Purchase Demotivation Help

motorguy

Another vote for Insignia. Big and cheap. Get one in SRi spec as it comes with a good balance of bells and whistles, without being overtly sporty.

The 2.0CDTI 160 BHP is probably the one of choice as its a big body and the extra BHP helps haul it along.

The 1.8i petrol variant gets a bad rep for not pulling very well in the big body, which is a shame because i'd probably otherwise recommend petrol over diesel these days.

ratrace

motorguy wrote: »

Another vote for Insignia. Big and cheap. Get one in SRi spec as it comes with a good balance of bells and whistles, without being overtly sporty.

The 2.0CDTI 160 BHP is probably the one of choice as its a big body and the extra BHP helps haul it along.

The 1.8i petrol variant gets a bad rep for not pulling very well in the big body, which is a shame because i'd probably otherwise recommend petrol over diesel these days.

They are good cars for the money, but there is a reason the diesel 2.0 are cheap unfortunately the do suffer from a lot of engine problems which is a real shame as i have driven a few in the past and to be fair they not a bad car


https://www.ebay.co.uk/sch/i.html?_sacat=0&_sop=2&_nkw=vauxhall+insignia&_oaa=1

if you look at the ebay listings a lot on there for spares and repairs

motorguy

ratrace wrote: »

They are good cars for the money, but there is a reason the diesel 2.0 are cheap unfortunately the do suffer from a lot of engine problems which is a real shame as i have driven a few in the past and to be fair they not a bad car


https://www.ebay.co.uk/sch/i.html?_sacat=0&_sop=2&_nkw=vauxhall+insignia&_oaa=1

if you look at the ebay listings a lot on there for spares and repairs

Theres a lot for spares or repair because there were a lot sold.

The 2.0CDTI is - like all other modern manual diesels - prone to Dual Mass Flywheel failure at some point. Not the end of the world, but worth factoring in. Same is likely on a Passat.

It may also suffer from DPF problems - like all other modern diesels. Same is likely on a Passat.

I ran one for a year and i think i'd one minor electrical problem and that was about it.

Use the budget to buy as fresh a one as the O/P can, with a FSH (Vauxhall if possible) and aim for a lowish miles one. Plenty about.

Scrimps

I do prefer the driving style of diesels. I get shocked how my petrol car does on hills.
I had a 1.6 petrol focus a few years ago, I wouldn't choose a car like that again for the hilly a35/west country driving.
I've not had any filter issues with the diesel but think I just about do enough long runs to keep that clear.
Reliability is a concern, especially if I went to one car....this is when the inflation effect starts to take hold

motorguy

Scrimps wrote: »

I do prefer the driving style of diesels. I get shocked how my petrol car does on hills.
I had a 1.6 petrol focus a few years ago, I wouldn't choose a car like that again for the hilly a35/west country driving.
I've not had any filter issues with the diesel but think I just about do enough long runs to keep that clear.
Reliability is a concern, especially if I went to one car....this is when the inflation effect starts to take hold

Any older diesel car is a little bit of a lottery in terms of reliability.

Bear in mind though that your cash will buy you an Insignia thats probably several years younger & much lower mileage than the same moneys worth of Passat.

I'd a year old Passat last year and the DPF went. Fortunately it was under warranty, as it was a £2,250 bill. :eek:, so buying a VW (or a Mercedes for that matter) will not buy you reliability.

ratrace

motorguy wrote: »

Theres a lot for spares or repair because there were a lot sold.

The 2.0CDTI is - like all other modern manual diesels - prone to Dual Mass Flywheel failure at some point. Not the end of the world, but worth factoring in. Same is likely on a Passat.

It may also suffer from DPF problems - like all other modern diesels. Same is likely on a Passat.

I ran one for a year and i think i'd one minor electrical problem and that was about it.

Use the budget to buy as fresh a one as the O/P can, with a FSH (Vauxhall if possible) and aim for a lowish miles one. Plenty about.

Yeah if you can budget and afford the repairs then they are definitely a strong contender, i have a very similar car an astra j estate 1.7 cdti with the old isuzu engine

op, an astra diesel may be worth looking at they are not as big and parts and readily available there are lot out there

Scrimps

I know repairs are a fact of life but the moment it starts being talked about as regular, it's an option I'll discount because life is just too complicated/anxious enough as it is to have to worry about car reliability with any significance.

That's when I think I may as well stick with my slightly inconvenient cars or buy something more expensive rather that £3-5k range which seems more sensible.

Astra/golf estate was also something I looked at but I didn't envisage it being as comfy on long journeys.

I am getting the message though that spending so much on a flashier car doesn't seem sensible, but buying something bigger actually isn't that unreasonable.

DoaM

An Astra/Golf will give you a decent enough ride to avoid being too tiring. An Insignia may give a better ride still.

motorguy

ratrace wrote: »

Yeah if you can budget and afford the repairs then they are definitely a strong contender, i have a very similar car an astra j estate 1.7 cdti with the old isuzu engine

op, an astra diesel may be worth looking at they are not as big and parts and readily available there are lot out there

I really think they arent a car that you would especially have to "budget and afford the repairs" on and even IF they suffer from more issues then you're going to be buying a younger, lower miles variant of an Insignia for any given price of a Passat or Merc, neither of which are problem free, particularly as they get older.

Astra is a good shout too though - usual caveats about DPFs and DMFs as per any diesel, but excellent value. New model ones look fresh and are great VFM.

ratrace

Scrimps wrote: »

I know repairs are a fact of life but the moment it starts being talked about as regular, it's an option I'll discount because life is just too complicated/anxious enough as it is to have to worry about car reliability with any significance.

That's when I think I may as well stick with my slightly inconvenient cars or buy something more expensive rather that £3-5k range which seems more sensible.

Astra/golf estate was also something I looked at but I didn't envisage it being as comfy on long journeys.

I am getting the message though that spending so much on a flashier car doesn't seem sensible, but buying something bigger actually isn't that unreasonable.

youll never know if you dont try, ive done 300 miles round trip in my astra and to be fair its been good, not felt really tired and its quite stable on the motorway at 70...


there are fantastic cars out there for 5k you dont need to spend silly money if you are not into cars or a car person... i love cars hence why i spend more on them but cut back on other things in life that are not important to me but may be to others for eg: my brother is not car guy at all, all he wants to do is get from a to b in the cheapest possible way but he spends a lot of money on clothes, eating out, holidays etc....

me on the other hand i dont wear designer clothes eat out only twice a month, take my own food for lunch, write down every penny i spend everyday etc....

its a lifestlye choice we all me, i dont pay anybodys bills and no one pays mine, your money your choice