Am half entertaining the idea of a 'new' car. i.e. new to me. Looking for comfort and economy. Before you start crying Audi, BMW and Mercedes at me, I have two kids from a failed marriage and too often contact with the CSA. I hate going to the mechanics too. Thinking along the lines of an older (03-04?) Vauxhall Omega or similar, a more luxurious car from a not so luxurious manufacturer. Anything else worth considering?

Mondeo. Superb value and a superb car.

Someone was gonner post it!

Don't doubt it (drive some of these as work cars) - but thinking more of something along the more comfortable lines of the the now defunct Scorpio range?

I really don't care about the age of the car. If its comfortable, economical & hates the mechanics Ill consider it. I'd be quite happy with a Granada Scorpio if they came in a Diesel. The German cars are too expensive for what they are, and the Japanese are reliable, but don't seem to have to comfort quotient.

I want an armchair that does 45-50mpg without a thought of the mechanic.

Skoda Octavia type thing? Made by VW aren't they. Speaking of which - Passat?

Ive had a Passat, the estate version of this one



With the old VAG reservoir trick she did over 1000 miles on a full tank. Thats economy, doubt if Ill ever get a car that does that again. The Octavia's are a good car, a taxi drivers car, but Im seeking something more like the first Gen Superb. Thats one that could make the shortlist at the right price.

I've had several Granadas and now have a Mondeo Ghia 2l diesel, 04 reg, 180000+ on the clock, just under 50 mpg, one of the washer jets was blocked at the last MoT. The Granadas served me well but I wouldn't choose to go back to one now.

I think that my desired comfort quotient is either higher than most or Im not explaining myself properly. I have a Seat Toledo 116k that does 50+mpg, Grp 6 INS and costs tissue paper/toysoldiers/buttons to fix. Audi A6's, Merc E-Classes BMW 5/7 series are too expensive. Im looking the Omega over the Vectra, the Scorpio over the mondeo (sic), the Superb over the Octavia, the Vel Satis over the Laguna? This sort of idea.

Have you ever driven a Mondeo?

I've driven a lot of top class cars and the Mondeo is as good as a BMW in the comfort stakes IMO and the drive is great.

I have had a Mazda for the last 5 years and apart from the thing that you read on my facebook a couple of days ago, I have never had any problems with it. It's not that new either (R Reg). I would suggest you take a look at a Mazda of some sort.

I have driven all 3 generations of Mondeo, petrol & diesel including some variants none of you will have done. It is an excellent car in the same way an Octavia is an excellent car. But I want the next stage up. The Superb to the Octavia, The Omega to the Vectra etc. We can discuss how great the C Class is all day long but the E class is better. Does that explain it?

Rich - My dad has a Mazda 6 - He loves it. But its the japanese Vectra - I want the Omega. I want the Legend, not the Accord.

IMO a top Mondeo is as good as a BMW

But its clearly not for you

Whats your budget?

Would it be as hard to explain I wanted the Focus over the Fiesta or the Astra over the Corsa? The Mondeo is a great car, I'm not castign aspersions on it. But it is the Sierra replacement. The Granada was the model up from the Sierra. I want a modern day Granada.

To wit

Level 1 - Ka, Twingo, 107
Level 2 - Fiesta, Clio, 207, A2, Corsa
Level 3 - Focus, Megane, 308, A3, Astra
Level 4 - Mondeo, Laguna, 407, A4, Vectra
Level 5 - Granada, Vel Satis, 607, A6, Omega
Level 6 - A8, 7 Series etc.

I'm not looking for a good Mondeo at Level 4 - Im wondering if I can pitch in at Level 5 somewhere.

The A4 and Mondeo are a country mile ahead of the Laguna or (shite and laughable) Vectra

If you think an A6 is a class above an A4 for example then just go and get one. You can pick one up with a highish mileage cheaply and it will hold its value. Reliable too as long as its got a decent service history.

I'm not looking for an A4, a Mondeo, a Laguna or a Vectra Groomyd. Christ, this is like explaining ice to a retarded Eskimo. I do think an A6 is a class above an A4. Clearly, so do Audi. But as I have said the German cars are expensive for what you get. I'm looking for a Granada not a Mondeo, a 607 not a 407, a Vel Satis not a Laguna, a 607 not a 407, an Omega not a Vectra. I thought I had said so numerous times?

Have you ever seen the older style Renault Safrane? Replaced by the Vel Satis apparently. Lovely car, until the engine seized

YES !! Now you're getting the idea !! Was engine seizure a common problem?

Indeed. And Eskimo's know their ice

An A6 is bigger than an A4. Thats all. One is not a classier vehicle than the other. You appear to confue that across the board.

If you want a look at me big bonnet then get a Merc.

Yes, sorry not trying to insult you - am only interested in a bigger bonnet if it has an armchair behind it, a lot of mpg and a hatred of the garage. I don't care if its a Hyundai - I'm not after a status symbol. Merc's etc are still big money. Only want to pay £4-5k.

http://www.autoweb.co.uk/WSCarResults.asp

A6

Eskimos have an amazing number of words for snow, I guess they are similar with ice, so it could be quite an indepth discussion

By the sounds of it you are going off-avatar here?

(I know jack about cars btw )

You know Groomyd -I'll take a little on board what you are saying. Probably the most comfortable car I ever owned was a Toyota Carina II



But it wasn't a Diesel, and as a general rule the bigger cars tend to be more comfortable?

It was for me, 3 different cars in just over a year
Didn't do a great deal of research after the fact, I thought I had read something around 4 years ago saying that there was a common problem, or at least something that needed keeping a regular eye on, but I can't find it now.
Worth looking out for I'd say, it was a very nice car, if you find one that fits the bill then you need to do a bit of research.

....and your point is?

Jeremy Clarkson would love you.

Oh, and just to add.




all-the-cars-i-ve-ever-owned-share-yours-t69016-35.html

All of these are within 60 miles of Belfast


Lexus IS http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/ ... ?logcode=p

Subaru http://www.autotrader.co.uk/northernire ... _years_old

Jaguar S-type or X-type http://www.autotrader.co.uk/northernire ... _years_old

Alfa-Romeo http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/ ... ?logcode=p

Skoda Superb http://www.autotrader.co.uk/northernire ... _years_old

I am sure there are more than those

There are cars in NI? After all Scotland has electricity, now.

Of course there are more cars available in NI, but based on BFM's requirements, budget and location these all look like possibles to fit the bill.

From what he's said, he's after a 'luxury cruiser' big enough to be a family motor, but 'cool' enough for when he's on his own. I'd say the Italian style of the Alfa-Romeo should be right down BFM strasse. (not sure it'll be economical enough though and the Subaru could be his best bet)

You old enough for a Jaaaag yet BFM ???