the 'what car' musings thread

[shirt]

the main thing i'd be worried about from a safety point of view would be a certain driver with a reputation for driving like he's in btcc. i'm speaking to terry the scrutineer tomorrow, there may be a chance the clubbies are eligible if an fia tank and door bar is fitted. i'm sure nev would be up for it if that's the case.

[Impspeed]

Back on track with "what car..." my Mrs needs a car for general pottering about - getting to/form work (only 15 minutes down Emirates Road), to/from the spa/gym and then to/from the shops. Her list so far is RCZ, TT or Jeep. Due to the fact we only have no more than 50k (more likely 40-45) I think the Wrangler is the best option but - how good are they? Every time I have sat in one they seem very agricultural and I think they're going to fall apart as soon as they're out of warranty!

Unless someone can come up with another option, show me some decent (ideally not modified) Jeeps on Dubizzle as I have no idea what's worth the money.

[shirt]

I take it from that list this won't be going offroad? I'd be looking at a first gen. Boxsteror, an s2000 or a Z4. The latter should be plentiful at that budget.

If she does want a 4x4, a stock wrangler jk (new shape) is doable for the money. Better trim and uprated drivetrain, just make sure you get the v6. For something capable yet more lady friendly, try the ubiquitous pajero or a toyota fortuna.

[rabailey]

Impspeed said:

I think the Wrangler is the best option

Sorry, IMHO Wranglers are great toys but bad cars, certainly not a car to buy for the wife to do the shopping and the spa.

I personally don't think they are that reliable either, ours was a PIA and also ask Shirt as we were under his until one o'clock this morning.
Second hand, especially out here, only makes that worse.

Cheers,
Richard B.

[Impspeed]

We've got a Pajero at the moment but will sell it to fund two cars (I wanted a 4x4 with the plan to go in to the desert but have never found the time) so will buy something either more sporty or more boring (tbc).

No, she won't be off-roading - it'll be a "tart about town" type of car and she has always liked the look of the Wrangler.

I've just looked at Z4 and it seems 55,000AED will buy you a 7 year old car with 150,000km on the clock - not for me (main reason I'm keeping away from TTs). The lower mileage, the better.

[Hitch78]

I bought my wife a Wrangler when we got here because she was sure that was what she wanted. She drove it once.

They're great off road, crap on, but good fun all round. You have to be a bit committed to drive one daily though, and they're a pain to keep cool in the summer.

Get her to drive one. Then buy her a 2.0 TT - great all rounder and the ladies love em.

[Hitch78]

Just to add - I'm driving a Golf GTI at the moment and it is literally a revelation. Great ride and handling, eager engine with enough speed for day to day hooning and the DSG has me converted. I now understand what all of the fuss is about, it really is that good.

You can pick up a decent low mileage Mk 5 for 50k.

[6th Gear]

Hitch78 said:

Just to add - I'm driving a Golf GTI at the moment and it is literally a revelation. Great ride and handling, eager engine with enough speed for day to day hooning and the DSG has me converted. I now understand what all of the fuss is about, it really is that good.

You can pick up a decent low mileage Mk 5 for 50k.

I've got a Mk6 GTI with a Revo stage 1 remap. Perhaps not the most exciting car to look at, but it's a fun drive especially with the extra BHP. The cabin finish and quality are excellent with all the toys you would expect in a car costing double the price.

[shirt]

Hitch78 said:

They're great off road, crap on, but good fun all round. You have to be a bit committed to drive one daily though, and they're a pain to keep cool in the summer.

true dat. better than a defender but that's about it. wind and road noise is bad, and even when running perfectly there are plenty of clunks and whines. mine is a daily driver but at 7yrs old has just had every bush and mount replaced, new shocks, new bearings, and needs a full geo alignment. even a rental yaris goes better than the wrongler, but i like it all the same.

the golf isn't a bad shout. they're on our company car list so have been in a few gti's and r32s. my only complaint is that it's still a golf.

how about an mx5 with the retractable hardtop?

[Dusty964]

There was a dirt cheap Boxster on Dubizzle, around 36000AED. I went and had a look and its in great nick, has a hard top, and, well, a great car for the cash. Alas, i cant post a link as my laptop is about to get launched through the nearest window as it imply refuses to do what it is told.

[Impspeed]

I can assure you she's be buying the car (or at least I would) more for the looks than performance - that means it's also got to be economical to run in terms of reliability.

I'm trying to sort a Wrangler for an extended test drive. I have a feeling she's drive it once and think Urgh!

TT isn't a bad shout but again for the budget it would probably be high mileage/scruffy.

[Hitch78]

shirt said:

my only complaint is that it's still a golf.

?

I was the same, until I'd had it for a week. I spent 20 mins throwing it around the empty road network near the Dubailand sales office and was hooked - it is the most chuckable car I've ever driven which really suits my (lack of) driving style!

As an all rounder I think you'd be looking at an E36 M3 or an RS4 for a similar compromise of practicality and fun, but neither of those can be had with 20k kms at a year old for AED90k. For the money they're spot on.

I also did the Ranches to Yas and back six times (Dad for races, wife for concerts!) over the course of the F1 and found it to be perfect.

Obviously there's a lot more performance available out there, but I'm leaning more towards cars that are fun in the real world these days. The MX5 fit that bill, but this is much much better.

I still search for manual 997s first on Dubizzle though!

[yorky500]

For the "wifey" to potter around in VW Eos: Same 2.0l engine as the Gti with DSG etc plus it is a convertible so she can show herself off in when she drives. Agreed, not the most "attractive" car, but its not all that bad.

Samples here:

http://dubai.dubizzle.com/classified/autos4x4s/vol...gte=&price__lte=&year__gte=&year__lte=2013&kilometers__gte=&kilometers__lte=&keywords=&is_basic_search_widget=0&is_search=1&places__id__in=Enter+Location%28s%29+Here&places__id__in=&addedgte=&seller_type=

[yorky500]

I should add that with service intervals every 15,000km you will find running costs pretty cheap.

[e21jason]

Manual Masser pretty rare

http://tnydu.biz/DOk7tx

[Dusty964]

e21jason said:

Manual Masser pretty rare

http://tnydu.biz/DOk7tx

If you are going to play Reliable Roulette you are better off starting at a lower price point..........

Effectively a chauffeur driven vehicle, if being on a flat bed counts. Wallet raping far, far beyond the purchase price available here...........

http://tnydu.biz/DOkYfJ

[Eccentric M]

e21jason said:

Manual Masser pretty rare

http://tnydu.biz/DOk7tx

haven't seen those boomerang taillight Maseratis in the street since circa-2003...

[e21jason]

This

http://tnydu.biz/DOkYfJ

Been there seen it done it

And they are as unrelaible as you would imagine but cheaper for parts than my e30 m3 at the time. The bi turbo zf box is holmogated for historic rallying and they get about 1.5k sterling on there own so many a bi turbo has been fragged in the past few years.

Edited by e21jason on Tuesday 20th November 14:47

[dxbtiger]

Another thumbs up for the Golf GTI, my mates have 3 between them, two VI's and one V, the V has a bluefin remap.

The gearbox is fking wonderful, seamless. The only that makes me chuckle is from outside the car it 'farts' on upshifts

[e21jason]

A v8 911 that needs a bit of work to get back on the road

http://tnydu.biz/DOkd9O

And why is this one of 7

http://tnydu.biz/DOkd9O