Sold car, bad times.

Author
Discussion

stewjohnst

2,442 posts

160 months

Monday 8th October 2012
quotequote all
I'd agree with Papa...not so much on the two seater mayhem but on a good solid e39 five series.

It's comfy, family friendly size and safe wise - Plus it's rwd and they handle well fir barges.

You'll get about 30 mpg or slightly better from a 528 on the motorway down to about 23-25 mpg for the 540.

Toys and spec vary as they had limited standard kit so search around to get heated/sports seats, sunroof, tv, etc.

Also avoid the 540 protections - They're armoured versions of the 540 with bullet proof glass and the like...kind of saps performance smile

stewjohnst

2,442 posts

160 months

Monday 8th October 2012
quotequote all
double post

Mr AJ

1,247 posts

170 months

Monday 8th October 2012
quotequote all
rufusgti said:
Really?

I'm not convinced.
I've just gone from a Clio (Albeit 1.2, Rather than a 182!) to a 1.8 Zetec focus. Cost me £500 with 12months test + 6months tax so can't really knock it. It's fantastic as a family car, and alright to drive.. But nowhere near the fun the 182 would be.

Plenty of Focus ST170's will be in that price range though.

If you'd like to stick with something french, Could the budget stretch to a Megane 225? Theres a couple cropping up between £3-4k now:

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Renault-Megane-2-0T-225-...


theironduke

6,995 posts

187 months

Monday 8th October 2012
quotequote all
I sold my Chimaera a couple of weeks ago, felt thoroughly rubbish about it....BUT i've now decided what I want next and will soon fill the void smile

There are soooo many awesome cars out there! One thing this country is good for!

SpeckledJim

31,608 posts

252 months

Monday 8th October 2012
quotequote all
Gooly said:
Nissan Primera GT - 150BHP, great handling
Bingo!

rufusgti

Original Poster:

2,528 posts

191 months

Monday 8th October 2012
quotequote all
stewjohnst said:
I'd agree with Papa...not so much on the two seater mayhem but on a good solid e39 five series.

It's comfy, family friendly size and safe wise - Plus it's rwd and they handle well fir barges.

You'll get about 30 mpg or slightly better from a 528 on the motorway down to about 23-25 mpg for the 540.

Toys and spec vary as they had limited standard kit so search around to get heated/sports seats, sunroof, tv, etc.

Also avoid the 540 protections - They're armoured versions of the 540 with bullet proof glass and the like...kind of saps performance smile
Already been looking at 540's
Very nice. I'm just not sure they're what I need. A little bit flash maybe.

edo

16,699 posts

264 months

Monday 8th October 2012
quotequote all
No idea what mpg these do - might get close on a run?

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2012...



Alfa Romeo 156 2.0 JTS Veloce 2 4dr Saloon 2005
50,000
4 Door Saloon, Petrol, one owner from new, VGC, no accidents or knocks,full sevice history, low mileage, leather interior, climate control AC, CD/radio, metallic paint, 1 years MOT. œ2,250

vrsmxtb

2,002 posts

155 months

Monday 8th October 2012
quotequote all
Mk1 Octavia VRS 1.8T - huge boot, estate would be an almost perfect family car. 37mpg should just be achievable.

C.A.R.

3,967 posts

187 months

Monday 8th October 2012
quotequote all
Anything VAG Golf based will bore the socks off you if you are coming from a hot Clio!

I don't 'get' the whole fascination with the Focus. It handled 'ok' but whilst it was predictable and neutral it was boring. It also sports one of the worst driving positions I have ever had the displeasure of owning! Mine didn't last me long.

A Honda Accord Type R ticks all the boxes but I don't think the 2.2 will do great mpg and it can have gearbox issues - but they're vastly better than any Golf/Leon/Octavia IMO.

Honestly can't think of anything else right now...

edo

16,699 posts

264 months

Monday 8th October 2012
quotequote all
Bit of haggling should get close.

Only 1 owner. Private sale. Just serviced. Low mileage, 4wd, turbo, lots of space for kids stuff. Job done.

Subaru Impreza 2.0 WRX 4WD 5dr [SR] Sportwagon 2002

One owner ( I am the first); 36,600 miles; just had a Subaru service; full Subaru service history; Prodrive Performance Pack, but otherwise unmodified; GPS tracker; very good condition and much loved, but not being used much, now that we have a Legacy estate (hence sale). ϣ3,650



jjones

4,422 posts

192 months

Monday 8th October 2012
quotequote all
SpeckledJim said:
Bingo!
thirded - used to regularly get 35-37mpg from my 1994 eGT. cracking car.

omgus

7,305 posts

174 months

Monday 8th October 2012
quotequote all
Another vote for a 5 door ST170. Great fun, not too thirsty and above all a mk1 focus. In fact a mk1 focus with different geo and suspension settings that enable it to hoon with the best of them in the twisties without being uncomfortable the rest of the time. And the seats are much comfier than the standard models.

