Keep it or get something else? Noisy commuter car
Discussion
Ghost91 said:
I'm not ruling out the auto wafter option, I just thought I'd see if there were any decent alternatives I hadn't thought of. I'm certainly not against getting something cheaper and older either. The octavias are okay, It does seem hard to find them in decent condition though.
My other half can't drive other cars on her insurance and it's too much to put her on the Swift as a named driver, a disgusting amount actually! Otherwise I could put up with the swift a couple of days a week and take the comfy Swedish estate the other half of the time to make it more bearable.
Other thoughts have Included a Megane but they're ugly as sin, maybe an ST170. I'd like to keep some sense of fun if I can but if not I'll stay put with the swift (to the detriment of my bleeding ears) or go for something barge like.
Isn't it cheaper and less hassle to add your partner as a named driver compared to buying a new car?My other half can't drive other cars on her insurance and it's too much to put her on the Swift as a named driver, a disgusting amount actually! Otherwise I could put up with the swift a couple of days a week and take the comfy Swedish estate the other half of the time to make it more bearable.
Other thoughts have Included a Megane but they're ugly as sin, maybe an ST170. I'd like to keep some sense of fun if I can but if not I'll stay put with the swift (to the detriment of my bleeding ears) or go for something barge like.
Edited by Ghost91 on Wednesday 25th November 15:24
Thanks for the comments.
With regards to the 3 series, ive never been able to find a decent one in the past when looking. I'll keep an eye out but I found it quite time consuming before!
I've had 5 Saabs now, and Im a massive Saab fan. I've never had a newer 9-3, although I got to drive a couple recently when I went to look at a couple for a family member. I was pleasantly surprised as everyone goes on about crap build quality. I'm not that keen to mess about with the suspension etc though I have to say.
With regards to the 3 series, ive never been able to find a decent one in the past when looking. I'll keep an eye out but I found it quite time consuming before!
I've had 5 Saabs now, and Im a massive Saab fan. I've never had a newer 9-3, although I got to drive a couple recently when I went to look at a couple for a family member. I was pleasantly surprised as everyone goes on about crap build quality. I'm not that keen to mess about with the suspension etc though I have to say.
DS197 said:
Isn't it cheaper and less hassle to add your partner as a named driver compared to buying a new car?
It would certainly be less hassle but Im just not happy paying an extra thousand quid just to have her on my insurance, it's a bit outrageous if you ask me.And then there's the fact she's just passed her test and will likely bump, scrape, kerb(low profiles, she already did a sidewall when she used it for a few days before) what is actually an immaculate car and worth probably 3-4k. I'm quite happy she's in a safe car that cost buttons to buy so that minimises any extra cost of repairs or whatever...
Ghost91 said:
It would certainly be less hassle but Im just not happy paying an extra thousand quid just to have her on my insurance, it's a bit outrageous if you ask me.
And then there's the fact she's just passed her test and will likely bump, scrape, kerb(low profiles, she already did a sidewall when she used it for a few days before) what is actually an immaculate car and worth probably 3-4k. I'm quite happy she's in a safe car that cost buttons to buy so that minimises any extra cost of repairs or whatever...
Ah, fair enough mate. Is it engine noise and road noise thats annoying you? Under bonnet soundproofing and soundproofing the doors should make a good difference without breaking the bankAnd then there's the fact she's just passed her test and will likely bump, scrape, kerb(low profiles, she already did a sidewall when she used it for a few days before) what is actually an immaculate car and worth probably 3-4k. I'm quite happy she's in a safe car that cost buttons to buy so that minimises any extra cost of repairs or whatever...
I used to have a Lupo GTI which also ran at 4000rpm/80mph.
At that sort of speed the wind noises seemed worse than the engine noise.
Not much you can do about that. Considered sound deadening as well, but never got around to do so.
Dynamat are said to be about as good as it get's, should you want to go that route.
One thing that helps regarding the engine noise, is not to drive at constant speeds all the time.
What grinded my theets most was that high pitch of an engine constantly at 4000rpm. So I found myself always accelerating to overtake others.
Doesn't make for a very relaxing drive mind!
The problem with your Swift Sport (which I like a lot, btw) is that no matter what you do it will never be a motorway mile muncher.
I choose to buy an other car and ended up with a lovely V8 powered Audi S4 Avant.
Ironically I find myself driving slower than in the Lupo most of the time due to that lazy V8 and cruise control.
At that sort of speed the wind noises seemed worse than the engine noise.
Not much you can do about that. Considered sound deadening as well, but never got around to do so.
Dynamat are said to be about as good as it get's, should you want to go that route.
One thing that helps regarding the engine noise, is not to drive at constant speeds all the time.
What grinded my theets most was that high pitch of an engine constantly at 4000rpm. So I found myself always accelerating to overtake others.
Doesn't make for a very relaxing drive mind!
The problem with your Swift Sport (which I like a lot, btw) is that no matter what you do it will never be a motorway mile muncher.
I choose to buy an other car and ended up with a lovely V8 powered Audi S4 Avant.
Ironically I find myself driving slower than in the Lupo most of the time due to that lazy V8 and cruise control.
Ghost91 said:
With regards to the 3 series, ive never been able to find a decent one in the past when looking. I'll keep an eye out but I found it quite time consuming before!
