What should I buy next as a daily driver?

[ajheath]

A couple of weeks ago my 06 Vectra 1.9 CDTI 150 SRI tipped over 100,000 miles and as I've had it on HP and paid over half the amount owing I can hand it back and start again.

So the question is what to replace it with. The criteria are, has to be practical for work and family use (other 2 cars are the GT3 and a Z4) possibly a Sport Tourer (remember when they were called estates, and before that shooting breaks?), less than 2 years old, less than

[Rick Edwards]

I am a huge fan of the ST TDci Mondeo . it has every toy and just goes and goes...

[Newts]

I have an X Type 2.0 diesel, its very comfortable does 40 MPG... however, I went looking for a Saab 9-3 but the wife spotted the x-type and said I like the colour of this, search over!

But it does have leather, climate, auto door locking and electric everything.

[winners]

X Type is a good car and well spec'ed but has very poor residual values, so bear this in mind when buying.

Also Early Termination is your right but keep the paper work as it will show up on credit searches and automated systems can read this as a default which can lead to declines for instant credit. It will also mean that most finance companies will almost certainly not lend you money on HP for cars but put you into a personal loan instead so you can't hand back the car again as this is only available on HP based products.

Mark

Edited September 24, 2009 by winners

[ajheath]

Thanks for the tip Mark, I wondered how often I could get away with it. It's difficult getting the right finance at the right price when you do high mileage and want to change the car every three years or so. We just bought a Z4 on a PCP as it will only do about 6000 miles per year so good deal. I opted out of our company car scheme 7 years ago and get an allowance of

[Guest Mutley00]

Focus ST, same colour as your Esprit - just love 'em

[simon gleave]

Ade,

I am no expert at company car things other than having my own pickup that I run through my company, but for the mileage you are excepted to do that doesn't seem a big allowance.......or is that the norm.....?

[winners]

Have you considered Private Contract Hire? Most manufacturer finance companies do it but don't shout about it. This can go higher with mileage and can be as cheap also you can inclue full maintenance which can be cheaper than paying over the counter. At the moment there are some good deals around.

Mark

[Kimbers]

Accord Tourer 2.2 CDTi. 45 mpg plus, goes like a train and if you get the EX u get all the toys incl leather elec seats, voice activated sat nav cruise etc etc. At 2-3 years old pay less than

[Nelly]

My main car is an Alfa GT so I would have the 159. Mine is the 19. JTD and you really wouldn't know you were driving a Diesel other than at tickover.

Alfa's are not as bad as they used to be and they are just that bit different from the norm. Plus it looks stunning from the front.

If you can live with the depreciation!

[ajheath]

Simon Dont get me started on the allowance. I get the same doing 30+,000 miles per year as someone in head office doing much less than 10K. Difference is they drive around in Audi's and even a 911!! Must get a job there then I can have an Evora.

Ade,

I am no expert at company car things other than having my own pickup that I run through my company, but for the mileage you are excepted to do that doesn't seem a big allowance.......or is that the norm.....?

Thanks for the offer Tony. Assuming the HP termination goes to plan I'll give you a pm with some contact details if thats ok. Looked at the Acord last night and like the tourer, saw one 06 plate at less than 7k but it had done 125k miles. Ideally would like less than 30k on the clock if poss.

Accord Tourer 2.2 CDTi. 45 mpg plus, goes like a train and if you get the EX u get all the toys incl leather elec seats, voice activated sat nav cruise etc etc. At 2-3 years old pay less than

[nello]

Ade/Neil .....I had a 159 JTDm Sportwagon (and a 156 TS before that!) as a daily driver but mine (56 plate) sounded terrible......

OK it was my first Oil-burner so probably just me but I really could not live with the noise despite those looks.

Sold and moved on.....................Apparently the later cars are better though and the 2.4 Diesel is supposed to be a stonker...

X Types are worth nothing and my mates had aload of grief with his......

Edited September 25, 2009 by nello

[Newts]

The Alfa 1.9 is the same engine you had in your Vectra.

I had one of these in an 07 Astra Twintop and suffured horrendous reliability due to the Diesel Particulate Filter and Exhaust Gas Recycling Valve. I understand they removed the DPF and modified the EGRV for 08 models. However my son had a 55 Astra SRI and had no problems at all !

