The Obligatory What Car To Buy Thread...
Discussion
So, if I had a reasonably flexible budget of approximately 5k and I wanted to buy a car that was exciting to drive, enough boot space for an entire film shoots worth of equipment and where the build quality was of a sufficient standard that it wasn't going to explode anytime soon... What should I buy?
First person to say a Golf gets... Well, quite frankly, a sternly faced smiley!
Las time I had this conversation on here the budget was under a grand, the outcome was an MX5 and I went out and bought one.... So your efforts really do change people's lives...
First person to say a Golf gets... Well, quite frankly, a sternly faced smiley!
Las time I had this conversation on here the budget was under a grand, the outcome was an MX5 and I went out and bought one.... So your efforts really do change people's lives...
Slightly different..
Legnum VR4
http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/3938137.htm
Legacy Spec B
http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/3948362.htm
Legnum VR4
http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/3938137.htm
Legacy Spec B
http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/3948362.htm
We have an Octavia VRS and an ST3 - both standard versions not estates. The Ford is tiny in comparison to the Skoda, especially the boot. The ford feels slow and heavy to me and is much more prone to scrabble at the front than the Skoda.
I got as much stuff in the boot of my Skoda as my mate did in his A4 Avant (with roof box) we were transporting our families into France, with similar age babes in arms so similar load requirements.
I got as much stuff in the boot of my Skoda as my mate did in his A4 Avant (with roof box) we were transporting our families into France, with similar age babes in arms so similar load requirements.
Bullett said:
We have an Octavia VRS and an ST3 - both standard versions not estates. The Ford is tiny in comparison to the Skoda, especially the boot. The ford feels slow and heavy to me and is much more prone to scrabble at the front than the Skoda.
I got as much stuff in the boot of my Skoda as my mate did in his A4 Avant (with roof box) we were transporting our families into France, with similar age babes in arms so similar load requirements.
Very interesting - could you give a comparison on running costs? Thanks!I got as much stuff in the boot of my Skoda as my mate did in his A4 Avant (with roof box) we were transporting our families into France, with similar age babes in arms so similar load requirements.
Fuel economy, the Skoda is miles ahead, mid-late 30's typically vs late 20's to early 30's.
Tyres seem slightly more expensive on the Skoda but I've only used 1 set in 30k so not a massive issue, servicing is about the same but they are 2 and 3 years old respectively so nothing major has gone wrong. I don't keep detailed records but there has been little to record, 1 service (another due), 1 set of tyres and 1 stone chip/cracked windscreen that I need to deal with.
Tyres seem slightly more expensive on the Skoda but I've only used 1 set in 30k so not a massive issue, servicing is about the same but they are 2 and 3 years old respectively so nothing major has gone wrong. I don't keep detailed records but there has been little to record, 1 service (another due), 1 set of tyres and 1 stone chip/cracked windscreen that I need to deal with.
Mondeo ST220 - I have one, it is a great all rounder with a huge boot. Do it and do it now. £5k gets you a nice one.
Ours was £4,500 I think and came with 4 new Conti Sport Contact 2 tyres, 48k mileage, full and extensive history with receipts and is in good shape. (Except, something is making a strange noise and being as mechanically retarded as I am, I cannot identify the problem!)
Ours was £4,500 I think and came with 4 new Conti Sport Contact 2 tyres, 48k mileage, full and extensive history with receipts and is in good shape. (Except, something is making a strange noise and being as mechanically retarded as I am, I cannot identify the problem!)
H18 ENF said:
Audi S4 is a good shout, hadn't considered that at all... Octavia is similarly interesting, can someone please explain to me why I shouldn't be being drawn to a Focus St-2...?
The Focus is ok, but I think some questions need answering first.-You say flexible £5k budget - what does this mean?
-enough boot space for an entire film shoots worth of equipment - what does this entail? How much stuff and what sort of shape/sizes and weights are we talking? As in will a saloon work, or do you need fold down seats or more height?
-What sort of mpg/running costs? Or rather how many miles a month and on what budget?
-On what sort of roads?
-What's your driving style/preference - power, handling, hooligan, finesse, etc.
-How refined and comfy vs raw and fun does it need to be?
-Will you tinker/maintain it yourself, or only take it to garages to be worked on?
Depending on the answers to these, I reckon there's quite a large and varied assortment of vehicles you could consider.
I've got a petrol vRS Mk 2 hatch.
35mpg on a gentle long run is about right. 30mpg cross country when "making progress" is realistic.
I've had a slightly-squished double mattress in the boot. It's really enormous and carries more than my mate's Volvo V50 estate.
It's nearly as good as a Golf GTi cross country, though you will notice the extra weight around the long tail that gives you the boot.
Make sure the cambelt's been done at 4 years or 80,000 miles.
Mine's not for sale... yet.
35mpg on a gentle long run is about right. 30mpg cross country when "making progress" is realistic.
I've had a slightly-squished double mattress in the boot. It's really enormous and carries more than my mate's Volvo V50 estate.
