My current fleet
Discussion
Just thought I'd introduce you to my three-car fleet (although one isn't technically mine, more of that later). Apologies in advance if some of the pics are a bit ropey.
OH's car: Honda Jazz 1.4 Sport
I bought this for my wife in 2005 brand new, went for the sport version as it looks nicer. This model is fairly rare, especially with the spoiler and side skirts. I am glad I chose this spec though as the Jazz has built up a reputation for being a car for the older generation, like most Hondas I suppose.
No, the red paint hasn't faded - just my camera!
Despite the iffy image, the Jazz has been a fantastic car, probably the best my wife has ever owned. It has now covered just over 40,000 miles and has never missed a beat, although some may say that this is what should be expected of a Honda. It is mainly used for commuting to and from work which is all town stuff, with the odd motorway/A-road jaunt, but still returns a constant 40mpg, and I have seen 55-60mpg on motorway runs. Don't be fooled by the exterior though; this is not a quick car - that's not to say it is painfully slow, but it's not the sort of thing to use for `nipping through city traffic`. The only other drawback is the lack of comfort at motorway speeds; at 70mph, the engine is spinning at 4000rpm, which added to the road noise makes it quite unpleasant over long distances. The OH wants a change next year, so I will be trading it in for something a bit quicker - Fiesta Zetec S, Swift Sport etc.
"My" car: VW Passat 2.0 TDI Highline
The Passat is my company car, so not technically mine, but that doesn't mean I'm not going to look after it. This is actually my third B6 (have had a lower spec 2.0 and a 1.9 estate previously), but this one is probably the best out of the three. I have had it for two years of the three year contract and it is perfect for my work needs.
Unlike the Jazz, this is an effortless motorway cruiser. The added bonus of heated leathers in this higher-spec trim makes it even more comfortable. In addition to that, I get 55mpg on the motorway, and for town driving it falls to around 40-45mpg, so whilst I don't have to pay for fuel, it is still very easy on the wallet. Yes, it is a fairly uninteresting drive, but it suits my work needs perfectly as a motorway mile-muncher, and it is competent enough on the twistier stuff. It also means that I can look forward to driving my fun car at weekends...
My weekend car: BMW M3 Coupe
After having owned a few Porsches previously, I decided that I needed something exciting again. I had been looking at E46 M3s for while, so in March 2010 I purchased this:
It is a 2003 facelift model that had only done 33,000 miles when I bought it. It was only the second car I looked at, but I found that it had only been used as a weekend toy throughout its life which made it perfect for what I would be using it for. Since then, I have covered 5,000 miles in it, all of which have been a joy. This truly is a great all-rounder - you can put it in 6th and it will cruise motorways all day long, returning 30mpg in the process. Alternatively, you can tear down your favourite road at barely legal speeds and it is a scintillating drive. It is also practical enough for all the family; it can seat 5 easily and has a big boot. The only negative is the slightly harsh ride around town, but I suppose that is to be expected of a performance car, and I do live in Sheffield after all.
The springs and balljoints have been replaced, which are a weak point of the car and a very common occurrence on E46s. Other than that, the handbrake warning sensor was faulty but I managed to sort that myself and otherwise there have been no issues whatsoever. I plan to keep it standard and probably run it until I can afford an E92 M3 (or 1M), at least that's what I'm telling myself!
Thanks for looking
OH's car: Honda Jazz 1.4 Sport
I bought this for my wife in 2005 brand new, went for the sport version as it looks nicer. This model is fairly rare, especially with the spoiler and side skirts. I am glad I chose this spec though as the Jazz has built up a reputation for being a car for the older generation, like most Hondas I suppose.
No, the red paint hasn't faded - just my camera!
Despite the iffy image, the Jazz has been a fantastic car, probably the best my wife has ever owned. It has now covered just over 40,000 miles and has never missed a beat, although some may say that this is what should be expected of a Honda. It is mainly used for commuting to and from work which is all town stuff, with the odd motorway/A-road jaunt, but still returns a constant 40mpg, and I have seen 55-60mpg on motorway runs. Don't be fooled by the exterior though; this is not a quick car - that's not to say it is painfully slow, but it's not the sort of thing to use for `nipping through city traffic`. The only other drawback is the lack of comfort at motorway speeds; at 70mph, the engine is spinning at 4000rpm, which added to the road noise makes it quite unpleasant over long distances. The OH wants a change next year, so I will be trading it in for something a bit quicker - Fiesta Zetec S, Swift Sport etc.
