Small-ish car recommendations please, fairly new, £10-14k ?

[bigblue]

The boot on the MX5 is pretty generous tbh. It was apparently designed to hold a set of golf clubs. As I don't play golf i can't comment on that but I can vouch for the fact that I have done a weeks shopping for a family of 5 and fitted it all in comfortably.

Hmmm, I do play golf, for my sins Would probably be able to keep clubs at the course though, but I hadn't thought about getting the sticks in the boot. Good point well made.

1. What main dealers are there in the islands?

Pretty much all of the usual ones This is Jersey - Car Finder - New Car Dealer Directory Ford, Renault and Citroen are particularly cheap seemingly. The used car scene is fairly good as most of the cars only do half the mileage yet still sell for lower prices than UK counterparts.

2. How much is fuel?

About 85p a litre unleaded, 95p diesel

3. Will you really do enough miles to need/justify a diesel?

Not on the Island, but we could use the Ferry to nip over to the mainland as we watch motor racing a fair bit and we'd probably go by Ferry to France now and again too. It's not that we'd prefer a diesel or anything, more that we wouldn't exclude it.

[MD]

Ok ok ok stop.

BMW Z4 - as someone who is highly qualified to asnwer your thoughts on this (I have a fully loaded 2.5i manual apart from Sat nav)

For the speeds you are doing and the amount of slow city-type clutch dumping its a bad idea. I get pretty good economy on the motorway, but horrific in town - im talking under 20mpg (get about 31 on motorways)

There are a few things to consider, the Z4 has one of the biggest boots and the roof is electric too, which is a bonus. If you don't get the dual subwoofers behind the seats (mine has them and its a catch 22 situation) then you get extra cubby holes which can handle alot.

The drive is fantastic and it still makes me smile 15 months after driving it off the forecourt. The ride is a little harsh though and the clutch is heavy if you are female so I am told.

Repair/running costs are surprisingly good actually, with a condition based service interval I have just done my first oil service and checks, came in at £166, but that is after having done 14,500 miles, the second service is due in a further 15,500, thats a 30,000 miles service interval!!!!

Tyres are expensive at £185ish a corner, but they don't wear out too quickly, my civis sport was easily worse on tyres.

If you do get a Z4, the 3.0 is the better choice on the grounds of the 6 speed box which gives better economy at speed - although it also has the issue of sucking up your pennies in traffic...

As for the others....

Thought about an Alfa Romeo Brera? Gorgeous cars, the GT can be picked up cheap though. The 1 series Bimmer is nice with the exception of the standard seats, they are bloody awful.

The MX5 is an ok choice, although they are quite small, I didn't feel comfortable in one, the seat was right back and it felt like you were about twice as high up as on the Z4.

A 1.8T A4 Cabriolet is something worth looking at, cheap to run with that engine and enough poke for what you need it for.

matt.

[MD]

Alternative:
Clio 197 Cup

I love the S2000.
If it's really on yer list then I should point to the 350Z convertible as well.
Either of these will take a weekend bag to the 'Ring and back

Clio just came out by far and away the best hot hatch under £15 in a recent autocar/auto express review. used to have a clio, fun little cars, but the boot is a PITA if you play golf.

As for the S2000, fantastic engine, good build quality, poor boot, manual roof and the servicing/parts can be very very pricey.

Lastly the 350z, in any flavour, 3.6V6 - hmm no, and the boot is crap considering the bum it drags around all day.

[Guy]

As for the S2000, fantastic engine, good build quality, poor boot, manual roof and the servicing/parts can be very very pricey.

The roof's electric, only needing 2 quick release clips either removing or putting the roof back on, or is that the manual part you were refering to?

[MD]

that was the manual part I was referring too - dont see how they can call it electric when it doesnt function without manual intervention...

[bigblue]

Ok ok ok stop.

'Scuse me ?

For the speeds you are doing and the amount of slow city-type clutch dumping its a bad idea...

But then you go on to tell me how good it is

Don't like the Brera, do like the GT. 350z isn't a goer. A4 cabrio is a wee bit too big. Missus still doesn't like the MX-5.

The more likely candidates currently look like:
S2000
Civic Type-S
1 series
Z4
Alfa GT
Merc C Coupe

We're over there in a fortnight, and will possibly try a few out. We'll probably swap the hire car a couple of times too. We were planning to have a MX-5 at one point during the trip anyway, that'll be it's last chance to shine !

[MD]

The ok ok ok stop thing was that people in Parkers aren't giving you the true picture

Yes the Z4 is good, but its a waste of time in the circumstances you have - besides with the 40mph speed limit you'll be gagging to thrash it on the mainland and we aren't that much quicker with out archaic speed restrictions.

Matt

[bigblue]

The ok ok ok stop thing was that people in Parkers aren't giving you the true picture

Ah, gotcha

Yes the Z4 is good, but its a waste of time in the circumstances you have - besides with the 40mph speed limit you'll be gagging to thrash it on the mainland and we aren't that much quicker with out archaic speed restrictions.

See, you'd really sold it to me well apart from that High speed is, as you say, never going to happen, but isn't it good fun in the twisty stuff though ? There's plenty of that!

[MD]

oh if you got twisty its bloody great

I purposely take the long route to my sisters in wales just to get the twisty stuff in

[bigblue]

Ah, that's more like it Good show.

Z4 moves into number one slot then.

[Guy]

Best bet, test the Z4, S2000, and maybe the 350z?

See which seems to suit you and the other half

[grayg1]

The ride is a little harsh though and the clutch is heavy if you are female so I am told.

I see what you did there

[bigblue]

Right, after much conversation, studying, and a teensy sip of wine... it's looking like it'll be a Beemer.

Z4 might be the winner, but the missus wants to see inside one (3.0, duly noted MD, Ta!). If it's not practical enough for her needs, it's the 1 series. 120 something probably.

Think we're going to pop into BMW to have a nosy, then compare Channel Isles pricing, and see how we go.

We're going to have a shufty at Civics and Alfa GT's too, just in case

[Shad]

Speaking of GTs, I saw one on the M4 yesterday being attended to by the AA. But I bet the owner had a brilliant drive up until that point!

[Howard]

The Alfas won't be nearly as good to drive as a BMW and they will break and have poorer build quality, but they do look nice

What about the 130i? 255bhp (I think), about 39mpg combined, 170 something g/km of c02 IIRC, with the Efficient Dynamics engines isn't it?

[MD]

The only other bit of advice is if you buy from a steeler then be willing to travel for it. I bought mine unseen beleive it or not (well deposit at least) and I travelled a good 200 miles to get it.

The prices vary massively across the country. And the steelers don't always list all the items on the website that the car has.

A good thing to ask for with a bimmer when you are looking to buy is the original manuafacturers sheet when the car left the factory - this will show all the accessories and options that it shipped with, its important to make sure these match or at least find out why stuff is missing as the values etc for insurance purposes are linked to the DVLA and insurance.

A couple of options worth looking for....

Xenons
Heated Seats
Wind Deflector (this is £125 plus fitting if its not fitted as standard, and its a good couple of hours labour to do so it becomes a VERY expensive add on)
CD changer is actually worth getting - goes inbetween the seats and doesn't get in the way.

One last thing - CHECK THE ROOF when you buy, both up and down, listen to rattles an ensure that all the seals are in good condition throughout the car.

As is standard with most used warranties, the rattles and seals are NOT covered by the used warranty.

If you need any advise or anything don't hesitate to drop me a PM.

Matt.