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[balto] 12/4/2003 22:50

Guys

off topic, I'll ask you nevertheless ( if you don't mind, of course ):

As everybody else I too have heard that cars are much cheaper in Belgium ( even Germany ??? ).
Does any of you know how to buy from there ???

Second question:

I have noticed a post where it was saying that there will be a new model for the Golf; is there a new model for the Passat as well ???

Thanks in advance.

[jonc] 12/4/2003 20:28

In todays Telegraph Honest John says that in his experience VWs generally need rebuilding between the ages of 3 and 8 and that they then settle down and become reliable.

[the player] 12/4/2003 18:19

dhedra,

You're putting me off VW! ;-)

Here's a good site I put on the Great Websites thread, but it's worth putting here...........



Ford are No.2, but VW do well also.

TP

[trumpet] 12/4/2003 16:24

TP,

Like Hi-There says the auctions are well worth a look, late plate low milage ex lease cars are the safest buy (because of the indemnity and the fact that they are sold with "no major mechnical faults"). Quite a few cars going through auction are VAT qualifying too.

British Car Auctions have a limited search facility for non-traders to see if theer's anything intersting coming up at your local auction. Not sure whether they still have historical prices achieved - "Used Car Buyer" magazine has an auction roundup at the back to get a feel for the auction/forecourt price differences.

About a year ago I nearly went for a Golf TDi (T Reg), 48K, good colour, immaculate throughout which sold at £8200 (probably £10/10.5) on the forecourt at the time.

Have a look at www.honestjohn.co.uk - reviews and good motoring BB, might put you off a few makes/models ;-). Handy round-up of the best new deals updated each weekend from the likes of Tradesales, Motorpoint and the importers.

[the player] 12/4/2003 15:05

M,

Thanks for that.

The Focus seems to satisfy your desirability/residual value/obsolescence criteria. The Golf does not. Ford parts and labour tend to be cheaper, apparently.

Not sold on the Focus yet, but it and the Golf are the most popular in the class. Though the new Megane may change that.

TP

[dhedra] 12/4/2003 11:07

I have a VW Golf. Bought it when it was a year old, have owned it for 2. Everything went swimmingly until the day it reached 3 years old. Won't bore you with the details but have spent £1,200 on it since ('since' is only 6 months ago). VW are excellent with their servicing whilst it is still under guarantee, then everything goes pear-shaped and hugely more expensive!
Next time I buy a car it will still be a VW but from the lessons i've learned it will be brand new and I shall sell it just before its 3rd birthday!

PS. New models are not always more desirable, it depends on the style and the spec. Sometimes people prefer the design of previous models. My experience with the Golf may be unulucky. They do have a good second hand value.

[greystone] 12/4/2003 11:06

I would like a rather large car with a petite chauffeuse both of whom go from 0-60 as comfortably as possibly. :)

[martini] 12/4/2003 10:42

TP
Whilst running costs are a consideration the biggest cost in any new car cost equation is the residual value.
Somebody in the trade probably knows better but from my limited experience factors affecting residual values include: -
How fast do they change the model? Buying a car at the end of its model life can be costly if the latest version follows on? However manufactures put a lot of money behind shifting the end of a models life so good deals can be obtained.
Is the car being pushed out to fleets at a discount and there will be a lot of them coming onto the second hand market at some point in the future?
Has the car a reputation for reliability and therefore make the prospect of running outside of a manufacturers warranty attractive.
Does the car have desirability and whilst a person may not stretch to new one they would die for a cheaper second hand one?
Even the specification of the car can affect it. High cost accessories rarely give value back and even the body and trim colour can make the car more attractive.
Bottom line I suppose is to ask yourself - would I want to buy this car when it is three years old?
M

[the player] 12/4/2003 08:33

Someone suggested the Ford Focus to me and I've been looking at it.

The Ghia is a LOT (ABS and Air Con are standard) of car for the money, and the TDCi (115 bhp model) is a state of the art diesel which outperforms the petrol Ghia.

