Another what car to get thread

[DSdriver]

Son of DSdriver wants to chop in his XC70 of 2003 vintage having recently weighed out on steering rack, front & rear suspension, tyres, alarm solenoid and service for summat about 5 years newer and cheaper to run.

He's thinking Ford Focus and I'm thinking Skoda Fabia 1.4.

Anything to look out for, in the way of possible forthcoming large bills on either of those? 

Anyone want a big well sorted Volvo?

Kent based by the way before SVM get too excited.

[Bear]

I'd avoid the VAGshite, personally.

Mazda 6 estate?

[Bear]

Actually, 2008ish = Citroën C5 II on steel springs

[Junkman]

Kent based by the way before SVM get too excited.

 

Actually that's just about far enough to get the SVM excited.

[DSdriver]

Hmm I'd dismissed all new Citroens as being rubbish but those C5s do tend to soldier on. He doesn't need something that big though so are C4s OK?

[Bear]

I don't know C4s - dugong will probably have some choice words. I would say the 2010 C3 Airdream+ I had was absolutely fantastic - big windscreen, great handling, good comfort, decent performance even five up, never an issue in 33,000 miles (from new, mind, but that's better than my C6 at almost 4x the price managed) and 65mpg.

[Bear]

And the C5 II is a very, very well made car. Steel springs ride well enough and the brake feel (if not technical performance) is nicer, too.

[dollywobbler]

And the C5 II is a very, very well made car. Steel springs ride well enough and the brake feel (if not technical performance) is nicer, too.

 

They can be very, very French when it comes to electrics though. A pal was nearly broken by his - and he's no stranger to French cars. C4 probably slightly safer, but be wary of the 1.6Hdi.

[sierraman]

Does the C5 suffer from the 1.6hdi trouble?

[DSdriver]

They can be very, very French when it comes to electrics though. A pal was nearly broken by his - and he's no stranger to French cars. C4 probably slightly safer, but be wary of the 1.6Hdi.

Aha, this is the sort of stuff we need to know, I have just googled 1.6hdi problems and it sounds like they need to be given the swerve.

[sierraman]

No but the Focus had revised units in the 1.6 hdi from 08 which don't seem to bollocks the turbot up as much. Didn't know if it was the same for the Citroen

[dollywobbler]

I think everything with that engine can potentially have trouble, though plenty do seem to have topped 100k with no problems. I guess that's like K-Series engines though. I know plenty that have never popped a head gasket, but the fact is that plenty more have.

[oldcars]

Brother in law had something with the 1.6hdi in it. Ate 2 turbos.

[Ghosty]

Bini?

[DSdriver]

Bini?

Wrong side of 40. Pictures of Motherghosty required

[SiC]

Civic? In 1.8 pez form imo.

 

Or Octavia?

[DSdriver]

Hmm, hes just rushed off and traded the Volvo in for a Fabia 1.4, says the RFL is zero. Is that right or has the salesman pulled a fast one?

[Tamworthbay]

Another vote for Mazda but possibly a 3. It will be utterly tedious but go on and on and on and on until the point you will wish it would die.

[DSdriver]

I've just read this 

 

 

Buyers of lower-emission cars are expected to bear the brunt of changes to Vehicle Excise Duty (VED) car tax from next April 2017, with those in the 91-100 g/km of CO2 band hardest hit, seeing costs over six years rise from nothing to £820.

[sierraman]

I've just read this

Good. Sanctimonious bastards.

[SiC]

I've just read this

Isn't that for brand new registered cars?

I.e. the system is changing. Like in 2001 from cc to co2.

[Kiltox]

Isn't that for brand new registered cars?

I.e. the system is changing. Like in 2001 from cc to co2.

 

Yep. Flat £140 a year for new cars with a variable first registration fee