Calling Bangernomics bods
Discussion
Yes, that's right, my first thread on here and another bangernomics thread.
Basically I've been poking about the internet, looking for a replacement for my trusty Civic.
It's a 1999, 1.6 ES model with leather seats, A/C, soggy suspension and various electrickery type stuff.
I would keep it, bangernomics style, until it grenaded itself. Which is difficult as it's a Honda.
However, the rear seats are a dodgy shape and my daughters car seat won't sit right without propping stuff underneath it, and the seat belt isn't long enough to wrap round the seat. Hence it's a bit unsafe. According to a friend that had one before, after testing dozens of different seats, the belt didn't manage to properly fit round all of them. So the idea of just buying a new seat is a bust.
SO, I need something bigger in the next few months, this isn't an emergency purchase so I'm doing my homework. Missus car will act as family vehicle for the time being.
It has to be cheap to buy, ideally under £1,500 so I don't need to spend much more than the Civic is worth. Needs to be comfy, safe, reliable, and not complete dross to drive. Economy also ideally needs to average over 30mpg per tank. Civic gets 44mpg, and I'll soon be doing 1,000 a month commuting, so would rather not be haemorrhaging cash in fuel.
This is to save my Integra Type-R which sits in the garage like a little queen. So insurance can't be too ripe.
The 3 I've had my eye on so far are:
323i touring (all are galactic mileage for this money 125,000+, dunno how much of a concern that is, and also insurance is a bit expensive.)
Volvo S80 2.4 (generally over 110,000miles, but all reports are supremely comfortable and safe, but no word on reliability.)
Saab 9000 (reports are abundant on here of it's sterling reliability and general good-ness. However not sure on economy or what it's like to drive.)
Also seen reports on here of Lexus LS400. It'd be a sweet car, but fuel consumption would bone me I suspect.
Ownership reports and other ideas would be appreciated. If at all possible I want to steer clear of Vauxhall/Ford/French. They bore the absolute pants off me. Although if there is a worthy mention, I will entertain ideas.
Basically I've been poking about the internet, looking for a replacement for my trusty Civic.
It's a 1999, 1.6 ES model with leather seats, A/C, soggy suspension and various electrickery type stuff.
I would keep it, bangernomics style, until it grenaded itself. Which is difficult as it's a Honda.
However, the rear seats are a dodgy shape and my daughters car seat won't sit right without propping stuff underneath it, and the seat belt isn't long enough to wrap round the seat. Hence it's a bit unsafe. According to a friend that had one before, after testing dozens of different seats, the belt didn't manage to properly fit round all of them. So the idea of just buying a new seat is a bust.
SO, I need something bigger in the next few months, this isn't an emergency purchase so I'm doing my homework. Missus car will act as family vehicle for the time being.
It has to be cheap to buy, ideally under £1,500 so I don't need to spend much more than the Civic is worth. Needs to be comfy, safe, reliable, and not complete dross to drive. Economy also ideally needs to average over 30mpg per tank. Civic gets 44mpg, and I'll soon be doing 1,000 a month commuting, so would rather not be haemorrhaging cash in fuel.
This is to save my Integra Type-R which sits in the garage like a little queen. So insurance can't be too ripe.
The 3 I've had my eye on so far are:
323i touring (all are galactic mileage for this money 125,000+, dunno how much of a concern that is, and also insurance is a bit expensive.)
Volvo S80 2.4 (generally over 110,000miles, but all reports are supremely comfortable and safe, but no word on reliability.)
Saab 9000 (reports are abundant on here of it's sterling reliability and general good-ness. However not sure on economy or what it's like to drive.)
Also seen reports on here of Lexus LS400. It'd be a sweet car, but fuel consumption would bone me I suspect.
Ownership reports and other ideas would be appreciated. If at all possible I want to steer clear of Vauxhall/Ford/French. They bore the absolute pants off me. Although if there is a worthy mention, I will entertain ideas.
8400rpm said:
Volvo S80 2.4 (generally over 110,000miles, but all reports are supremely comfortable and safe, but no word on reliability.)
Our S80 has only let us down with a flat battery, it’s got about 120,000 on the clock now and the other wear items are alarm (the siren gets water in it, I’ve ignored the fact the alarm doesn’t work), front suspension bushes (replacement lower arms are a few hundred quid) and a dodgy oxygen sensor was £250. Ignore the engine warning light at your peril because it’ll poison the cat pretty quick.Check the cambelt was changed at 90,000 miles, it’s a big-ish job to do.
