Recommend me a car!

by **ScoobyChris** » Sat Jan 13, 2007 12:08 pm

Thanks for all the suggestions - off today to look at a few and do some sums (before the other half realises what I'm doing :oops:

). Mmmmmm V6 power

Chris

by **ScoobyChris** » Mon Jan 15, 2007 4:47 pm

Well thanks for all the suggestions. Had a look at a few nice V6's, but did the sums and it's not viable (px price of my car was lower than I thought too

). So, it looks like we'll just be looking for a (fun) runaround for Em now and keeping the Mondeo until it falls apart.

So, your budget is around 2k, car must have 4 seats, be reliable, safe, split rear seats, air con and be fun to drive.

I'll start the ball rolling with a Pug 306 GTi-6/XSi or XRDT.....

Any suggestions?

Chris

by **jont** » Mon Jan 15, 2007 4:59 pm

ScoobyChris wrote:I'll start the ball rolling with a Pug 306 GTi-6/XSi or XRDT.....

I had a 306Dturbo for a while. Got about 43mpg no matter how hard it was driven. It wasn't especially fast, but handled pretty well. I'd now be looking for an HDI rather than the earlier engine I had. I've driven HDi's and they are a lot more useable, and get about 10mpg more than the older engines (although there is a lot more to go wrong). XSi/GTI6 should be good fun, although the GTI is only available as a 3dr. No idea what prices have dropped to now though. Lots of chav mobiles around though as prices have fallen

Given that most of them now are getting on a bit I wouldn't bet on all the electrics working properly (speaking from owning half a dozen pugs!)

Citroen Xsara coupe is the same platform as the 306, but significantly cheaper. VTS has the same engine as the 306 GTI (but only a 5spd gear box), and the 1.8 VTR is quite poky too. My brother picked up a V reg VTR on 40k with A/C, 6Cd etc for under 3k a year ago, so I'd guess that would be within budget by now.

Going smaller, 106 GTI or Saxo VTR/VTS. Quirky (ie small) pedal box, but definitely fun on the twisties.

Jon

by **TripleS** » Mon Jan 15, 2007 5:38 pm

ScoobyChris wrote:Well thanks for all the suggestions. Had a look at a few nice V6's, but did the sums and it's not viable (px price of my car was lower than I thought too ). So, it looks like we'll just be looking for a (fun) runaround for Em now and keeping the Mondeo until it falls apart.

So, your budget is around 2k, car must have 4 seats, be reliable, safe, split rear seats, air con and be fun to drive.

I'll start the ball rolling with a Pug 306 GTi-6/XSi or XRDT.....

Any suggestions?

Chris

No, you don't want that sort of thing. What you need is a nice 406 HDi - and it just so happens...... :lol:

Best wishes all,
Dave.

by **jont** » Mon Jan 15, 2007 6:49 pm

chriskay wrote:If it weren't for that "reliable" I'd be suggesting a Volvo 480 Turbo.

To be honest, with the words "fun" and a 2k budget I'd expect some problems with pretty much any car. Maybe not daily reliability issues, but probably some of the more major components (suspension, bushes, cambelts etc) are likely to be wanting some sort of refresh, especially if previous owners have driven the car enthusiastically.

by **James** » Mon Jan 15, 2007 9:01 pm

If you can re mortgage your house you could afford what I have spent the day roaring around in:

I took mine in for an oil and filter change and got this is a courtesy... I get along quite well with the dealer and it happened to be available. Great fun! Maybe I will book another oil change for the Berkshire driving day? :wink:

by **wenlocksimon** » Mon Jan 15, 2007 11:48 pm

Hohoho!

Now then, that's given me an idea!

My Octavia is booked in for a 40k service. Maybe they'll give me a Veyron as a courtesy car!!!????

Well.

My car IS part of the VW Group........innit :oops:

*wakes up and smells the coffee*

by **nuster100** » Mon Jan 15, 2007 11:50 pm

Maybe my local ford garage could lend me a DB9 for the day :-)

That wouldent half turn heads on the gumball ;-)

Jay

by **Tomasz** » Tue Jan 16, 2007 2:48 pm

2k? HAS to be a fiat coupe 16v/20v turbo, goes like [expletive of choice] and cheap as chips!

I've had my head turned by the MR2 comment though, didn't know they were mid-engined...

by **Tomasz** » Tue Jan 16, 2007 3:05 pm

I've looked at the MR2... a bit slow and a bit ugly for my liking.

by **jont** » Tue Jan 16, 2007 3:14 pm

Tomasz wrote:I've looked at the MR2... a bit slow and a bit ugly for my liking.

Ugly, well each to his own, fair enough.

Slow? Go and find a turbo (grey import only). 220bhp in the early form, 240bhp in the 1994 model revision onwards. If 0-60 in 5.3s and a top speed of 160+ is slow I'd love to know what you think quick is

As for Fiat coupe's, aren't they even more unreliable than Alfa's? I've heard some real horror stories about maintenance on that Fiat engine (isn't it the one out of the Lancia delta turbo?).

Jon

by **Gareth** » Tue Jan 16, 2007 4:21 pm

Tomasz wrote:I've looked at the MR2... a bit slow

Having had it rubbed in my face somewhat, I've learned it's not cars that are slow, it's drivers!

by **TripleS** » Tue Jan 16, 2007 4:30 pm

Gareth wrote:
Tomasz wrote:I've looked at the MR2... a bit slow

Having had it rubbed in my face somewhat, I've learned it's not cars that are slow, it's drivers!

In my case I rather fear it's both.

....but I keep trying.

Best wishes all,
Dave.

by **James** » Tue Jan 16, 2007 7:34 pm

Jont are you sure of your stats - 5.3? That would make a 94 M plate MR2 quicker to 60 than a current 343BHP BMW M3? (Which having driven would place a large bet on being quicker, marginally..)

by **nuster100** » Tue Jan 16, 2007 8:29 pm

what about an st200?

Seen ex police ones go for a coupple of grand.

Driven hard, but boy are they maintained.

Jay

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