What Car!?! - Genuine user opinions needed.

[Chris-DC5R]

Hi guys

Firstly, apologies if this is in the wrong section, it doesn't relate to a specific marquee of vehicles so I thought this looked the most sensible location for the thread.

I have come from a lengthy ownership of Type R Honda's (mostly the imported stuff, DC5, FD2s etc) and im looking for a change as I currently fuel and insure two cars - a daily Fiesta and the current weekend car a Champ White FD2R. To cut a long story short the other half and I are looking at moving out and as a way of raising funds and cutting down costs i'm going down to one car which I will use on business use and occasionally (couple of times a month) do a good motorway run down the old M1.

The dilemma is this. Having owned Honda's for the last 6 years or so, I don't really have much knowledge of other marquees.

I'm looking to spend between £7,500 to £9,000 but could stretch to £10,000 for the right motor.

I am a firm believer of buying on condition and good maintenance history over mileage but with the same token don't really want moon miles (id be happy up to approx 75k - 80k for the right car)

I would love your help with genuine user opinions of the following cars - Apologies for the size of the list I have been tearing my hair out looking and reading about numerous vehicles. Ideally id like around 150bhp or above as I don't want a slouch potato, lol. I did view a 2010 Seat Leon FR CR TDI 170bhp last weekend but was pretty disappointed with the dull, boring interior. Not sure id be happy throwing £8,000 at one.

So for the list (all circa 2009 - 2011 shapes) - All Manual

Audi A3/A4 TDI 170bhp Quattro
Audi A5 TDI 3.0 TDI Quattro
BMW E90 330D (heard issues with Vanos, manifolds and butterfly valves)
Volvo V40 R Design D4
Volvo S60 R Design D4 and D5
Honda Accord ES GT - 150bhp
Skoda Octavia 170bhp (appreciate its same engine as the Audi, Golf and Leon motor)
VW Golf GTD 170bhp

Any opinions on the above or even heads up on other cars would be hugely appreciated.

Thanks muchly
Chris

[Prinny]

Chris-DC5R said:

I don't really have much knowledge of other marquees.

Was that said within tent?

If you’re serious about saving money, don’t spend any, keep the Fiesta.

[daveco]

Prinny said:

Chris-DC5R said:

I don't really have much knowledge of other marquees.

Was that said within tent?

If you’re serious about saving money, don’t spend any, keep the Fiesta.

Pretty much nailed it in one.

Most of the cars you mention are much more expensive second hand-to buy, to service, to own.

So unless you can claim mileage on any of them and plan to hold onto the car for a good few years I would stick with the Fiesta.

[Chris-DC5R]

Hahaha! Well, who knows haha.

The Fiesta really is on its last legs lol! I am in no huge rush for the money I would just like to streamline my motor costs whilst having a fairly half decent motor.

[daveco]

Chris-DC5R said:

Hahaha! Well, who knows haha.

The Fiesta really is on its last legs lol! I am in no huge rush for the money I would just like to streamline my motor costs whilst having a fairly half decent motor.

When it goes go pop purchase a small Jap motor with an NA engine, you probably know how robust and cheap most are to run and you won't have to worry about rising diesel fuel costs, turbos going pop, and future resale value!

I had a 1.3 1996 corolla that was excellent on fuel, fun to drive, and cost me absolutely nothing in servicing each year. No issue with motorway driving at 60mph either (just under 3k rpm, returning c.40mpg).

It's the future

[Chris-DC5R]

daveco said:

Pretty much nailed it in one.

Most of the cars you mention are much more expensive second hand-to buy, to service, to own.

So unless you can claim mileage on any of them and plan to hold onto the car for a good few years I would stick with the Fiesta.

I would to be honest, if I thought it had any sustainability haha. I do claim mileage on all business use to other work premises.

I definitely do plan to hold on to the car long term (one of the reasons for changing now as it would only happen inevitably at some point with the Fezzy - fancy a car with abit more umph as I have to slaughter the 1.4 TDCI in the fezzy and its had a few unwanted bills of late) They cant be any more expensive than 25mpg and £600.00 insurance and £235 quid FRL on a car I don't drive much.

Thanks for your comment mate.

[Chris-DC5R]

daveco said:

When it goes go pop purchase a small Jap motor with an NA engine, you probably know how robust and cheap most are to run and you won't have to worry about rising diesel fuel costs, turbos going pop, and future resale value!

I had a 1.3 1996 corolla that was excellent on fuel, fun to drive, and cost me absolutely nothing in servicing each year. No issue with motorway driving at 60mph either (just under 3k rpm, returning c.40mpg).

