Welcome to the MacNN Forums.

If this is your first visit, be sure to check out the FAQ by clicking the link above. You may have to register before you can post: click the register link above to proceed. To start viewing messages, select the forum that you want to visit from the selection below.

You are here: MacNN Forums > Community > MacNN Lounge > YA Car advice thread - but with PRIZES!

YA Car advice thread - but with PRIZES!
Thread Tools
Paco500
Professional Poster
Join Date: Apr 2000
Location: Berkshire, UK
Status: Offline
Reply With Quote
Jul 4, 2009, 03:32 PM
 
There have been seemingly 100s of "what car should I get" threads- I've started at least one myself. But this one is different- you could WIN something!

So here's the deal. I've finally accepted the reality that I pretty much only drive my car to the station and a few odd short trips here an there, and my current car is wasted on this. For the record, I have a BMW 325i saloon, and I'm spending too much on petrol, insurance, maintenance and taxes for a car that barley gets driven. So I'm looking for something more sensible.

I'm not a petrol head, but I do like cars and enjoy driving, so I want something at least slightly fun. As the point of the exercise is to get something more economical, it should be fuel efficient and relatively cheap to insure and tax. I don't want it to spend too much time getting repaired (nor do I want to pay for said repairs) so it should be reliable. I have two young kids that will need to be in it from time to time, so a back seat is a must, but it doesn't need to be too roomy- they are small and their time in it will be limited. I definitely don't want a new car, but not too old either- consider 60,000 miles the most I would consider. Finally, I don't want something I would be embarrassed to be seen in.

The hard part? I've decided I don't want to spend more than £6000.

Now the prizes. If you suggest a make and model I eventually buy, I'll send you an iTunes gift worth the local currency equivalent of £15. If you happen to find an actual car I go and buy, I'll make it £40. If you don't use iTunes (or would prefer it), I'll make it PayPal or some other gift card of your choosing.

For the record, I'm just outside of Newbury, Berkshire, UK- so if you want to play at finding me the actual car, it should be somewhat close to there.

Any questions, post them.

Thanks for playing.
     
moep
Senior User
Join Date: Nov 2003
Status: Offline
Reply With Quote
Jul 4, 2009, 04:03 PM
 
Maybe a Mini Cooper since you are british?
Although I’m not sure if it fits the
Finally, I don't want something I would be embarrassed to be seen in.
requirement you listed.
The R53 S is also known to guzzle fuel, but rest assured that it is a lot of fun to drive.
for example something like this or this (more here)
( Last edited by moep; Jul 4, 2009 at 04:11 PM. )
"The road to success is dotted with the most tempting parking spaces."
     
Paco500  (op)
Professional Poster
Join Date: Apr 2000
Location: Berkshire, UK
Status: Offline
Reply With Quote
Jul 4, 2009, 04:12 PM
 
Originally Posted by moep View Post
Maybe a Mini Cooper since you are british?
Although I’m not sure if it fits the

requirement you listed.
The R53 S is also known to guzzle fuel, but rest assured that it is a lot of fun to drive.
for example something like this (more here)
I'm actually a yank ex-pat, but I would like a mini. For all the chick car rep, they are fun to drive. The problem is, I think it violates the £6000 budget, at least if I want one with low milage- and I don't think I could stomach a mini one. I'd want a Cooper at least. Actually, I'd only be interested in a cooper- the "S" does get lousy milage and is too expansive to tax and insure.

But a good thought.
     
moep
Senior User
Join Date: Nov 2003
Status: Offline
Reply With Quote
Jul 4, 2009, 04:32 PM
 
Originally Posted by Paco500 View Post
I'm actually a yank ex-pat, but I would like a mini. For all the chick car rep, they are fun to drive. The problem is, I think it violates the £6000 budget, at least if I want one with low milage- and I don't think I could stomach a mini one. I'd want a Cooper at least. Actually, I'd only be interested in a cooper- the "S" does get lousy milage and is too expansive to tax and insure.

But a good thought.
I did a quick check on http://www.motors.co.uk and found plenty of Coopers for £6000 — 12 within 100 miles of you. Unless you want the newer, BMW-engineered model.

(does it matter whether the car is left or right hand drive?)
"The road to success is dotted with the most tempting parking spaces."
     
turtle777
Clinically Insane
Join Date: Jun 2001
Location: planning a comeback !
Status: Offline
Reply With Quote
Jul 4, 2009, 04:53 PM
 
Quite a tall order.

Problem with older cars is that their fuel efficiency is just not that great.

Here's what you want:
  • reliable
  • fuel efficient
  • cheap repairs
  • cheap to insure and tax
  • Less than £6,000
  • fun to drive, slightly less fun than a BMW 325
  • back seats

To be honest, you might have to consider scraping one or the other criteria.

If it wasn't for the back seats, I'd say have a look at a Smart.

However, how about a used Mercedes A class ? I'm not sure on the fuel efficient side, and the tax and insurance. And fun to drive ? Well, it's gonna be a step back from a BMW 325...

