What car? Crisis thread!!
What car? Crisis thread!!
Author
Discussion

aussieal

Original Poster:

531 posts

181 months

Friday 30th March 2012
quotequote all
I¡¦m in the wilderness car wise at the moment and need the advice of Pistonheads to steer me in the right direction or potentially point something out that I¡¦ve completely overlooked.

I¡¦ll be back in the UK in a month or two and looking to buy something for Mrs Aussieal and I to share whilst we settle back in. Budget wise, I don¡¦t really want to spend more than 10k and have looked at anything from that down to 3k.

General criteria driving the decision are as follows:

1. Petrol engine capable of +30mpg on a run and combined figure of mid to high 20s
2. Must have at least 4 seats and ideally 4/5 doors
3. Premium brand ¡V I had my share of fords in my youth but I¡¦m not really looking to relive it, no jap stuff either, just don¡¦t feel anything for those within the budget (waits to be bombarded with off topic abuse ƒº)
4. Will be used to commute between 10-15k a year and for the occasional lads trip to europe and plenty of trips around the UK
5. Ideally a manual, although would consider something DSG ish
6. Potential to be a keeper as a second car
7. Would be nice to go RWD, but not a deal breaker

Over the past few months I¡¦ve considered all of the following to some extent:

1. BMW 130i
2. BMW E90/91 330i
3. BMW E46 330i
4. Alfa Romeo 159 3.2
5. Alfa Romeo 156 GTA
6. Audi A3 sport back 2.0T/3.2 V6
7. Audi A4 saloon/avant 2.0T/3.2 V6

Besides an MX5, I am missing something obvious? Not sure if it¡¦s just because I¡¦ve been looking for so long, without being able to drive a few of them, but I think I¡¦ve fried my brain with the classifieds, AT and ebay.

I need your help PH.

Will be looking to buy in early June and feel I need to start narrowing the search a little, my addiction to the best ///M barge thread doesn¡¦t help either.

Cheers

sherman

14,757 posts

235 months

Friday 30th March 2012
quotequote all
Any car from the VAG group
VW above a Polo
SEAT above an Ibiza
SKODA any after the year 2000ish


Edited by sherman on Friday 30th March 02:40

sherman

14,757 posts

235 months

Friday 30th March 2012
quotequote all
Forgot to say avoid vauxhall, peugeot and renault

TRUENOSAM

763 posts

190 months

Friday 30th March 2012
quotequote all
I can tell you that both of those alfas will struggle to meet your fuel requirements,

Out of the given list my choice would be the BMW 330i as a safe bet

kchika

246 posts

180 months

Friday 30th March 2012
quotequote all
E39 M5?

aussieal

Original Poster:

531 posts

181 months

Friday 30th March 2012
quotequote all
Yeah, appreciate the Alfas would struggle. Just two that I'd considered, ruled the 159 out due to the GM engine not really being in the same league as that of the GTA.

330i is probably edging it at the moment, whether to go E46 or E9X will very much depend on the cars available when I'm back.

Oh and as for the E39 M5, would love one but just don't fancy fuelling it to do my commute!

Edited by aussieal on Friday 30th March 03:24