OMO Recommend me a car

[Fallout]

Looking for some suggestions on a new wagon from you organs. Requirements and nice to haves in priority order:

Styling
Economical fuel, insurance, tax
Reliability
Performance
Storage/boot

£3-5k absolute max.

Because I'm essentially buying a boring practical car, I can't get excited about it so at a loss! I've put styling first, not because I care a lot about it but because I don't want it to be hideous. An average looking car is fine.

So bored by this whole subject so hoping some suggestions might help me give a ****! :mrgreen:

[DJ123]

You missed off a key requirement-Dog transport

[SvNewbie]

http://vans.autotrader.co.uk/used-vans/ford/transit/2001-ford-transit-350-lwb-diesel-ub5-6rb-vfpa-8a76121f440b555d01441ccd4f3e5719/makemodel/make/ford/model/transit/price/min/2999?featuredListing=true

[andrewsmith]

http://files.doobybrain.com/wp-content/uploads/2007/11/smart-monster-car.jpg

[maviczap]

Anything by Honda, Mazda or Toyota. Maybe a Volvo too

[Wideboy]

E46 320D estate

[Specialone]

Anything by Honda, Mazda or Toyota. Maybe a Volvo too

If you like plastic fantastic interiors ;)

I prefer German tbh, I've owned nothing but vw's in the last 15 years, been brilliant.

[otaylor38]

What kind of miles are you doing? Enough to warrant a diesel or not?

[Stenno]

Audi A2? Not sure about the boot but a colleague has just done 200K miles in his. Very good mpg.

[Red Herring]

What's your typical journey and how old are you (insurance bracket).

I had a BMW 330D for five years when I was commuting 100 miles a day and it was absolutely faultless, returning mid 40s MPG at typical outside lane BMW speeds.....(Don't bother with the 320 in this price range, go for the 6 cylinder 330)

My wife is now on her second Skoda Fabia diesel and she only got rid of the first one when she gave it to our daughter, who finally managed to drown it at Christmas after 160k trouble free miles (one set of wheel bearings and a clutch...)

I've still got a Mk1 MX5 which has been thrashed and abused on countless track days and has never missed a beat. Not great for long journeys but a brilliant run around.

Three very different cars, what you get will depend on what you want to do with it.

[Fallout]

Cheers for the suggestions! No dog requirement anymore as the ex is taking the hound, so on the rare times I have him I'll just stick him on the backseat (no two seaters then!)

I work from home so will defo do less than 10k a year. Probably around 6k.
32, 8 years no claims, so not too scared by insurance.

I agree with the VW group suggestions. Had a cupra R and it was excellent, but jap are also good for reliability. Never considered an Audi but will do ... I think they're overpriced by the second hand ones obviously much less of an issue.

Aren't beamers prohibitively expensive when servicing? Thats one of my main concerns having not owned one before and everyone whinging about simple issues costing many hundreds of pounds.

[Mark_h]

BMWs cost no more to service than any other car just so long as you steer clear of BMW garages.

[Mark_h]

Here you go...

Big Boot
Stylish
In budget
>300bhp

You are doing very few miles so fuel not a major issue.

Not a boring practical quick comfy BMW (http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/1994-Jaguar-XJS-V12-6-litre-/191063523036?pt=Automobiles_UK&hash=item2c7c45fedc)

[Fallout]

Stylish to a grandfather of 2 Mark! Awesome, I agree, but no no no!

[Wideboy]

you won't buy anything, you're just a lonely old loner who likes to dream of buying cars and bike

[keith_d]

There are two conflicting requirements in the list - economy and performance.

The best way to square that particular circle is with a turbo diesel. Have you considered the the Golf 2.0 TDI. The five door has plenty of space with the seats folded down, and 140PS isn't slow. My mate's one has done well over 100k miles and still returns over 45mpg.

The tough job will be finding a decent one with your budget. It might take a while to find one that suits.

