Car upto

[radioone]

My father in law had a Renault Laguna 1.8 on a P Plate. Today the cam belt has gone, and took out the engine with it.

He is looking for a new car of around

[Snoopie]

The Laguna 1.9tdi are very good engines. Maybe that could be taken into consideration as he's already use to it.

Have a quick look on Autotrader, for all car's around that price bracket!

[jonny boy]

He sounds like an old bloke so maybe he should go for a Skoda Octavia ?

[radioone]

He sounds like an old bloke so maybe he should go for a Skoda Octavia ?

Two points to this, he is 48, so not to old. just the back injury from working for the ambulance service, and the other point is im 21, and ive got an octav, so does this mean im old you cheeky young sod, lol

He needs a car a little bit bigger, I have tried the octavia approach, and he's having none of it

Chris

[Snoopie]

I'm not sure how much Volkswagen Bora's go for. But i like the 1.9 TDI versions.

[jonny boy]

Two points to this, he is 48, so not to old. just the back injury from working for the ambulance service, and the other point is im 21, and ive got an octav, so does this mean im old you cheeky young sod, lol

He needs a car a little bit bigger, I have tried the octavia approach, and he's having none of it

Chris

Seriously, there are some excellent bargains in the Ford Mondeo at that price bracket. Good sound car can be found for that money.

[radioone]

Seriously, there are some excellent bargains in the Ford Mondeo at that price bracket. Good sound car can be found for that money.

Again, we have looked, but he wants something a bit TALLER, (bigger was a bad description).

we have looked at the scenics today, and i dont like them, but seen anice Kia Carens which is very resonably priced, with everything like air con, cd player, alloys etc, all for

[jonny boy]

Two points to this, he is 48, so not to old. just the back injury from working for the ambulance service, and the other point is im 21, and ive got an octav, so does this mean im old you cheeky young sod, lol

He needs a car a little bit bigger, I have tried the octavia approach, and he's having none of it

Chris

Seriously though, the Ford Mondeo can be had for this price bracket. My Brother in Law had one for around 3K through an auction (51 plate) and it had 86k miles.

He's now done 102k and it's not cost a penny.

I had a 1998 Escort Ghia X with full leather option a few years back (2002) for 3K with 84k miles.

I had it for 2 years and when I sold that one it had done 106k with just new pads all round as expense. I always had time for Fords after my experience but went for the Fabia cos it impressed me so much. Otherwise I would have still been a Ford man.

[Dmac1969]

I'm not sure how much Volkswagen Bora's go for. But i like the 1.9 TDI versions.

I doubt you will get one on a

[iann]

I would suggest looking at the owners problem pages on Parkers price guide forums. Laguna diesel engines are a big problem. I got rid of our laguna and bought a Superb a few months ago as I had the start of the escalating spiral of problems.

[vRSLen]

You should be able to pick up a cheap Rover! Oh.. you want a reliable car...

[Tom_vRS]

I think a Primera (lots of car for the money, bullet proof and very nice to drive indeed), or a Mondeo make the most sense. Great cars for the money.

As for a bit taller, other than the Kia, maybe a 1.8 Picasso can be had for £2500 by now?

[Tom_vRS]

Yep, just checked Autotrader, plenty of Picassos in the £2500ish category!

[radioone]

Yep, just checked Autotrader, plenty of Picassos in the

[Snoopie]

That doesn't mean every Citroen though! We've had faultless citroen's. Picasso seem's like a good choice!

[yashicamat]

Maybe a Ford Galaxy or something? Might be a bit big, but it's got the height, should be fairly reliable and cheap parts, and I think that the Galaxy was shared with VAG, in which case does it get the VAG diesels? Looking on Parkers they should fall within the price range.

[Tom_vRS]

Dad now has a Xsara, but had 2 Picassos from new. Only ever made one warranty claim on the first Picasso, none on the 2nd. Make of that what you will.

For £2500 I think its a great car for the money.

[Tom_vRS]

Maybe a Ford Galaxy or something? Might be a bit big, but it's got the height, should be fairly reliable and cheap parts, and I think that the Galaxy was shared with VAG, in which case does it get the VAG diesels? Looking on Parkers they should fall within the price range.

I think a

[Tom_vRS]

Picassos - i said reliable, a citroen is not reliable, i've owned one.

Chris

Out of the 14 or so cars I have owned, the Fabia vRS was by far the most unreliable car I have owned.

[stevenh]

What about a Saab 9-3/900/9-5/9000?

OK economy may be a bit out but they have orthapeodic seats, and are very safe for the family!

On the Picasso front, Mrs H has had one for 2.5 years and apart from gearbox oil seal the only other things have been service items - great car for what it is!

[MisterGT]

Another vote for the Primera here.

[JMK2]

Out of the 14 or so cars I have owned, the Fabia vRS was by far the most unreliable car I have owned.

I hate to disagree but in my experience it wasn't. But my car was bog standard and looked after.

I would give that title to a Rover 400 (45) I had. Loved the car - but 13 times back to the dealer in 6 months.

Runner up Alfa156. First brand new car (not demo). What a mistake.

[ScoobyChris]

If you get a Primera, get the last shape and not the current shape For the Mondeo, I'd recommend either the TDDI (115bhp) or the TDCI (130bhp) but for the money you'll probably get a newer lower mileage TDDI....

Picasso seems popular and my neighbours have had a 2nd hadn one for a year now and it's still going strong. Just make sure he checks the EuroNCAP ratings any MPV's he's looking at as some of them are pretty shockingl

Chris

[ScoobyChris]

I hate to disagree but in my experience it wasn't.

That's because you're one of these strange people who likes to own MG/Rovers! You only have yourself to blame :P:rofl:

Chris

[MrBump]

That doesn't mean every Citroen though! We've had faultless citroen's. Picasso seem's like a good choice!

Agreed - my last car was a 1.9TD Xsara, S plate from an auction with 192k on the clock, which turned out to have been a taxi in a previous life. Cost me