £17k on a nationwide search on Autotrader.
The mondeo is ok but again very limited stock in our price bracket and has normally got very high milage.

oliverr

For a diesel, automatic, estate within 40 miles of Manchester there isnt much availability as you say. If you aren't keen on the DSGs in the VW Group cars then there doesnt seem much else in budget nearby. Only Vauxhall Insignia's... not the most interesting of car, but you can get up to a 2010 model in budget. not sure what they are like... but it is only a Vauxhall after all

There are a few Insiginas at a place called Cartime? I believe, which is in the Manchester area according to auto trader. Anyway, let me know how you get on.

sunshinetours

Have you considered maybe a 5 series if you're set on a BMW? I do agree 3 series is not a large car in any way even in estate form. the wheel arch intrusions do take away a lot of useable space

A 520D may be slightly over budget but careful looking may show something up like this . 100k + on a car looked after will not be a problem if you buy at the right price. Plenty of independent BMW specialists for servicing.

However for your budget I would personally also strongly consider the Mondeo

bodgerx

oliverr wrote: »

For a diesel, automatic, estate within 40 miles of Manchester there isnt much availability as you say. If you aren't keen on the DSGs in the VW Group cars then there doesnt seem much else in budget nearby. Only Vauxhall Insignia's... not the most interesting of car, but you can get up to a 2010 model in budget. not sure what they are like... but it is only a Vauxhall after all

There are a few Insiginas at a place called Cartime? I believe, which is in the Manchester area according to auto trader. Anyway, let me know how you get on.

Although not a driver's car the Kia Cee'd is a great vehicle. Loads of room for its size and very reliable. My brother as a 2007 and its been perfect for him:

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201212154627841/

oliverr

bodgerx wrote: »

Although not a driver's car the Kia Cee'd is a great vehicle. Loads of room for its size and very reliable. My brother as a 2007 and its been perfect for him:

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201212154627841/

It does come with the 7 year warranty which is a bonus but that car is in Cargiant which isn't near Manchester where the OP is looking

Cargiant is great though, my mum got her A class there and w e often visit back having a look