My Car History
Discussion
Having been a member for a few years I thought it was about time I posted up my (admittedly rather short) car history.
My cars aren't anyway near as exciting or expensive as some on here but I've loved each of them for different reasons!
First up was a 54 plate Fiat Punto 1.2 8v Active Sport. Loved this car and learnt to drive in it so will always remember it fondly! Only bought it as it came about at the right time - I took over the last 6months of PCP payments as a family member wanted a change! Sadly only have the one pic as my laptop died and wiped almost every pic I had.
After the 3 years PCP agreement was finished (and incidentally one month before my driving test) I decided to part/ex it for an 06 plate Fiat Grande Punto Sporting.
It was the 1.9tdi 130bhp version, so was quite a step up from the 1.2 8v but still not exactly fast. I ended up loving this even more than the first Punto - passed my test in it then did over 30k in two years in it, changing a few bits along the way and generally loving driving. I have literally hundreds of pics of this one but will only post a few.
After two years I yearned for something a bit more exciting so set about looking for a replacement. I settled on this - a 2004 Mazda RX8.
Really enjoyed this car and it taught me a lot in the short time I had it. After 9 months I decided I'd had enough of the high running costs, plus the silly insurance as I was only 21 when I bought it. A few more pics
This was sold and I decided to go back to dirty diesel. Spotted this in my local Audi dealer and had to have it. It's an A3 2.0tdi 170bhp S-Line Quattro. Completely different to the RX8 but I actually prefer this to it - love the torque and also happen to think it looks awesome.
Also took this all over the UK for various weekends away with the girlfriend and experienced driving on some sensational roads.
Things have changed recently and I've now moved in to my own place, which is a lot closer to work. The car is currently averaging about 33-34mpg due to the short journeys. This along with approx £250 tax, a high insurance premium and an impending major service and four new tyres due has found me looking for a replacement. Although I know a smaller petrol engine would be a good solution (and I have looked at loads ranging from Fiat 500's to Seat Leon 1.2 Tsi) I am sticking with diesel.
I have just put a deposit on this which is to be delivered to my local BMW on Tuesday. Pics are from the dealers site.
It's a 58 plate 118d 3dr M-Sport. Got a few extras which I wanted, although it is missing Xenons which I may retrofit at some point.
Thanks for reading if you've got this far. Any comments, criticism or questions are welcome!
My cars aren't anyway near as exciting or expensive as some on here but I've loved each of them for different reasons!
First up was a 54 plate Fiat Punto 1.2 8v Active Sport. Loved this car and learnt to drive in it so will always remember it fondly! Only bought it as it came about at the right time - I took over the last 6months of PCP payments as a family member wanted a change! Sadly only have the one pic as my laptop died and wiped almost every pic I had.
After the 3 years PCP agreement was finished (and incidentally one month before my driving test) I decided to part/ex it for an 06 plate Fiat Grande Punto Sporting.
It was the 1.9tdi 130bhp version, so was quite a step up from the 1.2 8v but still not exactly fast. I ended up loving this even more than the first Punto - passed my test in it then did over 30k in two years in it, changing a few bits along the way and generally loving driving. I have literally hundreds of pics of this one but will only post a few.
After two years I yearned for something a bit more exciting so set about looking for a replacement. I settled on this - a 2004 Mazda RX8.
Really enjoyed this car and it taught me a lot in the short time I had it. After 9 months I decided I'd had enough of the high running costs, plus the silly insurance as I was only 21 when I bought it. A few more pics
This was sold and I decided to go back to dirty diesel. Spotted this in my local Audi dealer and had to have it. It's an A3 2.0tdi 170bhp S-Line Quattro. Completely different to the RX8 but I actually prefer this to it - love the torque and also happen to think it looks awesome.
Also took this all over the UK for various weekends away with the girlfriend and experienced driving on some sensational roads.
Things have changed recently and I've now moved in to my own place, which is a lot closer to work. The car is currently averaging about 33-34mpg due to the short journeys. This along with approx £250 tax, a high insurance premium and an impending major service and four new tyres due has found me looking for a replacement. Although I know a smaller petrol engine would be a good solution (and I have looked at loads ranging from Fiat 500's to Seat Leon 1.2 Tsi) I am sticking with diesel.
I have just put a deposit on this which is to be delivered to my local BMW on Tuesday. Pics are from the dealers site.
It's a 58 plate 118d 3dr M-Sport. Got a few extras which I wanted, although it is missing Xenons which I may retrofit at some point.
Thanks for reading if you've got this far. Any comments, criticism or questions are welcome!
doodles19 said:
Nice write up.
I always thought that retro fitting xenons was a bit of a no-no requires completely different wiring, or at least thats what I was told at the dealers.
Very possibly mate, was just a thought. If not then I'll just upgrade all of the bulbs.I always thought that retro fitting xenons was a bit of a no-no requires completely different wiring, or at least thats what I was told at the dealers.
Cheers for the kind words.
PlayersNo6 said:
Some nice cars there.
