Veccy may have to go

[bigknill]

As per the title, I may have to sell my Veccy.

Since I had it (2 and a half years), I have had to fix the following:

Replace rear springs
Replace air-conditioning compressor
New EGR valve
New mass air meter
Renew windscreen wiper linkage
Replace front springs
Replace various suspension components

These problems in isolation don't make me want to get shot of the car but as its got the infamous 150bhp diesel engine, I know that the DMF/clutch will need replacing sooner rather than later (it's got the dreaded death rattle) and that the swirl valve may well go too.

I would much rather put the £1600+ that it would cost to do these fixes towards something else. The question is what?

I have a few ideas:

Mazda 6 (old model, not the latest)
Saab 9-3 (petrol turbo)
Ford Focus or Mondeo

Does anyone have any experience on the above or have any other suggestions? I have around £5k to spend.

[PORKBALLS29]

I'd say saab 9 3 mate. Thatst what im looking out for at the moment. Cant blame you for looking else where wiith all these faults and possibly more on the way.

[big rich]

saab 93 very nice cars

[studmuffin]

no contest, mazda 6, all the way mate

[crespo]

I have owned nearly all the cars in your list and the mazda 6 was the best of the bunch. Get a TS2 2.0 petrol. Diesels on all of the cars you mention all have expensive problems. DPF on the mazda and DMF on the fords.
Had a saab 93 and the build quality was pretty bad. Great 2.0 T engine that is also used in the vectra. But the mazda was hands down the best of the bunch.
My tip if you want a cheap car to run.
DONT BUY A MODERN DIESEL.

[crespo]

Having owned at some stage all of the cars you listed i will give you my opinion of each one properly.
Ford mondeo mk3.
I owned a 03 TDCI 130, It was a very good car that did everything it was supposed to do with minimal fuss.
Unfortunately that was its biggest downfall, It was so fffing boring.
If you decide to get a Mondeo avoid the TDCI as they also suffer with DMF problems and its not a case of if but when it will go. They also suffer badly with injector problems which are very expensive to put right (£250 per injector +£70 to code it to the car).
On that basis i would go for a petrol one if i was to buy again but the only one that will keep you interested is the ST220 and they are expensive to run and insure.

Saab 93.
I owned a 04 Saab 93 vector 1.8T (same engine as the 2.0T and Aero just detuned, Easily sorted with a remap)
It was a lovely car to look at but it is essentially a Vectra in a skirt and believe it or not, not as well made.
The standard radio system is a disgrace and near impossible to upgrade due to fibre optics. If your lucky you can get one with the 13 speaker upgrade but these are pretty poor considering the amount of speakers.
The dash is prone to squeaks and rattles and the handling is no better than the Vectra you are considering selling.
My advice would be to buy a Vectra SRI 2.0T (same car but better quality).

Mazda 6
I owned a 2003 2.0 TS2.
It was hands down the best car of the bunch, I really can not fault it. Great handling and very well equipped with an amazing Bose radio system.
If i was to be really picky the handling can be firm at low speeds on bad roads and the trip computer is in miles per litre. so you need to be a maths professor to convert it to MPG.
Small niggles but worth mentioning. A fantastic car that wont let you down unless you opt for the post 2005 diesel with the particulate filter (avoid at all costs if you only do short journeys).

Ford Focus
I owned a 04 1.8 edge.
To be honest it was a great little car that was fun to drive but felt slow and was just to small for me so i had to sell it.
For your budget you could probably pick up a 05 new shape focus and it will be just as good as mine.
But can you live with the size.?
If i were to get another it would be an ST.
Great car but feels like a step down in class from any of the above mentioned.

If i were you i would narrow your search down to a petrol Vectra SRI 2.0T or the Mazda 6 2.0 TS2 or sport. (these have all the toys)
Both of these cars are cam chain so no big bills to worry about.
The vectra uses the same engine as the saab and needs an oil change every 5 to 6k unless you want big bills. So make sure this has been done.

[Ziggy]

9-3 every time. Most comfortable car I ever owned.

[crespo]

9-3 every time. Most comfortable car I ever owned.

Nice seats but not that great and wont be worth anything when saab go bust.
You cant give MG's away these days for that reason.

[the-wizard]

9-3 same chassis as the vectra and same 1.9 diesel engine!.

[robk6112]

As per the title, I may have to sell my Veccy.

Since I had it (2 and a half years), I have had to fix the following:

Replace rear springs
Replace air-conditioning compressor
New EGR valve
New mass air meter
Renew windscreen wiper linkage
Replace front springs
Replace various suspension components

These problems in isolation don't make me want to get shot of the car but as its got the infamous 150bhp diesel engine, I know that the DMF/clutch will need replacing sooner rather than later (it's got the dreaded death rattle) and that the swirl valve may well go too.

I would much rather put the £1600+ that it would cost to do these fixes towards something else. The question is what?

I have a few ideas:

Mazda 6 (old model, not the latest)
Saab 9-3 (petrol turbo)
Ford Focus or Mondeo

Does anyone have any experience on the above or have any other suggestions? I have around £5k to spend.

Av done on all the above to my vec so am going to keep it now- hopefully will last another 100k!