Best ordinary non PH car
Discussion
I came to the conclusion a long time ago that a two car situation is best. Like most here, I like fast, interesting cars and I've owned a fair few.
I tried just owning one car and using it for everything but for a bunch of reasons that doesn't work for me. For one, I need to be able to park in some undesirable locations and returning to find a "special" car has been dented, keyed or been otherwise interfered with would distress me far too much.
As such I set a budget of between £1k and £4k with the idea that I buy a big ish, comfortable, low mileage daily that I can use in all weathers, park without worry, rely on and enjoy cheap running costs.
The best value seems to be with "mondeo" sized cars. Small diesel hatchbacks are sought after, so are most diesel variants it seems but many people desire estates or soft roaders which has depressed the values of hum drum, mainstream cars.
I bought a 2005 Primera 1.8 petrol. It had but 12k on it, sat nav, ac, cruise and a very useful reversing camera. Nice ride on 16" alloys as well. I've fitted a hands free kit and four new Michelins courtesy of Costco. It's the sort of car that if you robbed a bank in it in front of 100 witnesses no one would be able to describe-"like a Vectra but not a Vectra etc"
These cars didn't enjoy a good write up when new but I think they are staggering value all the more so for being effectively C list.
A neighbour has offered me his Mitsubishi Carisma 1.9 td with 16k on it from new. It's like new and would have been ideal but I've grown fond of the Primera so I'm reluctant to swap.
What's your favourite non ph car, that has a rum image everywhere but you enjoy/own?
I tried just owning one car and using it for everything but for a bunch of reasons that doesn't work for me. For one, I need to be able to park in some undesirable locations and returning to find a "special" car has been dented, keyed or been otherwise interfered with would distress me far too much.
As such I set a budget of between £1k and £4k with the idea that I buy a big ish, comfortable, low mileage daily that I can use in all weathers, park without worry, rely on and enjoy cheap running costs.
The best value seems to be with "mondeo" sized cars. Small diesel hatchbacks are sought after, so are most diesel variants it seems but many people desire estates or soft roaders which has depressed the values of hum drum, mainstream cars.
I bought a 2005 Primera 1.8 petrol. It had but 12k on it, sat nav, ac, cruise and a very useful reversing camera. Nice ride on 16" alloys as well. I've fitted a hands free kit and four new Michelins courtesy of Costco. It's the sort of car that if you robbed a bank in it in front of 100 witnesses no one would be able to describe-"like a Vectra but not a Vectra etc"
These cars didn't enjoy a good write up when new but I think they are staggering value all the more so for being effectively C list.
A neighbour has offered me his Mitsubishi Carisma 1.9 td with 16k on it from new. It's like new and would have been ideal but I've grown fond of the Primera so I'm reluctant to swap.
What's your favourite non ph car, that has a rum image everywhere but you enjoy/own?
highway said:
What's your favourite non ph car, that has a rum image everywhere but you enjoy/own?
Nissan Micra.Most people I know think its a crap as a car because of the granny/bottom of the chain drug dealer image it has round here. Most of people I do know who like them are mainly people who've only bought one for cheap insurance, then only to find out that their decent cars, to their shock.
Less than 4k, big, and comfy, you say?
http://classifieds.pistonheads.com/classifieds/use...
A little concerning that that's the only photo, but still...
http://classifieds.pistonheads.com/classifieds/use...
A little concerning that that's the only photo, but still...
Jag is too PH for this thread. I'm not talking about old 7 series or A8 Luxo smokers either.
This thread is about anonymous, bland, low mileage examples of cars that are better to live with than you had any right to expect.
I've read that a Carisma diesel is based on a Volvo s40 and has circa 100bhp. It feels brisker than its 0-60 time ( which is laughable) suggests, has a nice gear change and is so uninspiring and forgettable that it could be camouflaged.
That's a plus point where I park.
This thread is about anonymous, bland, low mileage examples of cars that are better to live with than you had any right to expect.
I've read that a Carisma diesel is based on a Volvo s40 and has circa 100bhp. It feels brisker than its 0-60 time ( which is laughable) suggests, has a nice gear change and is so uninspiring and forgettable that it could be camouflaged.
That's a plus point where I park.
I actually bought a 16yr old Peugeot 106 1.4D a while ago to run alongside the Exige, for the same reasons you mention. I absolutely loved it!
50+mpg, never locked it as there was never anything of value in there, had to plan overtakes 5 minutes in advance. Had to clip every apex to keep it at 60+ on country lanes, it was immense fun.
Bought for £500, then sold for £500 a few years later. I actually miss that car!
50+mpg, never locked it as there was never anything of value in there, had to plan overtakes 5 minutes in advance. Had to clip every apex to keep it at 60+ on country lanes, it was immense fun.
Bought for £500, then sold for £500 a few years later. I actually miss that car!
106d is/was a great car. As per previous post, there is much pleasure to be had pushing a low powered car along at speed. Focuses the mind far more than in something actually fast.
Everyone seems to rate a Yeti, they are expensive used and are well reviewed. Not mundane, poorly reviewed but actually better than you thought
Everyone seems to rate a Yeti, they are expensive used and are well reviewed. Not mundane, poorly reviewed but actually better than you thought
I would have thought the MK3 Mondeo would be in with a good shot. Although they do drive surprisingly well and can be hustled quite nicely so it could be argued it is a PH car!
Loved mine, would happily have another and would take one over any of its immediate competitors any day of the week.
Loved mine, would happily have another and would take one over any of its immediate competitors any day of the week.
highway said:
Jag is too PH for this thread. I'm not talking about old 7 series or A8 Luxo smokers either.
This thread is about anonymous, bland, low mileage examples of cars that are better to live with than you had any right to expect.
I've read that a Carisma diesel is based on a Volvo s40 and has circa 100bhp. It feels brisker than its 0-60 time ( which is laughable) suggests, has a nice gear change and is so uninspiring and forgettable that it could be camouflaged.
That's a plus point where I park.
Even if the Jag was a boggo 3.2 or 4.0 it would be PH...that's an XJR...anything with over 300 horses and a supercharger is VERY PH!This thread is about anonymous, bland, low mileage examples of cars that are better to live with than you had any right to expect.
I've read that a Carisma diesel is based on a Volvo s40 and has circa 100bhp. It feels brisker than its 0-60 time ( which is laughable) suggests, has a nice gear change and is so uninspiring and forgettable that it could be camouflaged.
That's a plus point where I park.
davidsc said:
Daewoo Matiz.
s
t car but so much fun. Lovely little note from the 3 pot too.
Plus it usually returned about 50mpg on a thrash. (which is what you had to do to make it move)
For a bit more street cred you can tell people that the CEO of Aston Martin helped develop it, as well as the Porsche 993 s
t car but so much fun. Lovely little note from the 3 pot too.Plus it usually returned about 50mpg on a thrash. (which is what you had to do to make it move)
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