I quite liked the idea of one of those 1.4 diesel VW Lupo because they go a million miles on a tank of fuel, but that's probably too small for you.
Craster wrote:
OK people, throw cars at me. I'm after a smallish 5-door car, 1.4 or 1.6, diesel if it's a decent engine, low tax, good mileage, and not dull as fuck.
Lets have your recommendations, anyone but Dudley.
Lets have your recommendations, anyone but Dudley.
Ford Focus or Golf. There really isn't any other option, really. Also, depending on your mileage, petrol may make more sense. Diesel is more expensive to run, the engines need servicing more often and the fuel itself is about 60p a gallon more expensive overlooking the fact that up until recently they were more expensive to buy - I say that as I suspect with the cost of Diesel being what it is at the moment, they're not holding they're value as well.
Bottom line is, unless you do >20k pa It would probably be cheaper to buy petrol.
A 1.4/1.6 diesel that's not dull as fuck? You don't want much.
And all small 5 door cars look shit, they're all pillars and panel lines.
And all small 5 door cars look shit, they're all pillars and panel lines.
Don't buy Toyota, I have it on good authority that their dealers are a bunch of fucking cunts.
DBSnappa wrote:
Bottom line is, unless you do >20k pa It would probably be cheaper to buy petrol.
My main interest in diesel is purely the fact that having a diesel engine tends to automatically drop you a couple of car tax bands, which could be around £100pa. Not much, but still.
I realise it looked like I said I wanted diesel - what I meant was that I would consider diesel.
ComicalGnomes wrote:
Don't buy Toyota, I have it on good authority that their dealers are a bunch of fucking cunts.
I have been considering a Corolla/Auris :0)
Corollas are a good buy, but they're boring. The Auris and the Yaris are awesome cars.
Toyota dealers might be cunts, but Toyota cars are stupidly good. Obviously there's the odd lemon (like my previous Celica) but they're generally due more to the previous owners mistreating them than any inherent fault in the car.
Toyota dealers might be cunts, but Toyota cars are stupidly good. Obviously there's the odd lemon (like my previous Celica) but they're generally due more to the previous owners mistreating them than any inherent fault in the car.
My Toyota Carina was the best car I ever had. It was 20 years old and cost me £250.
Might I recommend the 5-door version of the car I've got, the current Honda Civic? Mine's got the 1.8 L i-VTEC engine and I reckon it's pretty saucy myself. Some people say that the ride is a bit too hard on it, doesn't bother me personally, but you might want a test drive first. The 5-door is a very practical car, absolutely miles of storage space and it's fairly economical too. I tend to utterly blitz down the motorway on my way to and from work, and I usually get 39 mpg with the aircon running. A slightly lighter right foot and not using the aircon all the time should very easily get you 42 mpg, possibly slightly more.
Also, the car comes in a 2.2 L i-CTDi Turbo Diesel variant, which a mate of mine was test driving for a company car. That's even more economical, and the turbocharger makes it a very fun car to drive, though it does cost more to service. Generally I reckon you're better off going with petrol unless you do an awful lot of driving.
I will echo CG's view of Toyota dealers. Three fucking times I went into our local dealership for an Auris test drive before buying the Civic and on each occasion I got left waiting for 30 mins before someone came to provide me with yet another reason why no-one there could be bothered to take me out for a test drive. This being despite the fact that I had pre-booked on each occasion. I eventually told them to get fucked. I'm rather glad I did in the end, since I much prefer the car I have now.
Also, the car comes in a 2.2 L i-CTDi Turbo Diesel variant, which a mate of mine was test driving for a company car. That's even more economical, and the turbocharger makes it a very fun car to drive, though it does cost more to service. Generally I reckon you're better off going with petrol unless you do an awful lot of driving.
I will echo CG's view of Toyota dealers. Three fucking times I went into our local dealership for an Auris test drive before buying the Civic and on each occasion I got left waiting for 30 mins before someone came to provide me with yet another reason why no-one there could be bothered to take me out for a test drive. This being despite the fact that I had pre-booked on each occasion. I eventually told them to get fucked. I'm rather glad I did in the end, since I much prefer the car I have now.
I test drove an Aygo the other week and had no problems with the dealer, no pressure selling or anything. They even let me go out in the car by myself.
I'm really surprised how you still can't just buy a car fully online. There are brokers (the best I found was http://www.drivethedeal.com, 7329.39 OTR for a 3-door Aygo blue, a saving of £715) but I want a one-stop shop god damn it.