[embee]

One of the most respected owners' surveys is the JD Power survey (http://www.whatcar.com/car-news/how-we-did-it/1206904)as on the What Car? website. That link is for the 2013 survey results, you can search the site for whatever year you want depending on the year of the cars your considering (I think they cover up to 3yrs old, so 2013 includes 2010 onwards....I think).

It's not a hard and fast answer, but it does give a good indication of what real world owners think of the models. See the model ranking as a start.

[otaylor38]

There are two conflicting requirements in the list - economy and performance.

The best way to square that particular circle is with a turbo diesel. Have you considered the the Golf 2.0 TDI. The five door has plenty of space with the seats folded down, and 140PS isn't slow. My mate's one has done well over 100k miles and still returns over 45mpg.

The tough job will be finding a decent one with your budget. It might take a while to find one that suits.

The 2.0 tdi is a brilliant engine. Dads had 2. The pre commonrail and the commonrail. Good engines indeed.

Id be sceptical whether enough mileage is being covered to warrant a diesel though.

If it was me. Id have the 2005-2008 polo gti. 1.8 turbo, 150bhp as standard but are capable of putting out much, much more (many have doubled), great fun to drive but still practical, and not too bad on fuel really.

[fizzwheel]

Boring choices.

Golf or a Focus, will see you right. But something in my heart makes me think

Of course its more cash, but chuffing hell thats alot of car for the money

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201401131003676/sort/default/usedcars/page/1/radius/1501/onesearchad/used%2Cnearlynew%2Cnew/make/bmw/postcode/ba202ne/model/m5/price-to/7500?logcode=p

[otaylor38]

Id be crying every time i went to the fuel pump.

I would love to drive it though. Takes abit of skill to push them to the limit mind

[Specialone]

The fuel cost would be chicken feed compared to the maintenance costs, any part that goes on a M5 will be stupid money, 5 owners as well? That's quite a lot.

[Mark_h]

M5s change hands quite a bit a people either
A) fear for their license
B) lose their license
C) get the speed bug and buy something EVEN faster


Also be interested to hear which bits for an M5 will be "stupid money" compared to spare bits for any other quality car. BMW options and maindealer servicing are expensive but I don't find parts wildly different to other makes these days.

[Specialone]

Lol, I forgot M5's are known for their cheap service costs, go get a clutch fitted or a cam belt/chain fitted, bargain I'm sure.

[Wideboy]

Bwm's are cheep to service if you avoid main dealers. My never saw a garage and was serviced with genuine parts for 100 quid. The equivalent bmw service was around 600-650 quid. Highlights how ridiculous their labour rates are and beemers are actually on of the easiest manufactures to service due to the engine being length ways. Anything cam related is on the front so no struggling.

M5's and guff like that change hands because yuppys buy them before thinking of the tax and fuel costs. Loads of big petrol cars are for sale cheap nowadays

[WARDY25]

vauxhall astra H mark 5 1.9 cdti sri xp 150, just make sure the dual mass flywheel and clutch are ok as well as the inlet manfiold and egr valve

[ClunkintheUK]

M5's and guff like that change hands because yuppys buy them before thinking of the tax and fuel costs. Loads of big petrol cars are for sale cheap nowadays

Yeah, I looked at an E36 M3 when I was on the hunt for something more fun then my Old Golf GT TDI. The cheapest I could find insurance was £1200. Having said that, they were about £3-4k in 2010, and looking at them again now, they are about £4-5k so would have worked out cheaper then the Z4 I got, which lost about £4k in that time.

Rather then the M5 or M3, try something like a 330 or 530, yeah, not quite a quick, but not driven by yuppy racers into ditches, so in the normal realms to insure.

[Wideboy]

E36 M's are probably starting to turn into collectors pieces.

Something like a 330d will do 0-60 around the 7 second mark and still return decent mpg.

