Another what car.....sorry

[autofox]

I realise these threads have been done to death but I'm really struggling with my next purchase choice and this is the only place I can go for opinions.

The budget is 3k absolute max, I may consider spending half that on a car and half on a lpg conversion). I want to get this right because its the most I have ever spent on anything let alone a car!


I currently own a E36 323 coupe, great car but not practical for my new job delivering pizzas , ( got layed off from my 'real' job a few months back ).

Anyway, criteria,

40mpg combined minimum, or cost equivalent.
Quick, at least 130 bhp, we can't have Dominos' finest being delivered too late!
Must be a good handler, previous cars have set a standard in that area.
Must be a 5 seater.
High specification is mucho preferred, i.e leather, cruise, climate etc. My 323 is poverty spec
Stylish but not too chavvy

Absolutely anything considered, i've been looking at everything from focus tdci's to e46 big 6's,
I really really can't make my mind up, so please help! Thanx

[autofox]

Anyone?

[Benbay001]

3k budget and LPG conversion? Are you really going to be doing enough miles to justify the money spent on converting, and B, the massive depreciation hit at the end? Would that money not be better spent on fuel or a better car?

[Jonty355]

A decent spec fiesta diesel. Best car for that money.

Go for the Ghia model, as they're usually bought by the oldies, so are not thrashed, but are high specced. Plus they aren't chavvy!

[George H]

http://pistonheads.com/sales/2684188.htm

[insanojackson]

George H said:

http://pistonheads.com/sales/2684188.htm

40mpg on short runs delivering pizza's? no chance

[T16OLE]

Wasting your time with an LPG conversion on a cheap car.

Especially on short pizza runs

I`d have thought something like a diesel focus

I wouldnt bother selling your car, OK it might not be the most ecomical car, but it not going to depreciate rapidly

You know the car. A new car may throw up a large unexpected bill if you buy a pig, not something which will go down well in your siutation

[r1ch]

Id probably just get a cheap hatch like a Golf/Polo or 306dturbo.

Or probably get an old bullet proof micra and not care about it.

[autofox]

Ive had two 306 d-turbos now, great cars but looking abit dated now and reliabilty is not a strong point, i think lpg is out of the question for short hops as mentioned, unless i find one already converted. Im now considering a mk1 focus tdci or golf gttdi, thoughts? Had a focus 2.0 before and loved it.

[PumpkinSteve]

Have you had one of the Levi Roots pizzas yet?

[Liquid Knight]

My local Dominoes (other pizza slingers are available) uses a Fiat Seicento Sporting. That car was practically made for the job.

[bozmandb9]

How about this with a lot of haggling and maybe stretch the budget a bit!

Not ideal for pizza delivery, but fits the bill otherwise!

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

[autofox]

That e39 is very nice, doubt id be getting many tips turning up in that! Liking the small car suggestions, but i refuse to buy a car solely for the job, if i were to do that id buy a £200 shed, and this job is only a stop gap, oh yeah, i tried the levi roots pizza, its w**k!

[poing]

If this job is only short term then maybe you should just wait until you get a new job because then your priorities will likely be very different. I would never buy a car for a short term job unless the job was making seriously good money, otherwise it just seems like a false economy.

Don't think I've ever looked at the car and based a tip on that when getting take aways. I know one of my locals uses a Smart car but rest I have no idea. The tip is normally only based on rounding up to the nearest £5 anyway.

[autofox]

Well tbh, i don't know how short term this job will be, but any change in circumstances will likely require an economical car, i don't want to keep my current stead as im already losing money on fuel, what they pay just dosn't cover it, and i need to sell it before it reaches shed status!

[c0ldpl4ya]

Fabia VRS? might be slightly out of your budget now but if you could stretch it a bit and haggle well you might get one? Very econimical, cheap to run, fairly fast with a remap if you wanted, 5 doors 5 seats...looks nice (my opinion)
Or a polo 1.9 TDi ? same engine and a bit more refined perhaps?

[masermartin]

Renault Laguna dCi? Lot of car for the money, but maybe reliability concerns as it's French? :P

Or a VW Golf GT TDI or Bora Sport TDI, I reckon you could probably find some with leather but even if not they're a reasonable spec and good enough economy.

I did also consider a Saab 9-3 TiD when I was looking, I had a slightly higher budget but most I saw seemed a bit rough.

What about an Alfa 156 diesel? Spend £2.5k and save the 500 for your inevitable first unexpected bill

[Matt UK]

If you want out of the BMW, but the cheapest shed with the longest ticket you can find, then sell it when your job changes.