Dark colours look nicer IMHO
It’s super-comfortable, proper profile tyres means it rides well, not sure how the bigger alloys with lower profiles are? It’s quiet, very roomy, one of the few non-mpvs we could get 3 child seats in the back. Handling isn’t sharp, certainly not as good as the Mitsubishi Galant V6 we had before – another good cheap big car if you can find one that hasn’t been messed with....
A Volvo S80 is a bit overkill isnt it?
Have you thought about a V40 estate, my mums fella's V40 1.8 petrol manages nearly 40mpg all day long and on a W plate his has just past 220k at which he proclaimed he has not lifted the bonnet in 40k. It has had a cambelt around 140k and a clutch slave cylinder replaced. Beyond that it has been totally faultless and he paid £2k for it 3-4years ago. Hell you could go all out and buy a 1.9 T4 version with circa 200hp and 30mpg - has to be far more interesting than a civic.
dave
Have you thought about a V40 estate, my mums fella's V40 1.8 petrol manages nearly 40mpg all day long and on a W plate his has just past 220k at which he proclaimed he has not lifted the bonnet in 40k. It has had a cambelt around 140k and a clutch slave cylinder replaced. Beyond that it has been totally faultless and he paid £2k for it 3-4years ago. Hell you could go all out and buy a 1.9 T4 version with circa 200hp and 30mpg - has to be far more interesting than a civic.
dave
8400rpm said:
Yes, that's right, my first thread on here and another bangernomics thread.
Basically I've been poking about the internet, looking for a replacement for my trusty Civic.
It's a 1999, 1.6 ES model with leather seats, A/C, soggy suspension and various electrickery type stuff.
I would keep it, bangernomics style, until it grenaded itself. Which is difficult as it's a Honda.
However, the rear seats are a dodgy shape and my daughters car seat won't sit right without propping stuff underneath it, and the seat belt isn't long enough to wrap round the seat. Hence it's a bit unsafe. According to a friend that had one before, after testing dozens of different seats, the belt didn't manage to properly fit round all of them. So the idea of just buying a new seat is a bust.
SO, I need something bigger in the next few months, this isn't an emergency purchase so I'm doing my homework. Missus car will act as family vehicle for the time being.
It has to be cheap to buy, ideally under £1,500 so I don't need to spend much more than the Civic is worth. Needs to be comfy, safe, reliable, and not complete dross to drive. Economy also ideally needs to average over 30mpg per tank. Civic gets 44mpg, and I'll soon be doing 1,000 a month commuting, so would rather not be haemorrhaging cash in fuel.
This is to save my Integra Type-R which sits in the garage like a little queen. So insurance can't be too ripe.
The 3 I've had my eye on so far are:
323i touring (all are galactic mileage for this money 125,000+, dunno how much of a concern that is, and also insurance is a bit expensive.)
Volvo S80 2.4 (generally over 110,000miles, but all reports are supremely comfortable and safe, but no word on reliability.)
Saab 9000 (reports are abundant on here of it's sterling reliability and general good-ness. However not sure on economy or what it's like to drive.)
Also seen reports on here of Lexus LS400. It'd be a sweet car, but fuel consumption would bone me I suspect.
Ownership reports and other ideas would be appreciated. If at all possible I want to steer clear of Vauxhall/Ford/French. They bore the absolute pants off me. Although if there is a worthy mention, I will entertain ideas.
Reckon you'd be hard pushed to get anything much better than this tbh:Basically I've been poking about the internet, looking for a replacement for my trusty Civic.
It's a 1999, 1.6 ES model with leather seats, A/C, soggy suspension and various electrickery type stuff.
I would keep it, bangernomics style, until it grenaded itself. Which is difficult as it's a Honda.
However, the rear seats are a dodgy shape and my daughters car seat won't sit right without propping stuff underneath it, and the seat belt isn't long enough to wrap round the seat. Hence it's a bit unsafe. According to a friend that had one before, after testing dozens of different seats, the belt didn't manage to properly fit round all of them. So the idea of just buying a new seat is a bust.
SO, I need something bigger in the next few months, this isn't an emergency purchase so I'm doing my homework. Missus car will act as family vehicle for the time being.
It has to be cheap to buy, ideally under £1,500 so I don't need to spend much more than the Civic is worth. Needs to be comfy, safe, reliable, and not complete dross to drive. Economy also ideally needs to average over 30mpg per tank. Civic gets 44mpg, and I'll soon be doing 1,000 a month commuting, so would rather not be haemorrhaging cash in fuel.
