What car - for a friend!

[Legend83]

Friend of mine is looking to get shot of his Audi A4 1.8T and will have a budget of £10-12k.

He seems to be obsessed with Audi's (not a wind-up thread) so I am trying to open his eyes to other bits of shiny metal.

Essentially, I think his criteria are:

- Reliable (he travels a fair bit for his job)
- Comfortable-ish
- 2/4 seats (I think he can persuade his wife 2 seats is possible)
- Decent performance
- Not cost the earth to keep on the road

My criteria is it should be something a bit different and not an Audi!

So far I have suggested:

- 350Z
- Z4
- Alfa 159
- Boxter

Any other suggestions?

[300bhp/ton]

Legend83 said:

Friend of mine is looking to get shot of his Audi A4 1.8T and will have a budget of £10-12k.

He seems to be obsessed with Audi's (not a wind-up thread) so I am trying to open his eyes to other bits of shiny metal.

Essentially, I think his criteria are:

- Reliable (he travels a fair bit for his job)
- Comfortable-ish
- 2/4 seats (I think he can persuade his wife 2 seats is possible)
- Decent performance
- Not cost the earth to keep on the road

My criteria is it should be something a bit different and not an Audi!

So far I have suggested:

- 350Z
- Z4
- Alfa 159
- Boxter

Any other suggestions?

The trouble is, there are truly hundreds of different cars if they want. From custom built sports cars, to GT's, to muscle cars, to hot hatches, to saloons, to Rally reps, to 4x4's to SUV's.

Ok, so you can't buy a new Porsche for that money. But £10-12k will buy you a choice of a huge, huge range of vehicles (so many that it's not even worth trying to list them).

Trouble is, if they're not interested in them, then it matters not at all.

[madala]

.....why can no-one seem to spell Boxster correctly.....sigh.....it's the one he should choose.....

[jbi]

* 2002
* Convertible
* 40,200 miles
* Automatic
* 4.3L
* Petrol

2 Doors, Automatic, Cabriolet, Petrol, 40,200 miles, Metallic Gold, 2 Owners. Remote central locking, Wood/wood effect trim, Tinted glass, Adjustable seats, Adjustable steering column/wheel, Air conditioning, Anti theft system, CD Multichanger, Central locking, Climate Control, Colour coding - Body, Driver airbag, Electric mirrors, Electric windows, Foglights, Heated seats, Leather seats, Locking wheel nuts, Leather seat trim, Heated door mirrors, ABS, Lumbar support, Solid Paint, Rear headrests, Steering wheel reach adjustment, Cruise control, Steering wheel rake adjustment, Side airbags, Front electric windows, Alloy wheels, Immobiliser, Electric door mirrors, Radio/CD Multichanger, Audio remote control, Electrically adjustable drivers seat, Rear electric windows, Electrically adjustable passenger seat, Isofix child seat anchor points, Navigation system, Front head restraints, Front fog lights, Passenger airbag, Drivers airbag, Alarm, Front armrest, Headlight washers,

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2010...

£11,995

[RobCrezz]

jbi said:

* 2002
* Convertible
* 40,200 miles
* Automatic
* 4.3L
* Petrol

2 Doors, Automatic, Cabriolet, Petrol, 40,200 miles, Metallic Gold, 2 Owners. Remote central locking, Wood/wood effect trim, Tinted glass, Adjustable seats, Adjustable steering column/wheel, Air conditioning, Anti theft system, CD Multichanger, Central locking, Climate Control, Colour coding - Body, Driver airbag, Electric mirrors, Electric windows, Foglights, Heated seats, Leather seats, Locking wheel nuts, Leather seat trim, Heated door mirrors, ABS, Lumbar support, Solid Paint, Rear headrests, Steering wheel reach adjustment, Cruise control, Steering wheel rake adjustment, Side airbags, Front electric windows, Alloy wheels, Immobiliser, Electric door mirrors, Radio/CD Multichanger, Audio remote control, Electrically adjustable drivers seat, Rear electric windows, Electrically adjustable passenger seat, Isofix child seat anchor points, Navigation system, Front head restraints, Front fog lights, Passenger airbag, Drivers airbag, Alarm, Front armrest, Headlight washers,

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2010...

