Would a 406 coupe HDi be a more sensible than most of my other whims?

You could just use an FM transmitter?

Not like they're dear now and it means you don't have to piss around changing the headunit.

Or Parrot do a bluetooth phone kit that streams music as well as handling phone calls.

I'm happy to change the headunit, and I really do like the sound from it. I won't be leaving it in the Saab whatever happens.

Good stuff.

Be sure to post a blow by blow account when you fit it... it'll be a right rivetting read, for sure. :-P

I suggested that in another thread! The 406 Coupe I mean. Is the 2.2 HDi reasonable money? The radios are bit of hassle on the later ones. For the V6, '99 and onwards have a more powerful, lighter, and more economical engine.

The radio on the later ones is, is it Multi-Plexed, the word? Anyway, remember yonks ago, when Nom got his, he did a DIY job to sort it all out properly, and put a guide up online somewhere (and the 406 Coupe Owners Club/Forum thing is a pleasent place). His had all the extra amps and subs etc as standard being the V6, SE I think. They were the ones that had the best spec standard, but after a while there was smaller engined ones, that were similarily well equipped.

He's had no big problems at all with his since he got it. ISTR the drivers seat heating doesn't work, this is apparently a common fault an a fairly easy fix. Aside from that I can't think of anything else he's ever mentioned. It's like super mega comfy as well, nice soft leather - so much nicer than a lot that are almost plasticky these days, like that in my mates old 2004 Corsa SRi 1.8, that was just like sitting in plastic chairs. It's worn well as well, it's done over 80k now, but beware, cambelt isn't easy on the V6 and is 7 years or 72k, and like a GTA Alfa, it needs a special tool of some sort that an indy garage isn't likely to have. It's about £700 at a dealer, and I think he paid a fair bit less than that at a specialist. Bear in mind, it'll never be that cheap as the kit alone is some £300ish inc a waterpump. But of course, this all on a V6!

For the diesels, it's 96k miles or eight years according to google, and also I copied this from somewhere I closed and forgot -

"Post 02-platers have more reliable multiplex wiring. It's also worth joining the 406 Coupé Club

as this is full of fans ready to pass on advice. If there's a clonking noise from the front end as you corner, the most likely cause is the anti-roll bar bushes having worn out - they're a cheap and easy fix, though, so don't be put off if that's what is making the noise."

Although, that's not quite right as it's 2002 onwards, post 51 plate not 02. I've never been in (granted, I've only been in 2...) a 406 Coupe that knocks up front, and one was an abused, 145k miles, £1,800 banger. Well, banger for car money... It was worth less than a grand I thought given the condition which was really poor. Rip in a seat, small dints everywhere, evidence of doors just opened against walls with no care, smelled really like, musty as well which was a bit grim.

Anyway, I like them, and the 2.2 HDi remaps to circa 180bhp and 300lbs/ft IIRC as well. If you can, I'd be getting a 2002 onwards, although if you want the 2.2HDi I'm not sure if it didn't come out till 2002 anyway.

I had planned to buy one, if like, I'd got better and stuff and got a job, then if I needed to commute, as they look cool still IMO and it's plenty comfy as well cos it does that Coupe trick of making you feel like you're laying back and just relaxing heh. I was gonna get a 2.2 HDI, remap it, and enjoy the mpgs whilst still being able to do monster 5th gear overtakes. But then I got the 197, and there's no way I would've changed that for one hehe :-)

You're right, my in laws had a 2.6 Carlton Diplomat ages ago which had really plush leather. It got replaced with a '99 Omega Elite 3.0 and the leather was nice in that too. The Signum the have now, the leather is ok but not as plush as the Omega, same for the leather in my Vectra...

You did indeed, and I've looking at tax bandings for moderns. Anything that goes much higher than old engine sized monster tat bands is out.

So PT Cruiser CRD and Saab 9-3 1.9 (2.2) £260 and £210 (£150) are out but I would consider a new shape 9-3 with an old engine.

I thought the pug came in moderatley low but looking again, I don't want one. Pug 406 coupe 2.2 HDI £300

tax money but I bet a lot less to buy (The Laurin and Klement models look nice spec).

I could possibly get an early 04 > Mk2 Octavia as the tax is the same as if it is non-DSG, but the DSG ones come in just below the old car tax price for a big car too.

And although slightly out of price range to buy, the Vrs come in at the same as the 1.9 TDI.

Looks like I'm going back to Skoda then. If I was going with petrol I would be stupid because they are going to be £270 whether it is a turbo

150, a turbo L&K or a turbo Vrs and they don't get anything like the economy.

So it looks like if I'm getting a loan, I'm getting a Skoda.

Good call.

What's the tax situation on a Superb ?

(Not that the current shape Octavia isn't a good thing - it is.)

But the extra tax is such a tiny part of the overall running costs that it's not even worth worrying about.

If an extra 200 quid tips the balance between affordable and not affordable, you can't afford the car in the first place.

Anyway, I certainly wouldn't be taking out a loan to buy a car under current financial conditions.

Why not just get something pre-2001?

And how many miles/week do you do commuting anyway?

1.9 TDi £150 manual or £270 tiptronic auto for the 130bhp They don't list a tiptonic option on lower tune 1.9s on Parkers.

About 220 a week, almost all motoway but that can mean 5 miles of crawling in the morning on the M56.

Because the Skodas I've been looking at compared to the Saab do hugely better mpg, will be less on insurance, and save nearly £80 a year on road tax than compared to the Saab. Saab will go upto £200 a year in 2010, Octavia TDi will go upto £125.

Add in 40+mpg in a VAG diesel compared to high 20/very low 30's in the Saab, and the fact that while it will still have servicing cost, less is likely to catastropically fail on a newer car which has taken the most of the new car depreciation hit.

£2k will get me a 2000 SLX with sub 100k miles. £2.5 will get me a 2002 Elegance just under £3k will get a a 2004 L&K spec which is the nicest non-sporty model Octavia.

Yes the 2000 is cheaper but it doesn't benefit from the cheaper tax of the later model, or the better spec.

Looking at mong boxes still? My Vectra will be £260 next year, tossers. The manual is only band D BTW, I'm guessing the 9-3 manual would be the same

You'd get a good rate ;)

Wouldn't be so sure about that.

I've just checked my bank and the lowest rate is 1% above what I got in September, which was 1% above what it was in August.

Add into that the stricter borrowing rules - which ultimately means fewer and fewer people will qualify for the lowest rate possible, plus the fact that the LIBOR rate hasn't yet, and is unlikely to, reflect the base-rate cut, then I suspect really cheap loans are still some way off.

Yes.

hth :-)

Mike P

No, those tax bands are for manuals. Autos are same or higher.

The superb was a prime example. Manual £120 DSG auto £260 for the same

1.9/2.0 TDi

Is that a good idea ? Didn't you describe the Octy as "slowly sucking the life out of me"? If you're getting a loan, is it a good idea to buy something you might get really bored with?

Mike P

Erm, that looks wrong - more like for a V6.

(looks) Parkers says 180 quid/year.

That was the 2.0 petrol 8v GLX. Basicly a gutless engine that would spin the tyres at pull away, but have no go for anything else and fabric/plastic everything and only tiny little front speakers, not even the wiring in the loom for the rears. Yes in that spec it sucked the life out of me, but it did it so efficiently without complaint.

Something with a little more grunt and comfort options would be a nicer place to be. Just need to see if the better models got better cupholders. The one in the GLX model was in the back and folded out, then flopped over badly and didn't do anything to hold the cup. I don't use them often, but when I do I like them to work. The ones in the Celsior followed by the GT4 were the best I've had.