I'm really surprised how you still can't just buy a car fully online. There are brokers (the best I found was http://www.drivethedeal.com, 7329.39 OTR for a 3-door Aygo blue, a saving of £715) but I want a one-stop shop god damn it.
This one's a no brainer Golf pick.
Dudley wrote:
This one's a no brainer Golf pick.
Yeah, I thought that. Looking at some of the punchier 5-door Fiestas, too.
Craster wrote:
Looking at some of the punchier 5-door Fiestas, too.
Hah, I was looking at an ST180 in ice white with blue Viper stripes the other day. I bet that's great fun as long as you are driving it like you stole it. Worth remembering that both the Fiesta and Golf are due replacements pretty soon.
Dudley wrote:
Worth remembering that both the Fiesta and Golf are due replacements pretty soon.
Buy new? Only a madman etc etc.
Ah - I assume you mean that it'll cause a price drop in the older models?
Indeed.
Might even be a reason to buy "new". (i.e - last stock of old model).
A quick search of tradesales.co.uk in Slough (where I got my Corsa) shows 07 1.9 Golf 5dr diesels for ~£11k and a decent range of low milage 57 reg 1.6 FSIs for £10k.
Might even be a reason to buy "new". (i.e - last stock of old model).
A quick search of tradesales.co.uk in Slough (where I got my Corsa) shows 07 1.9 Golf 5dr diesels for ~£11k and a decent range of low milage 57 reg 1.6 FSIs for £10k.
richardgaywood wrote:
ST180 in ice white with blue Viper stripes
Oh for the love of newborn infant jeebus, no.
AceAceBaby wrote:
richardgaywood wrote:
ST180 in ice white with blue Viper stripes
Oh for the love of newborn infant jeebus, no.
richardgaywood wrote:
Craster wrote:
Looking at some of the punchier 5-door Fiestas, too.
Hah, I was looking at an ST180 in ice white with blue Viper stripes the other day. I bet that's great fun as long as you are driving it like you stole it.I think the only way you could maintain the slightest shred of credibility driving one of those would be if you actually had stolen it.
Golfs, eh?
I thought that Seat Leons were basically Golfs but with a slightly better engine?
I thought that Seat Leons were basically Golfs but with a slightly better engine?
Mr Chris wrote:
Golfs, eh?
I thought that Seat Leons were basically Golfs but with a slightly better engine?
I thought that Seat Leons were basically Golfs but with a slightly better engine?
Usually the same engine and same chassis, but VW are historically better at getting the best out of the engines, and significantly better at putting the interior, electrics, and drive train together.
Craster wrote:
Mr Chris wrote:
Golfs, eh?
I thought that Seat Leons were basically Golfs but with a slightly better engine?
I thought that Seat Leons were basically Golfs but with a slightly better engine?
Usually the same engine and same chassis, but VW are historically better at getting the best out of the engines, and significantly better at putting the interior, electrics, and drive train together.
That font of all car-based wisdom, Mr Clarkson, reckoned the Leon version of the engine was higher powered and better. As was the whole car. And cheaper. I was tempted, tbh. But then I remembered that I don't need to buy a new car.
Mr Chris wrote:
That font of all car-based wisdom, Mr Clarkson, reckoned the Leon version of the engine was higher powered and better. As was the whole car. And cheaper. I was tempted, tbh.
Well I'm guessing that depends on what variant you're talking about, as it's likely that there's a Leon offering using an engine that isn't being offered in the Golf, which would make sense. Interior fittings better than a Golf though?
Also, it's a Seat. Duh.
Just buy an Atom or a Caterham 7 and be done with it. You only need two seats, anyway. And Mrs Craster would fit on your lap in the Atom. Possibly.
The Leon is also pig ugly.
Duds, you think the new Subaru is attractive so your opinion on these matters is discounted automatically.
Dudley lives in Backwards Land.
My boss had a Seat Leon Cupra-R, and he said that it was very fast and so much nicer to drive than any other car he'd driven, including his 350Z.
GazChap wrote:
My boss had a Seat Leon Cupra-R, and he said that it was very fast and so much nicer to drive than any other car he'd driven, including his 350Z.
Did you work in a hairdressors?
A friend of Gaywood and myself had a Leon Cupra. It was brilliant, but he traded it in for the diesel version, reckoning he'd save himself a grand a year on fuel bills.