£11,995

I think nearly all motoring journalists agreed that they ste.

[jbi]

well they aren't the best handling cars, but meet the reliable and comfy part of the Op's request

the 3uz motor is a peach as well.

They cost over 50k new and it's only got 40,000 miles on it... I think it would be a good bet

[daz4m]

jbi said:

well they aren't the best handling cars, but meet the reliable and comfy part of the Op's request

the 3uz motor is a peach as well.

They cost over 50k new and it's only got 40,000 miles on it... I think it would be a good bet

Let me repeat what Rob said so it sticks!!

"I think nearly all motoring journalists agreed that they s**te".

[Gad-Westy]

daz4m said:

jbi said:

well they aren't the best handling cars, but meet the reliable and comfy part of the Op's request

the 3uz motor is a peach as well.

They cost over 50k new and it's only got 40,000 miles on it... I think it would be a good bet

Let me repeat what Rob said so it sticks!!

"I think nearly all motoring journalists agreed that they s**te".

What were they actually critisised for when new? I'll admit that they're aren't the neatest styling exercise and are probably a little/lot barge like but they do look serious value.

[daz4m]

Gad-Westy said:

daz4m said:

jbi said:

well they aren't the best handling cars, but meet the reliable and comfy part of the Op's request

the 3uz motor is a peach as well.

They cost over 50k new and it's only got 40,000 miles on it... I think it would be a good bet

Let me repeat what Rob said so it sticks!!

"I think nearly all motoring journalists agreed that they s**te".

What were they actually critisised for when new? I'll admit that they're aren't the neatest styling exercise and are probably a little/lot barge like but they do look serious value.

Can I just read you something from Top Gear magazine? ... Uphill runs become power-sappingly mundane, while overtaking National Express coaches can become a long, drawn-out affair.” Not my words, Carol. The words of Top Gear magazine.

It's cheap for a reason, as one example

http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/driving/new_car_r...

Edited by daz4m on Tuesday 3rd August 11:50

[Gad-Westy]

daz4m said:

Gad-Westy said:

daz4m said:

jbi said:

well they aren't the best handling cars, but meet the reliable and comfy part of the Op's request

the 3uz motor is a peach as well.

They cost over 50k new and it's only got 40,000 miles on it... I think it would be a good bet

Let me repeat what Rob said so it sticks!!

"I think nearly all motoring journalists agreed that they s**te".

What were they actually critisised for when new? I'll admit that they're aren't the neatest styling exercise and are probably a little/lot barge like but they do look serious value.

Can I just read you something from Top Gear magazine? ... Uphill runs become power-sappingly mundane, while overtaking National Express coaches can become a long, drawn-out affair.” Not my words, Carol. The words of Top Gear magazine.

Classic partridge!

[jbi]

http://autos.msn.com/research/userreviews/reviewli...

read some owner reviews for a proper opinion... it scores an average 8.7 out of 10 over 300 reviews.

It's a decent 2 seat wafter and very good value for money

Edited by jbi on Tuesday 3rd August 12:06

[300bhp/ton]

daz4m said:

jbi said:

well they aren't the best handling cars, but meet the reliable and comfy part of the Op's request

the 3uz motor is a peach as well.

They cost over 50k new and it's only got 40,000 miles on it... I think it would be a good bet

Let me repeat what Rob said so it sticks!!

"I think nearly all motoring journalists agreed that they s**te".

Well that's then folks. Don't EVER think of forming an opinion yourselves, not when there are others who will quote the media and TELL you what you are allowed to think.......

[daz4m]

Ah.... discussion on a crap car and look who shows up.

Hoping you are keeping well 300.

[Mitchmachine]

300bhp/ton said:

daz4m said:

jbi said:

well they aren't the best handling cars, but meet the reliable and comfy part of the Op's request

the 3uz motor is a peach as well.

They cost over 50k new and it's only got 40,000 miles on it... I think it would be a good bet

Let me repeat what Rob said so it sticks!!

"I think nearly all motoring journalists agreed that they s**te".

Well that's then folks. Don't EVER think of forming an opinion yourselves, not when there are others who will quote the media and TELL you what you are allowed to think.......

So what do you do then? Form your own opinion on absolutely everything, ignoring the advice of subject matter experts? Interesting tactic, it has fail written all over it.

