Yet another what car... but advice needed!
Discussion
My W reg Ford Fiesta is dead. It's had a buggered crank shaft for months and I managed to get 6000 miles out of it. No big deal as I had it for free when a relative gave up driving due to old age. I'm going back to university for a year next month and thought it was a perfect uni student car but wasn't to be (rather different from my last car!).
Anyway, I need a new car by the end of the weekend. Not much to spend as I've got tuition fee's to pay! A grand basically. A coupe would be nice, something that isn't too boring, mid 30's mpg and a big enough boot to get a guitar amp in (a 1x12 cab so not a huge one). Ideally, 10 months MOT so I don't have to worry about it until I can start earning money again next June!
Was thinking of a Ford Puma (rusty arches the obvious problem), a Cougar or 406 coupe (MPG an issue) and also 7th gen Celica (my favourite but I have a feeling that I'd need to spend a bit more to get a good one).
Are any of those going to be any good for my requirements? Or should I just do the sensible thing and buy a Ford Focus?
Comments, advice and suggestions gratefully received!
Anyway, I need a new car by the end of the weekend. Not much to spend as I've got tuition fee's to pay! A grand basically. A coupe would be nice, something that isn't too boring, mid 30's mpg and a big enough boot to get a guitar amp in (a 1x12 cab so not a huge one). Ideally, 10 months MOT so I don't have to worry about it until I can start earning money again next June!
Was thinking of a Ford Puma (rusty arches the obvious problem), a Cougar or 406 coupe (MPG an issue) and also 7th gen Celica (my favourite but I have a feeling that I'd need to spend a bit more to get a good one).
Are any of those going to be any good for my requirements? Or should I just do the sensible thing and buy a Ford Focus?
Comments, advice and suggestions gratefully received!
nagsheadwarrior said:
Feeling brave then a Fiat Coupe with the 5 cylinder lump would be different.
I've an Alfa Gtv which would be an optimistic choice plus you'd have to ditch the spare wheel to fit the amp in the boot, stunningly lovely things tho.
I'd love either of those, especially the alfa. Very tempting, but I should probably stay strong and say "this time next year" instead!I've an Alfa Gtv which would be an optimistic choice plus you'd have to ditch the spare wheel to fit the amp in the boot, stunningly lovely things tho.
What about the puma? I could do the 106 wheel arch fix to sort the rusty arches and still be in budget. Plus I'd be ticking a car of my wish list - from when I was about 16!
And a celica? Is this price range too low? I've seen a few tempters but with high mileage - 150k ish. Don't know much about them to be honest.
And a celica? Is this price range too low? I've seen a few tempters but with high mileage - 150k ish. Don't know much about them to be honest.
nagsheadwarrior said:
Feeling brave then a Fiat Coupe with the 5 cylinder lump would be different.
I've an Alfa Gtv which would be an optimistic choice plus you'd have to ditch the spare wheel to fit the amp in the boot, stunningly lovely things tho.
Not trying to be argumentative, but have you seen a 1x12 guitar amp? He'd have to ditch the spare wheel and probably cut some metal away to get it in I've an Alfa Gtv which would be an optimistic choice plus you'd have to ditch the spare wheel to fit the amp in the boot, stunningly lovely things tho.
Also have a GTV here and a 1x12 guitar amp, so technically I could try if you want OP, but I'm 99% sure that it wouldn't go in there.
Back seats would be fine, but you'll ruin that lovely leather (which will be pristine whichever GTV you get, as they are never used!)
t400ble said:
Puma a great car, but as you say wheel arches rust for fun
Still, worth a look on autotrader
The only problem with those is my obvious transport issues at the moment meaning I can't travel all over South Wales looking for a non rusty one. Hopefully I can borrow for a day off parents/ sister and they won't mind traipsing around with me! Still, worth a look on autotrader
SturdyHSV said:
Not trying to be argumentative, but have you seen a 1x12 guitar amp? He'd have to ditch the spare wheel and probably cut some metal away to get it in
Also have a GTV here and a 1x12 guitar amp, so technically I could try if you want OP, but I'm 99% sure that it wouldn't go in there.
Back seats would be fine, but you'll ruin that lovely leather (which will be pristine whichever GTV you get, as they are never used!)
