Another 'what car?' thread

[mu0n]

It looks like my car could be written off which is a shame… but looking at a replacement if that time comes, what’s out there?

Should have 4-5k to spend, anything considered.

Preferably something with a good return on MPG and generally cheap to run.

Would it be stupid to consider an S2000 at that price level?

I was thinking along the lines of 3 series, Golf… usual suspects.

[kiethton]

Can you be more specific?

How many miles do you do annually?
Do you need to carry more then 2 people/things?
Do you prefer something modern or would a dependable classic suffice?
Any self imposed age/mileage restrictions?

[mu0n]

kiethton said:

Can you be more specific?

How many miles do you do annually?
Do you need to carry more then 2 people/things?
Do you prefer something modern or would a dependable classic suffice?
Any self imposed age/mileage restrictions?

Hey mate, thanks for replying.

I'll be doing I think roughly 40 miles a day and the occasional 120 mile round trip.

New job, drop in salary so don't want to spend too much - rather just put in what insurance payout is.

I really don't care about age/mileage as it's not going to be for 'keeps' as such. I like something a bit different - thinking the S2000 may not be great as will be 90% motorway/A-road mileage.

Would like a nice cabin to sit in.

Cheap to maintain - above 25mpg.

Insurance shouldn't be too much of an issue.

I've always liked the 530 E39's but I think repairs could be pricey for these.

I can do some work myself.

Golf V6 4-motion? Older Audi S3? Poor economies though?

I'd like a bit of fun if it was possible!

Cheers.

[kiethton]

mu0n said:

kiethton said:

Can you be more specific?

How many miles do you do annually?
Do you need to carry more then 2 people/things?
Do you prefer something modern or would a dependable classic suffice?
Any self imposed age/mileage restrictions?

Hey mate, thanks for replying.

I'll be doing I think roughly 40 miles a day and the occasional 120 mile round trip.

New job, drop in salary so don't want to spend too much - rather just put in what insurance payout is.

I really don't care about age/mileage as it's not going to be for 'keeps' as such. I like something a bit different - thinking the S2000 may not be great as will be 90% motorway/A-road mileage.

Would like a nice cabin to sit in.

Cheap to maintain - above 25mpg.

Insurance shouldn't be too much of an issue.

I've always liked the 530 E39's but I think repairs could be pricey for these.

I can do some work myself.

Golf V6 4-motion? Older Audi S3? Poor economies though?

I'd like a bit of fun if it was possible!

Cheers.

You have so many options, although many will be on personal preference:

http://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/b... - Under budget, fixed easily and not going to depreciate too much further

http://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/s... - Golf GTi but cheaper (and better IMO)


http://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/h... - I averaged 35mpg from my old one and they are very reliable (check common issues)

http://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/v... - May struggle on the MPG front but very comfortable - D5 could be an option?

Just a few options and the sort of thing I would be looking at

[mu0n]

kiethton said:

You have so many options, although many will be on personal preference:

http://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/b... - Under budget, fixed easily and not going to depreciate too much further

http://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/s... - Golf GTi but cheaper (and better IMO)


http://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/h... - I averaged 35mpg from my old one and they are very reliable (check common issues)

http://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/v... - May struggle on the MPG front but very comfortable - D5 could be an option?

Just a few options and the sort of thing I would be looking at

Perfect, you have my sort of thinking. I like all the ones you posted. I'd probably steer clear of the Type R as although I like the EP3, a lot of tossers decided to buy them and it ruined the image for me a bit. I love that 328i.

The Volvo is a surprise out of the bunch. It looks like a lot of car for the money and I bet it shifts. I wonder how reliable they are and what tends to break on them?

Not sure I'd buy a Skoda. Maybe the Fabia, but the Octavia I'm really not a fan of.

Thanks for the input. A lot of options as you say.

[PGNTuscan]

Seat Leon Cupra R MK1

[kiethton]

mu0n said:

kiethton said:

You have so many options, although many will be on personal preference:

http://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/b... - Under budget, fixed easily and not going to depreciate too much further

http://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/s... - Golf GTi but cheaper (and better IMO)


http://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/h... - I averaged 35mpg from my old one and they are very reliable (check common issues)

http://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/v... - May struggle on the MPG front but very comfortable - D5 could be an option?

Just a few options and the sort of thing I would be looking at

Perfect, you have my sort of thinking. I like all the ones you posted. I'd probably steer clear of the Type R as although I like the EP3, a lot of tossers decided to buy them and it ruined the image for me a bit. I love that 328i.

The Volvo is a surprise out of the bunch. It looks like a lot of car for the money and I bet it shifts. I wonder how reliable they are and what tends to break on them?

Not sure I'd buy a Skoda. Maybe the Fabia, but the Octavia I'm really not a fan of.

Thanks for the input. A lot of options as you say.

The 'image' was the reason I got shot of my EP3, although it was great fun! The BMW does look to be in great condition and will save you some cash (just check for rusty arches etc.), especially as you should be able to do common jobs yourself far easier.

