Replacement car
Discussion
I intend to change my car in about 12 months time and as I usually buy cars that are 12-18 months old I am investigating suitable cars models that are new/nearly now that I can buy in 12 months time – collecting brochures, etc..
The car will be to replace my 2005 Civic Type-S 2-litre which by March 2013 will have covered 85K miles. I am looking for a similar sized car with similar performance (0-60 in 8½ seconds or under as a rough measure) and better mpg would be a bonus as the Civic has averaged 32½mpg over 62K miles. I would also like higher gearing for more relaxed motorway cruising (needs 6-speed box?). My mileage has steadily dropped over the past few years and is now is 10K/annum. At current prices the Civic costs me £1,940/year for petrol; with a car returning 36mpg the cost would be £1,730. A lot of local journeys (less than 10 miles), 2x30 miles on a fast A road at least every 10 days or so and a 200 mile round trip once a month. Longer round trips of 300-400 miles at least half a dozen times a year and a possible, every other year or so, 1000-1500 miles in France. I need the same space in the back seat and a more capacious boot would be an advantage.
So far I am considering the Audi A3 Sportsback 1.8TFSi Sport (although that would have to be older than I usually buy), the latest Focus 1.6T (150), Astra 1.6T and Mazda3 Sport 2-litre (well equipped but lower performance?). I have decided not to purchase a diesel as I feel that a used diesel when I don't know the history could be storing up expensive repairs (DPF problems and possibly been run on contaminated oil). Although a diesel retuning 46mpg would lower my fuel costs to £1,450/annum I will forgo the saving of £280/year (plus a cheaper road fund license?) so that I can drive a petrol rather than a diesel. As was said on another thread, drivers who say that they like the low rev thrust of a diesel may actually be liking the result of a turbo-charged engine. I have owned a petrol low pressure turbo in the past and quite fancy one again.
My budget is an absolute max of £13K and I would prefer nearer to £12K. I intend to keep the car for, at least, 5 years (by the time I change cars I will have driven the Civic for 6½ years).
Any comments or other car suggestions remembering what car I am replacing so a 5-door hatchback with decently shaped and sized rear doors is a must (so the Civic from 2006 is out).
As I am replacing a Honda reliability is a must. The only repair required by the Civic has been replacement constant velocity joints and boots. It has NEVER let me down.
The car will be to replace my 2005 Civic Type-S 2-litre which by March 2013 will have covered 85K miles. I am looking for a similar sized car with similar performance (0-60 in 8½ seconds or under as a rough measure) and better mpg would be a bonus as the Civic has averaged 32½mpg over 62K miles. I would also like higher gearing for more relaxed motorway cruising (needs 6-speed box?). My mileage has steadily dropped over the past few years and is now is 10K/annum. At current prices the Civic costs me £1,940/year for petrol; with a car returning 36mpg the cost would be £1,730. A lot of local journeys (less than 10 miles), 2x30 miles on a fast A road at least every 10 days or so and a 200 mile round trip once a month. Longer round trips of 300-400 miles at least half a dozen times a year and a possible, every other year or so, 1000-1500 miles in France. I need the same space in the back seat and a more capacious boot would be an advantage.
So far I am considering the Audi A3 Sportsback 1.8TFSi Sport (although that would have to be older than I usually buy), the latest Focus 1.6T (150), Astra 1.6T and Mazda3 Sport 2-litre (well equipped but lower performance?). I have decided not to purchase a diesel as I feel that a used diesel when I don't know the history could be storing up expensive repairs (DPF problems and possibly been run on contaminated oil). Although a diesel retuning 46mpg would lower my fuel costs to £1,450/annum I will forgo the saving of £280/year (plus a cheaper road fund license?) so that I can drive a petrol rather than a diesel. As was said on another thread, drivers who say that they like the low rev thrust of a diesel may actually be liking the result of a turbo-charged engine. I have owned a petrol low pressure turbo in the past and quite fancy one again.
My budget is an absolute max of £13K and I would prefer nearer to £12K. I intend to keep the car for, at least, 5 years (by the time I change cars I will have driven the Civic for 6½ years).
Any comments or other car suggestions remembering what car I am replacing so a 5-door hatchback with decently shaped and sized rear doors is a must (so the Civic from 2006 is out).
