Motoring Discussion > New Car advice for a neighbour	Miscellaneous
Thread Author: Bobby	Replies: 49

Sun 19 Nov 23 12:56   New Car advice for a neighbour - Bobby

Neighbour has a 2018 1.2 VX Grandland. For as long as I’ve known him he has driven Vauxhalls with at least 3 previous Zafiras I remember. He is fed up with the oil consumption of the car which I believe is an inherent problem on these engines and had lost confidence in it. His wife has a Fiesta 1.0 Ecotec that has had to have the engine replaced due to the inherent problems with those engines which resulted in a hole being punched through it. I believe both of these engines are wet belts as are many engines now on the market. So he wants SUV type seating position, ideally would move down size to Mokka but he is absolutely paranoid (in many ways) about getting another engine that will give similar type issues. I believe that 1.2 engine is used in many cars across many manufacturers? My immediate thought are the VAG vehicles but I know they also have some low power Turbo engines? His son has a Dacia Duster that he likes and I am wondering what engines out there nowadays are seen as being least problematic? My mate has a Mazda CX3 which I’m sure comes with an old style 2.0 petrol non turbo engine that seems to be well regarded? What about Kias? MGs? Mate would like the security of a long warranty as well? Appreciate any thoughts. Reply to this message | Report message

Sun 19 Nov 23 13:49   New Car advice for a neighbour - sooty123

What sort of budget? Reply to this message | Report message

Sun 19 Nov 23 13:54   New Car advice for a neighbour - Bobby

Am guessing prob 20-25k He has historically bought cars and kept them for up to 10 years which was his plan for this one. But the oil consumption issues just seems to have killed all faith in the car. Reply to this message | Report message

Sun 19 Nov 23 13:56   New Car advice for a neighbour - Bobby

Interestingly, my brother has a 1.2 Peugeot 3008 which I believe may be the same engine. His is 2019 and he has had no oil consumption issues. Reply to this message | Report message

Wed 22 Nov 23 10:50   New Car advice for a neighbour - Boxsterboy

>> Interestingly, my brother has a 1.2 Peugeot 3008 which I believe may be the same >> engine. >> His is 2019 and he has had no oil consumption issues. >> I have the same engine in my Berlingo. Only 20,000 on the clock but no oil consumption. I see that this Grandland was an ex-demo. I am always wary of ex-demonstrators. I have a sneaking suspicion that they are not treated well in their early days, to the detriment of engine life regardless of what manufacturers would have you believe. Reply to this message | Report message

Wed 22 Nov 23 11:03   New Car advice for a neighbour - VxFan

>> I see that this Grandland was an ex-demo. I am always wary of ex-demonstrators. I >> have a sneaking suspicion that they are not treated well in their early days, to >> the detriment of engine life regardless of what manufacturers would have you believe. Or that the engine oil was changed too early following exchange of role from demonstrator to having a new owner. Vauxhall, (and I'm sure other manufacturers) use a running in oil which contains additives to help seat valves and bed in Piston Rings to cylinder bores. Change it too early, and the engine will use oil thereafter. I know that Vauxhall used to advise not to change the oil until the first service was due. Reply to this message | Report message

Wed 22 Nov 23 16:17   New Car advice for a neighbour - Zero

>> Vauxhall, (and I'm sure other manufacturers) use a running in oil which contains additives to >> help seat valves and bed in Piston Rings to cylinder bores. Change it too early, >> and the engine will use oil thereafter. I know that Vauxhall used to advise not >> to change the oil until the first service was due. Thing of the past, they get filled at build with the same oil that put in at the first service, which could be 12k miles down the road. Reply to this message | Report message

Sun 19 Nov 23 14:01   New Car advice for a neighbour - sooty123

www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202310283413134 Last edited by: sooty123 on Sun 19 Nov 23 at 14:02 Reply to this message | Report message

Sun 19 Nov 23 15:36   New Car advice for a neighbour - smokie

MG4 EV - I think it ticks all the boxes you mention and def no risk of dodgy engines on them!! If he travels far look for the larger battery (64kWh) 7 year transferable warranty, low servicing costs, very low running costs. And climate friendly. What could be better? :-) Here's one. www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202308180929409?sort=price-asc&advertising-location=at_cars&include-delivery-option=on&make=MG&model=MG4&page=7&postcode=rg401rn&year-to=2023&fromsra Last edited by: smokie on Sun 19 Nov 23 at 15:41 Reply to this message | Report message

