Help me choose a new car!
Discussion
Looking to change my car and could do with some advice! Here's the criteria:
Current thinking is perhaps a Volvo C30 (probably a 2.0 petrol or 1.6 diesel) or perhaps a 2.0 Subaru Forester. Any more ideas?!
- Needs to be reliable with as few niggles and problems as possible (to help with this I was thinking of less than around 45k miles and ideally less than 5/6 years old)
- Needs to have 'sufficient' performance (not slower than my current car - see below)
- Cannot cost more than a very maximum of £6000
- Needs to be reasonably comfortable and fit the dog in somewhere (more comfortable than current car anyway!)
Current thinking is perhaps a Volvo C30 (probably a 2.0 petrol or 1.6 diesel) or perhaps a 2.0 Subaru Forester. Any more ideas?!
I had a C30 for five years/80,000 miles and it didn't cause me any problems at all - the usual routine maintenance items were all that it needed. It looked great, was reasonable in terms of running costs and the seats and interior are excellent, rear legroom is adequate enough for the cars size in my opinion and the ride, whilst firm, is perfectly acceptable providing you avoid the bigger alloys - mine had the Serapis 17" ones that were standard on the R Design when I bought it (08 plate) and it was alright, but I drove one riding on 18s and it was pretty choppy tbh, that had the superb T5 engine though 
What I will say is that the boot sill is pretty high so getting a dog in and out of there might be a bit of a problem.
Avoid any petrol engine smaller than the 2.0 though, it's a heavy car so the 1.6 and 1.8 petrols are absolutely dire in terms of performance, you have to tan 'em to make them go too so they aren't even that frugal. Some of the earlier models were sold with a 2.4 petrol engine, avoid it, it's barely better than the 2.0 but has greater running costs as it's pretty bloody thirsty.
On the whole it was a great car and I would happily recommend one to anybody who needed a car of that type/size.
What I will say is that the boot sill is pretty high so getting a dog in and out of there might be a bit of a problem.
Avoid any petrol engine smaller than the 2.0 though, it's a heavy car so the 1.6 and 1.8 petrols are absolutely dire in terms of performance, you have to tan 'em to make them go too so they aren't even that frugal. Some of the earlier models were sold with a 2.4 petrol engine, avoid it, it's barely better than the 2.0 but has greater running costs as it's pretty bloody thirsty.
On the whole it was a great car and I would happily recommend one to anybody who needed a car of that type/size.
Edited by FN2TypeR on Wednesday 5th October 20:12
Another few worth a look:
2011 Megane GT 130bhp 48k
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2016...
2012 Astra SRI 140bhp 49k
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2016...
2011 Megane GT 130bhp 48k
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2016...
2012 Astra SRI 140bhp 49k
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2016...
noogie said:
Looking to change my car and could do with some advice! Here's the criteria:
Current thinking is perhaps a Volvo C30 (probably a 2.0 petrol or 1.6 diesel) or perhaps a 2.0 Subaru Forester. Any more ideas?!
There are a few low(ish) mileage Foresters around at that price point. If the Disco ever dies it will be a Forester or an Allroad that look at. Former because they are bomb proof and capable off road. The latter because I've owned one previously and it was a super car (albeit you will struggle to find one with the mileage). - Needs to be reliable with as few niggles and problems as possible (to help with this I was thinking of less than around 45k miles and ideally less than 5/6 years old)
- Needs to have 'sufficient' performance (not slower than my current car - see below)
- Cannot cost more than a very maximum of £6000
- Needs to be reasonably comfortable and fit the dog in somewhere (more comfortable than current car anyway!)
Current thinking is perhaps a Volvo C30 (probably a 2.0 petrol or 1.6 diesel) or perhaps a 2.0 Subaru Forester. Any more ideas?!
ZX10R NIN said:
Another few worth a look:
2011 Megane GT 130bhp 48k
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2016...
2012 Astra SRI 140bhp 49k
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2016...
These megane's look like pretty good value for money as an every day car. They look pretty good... Any idea what they're like? I'm after a more modern work hack and one of these either the 1.5dci or the petrol turbo above would be a good option I'd never have thought of. 2011 Megane GT 130bhp 48k
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2016...
2012 Astra SRI 140bhp 49k
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2016...
They're actually a decent car (especially in GT Line Spec) very underrated hence the price you can pick them up for used obviously they're not a Renaultsport but they still handle well & come pretty much loaded with kit I've sourced a few for people & all are happy with them.
If you're going to get a small engined diesel try to find a 1.6 they've got a bit more poke (110 vs 130bhp) plus they're Euro 6 compliant & still £20.00 road tax for the year.
1.6dci GT Line
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2016...
1.5dci GT Line
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2016...
If you're going to get a small engined diesel try to find a 1.6 they've got a bit more poke (110 vs 130bhp) plus they're Euro 6 compliant & still £20.00 road tax for the year.
1.6dci GT Line
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2016...
1.5dci GT Line
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2016...
Gassing Station | Car Buying | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff