€3.5K to spend, advice needed

PrettyBoy · 05-03-2014 7:19pm

wotswattage wrote: »

I ended up buying a 1.9 Alfa 159 on a whim when one came up for sale at a really good price! Wasn't even on my list as they were all €5k+ not so long ago!! The 1.9 JTS is a nice enough engine (16v + VVT 160bhp) it doesn't do a whole lot down the revs but moves ok once you rev it enough and its fairly smooth the whole way up the rev range. It's a gorgeous looking car and very comfortable so I'm happy for now

Love the look of the 159, are there any big issues with them? They seem like an absolute bargain, I'm just wondering what the catch is..

dgt · 05-03-2014 7:43pm

OP if interested I know of a 156 that might fit the bill: V6 and set up to handle/stop (some serious fun in the bends and the sound from that engine :cool:)

It wasn't without its problems but I've ironed them out

And no its not one of my cars :pac:

If going for a 156, polybush it. Full kits are available from strongflex for €250

The 166 by comparison is very civilized but beware of 166 niggles such as leaky rad, worn bushes, crap lights, leaky cabin and the likes. Also can be expensive in places to service compared to the 156 (£90 for a single rear bush where a Mercedes E class bush will fit)

Expect high 20s mpg wise

As for BMW: great fun in the wet, especially with the ASC off and at deserted roundabouts

not dear to buy either, especially the E39s

PrettyBoy · 05-03-2014 7:48pm

dgt wrote: »

OP if interested I know of a 156 that might fit the bill: V6 and set up to handle/stop (some serious fun in the bends and the sound from that engine :cool:)

It wasn't without its problems but I've ironed them out

Can you PM me details please.

thecomedian · 05-03-2014 8:07pm

Seat cupra at 3.5k

http://cars.donedeal.ie/cars-for-sale/seat-leon-cupra-r/6486613

wotswattage · 05-03-2014 8:48pm

^those Leon cupras are class all over €5k when I was looking before/over Xmas!

wotswattage · 05-03-2014 9:34pm

PrettyBoy wrote: »

Love the look of the 159, are there any big issues with them? They seem like an absolute bargain, I'm just wondering what the catch is..

Mine is a petrol JTS engine, it's a GM engine which comes in 1.9 or 2.2
Both are known to suffer from timing chain stretching/cam gear wear but to be honest I don't know what else.. Mine seems perfect anyway. 159's are also prone to really annoying interior rattles which mine thankfully doesn't have (yet)!

Don't know much about the other models or diesels, the 1.8 is apparently awful though and I have no interest in diesels so didn't read up about them.

To be honest while I really like the car I do find it a good bit slower than my pevious car a Mk3 gti 16v(which I'm now in the process of selling). The alfa has 10bhp more but its nearly 400kg heavier!!!

bazz26 · 05-03-2014 9:57pm

I'd imagine any 159 costing €3500 will need more money spent on it soon after. A 159 in bargain basement territory would not inspire me with confidence.

ba_barabus · 05-03-2014 10:08pm

bazz26 wrote: »

I'd imagine any 159 costing €3500 will need more money spent on it soon after. A 159 in bargain basement territory would not inspire me with confidence.

I've seen a few 2006 159's for sub 5000 and all looked rough. There wasn't one I'd put my money into.

wotswattage · 05-03-2014 10:12pm

bazz26 wrote: »

I'd imagine any 159 costing €3500 will need more money spent on it soon after. A 159 in bargain basement territory would not inspire me with confidence.

True. He'd need to stretch the budget a bit. Then again you could come across a seller who needs the cash asap. Like I said I wasn't looking for one but a very clean one came up for very good money. Was only for sale for 4 hours when I viewed + bought it.

Same as I said in my earlier post re getting the cheapest of a car for sale... Be very wide!

noelf · 06-03-2014 5:51am

PrettyBoy wrote: »

I had a Mk4 GTI for a few months last year, liked it but looking for something a bit different.

Do you have a link for the GTI Anni? Can't seem to find it.

Just Google blackwater motors enter vw golf E3000 to E4000 petrol...

tossy · 06-03-2014 10:21am

That's not an Anniversary golf even though it seems some gobsheen registered it as one lol

Registration 03KE10295
Make VOLKSWAGEN
Model GOLF
Description 1.8 GTI 25TH ANNIVERSARY EDITION 5DR A
Engine Capacity (cc) 1781

PrettyBoy · 06-03-2014 12:31pm

noelf wrote: »

Just Google blackwater motors enter vw golf E3000 to E4000 petrol...

