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kieranblenk

Original Poster

865 posts

163 months

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Sunday 5th May 2019

Evening,

I've currently got a 17 plate Fabia Monte Carlo which I've had since new, which is a great little car and I like it very much, but I'm getting itchy for a change now and would like more power (torque more so, it's not the best through the gears). I would also like an auto as my partner only has an auto licence, and being restricted to one car we can both use can be awkward at times.

I'm in no mad rush but if the right car came up I'd jump on it. Trouble is, I'm lost among the plethora of options and was looking for some interesting ideas.

In terms of requirements :-
-Must be automatic
-Usable back seats, but not fussed on number of doors or body style.
-Sensible insurance and running costs (I'm only 22) - ideally I want something that will average minimum 40mpg as I live quite rural and petrol stations aren't on every corner.
-Decent torque/power, don't want a little 1.0 3 pot turbo. I don't need anything majorly quickly, around 8 seconds to 60 would do as a ballpark.
-It needs to be comfortable for my 6ft 2 16 stone frame, the Fabia can be a little uncomfortable after an hour or so.
-Annual mileage is about 11k - not bothered what pump it drinks from.
-I don't want anything older than 5 years old and want as low mileage as possible.

Budget is £12-13k ish for a bank loan job, or looking at around £250-£275 a month for a lease/PCP max term of 3 years. I want to keep cash input to a minimum as I'm doing work (slowly!) to my house and could do with the cash in the bank, so the less the better really.

In terms of what I've already considered/discounted, current front runners are:

- Leon FR
- Golf GT TSI/TDI
- Mini Cooper/Cooper S 5dr (3dr is a bit cramped for me and I don't like the Clubman)
- Renault Megane (new shape - my partner has a Clio dCi with the EDC box which we are very impressed with)
- Alfa Giulietta
- Volvo V40
- Audi A1/A3 S Line

I have discounted the following models for various reasons:-

- BMW 1/2 Series (Can't get away with the styling and I found they felt small inside).
- I'm not a fan of Fords or Vauxhalls.
- I've had 3 Skoda's now so fancy a change.
- Abarth 595 (I love them but I don't fit properly).

I'm keen to know if there's anything I've forgot about but appreciate that I'm asking a hell of a lot for the budget, but I know I can get examples of the cars I've considered for the money so it can't be that bad I suppose.

Thanks!

ZX10R NIN

30,528 posts

154 months

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Monday 6th May 2019

kieranblenk

Original Poster

865 posts

163 months

[report]

[news]

Monday 6th May 2019

A great list ZX, huge thanks for that!

I really like the Infiniti, however I've heard that some garages are reluctant to take them in part ex which worries me for future resale. I already love the Giulietta, but the Pug 308 is one I never considered and it looks fab in the blue. I will look deeper into the Kia and Mazda suggestions too.

ZX10R NIN

30,528 posts

154 months

[report]

[news]

Monday 6th May 2019

kieranblenk said:

That's also a tatic that happens on the Alfa but it's not the case with most dealers will take the Infiniti's values will drop at the same rate as they have been so I wouldn't right them off,

The Kia's come with the massive warranty so peace mind is a big factor with these, the 308 is a very good car & well worth taking a test drive of one but the Alfa would get my vote in either petrol or diesel.

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