-t
     
OreoCookie
Moderator
Join Date: May 2001
Location: Hilbert space
Status: Offline
Reply With Quote
Jul 4, 2009, 05:11 PM
 
If you disregard the budget for a second, it sounds like you want a BMW 320d. If you get a rather recent model, you have 167 or 177 hp at your disposal while getting very good gas mileage. However, I doubt it'll be easy to find one that is within your budget.

Turtle is right: you'll have to forget about some of the points on your list. Assuming that budget isn't one of them, how about getting something along the lines of a Golf 5 diesel (or similar)? VW has just released the Golf 6, so prices have dropped and they are very good cars. They can be quite snappy, but they're not sports cars.
I don't suffer from insanity, I enjoy every minute of it.
     
angelmb
Addicted to MacNN
Join Date: Oct 2001
Location: Automatic
Status: Offline
Reply With Quote
Jul 4, 2009, 05:24 PM
 
Since you like the MINI, there is this one you may find interesting…

     
kylef
Mac Enthusiast
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: Northern Ireland
Status: Offline
Reply With Quote
Jul 4, 2009, 05:33 PM
 
A VW Golf would fit your bill nicely. Quite powerful, good MPG and very reliable. Good fun to drive and very forgiving (I'm new to driving .. still stalling occasionally!) For £6k you could get pretty good one too:

Auto Trader UK - VOLKSWAGEN GOLF 1400 cc 1.4 S FSI 5DR ( AIRCON ) NEW SHAPE

Auto Trader UK - VOLKSWAGEN GOLF 1.9 SE TDI 5dr Diesel Hatchback

Auto Trader UK - VOLKSWAGEN GOLF 1.6 SE Sport Pack FSI New Shape 102k
     
Paco500  (op)
Professional Poster
Join Date: Apr 2000
Location: Berkshire, UK
Status: Offline
Reply With Quote
Jul 4, 2009, 05:38 PM
 
Originally Posted by moep View Post
I did a quick check on http://www.motors.co.uk and found plenty of Coopers for £6000 — 12 within 100 miles of you. Unless you want the newer, BMW-engineered model.

(does it matter whether the car is left or right hand drive?)
I hadn't considered a "classic" mini- but by reputation, don't they fail the reliability requirement?
     
Paco500  (op)
Professional Poster
Join Date: Apr 2000
Location: Berkshire, UK
Status: Offline
Reply With Quote
Jul 4, 2009, 05:40 PM
 
Originally Posted by turtle777 View Post
Quite a tall order.
That's why I've devised this contest- I'm drawing blanks.

Originally Posted by turtle777 View Post
However, how about a used Mercedes A class ? I'm not sure on the fuel efficient side, and the tax and insurance. And fun to drive ? Well, it's gonna be a step back from a BMW 325...
I've thought about those, never driven one- can any one say how they drive?
     
Paco500  (op)
Professional Poster
Join Date: Apr 2000
Location: Berkshire, UK
Status: Offline
Reply With Quote
Jul 4, 2009, 05:42 PM
 
Originally Posted by angelmb View Post
Since you like the MINI, there is this one you may find interesting...
Not bad, but not a fan of black and it doesn't list milage (at least that I can see). But it's on the right track. Thanks.
     
angelmb
Addicted to MacNN
Join Date: Oct 2001
Location: Automatic
Status: Offline
Reply With Quote
Jul 4, 2009, 05:42 PM
 
If it wasn't for the back seats, I'd say have a look at a Smart.
There is always the smart forfour, a Brabus edition would be an amazing fit, except the price.
Also, worth a mention the Clio II 2.0 16V Renault Sport 182CV, albeit I have to wonder about how unpractical the 3 door cars would be with two kids around.

If you disregard the budget for a second, it sounds like you want a BMW 320d. If you get a rather recent model, you have 167 or 177 hp at your disposal while getting very good gas mileage. However, I doubt it'll be easy to find one that is within your budget.
This one, Alfa Romeo 159, is not going to help your hunt since it is located in Italy, but shows you can get a model which is still on the market at a low price, it would be fuel efficient, cheaper to insure than a BMW, and Alfas are supposed to be fun to drive.
     
moep
Senior User
Join Date: Nov 2003
Status: Offline
Reply With Quote
Jul 4, 2009, 06:03 PM
 
Originally Posted by Paco500 View Post
I hadn't considered a "classic" mini- but by reputation, don't they fail the reliability requirement?
I didn’t mean the classic Minis actually. There are two models - the R53 (2001-2006) which was engineered by Mini and the R56 (2007-present) which was purely designed and engineered by BMW. The newer one is a bit larger and bulkier than the old one but is also generally more efficient, safer, etc.

A classic mini would be way too small IMO.
"The road to success is dotted with the most tempting parking spaces."
     
IAmZoraK
Fresh-Faced Recruit
Join Date: Oct 2006
Status: Offline
Reply With Quote
Jul 5, 2009, 08:41 AM
 
everyone needs a Bronco like mine
     
Doofy
Clinically Insane
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: Vacation.
Status: Offline
Reply With Quote
Jul 5, 2009, 08:50 AM
 
This is a no-brainer Paco: Used Focus.
Cheap as chips to run, fix, insure and tax, fun when you want them to be, easy to find a good one for £6k, completely neutral to be seen in since every bugger else has one too. Basically, they're the perfect small crapmobile.
Been inclined to wander... off the beaten track.
That's where there's thunder... and the wind shouts back.
     
angelmb
Addicted to MacNN
Join Date: Oct 2001
Location: Automatic
Status: Offline
Reply With Quote
Jul 5, 2009, 10:37 AM
 
Why is Ford so popular in the UK?
     
