A tricky What Car
Discussion
After several years of hiring cars when needed, a friend of mine has finally decided to buy herself a car. However, she's quite picky about what she's after. So:
-She doesn't like most superminis, finding them too tall and 'boxy' (even stuff like the Grande Punto and the Mazda 2). She generally prefers cars to be low and sleek.
-She wants something 'preferably with a bit of classic style about it, but modern'. Even though she's only 25 she's very 'vintage' and Emma Peel-ish. That said she did try out The Answer To Everything (Mk2) and found it too claustrophobic and narrow.
-Her ideal car, she says, is a Mazda RX-8, but she can't afford the running costs. Back when she shared a car with her parents, it was a 2-litre petrol Volvo saloon, so she's used to moderate running costs, but nothing with the Co2 tax bracket over 200g/km.
-She's looking to spend £2500. Absolute maximum £3000, but if it's sufficiently reliable and low-mileage she'll pay a lot less.
-She doesn't want anything too slow as her and her boyfriend do a lot of hiking and they don't want something that struggles up hills, but by the same token it can't be too thirsty and it also needs to be capable of carrying a load of luggage - tents, muddy boots, a week's worth of hiking gear etc. It needs to seat four adults.
-She hates SUVs, MPVs, diesels and German status-symbol badges.
-She really wants a Honda Civic Type-R but can't stomach the insurance and decent ones are out of her price bracket.
-Reliability is important, so she's thinking Japanese. She likes my MR2 but finds it a tad too old. Firm ride isn't too much of a problem.
Like I said, picky! So I thought I'd throw it open to the PH massive. Any ideas?
-She doesn't like most superminis, finding them too tall and 'boxy' (even stuff like the Grande Punto and the Mazda 2). She generally prefers cars to be low and sleek.
-She wants something 'preferably with a bit of classic style about it, but modern'. Even though she's only 25 she's very 'vintage' and Emma Peel-ish. That said she did try out The Answer To Everything (Mk2) and found it too claustrophobic and narrow.
-Her ideal car, she says, is a Mazda RX-8, but she can't afford the running costs. Back when she shared a car with her parents, it was a 2-litre petrol Volvo saloon, so she's used to moderate running costs, but nothing with the Co2 tax bracket over 200g/km.
-She's looking to spend £2500. Absolute maximum £3000, but if it's sufficiently reliable and low-mileage she'll pay a lot less.
-She doesn't want anything too slow as her and her boyfriend do a lot of hiking and they don't want something that struggles up hills, but by the same token it can't be too thirsty and it also needs to be capable of carrying a load of luggage - tents, muddy boots, a week's worth of hiking gear etc. It needs to seat four adults.
-She hates SUVs, MPVs, diesels and German status-symbol badges.
-She really wants a Honda Civic Type-R but can't stomach the insurance and decent ones are out of her price bracket.
-Reliability is important, so she's thinking Japanese. She likes my MR2 but finds it a tad too old. Firm ride isn't too much of a problem.
Like I said, picky! So I thought I'd throw it open to the PH massive. Any ideas?
C.A.R. said:
Celica Gen 7 VVti 140 post 2002 model. Sleek, rear seats, huge boot. Insurance isn't ridiculous (unless she wants the 2ZZ-equipped 190 model)
That's not a bad shout, I'd forgotten about that one. I'll run it by her.Actually, I've tried to sit in the back of one of those. They don't seat four adults.
Edited by Twincam16 on Monday 10th September 12:35
nadger said:
You'd ever get camping stuff in one. You'd struggle to get a weeks shopping in it with 2 people in!
I'm going Volvo C70, or a saab aero. That should suit the anti-german marque issue.
Doesn't the C70 crush everything in the boot when you put the roof down? Thing is, this will be driven by both her and her boyfriend, who's a no-nonsense outdoors type. If it has the propensity to do something like that, they'll find it annoying. She's not totally sold on convertibles either.I'm going Volvo C70, or a saab aero. That should suit the anti-german marque issue.
Twincam16 said:
Doesn't the C70 crush everything in the boot when you put the roof down? Thing is, this will be driven by both her and her boyfriend, who's a no-nonsense outdoors type. If it has the propensity to do something like that, they'll find it annoying. She's not totally sold on convertibles either.
Don't know about the boot on the volvo I'm afraid, sorry! However not all aero saabs are convertible. These two fall in her price bracket without having stellar miles on them!http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2012...
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2012...
nadger said:
Twincam16 said:
Doesn't the C70 crush everything in the boot when you put the roof down? Thing is, this will be driven by both her and her boyfriend, who's a no-nonsense outdoors type. If it has the propensity to do something like that, they'll find it annoying. She's not totally sold on convertibles either.
Don't know about the boot on the volvo I'm afraid, sorry! However not all aero saabs are convertible. These two fall in her price bracket without having stellar miles on them!http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2012...
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2012...
I've not thought about these in total depth but:
Peugeot 406 coupe (French? Has aged well IMO)
Ford Cougar (too old?)
Alternatively, perhaps being a tad harsh but maybe tell this person to stop being unrealistic and they can't have it all at that price point, they will have to compromise somewhere.
Peugeot 406 coupe (French? Has aged well IMO)
Ford Cougar (too old?)
Alternatively, perhaps being a tad harsh but maybe tell this person to stop being unrealistic and they can't have it all at that price point, they will have to compromise somewhere.
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