Not an Anniversary model.

PrettyBoy · 06-03-2014 12:35pm

What do people think of S3's? They really seem to be a lot of car for the money.

http://cars.donedeal.ie/cars-for-sale/audi-s3/6558663

MetzgerMeister · 06-03-2014 12:59pm

tossy has a lovely S3. He got it remapped to I think, c. 250 bhp and it's an absolute beast of a machine.

PrettyBoy · 06-03-2014 1:11pm

MetzgerMeister wrote: »

tossy has a lovely S3. He got it remapped to I think, c. 250 bhp and it's an absolute beast of a machine.

Really? I like them a lot, I've heard nothing but good things about them.

Tossy, I'd love to hear your thoughts on living with an S3 and what you think of the silver one on Done Deal.

walus · 06-03-2014 1:23pm

For that kind of money I would only go for a Japanese car. If you are looking at A4 or BMW3 series why don't you consider Subaru Legacy:
http://www.carzone.ie/search/Subaru/Legacy/2.0-4DR-/201401220859246/advert?channel=CARS
Bulletproof engines and gearboxes, much, much better drive than A4 and more reliable than BMW3.
This particular one seems in good condition and only has had 2 owners which surely must be a big plus.

Ardennes1944 · 06-03-2014 1:23pm

Theres actually more S3s on donedeal now than there has been in a looong time.
Having driven tossys I can vouch for it being a beast! Insurance is 500e more me on an s3 than a TT which sucks but theres a couple of clean ones on dd atm.

How much was your remap tossy? Was it the downpipe you said to upgrade cos it collapses under boost?

tossy · 06-03-2014 1:27pm

I've an S3 for almost 2 years now, i love it - with a remap the are a very capable car.

The are high maintenance car though and if neglected by previous owners (the majority of them are) then you could be looking at big money to set right.

At the very least you'd want to be getting one with a clutch and timing belt done recently, Clutch is 8 hours in labor alone.

Next thing to look out for is haldex service history, the haldex is the clutch the controls the transfer of power from the prop shaft to the rear diff, oil change every 20k and filter every 40k is a must - if there is no evidence of this ever been done then walk away.

I bought a pristine UK car with 1 owner from new in the UK ( a guy i know imported it and sold it to me a few months later) it had the Clutch and timing belt just done and had around 130k on the clock, yet in the last 2 years i've spent well over 1k on it replacing wear and tear items, so if a good car from the UK with a massive history is going to cost you that much, imagine how much a bad one over here will cost?

when i was buying i test drove one for sale in Straffan that was described by the car dealer as the cleanest S3 for sale in the country, he wanted 4,900 at the time, i offered him 2k and told him he was dreaming - it would have needed i reckon 2.5K spent on it to bring it to the level of the car i eventually bought.

I'don't think it's possible to buy an S3 ( or by extension a TT) worth owning that's ready to go from the day you buy it for under 4.5/5K - maybe i have high standards but that's just my experience from the majority of examples for sale in Ireland.

EDIT: i'm not trying to turn you off them but just warning you to proceed with caution.

Ardennes1944 wrote: »

How much was your remap tossy? Was it the downpipe you said to upgrade cos it collapses under boost?

Remap was around 350 euro (we got 3 S3's done on the same day so got a discount) It was the TIP (Turbo intake pipe) i upgraded to a forge motorsport silicon one before mapping ( a must,as the factory one collapses under full boost at around 4/5k creating a flat spot)

Colash · 06-03-2014 2:02pm

A mark 1 Skoda Octavia Vrs 1.8t all day long for me at that price .ive had 3 of these cars in the past and I must admit they are a great buy . 180bhp as standard and the tuning potential is massive . But a great car for long journeys also as I found the mpg is surprisingly good for a high powered petrol car . I guess they are the same as the 180bhp mark 4 gti golf , but in my opinion are a better and more comfortable car to drive . Not too many on donedeal at the mo. Vagdrivers website might have a few for sale . I had one of my Vrs tuned to 220bhp and I loved it . Better than any wrx ,

tossy · 06-03-2014 2:22pm

Colash wrote: »

A mark 1 Skoda Octavia Vrs..... Better than any wrx ,

If it was a diesel VRS i would agree but the petrol just doesn't cut it when compared to a WRX.