Unless he drives 25,000 miles a year like he stole it I can't see that 
He used it for business travelling, and yes, I think he did!
MetalAngel wrote:
He used it for business travelling, and yes, I think he did!
Jez never drove anything like he stole it. He did do a lot of miles though. I doubt the diesel version saved him money as such, I think he just wanted a change. Not spoken to him in a while so I don't know what he is driving now. 
AceAceBaby wrote:
I look forward to pics of the Bowler trip, Grim...
http://www.mattbuildsatomcat.co.uk/just-visiting/22
OMG THE CARS!
Grim... wrote:
AceAceBaby wrote:
I look forward to pics of the Bowler trip, Grim...
http://www.mattbuildsatomcat.co.uk/just-visiting/22
OMG THE CARS!
Life size Tonkas don't really do it for me - if I was going to spend silly money on a bespoke car I'd take a 1970s Jaguar XJ-C and put all modern running gear underneath it - Supercharged 4.2 V8, brakes, suspension, chassis, window seals - the works. Beauty, reliability, coolness, comfort and speed.
After I had that I might be able to find room for Tonkas
DBSnappa wrote:
If I was going to spend silly money on a bespoke car I'd take a 1970s Jaguar XJ-C and put all modern running gear underneath it - Supercharged 4.2 V8, brakes, suspension, chassis, window seals - the works. Beauty, reliability, coolness, comfort and speed.
That'd be rubbish in the mud.
As for silly money, hopefully (hopefully) this whole project will come in at about £4k.
Grim... wrote:
As for silly money, hopefully (hopefully) this whole project will come in at about £4k.
If you overlook the fact you have to use up your Land Rover in the process. richardgaywood wrote:
Grim... wrote:
As for silly money, hopefully (hopefully) this whole project will come in at about £4k.
If you overlook the fact you have to use up your Land Rover in the process.Nope - my Range Rover cost £1,500, and is probably worth about £1k now, and included in the price. I'm overlooking the time this is all going to take.
Grim... wrote:
Nope - my Range Rover cost £1,500, and is probably worth about £1k now, and included in the price. I'm overlooking the time this is all going to take.
"You can't waste my time, my time is worthless". 
Can I hijack this and say I'd like a cheap reliable 6 or 7 seater that's cheap on the fuel and on the initial pocket too...
Thanks
Malc
Thanks
Malc
Grim... wrote:
AceAceBaby wrote:
I look forward to pics of the Bowler trip, Grim...
http://www.mattbuildsatomcat.co.uk/just-visiting/22
OMG THE CARS!
Looks like a fun day out. I am wondering why exactly they *have* to have TVR engines? Are they so much better than, I dunno, the one already in your Range Rover? Or any old 4.2?
Craster- quick question - why do you need a 5 door car? There's only ever two of you in it at a time.
Mr Chris wrote:
Craster- quick question - why do you need a 5 door car? There's only ever two of you in it at a time.
For moving stuff about. The most annoying thing about having owned a 3-door was the total inability to get anything large into and out of the back seats.
Craster wrote:
Mr Chris wrote:
Craster- quick question - why do you need a 5 door car? There's only ever two of you in it at a time.
For moving stuff about. The most annoying thing about having owned a 3-door was the total inability to get anything large into and out of the back seats.
Which is why a 3 door hatchback is brilliant. I was able to get massive stuff into the back of the Polo, the 206 and now the 316i, even without the fourth and fifth doors.
Hang on - by "something large", do you mean the Bo-hweemoth? I thought he only sat in the front.
I always found the hatchback handy for stuff like that.
Spinglo Sponglo! wrote:
Can I hijack this and say I'd like a cheap reliable 6 or 7 seater that's cheap on the fuel and on the initial pocket too...
Thanks
Malc
Thanks
Malc
Well that's screaming Zafira as the only remotely sufferable car in that price bracket. Plus the only one with a proper flex-7 style seating system you'll find if you're going very used since they invented it.
A 1.6 old shape Zafira would seem to suit you.
AceAceBaby wrote:
I always found the hatchback handy for stuff like that.
Which is fine for LIFO, but 5 doors are great when you realise you've accidently loaded it so you need FIFO.
Craster wrote:
AceAceBaby wrote:
I always found the hatchback handy for stuff like that.
LIFO ... FIFO.