Sun 19 Nov 23 15:46   New Car advice for a neighbour - legacylad

Japanese petrol. Does he want an EV ? Reply to this message | Report message

Sun 19 Nov 23 16:22   New Car advice for a neighbour - Bobby

Nope, doesn’t want EV. Hybrid maybe, that’s his limit. Reply to this message | Report message

Sun 19 Nov 23 17:05   New Car advice for a neighbour - martin aston

How about a Vitara? Either a used 1.4 (e.g. 2020 about £16k) or a later mild hybrid (new from about £22k). Reply to this message | Report message

Sun 19 Nov 23 17:05   New Car advice for a neighbour - sooty123

www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202310022574648 More traditional set up with no hybrid. Can't really go wrong with a Japanese petrol. Reply to this message | Report message

Sun 19 Nov 23 19:33   New Car advice for a neighbour - Mr Moo

Kia Niro? The hybrid (not plug in or full EV) version? Should be reliable and will have the balance of the 7 year warranty. Reply to this message | Report message

Sun 19 Nov 23 20:54   New Car advice for a neighbour - legacylad

Hyundai self charging hybrid, or Yaris Cross ? Reply to this message | Report message

Mon 20 Nov 23 06:34   New Car advice for a neighbour - Clk Sec

>>Can't really go wrong with a Japanese petrol. My modest 21 years old Japanese petrol limousine might well agree! Reply to this message | Report message

Mon 20 Nov 23 09:15   New Car advice for a neighbour - Zero

>> www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202310022574648 >> >> More traditional set up with no hybrid. Can't really go wrong with a Japanese petrol. I see what they mean by "EX SUV". looks like its been shunted up the bum by a 40 tonner and lost its boot. Reply to this message | Report message

Sun 19 Nov 23 21:31   New Car advice for a neighbour - Duncan

>> Mate would like the security of a long warranty as well? >> >> Appreciate any thoughts. >> Well, Toyota and Lexus give a ten year warranty and they are renowned for their reliability. Reply to this message | Report message

Mon 20 Nov 23 05:44   New Car advice for a neighbour - martin aston

Suzuki now offer 7 year a “service activated warranty” if serviced at a participating dealer. Not all dealers take part though and it hasn’t had much publicity. Reply to this message | Report message

Mon 20 Nov 23 08:12   New Car advice for a neighbour - legacylad

Chatting with a pal in the pub yesterday evening ( well, where else would I be on a wet Sunday afternoon) he’s recently bought a Kia Sportage self charging hybrid. Top of the range SportLine S listed over £40k. So liable for the big VED. Tells me it’s the best car he’s ever had, and that includes machinery at double that price. Averaging 60 mpg around town. Think the Sportage too large for the OPs neighbour, but a few friends now own one and no negative reports to date. As an aside he’s an older Merc SL which he keeps in Ibiza...Sods Law he’s flying out to bring it back to the U.K. via the ferry to Denia then a cross country run to Santander the date I fly to Spain otherwise I’d hope to be keeping him company. Drat. Reply to this message | Report message

Mon 20 Nov 23 08:39   New Car advice for a neighbour - Duncan

>> Chatting with a pal in the pub yesterday evening ( well, where else would I >> be on a wet Sunday afternoon) ..... >> Good to see that an afternoon in the pub stretched into an evening in the pub... Reply to this message | Report message

Mon 20 Nov 23 09:32   New Car advice for a neighbour - Bobby

Cheers for suggestions which I have had a look through. I will discuss further with him but I suspect the 20-25k figure was for as new as possible, he always buys his cars new or dealer demonstrator. I have also sent him a link to a local Vauxhall Indy specialist to have a word with them to see if they would be able to get to the bottom of the issue with losing/burning oil cos if he could get that resolved he would probably keep the car. Reply to this message | Report message

Mon 20 Nov 23 10:28   New Car advice for a neighbour - legacylad

>> Good to see that an afternoon in the pub stretched into an evening in the >> pub... >> 15:45 > 19:00 is an average session with friends these days. Turning into a lightweight. Back in the day..a wet Sunday in winter, I could go to my local at 12:30 and leave almost sober at 11pm. Before new owners and corporate management ruined a wonderful locals pub ( 2 each doms,darts, quiz and pool teams) it had an open fire, all the Sunday papers, you knew the bar staff so long chats ensued and virtually everyone who came in the door was a local. A real cross section of society and a wonderful atmosphere. Sadly all destined to history when it was sold, closed, turned into a wannabe gastro pub and ruined. Brilliant times. Reply to this message | Report message

