CycleChat Reccomend me : A car....

[Fab Foodie]

Thatll be a no on a brand new Dacia then. Not worth the risk for us.

Why?
Most 'proper' garages will be VAT registered and as long as they use the proper parts you don't need the more expensive dealer services.
If you don't want to use a proper garage then you're no worst off than never having a warranty in the first place. Ive owned many many cars from new and none of them has ever been an issue. Why wouldn't you?

 

[Dave 123]

that got a......... "HAA NO." from GF.

Once she's done it in the back of one of those she'll feel like a new woman!

 

[Levo-Lon]

[QUOTE 4092655, member: 45"]Of all the hire cars (in all the land) that I regularly drive, the Kia C'eed is up there at the top with the Honda CRV. Lovely car.[/QUOTE]

they are a very nice suprise first time you drive one..
my dad has a 08 1.6d and its been perfect bar a siezed rear caliper which i stripped and cleaned to fix it..
the older pre 12 plate are a little less techy but good cars..with less to go wrong ..

the 14 plate mid spec we have is loaded with toys and fantastic storage..

i think the i30 has same floor pan as kia ceed

 

[Dave 123]

Each to their own!

I was propositioned by 3 super models on the same night whilst in one of those.... It's not happened since. A 4 wheeled babe magnet it is!

 

[Piemaster]

[QUOTE 4092748, member: 45"]I did 1000 mile trip to and around Belgium in ours in a week, in complete comfort.[/QUOTE]
No arguments about comfort and all the other practical stuff we bought it for. It's a good car. Requirements were for an auto estate/MPV type vehicle, most of cars that came up with the relevant filters were 4x4's or diesels - none of which suited. Its a car I appreciate for what it does, but I'm never going to like it. I've actually realised I drive it more like a hire car than something I own.

 

[hedder2212]

Why?
Most 'proper' garages will be VAT registered and as long as they use the proper parts you don't need the more expensive dealer services.
If you don't want to use a proper garage then you're no worst off than never having a warranty in the first place. Ive owned many many cars from new and none of them has ever been an issue. Why wouldn't you?

Im not VAT registered.
I wont take any of my vehicles to a garage as I am a mechanic myself and I know all of the tricks of the trade that garages use to get more work etc, its a trust thing.
Even with the good reviews so far, Again its trust, the Dacias havent been around long enough to know all of the real faults yet, its just not worth it for us yet. Maybe a few years down the line when they have actually built a decent reputation for themselves but right now, not happening.

 

[tyred]

Buy an old 1990s Merc C class and use the rest the rest of the money for a nice holiday. Boring but bulletproof.

 

[Fab Foodie]

Im not VAT registered.
I wont take any of my vehicles to a garage as I am a mechanic myself and I know all of the tricks of the trade that garages use to get more work etc, its a trust thing.
Even with the good reviews so far, Again its trust, the Dacias havent been around long enough to know all of the real faults yet, its just not worth it for us yet. Maybe a few years down the line when they have actually built a decent reputation for themselves but right now, not happening.

Fairy nuff .... It's tried and tested Renault stuff and there are millions of them from Frozen Russia to sweltering Turkey .... developing markets where simplicity and reliability are key.

However, if you're a mechanic/in the motor trade .... why ask a bunch of cyclists about cars? Just curious.

 

[Doyleyburger]

This is a great thread and one that I was hoping to post soon myself as I am currently in the same position as the OP, looking at the same type of cars within the same budget.
We currently have a skoda fabia as our little family car and although it's been bomb proof engine wise, the interior and electrics are falling apart and breaking on a regular basis. Definitely not looking at skoda again, but that's just my opinion. My brother in-law works for Honda as a mechanics instructor and cannot recommend the CRV highly enough! I originally asked him what the Honda FRV was like, as I like the look and the size of them. His response was that they are a fabulous car but in terms of value for money the CRV would be the way to go as I could probably get one cheaper than the FRV.
Other contenders for me are the Honda Jazz, Fiesta Ecoboost and the Hyundai i30. The last two being completely Road tax free which is a plus. Really like the look of the fiesta if I'm honest as it fits all my needs and is extremely nippy.

 

[hedder2212]

Fairy nuff .... It's tried and tested Renault stuff and there are millions of them from Frozen Russia to sweltering Turkey .... developing markets where simplicity and reliability are key.

However, if you're a mechanic/in the motor trade .... why ask a bunch of cyclists about cars? Just curious.

Because I work on motorcycles mainly, I havent as much experience with cars as some of the people on here do. I like to hear honest opinions of other people, not think I know it all just because I can work on something. Ive only ever driven my instructors car, my van and the corsa. Ive not worked on and driven every car on the market.

Were going to look at a Vauxhall Insignia in the morning.

 

[screenman]

Fairy nuff .... It's tried and tested Renault stuff and there are millions of them from Frozen Russia to sweltering Turkey .... developing markets where simplicity and reliability are key.

However, if you're a mechanic/in the motor trade .... why ask a bunch of cyclists about cars? Just curious.

I was wondering the same thing, I also cannot figure out how a 20 year old knows all the tricks of the trade, I have done very well from it for the last 40+ years of running my own business and I do not know them all.

 

[hedder2212]

I was wondering the same thing, I also cannot figure out how a 20 year old knows all the tricks of the trade, I have done very well from it for the last 40+ years of running my own business and I do not know them all.

Im not stupid. I know how a garage works. Well most around here anyway.
You take your car in for one thing, they tell you X-Y-Z needs doing or they fix one thing and break another thing when working on something else, Ive seen it all. Ive seen springs being chemi metald and then painted over by halfrauds, Ive seen used brake pads being put on. Then theres the when changing tyres "theres a oil leak that needs investigating" trick. Theres a reason i dont trust other mechanics.

 

[screenman]

Im not stupid. I know how a garage works. Well most around here anyway.
You take your car in for one thing, they tell you X-Y-Z needs doing or they fix one thing and break another thing when working on something else, Ive seen it all. Ive seen springs being chemi metald and then painted over by halfrauds, Ive seen used brake pads being put on. Then theres the when changing tyres "theres a oil leak that needs investigating" trick. Theres a reason i dont trust other mechanics.

That is a load of rubbish, not one of the garages I deal use that sort of thing and would never get away with it.

As well as that if there is any other faults a garage has the legal need to report it to a customer.

I am talking to one of the companies you mentioned there in the next few weeks at head office level, I will certainly mention your post and I am sure you have the evidence to back it up when they ask you for it.

 

[Drago]

Yeah, like they're gonna care.

 

[hedder2212]

Its now between five cars -
A 2012 Vauxhall Meriva 1.4 with just 14,000 on the clock at the top end of our budget.
A 2009 Vauxhall Insignia 1.6 SRI at £4,800.
A 2010 Kia ceed 1.6CRDI
A 2011 Citroen C3 1.6HDI
and a 2010 Renault Megane