21 replies to this topic

[Andy_VX]

After 230,000 miles my Mondeo is finally starting to give up the ghost, it bogs down massively when you pull away and there's loads of smoke, it needs new injectors which are crazy money so it's time to replace it. 

 

I want something reliable, very comfortable, fun and practical so was thinking of replacing it with a Subaru Legacy estate, specifically the 3.0L flat 6 they fitted in the RN model. Has anyone owned one of these before? I've read good things, a really smooth powerful engine with an auto box will be lovely for my hateful commute! I also plan on towing boats / car trailers so the AWD is a nice touch as is all of the standard equipment you get with Japanese cars. They appear to be pretty bullet proof and easy to maintain but i'm just a little worried about the fuel bill, heard reports of mid 20's which is a massive step down from the 40's I get in the Mondeo, I really don't want to own another diesel though...

 

I have looked at the 2.5L but it uses a different 4 speed gearbox which I bet is crap and I don't expect it's that much better on fuel in any case. 

 

This is the car i'm interested in: http://www.ebay.co.u...353.m1438.l2649

 

It looks like a very clean and honest car. I checked the MOT history and it's basically never had anything wrong with it! Any experiences / advice appreciated. 

 

 

[Nev]

MrApex on here used to have one (not sure which engine) and spoke highly of his, might be worth contacting him.

 

As for MPG, those older Subarus are bad, my old Imprezza averaged 20 MPG with me driving swifty and at best got 30 MPG on a motorway.

 

I've had a £2500 Ford Focus TDCi 1.6 diesel for the last 8 years, I find it a truly excellent car, really amazing handling and enough real world grunt for normal traffic conditions, 55 real world MPG, super cheap running costs, cheap road Tax (£115), reliable, robust/strong parts.

 

Edited by Nev, 21 September 2017 - 10:18 AM.

[SteveA]

I've had a £2500 Ford Focus TDCi 1.6 diesel for the last 8 years

 

I also had one of these for 10 years, superb car and I used it to tow my trailered Caterham all around the country. Struggled on really steep inclines but never let me down.

[Andy_VX]

Yeah my Mondeo has been great, it has the 2.0L TDCI engine, I would keep running it but the price for injectors is about £250 each! The smoke is so bad I feel bad for Johnny polar bear every time I drive it lol! The interior is like new, its genuinely mint, it's been a great work horse but looking to upgrade to something less agricultural! I really don't want another diesel. 

[Rosssco]

I was looking at Impreza wagon's recently. The 'hawk-eye' version with the 2.5 engine. These look quite appealing. http://www.ebay.co.u...3gAAOSwaIRZt6GL

[Andy_VX]

I was looking at that on eBay last night actually, looks mint but i'm not sure the Impreza looks good as an estate. It would make a great fun daily though, out of budget unfortunately! 

[Ali87]

There's a Passat estate 4 wd W8 on autotrader at the moment....

[Ali87]

https://www.autotrad...words=W8&page=1 This would be fun!

[Andy_VX]

Now that is cool!! 

[hairy]

21 average mpg though

[Tareim]

21 average mpg though

 

good luck getting that, I'd imagine closer to 15 if not lower and they are not cheap to service

[Andy_VX]

 

21 average mpg though

 

good luck getting that, I'd imagine closer to 15 if not lower and they are not cheap to service

 

 

I assume you're talking about the Passat? I can't afford that and would never run one as a daily even if it is proper old school barging at its finest! 

[Madmitch]

I had a 2.0 litre turbo, a '95 model which was the face lifted 4cam turbo.  I kept it for 15 years and ran it to 140k miles.  Honestly, it was the best car I have ever had, utterly reliable, comfortable, fantastic handling and amazing on snow, would absorb enormous amounts of 'stuff', in many ways I wish I still had it but the service down here was awful and a long way away.  Fuel consumption was around 20 to 22mpg on a hard run, 26 to 28 overall.  Parts are expensive but don't need them often and there are lots of good specialists in the UK that we don't have here.  Yes, they are juicy but dynamically there is really nothing to touch them - and they really get under your skin.  Go for it, you will love it!! 

[Tareim]

 

 

21 average mpg though

 

good luck getting that, I'd imagine closer to 15 if not lower and they are not cheap to service

 

 

I assume you're talking about the Passat? I can't afford that and would never run one as a daily even if it is proper old school barging at its finest! 

 

 

yeah was on about the passat, but on topic of the scooby's don't get a non turbo ej motor as they seem to be notorious for head gasket issues (at least in america anyway)

[Nev]

Did you contact MrApex re: the Legacy?

[turbo boy]

Hi Andy, I have a ST Tdci Mondeo and love it! Hard to beat as a second car... As an alternative, have you considered having the injectors overhauled? Could be an effective and cheap solution. Jon

[Andy_VX]

Update on the new car thread.... Instead of the sensible Legacy I've bought another impractical, silly performance car instead haha! 

 

I put in a cheeky bid on a Civic Type R Premier edition after a few beers at the weekend, the auction ran its course and much to my surprise I won it today! 

 

I was a little nervous at first but looks like a really nice, honest example of a great hot hatch, going to catch a flight up to Edinburgh next weekend and collect so will post an update then. 

 

[oggster]

Looks decent✅

[ChrisS1]

Dodgy exhaust on it

[SteveA]

Best version!, before they started looking like Halfords has been sick on them.