This is to save my Integra Type-R which sits in the garage like a little queen. So insurance can't be too ripe.
The 3 I've had my eye on so far are:
323i touring (all are galactic mileage for this money 125,000+, dunno how much of a concern that is, and also insurance is a bit expensive.)
Volvo S80 2.4 (generally over 110,000miles, but all reports are supremely comfortable and safe, but no word on reliability.)
Saab 9000 (reports are abundant on here of it's sterling reliability and general good-ness. However not sure on economy or what it's like to drive.)
Also seen reports on here of Lexus LS400. It'd be a sweet car, but fuel consumption would bone me I suspect.
Ownership reports and other ideas would be appreciated. If at all possible I want to steer clear of Vauxhall/Ford/French. They bore the absolute pants off me. Although if there is a worthy mention, I will entertain ideas.
http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/1771728.htm
MG ZTT+ CDTi deisel estate, auto, green, great to drive. (2003)
156,000 miles £1,995
Have you been to mothercare? they usually have certain seats which are perfect for certain cars... They point blank refused to put a range of seats in my cousins Accord, and recommended that only one brand was to be used! Cant remember the brand though, but its worth a shout to pay them a visit!
Apologies, big post!
Check the cambelt was changed at 90,000 miles, it’s a big-ish job to do.
Dark colours look nicer IMHO
It’s super-comfortable, proper profile tyres means it rides well, not sure how the bigger alloys with lower profiles are? It’s quiet, very roomy, one of the few non-mpvs we could get 3 child seats in the back. Handling isn’t sharp, certainly not as good as the Mitsubishi Galant V6 we had before – another good cheap big car if you can find one that hasn’t been messed with....Thank you for the feedback, you're more or less saying what others have said. Minor stuff goes wrong now and again, but they're not headaches.
Sabelt Securon make a seat belt extension, I had to use one of these to get the belt to fit around my daughters seat in my Civic.I would entertain that idea, however the shape of the leather seats is also a butt-ache. There is a big depression where your arse goes, so the seat sits really tilted forward unless you prop stuff underneath it, and I'm not confident with that configuration. 
garethj said:
8400rpm said:
Volvo S80 2.4 (generally over 110,000miles, but all reports are supremely comfortable and safe, but no word on reliability.)
Our S80 has only let us down with a flat battery, it’s got about 120,000 on the clock now and the other wear items are alarm (the siren gets water in it, I’ve ignored the fact the alarm doesn’t work), front suspension bushes (replacement lower arms are a few hundred quid) and a dodgy oxygen sensor was £250. Ignore the engine warning light at your peril because it’ll poison the cat pretty quick.Check the cambelt was changed at 90,000 miles, it’s a big-ish job to do.
Dark colours look nicer IMHO
It’s super-comfortable, proper profile tyres means it rides well, not sure how the bigger alloys with lower profiles are? It’s quiet, very roomy, one of the few non-mpvs we could get 3 child seats in the back. Handling isn’t sharp, certainly not as good as the Mitsubishi Galant V6 we had before – another good cheap big car if you can find one that hasn’t been messed with....
excel monkey said:
Stick to the Hondas and get another Civic (EP3).
1.6 makes a good daily driver.
Not a bad suggestion actually, hadn't considered an EP3. However I was thinking of going bigger, so Accord size and up. Unfortunately second hand Hondas hold their price quite well, so getting a reasonable one in budget looks like it could be a challenge.1.6 makes a good daily driver.
Deluded said:
Hehehe, I did LOL.aka_kerrly said:
A Volvo S80 is a bit overkill isnt it?
Have you thought about a V40 estate, my mums fella's V40 1.8 petrol manages nearly 40mpg all day long and on a W plate his has just past 220k at which he proclaimed he has not lifted the bonnet in 40k. It has had a cambelt around 140k and a clutch slave cylinder replaced. Beyond that it has been totally faultless and he paid £2k for it 3-4years ago. Hell you could go all out and buy a 1.9 T4 version with circa 200hp and 30mpg - has to be far more interesting than a civic.
dave
An S80 probably is a bit overkill. However I love the idea of a big, fat, comfy, and really safe cruiser with lots of toys etc. The idea of a V40 estate appeals, what is it like for rear seat room? Having plenty of room behind my 6'4"-esque driving position for little girl or missus is kinda crucial. (she likes to sit in the back at the same time to watch over her.)Have you thought about a V40 estate, my mums fella's V40 1.8 petrol manages nearly 40mpg all day long and on a W plate his has just past 220k at which he proclaimed he has not lifted the bonnet in 40k. It has had a cambelt around 140k and a clutch slave cylinder replaced. Beyond that it has been totally faultless and he paid £2k for it 3-4years ago. Hell you could go all out and buy a 1.9 T4 version with circa 200hp and 30mpg - has to be far more interesting than a civic.
