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About LinkBacksI tell you something, them Diesel engines are getting silly fast and the mpg is really good too.
I tell you something, them Diesel engines are getting silly fast and the mpg is really good too.
Indeed, we've just bought a V70 D5, and it is stupidly quick. I mean, on the way to Norwich 3 figures was easily achieved, and it was as quiet and refined as it is at 70.Originally Posted by markymicro
Also, i got a mesurment of th Bari case.
- Apprently its 1120mm wide, so if anyones got a tape mesure and one of the suggested cars?
So far he's test drove a A3, which he though was quite nice, the the boot was deffonatly too small. And a C4, which was "fine", but again the boot was a couple of inchs short apprently.
Anyone got a Alfa 147 or a Mazda3, Golf, Octavia?
Daniel
horrible turbo lagg on them though i found when i breifly drive one, and they arent THAT fast
Not the new one - turbo is constantly spooling, its responsive all through the rev range. 185bhp + 400Nm Torque = not that fast? Dad's boxster only has 240bhp.....horrible turbo lagg on them though i found when i breifly drive one, and they arent THAT fast
Ok, as a result turbo failures are not uncommon on high milers, but we did 44k in 5 years on the old V70, so not too much of a problem (for us at least)
We also ordered it with the geartronic semi auto gearbox, which is 6 speed, closer ratio, and pretty smooth at shifting, so keeps it running nicely - driving from home to Norwich we were cruising at a ton, slightly higher in stretches - with just over 500 miles on the car....diesels get better over time
With regards to Oshta - I did suggest the 1.9 tdi Octavia - but got ignored
ahh fair enough this one was a 54 plate of 55, put my foot down and nothing happend for a while lol.
how much it weigh?
Golf is ok but maybe the Jetta if he wants something a bit bigger - it's a Golf with a boot, pretty much, but does look quite nice.
The octavia is a very nice car. Drove one today (1.9 TDI). Even the lower spec is pretty decent. Get him down to one of those roads where you get several dealers alongside each other, and nudge him into the Skoda one. Although I drove the Ocky today my normal car is a Fabia which is a great car in itself.
Otherwise, Audi A4, Honda Accord, maybe a Seat Leon FR.
No no....I did suggest the 1.9 tdi Octavia - but got ignored
- Sorry, i must not have replyed to it, but you initall octavia suggest was most deffonatly noted, as was howards later post. And it is now on his list of possables thanks to that.
He's plannin to test drive a few more this week, then see where hes upto.
I've got a 147 and used to run a Golf V as a company car before that.
The benefits of the Golf are pretty obvious - well built, reliable, practical, and good to drive. It's also a bigger car in terms of interior space than the Alfa. Just bear in mind that the ride quality is nowhere near as good as that of the 306. Personally, I couldn't stand the poor ride quality, though it might have been related to the fact that the car I had (2.0 TDI) had lowered suspension and low profile tyres as a standard fitment, compared to the basic models in the range. The Golf V is a good car, but if I was buying one, I'd have to spend £1,000 or so getting the damping right and suspension working properly.
As for the 147, this is car for people that understand what Alfas are all about. It's a decision you make with your heart rather than your head, but its got so much more character and individuality than other car in the same hatchback sector. Ask your dad to get into a 2.0 Lusso, get him to look around the interior, and go for a drive. When he's test driving it, tell him to wind the engine up to 7000rpm a few times, in 2nd, 3rd and 4th gear and listen to the sound..... The only thing that you need to bear in mind with these cars is that maintenance costs are going to be higher than the average. Components aren't engineered for longevity, so various bits such as suspension bushes, drop links, cambelts, tensioners etc will need to replaced sooner and more often than the average for the class. There are also a few other niggles that most 147 owners will know about. Anyone buying a car like this needs to buy it with the expectation that will need to spend money maintaining it. Twin Spark engines for example, are hypersensitive to poor maintenance, so checks every few weeks are essential. Cherish it, and it will serve you well. Neglect it, and it will die on you. Incidentally, if your dad thinks the A3's boot is too small, he'll think the same about the Alfa since boot space is about the same size.
I've no experience of the Mazda 3, but I did own a Mazda Xedos V6 many years ago. Extraordinary reliability - not even a bulb blew in 70,000 miles. Handled like a boat though and was more of a motorway or 'A' road cruiser than an a 'all round' car.
Another car your dad might want to consider is a Lexus IS200, possibly the 'estate' if he needs a 'hatchback' and can live with the looks. The car lacks a bit of character and it's a bit devoid of personality but it's otherwise a very good car. Superb build quality and reliability, although the fuel economy is pretty poor and maintaining the car in the dealer network can be expensive. It's also quite a small car - much closer to the size of a Focus than a Mondeo.
Last edited by davidstone28; 28-04-2007 at 02:14 PM.
Ah, this is an 07, Kerb Weight is 1600 or there abouts (depending on options etc). It is pretty nice, we went for the SE Sport (not special edition sport, there is a difference apparently) so got the goodies like BBS alloys, Ohlins adjustable suspension (Press a button, it changes) few other bits including sports seats etc.
Geartronic box is also a massive improvement over the autos they used to use, so much more responsive.
get a diesel engine, much more MPG frendlyso i skoda octavia VRS or the Fabia VRS, 1.9 goes pretty well aswell
Still on with the job!
- He looked a 147 last week, but has been unable to find anywhere that will let him test drive one, and has sort of ruled it out.
- He also test drove the new focus, but again wasnt massively over impressed with it.
I think the 306 has just spoilt him really!
Daniel
Last edited by oshta; 05-05-2007 at 10:14 PM.
Focus Sport TDCi isn't a bad car - not as good as the Fabia or Octavia vRS though.
Just to keep you up-to-date and possably propt some more thoughts.
- Took an Octavia out on friday. Saxaphone fitted, and he generally liked it, but was muttering about it being bigger.
- He also took a Honda Civic out, again the sax fitted. And he was sounding really fairly impressed. Although the diesal he drove had a "very noticable turbo" he was a great fan of. And you really do have to work on geting used to the looks!!
The baritone also fits in a Mazda3 Diagonally, but its unliky he could get the alto in with it, and he's yet to test drive it.
Daniel
Gahh, he's still no bought a car yet!
- Its geting closer to a decision however, which is good.
He's going to test drive a A4 today, which a look to possably actually buying it.
- Its a blue 1.9l deisal for £10k, 4years old, 50k on the clock.
I was quite looking at the A4, but doesnt want a 3-door, and there basicaly arnt any 5-doors. Hence then 4-door A4 idea.
- He's also drove a accord, which although has the same engine as the civic, being designed for that car not just used from another car, its much more refined apprently.
The search goes on!!
- Just as long as he's got it wound up in a fortnights time for i can have the 306 for my post-exam rampage¬!
Daniel
Why not look at the Megane 120 diesels?
I drove both the 307 and Megane back to back for along while a few years back, and the Megane was very good to drive. More similar in chassis response to the 306 than the 307 tbh.
I'd also suggest a Mazda 6, cos they're hugely under rated
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