Colash · 06-03-2014 2:36pm

tossy wrote: »

If it was a diesel VRS i would agree but the petrol just doesn't cut it when compared to a WRX.

I knew the scooby heads would nail me on that one

well the wrx I once has gave me nothing but heart ache , so I guess that's why I'm swaying towards the vrs ..

walus · 06-03-2014 3:50pm

My hart is aching too - how can you compare a Skoda VRS to WRX? Are your for real?

Colash · 06-03-2014 5:14pm

walus wrote: »

My hart is aching too - how can you compare a Skoda VRS to WRX? Are your for real?

I hope your "hart" is ok !! And I didn't compare them . I simply stated that in my opinion , the vrs I owned was a better over all car than the wrx I owned

walus · 06-03-2014 5:29pm

Colash wrote: »

I hope your "hart" is ok !! And I didn't compare them . I simply stated that in my opinion , the vrs I owned was a better over all car than the wrx I owned

My hart is ok even if its missing "e" every other beat. Thanks for concern

. No, but seriously there are much better 7 - 10 year old cars to drive than A4 or BMW3. And that Skoda you talking about must have only been good from one set of lights to the other. I can not see it on a narrow, bendy and wet road...

Colash · 06-03-2014 5:38pm

walus wrote: »

My hart is ok even if its missing "e" every other beat. Thanks for concern . No, but seriously there are much better 7 - 10 year old cars to drive than A4 or BMW3. And that Skoda you talking about must have only been good from one set of lights to the other. I can not see it on a narrow, bendy and wet road...

Useless in the wet ,. Nothing like a wrx but in the terms of comfort, running costs the vrs wins hands down . Plus everywhere u look there is a wrx burbling along

walus · 06-03-2014 5:48pm

Colash wrote: »

Useless in the wet ,. Nothing like a wrx but in the terms of comfort, running costs the vrs wins hands down . Plus everywhere u look there is a wrx burbling along

For low running cost you can have regular 2.0 boxer NA

.

Colash · 06-03-2014 5:59pm

walus wrote: »

For low running cost you can have regular 2.0 boxer NA .

A gutless engine though the 2.0litre NA !

tossy · 06-03-2014 6:02pm

Colash wrote: »

I simply stated that in my opinion , the vrs I owned was a better over all car than the wrx I owned

No you didn't

Colash wrote: »

I had one of my Vrs tuned to 220bhp and I loved it . Better than any wrx ,

Colash wrote: »

Useless in the wet ,. Nothing like a wrx but in the terms of comfort, running costs the vrs wins hands down . Plus everywhere u look there is a wrx burbling along

Of course a VRS is going to win on comfort and running costs, who judges performance cars on that basis lol.

PrettyBoy · 06-03-2014 6:07pm

walus wrote: »

For that kind of money I would only go for a Japanese car. If you are looking at A4 or BMW3 series why don't you consider Subaru Legacy:
http://www.carzone.ie/search/Subaru/Legacy/2.0-4DR-/201401220859246/advert?channel=CARS
Bulletproof engines and gearboxes, much, much better drive than A4 and more reliable than BMW3.
This particular one seems in good condition and only has had 2 owners which surely must be a big plus.

No interest in a Subaru, Legacy or WRX! Don't know why but they just do nothing for me

PrettyBoy · 06-03-2014 6:18pm

What are E46 318's like? Never driven one.

http://cars.donedeal.ie/cars-for-sale/bmw-3-series-m-sport-93k-1-9-l-petrol/6562426

Moneymaker · 06-03-2014 6:24pm

PrettyBoy wrote: »

What are E46 318's like? Never driven one.

http://cars.donedeal.ie/cars-for-sale/bmw-3-series-m-sport-93k-1-9-l-petrol/6562426

My dad's E46 has ran perfectly for about 6 years now. It's a 318i. They are a great car. About 35mpg, decent performance(141bhp, nothing amazing but not bad), and it drives extremely well. Good sized boot and i'm 6'0 and fit comfortably into the back.

One in good condition is a very smart second hand buy imo. Get an SE as they are better equipped.

walus · 06-03-2014 6:25pm

Colash wrote: »

A gutless engine though the 2.0litre NA !