[300bhp/ton]

Mitchmachine said:

300bhp/ton said:

daz4m said:

jbi said:

well they aren't the best handling cars, but meet the reliable and comfy part of the Op's request

the 3uz motor is a peach as well.

They cost over 50k new and it's only got 40,000 miles on it... I think it would be a good bet

Let me repeat what Rob said so it sticks!!

"I think nearly all motoring journalists agreed that they s**te".

Well that's then folks. Don't EVER think of forming an opinion yourselves, not when there are others who will quote the media and TELL you what you are allowed to think.......

So what do you do then? Form your own opinion on absolutely everything, ignoring the advice of subject matter experts? Interesting tactic, it has fail written all over it.

Personally I'd like to keep more of an open mind. Sure read and listen to others, but don't take it for read that their opinion is fully correct.

For 1, half of them simply re-type what others have said. So it's not an original opinion, it is one or two people's opinions that others have adopted and regurgitated.

2. We are all different.

3. Road testers get too much exposure to some superb cars, so when something not quite to their taste or not as fun as the previous car they drove turns up, they might not give it quite the justice it deserves. Meaning, don't believe everything you are told

[Marf]

http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/1873363.htm

[daz4m]

300bhp/ton said:

Mitchmachine said:

300bhp/ton said:

daz4m said:

jbi said:

well they aren't the best handling cars, but meet the reliable and comfy part of the Op's request

the 3uz motor is a peach as well.

They cost over 50k new and it's only got 40,000 miles on it... I think it would be a good bet

Let me repeat what Rob said so it sticks!!

"I think nearly all motoring journalists agreed that they s**te".

Well that's then folks. Don't EVER think of forming an opinion yourselves, not when there are others who will quote the media and TELL you what you are allowed to think.......

So what do you do then? Form your own opinion on absolutely everything, ignoring the advice of subject matter experts? Interesting tactic, it has fail written all over it.

Personally I'd like to keep more of an open mind. Sure read and listen to others, but don't take it for read that their opinion is fully correct.

For 1, half of them simply re-type what others have said. So it's not an original opinion, it is one or two people's opinions that others have adopted and regurgitated.

2. We are all different.

3. Road testers get too much exposure to some superb cars, so when something not quite to their taste or not as fun as the previous car they drove turns up, they might not give it quite the justice it deserves. Meaning, don't believe everything you are told

That's great but don't you think it's time you took the chip off your shoulder. How do you know that Rob or I haven't driven one?

Do you not agree with the 99.9% of motoring journos that said it was a boat on wheels?

[300bhp/ton]

daz4m said:

That's great but don't you think it's time you took the chip off your shoulder. How do you know that Rob or I haven't driven one?

lol, my comment was meant tong in cheek

But you are correct, I don't know! Because only magazine articles have been cited and checking back nobody (yourself included ) seemed to offer an opinion based on driving it themselves, Just links and quotes from magazines.

daz4m said:

Do you not agree with the 99.9% of motoring journos that said it was a boat on wheels?

On this car? No idea, haven't been in one or read a review of them. Was just stating that maybe sometimes people should be allowed to form their own opinions and not always believe everything that is written and published.

And to be fair, the OP clearly states the current car is a 1.8 Audi A4. So almost anything will be step up

And if you look at the requirements:

- Reliable (he travels a fair bit for his job)
- Comfortable-ish
- 2/4 seats (I think he can persuade his wife 2 seats is possible)
- Decent performance
- Not cost the earth to keep on the road

Even if the Lexus is ste as a drivers or performance car, it still meets all of these points.

It'll be reliable - CHECK!
It'll be comfy enough - CHECK!
It has 2 seats - CHECK!
Google says 288hp and 0-60 in 5.8-6.2 sec, so decent performance - CHECK!
Not cost the earth to keep on the road? Well probably not if it's like other Lexus models - CHECK!


Not once does it mention that it has to be the best car in the world, or even a great car. Or the fastest, or the best handling, or the most fun, or the sharpest driving tool.


Do I think it's a good car?? No idea, truly haven't got a clue and have never looked. But my point isn't about the car, it's about the fact that it seems to fit the criteria on paper and allowing others to make their own mind up.