It's nearly as good as a Golf GTi cross country, though you will notice the extra weight around the long tail that gives you the boot.
Make sure the cambelt's been done at 4 years or 80,000 miles.
Mine's not for sale... yet.
Answers are within the body of the 'quote'.
-You say flexible £5k budget - what does this mean? Big job come in, have allocated money for reasonable car. That budget can go up by maybe 1500 for the right car but I would prefer not to really.
-enough boot space for an entire film shoots worth of equipment - what does this entail? How much stuff and what sort of shape/sizes and weights are we talking? As in will a saloon work, or do you need fold down seats or more height? Fold down seats would be fine. Length is not so much of an issue, we're talking bulky items, flight cases, light stands and the like.
-What sort of mpg/running costs? Or rather how many miles a month and on what budget? Currently the mx5 does about 28 and I'm not really noticing it impacting on my life hugely. Would be great if it improved but generally business related costs are charged back to the client anyway.
-On what sort of roads? By and large motorways but enjoyment during could be a run around Warwickshire for example.
-What's your driving style/preference - power, handling, hooligan, finesse, etc. Hate driving sluggish cars, a decent 0-60 is always nice as Sunday drivers can be irritating.
-How refined and comfy vs raw and fun does it need to be? I like raw and fun but don't want to break my spine. Motorways make me like cruise control... It's a compromise...
-Will you tinker/maintain it yourself, or only take it to garages to be worked on? Tinkering can be done 'in house' - not necessarily my house... But certainly H6CJF's... Big stuff will be garage...
Depending on the answers to these, I reckon there's quite a large and varied assortment of vehicles you could consider.Splendid set of questions!
300bhp/ton said:
H18 ENF said:
Audi S4 is a good shout, hadn't considered that at all... Octavia is similarly interesting, can someone please explain to me why I shouldn't be being drawn to a Focus St-2...?
The Focus is ok, but I think some questions need answering first.-You say flexible £5k budget - what does this mean?
Big job come in, have allocated money for reasonable car. That budget can go up by maybe 1500 for the right car but I would prefer not to really.-enough boot space for an entire film shoots worth of equipment - what does this entail? How much stuff and what sort of shape/sizes and weights are we talking? As in will a saloon work, or do you need fold down seats or more height? Fold down seats would be fine. Length is not so much of an issue, we're talking bulky items, flight cases, light stands and the like.
-What sort of mpg/running costs? Or rather how many miles a month and on what budget? Currently the mx5 does about 28 and I'm not really noticing it impacting on my life hugely. Would be great if it improved but generally business related costs are charged back to the client anyway.
-On what sort of roads? By and large motorways but enjoyment during could be a run around Warwickshire for example.
-What's your driving style/preference - power, handling, hooligan, finesse, etc. Hate driving sluggish cars, a decent 0-60 is always nice as Sunday drivers can be irritating.
-How refined and comfy vs raw and fun does it need to be? I like raw and fun but don't want to break my spine. Motorways make me like cruise control... It's a compromise...
-Will you tinker/maintain it yourself, or only take it to garages to be worked on? Tinkering can be done 'in house' - not necessarily my house... But certainly H6CJF's... Big stuff will be garage...
Depending on the answers to these, I reckon there's quite a large and varied assortment of vehicles you could consider.
H18 ENF said:
Splendid set of questions!
Reckon you can have some fun picking a car here. Lot's of variety if you want.These are all IMO
Focus ST - I like the look and sound of these, a bit thirsty mind (19-25mpg), but means it opens the choice up to other cars too. I guess the main downers are it's still quite an ordinary car, albeit with some poke. And possibly won't hold it's money hugely well.
Focus alternatives, well there's a few. From EP9 Civic Type R's, Mazda 3 MPS, maybe even a SEAT, Skoda, VW or Audi. All similar packaged vehicles and all equally as capable as the Focus.
Hatch alternatives. You could look at things like a Mazda 6 MPS, Impreza turbo, BMW 330, Jaguar X-Type V6. All good cars and probably what I'd personally go for over a hatch.
Subaru offer the Legacy and Forrester which could offer a good blend of space vs pace.
Some less obvious but certainly usable options:
-DC2 Integra Type R - raw, fun and quite a lot of room inside
-e36 M3 - getting cooler all the while, fast. Maybe not the most practical though with a saloon boot
-Alfa 156 GTA http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/3960894.htm
-Cadillac STS Seville (UK spec RHD). Big comfy saloon, but with some decent 295hp pace.
-4th Gen Camaro (my fav - as I have one
). Surprisingly practical and flippin fast for the money. http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/3925794.htm
-CHRYSLER 300C 5.7 V8 - slightly over budget and not what you'd call raw. But good 0-60mph, fantastic looking and somewhat "badass!" http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/3944879.htm
-2001 MITSUBISHI EVO 7 350BHP http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/3255673.htm
-Celica GT-4 http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/3855240.htm
-Audi S4 (b5), they even do an Avant version.
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