Opinions please

BFassassin

I know there have been plenty of these type of threads but I want some opinions.

I have been driving my parents car since early last year and passed my test in november. I now want to by my own car and have basically narrowed it down a bit to 4 cars. All have their plus and minus points so I want a few opinions from you guys.

Option 1: 02-03 Alfa Romeo 147 1.6 petrol
+ Good Drivers car
- Poor resale value

Option 2: 02-03 Toyota Corolla 1.4 petrol
+ Good Reliability
- Fuel Economy?

Option 3: 02-04 Audi A4 1.9 TDI
+Good resale value, Fuel Economy
- I like the newer (more expensive) ones more

Option 4: 03-04 Volkswagen Golf 1.9 TDI
+Same as Audi
-Very common

I would like to get something that is under 15k including insurance which for me a 21yo male ranges for those cars from about 1400 to 2000.

Thanks in advance for any help you can give me

groupb

A focus is far superior to all these , plus theres plenty to choose from.

BFassassin

How do you see the focus as superior?
Whats better on them?
I appreciate your input but can you expand on your answer.

tuxy

BFassassin wrote: »

Option 2: 02-03 Toyota Corolla 1.4 petrol
+ Good Reliability
- Fuel Economy?

The 1.4 corolla gets about 40 mpg average, what's wrong with that?
It's better then most petrol engines.

BFassassin

tuxy wrote: »

The 1.4 corolla gets about 40 mpg average, what's wrong with that?
It's better then most petrol engines.

I wasnt sure how good the fuel economy was on the corolla hence the question mark . It is about the average for that type of car I suppose.

Vain

Get the vw golf. Have one myself 3dr and with a nice pair of alloys it really stands out from the rest. Iv the 1.4 16v one just passed my test too few weeks back and im only 19 and cost 980Euro to insure. Cost 2400euro last year on my 1.2 fait punto:eek:. Its not bad on petrol either

BFassassin

Thanks Vain. Thats a very good price for insurance.

Vain

BFassassin wrote: »

Thanks Vain. Thats a very good price for insurance.

ya was quinn i got it off

colm_mcm

The 1.4 Golf is quite underpowered at 75bhp.

BFassassin

colm_mcm wrote: »

The 1.4 Golf is quite underpowered at 75bhp.

If I was going for the golf I would go for the 1.9 Diesel I think rather than a petrol version.

tossy

All good cars taken on there individual merits,but you have quoted 2 low power petrol cars and too high powered diesel cars(i presume you are refferring to the golf diesel as you have it after the a4) i think you should sit down and decide which is more suited to your needs petrol or diesel,or simply which you like more-then narrow down your search based on that.

Off topic but how a focus is a more superior car than an A4 is beyond me,the only way that would ever happen if its was the TDCI focus against a 1.6A4

BFassassin

Thanks tossy. Yes I do actually mean the 1.9 diesel in the Golf. Ill just edit my first post again to avoid any confusion

groupb

BFassassin wrote: »

How do you see the focus as superior?
Whats better on them?
I appreciate your input but can you expand on your answer.

The focus has a superb relability record, great build quality, handling and ride that is way better than any of the four cars you mention. A wide choice of cars due to its popularity.Its the only German family hatch that I would consider. The alfa is also a fine car. I know two people that have had gearboxes go in corollas and I don't have the space or time to list the common faults in golfs and audis.

Spit62500

groupb wrote: »

The focus has a superb relability record, great build quality, handling and ride that is way better than any of the four cars you mention. A wide choice of cars due to its popularity.Its the only German family hatch that I would consider. The alfa is also a fine car. I know two people that have had gearboxes go in corollas and I don't have the space or time to list the common faults in golfs and audis.

The Focus does seem to be well built and its cheap to maintain. The 1.4 is a slug though and can be considered a city car in terms of its overtaking performance.

The Focus is not really a German hatch is it? They're also built in Spain....

The Alfa has a very poor Euro NCAP performance - the passenger compartment started to disintegrate in a 30 mph collision. I wouldn't like to be in a high speed impact in one.