[Mitchmachine]

300bhp/ton said:

daz4m said:

That's great but don't you think it's time you took the chip off your shoulder. How do you know that Rob or I haven't driven one?

lol, my comment was meant tong in cheek

But you are correct, I don't know! Because only magazine articles have been cited and checking back nobody (yourself included ) seemed to offer an opinion based on driving it themselves, Just links and quotes from magazines.

daz4m said:

Do you not agree with the 99.9% of motoring journos that said it was a boat on wheels?

On this car? No idea, haven't been in one or read a review of them. Was just stating that maybe sometimes people should be allowed to form their own opinions and not always believe everything that is written and published.

And to be fair, the OP clearly states the current car is a 1.8 Audi A4. So almost anything will be step up

And if you look at the requirements:

- Reliable (he travels a fair bit for his job)
- Comfortable-ish
- 2/4 seats (I think he can persuade his wife 2 seats is possible)
- Decent performance
- Not cost the earth to keep on the road

Even if the Lexus is ste as a drivers or performance car, it still meets all of these points.

It'll be reliable - CHECK!
It'll be comfy enough - CHECK!
It has 2 seats - CHECK!
Google says 288hp and 0-60 in 5.8-6.2 sec, so decent performance - CHECK!
Not cost the earth to keep on the road? Well probably not if it's like other Lexus models - CHECK!


Not once does it mention that it has to be the best car in the world, or even a great car. Or the fastest, or the best handling, or the most fun, or the sharpest driving tool.


Do I think it's a good car?? No idea, truly haven't got a clue and have never looked. But my point isn't about the car, it's about the fact that it seems to fit the criteria on paper and allowing others to make their own mind up.

Hold the phone.

So are you saying that any car that meets a minimum requirement you'd recommend?

The guy is asking for advice with minimum targets set that albeit rather vague would probably like the combined experience and expertise to put in a solid solution.

I'd contest that the Lexus in question isn't given that most of the motoring journalists slated it. Especially when there are plenty of other solutions out there........

[daz4m]

300bhp/ton said:

daz4m said:

That's great but don't you think it's time you took the chip off your shoulder. How do you know that Rob or I haven't driven one?

lol, my comment was meant tong in cheek

But you are correct, I don't know! Because only magazine articles have been cited and checking back nobody (yourself included ) seemed to offer an opinion based on driving it themselves, Just links and quotes from magazines.

daz4m said:

Do you not agree with the 99.9% of motoring journos that said it was a boat on wheels?

On this car? No idea, haven't been in one or read a review of them. Was just stating that maybe sometimes people should be allowed to form their own opinions and not always believe everything that is written and published.

And to be fair, the OP clearly states the current car is a 1.8 Audi A4. So almost anything will be step up

And if you look at the requirements:

- Reliable (he travels a fair bit for his job)
- Comfortable-ish
- 2/4 seats (I think he can persuade his wife 2 seats is possible)
- Decent performance
- Not cost the earth to keep on the road

Even if the Lexus is ste as a drivers or performance car, it still meets all of these points.

It'll be reliable - CHECK!
It'll be comfy enough - CHECK!
It has 2 seats - CHECK!
Google says 288hp and 0-60 in 5.8-6.2 sec, so decent performance - CHECK!
Not cost the earth to keep on the road? Well probably not if it's like other Lexus models - CHECK!


Not once does it mention that it has to be the best car in the world, or even a great car. Or the fastest, or the best handling, or the most fun, or the sharpest driving tool.


Do I think it's a good car?? No idea, truly haven't got a clue and have never looked. But my point isn't about the car, it's about the fact that it seems to fit the criteria on paper and allowing others to make their own mind up.

BUT....... if he is travelling lots why would he replace the relatively frugal 1.8T A4 for a thirsty V8. It is also as ugly as sin in comparison to the A4 but that's just an opinion.

Regarding the chip on the shoulder remark, I meant your apparent hatred of the motoring press. I reckon this stems from the fact you like alternative types of cars that are not very well regarded by that same press.

We want the OP to move away from the Audi brand, lets offer some decent alternatives to help the OPs mate who is in need of some assistance. The Lex*rse is not going to cut it.

Edited by daz4m on Tuesday 3rd August 14:08