A thread that isn't about buying a new car

[Howard]

OK, I lied.

Yesterday I went and test drove a 2000 Honda Accord 2.0i SE Vtec... and I really liked it. Lovely engine, lovely interior, looks really nice, it was £3,800. But we're not going to rush into anything ( seeing as I'll be getting myself into a little bit of debt initially hehe) so I'm going to keep looking for a bit..

I was just curious as to if anyone had any suggestions to similar cars I should check out?

My requirements are fairly simple... kinda the "next step up" from my Megane, meaning quicker (most important bit, even though I'm only 20 with 1 year's no claims until November, I can start being a little bit picky - a 2L engine would be nice) - the Accord really pulled rather well in comparison, and insurance isn't too bad - I guess bigger, so that's accord/mondeo (saloon) sized, and with comfort and toys

I've also been strongly considering Primeras (not the old ones, not the new ugly one, the 99-02 I think one), as these seem to be very good value, the only downside is the badge and looks which I don't care one bit about. But saying that..

I really prefer the Accord to something like a Mondeo, all the Mondeos I can find in that price range are just bog standard rep cars with hub caps. There's something about the Honda that made it seem just a little bit more "special".

But I'm open to suggestions!


Please note not to take the piss with your suggestions as I'm still only really a young'un and insuring/running thirsty/deep-pockets-required cars (No Alfas please, and ST200 Mondeos, much as I'd like one..) is a bit tricky still

Ta I know this thread idea is a new one and all..


Edit: I always forget... Budget is £4k max

[Shad]

Volvo 850 T5, you know it makes sense

[Howard]

Sod off you

[herulach]

Im in a similar situation, and have been looking around for stuff in that ball park. Pick of the bunch so far for me have been:
Accord 2.0 Se Executive Sport
Mitsu Galant 2.5 V6
And a fiat stilo 1.8 Sporting.
The fiat is actually a nice drive, and theres no getting away from the fact its by far the prettiest of the bunch in yellow.

[Howard]

Stilos I do like, but they don't have the best reputation

[Andeh13]

If your looking at a stilo, go for the 1.9TD and get a remap. Better fuel econ & better performance then the 1.8, for AFAIK cheaper insurance.

I considered getting one not so long ago, came 2 uni and realised id never need it. Car money -> drinking money

[arbitor]

Nah dot bother with a fiat tbh. Although they have made some good cars some have been quite unreliable.

Id be looking at some kind of 5 series maybe?

A bora as you get ALOT of car for your money with them..

406? you can get a very nice one for well under that money?

[Howard]

Id be looking at some kind of 5 series maybe?

For 4 grand it'll be a shabby old one in need of lots of TLC, something I can do without for now.

A bora as you get ALOT of car for your money with them..

No, you really don't. A Seat Leon/Toledo would provide better value but I'm not convinced that the engines in those within my reach are any good. I don't really want a diesel.

406? you can get a very nice one for well under that money?

Much as I like some french cars... Meh. Reliability issues. Not overly keen on 406s anyway


Cheers anyway

[GrahamGarside]

Toyota Avensis
VW Bora
Skoda Octavia

You could probably get a good Mondeo TDCi 130 for that money.

[piggeh]

If size isnt overly important:

Mk IV Golf GTI
Audi A3
Seat Leon 1.8T

or maybe..

Saab 9-3 SE Turbo

[jimbouk]

Porsche 924, and there's atleast 1 company that does classic car insurance from age 21 I think. I'll be getting one in a year once I've got some money and somewhere to park it. Might take a bit of looking after though, just call it an investment

[herulach]

If size isnt overly important:

Mk IV Golf GTI
Audi A3
Seat Leon 1.8T

or maybe..

Saab 9-3 SE Turbo

I think the whole being 20 thing will kind of put a spanner in those works.

With regard to the stilos, i reckon people are too scared of fiats. As much as i used to knock my punto, the only time it let me down was when id left the interior light on. And a guy at work has had a stilo abarth since release thats never missed a beat.

The diesel chipped would indeed be faster, but, it would sounds like a tractor, and put a fair old whack on the insurance.

[davidstone28]

What's wrong with the Megane?

[Howard]

It's fairly slow, and getting on a bit now

[arbitor]

Do you want a car thats generic and doesn't stand out?

[directhex]

i reckon people are too scared of fiats

lies. one can never be too scared of fiats