practical economical cars that show you haven't given up yet

practical economical cars that show you haven't given up yet

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Discussion

village idiot

Original Poster:

3,158 posts

268 months

Tuesday 28th February 2012
quotequote all
hopefully gonna kick out a sprog next year... have already got rid of the porker, so now just have the vw t5 camper (which will stay for ever) and a new shape mini.

the mini is about as practical as something that isn't very practical, so that will go.

the spec will be sub £8k, 5-door or ideally estate, ideally an auto, ideally leather and ideally a small petrol (1.8 or similar). the missus commutes 45 miles a day, so the idea of a small petrol engine compensates for economy against fuel prices (which are quite silly for diesel).

i'm currently thinking BMW 3-series touring or possible 1-series. an audi a4 avant may also hit the mark

what else is there?... i don't want to feel as though i have given up on cars (so nothing french, nothing mpv, nothing ford/vauxhall/beige).

an alfa 156 gta sportwagen would be great, but that falls way off the mark on economy!

i would absolutely love a skoda yeti, but i can't see these being sensible money for a long time yet!

gtdc

4,259 posts

284 months

Tuesday 28th February 2012
quotequote all
3 series touring is a very nice car.

CaptainSensib1e

1,434 posts

222 months

Tuesday 28th February 2012
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Would an Alfa 159 fall into budget? I'm pretty sure you can get them with a 1.8 engine.

Caruso

7,437 posts

257 months

Tuesday 28th February 2012
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Having something practical and economical shows you have given up. Don't fight it, or if you do want to fight it get a 540i Estate. biggrin

slipstream 1985

12,229 posts

180 months

Tuesday 28th February 2012
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audi rs2?

Captain Muppet

8,540 posts

266 months

Tuesday 28th February 2012
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village idiot said:
hopefully gonna kick out a sprog next year...
Many years ago I got rid of my MR2 because kids were going to be on the way. I replaced it with a 200SX (twice as many seats and a huge boot) but in the end I got a divorce instead of children. I replaced the 200SX with another MR2.

So the moral of the story is: it takes less time to buy a new car than it does to grow a child. Wait until you can see the head before selling something you like and replacing it with something you resent.

Also try fitting a child seat in something fun before assuming you need a massive dull boat of a car.

Fat Albert

1,392 posts

182 months

Tuesday 28th February 2012
quotequote all
I can fit two kids and the dog in my Porsche....

B Huey

4,881 posts

200 months

Tuesday 28th February 2012
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village idiot said:
Nothing french, nothing mpv
Renault Avantime.

busta

4,504 posts

234 months

Tuesday 28th February 2012
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Fat Albert said:
I can fit two kids and the dog in my Porsche....
Bit harsh, I'm sure your wife's not that bad!

ukmike2000

476 posts

169 months

Tuesday 28th February 2012
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Cheap Cat C repaired 2007 Merc C180 estate on Auto Trader for 7500


m44kts

801 posts

201 months

Tuesday 28th February 2012
quotequote all
Audi A4 Avant 2.0t. Superb all rounder.

Fairly big inside, handled well enough, went well having just shy of 200bhp and returned 40mpg if driven carefully on the motorway.

Still a handsome motor

Comfy leather