Servicing and parts are cheaper than German equivalents. No worries about new models either. They've slightly tweaked it and it looks great.

Any thoughts?

Also, as a % of the original cost, which holds its value better - petrol or diesel?

The diesel costs more, but diesel is cheaper at the pump and I get the VAT back. So, with reasonable mileage, I would claw back a lot of the extra €2,000. But, will it hold its value second-hand?

Ta.

TP

[bigmolly] 11/4/2003 12:03

Audi A3 SPORT Tdi 130 BHP, 3 or 5 door, 6 speed service every 20k miles, high spec includes BOSE sound, leather, sport seats and suspension, air, on the road around £19k, mines done 42k miles, and averaged 48miles/gall have records.

Oh, without ramping she's for sale in July...

Went from a 323i into this and boy they are underated...or try the A4 Avant with same engine.

Good luck anyway.

[the player] 11/4/2003 11:14

Any views on the new Renault Megane or the new Peugeot 307?

The higher spec models look good and they won't suffer from the depreciation of the Mark IV Golf.

TP

[hi-there] 11/4/2003 10:07

Depends on age. I have max no claims. For some strange reason it was cheaper than a Ford Scorpio.

They are too good a car. They don't have problems, not from my experience anyway. Third one and no problems to date.

[jl202] 11/4/2003 10:03

Bigmolly, we're in agreement :) Did you not try any of the BMW diesels? The 330d's b*tchin, although I guess a tad small...

[jl202] 11/4/2003 10:03

hi-there, running costs esp insurance are seen to be expensive,,

[hi-there] 11/4/2003 10:02

March. If you buy from auction, you should always get your money back or more when you sell it in a year or so. Depends on model and year.
My last purchase was a Jaguar XJ6 Sport. Normal forecourt price £12,000. This had full service history and very low mileage and as new.
Purchase price. £2100. Nobody seems to want them. I have no idea why. A great car and you make money on it too. Daft.

[peea01] 11/4/2003 08:38

Look at the new Honda Accord Tourer - loads of car for your money and a good forecasted RV.

[jl202] 11/4/2003 00:52

E Class Merc estate (second hand)
Subaru - any estate but the forester, not sure they do diesel though
OR how about a Mondeo, fully loaded for the price.. good engine
The classic - Peugeot 404 estate HDi - new model due out soon

Thinking other than estate, you could maybe just about pick up a very tasty Renault Espace 2.2 dCi Expression 5dr £23385 which I expect could be knocked down a bit. Don't go lower as the engine will be too weak.

Perhaps after all...
Audi 1.9 TDI Sport Manual 130PS 6 Speed 10.1 157 £21,520


Enjoy looking!

[march] 10/4/2003 23:08

Never think of a car as an investment.

Cars are depreciating assets, with a very few exceptions that are only apparent with hindsight.

New car prices have been falling year on year, as the car increasingly becomes a throw-away consumer commodity.

[djlungi] 10/4/2003 17:44

Can't say that I've seen any pictures TP. I'm more interested in vans myself. I've got my eye on the new VW caravelle, out later this year.


Top gear website might be of interest.

[the player] 10/4/2003 17:15

djlungi,

Ahah!

Thanks for that.

When?

Any pics available online?

TP

[djlungi] 10/4/2003 16:24

'I was told today that if we bought a Golf GTi - E18,000 with all the trimmings - we could keep it for two years and sell it for E20,000.'

Someone's pulling your leg TP. New Golf out soon, current model will be much cheaper

[the player] 10/4/2003 15:36

jl202,

Cheers.

I was told today that if we bought a Golf GTi - E18,000 with all the trimmings - we could keep it for two years and sell it for E20,000.

Very tempting.

TP

[big vern] 10/4/2003 10:57

Yeah second that Cat.....but with a double bed in the back

Thats wot u need Den