It's the future

I do like the sound of a Jap Motor, but would like abit of lazy power to go with haha. Nothing crazy of course but 150bhp would be nice.

[designforlife]

That you Mr Martin?

[Chris-DC5R]

designforlife said:

That you Mr Martin?

It may well be, who is this?!? lol

Edit: Mr Langston is it?

Edited by Chris-DC5R on Thursday 25th January 14:57

[designforlife]

small world

what about an older wafty lexus? cheap and reliable, whilst having some cool factor.

[Chris-DC5R]

designforlife said:

small world

what about an older wafty lexus? cheap and reliable, whilst having some cool factor.

Got it in one

Erm, I shall have a look mate. Just banging my head against a brick wall at present haha (I've been told by my trusty mechanic to avoid another Fiesta too)

[nitrodave]

If you're looking to cut costs, then I wouldn't suggest spending £10k on a car.

Get something like a Suzuki Swift Sport for £2k and enjoy that until you're in a better position.

I sold my cars and bought a £1k saab to help buy house. I still have the saab and now have a house. I could get another more costly car now, but don't see the point just yet. I'm enjoying a bit of shedding for now.

[kiethton]

I got a car that doesn't depreciate - I drive my savings

2003 E39 540i Sport - £2900 buy, written off 4 years later for £5,500 - £2.5k spend over the time I owned it (ex-consumables)

Then I got myself a mint '07 Lotus Exige last summer......not had to spend a penny (yet) and no depreciation either, judging by the current listings I may even be up if sold.

Edited by kiethton on Thursday 25th January 15:52

[MorganP104]

designforlife said:

what about an older wafty lexus? cheap and reliable, whilst having some cool factor.

This.

Get yourself over to the best smoker barges 1-5 large thread, for much Lexus beardage.

[Chris-DC5R]

nitrodave said:

If you're looking to cut costs, then I wouldn't suggest spending £10k on a car.

Get something like a Suzuki Swift Sport for £2k and enjoy that until you're in a better position.

I sold my cars and bought a £1k saab to help buy house. I still have the saab and now have a house. I could get another more costly car now, but don't see the point just yet. I'm enjoying a bit of shedding for now.

Good reply, in truth don't want to spend £10k but its available if something really caught my eye. Im not in a position where I need to cut costs, nor in a huge rush to get on the property ladder. It is just something I have been considering for a while due to my extremely low mileage on the weekend toy.

Id still, however like to have something fairly reasonable due to the above. Thanks for the comment its much appreciated.

[Chris-DC5R]

kiethton said:

I got a car that doesn't depreciate - I drive my savings

2003 E39 540i Sport - £2900 buy, written off 4 years later for £5,500 - £2.5k spend over the time I owned it (ex-consumables)

Then I got myself a mint '07 Lotus Exige last summer......not had to spend a penny (yet) and no depreciation either, judging by the current listings I may even be up if sold.

Edited by kiethton on Thursday 25th January 15:52

Im in the same boat. I sold my last car for £500 quid more than what I paid for it 2 and a half years and 20k miles later. I only had to service and MOT it and replace a few small "consumable items" like ball joints etc.

With my current car the FD2, I bought it with a fair few choice mods which will be removed prior to sale to again, turn a profit.

The Exige sounds sexual to be fair

[Chris-DC5R]

MorganP104 said:

This.

Get yourself over to the best smoker barges 1-5 large thread, for much Lexus beardage.

Ill have a look now cheers, haha. I guess It doesnt HAVE to be a diesel if it can return approx 35mpg (doubtful, lol)

[Ahbefive]

If you like a Honda whats wtong with an EP3 or FN2 for £4-5k? Also other manufacturers have competitors at a similar budget (Renault/Ford/VW/Mazda/Vauxhall).

[ZX10R NIN]

The 170bhp VAG engines of this era had a few issues you would be better off getting a 140 version & mapping it.

Here's an alternative list:

2.0d Megane GT

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

Alfa Giulietta Veloce

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

Sportiva

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

2.0d Astra GTC SRI DAB

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

Honda Civic EX/ES

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

2.4d S40

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

2.2d Mazda3 Sport Nav

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

[Chris-DC5R]

Ahbefive said:

If you like a Honda whats wtong with an EP3 or FN2 for £4-5k? Also other manufacturers have competitors at a similar budget (Renault/Ford/VW/Mazda/Vauxhall).

I do like the EP3 (had a premier edition one before my DC5) but wouldnt have an FN2 now (i'm looking for some sort of economy). I will have alook at the other stables you mentioned. Thanks very much