On the Volvo, yes especially with a remap/upgrades (same 2.5 block as Focus ST IIRC) - I did some research on these when I got my Type R 7 in March.

I think that the engines are generally bulletproof, auto gearboxes go (the link is manual) and other than that just common service parts.

The police used this lump extensively on traffic duties before switching to D5 power and people I know with T5's found from 250k miles the time where things start needing attention - suspension, turbo, rack etc. (although these were all older v70's)

Other option is do do what I did when I found myself carless - go to BCA Blackbusche and buy what takes your fancy - I ended up with a E39 540i Sport....oops! (don't regret it though)

Edited by kiethton on Friday 11th October 12:38

[CB2152]

The Volvos are good cars. Very solid mechanically, the only thing my friend's V70 T5 has really had a problem with is sensors for things. His has done 170-something thousand miles and still goes very well indeed

[mu0n]

kiethton said:

The 'image' was the reason I got shot of my EP3, although it was great fun! The BMW does look to be in great condition and will save you some cash (just check for rusty arches etc.), especially as you should be able to do common jobs yourself far easier.

On the Volvo, yes especially with a remap/upgrades (same 2.5 block as Focus ST IIRC) - I did some research on these when I got my Type R 7 in March.

I think that the engines are generally bulletproof, auto gearboxes go (the link is manual) and other than that just common service parts.

The police used this lump extensively on traffic duties before switching to D5 power and people I know with T5's found from 250k miles the time where things start needing attention - suspension, turbo, rack etc. (although these were all older v70's)

Other option is do do what I did when I found myself carless - go to BCA Blackbusche and buy what takes your fancy - I ended up with a E39 540i Sport....oops! (don't regret it though)

Edited by kiethton on Friday 11th October 12:38

What were the auction prices like? Do any come with warranty? I've been to a car auction before, yonks ago where I bought a Saxo (hides).

[ManOpener]

CB2152 said:

The Volvos are good cars. Very solid mechanically, the only thing my friend's V70 T5 has really had a problem with is sensors for things. His has done 170-something thousand miles and still goes very well indeed

I looked at these a while back and baulked at how frequently the T5s seemed to eat their front suspension components, which are also very expensive.

[CB2152]

ManOpener said:

I looked at these a while back and baulked at how frequently the T5s seemed to eat their front suspension components, which are also very expensive.

Might have to check that out. It's an ex-BiB car, so probably already somewhat "run-in"

[kiethton]

mu0n said:

kiethton said:

The 'image' was the reason I got shot of my EP3, although it was great fun! The BMW does look to be in great condition and will save you some cash (just check for rusty arches etc.), especially as you should be able to do common jobs yourself far easier.

On the Volvo, yes especially with a remap/upgrades (same 2.5 block as Focus ST IIRC) - I did some research on these when I got my Type R 7 in March.

I think that the engines are generally bulletproof, auto gearboxes go (the link is manual) and other than that just common service parts.

The police used this lump extensively on traffic duties before switching to D5 power and people I know with T5's found from 250k miles the time where things start needing attention - suspension, turbo, rack etc. (although these were all older v70's)

Other option is do do what I did when I found myself carless - go to BCA Blackbusche and buy what takes your fancy - I ended up with a E39 540i Sport....oops! (don't regret it though)

Edited by kiethton on Friday 11th October 12:38

What were the auction prices like? Do any come with warranty? I've been to a car auction before, yonks ago where I bought a Saxo (hides).

This was mid-august so fair IMO, although anything in V good condition/desirable for resale (diesel/white/Audi etc.) went for good money leaving stuff not that popular/older than about 5 years at good value.

Numerous 8-10 year old cars were going through at low money, some examples from the top of my head:

Avensis 1.8 petrol 2003 - £800
Ka '55' - £1000
Nissan 350z - '55' with 40k miles - £6,500

There was a buyers fee which can be seen on the website as well as £25 to complete the V5 etc.

Not everything is warranted although some are condition inspected mechanically which may be warranted but am not 100%- you may get 5 mins to go around the block to check but do it all as they get driven in (warning lights, start-up, rev's, under boot floor check etc in addition to static checks). They are all HPI checked and warranted for this though. I thought it best to think of it as being like a private sale - any issue post purchase is my own. I got there early (after printing and highlighting interested cars and their condition/mechanical reports prior) to inspect for myself - shaking wheels/suspension, paint issues, panel gaps etc.

The drivers will typically do as you ask (rev's) and give honest feedback (clutch bite point/feel/brakes). Service history dates/mileages and MOT dates are printed on the sales sheet and listed in the windscreen. Mine was described as being last serviced in January 2013 but didn't mention the additional £5.5k of work done (I got it for under £3k + fees) on service items/future proofing/repairs so I got very lucky.

I think V8 mate is the guy to speak to for a comprehensive guide (I think he used to write the auction reports?).

Sorry for the late reply, just been out for a liquid lunch (sorry if this post makes no sense as a result!).

[SteellFJ]

Golf R32 MKiv has dropped to these prices, i have a friend selling one if Glasgows not to far a jaunt..