Hi,

Look for some advice for my next car.

I have just got a new job and it will require me to drive 100 miles
per day. %90 of the drive will be on the M25, so a lot of motorway
driving is involved.

What I need in a car is:-

Reliable
Easy on the fuel consumption.
Diesel (I'm guessing this would be best for the distances being
travelled).
Large(ish) boot (need to fit camping equipment in etc) - Currently own
a Vectra, boot is fine.
ABS braking or equivalent. (I'm sure I'll be putting it to the test on
the M25).
Air conditioning - for those summer months.
Generally, cheap to run.
NOT looking for an estate.

I was thinking about a Ford Focus, but a friend said that the boot
might be a little small.
The other option is a Ford Mondeo, but I don't think this car will be
cheap to run.

I have around 6-7K to spend.

Thanks in advance.
Howard.

On 27 Jan 2007 04:47:58 -0800, Howard wrote:

I don't know why? Are you thinking of taking five adults and five suitcases
on your commute each day? If not then why can't the camping stuff go in a
roof box when you take camping trips?

I'm not sure why you would think that. I used a Mondeo 2.2 ST TDCi for work
purposes and it was economical (45-60mpg depending on route). Servicing
costs were very reasonable because Ford operate a fixed price menu service
so I paid £100 for each service.

The biggest cost on the Mondeo is depreciation, which is near vertical.
However that will work in your favour since you are intending to let some
other sucker take the depreciation hit.

Compared to a Vectra either car will be a big improvement if your like
driving. OTOH if you just want a bland box then you won't notice the
difference and at least the Fords won't offend you.

The Mondeo boot is huge BTW, you get an echo if you shout with the
hatchback open.

Howard <howardgp (AT) blueyonder (DOT) co.uk> wrote:

Diesel mondeo ticks all the boxes.
Diesel Passat also.
Diesel Vectra, new shape with the old engine also.
Older shape 5 series too.


--
"Get a paper bag"

"Howard" <howardgp (AT) blueyonder (DOT) co.uk> wrote

Mondeo will be comfier than the Focus, and I'd bet on it being more
economical at a 70+ cruise than a Focus due to it's shape. OTOH this is the
M25 you're talking about, and if it's as bad as its reputation, I'd move
house if I were you.

Dr Zoidberg <alexNOOOOOO!!!!!!!@drzoidberg.co.uk> wrote:

Heh, well, possibly, but only a JTD.

What strikes me with ours is that it's actually quite a small car - I
couldn't live with one for work, anyway.

I will, however, add the Passat TDI to the list - a very tidy B5.5 can
be bought for not a lot these days.

Erm, I have no major issues with the oily bits of Skodas, it's the fit
and finish / trim that lets them down compared with the VAG equivalents.

A colleague has just given up his B5.5 estate and is waiting for a B6 to
come available - he's been given an Octavia TDI (new shape) to tide him
over. He hates it with a passion - mainly because he's had a rough ride
with cars recently - he had a B6 2.0TDI SE, but his boss took it off him
to use herself, then he got an old B5.5 that was only 5k from
replacement, then he's had a string of hire cars for a couple of months,
'cos a B6 is going to be available from the existing fleet in a couple
of weeks.
--
SteveH 'You're not a real petrolhead unless you've owned an Alfa Romeo'
www.italiancar.co.uk - Honda VFR800 - Hongdou GY200 - Alfa 75 TSpark
Alfa 156 TSpark - B6 Passat 2.0TDI SE - COSOC KOTL
BOTAFOT #87 - BOTAFOF #18 - MRO # - UKRMSBC #7 - Apostle #2 - YTC #

"Howard" <howardgp (AT) blueyonder (DOT) co.uk> wrote

Naturally.

Why, is your driving really so poor?

"DavidR" <nocuredham (AT) boltblue (DOT) com> wrote

Door's that way buddy. Don't let it slam on the way out.