Out of these three cars, which would you be leaning toward?

OddballJamie

Bedsit_Bob wrote: »

OK, so here they are.

All are petrol, and all cost about the same (around £200pa) to tax.

Any thoughts?

2005 Ford Focus Cmax - 1800cc - £1,995

2007 Citroen C4 - 1600cc - £3,495

2005 Vauxhaul Zafira - 1600cc - £3,495

2007 Vauxhaul Vectra - 1800cc - £3,795

Toyota Avensis - 1800cc - £2,995

What are you actually requirements, I understand you're tall but do you need a large boot? Seven seats? Low/high mileage?

Have you considered diesel as you are going to be doing 15k a year with a lot of motorway. Some of those cars will struggle to do 40mpg. Take the Zafira for example, doubt that will see over 35mpg, too much car for the engine.

fivetide

Having run a 1.8 Avensis I know you will get a solid 40mpg from it and it will be a comfy place to sit.

Only annoyance is no cruise control but otherwise they are quite well specced usually.

Again, chain cam so no need to worry there.

OddballJamie

If you are after something you can throw white goods in and is tall, what about an Altea? Never driven one myself though.

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201310149273411

Cornucopia

At 15000 mile per year, the difference between 35mpg (poor petrol) and 60mpg (hand-picked diesel) is about £1000. There will also be a potential saving of £100-150 on road tax.

I just finished my first full tank of diesel in my new (to me) C4 1.6 HDi (110bhp) EGS, and I got 625 miles of mixed driving from it. It's also pleasantly fast through the gears, unlike some of the more frugal diesels. £30 road tax, too.

I've now had several cars with frugal diesel engines (a DS3 and a Renault Megane in addition to the 2 C4s). The 1.6 Citroen engines have a slight edge on the Renault 1.5, although the latter is less diesel-y.

[Deleted User]

I think we can scratch the Avensis.

I've just got an insurance quote, and it's over £200 more than my current car. :eek:

Even the Vectra is more than £150 more.

AdrianC

Cornucopia wrote: »

At 15000 mile per year, the difference between 35mpg (poor petrol) and 60mpg (hand-picked diesel) is about £1000. There will also be a potential saving of £100-150 on road tax.

With the potential downside of higher maintenance costs, especially if there are issues with diesel-only components such as dual-mass flywheels or particulate filters.

In addition, it's VERY well worth considering the possibility of mis-fuelling.

Cornucopia

AdrianC wrote: »

With the potential downside of higher maintenance costs, especially if there are issues with diesel-only components such as dual-mass flywheels or particulate filters.

More than £1000 per year?

In addition, it's VERY well worth considering the possibility of mis-fuelling.

I can vouch for Bedsit Bob - can't see him doing that. (I've never done it in 23 years of driving).

Cornucopia

Bedsit_Bob wrote: »

I think we can scratch the Avensis.

I've just got an insurance quote, and it's over £200 more than my current car. :eek:

Even the Vectra is more than £150 more.

The basic insurance on my C4 is £211 - from Direct Line.

[Deleted User]

AdrianC wrote: »

In addition, it's VERY well worth considering the possibility of mis-fuelling.

Not a problem, with one of these fitted.



Best £20 I ever spent, on a car accessory. :cool:

Also, having owned my current diesel car, for over 2 years, I'd be far more likely to try to put diesel in a petrol car.

[Deleted User]

Cornucopia wrote: »

The basic insurance on my C4 is £211 - from Direct Line.

I'm paying less than £300 on my focus, but the Avensis takes it to over £500.

Maybe it has something to do with it being 127hp, as opposed to the 90hp of my current car?