Sorry in advance - What car for 2 - 2.5k?

[iOversteer]

Hello folks,

I need a car by the end of the week, or failing that Monday morning of next week. As I have given back my company car, and living in the middle of no where is proving to be hard.

So my requirements -

30-35+ mpg
Low miles
FSH
MOT for a couple of months
Good nic
Good performance
I need to be able to get my road bike in the back for training sessions

Is that a bit too much to ask for? I haven't bought a used car for donkeys, and it only has to last me until I get back onto my feet (as in get a new job).

Thank you in advance,
Vince

[TTwiggy]

Alfa Romeo 156 sportwagon.

[Parabola]

TTwiggy said:

Alfa Romeo 156 sportwagon.

This

[iOversteer]

TTwiggy said:

Alfa Romeo 156 sportwagon.

I would absolutely LOVE an Alfa, but I quite fancy being able to go to the shops without the need for a low loader.

I have been through the ads on auto trader and there is nothing at all, of any interest for my budget. Stretching my budget really isn't an option, as I have no idea how long I will be out of work. So my sensible head has to come into effect unfortunately.

[Victor8181]

Parabola said:

This

ALFA _ Always Leaking and Falling Apart

[robsco]

iOversteer said:

I would absolutely LOVE an Alfa, but I quite fancy being able to go to the shops without the need for a low loader.

Alfas are reliable cars providing that they're serviced on the button and belt intervals are adhered to. The days of Alfas falling apart in front of your eyes are long gone. Only the people who's uncle's cousin's butcher once had an Alfasud which was a rotbox continue to fuel the flames.

The 156 Sportwagon is the car to have IMO, given your criteria. I'm sure if you look hard enough you'll find a well maintained example for good money very quickly.

[TTwiggy]

iOversteer said:

I would absolutely LOVE an Alfa, but I quite fancy being able to go to the shops without the need for a low loader.

I have been through the ads on auto trader and there is nothing at all, of any interest for my budget. Stretching my budget really isn't an option, as I have no idea how long I will be out of work. So my sensible head has to come into effect unfortunately.

While I can't give you any cast iron guarantees, I see no reason for a modern Alfa (which the 156 is) being any less reliable than any other used car for your budget.

I used to have a 147, which comes from the same era, and it was more reliable than the Audi TT it replaced.

I really can't think of a more stylish and PH way of motoring for your budget and requirements than in a 156.

[deveng]

MX5

[aka_kerrly]

Skoda Octavia VRS ticks all the boxes and has a good boot with wide opening bay for bikes. one ere with 77k
http://pistonheads.com/sales/2672173.htm

BMW 3 series Touring..eg this 328i with 69k on the clock or plenty of 320, 323i around but the difference in fuel usage is fairly minimal
http://pistonheads.com/sales/2633095.htm


dave

[rich85uk]

if you can see past the badge i hear they are a hoot to drive
http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/2682258.htm

[iOversteer]

aka_kerrly said:

Skoda Octavia VRS ticks all the boxes and has a good boot with wide opening bay for bikes. one ere with 77k
http://pistonheads.com/sales/2672173.htm

BMW 3 series Touring..eg this 328i with 69k on the clock or plenty of 320, 323i around but the difference in fuel usage is fairly minimal
http://pistonheads.com/sales/2633095.htm


dave

I don't really fancy buying a car from a private seller. However those two are very good choices. I used to work for Skoda (just been fired from) and they are good motors. But with no job at the moment, I am worried that anything with a turbo will be a ticking time bomb if it has been ranted from cold etc. This is why I have only bought new cars, you have to love that warranty.

For my budget I really thought I would be falling over quite tidy cars, but there is absolutely nothing which has caught my eye for anything under 3k. Car hunting is so stressful, I really am not liking it!!!

[ZesPak]

Why do people insist of bringing the 156 in these topics?
Are you guys trying to get the prices up? Ffs, be happy they are such a bargain now instead of pointing everybody to them

[robsco]

ZesPak said:

Why do people insist of bringing the 156 in these topics?
Are you guys trying to get the prices up? Ffs, be happy they are such a bargain now instead of pointing everybody to them

You're right...

OP, you don't want one of those 156s, they're crap.

[rallycross]

it will be difficult to find something decent and with low mileage in this price range.
most cars will be 100k (which is fine).

something like this 2.0 Focus might make sense eg 2.0 Ghia or St170?

http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/2688429.htm

[GreatGranny]

I'm going to be the voice of reason here and say you might have to go for something thats cheap to run and a little boring to drive until you are in employment again.
There's always time to change to a more interesting car once you are back in a job.
For £2-2.5k I would be looking at ..

Seat Leon

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2010...

Focus Zetec

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

Corolla

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