"My" car: VW Passat 2.0 TDI Highline
The Passat is my company car, so not technically mine, but that doesn't mean I'm not going to look after it. This is actually my third B6 (have had a lower spec 2.0 and a 1.9 estate previously), but this one is probably the best out of the three. I have had it for two years of the three year contract and it is perfect for my work needs.
Unlike the Jazz, this is an effortless motorway cruiser. The added bonus of heated leathers in this higher-spec trim makes it even more comfortable. In addition to that, I get 55mpg on the motorway, and for town driving it falls to around 40-45mpg, so whilst I don't have to pay for fuel, it is still very easy on the wallet. Yes, it is a fairly uninteresting drive, but it suits my work needs perfectly as a motorway mile-muncher, and it is competent enough on the twistier stuff. It also means that I can look forward to driving my fun car at weekends...
My weekend car: BMW M3 Coupe
After having owned a few Porsches previously, I decided that I needed something exciting again. I had been looking at E46 M3s for while, so in March 2010 I purchased this:
It is a 2003 facelift model that had only done 33,000 miles when I bought it. It was only the second car I looked at, but I found that it had only been used as a weekend toy throughout its life which made it perfect for what I would be using it for. Since then, I have covered 5,000 miles in it, all of which have been a joy. This truly is a great all-rounder - you can put it in 6th and it will cruise motorways all day long, returning 30mpg in the process. Alternatively, you can tear down your favourite road at barely legal speeds and it is a scintillating drive. It is also practical enough for all the family; it can seat 5 easily and has a big boot. The only negative is the slightly harsh ride around town, but I suppose that is to be expected of a performance car, and I do live in Sheffield after all.
The springs and balljoints have been replaced, which are a weak point of the car and a very common occurrence on E46s. Other than that, the handbrake warning sensor was faulty but I managed to sort that myself and otherwise there have been no issues whatsoever. I plan to keep it standard and probably run it until I can afford an E92 M3 (or 1M), at least that's what I'm telling myself!
Thanks for looking
Edited by Andrew Coates on Monday 8th August 08:32
M5Tom said:
I have to ask.......the 'SPORT' badge on the jazz......that's not an actual Honda badge is it?
Well done on the M3.
Haha, no it isn't! Well done on the M3.
I decided to put it on a) because it is a sport model which isn't acknowledged by Honda and b) because it reinforces the fact that this Jazz isn't driven by an old bloke Edited by Andrew Coates on Sunday 7th August 10:59
Great driveway!
I live in Chesterfield so I will keep an eye out for you.
I prefer this Passat to the new one that has just been released. I love the leather seats and it must be a great mile muncher as you say. Do you have any idea's on what to replace it with after next year?
The Jazz wouldn't have been my first choice as a town car but I guess in 2005 when you bought it most city cars were just about to be face-lifted and thus not wanting to get a car that would be dated as soon as you bought it.
That M3 is I think the best colour for the M3. Looks great!
Great choices in cars!
Edit: It is nice that even though the Passat is a company car you still take the time to look after it. My dad knew someone in the 90's that had a brand new Vauxcxhall Senator (sp?) and never cleaned it in the 3 years he had it. Anyway I have gone off topic. Sorry.
I live in Chesterfield so I will keep an eye out for you.
I prefer this Passat to the new one that has just been released. I love the leather seats and it must be a great mile muncher as you say. Do you have any idea's on what to replace it with after next year?
The Jazz wouldn't have been my first choice as a town car but I guess in 2005 when you bought it most city cars were just about to be face-lifted and thus not wanting to get a car that would be dated as soon as you bought it.
That M3 is I think the best colour for the M3. Looks great!
Great choices in cars!
Edit: It is nice that even though the Passat is a company car you still take the time to look after it. My dad knew someone in the 90's that had a brand new Vauxcxhall Senator (sp?) and never cleaned it in the 3 years he had it. Anyway I have gone off topic. Sorry.
