Looking for a reliable, 2nd hand family car....

[legrandefromage]

Ha. Just been looking at an email claiming we caused £2000 of damage because of water in the footwell on a 6 year old Insignia. Yes, of course its us and not the blocked drainage channels or blocked AC drainage pipe.

Same happened on my Passat, water sloshing around the passanger footwell with one of the main ecu doing the back stroke underneath.

 

[twain]

i wonder if its worth getting an e-bike strapped into one of these...

 

[mattr]

Thought they already were e-bikes.

 

[mattr]

Ha. Just been looking at an email claiming we caused £2000 of damage because of water in the footwell on a 6 year old Insignia.

That really doesn't add up. Did they leave £1500 in tenners in the footwell?

 

[legrandefromage]

Ha. Just been looking at an email claiming we caused £2000 of damage because of water in the footwell on a 6 year old Insignia.

That really doesn't add up. Did they leave £1500 in tenners in the footwell?

£1990 in tens/ twenties.

Today, a customer complains because their car wont start after buying it Wednesday. The notes I left on the company system state: 'battery not holding charge - dealer aware'

Customer/ dealer trying to blame us.

Duh.

 

[ajm]

Re:

I would be astonished if you regretted buying the V70. I have a P2 model now but had an S70 with the 2.5T engine and it was brilliant. Really effortless driving, and the fuel economy was almost identical to the gutless more modern one I have now - between 27ish and 32ish MPG from memory.

Mechanically they are superbly engineered cars and high build standards too (these are pre-Ford influence.) If you do your own servicing you will appreciate how well laid out almost everything is; changing headlight bulbs couldn't be easier (and all four headlight bulbs are the same so only one spare to carry.)

 

[twain]

Re:

It sounds picky, but I've seen people have to replace bulbs/ gone to help them myself and come up against an engine bay so crammed, the bumper had to come off and the light cluster removed to replace one bulb. It beggars belief you'd need to do that seeing as you could be completely goosed if your light pops on a country road....
Rants aside, I just want a car that even if it's fooked, I can still get it to limp home. None of this electrical fault bullsh*t that kills a car dead.

 

[Captain Stupido]

Re: Re:

Rants aside, I just want a car that even if it's fooked, I can still get it to limp home. None of this electrical fault bullsh*t that kills a car dead.

The older the better then.

Seriously, though have a look at the original C class merc. Dirt cheap and beautifully engineered. The diesel's are bombproof and pretty frugal. Petrols are probably nicer though. Mine's the 2.5 turbo diesel, which is more than quick enough if not exactly nippy. I get 40 plus mpg real world, that's a mix of london traffic jams and motorways at 90. Plus the car just feels awesome. Not much to dislike IMO.

 

[twain]

Re:

Has rust been an issue?? I live on the south coast, which isnt the greatest place to have old bangers...

 

[Captain Stupido]

Re: Re:

Has rust been an issue?? I live on the south coast, which isnt the greatest place to have old bangers...

Mine comes from the south coast originally, and yeah it's a bit rusty, especially wheel arches and coming through around the sills. Passed the last MOT ok but I suspect it will need a patch welded for the next one. Personally I like a bit of "patina", plus the car was cheap and I know it's history. If it fails the next MOT then a paying for patch up job doesn't worry me - but I know a good cheap mechanic/welder, and I don't care what my neighbours think.

If rust worries you don't buy a rusty one - there are still quite a few clean examples about and they're all pretty cheap. You should be able to get a minter well within your budget.