Cannot decide what to buy - £6k budget
Discussion
Hi there
Hope anyone has had the same predicament. Im currently debating as to what (or even if should) replace my current ageing civic with. Its 1.8 and has not been the best of ownerships but has been relatively reliable. It is not the best to drive either. I have been debating changing it for some time.
Ive looked at numerous cars and made various threads about the cars that have appealed but I cannot decide what I actually want - and end up going around in circles.
I have recently started a new job which involves some driving during the day (But not a lot) So don't want something that's heavy on petrol. Also ideally Japanese for reliability - I seem to gravitate towards Honda.
I seem to be trying to fulfil multiple briefs - reliable/low running costs and fun to drive and not too common but unfortunately these don't seem to go hand in hand. Ive looked at the following but end up finding reasons not to pursue ultimately.
FN2 Type R - Very nice and am familiar with this shape Civic but worried running costs will be too high and ride punishing for day to day tasks. I was set on these originally but have a n
Swift Sport 2 - Nice drive but I struggle to get excited about these and the interior seems a bit of a downgrade (Plenty of kit though!)
CR-Z - Love the shape of this car but these get very mixed reviews. Seem a little underpowered but nice to drive/sit in. However to add power think you'd have to spend serious money?
Prelude 2.2 - Love these but again worried about running costs. Difficult to find a good one now and owners are tough to deal with as they are demanding a classic price tag and generally mess you about. Also difficulty getting parts
Celica - On paper should be my ideal car but I just don't like the look of these for some reason and really don't enjoy the interior
Mazda 3 - MPS running costs and tax too high and think still out of my price tag. The later shape 3's look lovely but I think are just out of reach.
I seem to be making excuses not to buy all of the above and I seem to be running out of cars that fit what I want. I have looked at Fords but again struggle to get excited about any of them (Even the ST because they are everywhere now!) and all the VW models I seem to like the look of are plagued with engine problems (Especially tensioner failure on TSI models!) I have had my fingers burnt with German marques in the past so am now trying to stay away from them. I know I am fussy but spending that amount on a car whilst not financing and I want to make sure I am happy with what I get. Rather than putting up with a white goods car that Ill inevitably get bored of.
The more I look the more I lose interest in replacing my current car but am wary that various parts will need replacing soon. Mainly knackered shocks and clutch - to the point that I am starting to debate keeping hold of it. Test drives during this period is also proving to be difficult so again that adds to the indecisiveness.
Would be keen to know if anyone else is this fussy, or had this same dilemma. And if so what did you go for. Or if there's a car ive overlooked
Hope anyone has had the same predicament. Im currently debating as to what (or even if should) replace my current ageing civic with. Its 1.8 and has not been the best of ownerships but has been relatively reliable. It is not the best to drive either. I have been debating changing it for some time.
Ive looked at numerous cars and made various threads about the cars that have appealed but I cannot decide what I actually want - and end up going around in circles.
I have recently started a new job which involves some driving during the day (But not a lot) So don't want something that's heavy on petrol. Also ideally Japanese for reliability - I seem to gravitate towards Honda.
I seem to be trying to fulfil multiple briefs - reliable/low running costs and fun to drive and not too common but unfortunately these don't seem to go hand in hand. Ive looked at the following but end up finding reasons not to pursue ultimately.
FN2 Type R - Very nice and am familiar with this shape Civic but worried running costs will be too high and ride punishing for day to day tasks. I was set on these originally but have a n
Swift Sport 2 - Nice drive but I struggle to get excited about these and the interior seems a bit of a downgrade (Plenty of kit though!)
CR-Z - Love the shape of this car but these get very mixed reviews. Seem a little underpowered but nice to drive/sit in. However to add power think you'd have to spend serious money?
Prelude 2.2 - Love these but again worried about running costs. Difficult to find a good one now and owners are tough to deal with as they are demanding a classic price tag and generally mess you about. Also difficulty getting parts
Celica - On paper should be my ideal car but I just don't like the look of these for some reason and really don't enjoy the interior
Mazda 3 - MPS running costs and tax too high and think still out of my price tag. The later shape 3's look lovely but I think are just out of reach.
I seem to be making excuses not to buy all of the above and I seem to be running out of cars that fit what I want. I have looked at Fords but again struggle to get excited about any of them (Even the ST because they are everywhere now!) and all the VW models I seem to like the look of are plagued with engine problems (Especially tensioner failure on TSI models!) I have had my fingers burnt with German marques in the past so am now trying to stay away from them. I know I am fussy but spending that amount on a car whilst not financing and I want to make sure I am happy with what I get. Rather than putting up with a white goods car that Ill inevitably get bored of.
