What to buy? Peugeot/Audi/Alfa

RentDayBlues · 08-07-2009 1:44pm #1

Just sold my car so am in the market for a new one, have some time on my side so no rush into anything apart from wanting another car!

So I have mainly been looking at Peugeot 307/407 but now have also seen some Audi A3's I like and some Alfa Romeo's 147.

Any opinions? All are advertised as under €11,500, low mileage (under 30K miles) and 2006-2007

EPM · 08-07-2009 1:47pm

If you can get an 06 or 07 A3 for that money then thats good going. If it was me either the 147 or the A3,

What engines you looking at? You could do better for that money

ascend · 08-07-2009 1:54pm

I would definitly go for the Alfa- especially in a buying position. I have looked at Audi A3's and find they a overvalued. The 147 looks better too.

Alfa's are cheaper to buy- as most people know they depreciate alot.
So its nice if you are buying but not so nice if you are selling!

Do you intend to hold on to the car for a reasonable amount of time or are hoping to upgrade again in a year or 2?

RentDayBlues · 08-07-2009 2:03pm

Engine size varies from 1.4 to 1.8 - most are petrol.

The idea is to keep the car long term - so 3+ years at least.

Any other suggestions would be very welcome

EPM · 08-07-2009 2:07pm

Maybe if possible post a link to the cars you are interested in. Then people will be in a better position to help

RentDayBlues · 08-07-2009 2:18pm

Alfa http://www.carzone.ie/search/Alfa-Romeo/147/1.6-5DOO/200925194342936/advert?channel=CARS

407 http://www.carzone.ie/search/Peugeot/407/ST-1.8/200926194440840/advert?channel=CARS

307 http://www.carzone.ie/search/Peugeot/307/ZENITH-1/200901191375907/advert?channel=CARS

The Audi I was looking at is actually more expensive than the €11.5K so think it wont be considered unfortunately.

I do like this but I think its too old for what it is http://jjreillycars.webzone.ie/usedcars/index.cfm?fuseaction=car&carID=200926194442909

EPM · 08-07-2009 2:43pm

Avoid the 307 and especially 407 - diesel is the only real way to buy a Pug. Petrols REALLY aren't liked second hand. If your budget is 11.5k look at cars with asking prices up to about 14k and see what you can bargain.

To maximise your resale it might be wise to buy diesel to be honest as it really is a buyers market at the moment and you'll have a big choice. You could also bring in a nice 07 way Focus diesel from the UK in a nice spec for that type of money. From looking myself other cars that can be gotten for a good price there are diesel Accords, Leons and Mondeo's - any one of which I feel would be better than the ones you have mentioned.

The 147 looks nice however, and given the proper care should be as reliable as most other cars. Resale might be a problem afterwards though

king_of_inismac · 08-07-2009 2:56pm

If I was getting an alfa (and I own one), I'd look for model with a full leather interior and plenty of extras, especially for the money you're spending!

Lex Luthor · 08-07-2009 5:09pm

king_of_inismac wrote: »

If I was getting an alfa (and I own one), I'd look for model with a full leather interior and plenty of extras, especially for the money you're spending!

I TOTALLY AGREE..!!!!!

high horse · 08-07-2009 6:52pm

I find Alfa's very ugly cars (apart from the 156), esp. the new Mito. It looks like an owl ffs!

smcgiff · 08-07-2009 7:30pm

high horse wrote: »

I find Alfa's very ugly cars (apart from the 156), esp. the new Mito. It looks like an owl ffs!

What cars do you like the look of?

Lex Luthor · 08-07-2009 7:56pm

That 8C is awful looking alright.....:rolleyes:

RentDayBlues · 08-07-2009 10:14pm

Too many cars and not even money or time! Have seen an excellent seat leon that I now like - anyone own one?

EPM · 09-07-2009 7:29am

RentDayBlues wrote: »

Too many cars and not even money or time! Have seen an excellent seat leon that I now like - anyone own one?

I've got a 2006 1.6 one...got a link to the one you're looking at?

RentDayBlues · 09-07-2009 10:47am

It was this one, gone this morning http://www.carzone.ie/search/SEAT/Leon/1.6-S-10/200923193021643/advert?channel=CARS

waraf · 09-07-2009 10:55am

Stay well away from the 307 & 407 unless you like having to pay mechanics large sums of money to search for intermittent electrical problems.

I've never owned an Alfa but I think we've all heard about the (at times) dodgy build quality and of course their awful reliability record. You can get lucky and get a good one but of course you could get very unlucky too.

Also the resale value on Peugeots and Alfas is absolutely woeful.

The A3 seems like the most sensible choice of the three to me at least. They're more reliable and they hold their value better than the others. Honestly, if you've ever owned an unreliable car it's an absolute nightmare. Wondering if it's going to start in the morning or how many hugely expensive problems the mechanic will find during a routine service. The A3 may seem like the one that has the least passion but if you rely on your car like I do then the decision has already been made for you.

