Opinions on my daft shortlist?
Discussion
Been looking for a used car... Uber short commute to work, plus a bit of fun when required. A bit clueless when it comes to the mechanical side of things, but have friends who are handy with a spanner. Budget initially set to £10k, but think I can squeeze this down to 8 or under and get something.
These are based on me thinking "ooh, that looks nice" plus a little bit of a scratch I want to itch and not something you see too many of on the road.
Abarth 500
Fancied getting one for a while, and the fact I have a chance to have something pointless for 6 months before getting a car to chew motorway miles means it could happen. BUT... I'm a big lad and read reports can be difficult for folk over 6 foot. It's also entry level purchase so probably not the best looked after example.
Alfa 159
My old boss has a 159 and it's a lovely drive. He says go for something bigger than the 1.9 (either diesel or v6) and preferring lower mileage - this looks like being a 2.4 diesel.
Subaru WRX Hatch
Really don't see many about, but the reviews on the non-STI version are more harsh. I know the stereotypical owner of previous versions and not sure if this is different enough or would have been owned by the next generation of the same.
Others I've considered include the Legacy Estate, but I prefer the new shape (from 2010) and my budget would only allow high mileage examples.
These are based on me thinking "ooh, that looks nice" plus a little bit of a scratch I want to itch and not something you see too many of on the road.
Abarth 500
Fancied getting one for a while, and the fact I have a chance to have something pointless for 6 months before getting a car to chew motorway miles means it could happen. BUT... I'm a big lad and read reports can be difficult for folk over 6 foot. It's also entry level purchase so probably not the best looked after example.
Alfa 159
My old boss has a 159 and it's a lovely drive. He says go for something bigger than the 1.9 (either diesel or v6) and preferring lower mileage - this looks like being a 2.4 diesel.
Subaru WRX Hatch
Really don't see many about, but the reviews on the non-STI version are more harsh. I know the stereotypical owner of previous versions and not sure if this is different enough or would have been owned by the next generation of the same.
Others I've considered include the Legacy Estate, but I prefer the new shape (from 2010) and my budget would only allow high mileage examples.
Edited by TRB on Sunday 23 March 14:14
TRB said:
Alfa, it's called Alfa. Like in Alfa Romeo. Not Alpha like the first letter of the Greek alphabet.A mistake seen way too often on a petrolhead forum, sadly....
ETA: Out of those I would choose the 500. Just because... I love an 159 but somehow IMHO red doesn't suit it.
Edited by VF7 on Sunday 23 March 14:11
VF7 said:
Alfa, it's called Alfa. Like in Alfa Romeo. Not Alpha like the first letter of the Greek alphabet.
A mistake seen way too often on a petrolhead forum, sadly....
ETA: Out of those I would choose the 500. Just because... I love an 159 but somehow IMHO red doesn't suit it.
Amazing how many times I've typed it looking for cars and yet still school-boy-errored-myself! A mistake seen way too often on a petrolhead forum, sadly....
ETA: Out of those I would choose the 500. Just because... I love an 159 but somehow IMHO red doesn't suit it.
Edited by VF7 on Sunday 23 March 14:11
My mate had an Abarth 500, small cars are not my thing, at all. However... I loved the Abarth. It was like driving a toy car but in a good way, I found it hugely entertaining 
Ive owned an Impreza wrx (not the hatch though) and that was a great car too, very different beast to the little fiat. Alfas look the part but i'm put off by their reputation for leaving people stranded at the road side waiting for the AA man
Goes without saying but give them all a spin and see what you feel most comfortable in.
Ive owned an Impreza wrx (not the hatch though) and that was a great car too, very different beast to the little fiat. Alfas look the part but i'm put off by their reputation for leaving people stranded at the road side waiting for the AA manGoes without saying but give them all a spin and see what you feel most comfortable in.
PaulB81 said:
My mate had an Abarth 500, small cars are not my thing, at all. However... I loved the Abarth. It was like driving a toy car but in a good way, I found it hugely entertaining Ive owned an Impreza wrx (not the hatch though) and that was a great car too, very different beast to the little fiat. Alfas look the part but i'm put off by their reputation for leaving people stranded at the road side waiting for the AA man
Goes without saying but give them all a spin and see what you feel most comfortable in.
I forgot to say, I know you mentioned height being an issue but Im 6ft 4 and dont remember having any issues with the little abarth Ive owned an Impreza wrx (not the hatch though) and that was a great car too, very different beast to the little fiat. Alfas look the part but i'm put off by their reputation for leaving people stranded at the road side waiting for the AA manGoes without saying but give them all a spin and see what you feel most comfortable in.
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