Buying a new car

[GH80]

Hi all, newbie here and looking some advice.

About 5 years ago I sold my pride and joy (1999 Vectra GSI 2.5) for a Dturbo 306 to try and save a bit of money as I was buying a house. Starting to get back on my feet after house & marriage costs (cheaper paying a hooker LOL) and up for changing the 306 as it has over 160k on the clock and its starting to cost more than its worth to keep it going.

So far I'm looking at the following (up to about £8k to play with):

06 onwards civic 2.2 cdti
vectra c 1.9 cdti sri (150)
mondeo st tdci 2.2
passat B6 2.0 tdi sport

So I would like to ask you guys what you would choose from the above? I know most will be biased but I want some feedback from the masses (not just the guys that post when something is broken).

What would you go for, and whats your thoughts on the Vec C compared to the other 3? Or would you go for something else?


PS - I have had a corsa and a vectra B - both started to rust within about 5 years of manufacture (tailgate on corsa, rear arches on vectra). Whats the corrosion resistance like on the Vec C?

[CLOMP]

corrision seems ok on the vec-c, mine is on 78,000miles 6 winters, no rust even underneath looks very good, but I jet wash underneath once a month, The Vec-c 150 will be the best VFM but any make of car can give problems, to spite a lot of threads on here about problems with the vec oil burner they are no different to any other make there must be thousands who have had no problems at all, I do like the passat, but you will get a newer lower milage vec for your dosh. good luck with your search for a car, rgds ANT.

[durham4416]

Passat although the vectra is a nice car

[fastbatard]

The reason I bought my Vectra was because it was the newest car I could get for my budget with an average mileage. If I'm honest I would have preferred an Accord (Civic not big enough for me) or a Passat but with the budget I had the car would have had to be considerably older and with higher mileage. Not that there's owt wrong with the Vectra but it's all about priorities and compromise. What's more important to you, a newer car or a 'better' more prestige make? If the Civic is big enough for you then have you considered the Astra? Would get a very decent one for 8k I would imagine.

[Das]

Civic is easily the best car on your list, not sure if they have the dreaded Dual Mass Flywheel or not though.

[GTS]

And I think that buying Vectra would be the best compromise between price and quality. In fact my '99 Vectra B was rusting but as far as I know, this in not a problem in C Vectras anymore. Besides there's a lot of aftermarket spares which doesn't cost a fortune.
I was looking at many cars before I bought my VC but I think that this was best and most reasonalbe choice for me. I drive this car for two yrs and it never let me down.

Wish a good choice, cheers!

[chewy71]

the 150 CDTi must be THE most common engine and therefore thousands more kicking about and so probably more report of bad news. Mine and many on here have been completely trouble free.
I paid £8999 over two years ago for a 2008 SRI (08) so your budget of £8000 will get you an absolute minter and latest model. The latter of the CDTi s are generally bullet proof with all niggles sorted out. I'm over 60k miles now and there's no rust, drives like new, smooth quiet and was going to change this May, but may keep another year.

[damers2000]

Had a few VW's to date and I don't think I'll buy another as they are over rated IMHO and because of that you pay a higher price for the badge.....

My previous Passat had an electrical fault and would leak water into the cabin, I'm not saying every other car is perfect and won't have a fault but with the price you pay for them you would expect that bit better. BMW's arn't the cars they used to be with numerous faults. A friend of mine has a brand new 3 series which to date has cost over £2k in repairs

Honda's are the most reliable car's out there if you look at the JD Power consumer satisfaction survey.

I haven't had any issues with my 1.9CDTi 150 yet although judging by most comments on here it's just a matter of time. But, even so, I didn't pay the over inflated price for a badge.

[chewy71]

A salesman who regularly pops in has a new Passat and is always in the shop plus has very rattly dash apparently!

[soulman]

Have you perhaps thought about a 3.0 vectra .................they do seem ultra reliable and no need for mapping to get that extra power ............
Just a thought

being a petrol head i'm getting a 2.8t signum ...