Also have a GTV here and a 1x12 guitar amp, so technically I could try if you want OP, but I'm 99% sure that it wouldn't go in there.
Back seats would be fine, but you'll ruin that lovely leather (which will be pristine whichever GTV you get, as they are never used!)
Thanks for the offer but I know you're right! I love Alfa's and have always wanted a gtv but now probably isn't the right time. Wouldn't take too much to convince me though. A rush of blood in the past led me to buy a £4500 cl500 so knowing me I'll end up with a v6 gtv and a £400 monthly fuel bill.
...well there is one particular situation where it ends well Making a list of cars to go visit tomo, got a nice selection, should find something decent enough.
Would appreciate your honest opinions on something though. One of the cars is a 7th gen celica, £1000, 12 service stamps since new (in 2000), and 10 months mot. Only problem is it has 160k on the clock. I'm not afraid of high mileage and I've actually brought higher before, namely a w124 that was only £400. Should I cross that one of the list or is it worth a visit? It's in Bristol, the same as a few others on my list so not out of the way.
Would appreciate your honest opinions on something though. One of the cars is a 7th gen celica, £1000, 12 service stamps since new (in 2000), and 10 months mot. Only problem is it has 160k on the clock. I'm not afraid of high mileage and I've actually brought higher before, namely a w124 that was only £400. Should I cross that one of the list or is it worth a visit? It's in Bristol, the same as a few others on my list so not out of the way.
160k is quite high but go and give it a look, go on condition and receipts. you never know it may of had bits in the engine sorted out or be extremely well serviced and running like its just broken in.
(stepdad bought a 392k mile nissan, all be it with a folder weighing a tonne of receipts)
(stepdad bought a 392k mile nissan, all be it with a folder weighing a tonne of receipts)
The 406 is a nice car.
Cougars have a huge boot and cost very little to maintain being Mk2 Mondeo based. You'll get a better Cougar for your money than you will a Puma, which is also nice but in a different way and also cheap to run.
I know less about the Japanese cars but can't imagine they'd give you trouble. My own experience of Japanese cars of that age in general is poor fuel consumption for the power and high parts costs but owners of those specific cars could give specific opinions.
Cougars have a huge boot and cost very little to maintain being Mk2 Mondeo based. You'll get a better Cougar for your money than you will a Puma, which is also nice but in a different way and also cheap to run.
I know less about the Japanese cars but can't imagine they'd give you trouble. My own experience of Japanese cars of that age in general is poor fuel consumption for the power and high parts costs but owners of those specific cars could give specific opinions.
Well, this is one of those very rare things - a what car thread that actually ends with the OP buying a car!
Day didn't start off great - first car was a pretty good looking Puma that had just that morning dumped the fluid from the steering rack all over the floor. A shame as it was a good one - no rust and a full MOT. The next one was another Puma that was super cheap but a bit of a rust bucket unfortunately. Worth a punt at the price for someone as it also had full mot.
Saw a few more cars but none were quite right. About to give in but popped to a pub for a shandy and had one last look around the area on Gumtree and a Celica that I previously missed came up. 12 months MOT, no advisories apart from a couple of tires nearing the end, and in immaculate condition on the inside. Only downside is the paint on the bonnet seems to be perishing in places. No rust and took it for a test drive - it seemed perfect. The only issue was it has 158k on the clock, but it drove well, was in good nick and had a full MOT so thought "bugger it"! Just had a couple of hours drive home and it seems faultless. Time will tell.
Day didn't start off great - first car was a pretty good looking Puma that had just that morning dumped the fluid from the steering rack all over the floor. A shame as it was a good one - no rust and a full MOT. The next one was another Puma that was super cheap but a bit of a rust bucket unfortunately. Worth a punt at the price for someone as it also had full mot.
Saw a few more cars but none were quite right. About to give in but popped to a pub for a shandy and had one last look around the area on Gumtree and a Celica that I previously missed came up. 12 months MOT, no advisories apart from a couple of tires nearing the end, and in immaculate condition on the inside. Only downside is the paint on the bonnet seems to be perishing in places. No rust and took it for a test drive - it seemed perfect. The only issue was it has 158k on the clock, but it drove well, was in good nick and had a full MOT so thought "bugger it"! Just had a couple of hours drive home and it seems faultless. Time will tell.
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