Why change the Audi for the 1 Series though? Audi looks much nicer (IMO). Surely cost to change would have easily covered a set of tyres and a service?
TBH on looks alone the A3 is nicer. And yes the cost to change is more. However the A3 was paid off so had a big chunk of cash tied up in it.Why change the Audi for the 1 Series though? Audi looks much nicer (IMO). Surely cost to change would have easily covered a set of tyres and a service?
I have financed the 1series with a PCP. This way I got a cheque back to clear a rather large credit card bill, put a decent deposit down on the Beemer and the remainder will pay the finance on the Beemer. It'll give me a chance to build my savings back up again.
Plus the 1 series is cheaper to run. £30 per year to tax compared to approx £250. Half the mileage plus a warranty, which had just expired on the Audi. Insurance is almost £300 cheaper, plus from a test run on my daily commute the MPG will increase from just over 30 to around 45mpg.
Lets Torque said:
I really like your car history.
I really like your Punto Sporting and I like the A3.
Then again I like the RX-8..
Why didn't you get a red 1 Series.
Great cars you have had there!
Haha, I actually wanted a red one but the GF also uses this occasionally and she wanted a black one. So we had a long discussion about colours, then decided she was right!I really like your Punto Sporting and I like the A3.
Then again I like the RX-8..
Why didn't you get a red 1 Series.
Great cars you have had there!
robsco said:
The little Sporting comortably steals the show here. It looks absolutely fantastic, one of the best looking small hatchbacks in recent years. I forgot just how good red cars can look too, there's some fantastic mirror-finish paintwork there.
I have to agree mate, its definitely my favourite car I've owned. In fact, within a few weeks if getting rid of it for the RX8 I regretted it and wanted to swap back!And cheers for the comments regarding paintwork - I like to keep them looking there best. In fact, the last time the Sporting was serviced by Fiat they commented that it was in better condition than when they sold it to me, over 30k miles earlier!
GPS M-Jet said:
I have to agree mate, its definitely my favourite car I've owned. In fact, within a few weeks if getting rid of it for the RX8 I regretted it and wanted to swap back!
And cheers for the comments regarding paintwork - I like to keep them looking there best. In fact, the last time the Sporting was serviced by Fiat they commented that it was in better condition than when they sold it to me, over 30k miles earlier!
Red can just look so damn good with a bit of elbow grease. And cheers for the comments regarding paintwork - I like to keep them looking there best. In fact, the last time the Sporting was serviced by Fiat they commented that it was in better condition than when they sold it to me, over 30k miles earlier!
GPS M-Jet said:
I'm a little nervous about the new one as it's the first black car I've owned - looking forward to the challenge of keeping it clean and shiny!
I suppose it is a little trickier than red to kepp on top of, but the rewards are just as good when you've put the time in. That's why I'm going to try not to buy colours like silver or grey from now on. You can put hours into them, even days, pruning them. But you just don't get that same finish you get from something like a red or a black car.robsco said:
I suppose it is a little trickier than red to kepp on top of, but the rewards are just as good when you've put the time in. That's why I'm going to try not to buy colours like silver or grey from now on. You can put hours into them, even days, pruning them. But you just don't get that same finish you get from something like a red or a black car.
Previously keeping them clean wasn't an issue, as I had a big driveway and garage. I now have my own apartment which has no facilities to wash etc. Now I steal a spot on any driveway that will have accommodate me, just to give the car a wash!Some nice ones there M-Jet.
I've always liked the A3, perhaps I should consider this for my next car. Oh, hang on a mo, it's FWD isn't it? Forget I said that then.
Can't say I like the looks of the 1-Series, still when you're driving it you don't have to look at it! And being a BMW I'm sure it will be great to drive. Welcome back to the world of RWD - you know it makes sense.
I've always liked the A3, perhaps I should consider this for my next car. Oh, hang on a mo, it's FWD isn't it? Forget I said that then.
Can't say I like the looks of the 1-Series, still when you're driving it you don't have to look at it! And being a BMW I'm sure it will be great to drive. Welcome back to the world of RWD - you know it makes sense.
Evangelion said:
Some nice ones there M-Jet.
I've always liked the A3, perhaps I should consider this for my next car. Oh, hang on a mo, it's FWD isn't it? Forget I said that then.
Can't say I like the looks of the 1-Series, still when you're driving it you don't have to look at it! And being a BMW I'm sure it will be great to drive. Welcome back to the world of RWD - you know it makes sense.
I do like the looks of the 1 series, with the exception of the 5 door. I think the 3 door looks far better in the metal that it does in pictures.I've always liked the A3, perhaps I should consider this for my next car. Oh, hang on a mo, it's FWD isn't it? Forget I said that then.
Can't say I like the looks of the 1-Series, still when you're driving it you don't have to look at it! And being a BMW I'm sure it will be great to drive. Welcome back to the world of RWD - you know it makes sense.
With regards to RWD, I honestly cant say I missed it that much. Let the flaming commence.
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