[atassiedevil]

BMW any time.
My 14 year old 320D estate still returns nearly 50mpg, and has nearly 200,000 miles on it now. Doesn't look scruffy inside, and i'll keep it as long as it runs.
If i were replacing, i'd go for an E90 series or E60 series 3 or 5 series estate. As i'd consider buying my 3rd one of these, that should really say it all.

As has been said, avoid main dealers, and get it serviced elsewhere. Your budget would find you a good E90 estate, or an E60 diesel estate with under 100k on it. I'd go for the 2.5 straight six diesel E60 at your budget.

[timwilky]

OK org, do a job for me.

budget about £10,000. Must be capable of holding 5 adults comfortably. and eat motorway miles. About 15,000 per year.

My last 4 cars have been Mondeos, ST220s etc, but the last being a Vectra SRI. (Never again a Vauxhall). Maxed out NCB etc.

So what good low milage affordable car does the org recommend for this old man.

[Sir Trev]

For those of you not doing high miles there is an alternative to smelly diseasals. Try a turbo PETROL model as these are becoming more popular. the 1.6 150 unit in my Focus is excellent fun, good midrange and good economy - not as high as diesel granted but it is an alternative if you like revs and don't do the miles to keep a DPF clean.


Ford do a 1.6 180 Focus now and there is a 160 version in the Mondeo as well as a 2.0 240.

[Matt-EUC]

I'd have to disagree with timwilky. I had a vectra SRI for a while and loved every second of it. It was pleasant to look at, had plenty of poke, not a totally naff interior, 60mpg when I felt like it and it was just fun.

[Biker Biggles]

vauxhall astra H mark 5 1.9 cdti sri xp 150, just make sure the dual mass flywheel and clutch are ok as well as the inlet manfiold and egr valve

Too many problem stories about these modern diesels IMO.If I was doing any kind of normal mileage I would avoid them,or buy a good previous generation one.

[Ch00]

For those of you not doing high miles there is an alternative to smelly diseasals. Try a turbo PETROL model as these are becoming more popular. the 1.6 150 unit in my Focus is excellent fun, good midrange and good economy - not as high as diesel granted but it is an alternative if you like revs and don't do the miles to keep a DPF clean.


Ford do a 1.6 180 Focus now and there is a 160 version in the Mondeo as well as a 2.0 240.

On that note I have the 2.0 TDCI Focus with the 163 engine quite quick and a decent drive but I ruined it and got the estate version!!

[Bluepete]

OK org, do a job for me.

budget about £10,000. Must be capable of holding 5 adults comfortably. and eat motorway miles. About 15,000 per year.

My last 4 cars have been Mondeos, ST220s etc, but the last being a Vectra SRI. (Never again a Vauxhall). Maxed out NCB etc.

So what good low milage affordable car does the org recommend for this old man.

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201402071618181/sort/default/usedcars/model/superb/price-from/9000/make/skoda/onesearchad/used%2Cnearlynew%2Cnew/page/1/radius/1500/price-to/10000/postcode/wn24ru/fuel-type/diesel?logcode=p

I've just bought the estate version of this. I love it, it's huge inside and VAG reliability. Can't recommend them enough.

Pete ;)

[ClunkintheUK]

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201402071618181/sort/default/usedcars/model/superb/price-from/9000/make/skoda/onesearchad/used%2Cnearlynew%2Cnew/page/1/radius/1500/price-to/10000/postcode/wn24ru/fuel-type/diesel?logcode=p

I've just bought the estate version of this. I love it, it's huge inside and VAG reliability. Can't recommend them enough.

Pete ;)

Would you say they are superb Pete?

[andrewsmith]

OK org, do a job for me.

budget about £10,000. Must be capable of holding 5 adults comfortably. and eat motorway miles. About 15,000 per year.

My last 4 cars have been Mondeos, ST220s etc, but the last being a Vectra SRI. (Never again a Vauxhall). Maxed out NCB etc.

So what good low milage affordable car does the org recommend for this old man.

