What car? Indecisive fools thread - Page 1 - Car Buying

PistonHeads » Gassing Station » General Gassing » Car Buying

What car? Indecisive fools thread

My Profile My Preferences My Mates

Search My Stuff

What's New 3 12 24 72

OP Posts Only

Author

Discussion

Djh91

Original Poster

15 posts

94 months

[report]

[news]

Saturday 28th January 2023

Ok so with a new job immanent I fancy a new car, and I have too many trains of thought and too many cars i want.. figured some input from PH'ers will either make it worse or solve it, so why not try!

It's a 38 mile round trip daily nearly all lanes.

Budget of up to 10k possible, however would be happier spending less. Ideally around the high 30's to 40's MPG Wise. Current Audi does 30-35, 40 if im making effort.

Easy to work on myself is a bonus, i generally fix all my own cars.

Bluetooth and a decent stereo system is a big bonus, currently Audi has a Bose system and its great.

Currently using a 2010 2.0 TFSI Audi A3 which is a good little daily and in reality i have no reason to part with it.. im just an idiot.

I have 3 main trains of thought:

A fun hot hatch, my current A3 is relatively nippy at 250BHP but its dull to drive spiritedly, poor chassis for it really but its a comfy place to be.

Megane 250 - Stretches the budget a bit to get a good one

Clio 197 - More affordable

Both of these i like the idea of it, fun little hot hatch to throw around lanes to work but still relatively good mpg/reliable, the downside is the interior. I hate the Renaults interiors.

Alfa Giulietta - Love an alfa.. see a lot about them but im not sure it's fun/engaging enough to justify having a manual, feels like it'd do exactly the same job as my current A3.

BMW 1 Series - Bit more engaging than my current Audi to maybe justify an manual box and a better chassis to throw around?

Peugeot 208 GTi? Know very little about them but heard only good things

Second train of thought is a comfy wafter, i like an auto and the idea of a relaxing auto with a nice stereo appeals, the list of possible is bigger here.

Saab 9-3/9-5 - Owned a 9-3 Auto before and it was fantastic, comfiest seats, smooth and reliable, downside is there is less of them about now and finding a good one is getting harder, also there at an age where little bits are needed more frequently.

Volvo V50 - Swedish goodness for what seems like a cheap price now, cant say I've ever driven one but they look very comfy and i guess you see a lot on the road for a reason.

Jaguar XF - Stretching the budget here but hell of a lot of car for the money? I see two polarising opinions on these, many say they're great value for money now others say avoid JLR at all costs of this era, i think in reality with my budget i wouldnt be getting a good one so may be worth avoiding.

BMW E91 Estate - Really like the look of them, seem to be very reliable and could happily waft around in a 320D. Finding it hard not to see this as the best all around option for a comfy wafter.

Alfa 159 TI Sportwagon - I know its not an auto.. but i love an Alfa and the 195 TI Sportwagon makes my private parts tingle.

Final train of thought is a Truck, in the past few years ive had both a Hilux surf and a Navara and quite enjoyed them both, i guess the downside to the truck route is i accept lower MPG and i can live with that.

It would also have to be something with fully independent rear suspension ideally, the ride quality of the surf which had the land cruiser running gear was hugely noticeable over the very farm like Navara.

I would also potentially utilize the truck as a weekend day camper type thing so that gives it added value for me.

Mitsubishi Shogun - Seems to be the best option, a good sorted 3.2 DI-D LWB, well specced for the money, they have nice interiors and a comfy autobox, only downside would be poor MPG.

Nissan Patrol, bit ugly but good reliable truck?

Land Cruiser? Silly money for an old 90's Truck but known for being bulletproof and I don't see them losing value any time soon.

Another Navara? I had a D22 older shape, does the D44 ride any better? Seem good value for money (I guess people are put off by the chassis snapping with rust, id guess any of that era/problem are probably gone/fixed by now?)

I know I haven't mentioned a lot of good options, Ford/Vauxhall etc, as good as they may be just doesn't tickle my pickle.

I think of the 3 train of thoughts im leaning towards a comfy auto wafter. In reality if my A3 was auto id probably keep it, its not 'fun' enough to justify being a manual for me.

Also finally.. yes i did consider an MX5! I currently own a Mk1 as a weekend/project car so i dont want another, couldn't live with 2 seats as my main daily and lack of boot space, i buy too much crap.

Rant over, told you im a fool, all feedback welcomed!

ZX10R NIN

30,401 posts

152 months

[report]

[news]

Saturday 28th January 2023