As may have been noticed in another thread I'm fairly sure I'll have to be looking for a new car.:( :thumbdwn:

I'm extreemly p*ssed off about this as I liked my Octy Elegance so I'll be looking for something of a similar spec to replace it, so what do you think you can get at about a year to 18 months old for

Better the devil you know? Another Octy2 Elegance?

2.0TDI Elegance at Simpsons. 05-plate with a good sounding spec, 40k on it. 10,500.

I did pull other examples up on 'Trader but they were the 1.9TDi units. Wasn't sure which Elegance TDI version you have\had?

Steve

Mark's previous was a MKI 1.9 TDi

Be nice if you could get yourself into a 2.0 Elegance as that's what you were after wasn't it. Have to hope your insurance pays up promptly.

I was after a MKII VRS or leon etc, however the increase in my insurance that will happen due to the other bloke driving off means they are now too expensive to insure.

I'll be keeping my eye out for an Octy 2 TDI Elegance, but just after other suggestions as I'm as yet unsure of what they will offer for mine.

How about a Seat Altea? simalar spec and same engines. With all the toys. Plenty of space. Under 10k

1.9TDi's are group 5,

2.0TDi's are group 8.

(All lower then the Skoda's!)

vw bora? the run out highline cars have good spec PD100,130 and 150's

What about a Superb ....going cheap and even the lowest spec has more toys than an elegance...pd130 classic group 10 insurance

Or a 53 reg black Fabia vRS?

Fabia is too small for what I often carry in the boot, but the octy II, altea/leon and suberb PD 130 sound good, the bora too.

What insurance group is a PD130 supurb? I'm also guessing the bora is a relatively high insurance group in PD130/150 trim.

Thanks for ideas, keep them comming

If you need a big boot forget the Superb, although it is huge you cant get bugger all in it because it's too shallow.

All the usual suspects apply here, Mondeo, Vectra, Mazda 6, 407, etc etc.

Just go out and try em all, I usually have a great day doing the rounds test driving everything, even go to the dealers you wouldn't consider to have what you need, sometimes you can be pleasantly suprised at what they have, I went to a Volvo dealer for example, and was really impressed with the D5 S60. they will all also have trade in cars of different makes that they like to get shot of.

Couldn't you get another very decent Mk1 diesel octy (a 2003ish) for nearly half of 10K and put the rest aside for something sportier a couple of years down the line?

Fabia is too small for what I often carry in the boot, but the octy II, altea/leon and suberb PD 130 sound good, the bora too.

What insurance group is a PD130 supurb? I'm also guessing the bora is a relatively high insurance group in PD130/150 trim.

Thanks for ideas, keep them comming

Hi mark,

the insurance group for the pd130 highline is group 8. hope that helps

Mine is group 10 for a pd 130 superb

Mondeo Zetec TDCi? I think they are 130PS , not sure what the insurance group would be , Im guessing that they are cheaper 2nd hand than any VAG car?

The Mondy 2.0TDCi 130 Zetec 5 door is group 9, so would be on my list - based on the criteria in the first post.

Steve

I will be looking at mondeo, didn't realise bora was so low, so that is nice.

Current shortlist is:

- focus 1.8/2.0 TDCI (Grp 8/9)

- Seat Altea 1.9/2.0 TDI (Grp 5/8)

Much as i want an octy II i can't afford the price for Grp 10E insurance.

The mondeo is certainly interesting.

Couldn't you get another very decent Mk1 diesel octy (a 2003ish) for nearly half of 10K and put the rest aside for something sportier a couple of years down the line?

Yes i would, but I think the soft ride contributed to be not being able to catch the spin the third time around as all the weight had transfered forwards. I mean basically I think the bora/Octy MK I will be out for this reason.

Mark - I've been surprised, even by Ford standards, for the prices on these TDI 130 Zetecs. Many of the supermarkets have 06 models with around 10k on them for £10k. Retail is £18,500 on them new. Staggering...

All comes down to the test drives I suppose, and comparable levels of kit etc...

Or I might even look at Ghia X and Titanium models of the Mondy, even if they were a little older

potential Titanium model (Trade Sales, Slough)

Steve

I quite like the Mondeo, but what do I know? Loads of kit, lovely engine, cheap parts, tuning and servicing and only insurance group 9

Chris

The Mazda 6 is supposed to handle well, and is (I think) rather good looking for its type.

Mondeos are cracking cars. Don't be blinkered. Skodas are good, but not THAT good

The Mazda 6 is supposed to handle well, and is (I think) rather good looking for its type.

Based on the Mondy platform IIRC?

Blimey, with this amount of Ford-related talk, you'd be forgiven for thinking we were on a Ford forum :P

Steve, the Seat driver

Mondeos are cracking cars. Don't be blinkered. Skodas are good, but not THAT good

I hear they're quite quick over twisty A and B roads too

Chris

Oh i'm not blinkered....

Just still in shock.

Liking the look of the mondeo, just fuel economy is just in the 50's but then insurance is cheap.

So mondeo, altea or possible focus....

Octy only if i get a really good deal as insurance is high.

Hmm ford forum you say

Does anyoneknow a good Ford forum?

Just to swing you a bit more towards the Mondeo, Mines a 2.2ST but I dont know what insurance group it is? you could get a slightly older one for less than 10k.

It handles so sweetly, turn in is sharp and responsive, ride is stiff but it absorbs bumps and pot holes that would have the Superb breaking your back, and the whole car doesn't vibrate and shudder going over those painted yellow strips approaching roundabouts, no Skoda I've driven handles as well as the Mondeo (and I've driven most of them, including all 3 VRs's)

Despite most people jumping on the bandwagon and calling it a 'Mundano' it is actually a very nice looking car, it's obvious that anyone who calls it that has never actually driven one as the chassis is so capable and entertaining (for a FWD).

Mine also returns 43mpg all day long (2.2), and remember thats all in town mileage as it's a taxi and I do give it some stick, the 1.9 pd130 Superb averaged 42mpg (and the tuning box didn't seem to affect mpg).