dave
300bhp/ton said:
Reckon you'd be hard pushed to get anything much better than this tbh:
http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/1771728.htm
MG ZTT+ CDTi deisel estate, auto, green, great to drive. (2003)
156,000 miles £1,995
http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/1771728.htm
MG ZTT+ CDTi deisel estate, auto, green, great to drive. (2003)
156,000 miles £1,995
Jayho said:
MG ZS/ZT? there diesel turbo things or the ZS 120 
Now, the idea of the ZTT is very appealing. I had a 416l for a while with the 1.6K-series in, and that car was absolute rank dog-poop. The motor was horrible, the distributor was on it's last legs, the gearbox pondered inexorably to it's own doom, and in the end I scrapped it, bangernomics style as it was going to be too costly to repair. What are the rest of the engine range from MG like in terms of reliability?Arese said:
Alfa 156? You could get a 2002/2003 model V6 for £1500 I would have thought. Might need to go a bit older to get a Sportwagon.
I did look at that option, but I'm kinda scared of the reliability. Are they as bad as I keep reading everywhere?Mr2Mike said:
Jayho said:
Have you been to mothercare? they usually have certain seats which are perfect for certain cars... They point blank refused to put a range of seats in my cousins Accord, and recommended that only one brand was to be used! Cant remember the brand though, but its worth a shout to pay them a visit!
The above point really, it'd need to be a really weird shape to the bottom of the seat in order to sit right on the curvature.the ZT CDTI is the BMW M47 2.0 commonrail diesel engine, a good if slightly detuned engine in the ZT, I bought a ZS with the older direct injection Diesel engine as my daily bangernomics car and its lunched its high pressure diesel pump, oh well Ebay banger time once more, it becomes addictive
8400rpm said:
300bhp/ton said:
Reckon you'd be hard pushed to get anything much better than this tbh:
http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/1771728.htm
MG ZTT+ CDTi deisel estate, auto, green, great to drive. (2003)
156,000 miles £1,995
http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/1771728.htm
MG ZTT+ CDTi deisel estate, auto, green, great to drive. (2003)
156,000 miles £1,995
Jayho said:
MG ZS/ZT? there diesel turbo things or the ZS 120
Now, the idea of the ZTT is very appealing. I had a 416l for a while with the 1.6K-series in, and that car was absolute rank dog-poop. The motor was horrible, the distributor was on it's last legs, the gearbox pondered inexorably to it's own doom, and in the end I scrapped it, bangernomics style as it was going to be too costly to repair. What are the rest of the engine range from MG like in terms of reliability?Diesel engine is good, think it's a BMW unit. There's a 2.5 KV6 which is peppy with 190PS and has the potential to average over 30mpg (although under if you drive it hard). But fairly nippy with 0-60mph in 7.8 sec. Good steer too and fairly sharp chassis, although not ITR standards. But rated by all as capable and fun.
The 1.8 K series is used, but HG failures on these heavier cars are likely. There's also a 1.8T. Personally I'd go V6 or diesel though.
sticking with the honda theme, what about an accord?
Plenty of them about and as you discovered with your civic, they keep on going.
A quick search on autotrader brings this up
67,000 miles, 4 Door Saloon, Blue, Petrol, Manual, Height adjustable drivers seat, Steering wheel rake adjustment, Rear headrests, CD Player, Remote central locking, Body coloured bumpers, Elec Windows and Sun Roof, AC, PAS, Excellent Serv.History, MOT 29/03/11.
£1,495.
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2010...
Plenty of them about and as you discovered with your civic, they keep on going.
A quick search on autotrader brings this up
67,000 miles, 4 Door Saloon, Blue, Petrol, Manual, Height adjustable drivers seat, Steering wheel rake adjustment, Rear headrests, CD Player, Remote central locking, Body coloured bumpers, Elec Windows and Sun Roof, AC, PAS, Excellent Serv.History, MOT 29/03/11.
£1,495.
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2010...
Edited by jbi on Thursday 17th June 17:55
jbi said:
sticking with the honda theme, what about an accord?
