yet another new (well used....) car thread

[Guy]

Basically, atm ive got a 1994 subaru impreza sportswagon, thats just gone past the 130,000 mark, mechanically its fine, but.... it needs quite alot of bodywork doing to it, that coupled with the lack of a/c and central locking etc, is making me think that in the long run is there any point me spending much money on it, when I could get something a bit newer/better condition? My budget is going to be around £5/6k, and after having an intial look round, my first insticts are to look for a golf, but they seem quite pricey for what they are, and ive seen quite a few evo 4's for just over £5k, any other suggestions?

Thanks

[dave87]

What size car do you need/want?

At £5k, I'd stay away from Evos, running costs will be quite high. Golf's aren't bad, have you considered a Seat? something with the PD130bhp engine should be pretty decent after a remap, or perhaps the 1.8T?

[Guy]

well id like to downsize from my scoob estate, its nice to have the space but I very rarely use it, and its just a nusiance in car parks etc, so anything really from a golf up to a passat in terms of size, yeah ive had a look at a few leons, and must say I was quite impressed, but the ones ive seen had quite a few on the clock...

[dave87]

I'd be tempted to suggest a Fabia vRS, mainly cause I've been looking at them, 130bhp as standard, 170-180 with a remap, twinned with a 6 speed box, they are pretty damn nippy. That said they are currently hanging around the 8k mark

How about the curveball of a Z3? You could pick up a 2.8 with 80k on the clock for under 6k, really depends if you like the styling and can deal with the lack of rear seats.

[Guy]

I'd be tempted to suggest a Fabia vRS, mainly cause I've been looking at them, 130bhp as standard, 170-180 with a remap, twinned with a 6 speed box, they are pretty damn nippy. That said they are currently hanging around the 8k mark

How about the curveball of a Z3? You could pick up a 2.8 with 80k on the clock for under 6k, really depends if you like the styling and can deal with the lack of rear seats.

thats quite a curveball! hadnt actually considered anythng with a bmw badge on it! erm the lack of back seats wouldnt be a problem, but I dont think I could live with the looks! if I was going to go down the coupe route, Id think id rather save and either get an S2000, or RX8.

A few more ideas id had, was from a practical/slightly boring point of view, maybe a focus TDI, I learnt to drive in one its was comfy easy to drive and was quite nippy. But id rather stay away from something like that for a while. I was on the look out for an older shape civic type r (not the brand new shape the previous gen), but there slightly over budget.

I suppose it boils down to wether I go petrol or diesel, and what sort of size.

[dave87]

Focus TDCi is quite nice, but as you say, quite mainstream in comparison to some of the other things you've suggested.

I have no idea about you're saving skills, but if you are anything like me the S2000/RX8s are going to be out of your budget for a while, unless you want to replace your 130k miler for another in a different shape. Even then they are still hovering above 10k

What about a Saab 9-3? Just seen a 9-3 2.0 SE Coupe Turbo (154bhp) with 55k on the clock on PistonHeads for £5,500.

[Guy]

yeah, the s2000/rx8 is more of a pipe dream tbh!

hadnt actually looked at a saab 9-3, ive heard good things about them and my gf's uncle has one, and its seems comfy enough etc. Only thing is how expensive are saab parts/servicing?

Havnt ruled out yet downsizing my scoob and getting the regular saloon version, should be able to pick up quite a good WRX turbo for around the 5k mark, but as Ive found with mine, fuel economy is positively shocking! Its got a 50 litre tank, and at a push I can get 250 miles out of that! Doesnt help that its permanent all wheel drive!, the only plus being that it doesnt make much of a difference how heavy your right foot is!

[dave87]

Wouldn't imagine they are much more than other GM brands, as that is what they are underneath. Might be worth PMing Zak about Saabs, he seems to be a Viggen man

[Guy]

Wouldn't imagine they are much more than other GM brands, as that is what they are underneath. Might be worth PMing Zak about Saabs, he seems to be a Viggen man

lol nice fighter reference there!
yeh might do that, anyways on the car front, If am gonna be changing it'l prob be in about 8/9 weeks when my insurance is up for renewal, and fingers crossed, another years NCB will be added on

[J4MES]

Mk 4 Golf GT TDi PD 130/150 ftw, for that money you should find plenty that isn't too old or with mega miles, proabaly with leather too... mine (5 door, leather) was £6250 with 58k, golf interior>impreza interior...

or a GTi 1.8T if you can handle 35-40mpg rather than 45-50mpg... they can be tuned pretty easily too..

[Guy]

Mk 4 Golf GT TDi PD 130/150 ftw, for that money you should find plenty that isn't too old or with mega miles, proabaly with leather too... mine (5 door, leather) was £6250 with 58k, golf interior>impreza interior...

or a GTi 1.8T if you can handle 35-40mpg rather than 45-50mpg... they can be tuned pretty easily too..

yeah anythings better than what im currently getting, mid 20's!

[J4MES]

personal best is 26mpg over 270 miles of mainly m/way and d/c/way.. but then I didn't get the Scooby for it's effeciency (next trip to Yorkshire we'll take the Golf)...

it's easy to get into the teens

[joshwa]

You might find a Bora, or Passat for slighly better spec / less money compared to the Golf - the Golf seems to hold it's value more. But they're all good... or perhaps a slightly older Audi A3?

[loki]

Bora's seem to be good for their money. I've had a look at a couple and they're nice cars. Insurance is also pretty good because they don't have a negative image.

[Guy]

Il have a look on the Bora front, seen a few passats going quite reasonably but there are so many different engine sizes/variants any particulars to stay clear of?

[joshwa]

Il have a look on the Bora front, seen a few passats going quite reasonably but there are so many different engine sizes/variants any particulars to stay clear of?

If you do a lot of motorway miles or high mileage, then a TDI would be the best bet, older (slower) ones can have 90 or 100bhp, but the best seems to be the 130PD - it's no more expensive in insurance than the 100PD for example. I dont think there are any "dud" engines as such, it's just that some people seem to think the lower bhp / 2.0 petrol engines are a bit sluggish, for what's a fairly heavy car. The 2001+ (Newer design, B5.5) Passat gets a 4star euroncap rating, and other improvements over the older style Passat, but with your budget the older style is unlikely to be of interest

Maf sensor problems are quite common, my car and my friends needed it replacing, but these can be bought off ebay cheaply (£15ish).

I would also recommend you look for a "Sport" version - it has slightly lower / stiffer suspension, 6speed gearbox, lots of other extras as standard. And you'd probably be better off with a manual, my friend had an automatic and had to spend £1k when it went wrong to get it fixed (at around 70k!)

The boots on the saloons are big but the opening is small so it does make it a bit tricky, ie, you can't get a 21" TV in there for example, so if you do want to move the occassional washing machine, then the hatchback/estate would be worth considering.

See if you can take one for a test drive, you might not like it at all. I started with a Passat Saloon 100PD S, and then bought a 130PD Sport Estate, and much prefer it, and it'll be handy when I move house soon!

Skoda Octavia's with the same engines seem be be slightly cheaper on insurance.