Doofy
Clinically Insane
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: Vacation.
Status: Offline
Reply With Quote
Jul 5, 2009, 11:25 AM
 
Originally Posted by angelmb View Post
Why is Ford so popular in the UK?
Cheap and reliable.
Been inclined to wander... off the beaten track.
That's where there's thunder... and the wind shouts back.
     
lexapro
Baninated
Join Date: Mar 2008
Status: Offline
Reply With Quote
Jul 5, 2009, 11:30 AM
 
Originally Posted by Doofy View Post
Cheap and reliable.
Cheap and unreliable in the USA.
     
Doofy
Clinically Insane
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: Vacation.
Status: Offline
Reply With Quote
Jul 5, 2009, 11:34 AM
 
Originally Posted by lexapro View Post
Cheap and unreliable in the USA.
That's 'coz everything in the USA is cheap and unreliable.
Been inclined to wander... off the beaten track.
That's where there's thunder... and the wind shouts back.
     
Paco500  (op)
Professional Poster
Join Date: Apr 2000
Location: Berkshire, UK
Status: Offline
Reply With Quote
Jul 5, 2009, 02:02 PM
 
Originally Posted by Doofy View Post
This is a no-brainer Paco: Used Focus.
Cheap as chips to run, fix, insure and tax, fun when you want them to be, easy to find a good one for £6k, completely neutral to be seen in since every bugger else has one too. Basically, they're the perfect small crapmobile.
I spent the first 35 years of my life thinking of Ford in American terms- it's hard to get past. But oddly, I trust you, so I'll give one a drive.
     
Doofy
Clinically Insane
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: Vacation.
Status: Offline
Reply With Quote
Jul 5, 2009, 02:32 PM
 
Originally Posted by Paco500 View Post
I spent the first 35 years of my life thinking of Ford in American terms- it's hard to get past. But oddly, I trust you, so I'll give one a drive.
There ya go:

http://www.allapprovedcars.com/idx/C...rivatives.aspx

http://www.allapprovedcars.com/idx/C...chResults.aspx

For that kind of money, you could even pick up a Mondeo Ghia. The Focus is a little pokey (width-ways) if you're a big lad, but the Mondeo will give you a bit more shoulder room.

http://www.allapprovedcars.com/idx/C...rivatives.aspx

Avoid the smallest engine in each range - they're a bit underpowered and don't really offer any MPG benefits over the larger ones.

I've had a Focus for five years odd now (it's my "lend to girlies" machine) and it's cost me something like £200 in bits (tyres, plugs, etc.) to keep going. Gets treated like crap and it's still reliable as anything.
Been inclined to wander... off the beaten track.
That's where there's thunder... and the wind shouts back.
     
Paco500  (op)
Professional Poster
Join Date: Apr 2000
Location: Berkshire, UK
Status: Offline
Reply With Quote
Jul 5, 2009, 03:17 PM
 
What about a Seat Leon? Are they any good? Is it just a cheaper Golf?
     
angelmb
Addicted to MacNN
Join Date: Oct 2001
Location: Automatic
Status: Offline
Reply With Quote
Jul 5, 2009, 04:56 PM
 
Well, the León is a heavily Golf based car… so any VAG issue would apply. It is well known the engine's flowmeter (I think it is named 'airflow meter' there in UK) is a common source of issues. I would be worried about it if the car had a high mileage and it wasn't already replaced.

The current León is a 5th generation Golf but without the boring Golf look. Was you talking about the first generation León (1999) then it was also heavily based on the 4th generation Golf. The current León doesn't look any bad, given the SEAT record LOL, the previous León was basically a five doors shortened Toledo (the current Toledo is an atrocity).
     
turtle777
Clinically Insane
Join Date: Jun 2001
Location: planning a comeback !
Status: Offline
Reply With Quote
Jul 5, 2009, 09:15 PM
 
Originally Posted by angelmb View Post
It is well known the engine's flowmeter (I think it is named 'airflow meter' there in UK) is a common source of issues.
Are you talking about the MAF ?

My company makes those. I'm not sure if they make the ones in the current Golf / Leon generation.

-t
     
angelmb
Addicted to MacNN
Join Date: Oct 2001
Location: Automatic
Status: Offline
Reply With Quote
Jul 6, 2009, 01:52 AM
 
Exactly, thanks for clearing it up.
     
   
Thread Tools
 
Forum Links
Forum Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts
BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Top
Privacy Policy
All times are GMT -4. The time now is 10:53 AM.
All contents of these forums © 1995-2017 MacNN. All rights reserved.
Branding + Design: www.gesamtbild.com
vBulletin v.3.8.8 © 2000-2017, Jelsoft Enterprises Ltd.,