ChapOfDRyans

if it was me i would go for the corolla and i really like the trd versions of the car

i wouldnt go for the focus wel not the older ones eg 02, i've had a lot of problems with them and i needed an esso truck coming behind it was so heavy on petrol

groupb

kas & fiestas are made in Spain but I've yet to see a Spanish built focus. By the way rhd golfs are also built in South Africa & Audis are made in slovenia.

Wishbone Ash

Vain wrote: »

Get the vw golf. Have one myself 3dr and with a nice pair of alloys it really stands out from the rest

It probably stands out because it has a 'pair of alloys'! :eek:

Put two pairs on it and it may blend in.

delly

LOL

Good spot wishbone ash

BFassassin

Lol well spotted guys

BFassassin

Is there any differences apart from looks from the 02 model and the 04 model Audi A3. I have pretty much decided on the A3 but I really like the looks of the 04 model but the 02 looks a bit meh.
02 model
http://www.carzone.ie/usedcars/index.cfm?fuseaction=car&carID=871263

04 model
http://www.carzone.ie/usedcars/index.cfm?fuseaction=car&carID=847578

Biro

BFassassin wrote: »

Is there any differences apart from looks from the 02 model and the 04 model Audi A3. I have pretty much decided on the A3 but I really like the looks of the 04 model but the 02 looks a bit meh.

Yep, the one up to mid-03 is based on the old platform, the mid-03 onwards is the all new A3, same platform as the mk 5 Golf. A much superior platform to begin with. Good choice really, I like the new A3. The A4 is common, far too small for a "big" car and over priced. Granted the A3 is over priced a little, but you do get a more exclusive car in terms of rarity. I dislike the Mk 4 Golf. A very "meh" car to drive...

BFassassin

So what other differences are there. Is it a completly new chassis as well as new bodywork?
Are there any extra little things that I should look out for as well?

Theatrebuff

I have the Alpha myself. i love it, but for practical reasons drive a primera diesal.
The alpha needs good smooth roads, othwise you will have big repair bills for suspensions

BFassassin

Thanks theatrebuff. I have pretty much ruled out the alfa and the corolla at this stage. I want to go diesel because its pretty much the same price as petrol per litre but lasts a lot longer. Also the resale value on the germans would be a lot better.

cantdecide

http://www.carzone.ie/usedcars/index.cfm?fuseaction=car&carID=479376

Would you not consider one of these?? I'm open to correction on this but I suspect it would be easier to sell on in years to come.

BFassassin

Yeah they are a very nice car alright and I agree that it could possibly be easier to sell on but im only 21 and this would be my first car. I think the A4 is more of a family car tbh.

enner43

It would be the golf for me. Although you are right they are everywhere. But IMHO it is the best of the above.

E92

Doesn't Theatrebuff mean an Alfa and not an Alpha?

Parents had 1.4 Corollas temporarily about 4 or 5 years ago. 35 mpg was the most it would do, even on dual carriageways.

BFassassin

I think he does mean the alfa.
35mpg isnt great. Thats what the car im driving atm roughly gets and its not very impressive.
I want to get the new model A3 but I would need a loan to get it and im not sure if I want to do that
Decisions decisions

cantdecide

BFassassin wrote: »

Yeah they are a very nice car alright and I agree that it could possibly be easier to sell on but im only 21 and this would be my first car. I think the A4 is more of a family car tbh.

See how much room in the back and you soon realise it's a sport saloon! A little imagination turns a dull IRL spec into a bahnstormer to die for IMO. I got my first A4 when I was 22.

http://dubaudi.com/images/gregC/pop/slide_04.jpg

Biro

cantdecide wrote: »

See how much room in the back and you soon realise it's a sport saloon! A little imagination turns a dull IRL spec into a bahnstormer to die for IMO. I got my first A4 when I was 22.

http://dubaudi.com/images/gregC/pop/slide_04.jpg

How little room you mean! And it's really not that sporty... unless you're talking about the newer RS4.

BFassassin

Yeah they are a great car. I am looking at one (a4) online and I could get it fo less than the a3 and the insurance wouldnt be too much different. Its a much better spec than the a3's as well. The only thing is the ad says it has high mileage but doesnt stat just how much.

