****ed off - what car!
Discussion
OK I am becoming disillusioned with cars 
I've posted a few what cars, and I think I am just a fussy b
d basically. I have been searching for a car to get excited about in my budget and finding it VERY hard! Beginning to think I have unrealistic expectations...
I currently run a 2004 Mondeo TDCi and don't want to spend a whole lot more on running costs, but I can do a bit more. Also, I have about £10k to spend, but the less I spend on that, the more I can spend on running etc. I want something I can chuck the bike or kids into the back of so probs hatchback or estate configuration. At least the possibility of roof bars if not.
The mondy does 0-60 is about 10s so deff don't want to go slower than that! Hopefully sub 9s, or even better. I don't want hilariously st economy, as I usually do above average miles but prob only 15-20k P.A., but most of that is in sporadic very long journeys, so I need some comfort (e.g. leather, ipod connection or aux at least) and I don't want to be dealing with frequent breakdowns or constant fretting about imminent failures.
I guess the difficult bit is to take the above and roll it up into a package I actually want to spend money on, and is a bit different, and a bit interesting!!
I've posted a few what cars, and I think I am just a fussy bd basically. I have been searching for a car to get excited about in my budget and finding it VERY hard! Beginning to think I have unrealistic expectations...I currently run a 2004 Mondeo TDCi and don't want to spend a whole lot more on running costs, but I can do a bit more. Also, I have about £10k to spend, but the less I spend on that, the more I can spend on running etc. I want something I can chuck the bike or kids into the back of so probs hatchback or estate configuration. At least the possibility of roof bars if not.
The mondy does 0-60 is about 10s so deff don't want to go slower than that! Hopefully sub 9s, or even better. I don't want hilariously s
t economy, as I usually do above average miles but prob only 15-20k P.A., but most of that is in sporadic very long journeys, so I need some comfort (e.g. leather, ipod connection or aux at least) and I don't want to be dealing with frequent breakdowns or constant fretting about imminent failures. I guess the difficult bit is to take the above and roll it up into a package I actually want to spend money on, and is a bit different, and a bit interesting!!
Honda Accord 2.2 i-CTDi Estate?
Quite a few with all the toys, decent size, 2.2 diesel lump so pokey enough, pretty bulletproof, available for easy sub £10k for a decent one... Ticks most of the boxes?
Some 330d's suffered problems with the varable inlet tract butterflies being sucked into the engine at high mileage, writing off the top end of the engine.
Quite a few with all the toys, decent size, 2.2 diesel lump so pokey enough, pretty bulletproof, available for easy sub £10k for a decent one... Ticks most of the boxes?
Some 330d's suffered problems with the varable inlet tract butterflies being sucked into the engine at high mileage, writing off the top end of the engine.
Edited by Frederick on Friday 26th March 13:19
Dooshbag said:
. Civic Type R will do the lot well under budget, but 3 door only, how much are 1 series 120d now ? 5 doors, boot, quick and mega-frugal, if you can live with the looks and runflats. Soooooooo many options...
OP wants something he can put kids and bikes in, Civic and 1 series don't sound a good idea for that.Octavia vRS estate?
Blown2CV said:
OK I am becoming disillusioned with cars I've posted a few what cars, and I think I am just a fussy bd basically. I have been searching for a car to get excited about in my budget and finding it VERY hard! Beginning to think I have unrealistic expectations...
I currently run a 2004 Mondeo TDCi and don't want to spend a whole lot more on running costs, but I can do a bit more. Also, I have about £10k to spend, but the less I spend on that, the more I can spend on running etc. I want something I can chuck the bike or kids into the back of so probs hatchback or estate configuration. At least the possibility of roof bars if not.
The mondy does 0-60 is about 10s so deff don't want to go slower than that! Hopefully sub 9s, or even better. I don't want hilariously st economy, as I usually do above average miles but prob only 15-20k P.A., but most of that is in sporadic very long journeys, so I need some comfort (e.g. leather, ipod connection or aux at least) and I don't want to be dealing with frequent breakdowns or constant fretting about imminent failures.
I guess the difficult bit is to take the above and roll it up into a package I actually want to spend money on, and is a bit different, and a bit interesting!!
The thing is, you can't have the impossible. I've posted a few what cars, and I think I am just a fussy bd basically. I have been searching for a car to get excited about in my budget and finding it VERY hard! Beginning to think I have unrealistic expectations...I currently run a 2004 Mondeo TDCi and don't want to spend a whole lot more on running costs, but I can do a bit more. Also, I have about £10k to spend, but the less I spend on that, the more I can spend on running etc. I want something I can chuck the bike or kids into the back of so probs hatchback or estate configuration. At least the possibility of roof bars if not.
The mondy does 0-60 is about 10s so deff don't want to go slower than that! Hopefully sub 9s, or even better. I don't want hilariously s
t economy, as I usually do above average miles but prob only 15-20k P.A., but most of that is in sporadic very long journeys, so I need some comfort (e.g. leather, ipod connection or aux at least) and I don't want to be dealing with frequent breakdowns or constant fretting about imminent failures. I guess the difficult bit is to take the above and roll it up into a package I actually want to spend money on, and is a bit different, and a bit interesting!!
