My parents currently have a 52plate Octavia Ambiente Estate with 116,000.

They haven't had much luck with the car Last year the Altenator caught fire while they were on holiday in france and this year to the day the Air Con compressor has failed.

Here are the requirements

They need something economical as they travel over to their house in France close to Limogues every other month (on average) from York

They need to be able to fit a dog cage in the boot with the back seats up, the cage just goes up in the octavia, must be put into the boot then opened up as the boot door entrance is too small for the cage

Cheap on Road Tax, theirs is currently £120 per year and they would like their next car to be the same or lower

Low insurance group

Roof Rails

Air Con

Usual extras Electric windows / Power Steering / central locking

P/X would be essential

cost upto £7.5k at the max, this must be the perfect car though as they only really want to spend upto £7k.

I've narrowed my search down to

Octavia Estate Elegance 110bhp

Peugeot 307 SW 1.6HDI 110bhp

Peugeot 307 SW 2.0HDI 110bhp

Citroen C5 Estate 2.0HDI 110bhp (not so cheap on road tax and not as economical)

Mitsubushi Lancer Estate 1.6 100bhp (not that economical as it's a petrol but it could be converted to LPG within the budget)

Ford Focus Estate 1.8 zetec 115bhp (not that economical as it's a petrol but it could be converted to LPG within the budget)

Ford Focus C-Max 1.6 Petrol 100bhp (not that economical as it's a petrol but it could be converted to LPG within the budget)

Kia Cerens 2.0 CRDI (higher road tax than the octavia)

Mazda 6 2.0l Estate (higer road tax than the octavia)

My dad has been happy with his 307 1.6hdi.

Only snag he had was when ordering, they only offered rubbish interiors so he kicked up stink and got a posh one for no extra.

My problem with it is that is feels very slow when loaded up and going up hills.

They don't do a 2.0 HDI 110 any more do they? Didn't think that engine made it into the 307 but if it did well not worth it IMHO.

I'd stick to the 1.6 HDI(same asTDCI/Mini engine).

It's a cracking little engine IMHO.

You can get a 407 for virtually the same price as a 307 and it's a much better car.

Ditto for the Mondeo compared to the Focus

Mazda 6 2.0l Estate (higer road tax than the octavia)

I'd avoid mazda 6 diesels of that vintage - DMF and fuel pump horror stories.

Roomster 1.9 diesel?????

There seem to be positive comments about the 1.6hdi engine, my dad used to be a sales rep up till he bought the octavia and had had a 306 tdi / 406hdi / 307 hdi90 so I know he really wants togo back to Peugeot as they were all taken back before the lease finished due to the milage he used todo and they only had togo to the garage for servicing and wear and tear items.

I think the 407 and the C5 maybe out of the question as my mum drives the car as her daily car over here and she doesn't want anything bigger than the octavia

307 is IMHO not a good car due to lots of leaks, but I'm willing to be corrected.

I do reiterate the engine is great, but usually gets the 5 speed box.

I'd avoid the Pugs and Citroen. My boss has a 406 a year and 20_000 miles newer than my Octy. Neither of us have had any significant reliability bothers as such, but his car has way more trim creaks and rattles. I know several people who've had persistant electrical issues with them too.

I'd avoid skodas for the same reason.

I know people with fords that have double the mileage of octys with far fewer creaks

I think most people only ever hear of the negative points in cars. word of mouth never seems to get round when something is good. Like I said earlier my Dad used todo 35k per year in his Pug 306/406/307 and never had any problems at all and none of them had anymore squeaks and rattles than our current cars.

I'd avoid the Pugs and Citroen. My boss has a 406 a year and 20_000 miles newer than my Octy. Neither of us have had any significant reliability bothers as such, but his car has way more trim creaks and rattles. I know several people who've had persistant electrical issues with them too.

Funny you mention that. Mrs Stig's 1007 has been an absolute pain in the Ar5e with the electric doors since the new year. She has got sooooooo fed up with the car, she can't wait till Febuary so she can get a new car. Fabia Sport 1.9 Tdi is in the running at the mo, till she saw a Mini convertable today with the roof down.............

Skoda Roomster might be ok as regards the boot. Otherwise what about the new Toyota Avensis (my mum has had two over the past 5 years and she thinks there brill), should be able to pick up a 2.0/ 2.2 D4D, they have a huge boot, fairly economical, and should be very relaxing for long journeys.

Skoda Roomster might be ok as regards the boot. Otherwise what about the new Toyota Avensis (my mum has had two over the past 5 years and she thinks there brill), should be able to pick up a 2.0/ 2.2 D4D, they have a huge boot, fairly economical, and should be very relaxing for long journeys.

They won't buy a roomster, my mum refuses to drive one when the garage gives her one as a courtesy car and I think they will be out of budget. Hadn't thought of the avensis, will have a look tonight.

Thanks

Volvo V40 1.9 tdi good engines, nice and comfy and half decent on fuel.

Volvo V40 1.9 tdi good engines, nice and comfy and half decent on fuel.

I've added it to the list for my parents to look at. I looked at the v50 when i bought my curent octavia but found that the boot was realy small

I think most people only ever hear of the negative points in cars. word of mouth never seems to get round when something is good. Like I said earlier my Dad used todo 35k per year in his Pug 306/406/307 and never had any problems at all and none of them had anymore squeaks and rattles than our current cars.

Years back I bought a 306 XRDT on an L plate (early one) I kept it for a couple of years and bar a slightly leaking water pump had zero probs with it, a great car. On the back of it my Dad bought a 306 DTurbo (R plate so same shape) biggest POS on the road, no end of problems with it. Just goes to show as with any car, you get some good ones and some bad ones.

Years back I bought a 306 XRDT on an L plate (early one) I kept it for a couple of years and bar a slightly leaking water pump had zero probs with it, a great car. On the back of it my Dad bought a 306 DTurbo (R plate so same shape) biggest POS on the road, no end of problems with it. Just goes to show as with any car, you get some good ones and some bad ones.

It does indeed, my father would never have bought the Skoda if I hadn't kept telling him just how great mine was (03 octavia vrs). Since they bought theirs they've had no end of trouble.

My uncle used to be a private hire taxi driver and always used Rovers, he always kept them till they had done over 250k :eek: and never once had an issue with one, I bought one and couldn't sell it quick enough because of the problems.

You just never know what your buying.

My uncle used to be a private hire taxi driver and always used Rovers, he always kept them till they had done over 250k :eek: and never once had an issue with one, I bought one and couldn't sell it quick enough because of the problems.

You just never know what your buying.

Meantime, I once met a private hire driver with a 6 month old 820 auto, then on its 3rd new PAS system and second auto box.

Years back I bought a 306 XRDT on an L plate (early one) I kept it for a couple of years and bar a slightly leaking water pump had zero probs with it, a great car. On the back of it my Dad bought a 306 DTurbo (R plate so same shape) biggest POS on the road, no end of problems with it. Just goes to show as with any car, you get some good ones and some bad ones.

Being a bit of a pedant, but wasn't P the last year before the facelift on the 306.

I know they stopped doing the sedan on a P plate.

IIRC R reg was also the year they bought in the HDI 90, but by the sounds of it you were lucky and got the older XUD

Being a bit of a pedant, but wasn't P the last year before the facelift on the 306.

I know they stopped doing the sedan on a P plate.

IIRC R reg was also the year they bought in the HDI 90, but by the sounds of it you were lucky and got the older XUD

I think, repeat think, the sedan got dropped before the facelift.

Shame I like the sedan sat a bit lower than the hatch and handled better IMHO.