Replacement car - opinions

Now that the mx5 has been declared written off, im just waiting on them to produce a magical settlement figure, which leads me onto my current search for another car.

1st and foremost, my bike is for pleasure not for commuting - i like to drive a car home after a nightshift and a 50 mile round trip commute on dual carriageways which are very quiet is the way to work at the moment.

Yesterday tried a MG ZR TD105. Used to have a Rover 218is. My god no wonder how MG went bust. This car is garbage, absolute garbage. I liked the MG looks as it was similar to my old 200 and my old 200 was well equipped with a good ride and was quick. Downside was the HGF on the k series engine. Trying the ZR TD, i found that there was no power in first gear at all. The engine pulled like a train through the gears however the clutch was very heavy for a small car and the brakes were non evident. I was stamping on them trying to get them to lock up and they just stopped when they wanted to. Trying a full lock, the wheels scrape the side of the arches - where was the R&D when putting these cars together?

So thats definitely out. Since then ive been looking at Clios - 1.4 petrol and the dci diesel variants but find the diesels are costly. Ive also looked at Polos on a 2k1 plate 1.4 and 1.6 GTI.

I also have a soft spot for Alfa 156's but my head tells me that they would be a moneypit and the whole point in my new car is to cut costs so i can enjoy myself a little more (The car is just a commuting tool and is only occasionally used as a backroad scratcher)

[Viney]

Whats ort of budget you got, and what kind of car do you want? Going from a MX5 to a DCi Clio is a jump. What do you want the car to do?

Its a mine field out there, but stay away from anything MG/Rover

A VW Lupo GTI is a hoot. 125bhp, 0-60 in around 8 secs, 900KG, rare though handles like a go cart. Downsides, tyres are a paint ot get hold of.

Originally Posted by robchester

Now that the mx5 has been declared written off, im just waiting on them to produce a magical settlement figure, which leads me onto my current search for another car.

1st and foremost, my bike is for pleasure not for commuting - i like to drive a car home after a nightshift and a 50 mile round trip commute on dual carriageways which are very quiet is the way to work at the moment.

Yesterday tried a MG ZR TD105. Used to have a Rover 218is. My god no wonder how MG went bust. This car is garbage, absolute garbage. I liked the MG looks as it was similar to my old 200 and my old 200 was well equipped with a good ride and was quick. Downside was the HGF on the k series engine. Trying the ZR TD, i found that there was no power in first gear at all. The engine pulled like a train through the gears however the clutch was very heavy for a small car and the brakes were non evident. I was stamping on them trying to get them to lock up and they just stopped when they wanted to. Trying a full lock, the wheels scrape the side of the arches - where was the R&D when putting these cars together?

So thats definitely out. Since then ive been looking at Clios - 1.4 petrol and the dci diesel variants but find the diesels are costly. Ive also looked at Polos on a 2k1 plate 1.4 and 1.6 GTI.

I also have a soft spot for Alfa 156's but my head tells me that they would be a moneypit and the whole point in my new car is to cut costs so i can enjoy myself a little more (The car is just a commuting tool and is only occasionally used as a backroad scratcher)

Rob, I'd suggest that that ZR may well be fubar - I've driven a ZR TD before and the brakes were fine, there was no rubbing from the arches (It's probably been amateur-barry modified) and I don't remember thinking the clutch was a problem. OK, the ride wasn't brilliant and the build wasn't great and it wasn't massively quick and it didn't handle, but it was certainly better than you described. I'd guess it's just a crap one.

I'd say stay away from Renaults full stop. We ran a fleet of 10 Meganes and Lagunas at work and in the first six months of the lease they cost us over 300K total in downtime value. Clutches going at 67 miles on the clock, gearboxes dying at 6K, electrical problems, turbo seals blowing, leaking intercoolers, poor trim fit, loose doors, oval wheels, warped brake discs to name a few of the daily problems with them.

I'd suggest a Skoda Fabia if you've looked at Polos. If you haven't driven one, try it, forget about the badge. If your budget will run to a Fabia 1.9TD vRS they're an absolute blast to drive.

On the other hand you don't want another MX5 do you? Cos I've got one for sale

subaru impreza 2.0 sport. looks nice, practical in all weather (4 wheel drive with low range when needed), superb engine ... and can be cheeky to drive when you want it to be. Handles corners fantastic. I have an v reg that I have owned for about 3 years now, bob on! Would buy another tomorrow. I have the hatchback which is dead practical for the dog and family etc. but it is nippy when you want to play a bit. only thing is it is a bit thirsty if you drive it aggressive.

Thats my 2p worth

Go on ebay and check out a Suzuki Ignis Sport. 1.5 twin cam 16v vvt 0-60 8.9 secs fully loaded as
standard inc aircon. Just as much fun to drive as the MX5 and just as reliable. Best bit, £10,500 new
54/05 plates with say 15k can go for £3500 or so. Bargain.

I've had an Alfa romeo 156 sportwagon for almost 2 years (an 03 plate so wasn't new when I bought it), and it's not what I would call a money pit.

All I;ve had to spend on it so far other than the service is new tyres.

the electronic key fob knackered so the alrm went of all the time but it got fixed under warranty, so all I had to put up with was a crappy loan car for 10 days.

The petrol cap seazed, a replacement from ebay cost £0.99 (the postage was more expensive than the part, OH YES, also just ordered a new set of front wiper blades TOTAL £8.99 including postage.

My mate has a Mistubish EVO vi, he's just spent £450 on new tyres for all 4 wheels, mine cost £240 for all 4 (and that was pirelli p6's)

Mate at work just bought a Fiat Stilo 1.9d, swears by it.

It always pays to shop around.

[embee]

My take on cars (having worked in the car industry for 20+ years) is that I want reliability above all else. I run a Yaris.

If this is important, the reliability list goes
1 - Honda
2 - the rest of the Japs (Mazda, Toyota, Mitsubishi, Subaru, Suzuki a bit of an also ran)
3 - surprising upstart is Kia, not that I'd necessarily recommend it
4 - if you really must have Euro go Skoda, bottom of the warranty list tend to be Land Rover, Saab, Alfa, Renault, Seat. Even Audi, VW, BMW have typically 4 times the warranty issues of Honda.

Have a look here for the J.D.Power survey.

Steer clear of French cars esp Renault. Build quality are pits.

All down to budget... I have a diesel Honda 0-60 in 9.5 top 135mph - engine is absolute dream - and due to replace in June. test drove the Civic Type S diesel - awesome car all round 0-60 8.5 top 130, bloody good for a diesel with 55mpg!!.

Skoda's are terrific with buckets of power.

Ford Focus diesels have come up well with very low CO2 and good mpg on the 1.6 TDi but short of the sporty nature.

Had VW Passat diesel previously - hell of car but engines are now being left behind.

Had no probs with my MG TF and it got driven quite hard!

I've got a VERY *sporty Renault Megane Scenic you can have for the right price...






*As rated by a panel of drivers who fear adrenalin.