There you go! ;)
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2004-NEW-LINCOLN-TOWN-CAR-LIMOUSINE-AMERICAN-STRETCH-LIMO-120-KRYSTAL-8-SEATER-/201030885342?pt=Automobiles_UK&hash=item2ece5fdfde

[Bluepete]

There you go! ;)
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2004-NEW-LINCOLN-TOWN-CAR-LIMOUSINE-AMERICAN-STRETCH-LIMO-120-KRYSTAL-8-SEATER-/201030885342?pt=Automobiles_UK&hash=item2ece5fdfde

Chaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaav!

Pete ;)

[mattSV]

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201402071618181/sort/default/usedcars/model/superb/price-from/9000/make/skoda/onesearchad/used%2Cnearlynew%2Cnew/page/1/radius/1500/price-to/10000/postcode/wn24ru/fuel-type/diesel?logcode=p

I've just bought the estate version of this. I love it, it's huge inside and VAG reliability. Can't recommend them enough.

Pete ;)


This - or an Octavia VRS. Quick, reliable, stick on a high-viz and watch them all get out of your way ;-)

[Paul the 6th]

wanna be in my gang my gang my gang my gang? The lady's always get a bit giggly when you turn the heated seats on without telling them..

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/6/6e/Volvo_V70_D5_Summum_Facelift.JPG/800px-Volvo_V70_D5_Summum_Facelift.JPG

[454697819]

wanna be in my gang my gang my gang my gang? The lady's always get a bit giggly when you turn the heated seats on without telling them..

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/6/6e/Volvo_V70_D5_Summum_Facelift.JPG/800px-Volvo_V70_D5_Summum_Facelift.JPG

what is this vehicle pray tel?

[andrewsmith]

Chaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaav!

Pete ;)

Suits you Pete!

written with a brio

[L3nny]

EP3 Civic Type R

You can get a good one with low miles for 4k, tardis like inside, reliable, not too bad on fuel if you stay out of the VTEC range, handle like it's on rails and not bad looking.

Not the most comfortable on long journeys and will use a bit of oil but will never fail to put a smile on your face.

I loved mine, still regret selling it

http://forums.sv650.org/showthread.php?t=196440

[Fallout]

Spank had one of those and ragged it everywhere. I will be living with him so he'd probably nick it and drive it all over the shop (and to the shop). I had a Cupra R which is a similar styled hatch and loved it a lot. Only sold it to buy a house!

Maybe a hot hatch is exactly what I need. Looks good, fun to drive, not too thirsty on fuel, decent boot with the seat down and space for a dog if the parcel shelf comes out. Hmmmm.

Best hot hatches then?
1. Golf GTI
2. Cupra T or R
3. Civic Type R
4. Focus ST/RS

What am I missing?

[454697819]

Alpha 147 GTA

[andrewsmith]

Shares in BP if you give them a bootful

written with a brio

[Wideboy]

Focus st are pretty bland tbf. Had an st3 for a little bit, entertaining for a day or so.

[L3nny]

What am I missing?

Megane/Clio sport
Astra/Corsa VXR
Skoda VRS

[ClunkintheUK]

The Golf GTI's are more of a warm hatch. I thought their top line hatch was the R32.

I'm not knocking the golfs mind, I am on my third one now. Can fit 3 people and three mountain bikes in the car, my mkIV diesel returns 50mpg according to the computer (can;t be bothered to do it properly) even at 70 (plus change, vat, import duty and BluePete's disgression)

[jamesymurray]

http://www.fotothing.com/photos/81e/81ec0499ec4f0324651610e84a24bd50_12e.jpg

[otaylor38]

The Golf GTI's are more of a warm hatch. I thought their top line hatch was the R32.

I'm not knocking the golfs mind, I am on my third one now. Can fit 3 people and three mountain bikes in the car, my mkIV diesel returns 50mpg according to the computer (can;t be bothered to do it properly) even at 70 (plus change, vat, import duty and BluePete's disgression)

Was the r32 yeah. Stopped making the 3.2 litre v6 though because it only produces 250bhp and is bad on emissions. My mates got one and it was £495 to tax this year haha.