At 0-60 they are not much - I agree. But at 160 km/h at bendy and wet road nothing with that enigine power/capacity would dare go faster. it simply is the difference between a fast car and a fast driver.
OP here is looking at a BMW 318i, surely you can call this one powerful either. And I bet you that a Legacy would be much better to drive.

Tea 1000 · 06-03-2014 6:25pm

PrettyBoy wrote: »

What are E46 318's like? Never driven one.

http://cars.donedeal.ie/cars-for-sale/bmw-3-series-m-sport-93k-1-9-l-petrol/6562426

Meh. 6-cylinder or don't bother.

Moneymaker · 06-03-2014 6:27pm

Tea 1000 wrote: »

Meh. 6-cylinder or don't bother.

Yeah I would agree but the 4 cylinder is still good.

BillJ · 06-03-2014 6:28pm

PrettyBoy wrote: »

What are E46 318's like? Never driven one.

http://cars.donedeal.ie/cars-for-sale/bmw-3-series-m-sport-93k-1-9-l-petrol/6562426

Have one with the same engine except prefacelift. It's been very reliable for me besides one pig of a job (cranksaft sensor).

I came from a 1.4 corolla so this was a nice upgrade and I wouldn't call it slow. That being said, I have it over a year and i'm looking to trade up to a 325 for some more power.

They are a great handling car imo

gavdolfini · 06-03-2014 7:45pm

Obviously the 6 pot is a superior engine to the 318ci but if youre not a big fan on performance it is decent enough, get you 0-60 in about 9 seconds. According to Parkers http://www.parkers.co.uk/cars/reviews/facts-and-figures/bmw/3-series/coupe-1999/26548/

Zane97 · 06-03-2014 8:58pm

PrettyBoy wrote: »

What do people think of S3's? They really seem to be a lot of car for the money.

http://cars.donedeal.ie/cars-for-sale/audi-s3/6558663

Had one last year. They can move! I always had diesel. Loved the quick acceleration ....

tossy · 07-03-2014 4:00pm

walus wrote: »

At 0-60 they are not much - I agree. But at 160 km/h at bendy and wet road nothing with that enigine power/capacity would dare go faster. i.

I can't imagine a more terrifying experience than being in a FWD 2.0 NA A4 on a wet bendy road at 160 kmh, what a funny post

Idbatterim · 07-03-2014 4:16pm

that 318 m sport is some car for that price, that 2L valvetronic engine can give problems if it hasnt been properly maintained... I would avoid the earlier E46's, but from 2002 / 03 on they should be fine if they have been properly looked after... the 2.5L 325ci's are ideal, but there dont appear to be any good ones for sale at the moment...

Rado77 · 29-04-2014 10:15pm

PrettyBoy wrote: »

Hi gents, I'm looking for a new run-around and I need some advice. I've gone on done deal several times over the last few weeks with the hope that something would catch my eye but - if I'm honest - I don't know what I should be looking for.

I have around €3.5k to spend and in return I'd like something quick, relatively reliable and fun to drive. Doesn't have to be too practical either. Preferably a manual gearbox and anything up to 2.5l.

I've been looking at Audi S3's, Honda Prelude's and random Alfa's mostly. I need some guidance :P

If you had €3.5k to spend what would you buy?

I would go with Del Sol. After years of driving Jap sports cars wit turbo engines, RWD, 4WD, I bought Del Sol Sir 1.6 VTEC with autobox.
Never liked the shape of Del Sols, but after seeing it, driving it, I have decided to give it a chance, so I bought one.....
I did the swap from auto to manual gearbox, Tein suspension, a few more improvements and I just fell in love with the car.
There is nothing out there to be compared to Del Sol, nothing. You can just buy every-day soulless plastic box and you will be just moving from point A to point B as most of people do, or you can buy Del Sol and give your life a little bit of uniqueness, character, personality, soul.

PrettyBoy · 30-04-2014 12:30pm

Rado77 wrote: »

There is nothing out there to be compared to Del Sol, nothing. You can just buy every-day soulless plastic box and you will be just moving from point A to point B as most of people do, or you can buy Del Sol and give your life a little bit of uniqueness, character, personality, soul.

Is this a wind-up?

Rado77 · 30-04-2014 1:13pm

PrettyBoy wrote: »

Is this a wind-up?

Free add

stimpson · 30-04-2014 1:33pm

PrettyBoy wrote: »

Is this a wind-up?

With a name like PrettyBoy you really should consider one.

€3.5K to spend, advice needed

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