Recommend me a car!

[ScoobyChris]

Well the Mondeo has just been serviced and I've been given some advisories that will need attending to at the next service. This will likely set me back the best part of a grand so I'm think about chopping in the car now and putting the thousand pounds towards a new car so my budget will be £7-8k by what I reckon I can get for mine.

My requirements are .... fun to drive, reasonable of fuel and insurance, big boot, good NCAP/safety record, reliable. Long service intervals are a bonus, but not a deal breaker and the more toys the better, although at the end of the day if it has A/C I'll be happy

However, I have two ideas. First one is to just replace the Mondeo with another diesel that fits all of the above (possibly a newer Mondeo!). My second idea is to use the budget to buy a diesel hack for my commute that I can run into the ground and then a fun car that my other half can use to get about when I'm at work.

So, any suggestions for suitable cars in that sort of budget.

Chris

[MiniClubmanEstate]

Fun to drive usually means the smaller the better. Do you need a big boot and passengers or just a big boot?

The two car option sounds better, anything cheep for the commute but maybe a little classic sports car for the fun car. My ideas for the fun car would be Austin Sprite, 90's Mini Cooper (The old style Mini Cooper may be out of your budget to get a good one), or actually most classic British sports cars. I always say classic for the fun factor although there is one fun modern car I could mention. A Smart Roadster may be something to look at for a cheep fun car, I don't know if there are other cheep modern sports cars you could choose from.
Hope you find your match.

[James]

Does it have to be a diesel?

[jont]

Two cars never seem to be as cheap as you think they will be, and for me I always felt like I was driving the wrong car when I took the diesel hack to work and left the rally car on the drive.

Having said that if you think you can afford it, why not keep the Mondeo you've got now and get a sports car? There's no guarantee another car won't need work doing on it - swapping cars always costs money and there must be a reason the previous owner is changing.

I know I'm biased, but MR2 values have plummeted in the last year. You get a proper mid-engined, rear wheel drive sports car with the benefit of Japanese reliability. An MX5 would be another good alternative - if the handling is good enough for StressedDave, it must be good enough for anyone Again Japanese reliability, and prices are low at the moment as its winter!

Classics are fun, but you have to be prepared to work on them or have a good local mechanic - I know enough people with them to know the problems! Either that or you will pay a fortune for a restored one.

Just my 2ps worth. Happy hunting.

Jon
P.S. Ultimately you need to go and test drive things and see what you like!

[PeteG]

How about a last model 3- or 5-series diesel? Don't know if they'd fit into your budget, my internet's being rubbish and not letting me search BMW sites...

[ScoobyChris]

All good suggestions, and I'd just been looking at MX-5's on Autotrader as my good lady said she quite liked them. I know what you mean about the 2 car thing as I had a Corsa when I had my Scooby and it started off fine, but in the end the Scooby became the daily driver and the Corsa was left to rust away! However, I'd have to be disciplined on this one and would only take the fun car on special occasions.

Neither has to be diesel, although my dailly commute is 50 miles round trip and is potentially set to go up to 120 miles roundtrip so diesel seems to make the most sense, at least for a hack. By big boot, I mean capable of carrying my 14 month old daughter and her huge amount of luggage

I'd ruled out "classic" sports cars and old-shape Mini's after seeing a few bent ones so I'd ideally like something with a bit of protection against the outside world, especially when Em is driving

3 series is a bit small as a load lugger, but 5 is definitely a contender. A 530d Sport manual would tick all the boxes

Chris

[Gareth]

An MX5 would be another good alternative - if the handling is good enough for StressedDave, it must be good enough for anyone Again Japanese reliability, and prices are low at the moment as its winter!

I'll second the MX5 suggestion - lots of fun for not too much money.

StressedDave generally seems to recommend an older 1.8 as being best, and if you ask nicely I'm sure he'd supply more details.

If fun money is tight because you do need to find another commute car, then perhaps you could consider an Eunos - basically a second-hand MX5 that was first new in Japan. A bit cheaper to buy and perhaps slightly more to insure. One difference is that the Eunos has a square rear number plate.

[jont]

If fun money is tight because you do need to find another commute car, then perhaps you could consider an Eunos - basically a second-hand MX5 that was first new in Japan. A bit cheaper to buy and perhaps slightly more to insure. One difference is that the Eunos has a square rear number plate.

There are enough Grey Import insurance specialists around now that I doubt you'll pay much more for insurance. As a rule Japanese cars have lower miles and higher spec (such as air con as standard) compared to UK cars. I think there were a few MX5s with limited slip diffs etc that only made the Japanese market - a friend has one of these and loves his (and he used to have a mini so knows fun cars!).

The main downside to imports is lack of service history, and as the Japanese don't use road salt, a lack of underseal which can mean imports that have been in the UK a few years start to rust.

There must be MX-5 forums around that will have buyers guides if you decide to get one.

Anyway, if Chris used to have a Scooby I expect he's come across the grey imports and Japanese car tuning scene already.

[James]

For 7 to 8kn onew could buy a fairly up to date Saab Turbo of some description. Also, don't forget the great deals on MG's at the moment, either the ZT 2.5 V6 or more lightweight ZS 180 2.5 V6. Could get one around 18 months old easily, possibly newer. Nissan Skyline?

[Gareth]

For 7 to 8kn onew could buy a fairly up to date Saab Turbo of some description.

Nice cars for motorway cruising but not so much fun for anything else. That's not to say one can't have fun in a Saab, but a driver's car it ain't.

[Roadcraft]

Try this place....

I've bought from him before..and the cars are superb....customer service brilliant...

www.taillights.net

Just have a look at the superb vehicles he's got this week.

[nuster100]

Have seen ST220s go for that kind of money.

Prices will get lower with the 07 mondeo due out soon.

220bhp 3 litre V6, saw one at the lights go for a full bore standing start the other day. Great sound.

More exclusive than a DB9 too!!!!

Jay

[HondaMike]

I know I'm a little biased...

What about a late Honda Accord Type-R ?

Not too bad on fuel...

Honda reliability

Honda service costs have fallen.... 'Honda Happiness'

Honda Parts cost have also fallen.... 'Honda Happiness'


A car that can be used for daily commute and for fun.. They make a good track car as well!

Mike

[PeteG]

Try this place....

I've bought from him before..and the cars are superb....customer service brilliant...

www.taillights.net

Just have a look at the superb vehicles he's got this week.

What sort of cars does our RC choose for himself, then?

[James]

Have a look at these Chris;

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/2004-FORD-MONDEO- ... dZViewItem

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/2004-MG-ZS-180-2- ... dZViewItem

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/2001-SAAB-9-3-SE- ... dZViewItem

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Volvo-850-V70-T5- ... dZViewItem

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/2004-VAUXHALL-VX2 ... dZViewItem