I got one of them for the missus and kids, £1200, unbreakable, it needed new rear discs and pads (they all do that sir) and I've just replaced two anti-roll bar drop links for £4.98 each, it averages over 30mpg mainly round town, has aircon and cruise control, I cannot fault it as a car, it is filthy inside but that's not my problem as I drive it twice a month Gibby78 said:
the ZT CDTI is the BMW M47 2.0 commonrail diesel engine, a good if slightly detuned engine in the ZT, I bought a ZS with the older direct injection Diesel engine as my daily bangernomics car and its lunched its high pressure diesel pump, oh well Ebay banger time once more, it becomes addictive
Ahh, yes I remember someone I know with a 75 a few years ago with that BMW diesel, it's a nice unit. (Hehe, I said 'unit')Arese said:
8400rpm said:
I did look at that option, but I'm kinda scared of the reliability. Are they as bad as I keep reading everywhere?
Of all the cars I've owned, it's the one I've had spent the least amount of money on. 300bhp/ton said:
The ZT is a very capable car. Very nice inside, plush and almost Jaguar like (even more so if you go for a Rover 75 badged variant).
Diesel engine is good, think it's a BMW unit. There's a 2.5 KV6 which is peppy with 190PS and has the potential to average over 30mpg (although under if you drive it hard). But fairly nippy with 0-60mph in 7.8 sec. Good steer too and fairly sharp chassis, although not ITR standards. But rated by all as capable and fun.
The 1.8 K series is used, but HG failures on these heavier cars are likely. There's also a 1.8T. Personally I'd go V6 or diesel though.
Done a bit of brief investigating on PH classifieds and AT, seems as if they're holding their value reasonably well above my budget. I'll be tempted if I can find the right one at a decent price, but as nice as they appear, purchase price might be a bit much. Diesel engine is good, think it's a BMW unit. There's a 2.5 KV6 which is peppy with 190PS and has the potential to average over 30mpg (although under if you drive it hard). But fairly nippy with 0-60mph in 7.8 sec. Good steer too and fairly sharp chassis, although not ITR standards. But rated by all as capable and fun.
The 1.8 K series is used, but HG failures on these heavier cars are likely. There's also a 1.8T. Personally I'd go V6 or diesel though.
(and inviting a b
king from the OH.) It's staying on the list of potentials though.jbi said:
sticking with the honda theme, what about an accord?
Plenty of them about and as you discovered with your civic, they keep on going.
A quick search on autotrader brings this up
67,000 miles, 4 Door Saloon, Blue, Petrol, Manual, Height adjustable drivers seat, Steering wheel rake adjustment, Rear headrests, CD Player, Remote central locking, Body coloured bumpers, Elec Windows and Sun Roof, AC, PAS, Excellent Serv.History, MOT 29/03/11.
£1,495.
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2010...
Plenty of them about and as you discovered with your civic, they keep on going.
A quick search on autotrader brings this up
67,000 miles, 4 Door Saloon, Blue, Petrol, Manual, Height adjustable drivers seat, Steering wheel rake adjustment, Rear headrests, CD Player, Remote central locking, Body coloured bumpers, Elec Windows and Sun Roof, AC, PAS, Excellent Serv.History, MOT 29/03/11.
£1,495.
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2010...
Edited by jbi on Thursday 17th June 17:55
Jazoli said:
jbi said:
sticking with the honda theme, what about an accord?
I got one of them for the missus and kids, £1200, unbreakable, it needed new rear discs and pads (they all do that sir) and I've just replaced two anti-roll bar drop links for £4.98 each, it averages over 30mpg mainly round town, has aircon and cruise control, I cannot fault it as a car, it is filthy inside but that's not my problem as I drive it twice a month I hadn't realised that good, low mileage efforts like the above ^ were priced thus. I thought they were more. Not exactly Mr. Current Affairs.
The Accord will probably be my safety net. I would like to experience some other marques and models if possible. It's always struck me as a bit blinkered to stick with the same manufacturer year after year. But it is difficult to ignore how great at Bangernomics Hondas are.
Thank you to all so far who have been kind enough to contribute, and give ideas and opinons.
A vote for the old Saab 95, I have a 1999 V plate 2.0SE with everything toy wise inc heated rear seats! It is a peach on a daily hack, makes some progress (bit soggy but it's a barge!) average circa 34mpg over what is now a little under 10k miles.
Cost me £1.5k... Very very worthwhile as a daily IMHO.
The Subaru Legacy I had prior to that was also nice but struggled to make 30mpg.
Cheers
Cost me £1.5k... Very very worthwhile as a daily IMHO.
The Subaru Legacy I had prior to that was also nice but struggled to make 30mpg.
Cheers
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