Post by Deleted on Jun 30, 2017 9:46:40 GMT
With life getting in the way my interest in cars is certainly not as it was, which is ironic considering I cycle through McLaren HQ a few times a week at the moment.
Seat Alhambra
Now 18 months old and 25k on the clock. A real work horse which has taken whatever 3 kids five and under can throw at it. Compared to a Passat estate I recently drove, its a significantly better quality product in terms of trim and fit and finish. It rides better too, although the extra weight really does blunt the 148ps tdi engine and fuel economy where i'm lucky to see 50mpg on the motorway and low 40's elsewhere. The boot of course is massive, and after a slight roof box incident on holiday it easily swallowed 2 kids bike, bike trailer, buggie, travel cot, high chair and all the usual holiday stuff.
The first service was uneventful apart from a wheel bearing done on warranty. It was a steepish £250, although £50 of this was ad-blue. Even with Halfords prices, this stuff really adds onto the running costs. Its been refilled 3 times so far.
The only negatives are a poor turning circle which is worse than the T5. Considering the spec is above the VW SE equivalent I also think its poor on a 28k family car of this type, that keyless entry is not standard.
2008 Golf Estate S tdi
This was sold after 18 months and 10k. A really surprising car. The 1.9 engine is old hat, but pulled well, drove nicely and with a good driving position. Quality was fine too with a large boot. I only lost £500 on it, and that was after a pre-sale service and cosmetic repairs were taken into account. Its only blot was a coolant hose needed replacing. £200 at the local garage seemed really excessive to me on what seems a known issue after a quick google. The price was due to it "taking time to find the issue". Spaffing coolant all over the drive would surely give an indication?
2008 Nissan Cumquat
Ultra reliable now over 6 years of ownership and it showing 75k up. Passed its MOT no problem. Starting to show its age cosmetically, but the interior is fine, just about successfully treading the fine line between cheap and robust looking.
T5 Transporter conversion.
Hardly used which is of no surprise and will be up for sale shortly. Its 2010 with 116k up and two years ago had a large sum spent on it, from 4 tyres and brakes all round to the cambelt and emissions sensor gubbins. It should pass its MOT, but needs a service and bit of work doing on the gear box - think the ball and knuckle type gear selector bits.
Seat Alhambra
Now 18 months old and 25k on the clock. A real work horse which has taken whatever 3 kids five and under can throw at it. Compared to a Passat estate I recently drove, its a significantly better quality product in terms of trim and fit and finish. It rides better too, although the extra weight really does blunt the 148ps tdi engine and fuel economy where i'm lucky to see 50mpg on the motorway and low 40's elsewhere. The boot of course is massive, and after a slight roof box incident on holiday it easily swallowed 2 kids bike, bike trailer, buggie, travel cot, high chair and all the usual holiday stuff.
The first service was uneventful apart from a wheel bearing done on warranty. It was a steepish £250, although £50 of this was ad-blue. Even with Halfords prices, this stuff really adds onto the running costs. Its been refilled 3 times so far.
The only negatives are a poor turning circle which is worse than the T5. Considering the spec is above the VW SE equivalent I also think its poor on a 28k family car of this type, that keyless entry is not standard.
2008 Golf Estate S tdi
This was sold after 18 months and 10k. A really surprising car. The 1.9 engine is old hat, but pulled well, drove nicely and with a good driving position. Quality was fine too with a large boot. I only lost £500 on it, and that was after a pre-sale service and cosmetic repairs were taken into account. Its only blot was a coolant hose needed replacing. £200 at the local garage seemed really excessive to me on what seems a known issue after a quick google. The price was due to it "taking time to find the issue". Spaffing coolant all over the drive would surely give an indication?
2008 Nissan Cumquat
Ultra reliable now over 6 years of ownership and it showing 75k up. Passed its MOT no problem. Starting to show its age cosmetically, but the interior is fine, just about successfully treading the fine line between cheap and robust looking.
T5 Transporter conversion.
Hardly used which is of no surprise and will be up for sale shortly. Its 2010 with 116k up and two years ago had a large sum spent on it, from 4 tyres and brakes all round to the cambelt and emissions sensor gubbins. It should pass its MOT, but needs a service and bit of work doing on the gear box - think the ball and knuckle type gear selector bits.