However, they sound pretty damn awesome

[Mark_h]

I always fancied a VW corado They had one with a supercharger and a turbo (G60 or something like that). Went in one once. It was mental. New Sciroccos are quite nice but probably too expensive for you for a while.

Are Jap imports still about? FTO/GTO mitsubishis etc?

[Mark_h]

Lol, I forgot M5's are known for their cheap service costs, go get a clutch fitted or a cam belt/chain fitted, bargain I'm sure.

Any more expensive than any other performance car??? Probably not.

[Specialone]

Any more expensive than any other performance car??? Probably not.

I agree, especially with big hp cars, thats why I wouldn't recommend one of those either.

[Paul the 6th]

what is this vehicle pray tel?

volvo v70 d5… facelift since it has no wipers on the headlights (mines a 2002 with headlight wipers)..

£85 to fill with diesel, 750 motorway miles, 625 real life miles, fast, comfy, heated leather seats, road trips to europe no problem, loads of room for engine & bike bits……….. or a mattress if you're into that :)

lot of car for the money. If you're not commuting, go for a modern petrol hot hatch. If you're thinking of adventures then a diesel tdi 2-2.5 litre is your boy :)

[Wideboy]

volvo v70 d5… facelift since it has no wipers on the headlights (mines a 2002 with headlight wipers)..

£85 to fill with diesel, 750 motorway miles, 625 real life miles, fast, comfy, heated leather seats, road trips to europe no problem, loads of room for engine & bike bits……….. or a mattress if you're into that :)

lot of car for the money. If you're not commuting, go for a modern petrol hot hatch. If you're thinking of adventures then a diesel tdi 2-2.5 litre is your boy :)

Pah 900 miles, 320d at 80mph. Kiss my face.

[Mark_h]

Pah 900 miles, 320d at 80mph. Kiss my face.

Pah, got my 520d 3 years ago, not had to fill it up yet and drive everywhere at 700 mph in 3rd!

[keith_d]

OK org, do a job for me.

budget about £10,000. Must be capable of holding 5 adults comfortably. and eat motorway miles. About 15,000 per year.

My last 4 cars have been Mondeos, ST220s etc, but the last being a Vectra SRI. (Never again a Vauxhall). Maxed out NCB etc.

So what good low milage affordable car does the org recommend for this old man.

I'm liking my ST220 estate in this nasty weather. :D

One of my diving mates has a Volvo V70 T5 and doesn't drive it like a boring old fart. The dealer installed a Volvo ECU re-map which gives him 275 PS instead of the standard 260 and if you keep it in the power it goes like s**t off a shiny shovel. At lower revs it's an excellent mile muncher and good for four adults with luggage.

[Wideboy]

Pah, got my 520d 3 years ago, not had to fill it up yet and drive everywhere at 700 mph in 3rd!

I suspect this is a lie!

[Paul the 6th]

Pah 900 miles, 320d at 80mph. Kiss my face.

Fair play… the only catch is having to look at a cockpit which was designed by depressed robots during a power cut..

http://www.auto-types.com/images/_autonews/2011-Test-Drive-BMW-320d-xDrive-dashboard_86.jpg

[L3nny]

I just sold my 320d granted it was the alpina version but 500 from a tank was more realistic. Now got a 3.2 v6 TT which has the sa.e engine as the r32. Averaging about 15mpg around town!

[NTECUK]

Suzuki alto

Be environmental friendly lol

[ClunkintheUK]

How about this (http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201402111732353/sort/default/usedcars/page/1/quicksearch/true/onesearchad/used%2Cnearlynew%2Cnew/postcode/sw130pl/radius/1500/make/lada?logcode=p) Its at the lower end of your budget too.

[Fallout]

"Acceleration (0-62mph) No details available"

Not ... fecking ... surprised.