NewApproach · 09-07-2009 11:20am

waraf wrote: »

Stay well away from the 307 & 407 unless you like having to pay mechanics large sums of money to search for intermittent electrical problems.

I've never owned an Alfa but I think we've all heard about the (at times) dodgy build quality and of course their awful reliability record. You can get lucky and get a good one but of course you could get very unlucky too.

Also the resale value on Peugeots and Alfas is absolutely woeful.

The A3 seems like the most sensible choice of the three to me at least. They're more reliable and they hold their value better than the others. Honestly, if you've ever owned an unreliable car it's an absolute nightmare. Wondering if it's going to start in the morning or how many hugely expensive problems the mechanic will find during a routine service. The A3 may seem like the one that has the least passion but if you rely on your car like I do then the decision has already been made for you.

If you want to be sensible then the VW Golf would probably be the way to go. Pity because usually sensible and boring mean the same thing in the motoring world!

waraf · 09-07-2009 11:38am

NewApproach wrote: »

If you want to be sensible then the VW Golf would probably be the way to go. Pity because usually sensible and boring mean the same thing in the motoring world!

Personally I'd pick a focus over a golf anyday. Much more fun to drive and it's easier to pick one up with a higher spec.

EPM · 09-07-2009 12:22pm

RentDayBlues wrote: »

It was this one, gone this morning http://www.carzone.ie/search/SEAT/Leon/1.6-S-10/200923193021643/advert?channel=CARS

My car is identical to this but in black. Was tempted to go look at that car a few weeks back myself.

Engine is an old design - but as a 1.6 hatch goes its fine. Can be a bit noisy if you rev it and thirsty at times but you'll get 600km to a tank without trying too hard. It's decent enough for overtaking and very reliable.

That model is a Stylance with the Sport-Up kit (about €800 option new). The ride on the 17 inch alloys with the sports suspension is very firm but you get used in no time. It does handle very well as a result. Plus they look really good. The spec is huge on that model (its top spec) - climate, cruise, mutli function wheel, computer, elec folding mirrors - only thing they really miss is bluetooth as standard. Sports seats are excellent.

Mine has 87k km up on it (60 odd of this done in the last year and a bit). Had a problem with the air con when I bought it - turned out the compressor was gone but was replaced by dealer. Mine has a very slight (as in I'm the only one that can hear it) noise from the gearbox. Seat dealer says its nothing at all to worry about. Interior looks like new, nothings broken off, everything works as it should.

It's the same car under the skin as a Golf/Jetta/A3/Octavia too so parts are not a problem. I'd happily buy another one again, maybe a diesel this time because of my mileage. Price is good too - seen them for €3-4k more in Cork!

And if you do buy get a drivers armrest. Makes a big difference

Lex Luthor · 09-07-2009 1:38pm

drivers don't use armrests

EPM · 09-07-2009 1:47pm

Lex Luthor wrote: »

drivers don't use armrests

I have 3 hands - need to do something legal with the third one:pac:

RentDayBlues · 09-07-2009 3:15pm

Thanks EPM - have to say the look of the Seat is great. That one sold this morning so will be keeping an eye out for another. I have the use of another car in the mean time so I can hold out for a good deal.

Thanks to everyone else for the responses on the other cars - I had a Peugeot and never experienced any electrical problems, I think they are a good model.

I think its going to be either a Seat Leon or a Peugeot 307

EPM · 09-07-2009 3:26pm

Dont buy a 307. It is madness. You will lose a fortune and they are an old design too compared to the other cars mentioned bar the 147.

You should look at bringing a Leon in from the UK. Great choice over there. Plus there are more of that particular spec one which is tough enough to get here

RentDayBlues · 09-07-2009 3:35pm

Seen these two, which look identical apart from some of the features

http://www.billgriffinmotors.ie/viewanad.php?ad_id=417211

http://www.carzone.ie/search/SEAT/Leon/1.4-Cost/200924193086609/advert%3E%20?channel=CARS

EPM · 09-07-2009 3:39pm

RentDayBlues wrote: »

Seen these two, which look identical apart from some of the features

http://www.billgriffinmotors.ie/viewanad.php?ad_id=417211

http://www.carzone.ie/search/SEAT/Leon/1.4-Cost/200924193086609/advert%3E%20?channel=CARS

They are both Costa models. Main difference between that and the last car is no air con or multi function leather wheel. Alloys were extras. Also Costa is a 1.4. If none of those things bother you its well equipped otherwise eben though not very quick. There are LOADS of ex hire Costa's about so you should be able to bargain hard

What to buy? Peugeot/Audi/Alfa

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