If you had £13k ..... ?

[Vimeous]

So a colleague has around £13k to spend on a car. We're really struggling to meet his criteria and not come back to the same motor - a Civic Type-R.
Given the following restrictions what would you try?:

- Medium hatch or coupe with space for jujitsu kit (think golf bag) and 2 peeps.
- Fast with lots of image.
- IG 17 or less.
- 57-plate or newer
- dealer supplied

I won't say what he's rejected - I really want to see if you guys can spot something we've missed!

[Barakka]

With a bit of haggling, and in the current economic climate, you could get an 07/57 plate Alfa Brera for that sort of price....

... or maybe a Z4 ? or is that too small on the boot ?

[Vimeous]

LOL

Damn I forgot to mention reliable.
He had the mosst lemony-lemon of a 3-series and his current Vectra is falling to bits.
Definitely must be reliable.

Does that rule out the Brera? In my book (and this new) not entirely.
In his ...... I'l get back to you

[dave87]

New Mito? Ex demo 155s are around that money in Veloce spec.

[kalniel]

so a colleague has around £13k to spend on a car. We're really struggling to meet his criteria and not come back to the same motor - a civic type-r.
Given the following restrictions what would you try?:

- medium hatch or coupe with space for jujitsu kit (think golf bag) and 2 peeps.
- fast with lots of image.
- ig 17 or less.
- 57-plate or newer
- dealer supplied

i won't say what he's rejected - i really want to see if you guys can spot something we've missed!

mx5?

[DeludedGuy]

Golf GTI?

The new Polo are very nice too.

[GAteKeeper]

lol at the continued assumption that Alfas are any less reliable than any other marque!

Tell him to buy a Brera 2.4 JTD, get it re-maped (if not already done) and enjoy a rediculassly fast car with good fuel economy.

GK

[kalniel]

lol at the continued assumption that Alfas are any less reliable than any other marque!

Tell him to buy a Brera 2.4 JTD, get it re-maped (if not already done) and enjoy a rediculassly fast car with good fuel economy.

Until it breaks

[Barakka]

Until it breaks

My worry on an Alfa would not be the reliability - it would be the depreciation

The question you need to ask him, is what feeling does he want when driving, what sort of invlovement in the experience.

The Civic Type-R is a great car with a great engine, but it's a screamer, you've got to rev the a** off it to get the power, a car that you have to work to get the best from but really feel the driving. For some people that would be hell, some want to know they can put down power instantly in any gear without having to drop down a gear, others like to crusie at 1-2k rpm on the m/way, some want above all to feel involved in the driving experience, some want less involvement, more stability.

This could be a good alternative starting point...

[dave87]

Focus ST?


Recent ST2 and ST3s are in his budget?

[Zak33]

CAN HE WAIT...

cos the used car market is flying at the moments and cars are lots more money than they were in Dec and Jan.

Used cars are fetching strong money, and lots of dealers are struggling for good stock at the moment.

So haggling opportunities are diminishing, even in swedish brands.

[Vimeous]

His desire for the Civic is shaped by those he's tried, the practicality but also the looks and image.

I've just checked on the Brera and sadly the answer was:
"no chance, I'm not having and Alfa. Very nice car but ....."
I guess all those past issues with his own cars combined with Italian reputation puts paid to that one!
Bye bye MiTo as well then. Thing is he ALMOST considered it (he loves the looks) but thinks it's too small.

A Golf would be ideal but to get a GTi he needs to go older than he wants. I suggested a GT might do it but he's poo-pooed the 1.4 despite the 170bhp. Maybe the extra complexity of the TSI makes his reliability paranoia kick-in?

The ST2 is in budget and he really likes it - and then started muttering about depreciation ........

We suggested an MX5 last week but he's had one (and loved it). Then today he seemed more open to the idea after I suggested a 3 MPS. Only thing stopping him there seems to be image.


Barakka I'll be doing a driving style test later

[Mblaster]

How about a RenaultSport Megane?

http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/1042958.htm

[staffsMike]

First thoughts other than a CTR were,

Clio 197
Meganne Sport (F1)
Focus ST
Impreza WRX S (at a real push)

[kakahara]

jujitsu kit

How about an RX8? There's one on Autotrader atm:
2 Doors, Manual, Coupe, Petrol, 1,806 miles , Blue , Ex-Demo, Insurance Group 15, Chris Allen Garages Fleetwood owned vehicle.

Just under 13k too.

[kakahara]

Ahh yea, I know you said dealer supplied but how about a DC5? Hang on maybe thats too old too...