As I am replacing a Honda reliability is a must. The only repair required by the Civic has been replacement constant velocity joints and boots. It has NEVER let me down.
Edited by Glosphil on Monday 12th March 12:55
Edited by Glosphil on Monday 12th March 12:56
I wouldn't bother with the Audi - in my experience the ride is still far too harsh for UK roads. I like a firm ride over a squidgemobile, but it's just too much for a daily driver.
I would probably look at the Focus or the Mazda - a little anonymous amongst all the traffic out there, but both are supposed to be very competent cars (not that I've driven them).
With 12 months to go I'd get out there and test drive some of them, see how you feel about it.
I would probably look at the Focus or the Mazda - a little anonymous amongst all the traffic out there, but both are supposed to be very competent cars (not that I've driven them).
With 12 months to go I'd get out there and test drive some of them, see how you feel about it.
Krikkit said:
I wouldn't bother with the Audi - in my experience the ride is still far too harsh for UK roads. I like a firm ride over a squidgemobile, but it's just too much for a daily driver.
I would probably look at the Focus or the Mazda - a little anonymous amongst all the traffic out there, but both are supposed to be very competent cars (not that I've driven them).
With 12 months to go I'd get out there and test drive some of them, see how you feel about it.
Isn't the Sport a little more compliant than the S-Line models (10mm higher suspension?)? The SE probably has an even more supple ride but I do like the Sport's seats.I would probably look at the Focus or the Mazda - a little anonymous amongst all the traffic out there, but both are supposed to be very competent cars (not that I've driven them).
With 12 months to go I'd get out there and test drive some of them, see how you feel about it.
Captain Muppet said:
Glosphil said:
I can't believe it. No-one has an opinion as to which which car I should buy! That has to be a Pistonheads first.
I find it more surprising that you don't have an opinion on what car you should buy. Go test drive everything on your list.Glosphil said:
I can't believe it. No-one has an opinion as to which which car I should buy! That has to be a Pistonheads first.
What car threads tend to be shorter, snappier with a concise list of requirements. You've posted your life story, I'd imagine most people lost interest quite quickly. Back on topic though, I don't know, your story full of numbers was just confusing. What do you want from a car? Remember: concise.
Papa Hotel said:
Glosphil said:
I can't believe it. No-one has an opinion as to which which car I should buy! That has to be a Pistonheads first.
What car threads tend to be shorter, snappier with a concise list of requirements. You've posted your life story, I'd imagine most people lost interest quite quickly. Back on topic though, I don't know, your story full of numbers was just confusing. What do you want from a car? Remember: concise.
Glosphil said:
Thanks for the advice. As I had dismissed diesels I expected questions on the type of driving I do so I answered that sort of question before they arrived. To make an informed decision you need facts. Without facts you may as well just make a guess. If numbers confuse you my wife (sorry, no photo, before some-one asks) offers maths lessons at reasonable rates.
To be fair, as you are asking someone to read your story, and then all the numbers, and work out an answer for you; you could sort out the maths lessons as a freebie.How about a gold tsi, think it's a 1.4 and puts out about 160bhp. Quite nippy I've been told and reasonably economical....although not sure on how long a turbo and supercharger will last?!
Mazda's aren't that exciting to look at, so are usually quite cheap for what they are. Or how about a MINI, pretty solid and a cooper should just about be economical enough?
Mazda's aren't that exciting to look at, so are usually quite cheap for what they are. Or how about a MINI, pretty solid and a cooper should just about be economical enough?
Glosphil said:
Thanks for the advice. As I had dismissed diesels I expected questions on the type of driving I do so I answered that sort of question before they arrived. To make an informed decision you need facts. Without facts you may as well just make a guess. If numbers confuse you my wife (sorry, no photo, before some-one asks) offers maths lessons at reasonable rates.
Ooft, your cutting old-man sarcasm has sure put me in my place. "I need a car, my budget is £xk, I'll do xk miles per year, it'll have to carry x people and be capable of swallowing a large/small amount of stuff."
Have a look at this thread:
http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...
You'll see lots of suggestions and a successful outcome.
So, if you don't want my advice, that's fine, I shan't offer it again. But then no-one else is offering you anything either, you've bored them all away. Hope I've been of help.
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