Wiz don't go the Mondeo route unless you are 100% sure about the service history especially the timing belt replacement. If the belt goes on that model you may as well scrap the car its so expensive. I would stick with the Japanese cars if I were you they are the most reliable. Keep well away from Citroen and Peugeot they are a nightmare.VW are good, Volvo are solid. I have a 56 Vauxhall Astra and I have had very little trouble with it.

I thought late model diesels with dual-mass flywheels etc. ALL needed a good scrutiny, service history-wise as they are so bleeding expensive to fix?

Anyway, you're all rich fookers, I bought my X-plate Astra off fleabay for £1495, changed the timing belt and it's just sailed through the MOT. Tidy, 100k, 8-valve petrol.

Fully loaded with tools (it's me van) it's on the go daily

Originally Posted by Him Her

Anyway, you're all rich fookers, I bought my X-plate Astra off fleabay for £1495, changed the timing belt and it's just sailed through the MOT. Tidy, 100k, 8-valve petrol

13.5k for my car...anyhooos

I agree with what has been said above, personally I would steer clear of Mondeo's, I could have got a brand new one as a company car and I was advised to leave it alone, your best bet is BMW, Audi, VW, Mercedes etc. (Peugeot and Citroen steer clear of as well)

Passat is a good solid car.

http://cars.donedeal.co.uk/for-sale/cars/3582741

passat 04 for sale in Meath : €2,900 - DoneDeal.co.uk

03D Gold Volkswagon Passat (comfortline) for sale in Dublin : €2,750 - DoneDeal.co.uk

http://cars.donedeal.co.uk/for-sale/cars/3420033

My first car was Japanese, good car nice to drive. Since then it's been Germany all the way. Mind you one bmw and about four audis. Amazing to drive but expensive to maintain.
Lately I am hearing good things about skodas and kias so they might not be such bad idea.

Originally Posted by fes_786

if u going down astra or vectra route then 1.9cdti or 1.7cdti and u will b happy

What about a vectra 2.0DTi?

or the one I really fancy a Mazda6 2.0 diesel

and again do I really need to worry about the high mileage in regards to the engine anyway

Personally, I'm happy with 100k on petrol and 200k on diesel but if you can't be sure of the service history I'd always have the timing belt changed as a matter of course...

strange all the hostility towards Fords, i do 40,000 to 45,000 a year the last 5 cars ive had have been Mondeo, Focus, Focus, Mondeo, Mondeo all tdci ghia and titanium x all have had approx 130,000 miles when i have moved them on and apart from tyres and regular service the only thing i had go was a steering pump fail on one car and that was replaced under warranty.

Wiz569 Mazda 6 is a Mondeo anyway lol.

I'd go for an avensis diesel especially the 02 model they were very reliable.

Originally Posted by hatab

strange all the hostility towards Fords, i do 40,000 to 45,000 a year the last 5 cars ive had have been Mondeo, Focus, Focus, Mondeo, Mondeo all tdci ghia and titanium x all have had approx 130,000 miles when i have moved them on and apart from tyres and regular service the only thing i had go was a steering pump fail on one car and that was replaced under warranty.

Thats what I thought myself m8,and the main reason I was looking at one,but the guys seem to think its not a good idea?

Originally Posted by hatab

Wiz569 Mazda 6 is a Mondeo anyway lol.

Should have sussed that actually as they also share the fiesta/mazda1 I think it is,but the mazda6 looks soo much better lol

Originally Posted by wiz569

What about a vectra 2.0DTi?

or the one I really fancy a Mazda6 2.0 diesel

and again do I really need to worry about the high mileage in regards to the engine anyway

A Vectra 2.0 tdi
Has the ecu on the injection pump
And they are a common failure
Avoid

Mazda 6 2.0tdi has a dpf that if blocked costs over a grand from dealers

If u going for Mazda 6 I would recommend u get dpf gutted and car remapped = no more dpf problems

The Toyota corolla or Avensis with 2.0D 1cd-Ftv engine is bullet proof only problem they have is scv on pump but u can get 2 new ones for £140 and fit ur self only applicable to high mileage cars

I know a corolla that is going to hit 800/900k by dec2012 original engine, turbo, injectors and gearbox. Scv valves been changed twice, regular services and ever 3month a shot of injector cleaner.

The guy had it from new and it's been used as a taxi 23hrs a day, only time it rests is either for a test or service. He got 2 drivers on it.