New here, what car?

[TTommy]

Hi guys, (and girls?)

New to the forum and was going to start by asking the all important what new car thread...

I'm 20 years old, loved cars (and bikes) all my life, passed at 17. Currently driving a saxo VTR.. I know, have your stakes at the ready!

In fairness it's a brilliant little thing.

Anyway, I do around 500 miles a week in my saxo and it's becoming a bit old and battered now on 105k, I've put over 30k on it.

I'm in the market for a new car, now most people I ask all seem to reckon a diesel is the way forward, and to be honest I'm not that against the idea it may make sense financially, but the only diesel I've ever driven was an Astra 1.9cdti and I found it so sluggish...

Originally had my heart set on a Renaultsport Megane 225 possible L26, and now I really like the look of the Audi TT 225, especially with 4WD for the winter. I understand fuel costs will rape me though.

Is it worth it?

What are your petrolhead suggestions? I think budget is up to 6k but ideally kept under 5!

Cheers in advance,
Tom

[Grimezy93]

Beamer 3 series?

[cianha]

Skoda VRS

[TTommy]

I do love the 3 Series.. do a nice diesel CD that looks interesting.

And hmm on the skoda I will investigate...

Cheers

[CaptainSensib1e]

Seat Leon Cupra R? It has the same engine as the TT 225. Nice aggressive styling, more practical, and cheaper.

[RizzoTheRat]

Seat Leon with the PD150 or PD170 engine would be worth a look too. Same engine as the Octavia but a physically smaller car which might appeal coming from a Saxo.

[kambites]

Unfortunately for 25k miles a year, you're probably going to have to put up with a diesel if you want reasonable running costs and something reasonably sprightly.

I'd probably be looking for something like a E46 330d - duller than a very dull thing but immensely capable.

[kiethton]

Something like this?

http://item.mobileweb.ebay.co.uk/viewitem?itemId=2...

[TTommy]

Cheers for the replies so far lads,

Some things to consider for sure..

With the saxo I've had an actual 51MPG out of it, but will generally be around 35+ the way it's driven.

Can diesels be fun to drive? I think I just see them as so boring because I've never been in a more powerful one?

Tom

[RizzoTheRat]

TTommy said:

Can diesels be fun to drive? I think I just see them as so boring because I've never been in a more powerful one?

There's a lot of diesel haters here but personally I say yes, however if you try and drive like a petrol (as most people who aren't used to diesels will) you might not like it as much, you need to get used to changing at lower rpm, now when I drive a petrol they all feel slow as I always change to early My Octavia has slightly less power than the petrol equivalent, but feels just as quick, however some claim the diesels don't handle quite as well as the petrols due to more weight in the nose.