Lude Generation

Hey folks,
Not been on here for a few months due to car issues and a lack of cash . The Lude has now sat a total of 8 weeks without turning a wheel as the insurance and MOT ran out while having handbrake/rear caliper issues. Turned over for the first time tonight and bang it sprang to life - I love Honda's! I have also re-insured it (Direct Line £300 woop woop) and recieved a set of rear calipers from A1ex (Cheers mate )on here with the car now booked in for te fitting/MOT on the 16th

Of course nothing runs smooth and an old geezer hit the side of our other car on Wednesday. Have a really nice 61 Passat Bluemotion Estate at the mo . If my car is written off (back offside door, rear panel, and rear wheel at a funny angle) I will need to replace the Bus. Fortunately my wife has got a new job within a mile of the house and we no longer need a 7 seater for her Childminding business that didnt really take off. I would still like a larger car for my two young kids and all the necessary gear that goes along. Max budget of approx 4K. Like the idea and flexibility of an estate but try me and no later than turn of the century cars. Wife likes CR-V's but I just dont think you get enough for your money with them!
Thinking
VW Passat 130Tdi, 2.5 V6 Tdi or 2.8 4motion estate
BMW 325/330 diesel or petrol
Mondeo ST Tdci or Titanium X 155

Any other ideas?

what about an aerodeck

Work friend of mine has the Mondeo ST TDCi, goes along quite well and he has 3 kids that are regularly carted around in it, never moans about it at all.

I'm looking into passat at estates at the mo, the old man has the blue motion and it's really nice to drive and well spec ed

Seems the 1.9 is better on MPG than the 2.5. I was looking at the older 110bhp version though, seems throw 200 notes at it for a remap and you'll get 150bhp and 290nm torque

Not really keen on the Aerodecks and do not like the later Accord estates - the rear ends are fugly! Doubt I could talk the missus into a MB6 aerodeck - She was never to keen on my MB6 5 door . I would also like a car that has Isofix attachments for my 6 month olds stage 1 and stage 2 seat. Family are so inconvienient

One thing I always say to people looking at modern diesels - do you really need it?

Unless you're doing long motorway journeys constantly, probably not. The "around town" mpg will be roughly the same as a petrol, but the running costs are much higher.

The main point being the clutch. Most modern diesel use a dual-mass flywheel, which is recommended to be replaced when you replace the clutch, the cost of the flywheel alone can be nearly £1000, add that on top of the clutch and labour and it's one hell of an expensive repair.

I said this to someone before, and I'll repeat it now - Mazda 6

I've got one and it's a great car, and well spec'd for the price, all but the base model come with cruise control and climate control/air con. Mine is the 2.0 petrol, and with 140bhp on tap it shifts when you need it to, and the steering rack is the same one they use in the MX-5 so steering is light and precise.

Honda SMX

Ammo wrote:I'm looking into passat at estates at the mo, the old man has the blue motion and it's really nice to drive and well spec ed

Seems the 1.9 is better on MPG than the 2.5. I was looking at the older 110bhp version though, seems throw 200 notes at it for a remap and you'll get 150bhp and 290nm torque

I started looking at W8's . I have a mechanic mate who used to MOT for VAG but he suggested 21mpg was extremely unlikely unless cruising motorways regularly. 15-17 was his thoughts. I would need my own oil well in the garden! I like the idea of the V6 tdi - more for the 4motion and spec. the 130 4Motions are rare as hens teeth and like you suggest the tdi units Ammo are easy to tune to 160-80. Wife likes to throw a spaner in the works and says she prefers the looks of the saloon though

As I seem to suggest in most threads of this type, what about a Volvo?

Gayno wrote:One thing I always say to people looking at modern diesels - do you really need it?

Unless you're doing long motorway journeys constantly, probably not. The "around town" mpg will be roughly the same as a petrol, but the running costs are much higher.

The main point being the clutch. Most modern diesel use a dual-mass flywheel, which is recommended to be replaced when you replace the clutch, the cost of the flywheel alone can be nearly £1000, add that on top of the clutch and labour and it's one hell of an expensive repair.

I said this to someone before, and I'll repeat it now - Mazda 6

I've got one and it's a great car, and well spec'd for the price, all but the base model come with cruise control and climate control/air con. Mine is the 2.0 petrol, and with 140bhp on tap it shifts when you need it to, and the steering rack is the same one they use in the MX-5 so steering is light and precise.

You are quite right Gayno - our mileage in the Bus was less than 8k last year and prob less this year with my wifes new job. Diesel is not a priority hence I have indicated petrol variants too. That said I dont know if I could go Mazda again. The car 'off road' is a Mazda5. Bought it as it had decent driving reviews and it looked good in Sport guise. What a pile of sh!t! Drives too light even on 17's, had several issues with the dreaded rear shock leaks, worn suspension arms and other mechanical niggles. Inside is a cheap plastic jungle! Unlike Honda's and Saabs I have owned in the past its swathes of nasty plastic. The only real bonus is the stereo - its fantastic but has to be because the road noise of the 17's and apparent lack of sound deadening. Doubt Id buy Mazda again!