Help me pick a car please

Bandana boy

I am looking at a new Momo
Budget 10-12K

Car needs to have a bit of power I drive Cork to Dublin return at least once a week

I really want to stay under 50K miles and 2002 and younger if possible

I cant do a car that needs much maintenance

I like the look of the Hyundai coupe but hear bad things about reliability and motorway speed and trying to avoid the Avensis and Passat as I think they look a little bit family orientated but would consider both if pushed

A couple that caught my eye but dont quite meet what i want are with the Mazda probably in the lead

http://www.usedcars.ie/usedcars/index.cfm?fuseaction=car&carID=547543

http://www.usedcars.ie/usedcars/index.cfm?fuseaction=car&carID=640427

http://www.usedcars.ie/usedcars/index.cfm?fuseaction=car&carID=621189


I will listen to most suggestions and would love vintage but 400-500 miles a week is min what i will be putting on it

currently driving Peugot 405 1.9TDI but while a loyal servant i am bored with it

ninty9er

one of these. Haven't heard of them suffering from same reliability problems as other cars in the limited range

Or one of these....any owner or former owner will tell you they're a hell of a lot of fun and bulletproof on the reliability

Ronanom

I've driven both old and new Coupe models and have found them to be very reliable and fuel efficient. Nice car to drive

Bandana boy

ninty9er wrote:

one of these. Haven't heard of them suffering from same reliability problems as other cars in the limited range

Or one of these....any owner or former owner will tell you they're a hell of a lot of fun and bulletproof on the reliability

I think the MG is a fantastic looking car but i was under the impression they where very unreliable have i got that backwards ?

Bandana boy

Ronanom wrote:

I've driven both old and new Coupe models and have found them to be very reliable and fuel efficient. Nice car to drive

OK its back in the race
I really really like the look of them

Bandana boy

Anybody else with any suggestions ?

Fantastic Kaz

Don't buy the Mazda.

ytpe2r5bxkn0c1

Bandana boy wrote:

Anybody else with any suggestions ?

Yeah! Don't ask for advice on a Messageboard. You'll get too many contradicting views.

ZiabR

Fantastic Kaz wrote:

Don't buy the Mazda.

Why not, ok they don't hold there value but they are a great car.

Go to www.parkers.co.uk and put in Mazda 6, 02 -> Saloon. It gave it a super review.

Thats a great site btw for cars details and performance.

Bandana boy

Cohen Fresh Caterpillar wrote:

Yeah! Don't ask for advice on a Messageboard. You'll get too many contradicting views.

All food for thought though
and thats what i am looking for

Fantastic Kaz

logik wrote:

Why not, ok they don't hold there value

Exactly and they're horrible looking. Buy the merc!

kmick

Assuming you are not too worried about styling the Toyota Avensis is the best car in its class and the 2002 is around 10-12k. I have one, its excellent and I would recommend it to anyone. I have driven it Cork to Dublin and as well as being very comfortable it is great on fuel. Try and get one with AC - I dont think it was standard in 2002 but is a must for long distance drivers.

ninty9er

Bandana boy wrote:

I think the MG is a fantastic looking car but i was under the impression they where very unreliable have i got that backwards ?

the Rover group in general did...but these tend to be driven by people who mind them.....there's a 96 near me that's like new

quarryman

Buy an Alfa!!

The Motors forum should be split into Pro and Anti Alfa discussions.

Seriously though: Ford Focus TDCi?

Fantastic Kaz

quarryman wrote:

Buy an Alfa!!

What???? He needs a car that will actually make it to Dublin!:D

Webmonkey

Bandana boy wrote:

I think the MG is a fantastic looking car but i was under the impression they where very unreliable have i got that backwards ?

They are a fantastic car but they do have the same K-Series engine's that are in all the other Rover/MG's bar the diesel and KV6 2l and 2.5l engines.
I've got a 1.4 Rover and have to say they a great engine, really economical and nippy BUT, and repeat BUT you must be willing to mind them.

Regular checks on the coolent levels as if it is to leak at all, you will be in danger of blowing the headgasket and these do go. Went on my own cause didn't keep an eye on it.
Can be expensive the repair but its mainly down to cost of labour. Could cost anywhere from 300 to 1500. Some are rip offs!
Done it myself, parts came to just bout 200 euro.

Besides the head gasket problem - There is hardly no other problems with the Kseries engine. It light, economical and fast!

The MG TF is also a rear wheel drive so maintenance on the engine isn't the easiest with engine in the back.

Anyways you prob won't end up buying it at all anyways!

Bandana boy

Webmonkey wrote:

They are a fantastic car but they do have the same K-Series engine's that are in all the other Rover/MG's bar the diesel and KV6 2l and 2.5l engines.
I've got a 1.4 Rover and have to say they a great engine, really economical and nippy BUT, and repeat BUT you must be willing to mind them.

Regular checks on the coolent levels as if it is to leak at all, you will be in danger of blowing the headgasket and these do go. Went on my own cause didn't keep an eye on it.
Can be expensive the repair but its mainly down to cost of labour. Could cost anywhere from 300 to 1500. Some are rip offs!
Done it myself, parts came to just bout 200 euro.

Besides the head gasket problem - There is hardly no other problems with the Kseries engine. It light, economical and fast!

The MG TF is also a rear wheel drive so maintenance on the engine isn't the easiest with engine in the back.

Anyways you prob won't end up buying it at all anyways!

Thanks
Good informative post

A bar has been set gentlemen

Bandana boy

Fantastic Kaz wrote:

What???? He needs a car that will actually make it to Dublin!:D

:eek: :eek: :eek:

Actually I really like the 159 but out of my price range and i think the 156 problems are well documented

Fantastic Kaz

So do I, was joking! Wouldn't buy one thogh.

Eoin

quarryman wrote:

Seriously though: Ford Focus TDCi?

I'd have thought that 20K+ miles per year would make a diesel a better choice alright. Not too many for under 12K, 2002 or newer and less than 50K miles, but here are some close matches:

Focus
Another one
Mazda 323
Primera
Bora
Passat

Bandana boy

I cannot see beyond this one lads
Am i insane ?

http://cbg.ie/Car_detail.asp?CBGID=658506&ID=950946&NumPics=3&Make=Alfa%20Romeo&Model=147%20T%20Spark&frmFilter=All#

RobAMerc

a beaut of a car but that looks expensive to be honest.