I'll consider the Volvo as well Paul. It sounds like vulva too. hehehehe. Vulva!!

[ClunkintheUK]

I'm surprised that its No Data Available, rather then not applicable.

[rowdy]

I always fancied a VW corado They had one with a supercharger and a turbo (G60 or something like that). Went in one once. It was mental. New Sciroccos are quite nice but probably too expensive for you for a while.

Are Jap imports still about? FTO/GTO mitsubishis etc?No, the G60 was just supercharged, not turbo charged as well.

volvo v70 d5… facelift since it has no wipers on the headlights (mines a 2002 with headlight wipers)..

£85 to fill with diesel, 750 motorway miles, 625 real life miles, fast, comfy, heated leather seats, road trips to europe no problem, loads of room for engine & bike bits……….. or a mattress if you're into that :)

lot of car for the money. If you're not commuting, go for a modern petrol hot hatch. If you're thinking of adventures then a diesel tdi 2-2.5 litre is your boy :)
Nearly bought one of those V70 d5s, comfy as hell, lovely to drive, but crap turning circle. I could have lived with that, and the one I looked at was fully loaded, even had seven seats, but it was a 56 plate facelift model.
Looking further into it, the facelift ones that had 185bhp, 6 speed box, had major dpf issues. I wanted facelift spec, they did do these for about a year (54-05reg) but had the 163bhp, 5 speed non dpf (distinguished by chrome bumper trim but no door mirror indicators) but couldn't find one for love nor money. Earlier ones have fragile inter coolers and injectors can be a bit troublesome.

Avoid Mazda diesels for same dpf issues.

[andrewsmith]

"Acceleration (0-62mph) No details available"

Not ... fecking ... surprised.

I'll consider the Volvo as well Paul. It sounds like vulva too. hehehehe. Vulva!!

£100,000 and an accident with a raceshop makes them a bit naughty :smt082

http://paultan.org/images.paultan.org/lotuslada_feat_lead3.jpg

[ClunkintheUK]

£100,000k and a pet race mechanic would make almost anything a bit naughty.

[andrewsmith]

100k would get you about a season in BSB excluding crashing

written with a brio

[Wideboy]

The 100k was used to make put right what was wrong with the cobbled together soviet tin can. I watched a program about them once, truly deadly cars.

[dirtydog]

You can buy my xr2 if you like, have one of the original hot hatches

[andrewsmith]

You can buy my xr2 if you like, have one of the original hot hatches

£50?

written with a brio

[dirtydog]

Closer to £1500

[andrewsmith]

You mean North of. Throw the SV in and we'll have a deal ;)

written with a brio

[otaylor38]

Went in a 335d once.

The twin turbo one. You should get one of those. Pretty mega cars i think.

[Bluepete]

Went in a 335d once.

The twin turbo one. You should get one of those. Pretty mega cars i think.

They're good fun indeed! Quite quick...

Pete ;)

[Matt-EUC]

You could buy an ex police traffic car???

[Ch00]

You could buy an ex police traffic car???

Thats been thrashed and crashed?

Not a good idea. Yes there are serviced often but they are thrashed 24 hours a day.....

[Matt-EUC]

I'm not sure how accurate that statement is... They only sell on cars in half decent nick. Thrashed maybe, but not annihilated.

[Ch00]

I'm not sure how accurate that statement is... They only sell on cars in half decent nick. Thrashed maybe, but not annihilated.

They all get sold off if they they own it. Someone will pay something for it!

Still would not buy one. Especially any Shoguns form the London area!!

[Matt-EUC]

I guess that's true.

I'll alter my suggestion.




Buy a decent ex police traffic car with full history.

[Wideboy]

Not to mention the fact they sit idling at the side of the road for hours on end, not ideal use for a diesel. Then there's the holes and bits missing where they've had all the computers and gear bolted on.

[Matt-EUC]

Still, cheap and regularly serviced. I'd take holy interior for that.

[Wideboy]

I'd take holy interior for that.

So I've heard