Lets Torque said:
Great driveway!
I live in Chesterfield so I will keep an eye out for you.
I prefer this Passat to the new one that has just been released. I love the leather seats and it must be a great mile muncher as you say. Do you have any idea's on what to replace it with after next year?
The Jazz wouldn't have been my first choice as a town car but I guess in 2005 when you bought it most city cars were just about to be face-lifted and thus not wanting to get a car that would be dated as soon as you bought it.
That M3 is I think the best colour for the M3. Looks great!
Great choices in cars!
Edit: It is nice that even though the Passat is a company car you still take the time to look after it. My dad knew someone in the 90's that had a brand new Vauxcxhall Senator (sp?) and never cleaned it in the 3 years he had it. Anyway I have gone off topic. Sorry.
I'm not quite sure how much of a say I will have in what car I get next. Ideally, I would like a 3 series or the petrolhead in me says an Octavia vRS diesel, but I would not have a major problem if I had to have another Passat, because as I have said, they are perfect for my work needs. The main reason I look after it is because I hate driving around in a grubby car, no matter whose it is.I live in Chesterfield so I will keep an eye out for you.
I prefer this Passat to the new one that has just been released. I love the leather seats and it must be a great mile muncher as you say. Do you have any idea's on what to replace it with after next year?
The Jazz wouldn't have been my first choice as a town car but I guess in 2005 when you bought it most city cars were just about to be face-lifted and thus not wanting to get a car that would be dated as soon as you bought it.
That M3 is I think the best colour for the M3. Looks great!
Great choices in cars!
Edit: It is nice that even though the Passat is a company car you still take the time to look after it. My dad knew someone in the 90's that had a brand new Vauxcxhall Senator (sp?) and never cleaned it in the 3 years he had it. Anyway I have gone off topic. Sorry.
grrrQuick update:
We've now decided to sell the Jazz, so for those interested, it is here: http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/3195293.htm
For it's replacement, it is between a Mazda 2 Sport and a Fiesta Zetec S, thread running here about that: http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...
In all honesty, it was a real struggle to find something that is a worthy replacement - we've found nothing with as much space in the back and a bigger boot, which shows that the Jazz is still hard to beat in terms of practicality.
We've now decided to sell the Jazz, so for those interested, it is here: http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/3195293.htm
For it's replacement, it is between a Mazda 2 Sport and a Fiesta Zetec S, thread running here about that: http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...
In all honesty, it was a real struggle to find something that is a worthy replacement - we've found nothing with as much space in the back and a bigger boot, which shows that the Jazz is still hard to beat in terms of practicality.
Andrew Coates said:
Quick update:
We've now decided to sell the Jazz, so for those interested, it is here: http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/3195293.htm
In your firs post you say the car has covered over 40,000 miles. In the Ad it says 34,000?We've now decided to sell the Jazz, so for those interested, it is here: http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/3195293.htm
hadenough! said:
Andrew Coates said:
Quick update:
We've now decided to sell the Jazz, so for those interested, it is here: http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/3195293.htm
In your firs post you say the car has covered over 40,000 miles. In the Ad it says 34,000?We've now decided to sell the Jazz, so for those interested, it is here: http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/3195293.htm
I can't believe this, but after much discussion, I'm now selling the M3 as well! 
We've now said that we will replace the M3 and the Jazz with one car that my wife can use as her daily as she only does low miles, but I can also get some pleasure out of driving as well. Currently looking at 125/130/135i or Golf R32. It will save me money by paying tax/insurance/MOT/servicing costs for just one car instead of two.
Will update this thread with whatever I buy soon, but in the meantime, the M3 advert is here
http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/3206695.htm
We've now said that we will replace the M3 and the Jazz with one car that my wife can use as her daily as she only does low miles, but I can also get some pleasure out of driving as well. Currently looking at 125/130/135i or Golf R32. It will save me money by paying tax/insurance/MOT/servicing costs for just one car instead of two.
Will update this thread with whatever I buy soon, but in the meantime, the M3 advert is here
http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/3206695.htmGassing Station | Readers' Cars | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff