Another what car thread! £4k daily.
Discussion
Hello all,
I'm currently looking for a daily driver for £4k. I want it to be newish and fairly interesting i.e. not a Corsa or a Fiesta. I would like it to be dependable. The car will be doing two 8 mile journeys daily plus frequent motorway miles.
So far I've contemplated a Toyota Celica Gen 7 or Volkswagen Golf Mk4 GT TDI 130.
Can anybody give any point of reference for running either of those two cars.
Any other suggestion welcome.
Thanks for your time!
I'm currently looking for a daily driver for £4k. I want it to be newish and fairly interesting i.e. not a Corsa or a Fiesta. I would like it to be dependable. The car will be doing two 8 mile journeys daily plus frequent motorway miles.
So far I've contemplated a Toyota Celica Gen 7 or Volkswagen Golf Mk4 GT TDI 130.
Can anybody give any point of reference for running either of those two cars.
Any other suggestion welcome.
Thanks for your time!
Running costs aren't a massive issue, however I want a car I can rely on, I have good mechanical knowledge and my old man is a mechanic so I'm quite well covered for minor issues.
On the passenger front it's just me and the Mrs, however will need space for luggage for a few days away etc., I don't need space to carry a bike or furniture from Ikea.
On the passenger front it's just me and the Mrs, however will need space for luggage for a few days away etc., I don't need space to carry a bike or furniture from Ikea.
BelperJim said:
I don't need space to carry a bike or furniture from Ikea.
That opens up most of the mass produced sports cars and coupes then. You can get respectable MPG and reliability from something like an S2000. Going a little more conventional you could get an early 'new' Mini Cooper (maybe an S) for that.Corrado VR6?
The usual E36 Coupe suggestion?
MX5?
I said fairly interesting then mentioned the Golf because you can get a fair chunk of power out of them for the money.
I will be doing approx. 10-12,000 miles a year. If it does more than 30mpg I will be happy.
I'm still swaying towards a Celica gen 7 so if anybody has any experience with them it would be appreciated.
Sorry if I'm being a bit vague it's Monday morning.
I will be doing approx. 10-12,000 miles a year. If it does more than 30mpg I will be happy.
I'm still swaying towards a Celica gen 7 so if anybody has any experience with them it would be appreciated.
Sorry if I'm being a bit vague it's Monday morning.
BelperJim said:
If it's of any more help I would like all the mod cons I can get 
Some sort of BMW seems like a sound choice then. They have lots of toys, plety of go, good practicality/reliability and a decent RWD chassis. As for a leftfield suggestion, what about a (full fat) Clio 182? Cruise control, climate control, xenons, decent hifi and anything up to 40mpg.
Most hot hatches and mass produced sports cars are so complete these days that you don't really need a sensible car on the side unless you're carrying lots of stuff or doing huge mileages.
HellDiver said:
You end up with a bland cardboard box with uncontrollable torque steer. Doesn't sound interesting to me.
I haven't driven one to be honest I just liked the idea of one, hence this thread to find out more.A Clio 182 sounds like it could be an option. What are they like on the motorway?
I had a Gen 7 Celica for 18 months. I had one with the premium and sports packs so had the leather interior and rear spoiler etc.
It is definitely a nice looking car (I realise this is subjective) and was fairly comfortable to be in. The boot is fairly big for what type if car it is. I found the cabin to be a little bit noisy on the motorway. It is fairly economical and 40mpg on a run is pretty standard.
I had the 140bhp version and in truth I found it to be a little on the slow side. The engine is very revvy, and you really have to use towards the top of the range to get the most out of the power (although this is not really different to a lot of Japanese cars).
All in all I would say it was a good choice, and generally should be reliable. Mine developed a few issues and in the end I let it go cheaply rather than getting them fixed as I wanted to try living with one car between me and partner (that didn't last long)! However, it never broke down or left me stranded, except when the battery died, but that can happen on any car!
Just had a very quick look and they are very affordable now, even the 190bhp ones!
Good luck.
It is definitely a nice looking car (I realise this is subjective) and was fairly comfortable to be in. The boot is fairly big for what type if car it is. I found the cabin to be a little bit noisy on the motorway. It is fairly economical and 40mpg on a run is pretty standard.
I had the 140bhp version and in truth I found it to be a little on the slow side. The engine is very revvy, and you really have to use towards the top of the range to get the most out of the power (although this is not really different to a lot of Japanese cars).
All in all I would say it was a good choice, and generally should be reliable. Mine developed a few issues and in the end I let it go cheaply rather than getting them fixed as I wanted to try living with one car between me and partner (that didn't last long)! However, it never broke down or left me stranded, except when the battery died, but that can happen on any car!
Just had a very quick look and they are very affordable now, even the 190bhp ones!
Good luck.
Thanks for your opinion.
I'm seriously tempted by a Celica. I'm going to have a look round and see what's what.
Just out of interest what were the problems that your car had. After doing some research it seems the only serious problem they have is excessive oil use due to some fault with the pistons.
I'm seriously tempted by a Celica. I'm going to have a look round and see what's what.
Just out of interest what were the problems that your car had. After doing some research it seems the only serious problem they have is excessive oil use due to some fault with the pistons.
Basically an engine management light came on and I got it diagnosed and it said that it was running to rich (or maybe too lean). Definitely one way or the other. Anyway, I spoke to Toyota who advised me to bring the car in and they thought it needed a new O2 sensor, which was going to cost £600!! The nail in the coffin was that they said they couldn't guarantee this would fix the problem.
I had just shelled out £600 for new brake discs and pads and a service and was feeling mightily pi55ed off. I sold it for probably about £700-£800 less than it was worth (had the light not been on) maybe even a bit more, but at that time I didn't want to risk throwing more money away so just let her go!
I now drive an Alfa Romeo so obviously that didn't last long!
I had just shelled out £600 for new brake discs and pads and a service and was feeling mightily pi55ed off. I sold it for probably about £700-£800 less than it was worth (had the light not been on) maybe even a bit more, but at that time I didn't want to risk throwing more money away so just let her go!
I now drive an Alfa Romeo so obviously that didn't last long!
BelperJim said:
Hello all,
I'm currently looking for a daily driver for £4k. I want it to be newish and fairly interesting i.e. not a Corsa or a Fiesta. I would like it to be dependable. The car will be doing two 8 mile journeys daily plus frequent motorway miles.
So far I've contemplated a Toyota Celica Gen 7 or Volkswagen Golf Mk4 GT TDI 130.
Can anybody give any point of reference for running either of those two cars.
Any other suggestion welcome.
Thanks for your time!
"I would like it to be dependable"I'm currently looking for a daily driver for £4k. I want it to be newish and fairly interesting i.e. not a Corsa or a Fiesta. I would like it to be dependable. The car will be doing two 8 mile journeys daily plus frequent motorway miles.
So far I've contemplated a Toyota Celica Gen 7 or Volkswagen Golf Mk4 GT TDI 130.
Can anybody give any point of reference for running either of those two cars.
Any other suggestion welcome.
Thanks for your time!
Why do people put such strange requirements down in what car threads??
I mean, when does someone else ever say "What car? Must be unreliable and breakdown all the time..."
Also you say something interesting and then ask about a Golf Tdi.
Maybe I've got it wrong, but I don't see how that really qualifies as interesting
Gen 7 Celica is ok, but if you want a bit of speed and fun, then I truly don't understand why anyone wouldn't buy a DC2 Integra instead.
16 miles a day broken into two journeys hardly sounds like a hardship or trial. And most cars are fine on the motorway. Actually pretty much all cars are fine on the motorway, and this comes from having driven small 1.5 n/a diesels on them, to a 80hp smart and a Land Rover. All long distance and all fine.
As for other fun or interesting cars for £4k, how about looking at things like:
-MX-5
-MGF/TF
-MG ZS180
-MR2 MKII or III
-Celica GT-Four (st205)
-Impreza WRX STI or at least a Turbo 2000 or WRX
-Fiat Coupe
-Fiat Barchetta
-smart Roadster
-Honda Prelude
-Honda del sol CRX VTEC
-Chevy Camaro 4th gen
-Nissan 200SX (S13/14)
-BMW E30 325i
-BMW E36 328i
-Jaguar X-Type V6
-Ford Mondeo ST220
Thanks for the suggestions 300bhp/ton. I don't see why asking for a car to be reliable is such a problem though. I was having this exact conversation with a friend earlier who suggested a TVR Cerbera he had seen in some backstreet dealer. I was just trying to avoid people making suggestions like that really. Sorry!
ETA
I've been over the Golf diesel thing already see above.
I'm now browsing through some 3-Series coupes on Auto Trader looks like one of those may fit the bill.
ETA
I've been over the Golf diesel thing already see above.
I'm now browsing through some 3-Series coupes on Auto Trader looks like one of those may fit the bill.
Edited by BelperJim on Monday 26th April 12:45
I think by dependable the OP means the car will be used every day and it needs to be okay to do so most of the time.
Of course nobody wants a car that breaks down, but for example, in budget for £4k you could get a Porsche 944, which would be an interesting choice, however, if used every day may spend a bit more time in the workshop then other choices.
On the other hand, there are people who want a car for fun who don't really need every day reliablity for things like the school run or work!
(Cue somebody telling me they do 100 miles per day in their 944 and it has never let them down)!
HTH
Regarding your suggestions, there are some good ones there for the OP to consider! If it was my money, I would want better performance that a Gen 7 Celica, but it may be rapid enough for the OPs needs!
Of course nobody wants a car that breaks down, but for example, in budget for £4k you could get a Porsche 944, which would be an interesting choice, however, if used every day may spend a bit more time in the workshop then other choices.
On the other hand, there are people who want a car for fun who don't really need every day reliablity for things like the school run or work!
(Cue somebody telling me they do 100 miles per day in their 944 and it has never let them down)!
HTH
Regarding your suggestions, there are some good ones there for the OP to consider! If it was my money, I would want better performance that a Gen 7 Celica, but it may be rapid enough for the OPs needs!
Edited by Harbuzi on Monday 26th April 12:45
HellDiver said:
BelperJim said:
I said fairly interesting then mentioned the Golf because you can get a fair chunk of power out of them for the money.
You end up with a bland cardboard box with uncontrollable torque steer. Doesn't sound interesting to me.Interesting you mention the torque steer though, I had my first drive of one over the weekend and that example certainly had it in abundance. I didn't realise they were known for it so I wondered if it was worn suspension bushes or something exagerating the problem, but perhaps not. I still think it'd be more fun that the usual 4-cylinder FWD tin box, though.
BelperJim said:
Thanks for the suggestions 300bhp/ton. I don't see why asking for a car to be reliable is such a problem though.
Sorry, wasn't a dig at you exactly.Edited by BelperJim on Monday 26th April 12:45
Just that nobody ever asks for an unreliable car, so there should be no need to actually specify reliability.
It's a bit like job ads when they say "must be smart, prompt and reliable", just as if some other ads would say "must be scruffy, always late and unreliable"
it just doesn't happen 
As for what cars are reliable, well I guess it depends on your take of such things. But 16 miles a day is not a lot, and I suspect almost anything made since 1960, if well maintained should be up to such a task.
So on this basis it opens up a realm of different cars that might otherwise have been dropped off the radar.
Harbuzi said:
I think by dependable the OP means the car will be used every day and it needs to be okay to do so most of the time.
Of course nobody wants a car that breaks down, but for example, in budget for £4k you could get a Porsche 944, which would be an interesting choice, however, if used every day may spend a bit more time in the workshop then other choices.
On the other hand, there are people who want a car for fun who don't really need every day reliablity for things like the school run or work!
(Cue somebody telling me they do 100 miles per day in their 944 and it has never let them down)!
HTH
Regarding your suggestions, there are some good ones there for the OP to consider! If it was my money, I would want better performance that a Gen 7 Celica, but it may be rapid enough for the OPs needs!
I do see your point.Of course nobody wants a car that breaks down, but for example, in budget for £4k you could get a Porsche 944, which would be an interesting choice, however, if used every day may spend a bit more time in the workshop then other choices.
On the other hand, there are people who want a car for fun who don't really need every day reliablity for things like the school run or work!
(Cue somebody telling me they do 100 miles per day in their 944 and it has never let them down)!
HTH
Regarding your suggestions, there are some good ones there for the OP to consider! If it was my money, I would want better performance that a Gen 7 Celica, but it may be rapid enough for the OPs needs!
Edited by Harbuzi on Monday 26th April 12:45
But I'm not sure £4k will truly buy reliability.
Sure a brand new or newly new car will have a warranty, so even if it does break it'll usually be fixed and maybe even come supplied with a loan car while you wait.
But anything over 4 or 5 years old then runs the risk of breaking. Turbo's failing, gearboxes, springs and so on.
Older cars if maintained may well have gone through the phase of stuff needing fixing and replacing. So as long as you think a head a little can then be more reliable.
For years I've classic Triumphs. And apart from breaking them through abuse they have mostly been very reliable. Or put it this way more reliable than the newer Pugs and similar I've had and other cars of various makes and models.
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