Mon 20 Nov 23 11:36   New Car advice for a neighbour - Zero

>> Back in the day..a wet Sunday in winter, I could go to my local at >> 12:30 and leave almost sober at 11pm. Before new owners and corporate management ruined a >> wonderful locals pub ( 2 each doms,darts, quiz and pool teams) it had an open >> fire, all the Sunday papers, you knew the bar staff so long chats ensued and >> virtually everyone who came in the door was a local. A real cross section of >> society and a wonderful atmosphere. Sadly all destined to history when it was sold, closed, >> turned into a wannabe gastro pub and ruined. >> Brilliant times. Pups cant survive on old blokes nursing a pint of mild for 6 hours............... Reply to this message | Report message

Mon 20 Nov 23 18:04   New Car advice for a neighbour - Duncan

>> Pups cant survive on old blokes nursing a pint of mild for 6 hours............... >> 1. They must be the dog days. 2. A dog should mix it with water. 3. Er, give me a minute to think of some more. Last edited by: Duncan on Mon 20 Nov 23 at 18:05 Reply to this message | Report message

Mon 20 Nov 23 19:00   New Car advice for a neighbour - legacylad

>> Pups cant survive on old blokes nursing a pint of mild for 6 hours............... >> Several decades ago I worked behind a few bars, helping out on holiday cover in a couple of Tetleys pubs. All the slops went into the mild barrel. I didn’t drink it then and never have done since. Drank Guiness...cheapest was at the Yarnspinner, bottom of Manchester Road in Bradford. Which reminds me I also worked behind the bar at Bradford Uni. Got in free to see some great bands from the mid 70s onwards. Remember the half pint cylinder dispensers and floor awash with beer. Probably a typical Uni bar back in the day. Gross. Reply to this message | Report message

Mon 20 Nov 23 14:36   New Car advice for a neighbour - Bill Payer

>> Suzuki now offer 7 year a “service activated warranty” if serviced at a participating dealer. >> Not all dealers take part though and it hasn’t had much publicity. >> Suzuki S-Cross would fit the brief. Quite a few manufacturers quietly or otherwise do extended warranties now. The whole VW Group has "All In" which covers service, MOT, Roadside and warranty for around £30/mth from when the car is 3yrs old. Buy it in 2yr chunks and it'll cover the car until 7yrs old. I'd look at which dealers are local, and what their reputations are are like. Reply to this message | Report message

Mon 20 Nov 23 10:06   New Car advice for a neighbour - Zero

>> His wife has a Fiesta 1.0 Ecotec that has had to have the engine replaced >> due to the inherent problems with those engines which resulted in a hole being punched >> through it. I believe both of these engines are wet belts as are many engines >> now on the market. The 3cyl ecoboost did have early issues, most were resolved 6 years ago. There are hundreds of thousands of these engines in a myriad of ford models across the world with minimal failure rates. On high milages it suffers from coking of valves, but as most petrol engines these days are DI, they all do. Relatively easily rectified these days. It has an undeserved reputation. Reply to this message | Report message

Mon 20 Nov 23 12:25   New Car advice for a neighbour - Bobby

Mmm he must have been unlucky then, pretty sure the Fiesta was a 17 or 18 plate. So are you saying all newer Fords are ok? The moral of the story seems to be, and include his current Grandland as well, is not to buy a car with a relatively newish and unproven engine? Reply to this message | Report message

Mon 20 Nov 23 13:01   New Car advice for a neighbour - Runfer D'Hills

Vauxhalls have never failed to disappoint me. I’ve had three of them in amongst 40 odd other cars I’ve owned or had long term use of. They (and of course the one Renault I stupidly chose) are the only ones that ever gave me any serious problems. All of the above may be coincidence or happenstance of course, but it does make me perhaps unreasonably wary of Vauxhalls. Last edited by: Runfer D'Hills on Mon 20 Nov 23 at 13:01 Reply to this message | Report message

Mon 20 Nov 23 13:14   New Car advice for a neighbour - Bromptonaut

Never had a Vauxhall except as a courtesy car - Citroen dealer is also Vauxhall. Dad had a series of Victors from FA to FC101 when I was small. I was consistently sick as dog in them. Pretty much stopped when, in 1966, he got a Simca 1500 Estate. Higher seat/lower window and able to see out was, I suspect, the clincher. Whether for that reason or just that never had a model I liked the brand was never on my radar when choosing a car. Last edited by: Bromptonaut on Mon 20 Nov 23 at 13:15 Reply to this message | Report message

