which would you buy?....and why?

wba31

Hintza wrote: »

They are all starting to get a bit long in the tooth and to a certain extent will be pot luck. I would be tempted with the youngest (all things being equal but they never are).

Do your research in to reliability, running costs etc and and then weigh that up against personal preference.

Check service history and which has had cam belts done or are due.

The Accord has a chain and not a belt.

Accord Saloon has a small boot opening, estate might be bit more practical. If driver is tall, there isnt a great deal of leg room behind the drivers seat.

but great car considering...

k3lvc

I've run a Lexus IS220D for the last 6 months and I certainly wouldn't touch another one with that engine

1) Struggle to get much more than 35mpg even at cruising speeds (I could get that in my last A4 2.0TFSI and I could get 45mpg on the same regular trip in a Merc C320CDi)

2) Top gear is useless below 80mph (even advises you in handbook not to use it below 85mph)

3) No turbo response until 1750rpm

In summary it's an ok if expensive armchair with 4 wheels - stereo/satnav/gadgets are good but not worth the premium

jimjames

sikas wrote: »

ah ok, i was unaware diesels had such a bad reputation, ty

More recent ones may do but older diesels certainly match your previous comments - check out the taxi rank for the ones that they think are most reliable and cheapest to keep going for most miles.

The ones I've seen as taxis would add VW Passat TDI, Skoda Octavia/Superb TDI and Toyota Avensis to your list. Newer diesels might have DPF issues but older ones don't have that fitted and would be in your budget - high miles isn't an issue at all if they are serviced correctly.

I'd echo the comments about Mazda 6. Previously had a Xedos 6 which was great but the Mazda 6 started rusting at 4 years old which I've not seen on a car since the 1980s. Diesel wasn't economical either.

sikas

done some research and now im totally disillusioned as to what i should buy (if i should buy at all), on one hand i want sizeable saloon that will last 50k miles, while i enjoy leather seats and the other gadgets on my occasional long drive but dont wanna b faced with large DPF or EGR bills that are (seemingly) commonly associated with diesels - then on the other hand, the petrol route, im facing high insurance/petrol + absurd roadtax costs for 2litre+ petrol cars - which by the way are less available (i searched ebay+autotrader couldnt really find anything suitable)

System

You won't have DPF for the age of car you are looking. May be you meant DMF?

I'm not sure why insurance would be higher.

A 2.0 petrol Accord should be fine for what you are looking at. If you are doing low miles then it really isn't that huge a difference.

sinbad182

Don't touch the Lexus.

I had one as a company car, it's head gasket went at 2.5 years and 30k miles. A well known problem to the extent Lexus actually fix it free of charge, even out of warranty! I guess that's good, but I wouldn't want to buy a used one and take the chance on Lexus honouring this good will if it happened to me.

It's also a poor performer as per what the bloke above said - not worthy of the Lexus badge.

sikas

ok thanks for all the replies, ill stay clear of the mazda and the lexus (altho it looks the NUTS) i probably will go for a petrol Accord...just gotta wait for some1 to sell one near me

forgotmyname

For half the amount your looking at spending on a 2005 Honda you can get one of the last MK3 mondeo's.

Petrols are more reliable but i bought a diesel and its been good. 60+mpg if i try.

Skoda Octavia, Lots of Taxi drivers and the police use them.

k3lvc

sikas wrote: »

ill stay clear of the mazda and the lexus (altho it looks the NUTS)

That's what drew me to the Lexus - just a shame it doesn't deliver vs the promise

getmore4less

Vag group 1.9PD 105 or 130

Octavia first, then look at the other Vag models.

just look out for ex taxi.

If you can go with a saloon the early Superb gets you a great spec car if you can find a dry one.
a bit older example.
http://www4.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201401271344483/sort/pricedesc/usedcars/radius/1500/page/1/model/superb/engine-size-cars/1-7l_to_1-9l/postcode/yo243ej/price-to/5500/make/skoda/onesearchad/used%2Cnearlynew%2Cnew/maximum-mileage/up_to_80000_miles?logcode=p