BFassassin

I rang up about the 2002 Audi A4 to check the mileage and its 160,000. I know that audi diesels are one of the most reliable cars but is this just a bit too much for a car that age. It does have full service history though which is a plus. The car looks great on the carzone add. Its advertised at €13k

fletch

Would you consider a Seat Leon with the same 1.9tdi?
http://www.carzone.ie/usedcars/index.cfm?fuseaction=car&carID=872880 - 180bhp(remapped) but low mileage, not sure about VRT status, paid or not?
http://www.carzone.ie/usedcars/index.cfm?fuseaction=car&carID=785505 - doesn't state bhp but probably 110bhp minimum, and again low mileage
http://www.carzone.ie/usedcars/index.cfm?fuseaction=car&carID=834409 - might have trouble insuring and not sure if VRT is paid or not.

Or maybe even an Ibiza?
http://www.carzone.ie/usedcars/index.cfm?fuseaction=car&carID=780808 - been for sale a good while so might be open to offers.

cantdecide

BFassassin wrote: »

I rang up about the 2002 Audi A4 to check the mileage and its 160,000. I know that audi diesels are one of the most reliable cars but is this just a bit too much for a car that age. It does have full service history though which is a plus. The car looks great on the carzone add. Its advertised at €13k

160k means it's effectively at the end of it's practical life. If you wanted to own this, you would have to keep it for many years be doing very low mileage which defeats the purpouse of having a diesel in the first place considering you're still probably paying a premium price for a diesel.

I've posted elsewhere in the last day or two that when cars like these are new enough (in this case, the '01> shape) they artificially command a higher price. Ireland, for some reason never never depreciates for high mioleage (check on ROS and you quickly realise the VRT barely changes even by doubling or tripling the mileage).

In real terms, there shouldn't be any 160k, because of it's life expectancy A4, worth that kind of money so I'd avoid very high mileage ones like the plague (unless it's an absolute steal) until the new one comes out and the price drops to something realistic and viable.

Those Leons look very good.

BFassassin

Yeah 160k is a lot. Here is the one I was talking about http://www.carzone.ie/usedcars/index.cfm?fuseaction=car&carID=854962

Those Leons do look nice. Ahh so much choice lol

E92

A well made and reliable car will be able for a lot more than 160,000 miles.
If you look after the car i.e. don't drive it harshly, and service it on time every time a quality car will do 250,000 miles no bother. Japanese cars are well known for being well able to do more than 250,000 miles.

A diesel will do better than that. In saying all this, the OP is going to be doing a lot of driving by the sounds of things, so a car with 160k is not really an option for her.

BFassassin

Wrong thread I think
Im a he
I wont be doing to much mileage but I will still go for a diesel for better Fuel economy.

Those Leons are nice but they dont have the same presence as the A4 imo.

cantdecide

BFassassin wrote: »

I wont be doing to much mileage but I will still go for a diesel for better Fuel economy

If you found a 160k petrol it would probably be up for something like 10k, that gives you a 3k headstart. My point is that you must offset the premium purchase price you pay for the privilege of an economical diesel engine with the fuel economy.

Most privately owned tdi cars, bought for their fuel economy will end up costing their owners more in the long run if they aren't doing high enough mileage.

It's a question of perception vs reality:D

This 160k car will only work for you, as I've already said, if you plan to keep the car for at least a few years (like 4or 5 upwards).

E92

BFassassin wrote: »

Wrong thread I think
Im a he

Sorry was thinking of a similar thread(not this one though)!

Runs for cover:eek:

Biro

cantdecide wrote: »

If you found a 160k petrol it would probably be up for something like 10k, that gives you a 3k headstart. My point is that you must offset the premium purchase price you pay for the privilege of an economical diesel engine with the fuel economy.

Most privately owned tdi cars, bought for their fuel economy will end up costing their owners more in the long run if they aren't doing high enough mileage.

It's a question of perception vs reality:D

This 160k car will only work for you, as I've already said, if you plan to keep the car for at least a few years (like 4or 5 upwards).

You're right, too many people fork out on diesels for a few mpg more. They don't realise how long it takes to actually make the difference back.