Mon 20 Nov 23 14:36   New Car advice for a neighbour - Runfer D'Hills

I’m conflicted to be honest. My rational head says it’s crazy to draw comparisons between products that companies produced decades ago and their current offerings, but brand superstitions are hard to shake off and my irrational heart says avoid. Reply to this message | Report message

Mon 20 Nov 23 19:09   New Car advice for a neighbour - Bobby

My dad still wouldn’t buy a Ford to this day because they don’t start when it’s raining…. Or at least his Mark 3 Cortina didn’t… Reply to this message | Report message

Mon 20 Nov 23 19:55   New Car advice for a neighbour - Runfer D'Hills

…and that’s exactly why I’m conflicted. I’ve worked for companies where they are managed and run by completely different people, made products in totally different and state of the art manufacturing facilities, and that were designed and engineered by absolutely different teams, and yet they retained the negative consumer perception baggage of previous and now otherwise forgotten products. Reply to this message | Report message

Tue 21 Nov 23 09:26   New Car advice for a neighbour - Zero

As I inferred up thread, I really cant see why the Vauxhall name persists. It really hasn't turned out a car with any merits or public enthusiasm since the Cavalier. These days the name has no cachet or public enthusiasm. Reply to this message | Report message

Tue 21 Nov 23 09:41   New Car advice for a neighbour - Bromptonaut

>> As I inferred up thread, I really cant see why the Vauxhall name persists. It >> really hasn't turned out a car with any merits or public enthusiasm since the Cavalier. >> These days the name has no cachet or public enthusiasm. You're quite right but it's a recognised brand in the UK market. It's recent advertising has 'bigged up' the British angle. I guess replacing the Opel spark or whatever is is with a Griffon, Wyvern or whatever it is is pennies per car. Way back in the early eighties my Uncle bought a Ford Cortina but, as was the way at the time he sourced it cheaper in the EU mainland. I can't remember whether it arrived badges as a Taunus with a Cortina badge in the glovebox or the other way round but that was what he told us. Last edited by: Bromptonaut on Tue 21 Nov 23 at 09:42 Reply to this message | Report message

Tue 21 Nov 23 11:54   New Car advice for a neighbour - Manatee

Isn't a Grandland a C4 Picasso-ish? Reply to this message | Report message

Tue 21 Nov 23 13:21   New Car advice for a neighbour - Bill Payer

>> My dad still wouldn’t buy a Ford to this day because they don’t start when >> it’s raining…. >> Or at least his Mark 3 Cortina didn’t… >> I had a Capri (new) that would cut-out as soon as there was surface water. Good job, really, it was lethal when it did move in the wet. Reply to this message | Report message

Tue 21 Nov 23 14:12   New Car advice for a neighbour - Zero

>> Good job, really, it was lethal when it did move in the wet. yeah, had a string of Capris, Mk1's Mk1a Mk2, Mk3 of various engine types and capacities. Rubbish tyres, iffy rear suspension, all the weight up front, it was a car you learned how to oversteer in. Everywhere. And how to adjust points, anytime. Reply to this message | Report message

Tue 21 Nov 23 14:27   New Car advice for a neighbour - bathtub tom

>> >> Good job, really, it was lethal when it did move in the wet. Not forgetting the auto-choke on the Pinto engines. I believe many reverted to fitting a manual version, although I (sort of) managed the beast. Reply to this message | Report message

Tue 21 Nov 23 14:57   New Car advice for a neighbour - Robin O'Reliant

>> >> >> Not forgetting the auto-choke on the Pinto engines. I believe many reverted to fitting a >> manual version, although I (sort of) managed the beast. >> Both my Capris had auto chokes and I got on ok with them, but I did know owners who had nothing but trouble. Re Vauxhalls, I've had four and Mrs O'Reliant another and the only one that was any good was the Mk1 Cavalier I owned back in the day. The others varied from crap to utter crap and it is a make I now avoid completely. Reply to this message | Report message

Tue 21 Nov 23 15:06   New Car advice for a neighbour - Bromptonaut

The first BX was petrol and had an auto choke. Started OK but from October to March I could guarantee that at some point on my trip to the station the engine would die on application of throttle to pull away from a stop. Mostly undramatic but not when joining the A45 on a day the M1 was closed..... Last edited by: Bromptonaut on Tue 21 Nov 23 at 15:07 Reply to this message | Report message