The more I look the more I lose interest in replacing my current car but am wary that various parts will need replacing soon. Mainly knackered shocks and clutch - to the point that I am starting to debate keeping hold of it. Test drives during this period is also proving to be difficult so again that adds to the indecisiveness.
Would be keen to know if anyone else is this fussy, or had this same dilemma. And if so what did you go for. Or if there's a car ive overlooked
Whereas id love an mx-5 again (previous NC owner) i think ideally i would like boot space. I think this is why i was drawn to the CR-Z. Sort of 2 seater but with decent size boot. I personally i like them but there seems to be an underlying hatred of these whereas owners seem to love them.
ChrisH72 said:
I think your main issue is the Japanese thing. Not a criticism because I was exactly the same after loving two quick Toyota's and then buying a civic like me yours which as you know I found underwhelming. But even so I still had this thing about buying Jap and it was hard to break away. But the reality is that the best Jap cars were back in the 90's and nowadays apart from the mx5 and latest type R's they're mostly a bit meh.
I really don't think they are any more reliable than anything else now. Even French stuff can be reliable now and with 6k I'd be tempted to go there.
208gti
RS Clio
RCZ
The 208 in particular is worth a look. Rarer than the Fiesta ST and unlike the Ford 6k will get you a decent example.
Yes unfortunately i agree. Sticking to Japanese is definitely limiting and there’s definitely been a long period where anything interesting went by the wayside. Anything after around 2004 it seems.I really don't think they are any more reliable than anything else now. Even French stuff can be reliable now and with 6k I'd be tempted to go there.
208gti
RS Clio
RCZ
The 208 in particular is worth a look. Rarer than the Fiesta ST and unlike the Ford 6k will get you a decent example.
I really wanted to be sold on the CR-Z but i think the way it drives might not be enough to satisfy.
It does annoy that i am picky - most people seem satisfied with Fiestas/Corsas.
My god though that V6 Auris is rare! I completely forgot these existed! Im sure that wins the rarity factor!!!
The GT86 would be a great option and would certainly tick the boxes but sadly i cant justify the cost at this moment in time as im also shortly due to move.
Im also quite limited after ruling out VAG stuff of all shapes and sizes, but ive just come across so many reports of big repair costs on engines.
We’re now into the debate of FN2 vs EP3 !!! Personally i prefer the FN2 as im not as keen on the EP3 shape. However everytime whenever i mention id consider an FN2 for a daily and work to anyone they wince and say its no good as its too ‘sporty’.
I dont find the ride that bad on them but i would be concerned over the consumption of stop start driving.
Every now and again i keep flirting with the idea of a swift sport but i think its the styling of these that im not keen on.
Ive also been recommended the Lancer Ralliart - also unusual but ive not read into these much.
I dont find the ride that bad on them but i would be concerned over the consumption of stop start driving.
Every now and again i keep flirting with the idea of a swift sport but i think its the styling of these that im not keen on.
Ive also been recommended the Lancer Ralliart - also unusual but ive not read into these much.
I like this idea very much and have seriously toyed with it. However finding one is very difficult, although the 125i which is supposedly very similar bar suspension, are easier to get hold of?
My only other concern is that BMW parts/repairs are very expensive - i seem to have a phobia of German cars!
I do see a lot of appeal with these though! Seem comfy with decent pace and rwd!
Unfortunately i tend to read to much into each model ive looked at but apparently these are prone to oil leaks?
My only other concern is that BMW parts/repairs are very expensive - i seem to have a phobia of German cars!
I do see a lot of appeal with these though! Seem comfy with decent pace and rwd!
Unfortunately i tend to read to much into each model ive looked at but apparently these are prone to oil leaks?
Yes trying anything now is proving tricky but I think i have narrowed it down to three very different cars.
The 130i, FN2 and CR-Z (quite like the earlier A3s and Scirocco too) - Yes a very weird selection but i seem to constantly come back to these. I do like Hondas but those 1 series are enough to tempt me away.
The 130i though i think has peaked my interest but they are very tricky to get hold of. The same reason why i stopped looking for Preludes. Although i see enough 130s driving around.
I have seen one for sale not a million miles away from me but i think arranging test drives with places is difficult.
Im not overly knowledgeable on these and the N52 - they dont seem to have any major faults but am i right in thinking they are slightly prone to oil leaks?
The 130i, FN2 and CR-Z (quite like the earlier A3s and Scirocco too) - Yes a very weird selection but i seem to constantly come back to these. I do like Hondas but those 1 series are enough to tempt me away.
The 130i though i think has peaked my interest but they are very tricky to get hold of. The same reason why i stopped looking for Preludes. Although i see enough 130s driving around.
I have seen one for sale not a million miles away from me but i think arranging test drives with places is difficult.
Im not overly knowledgeable on these and the N52 - they dont seem to have any major faults but am i right in thinking they are slightly prone to oil leaks?
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