And seriously if you can't find something interesting for £10k you need help!!!!!!!!!
I don't mean it in a nasty manner, but it's a pretty arrogant ask. I say this because I've never had £10k to spend on a vehicle. And in reality not sure when I will.
So I think the problem here, is not that you can't find the spec you want or the answer to your question. But that you don't really know the question?
What don't you like about the Ford?
What would you like it to do better?
What do you really want from a vehicle, as in speed, fun, size, etc.
Once you figure out these its a heck of a lot easier to find cars that might appeal more.
To then take it further, if you are requiring something a little different (which I suspect you are), looking at normal cars with normal idea's simply won't ever produce a satisfactory result. So to this end you need to look a little "outside the box" at alternative types of cars.
And while doing all of this, you need to consider trade offs. If you want fast and big, then you are not likely to have economical as well.
If you want good handling focused performance and comfy then it really isn't going to happen.
There are all opposites, its like wanting small, but large enough to fit big objects in.
HTH
MrLou said:
Dooshbag said:
My standard answer for that is Octavia VRs
Octavia in any configuration of vRS, hatch, estate, petrol or diesel is pretty good standard answer for a lot of questions 
And on that basis, what does it do or offer that the Mondeo doesn't? Sure it'd be a different car, but take the badges off and most probably wouldn't notice.
Edited by 300bhp/ton on Friday 26th March 13:24
The Mondeo is a brilliant car, it does everything it's supposed to do as a car. But it's never going to set your world on fire. An M3 is similar, but just does it faster. But still it's a big, lardy, comfortable, practical car.
The problem is that sports saloons/estates and hot hatches are all about compromises. They're all trying to make a practical family car more entertaining. Which they can do, but you can't work miracles within the confines of the base car and once you get beyond making it faster (pretty much pointless these days), you're not left with a lot else. Going more hardcore (Evo/Scooby) adds to the entertainment, but seriously starts denting that comfort and practicality.
Keep the Mondeo, family cars really don't come much better, and save for a toy. A couple of grand on an MX-5 would be a good place to start.
The problem is that sports saloons/estates and hot hatches are all about compromises. They're all trying to make a practical family car more entertaining. Which they can do, but you can't work miracles within the confines of the base car and once you get beyond making it faster (pretty much pointless these days), you're not left with a lot else. Going more hardcore (Evo/Scooby) adds to the entertainment, but seriously starts denting that comfort and practicality.
Keep the Mondeo, family cars really don't come much better, and save for a toy. A couple of grand on an MX-5 would be a good place to start.
fathomfive said:
Spend £6k on a Saab 9-5 Aero Estate, another £1k on the Hirsch suspension and a little bit on a remap.
Comfy, quick, well-kitted out and a lot faster than the Mondeo.
Not something for a B-road blast mind you.
It'd get around 30 / 32mpg in general driving.
Another vote for the 9-5 Aero hot estate. These are very cheap now. Quite fancy one myself.Comfy, quick, well-kitted out and a lot faster than the Mondeo.
Not something for a B-road blast mind you.
It'd get around 30 / 32mpg in general driving.
MrLou said:
300bhp/ton said:
Still a pretty dull car and drive though...
How many family cars for around the same money, that meet the OPs criteria are an 'exciting' drive?I really don't know their criteria, and I'm not convinced they do either.
But I think there are plenty of "exciting" or at least different and entertaining cars for that sort of money that could be used as sensible family cars.
But if you want something different, there is normally a trade off somewhere. Either in perceived running costs, image, mpg or whatever.
But this is true of everything, not just cars. If you want a funky PC that is great for games yet small enough to fit in a bag. Then you have to compromise. Either on the gaming ability or the portability of the item.
To this end if it was me I'd look at cars like this:
Classy, good looking, good drive, with a V6 has sensible pace and economy, very comfy, reliable, not run of the mill or uber common.
Or you could go for a slightly older V8 powered one and run it on an LPG conversion, so offering up similar or better "pence per mile" than their current diesel.
Or how about one of these:
Great family vehicle. Comfy enough to drive from London to S Africa if you want. Practical, easy to maintain. Td5 should offer fairly good mpg. And HUGE fun to drive and own. Speed doesn't always mean fun and lack of it certainly doesn't mean the opposite.
Something similar with roof off abilities:
And there's always these things:
Which means if they want to go a little more barmy and buy something that a bike won't fit in, then they can still take the bikes!
MrLou said:
The Octavia, Mondeo and the Volvo are all pretty dull in their own ways, but that's the nature of the beast, isn't it?
I'm very much of the school of thought, only if you want it to be. But as Mr Spock would say "there are always possibilities".Edited by 300bhp/ton on Friday 26th March 14:00
MrLou said:
Dooshbag said:
My standard answer for that is Octavia VRs
Octavia in any configuration of vRS, hatch, estate, petrol or diesel is pretty good standard answer for a lot of questions Gassing Station | General Gassing [Archive] | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff