Help choosing a car that is reliable, comfortable and petrol
Discussion
So I have been looking at cars a lot. I have got a budget of £8000, which is via a loan. I can pay this off in 2-3 years which is fine for myself. Now I have decided that I would like to look for something that is reliable, possibly automatic, but it doesn't have to be, decent on fuel and tax. But that is nice to drive. Not really looking for a hot hatch. Now some cars I like the look of are:
Lexus IS250 SE-L
Volvo C30 R Design
BMW 120i M sport
Volkswagen Golf or Scirocco
Vauxhall Astra
Mercedes C Class Coupe
But I am open to suggestions. I really like the Lexus and its a firm favourite after looking at one, but I am unsure of what else I could get. I am not a fan of Audi, Ford. I do like Mercedes C class but I am unsure what the petrol engines are like, as most people recommend the diesel engines, in the C class.
Lexus IS250 SE-L
Volvo C30 R Design
BMW 120i M sport
Volkswagen Golf or Scirocco
Vauxhall Astra
Mercedes C Class Coupe
But I am open to suggestions. I really like the Lexus and its a firm favourite after looking at one, but I am unsure of what else I could get. I am not a fan of Audi, Ford. I do like Mercedes C class but I am unsure what the petrol engines are like, as most people recommend the diesel engines, in the C class.
Edited by anonymous-user on Thursday 22 February 19:45
Out of that lot, it'd be between the IS250 and the Scirocco for me. Two very different cars though. I suspect, for what you're after, the Lexus would be the better bet and fills your criteria. The Scirocco is probably more of a hot-hatch but with coupe styling and a low-seated driving position. I really liked mine.
rdb85 said:
So I have been looking at cars a lot. I have got a budget of £8000, which is via a loan. I can pay this off in 2-3 years which is fine for myself. Now I have decided that I would like to look for something that is reliable, possibly automatic, but it doesn't have to be, decent on fuel and tax. But that is nice to drive. Not really looking for a hot hatch. Now some cars I like the look of are:
Lexus IS250 SE-L
Volvo C30 R Design
BMW 120i M sport
Volkswagen Golf or Scirocco
Vauxhall Astra
But I am open to suggestions. I really like the Lexus and its a firm favourite after looking at one, but I am unsure of what else I could get. I am not a fan of Audi, Ford. I do like Mercedes C class but I am unsure what the petrol engines are like, as most people recommend the diesel engines, in the C class.
IS250 mpg will be pretty poor despite only being a 2.5Lexus IS250 SE-L
Volvo C30 R Design
BMW 120i M sport
Volkswagen Golf or Scirocco
Vauxhall Astra
But I am open to suggestions. I really like the Lexus and its a firm favourite after looking at one, but I am unsure of what else I could get. I am not a fan of Audi, Ford. I do like Mercedes C class but I am unsure what the petrol engines are like, as most people recommend the diesel engines, in the C class.
C30 boot is tiny, and the petrol options are most poor, like them though
BMW 120i - engine not very reliable, a decent 125i coupe can be had for £8K
Astra GTC - drive quite nicely & amazing value
underphil said:
IS250 mpg will be pretty poor despite only being a 2.5
C30 boot is tiny, and the petrol options are most poor, like them though
BMW 120i - engine not very reliable, a decent 125i coupe can be had for £8K
Astra GTC - drive quite nicely & amazing value
Lexus IS is not that bad I don’t think. I’ve not seen the boot on it but I like the styling but would look at another model by Volvo. I think if I went for a 3.0 BMW I would try a 130 because of the rare factor, but then you pay for a premium in tax and the cost of maintaining it. Astra GTC looks quite nice but they do have a tendency to drop in price. They are also quite common.C30 boot is tiny, and the petrol options are most poor, like them though
BMW 120i - engine not very reliable, a decent 125i coupe can be had for £8K
Astra GTC - drive quite nicely & amazing value
Based on my sample size of 1 I'd steer clear of the scirroco.
The interior is very dark and cramped, the boot lip is massive making it near unusable, the ride was unnecessarily harsh and was very diesel like in its delivery. No redeeming features over a golf which is cheaper to buy an nicer too be in.
C class coupe I like but they do feel 'cheap' compared to their price.
Lexus I like but have never been in one, be aware rear seats do not fold forward, one major reason for me not looking at them for myself.
The interior is very dark and cramped, the boot lip is massive making it near unusable, the ride was unnecessarily harsh and was very diesel like in its delivery. No redeeming features over a golf which is cheaper to buy an nicer too be in.
C class coupe I like but they do feel 'cheap' compared to their price.
Lexus I like but have never been in one, be aware rear seats do not fold forward, one major reason for me not looking at them for myself.
MrAverage said:
Based on my sample size of 1 I'd steer clear of the scirroco.
The interior is very dark and cramped, the boot lip is massive making it near unusable, the ride was unnecessarily harsh and was very diesel like in its delivery. No redeeming features over a golf which is cheaper to buy an nicer too be in.
C class coupe I like but they do feel 'cheap' compared to their price.
Lexus, I like but have never been in one, be aware rear seats do not fold forward, one major reason for me not looking at them for myself.
I don't mind the Scirocco, but I do like a Golf, but its finding a nice one. I like the look of a C Class Coupe but I've not sat in one or drove one. I am not fussed about the Lexus seats folding down.The interior is very dark and cramped, the boot lip is massive making it near unusable, the ride was unnecessarily harsh and was very diesel like in its delivery. No redeeming features over a golf which is cheaper to buy an nicer too be in.
C class coupe I like but they do feel 'cheap' compared to their price.
Lexus, I like but have never been in one, be aware rear seats do not fold forward, one major reason for me not looking at them for myself.
Why not actually go and look at some of these cars and see what you like the feel of. For example, by visiting a car supermarket where you can compare different models side by side, within your budget. Then, once you have whittled it down to one or two models you like, come back here and ask for owner opinions of things to look for specifically when buying used, and start shopping around for the best deals. To be honest you're all over the place at the moment and your criteria is very vague (reliable, nice to drive, decent on fuel and tax - who doesn't want those things?)
nmd87 said:
Why not actually go and look at some of these cars and see what you like the feel of. For example, by visiting a car supermarket where you can compare different models side by side, within your budget. Then, once you have whittled it down to one or two models you like, come back here and ask for owner opinions of things to look for specifically when buying used, and start shopping around for the best deals. To be honest, you're all over the place at the moment and your criteria is very vague (reliable, nice to drive, decent on fuel and tax - who doesn't want those things?)
I have been to see some of the cars, that I liked the look of, some I have not listed on here as I didn't like them, some included Fords, and a few Audi's. There are a few car supermarkets, but I have looked at them online, plus I know people who work in some in the North West so I usually ask them do they have any new stock. I am in no way a brand snob with cars, but I know whats cheap and what is decent ( you get what you pay for) hence why I won't look at anything French, or Fords as everyone has one, so when you sell them you get nothing for them, and the depreciation on the likes of Fords, Vauxhalls among popular brands is shocking. Yes, I know all cars depreciate, but I would be upset if I bought a brand new car. I have always had the opinion that you can buy some really nice cars, that is not a lot of money, but you pay a cost to maintain them.
I have written down some cars that I really like, but someone may come up with a car I have not thought of.
Lexus would get my vote, but in terms of astra - imho a seriously under rated car, cheap to repair, cheap to run.
I ran a astra (11 plate 2.0 CDTI manual) honestly, there is a difference between the golf I am in now on a 17 plate, but the gap is no way as big as people make out. The astra will feel a lot newer than the lexus for example, if looking at astra get one with sat nav so you have a usb. Plenty of astras around so you can be picky.
A astra GTC etc you will get a 3 year old easily for £8k, you will not get a 3 year old merc / lexus (probably nearer 6 years old?). Older cars may well have higher running costs, costlier problems.
My astra was serviced every year, no issues from 19k miles to 55k miles. Very comfortable on the motorway even on the 19's that came with the car and sri suspension (slightly firmer) although I would say get a elite if possible, better spec, not much more money.
I ran a astra (11 plate 2.0 CDTI manual) honestly, there is a difference between the golf I am in now on a 17 plate, but the gap is no way as big as people make out. The astra will feel a lot newer than the lexus for example, if looking at astra get one with sat nav so you have a usb. Plenty of astras around so you can be picky.
A astra GTC etc you will get a 3 year old easily for £8k, you will not get a 3 year old merc / lexus (probably nearer 6 years old?). Older cars may well have higher running costs, costlier problems.
My astra was serviced every year, no issues from 19k miles to 55k miles. Very comfortable on the motorway even on the 19's that came with the car and sri suspension (slightly firmer) although I would say get a elite if possible, better spec, not much more money.
gazza5 said:
Lexus would get my vote, but in terms of astra - imho a seriously under rated car, cheap to repair, cheap to run.
I ran a astra (11 plate 2.0 CDTI manual) honestly, there is a difference between the golf I am in now on a 17 plate, but the gap is no way as big as people make out. The astra will feel a lot newer than the lexus for example, if looking at astra get one with sat nav so you have a usb. Plenty of astras around so you can be picky.
A astra GTC etc you will get a 3 year old easily for £8k, you will not get a 3 year old merc / lexus (probably nearer 6 years old?). Older cars may well have higher running costs, costlier problems.
My astra was serviced every year, no issues from 19k miles to 55k miles. Very comfortable on the motorway even on the 19's that came with the car and sri suspension (slightly firmer) although I would say get a elite if possible, better spec, not much more money.
Yes, the Astra looks okay? Which petrol model would you go for? I like the VXR but it's out of my budget. I am still considering a Scirocco but I am unsure on the specs, as people I know who have had one get a diesel. I ran a astra (11 plate 2.0 CDTI manual) honestly, there is a difference between the golf I am in now on a 17 plate, but the gap is no way as big as people make out. The astra will feel a lot newer than the lexus for example, if looking at astra get one with sat nav so you have a usb. Plenty of astras around so you can be picky.
A astra GTC etc you will get a 3 year old easily for £8k, you will not get a 3 year old merc / lexus (probably nearer 6 years old?). Older cars may well have higher running costs, costlier problems.
My astra was serviced every year, no issues from 19k miles to 55k miles. Very comfortable on the motorway even on the 19's that came with the car and sri suspension (slightly firmer) although I would say get a elite if possible, better spec, not much more money.
So had a look at a C30, really liked it. Driving it was okay, but it could do with a turbo.But I think my money would be better spent elsewhere. So I’ve decided to find either a golf or scirocco, the astra is a nice car, I think they are quite common, then I probably would regret not looking into saving more and getting a VXR.
I’m liking the Lexus that I went to see last weekend. So it’s a firm favourite up to now. But does anyone else have any other recommendations?
I’m liking the Lexus that I went to see last weekend. So it’s a firm favourite up to now. But does anyone else have any other recommendations?
Gassing Station | Car Buying | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff