Decisions Decisions!

[Blue Oval84]

Right, I'm scratching my new car itch on the cheap this time, I'm going to spend up to a maximum of £1K on a second car with the following requirements:-

• Just enough pull to stop me wanting to get out and walk, say 130hp and over?
• At least Focus sized
• Not silly to insure
• No fragile diesels

Cars on the list so far are:-

Mondeo MK3 2.0 petrol
Peugeot 406 2.0 Coupe
BMW 318i s Coupe (E36 with the 1.9 engine)

I'm particularly interested in the Pug, anyone had one? Are the electrics as dodgy as I would expect from an 11 year old French car?

Any gems in the classifieds that I may have missed?

[Vulgar LS2]

I had a V6 pug coupe for almost 5 years, I still see it sometimes and always makes me smile. I can't say what the 4 pot is like to live with though. You will need the se spec to get a few creature comforts.

[Blue Oval84]

As tempting as the V6 sounds, I already have a 3.0 Z4 which is my toy, the 2nd car is going to be exclusively for a short commute and parking in less desireable areas, as well as the occasional motorway run.

Can the 406 comfortably transport adults in the rear or is it for kids only?

[Vulgar LS2]

It really depends on how big you are, but once through the door they are pretty roomy. I carried 4 adults on long journeys on a few occasions with no problems or complaints.

[Blue Oval84]

Struggling with this decision to be honest, head says that Mondeo is more powerful and will probably be more reliable as well as cheaper to fix and run. Heart says that the 406 looks a lot more interesting even in base trim than the Mondeo...

[Vulgar LS2]

Mine was 9 years old when we parted with it, and we replaced a wheel bearing and just normal consumables. I think they were the last good looking car pug will ever make.

[lordlee]

This.

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2011...

[anonymous-user]

I have a diesel (remapped)pug 406 and love it..

All the electrics work, and mine if fully loaded, the only problems I have had is with the engine..

The car feels quite heavy, so 2.0 would feel slow, but it is a good GT cruiser and has a good following, with helpful people on 406 coupe club on the net..

They are good looking..

[Seeker UK]

lordlee said:

This.

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2011...

As much as I like a good German barge, I would never recommend the 200 unless it's in a 190. In the W124 it's a bit underpowered compared to the Mondeo.

[Blue Oval84]

I think the quest may be over actually, I can save over £200 on insurance getting the Mondeo 1.8 (ok it's only 125bhp but that's only just shy of my randomly selected figure) instead of any of the 2.0 vehicles I've mentioned.

Compared with insuring any of the other cars on the list that's quite a saving and as it's only a second car I can live with the slightly reduced power I guess. The problem now of course is trying to find a decent one for £1K or under!

This is the bit where I start getting tempted to spend more and get a facelift one...

I love the condition that the Merc is in, seems like a really well cared for car, unfortunately it's a bit too old fashioned for me (yes, I am THAT shallow!). The only old Merc I would consider is an early 90's 500E. But that's hardly suitable for my requirements right now!

[300bhp/ton]

Blue Oval84 said:

Right, I'm scratching my new car itch on the cheap this time, I'm going to spend up to a maximum of £1K on a second car with the following requirements:-

• Just enough pull to stop me wanting to get out and walk, say 130hp and over?
• At least Focus sized
• Not silly to insure
• No fragile diesels

Cars on the list so far are:-

Mondeo MK3 2.0 petrol
Peugeot 406 2.0 Coupe
BMW 318i s Coupe (E36 with the 1.9 engine)

I'm particularly interested in the Pug, anyone had one? Are the electrics as dodgy as I would expect from an 11 year old French car?

Any gems in the classifieds that I may have missed?

Out of your list the BMW. Boaty handling and slow steering but rather good fun.

Also look at e30's. Or for something different how about a Rover 620ti turbo.

[chrisispringles]

How about a Volvo 850 T5. Its got 225 bhp, is big, practical, very reliable, comfortable,0 a bit laugh and a reasonable one can be had for £1000. It isn't too dear to insure either, my dad was paying about £250 to insure his.

http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/2499167.htm