Tue 21 Nov 23 19:23   New Car advice for a neighbour - Mr Moo

About 200 yards down the road from where I used to queue for the school bus ‘back in the day’, lived a chap who had a Peugeot 405 GR, which I believe was a 1.6 petrol. I’d estimate that 75% of the time, as he slowed at the junction next to the bus stop and came to a halt to wait for a gap in the traffic, the engine would stall. Probably the same engine as your first (petrol) BX Bromp? Pretty frustrating for him, especially as he was normally trying to get his pipe alight at the same time! We had a 205 diesel back then. Compared to carburettor fed petrols at the time, with their poor cold running characteristics, hesitancy and stalling, it was very straightforward. Wait for the glow plugs to do their stuff, crank it into life and then it behaved the same regardless of whether the engine was cold or hot. Great little car! Reply to this message | Report message

Tue 21 Nov 23 22:46   New Car advice for a neighbour - Zero

My 405 had the 1.9XuD, non turbo. A little slow off the mark, but shed loads of torque. Sure it could have stopped the earth spinning on its axis. Reply to this message | Report message

Wed 22 Nov 23 08:05   New Car advice for a neighbour - Bobby

Back in the day we were a Peugeot family. My sister had a 205 XLD , the 1.9 engine, that was just bullet proof. Brother had same engine in a 405. I had a 1.3 petrol 309 Style. It was white, had a wee lip spoiler at the back, a sliding sunroof and white wheel trims! . Loved it so much I then traded up for a 1.6 version which was utter crap and showed the exact same attributes as mentioned above! My dad had the 504 Family Estate. After a series of Cortina Estates suddenly there was a car that no one felt car sick in. Ever. Reckon it was to do with them being individual seats. And then his next company car was the 505 GR saloon. First saloon company car he had! Reply to this message | Report message

Wed 22 Nov 23 09:20   New Car advice for a neighbour - Runfer D'Hills

I’ve only ever had one Peugeot. A 405 petrol. Can’t remember what size of engine it had, possibly a 1600, but it might have been slightly bigger. Only had it a few months while I was waiting for another car to be ready. Anyway, it was a fairly standard model, no frills thing. Quite a nice drive though as I recall. Reply to this message | Report message

Wed 22 Nov 23 09:23   New Car advice for a neighbour - Bromptonaut

>> About 200 yards down the road from where I used to queue for the school >> bus ‘back in the day’, lived a chap who had a Peugeot 405 GR, which >> I believe was a 1.6 petrol. >> >> I’d estimate that 75% of the time, as he slowed at the junction next to >> the bus stop and came to a halt to wait for a gap in the >> traffic, the engine would stall. Probably the same engine as your first (petrol) BX Bromp? The 405 and BX were pretty much identical mechanically except of course for the Citroen's hydraulics. When our daughter came along we traded the petrol BX which was a saloon, or rather hatchback, for a 1.9 diesel estate. Although it had significantly fewer HP/PS the diesel, even in the non-turbo version our was, had bucket loads of torque. ISTR that although the published 0-60 was less than a 1.6 petrol 30-50 and 50-70 were considerably faster. We ran it from 1993 until 2005 when MoT failure on the steering rack sent it to the scrappie. On the petrol versions it was common, in their later lives, to see 405s leaving an oil smoke trail. Much less so with BXs. Maybe the BX was more likely to be privately owned, better maintained and less thrashed. Others say the need to wait a few seconds after starting the engine while the ride height sorted itself meant the oil reached the motor's vitals before moving off and thus extended its life. It was owning the BX that got me in the habit of starting the engine and using the 'rise up' time to fasten my seat belt, sort out H&V settings and tune the radio that stays with me today. Reply to this message | Report message

Wed 22 Nov 23 10:21   New Car advice for a neighbour - Terry

I got into the habit of starting the engine before fastening my seatbelt as all too frequently cars would not start. No need to then remove seatbelt - simply push or a squirt of something in the carb to encourage it to spring into life. Reply to this message | Report message

Wed 22 Nov 23 15:39   New Car advice for a neighbour - smokie

All this talk of engine oil and cars not staring...I almost miss the quirks of owning an ICE car. But not quite. :-) Reply to this message | Report message

Wed 22 Nov 23 16:03   New Car advice for a neighbour - CGNorwich

>> All this talk of engine oil and cars not staring...I almost miss the quirks of >> owning an ICE car. >> >> But not quite. :-) >> Same here. I'd almost forgotten that it was possble to "stall" a car Reply to this message | Report message