Pesty

42,655 posts

255 months

Monday 8th October 2012
quotequote all
rufusgti said:
Over the weekend I came round to the reality that a 3 dr Clio 172 cup wasn't ideal for the life with a 3 month old baby. After 2 years with the Clio I reckon it's probably the most fun you can have for the money. Absolutely loved it.
So I put in on eBay on Sunday and took a deposit today for more than I expected to get.
So now I need a 4 door car. That can do 37mpg all day long and be fairly good fun. I'm a little stuck.

Is there a life after Clio cup?

Will I ever enjoy driving as much?
I managed with a CRX with 2 kids. Get another clio.


When I got rid of the Subaru to buy a diesel golf I swear I had a period of being manically depressed.


If I was you I'd stretch to an Integra Type r or maybe an Accord type R

http://classifieds.pistonheads.com/classifieds/use...


Edited by Pesty on Monday 8th October 22:54

simoid

19,772 posts

157 months

Monday 8th October 2012
quotequote all
rufusgti said:
Already been looking at 540's
Very nice. I'm just not sure they're what I need. A little bit flash maybe.
Was reading somewhere else on here that there's not much difference between a 530 and 540 "in the real world".

Apart from perhaps MPG smile

oldcynic

2,166 posts

160 months

Monday 8th October 2012
quotequote all
Papa Hotel said:
Bisonhead said:
Ha Ha, I love this forum sometimes. Chap posts a question asking what 4 door car that will average 37 mpg and he gets that lot!

Top searching though Papa Hotel!
wink

Just getting in before 300bhp/ton comes along.
OP will be needing a 9 seat Defender then?

Zebrs

461 posts

191 months

Monday 8th October 2012
quotequote all
Mr AJ said:
If you'd like to stick with something french, Could the budget stretch to a Megane 225? Theres a couple cropping up between £3-4k now:

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Renault-Megane-2-0T-225-...
Second vote for a 225, I'm amazed. My non turbo version, while also managing to be the most hateful car I have ever owned struggled to get 30mpg. I would have thought bolting a turbo would see 25mpg tops.

OP, I loved my FF 172, but there is life beyond!

stewjohnst

2,442 posts

160 months

Monday 8th October 2012
quotequote all
simoid said:
Was reading somewhere else on here that there's not much difference between a 530 and 540 "in the real world".

Apart from perhaps MPG smile
I noticed the difference between a 535 and a 540, bit more sluggish off the line, not quite as effortless oomph on the motorway. That said, in everyday driving the 535 was more than adequate for most things and a little better on mpg.

clunkbox

237 posts

139 months

Monday 8th October 2012
quotequote all
How do you feel about diesel, even if it's RWD?

e36 325tds £1k, 37mpg heavy foot a road driving, 40+ on the motorway.
e46 320d / 330d £2-3k, 320d does 40-50mpg depending on how much you boot it*, never had a 330d but they aren't much worse.

Whatever you do don't make the mistake of buying a MKIV Golf / Bora like I did.

*I've managed 50mpg once in 45k miles - 45 is more achievable
driving

danjama

5,728 posts

141 months

Monday 8th October 2012
quotequote all
edo said:
Bit of haggling should get close.

Only 1 owner. Private sale. Just serviced. Low mileage, 4wd, turbo, lots of space for kids stuff. Job done.

Subaru Impreza 2.0 WRX 4WD 5dr [SR] Sportwagon 2002

One owner ( I am the first); 36,600 miles; just had a Subaru service; full Subaru service history; Prodrive Performance Pack, but otherwise unmodified; GPS tracker; very good condition and much loved, but not being used much, now that we have a Legacy estate (hence sale). ϣ3,650


BUY THIS BUY THIS

H_Kan

4,942 posts

198 months

Monday 8th October 2012
quotequote all
E46 330i saloon or touring would fit the bill imo.

Plenty practical enough for just the one child, lovely balanced chassis with a creamy six pot at the front.

Not too bad on the upkeep and will do 35mpg on a run if driven sensibly and 25mpg around town. Surprisingly economical.

Not much difference amongst the six pot BMW engines in terms of fuel economy but far better performance from the 3.0.

Should be able to get an earlier one for £3k, especially if you are happy to go for SE spec.