New Car....too many choices!!

[samdoo]

Hi Guys,

Thought id give you guys a try as google isnt helping the situation. Basically i'm looking at 3 new hatchbacks all with a bit of poke and I've narrowed it down to 3 but I cant pick between the three. I know they all have their pros and cons, but was hoping to get some "real" feedback about Maintenance, Common faults, Reliability and most importantly the Drive.

2008 BMW 120D (170)
Honda Civic 2.2 Type S (140)
VW Golf GT TDI (170)

Cheers

Sam

[Max M4X WW]

If the drive is most important, have you driven them? What do you have to spend? Does it have to be a diesel?

[samdoo]

Ive got about 8k to spend and yeah ive driven the Golf and the BMW not the civic though, I do a lot of miles through work so a diesel is a must and why im asking about the drive. The dealers arent usually to willing to let you go out for a 4hr test drive!

[ecain63]

samdoo said:

Ive got about 8k to spend and yeah ive driven the Golf and the BMW not the civic though, I do a lot of miles through work so a diesel is a must and why im asking about the drive. The dealers arent usually to willing to let you go out for a 4hr test drive!

A dealer will if you are a serious buyer.

[agent006]

The Civic will be a crushing disappointment in that company. Drives nicely, apart from the ride, but feels so cheaply made.

[Max M4X WW]

I can't see any particularly nice 120d's (M Sport) for under 9k.

There are a few GT TDi Golf's and I wont bother looking for Civic's.

[JoshV8]

Surely there are better cars you can go for than that selection though....

If you want a diesel, want a bit of poke and do a lot of miles wouldn't you be better off looking at things like a C320 CDI, 330d, 325d, A4 3.0 tdi

Yes, they aren't as new as the others but would get a lot more car for the money with more kit, more comfor etc can easily get tidy examples that are around 5 years old for your budget

[joe_90]

What about a Megane sport R26/F1 or something? They are about the same size and go and handle very well. (or the diesel sport version?)

ecain63 said:

samdoo said:

Ive got about 8k to spend and yeah ive driven the Golf and the BMW not the civic though, I do a lot of miles through work so a diesel is a must and why im asking about the drive. The dealers arent usually to willing to let you go out for a 4hr test drive!

A dealer will if you are a serious buyer.

Correct, when I looked at getting the new (shape) Civic Type-R (changing the wife's current Honda Accord Type-S), I took my car in for a service (the type-s, and borrowed the type-r all day, 7 hours. In the end I felt it was not good enough at both things I needed to do, It couldn't decide what it wanted to be really.

Edited by joe_90 on Thursday 18th April 08:26

Edited by joe_90 on Thursday 18th April 08:26