passat or mondeo

[kev.t]

Hi all, first time post. Does anyone have any feedback on the new passat 2.0 TDI 140ps as a tow car. I currently tow 1410 kg van with a 2005 Mondeo tdci 130. never encountered any problems and fuel economy is always between 29 - 32 mpg. I will be changing the car in 3 months, and because the passat is a much heavier car, I am tempted to go with that, possibly the 4 motion version. Or is it a case of " better the devil you know " and go with another Mondeo. Any advice on passat would be welcome

Thanks Kev

 

[RichardS1]

Maybe worth waiting for the new Mondeo due out shortly before you compare the two cars.

 

[kev.t]

thanks richard, but the new Mondeo's release date isn't until June/July 07, and my cars lease runs out end of march

 

[John_374224558]

Kevin,

We all know what a good car the Passat is, but my son works for a Ford Dealer and I understand that there are some VERY tempting deals on the outgoing Mondeo now.

You may be surprised what you can get.

 

[spj]

I would go for the Passat, no contest.

If you are buying privately the VW will hold its value much better, it is also a much newer design, will be a current model longer and wont age like the Mondeo is now, on a lease the VW should be similar in price and its higher residual value will keep a lease cost down, as for towing the extra kerbwieght will do no harm and as good as the Fords engine may be, the VW is again a newer design.

spj.

 

[George_374224949]

Kev,

I loved my mondeo when I had it but I think spj has summed it up very nicely if you cant wait for the new model

George Mc

 

[Steve_374235812]

What about a Honda Accord 2.2ctdi (140ps) instead.

The Accord gets alot of good reviews and even build in the UK.

You should get some deals from you local Honda Dealer.

 

[Angus1]

The Honda is listed at 1432kgs kerb weight, a good 200kgs plus less than a Passat and not really an ideal match for a 1410kg van.

I looked long and hard at the Honda which is very nice car, but one dealer wouldn`t offer much in the way of discount, and the other just wasn`t interested as they were going to close in 20 minutes.

Ended up with a Passat 2.0TDI Sport estate but haven`t towed yet, it shows as 1720kgs on weighbridge and goes well. The electronic handbrake, however, is rubbish and for me falls into the `unnecessary gimmick` category.

 

[STEPHEN_374226156]

Having towed with both mondeo and vw I now have the latest Vectra SRi 150 auto best tow car yet no electric handbrake gimmicks towing Coachman amara 520/4 1470k superb and i say that after 40yrs towing

 

[Tim_5119805]

The Honda is listed at 1432kgs kerb weight, a good 200kgs plus less than a Passat and not really an ideal match for a 1410kg van.

I looked long and hard at the Honda which is very nice car, but one dealer wouldn`t offer much in the way of discount, and the other just wasn`t interested as they were going to close in 20 minutes.

Ended up with a Passat 2.0TDI Sport estate but haven`t towed yet, it shows as 1720kgs on weighbridge and goes well. The electronic handbrake, however, is rubbish and for me falls into the `unnecessary gimmick` category.

Usual problems with inaccurate kerbweights

Honda web says 2.2 Sport is 1477 but Executive is 1575 - must have lots of kit!

Practical Caravan inexplicably claims it is 1605...

 

[kev.t]

Angus, when you said that the passat electronic handbrake is rubbish, what did you mean. do you reckon it will be any good when towing? ie for good gradient hill starts. Let me know when you've towed with your passat how good/bad it is

thanks

Kev

 

[RichardS1]

The Honda is listed at 1432kgs kerb weight, a good 200kgs plus less than a Passat and not really an ideal match for a 1410kg van.

I looked long and hard at the Honda which is very nice car, but one dealer wouldn`t offer much in the way of discount, and the other just wasn`t interested as they were going to close in 20 minutes.

Ended up with a Passat 2.0TDI Sport estate but haven`t towed yet, it shows as 1720kgs on weighbridge and goes well. The electronic handbrake, however, is rubbish and for me falls into the `unnecessary gimmick` category.

Run several Accord Sport 2.2 diesels on our company fleet. On our own weighbridge saloons come in at 1515kg, the tourer with towbar fitted weighs 1645kg.

 

[seth1]

well i cant understand whats up with the h.brake,switch it on come to a stop, press the footbrake,release the footbrake,h.brake holds car,press throttle away you go.mine was an auto though.

 

[Angus1]

The handbrake idea is excellent in theory.

The problem I`ve had is the very worst sort - an intermittent one.

The idea is that with the `hand`brake on, you simply depress the clutch, engage gear and move off as the brake automatically releases. Solo, it holds fine on steep hills and will probably cope with a van with little problem.

Mine has a tendency not to release at the most inopportune times. Imagine - you are the second car in a queue at traffic lights. The lights change, the car in front sets off, you lift the clutch and the bloody thing doesn`t release! As for the artic driver on your tail.... Yes it`s happened a couple of times and I`ve been really lucky not to be `rear-ended` by trucks.

It`s been back twice, but still persists. I have a problem with the anti-lock kicking in VERY early even under gentle braking, again only occasionally.

I love the car, goes like stink once it loosens up, but it needs a decent dealer to plug it in a press the right buttons.

Unfortunately, the treatment I`ve received by my local dealer historically has been nothing short of scandalous, and it`s a pain travelling further afield and leaving it for a day.

 

[seth1]

that is very poor angus,mine must have been different being an auto.when you say the anti- lock comes in prematurly do you mean the road wheels attempt to lock up.i think the handbrake can be tailored and theres different options on the h.brake when the thing is built.it might be something as little as a software up date.but yes it went like a train,160 highline.

 

[Angus1]

Yes, I`ve had the ABS kicking in when its had no right to, but again its difficult to replicate when you want to.

 

[seth1]

now that mate is what is known as a safty related item.it is an offence to drive a vehicle with a known steering or brake defect.now your car when plugged in to a diagnostic tech tool ie laptop will have this fault recorded in its vehicle computer.there will even be a time an date stamp.i would be inclined to get that looked at and a second opinion.