Unfortunately as they’re popular it’s hard to find a decent one at a decent price, plus so many get drifted decent ones are becoming few and far between. As you’ve got the Swift I’m assuming there’s no rush for a new car, so waiting around for the right car shouldn’t be a problem, no?Here’s a couple I was considering before buying mine:
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/BMW-E36-328i-Sport-Priva...
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/1997-BMW-328I-SPORT-BOST...
Plus another which looks good on an auction:
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/1996-Bmw-E36-328i-sport-...
The101 said:
3 series is quite a good idea. It's a good all rounder, without being boring like other all rounders (golf GTI)
I would buy one and stick some winter tyres on it, let's face it they're crap in bad weather but as long as you don't drive like a complete mong you'll be fine.
Hard to find in good condition, I saw a nice 323ci posted on one of the threads in here a week or so ago.
I know this is the default pistonheads response at the moment, but you say you have a Swedish estate anyway. What about a Saab 9-3? Both the older generation and the newer generation drive quite nicely but you could get one cheap and chuck on some decent shocks and springs (transforms handling). The power makes them fun and they do handle o.k. Even without messing with the suspension. Just a thought.
What is the bloody fascination with Saabs at the moment? Everyone gets suggested a Saab in every thread like this. I don't get it. I would buy one and stick some winter tyres on it, let's face it they're crap in bad weather but as long as you don't drive like a complete mong you'll be fine.
Hard to find in good condition, I saw a nice 323ci posted on one of the threads in here a week or so ago.
I know this is the default pistonheads response at the moment, but you say you have a Swedish estate anyway. What about a Saab 9-3? Both the older generation and the newer generation drive quite nicely but you could get one cheap and chuck on some decent shocks and springs (transforms handling). The power makes them fun and they do handle o.k. Even without messing with the suspension. Just a thought.
They're not fun, or special. They were o-k cars, reasonably quick, all that's good about them is they've become cheap enough to be included in a budget purchase. In my experience they're not anywhere near as reliable as people make out either.
I suggest to you a Fiesta ST150. Not the fastest car in the world but very easy to live with and it's reasonably good fun. As an alternitive to your warm hatch swift that's a good suggestion I think.
TakeTheJaaaag said:
I suggest to you a Fiesta ST150. Not the fastest car in the world but very easy to live with and it's reasonably good fun. As an alternitive to your warm hatch swift that's a good suggestion I think.
A ST150 won't be any better at crunching motorway miles than the swift. Any hatchback without 6 gears isn't worth looking in to imo. But having said that, the Clio's 6th gear is quite short so be careful All replies appreciated, thank you.
A few things to think about. I spoke to a mate of mine who bought my 100HP from me, and he reckons soundproofing made no difference to that when he tried. Spent a morning doing it and it had little effect. This is putting me off bothering tbh!
I'm going to look at getting something else for sure, it may be an option to buy a very cheap barge (and I mean cheap! Shed money...) and keep the swift but I've only just managed to get us down to two cars parking is a nightmare round here, typical new estate, and until we move it won't get any better. That being said if I have a commuter shed I won't mind parking it anywhere as it doesn't matter if it's dinged or whatever. The other option is get rid of the swift and keep looking for a happy medium of fun&hooliganism and comfort. I guess if a particularly good bargain shed comes up I'll just go for it, it would be nice to keep the swift as it has got under my skin in good ways as well as the bad. I'm going to try out my colleagues megane 225 one night to see how that goes on the dual carriageway, perhaps that could be the best of both.
A few things to think about. I spoke to a mate of mine who bought my 100HP from me, and he reckons soundproofing made no difference to that when he tried. Spent a morning doing it and it had little effect. This is putting me off bothering tbh!
I'm going to look at getting something else for sure, it may be an option to buy a very cheap barge (and I mean cheap! Shed money...) and keep the swift but I've only just managed to get us down to two cars parking is a nightmare round here, typical new estate, and until we move it won't get any better. That being said if I have a commuter shed I won't mind parking it anywhere as it doesn't matter if it's dinged or whatever. The other option is get rid of the swift and keep looking for a happy medium of fun&hooliganism and comfort. I guess if a particularly good bargain shed comes up I'll just go for it, it would be nice to keep the swift as it has got under my skin in good ways as well as the bad. I'm going to try out my colleagues megane 225 one night to see how that goes on the dual carriageway, perhaps that could be the best of both.
Edited by Ghost91 on Wednesday 25th November 20:30
DS197 said:
TakeTheJaaaag said:
I suggest to you a Fiesta ST150. Not the fastest car in the world but very easy to live with and it's reasonably good fun. As an alternitive to your warm hatch swift that's a good suggestion I think.
A ST150 won't be any better at crunching motorway miles than the swift. Any hatchback without 6 gears isn't worth looking in to imo. But having said that, the Clio's 6th gear is quite short so be careful It revved high, but it wasn't too loud inside. Mine was on -50mm springs, and the ride was fine too.
justanother5tar said:
DS197 said:
TakeTheJaaaag said:
I suggest to you a Fiesta ST150. Not the fastest car in the world but very easy to live with and it's reasonably good fun. As an alternitive to your warm hatch swift that's a good suggestion I think.
A ST150 won't be any better at crunching motorway miles than the swift. Any hatchback without 6 gears isn't worth looking in to imo. But having said that, the Clio's 6th gear is quite short so be careful It revved high, but it wasn't too loud inside. Mine was on -50mm springs, and the ride was fine too.
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