Warm Saloon ~£1-2k

[43034]

Good evening all.

I have just realised that I will be able to afford a new car this August when my renewal comes in! Seeing as I will only be 18 with 1yrs NCB I am still quite limited but I'm getting bored of my Fiesta. Any hatch with mild power is a complete no go, due to the statistics I suppose. As are most Coupes (well, except Saabs!) but I have noticed I can insure certain Saloons that will be plenty quick enough for me.

However, my knowledge is limited so will be after some suggestions from PHers! Fuel economy not important as I walk to work. But the big thing I am worried about is the Bork Factor, will it ruin me in repairs?

The types of cars I am looking at (which I can also afford to insure) to give you an idea are as follows:

Mondeo ST24 (I know it's a hatch not a saloon, but not the conventional hatch shape)
Audi A4 (1.8T 150bhp model)
Audi 80 (Either 2.0 sport or the 2.6/8 V6)
Saab 900 2.0T

Any help will be a appreciated and yes I know it's early, but I'm excited at the prospect of a new motor!

[sparkythecat]

So, what's the highest insurance group that you can afford to be in?

[Eighteeteewhy]

ETA....missed the saloon part still a bargain though

[JayTee94]

Most of those choices must be way to new for you.

What age are you looking for? Have you considered a BMW (E46) 318i.

[Yiliterate]

43034 said:

Saab 900 2.0T

Which 900 are you looking at? The Classic or the latter version? If the latter, £1-2k will see you into a newer 9-3 FPT, even an HOT...though not sure how the insurance would look on that!

[NadiR]

Try getting a quote on a MG ZT or ZS, you never know how cheap/expensive it can be.

[Fatman2]

I have a rather nice 52 plate Saab 93 2.0t auto that's been checked over by Saabtech, Stevenage and given the thumbs up. It's a shame that I'll be selling it before Aug but she's a minter and with a reasonable 80k on the clock too.



I'd say there were still a few about and they're not bad at all. Plenty warm enough for you and the turbo makes life interesting when in sport mode. Not the best handler but decent enough.

If you decide on one of these just make sure the usual suspects are checked i.e. sump, bulkhead etc. Plenty of info on the web.

Best of luck!

[mike9009]

http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/3622060.htm

[chrisxr2]

Me likey, what model is it??

Eighteeteewhy said:

ETA....missed the saloon part still a bargain though

[oj121]

Primera GT?

[Baryonyx]

Eighteeteewhy said:

ETA....missed the saloon part still a bargain though

You don't see many of these around, you'll be lucky to find one for the £2000 that is in decent shape!

The Mondeo ST24 seems a good shout, there is another young lad on here who has one of these and he likes it, if I recall correctly. I love Fords, though I much prefer the Mondeo ST200 to the ST24.

[twazzock]

JayTee94 said:

What age are you looking for? Have you considered a BMW (E46) 318i.

Warm saloon ... 4-pot E46.

LOL



Can you get an Octavia VRS (I know it's a hatch...) for under £2k these days?

[Chris944_S2]

Alfa 164 3.0 V6 24V.
Now I know its an early 90s alfa so you'll be worried about reliability and what's not, but underneath its a Saab 9000 and the one I had was much more reliable than any German car I've owned. Less rusty too (only car I've ever had without the slightest hint of rust).
Gives you 211 horses, a gorgeous engine note and IMHO a very underrated saloon car

[Digby]

Accord Type R for me, probably.

http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/3655758.htm

[Somnophore]

Bit left field but not sure if would be better Insurance as not a boy racer car

Volvo S60 easily get a 2.0T for £2k or less. T5 be too much to insure

[Baryonyx]

Digby said:

Accord Type R for me, probably.

http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/3655758.htm

Great cars, though definitely getting 'hot' as opposed to 'warm'. I suspect that Type R badge might put the insurers off too, though if it was feasible this would be a great choice.

[FloppyRaccoon]

sparkythecat said:

So, what's the highest insurance group that you can afford to be in?

Insurance groups are a very rough guide for young drivers, from my experience anyway.

[FreeLitres]

Jag X-Type 3.0 Manual.

0-60 in 6.6 secs, but cheap insurance as stupid people think "it's an old mans car".

[hardcorehobbit]

Toledo V5. Could be possibly cheap enough to insure?

Or perhaps, god forbid, a Vectra SRi? Primera is a good bet, even the cooking models with a 2.0 have 130bhp.

[Baryonyx]

Somnophore said:

Bit left field but not sure if would be better Insurance as not a boy racer car

Volvo S60 easily get a 2.0T for £2k or less. T5 be too much to insure

Yes, this is a great suggestion. I used to have one of these and they are a superb car. Quite quick, definitely quick enough to go about your daily busines (180bhp). Very comfortable, refined and good handlers too. The T5 is obviously better, but a lot more to insure and even worse on the fuel!


As for the thing about which insurance group the OP can afford, I often find it has little bearing on the actual prices you receive.

After all, I'm on the wrong side of 25, and my MR2 Turbo is group 20 and a grey import. That should mean insurers hate it, but they don't, probably because their statistics for it are fairly 'low risk'. On the other hand, a UK Subaru Impreza WRX at group 17 will be at least £400 a year more to insure, in spite of everything in your logical mind saying it should cost less!