Insurance write off - replacement.

[Bullett]

Yup, it's a what car.

So, the Mrs managed to write off her 2002 S3. We need a replacement asap and it needs to look good, go well, have 5 doors, leather interior and a good sized boot. Budget no more than £15k - it has to last, and transport her and the boy(1yo), buggy and shopping. WE have an Octavia for 'big trips'

So far considered

Audi A3 2ltr S.line - Nice car, plenty quick enough but my opinion is you are paying over the odds for the badge.
Golf GTI - Boot is too small
Focus ST3 - Looks good, sounds good, leather, good boot. This is leading at the moment (would we be happy long term with a Ford).
Skoda Fabia VRS - Nice (would be new) good finance offer, a little small.
Skoda Yeti - Left field choice, probably underpowered for the budget - long lead time.

She won't consider a BMW or Alfa.

Have I missed anything obvious

[omgus]

Bullett said:

Have I missed anything obvious

MX-5?


Possibly not covered all the bases, but i'm sure 300bhp will be here shortly with a slightly more eclectic selection.
Kia C'eed - It will last, or be covered by warranty
http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/2198338.htm
Qashqai - maybe not enough go, but everything else. (IMO, even the looks are growing on me)
http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/2181815.htm
Legacy - No what car thread is complete without a someone trying to get a legacy in there, bloody good cars though.
http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/2183525.htm

Also at that size the Volvo C30, or if you want to move up in size a bit (but drop the budget) and don't mind a little dullness the Previous Avensis diesel estate, mind crushing boring, safe, economical and comfy.

Edited by omgus on Monday 6th December 18:16

[Mars]

omgus said:

Legacy - No what car thread is complete without a someone trying to get a legacy in there, bloody good cars though.
http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/2183525.htm

Hah Beat me to it.

[Jayho]

Bullett said:

Yup, it's a what car.

Audi A3 2ltr S.line - Nice car, plenty quick enough but my opinion is you are paying over the odds for the badge.

Skoda Fabia VRS - Nice (would be new) good finance offer, a little small.

Have I missed anything obvious

Out of your choices I'd go for either of these two.

If she was happy with the Audi A3/S3 before then shouldn't bother too much about changing about.

Am I right in thinking that the New Fabia VRS' are 1.4TSI (Supercharger and Turbocharger) petrol engines as apposed to the old 1.9TDI lumps?

Why she wouldnt want an Alfa Baffles me! :P

How about a Fiat Bravo with the new MultiJet technology? They seem quite nice IMO.

Or the Citroen DS3? They've had rave reviews?

[mattmoxon]

Current shape Honda Civic? if not the type-R the 2.2 derv is a nice engine, if you can find one.

[Bullett]

She's a bit of a badge snob tbh, that rules out the Kia and Hyundai. The Nissan we looked at last year as family wagon and thought it was awful, gutless and nasty to drive.

Volvo, I'll have a look at those.

She has the traditional reliability view of Alfas backed up by several friends having bad ones.

[Bullett]

DS3 is a thought, is there a sporty one?

Civic will be too small I think.

[Jayho]

Bullett said:

DS3 is a thought, is there a sporty one?

Civic will be too small I think.

If the new civics are too small I dont think the DS3 would work for you... I just checked that they're three door only... There's a "warm Hatch" -VTI 120BHP 0-60 just under 9 seconds.

The hottest version is 150BHP about low 7 seconds I think. Thats you're top of the range hot hatch I think...