Suggestions for a new car...

[Barakka]

I know it's been done to death but each case has it's own merits and requirements so here's mine.

Recent Car History:
1999 Fiat Bravo 1.6 petrol - bought new, loved this car, kept for 7 years and after over 130k miles finally got rid to get a company car.
2004 VW Golf 2.0 GT TDI - had for about 8 months, good solid car, although plastics were a bit flaky, wasn't too keen on the lack of feeling in driving it.
2005 BMW 118d M Sport - had for about 6 months, superb to drive, REALLY solid car and the feel of driving was excellent.
2007 Honda Accord 2.2 i-CTDi - Horrid, like manouvering a barge and find myself driving at 25 in a 30 zone and 50 in a NSL, for gods sake I saw a blanket at the weekend and thought "that would look lovely on the parcel shelf"

Soooo, I am going to buy a car instead and have about 4 weeks to do it in (i'll be in my wife's Punto until then, although that's good, but she will need it back), and need some suggestions. I'm looking to spend somewhere in the 6-10k range depending what it is, i'm not scared of Fiat/Alfa etc and interested more on the car than the name. For example if I end up at the 10k mark i'd probably choose either an 1 year old Grande Punto Sporting with delivery mileage, or a 3 year old Alfa GT with 30k over an 6 year old BMW with 110k on the clock.

It doesn't neccessarily need to be a diesel, but although I live about 5 miles from work, once a month I travel to our other office on a 500 mile round trip so cruise control and good feel for motorway driving would be good. I like a sporty feel to the car, and sports suspension and alloys etc would be preffered, Air con doesn't bother me, I very rarely turn it on. Ideally I want 3 door unless it's a bigger size car like Mondeo/Alfa156 etc, but Golf/A3/147 would be 3 door (no kids or friends just me and the wife).

Contenders at the moment:

Alfa 147 1.9 JTD / Alfa GT 1.9 JTD / Alfa 156 2.4 JTD
Audi A3 1.9 TDi - Sport, but Quattro will be out in this price bracket
BMW 118/120d if I can find one in Sport trim, although it would be 5 door, but the quality of the drive kind of makes up for that.
Golf GT TDI - think they're REALLY overpriced though in comparison to the above

Open to suggestions ?

[kalniel]

If you can find a 1 series within budget then why not go for that again?

[dave87]

Top end of your budget, but a 330ci with 32k on it for 11k


Here?

[kaillum]

If i was spending that sort of cash and didn't need the space i'd go for the 2 door 330ci... pretty similar to the one Dave has posted...

I needed the space so went for the 320D Touring.. my '53 plate cost me 8k 6 months ago... cracking drive.. 150 brake diesel... chipped is 180... great on the motorway... it's got the 17" Alloys and M-Sport suspension so handles nicely.. the only thing mine is missing is the multi-function wheel which enables Cruise and Stereo controls...

It'll be a long time before I'm driving anything else! and i've had a different car every year for longer than I care to type!

[Barakka]

Decided on something a bit special in the end, let's see if you can guess... it's got an engine developed by Yamaha that revs to 8300rpm...

[360bhp]

Corolla T Sport?






(Thanks google)

[Barakka]

Close.... it's the right engine, just in a different car...



Variable Valve and Lift technology giving 189 BHP from a N/A 1.8 petrol

[chriswood_7]

Very nice, I nearly bought one of these but couldnt justify the fuel and insurance cost so got something a bit cheaper to run! I do like Jap cars

[dave87]

I wish I was old enough for insurance companies not to laugh when I ask them about having a nice car....


Very tidy though matey, how many miles has it done?

[Barakka]

I can't wait, it's going to be a riot to drive. I keep telling myself that if I keep it in the sub 6k rpm the fuel costs shouldn't be too bad, but from all i've read 6.5-8k is just constantly calling

It's just had the big 60k service with a full history. I suppose one the joys of getting a bit older is the insurance, which comes in around £45/month for me and the good lady.

[dave87]

£45/month?

Pah, my best quote for a car I'd actually want is £1300 with 3 Years NCB. (And that is a diesel)

Very nice though matey

[Guy]

I can't wait, it's going to be a riot to drive. I keep telling myself that if I keep it in the sub 6k rpm the fuel costs shouldn't be too bad, but from all i've read 6.5-8k is just constantly calling

It's just had the big 60k service with a full history. I suppose one the joys of getting a bit older is the insurance, which comes in around £45/month for me and the good lady.

Haha I keep telling myself to drive under 4k rpm to try and be economical/avoid spooling up the turbo.

That Rarely if EVER happens!

[kalniel]

Haha I keep telling myself to drive under 4k rpm to try and be economical/avoid spooling up the turbo.

That Rarely if EVER happens!

Hehe. I'm sure using the turbo while accelerating to your cruising speed is more economical than not

[Vimeous]

Baraka - very nice choice of motor mate, I hope you really enjoy it!

Haha I keep telling myself to drive under 4k rpm to try and be economical/avoid spooling up the turbo.

That Rarely if EVER happens!

I give little thought to revs vs fuel.
I simply love running through the VTEC changeover and heading straight for 8000+rpm.
At the end of the day I'm happy to pay for the priviledge!

[staffsMike]

I love the VTEC shove. Really enjoyed driving the Civic Type R

I get to enjoy it on a smaller scale in my ignis with it's VVTS, It certainly does start to drink more heavily after 4000rpm so 80+ is a no no on long journeys for me..

Looks like a very nice car to me, very low slung seats as I remember it.

[Barakka]

I love the VTEC shove. Really enjoyed driving the Civic Type R

This car has the VVTL-i Engine so the VVT kicks in at about 6500 then the L kicks in around 7200 basically catapulting it to 8000 revs..

Looks like a very nice car to me, very low slung seats as I remember it.

The driving position is very good and a bit of a love or hate thing, but I like ...