[arbell9]

i have mondeo ST TdCi, 07 plate, 43 mpg, nice grunt but not a racer, very good handling and comfortable on long journeys. massive inside for lugging people and gear about.

Bough mine 13 month old, 16k on clock, last nov for just over 10 grand, bargain if you ask me.

Ideal family car, if you went for same set up but with titanium pack so softer ride and different style wheels etc its even cheaper

[Loose Cannon]

I agree on the Mondeo Titanium idea, keep it simple and cheap to run. Snap up one of the nice shape ones while they are still low mileage (not the current "Quasimodo" shape".

After all you have 2 other cars you are emotionally involved with, why get too wrapped up in another? If you want to knock a nail in the wall buy a hammer, if you want to drive to work buy a Ford.

[Kimbers]

OK, here in the "industry" we get to see some stuff that you non industry types wouldn't see without hunting down a statistision. One that I always find interesting is the reliability figures. So whilst we're talking Alfa here's some examples.

Figures are on worked out a base of warranty claims, in the first 12 months of a cars life, per 100 cars.

Most recent figures showed the best to be the likes of Honda (whole range except Civic) and the majority of Toyota's on 2-5 warranty claims per 100 cars.

Middle of the road are the likes of Mercedes C and B class at around 9 claims per 100 cars.

Poor is the likes of Mercedes M class, Landy Freelander on 19-20 claims per 100.

Except for a couple of Fiats.....53 claims per 100.....Alfa takes the biscuit on....wait for it!

92 claims per 100 cars! Tada!!

Now agreed some of these may be minor, but I know they had issues with Diesel Engines exploding (2 years ago) and paint bubbling. But I do agree they are stunning looking.

[nello]

Ohhh Kimbers......I'm an Italian at heart and the Lotus is the only non Italian I've ever had (OK x2 TVR's also).

The big problem with modern Alfa's is the dealer network IMO...........

Must have had 20+ Fiats/Alfas or Lancias and I have never had a major issue with any of them - and that includes running the likes of Fulvias and Giulia 105's as daily runners for a period!..............bugger ....that'll be the kiss of death..

Edited September 25, 2009 by nello

[Nelly]

One of the keys to owning an Alfa is a having a good independant garage. Know exactly what you mean about the niggles, thought long and hard mysekf before taking the plunge.

92 claims per 100 is pretty shocking though so maybe I should withdraw my original suggestion!!!!

Just the downside of being a petrolhead I guess.

[73JPS]

I think you should consider at this car from another thread: apparently it's a steal!

[superdavelotus]

Hi Ade,

Have you consider a Saab 9-3 TTDi? It's got 180BHP and is pretty quite. You could also go for lesser 150BHP which is a lot cheaper and same engine as your old Vectra.

If you want a really cheap car then consider a Renault Laguna. Good levels of trim, boring to look at and drive but very comfortable. Most of all they depreciate big time so used ones are dead cheap. You can then save the rest of your money for a deposit next time?

At other end of scale is BMW 5 Series or 3 Series Diesel possibly a 6 cylinder 525D?

David

[ajheath]

Thanks for all the advice so far chaps, especially Kimbers for the warranty stats. Think if I was doing low mileage I would still consider the Alfa but at 30,000+ not worth the risk. As I spend a lot of time in the car comfort is a high priority and currently with the Vectra (which I rushed into when I bought it) when I get out after a 12 hour day on the road I feel it, having said that it has been a super reliable workhorse.

Leaning heavily now towards the Accord or Mondeo but need to drive them on a good test drive. I think it's terrible when you go for a test drive and you get to go a mile down the road and back. Bit like going to view a house and being told you have got 5 mins to look round.

Still very keen on the C6 as its super comfy, any idea of reliability on these? I know the 2.7 engine is the same as the Jag XJ diesel.

[esprithk]

hmm...for daily use (of carrying 4 adults) I would suggest to get A SUBARU LEGACY,very powerful car, very roomy

well, fuel efficiency may be a problem due to the 4WD system (but it's safe for family)