Which car

rockdrummer

Dont give out to me....

Volvo s40 - http://www.driving.ie/usedcars/index.cfm?fuseaction=car&carID=200921192883235

Mazda MX 5 - http://www.japcars.ie/viewanad.php?ad_id=306848

Golf - http://www.carzone.ie/search/Volkswagen/Golf/1.9-TDI-/200919192735744/advert?channel=CARS

Their the cars Im looking at the mo, I know they are all very different. Cant make my mind up. The issues are:

The Volvo is 1.8 so tax nd petrol would be high, I know the MX5 is same (1.8) but as such a light car it would use up alot less petrol. the Golf is expensive for services, maintenance etc. I would go with the MX5 (Im single and looks like a fun / different car) only concern is its very small, dunno if it would become a pain in a while. Their all the same reliability, anyway with secondhand cars it really depends on previous owner(s) !!

Any thoughts?

Tipsy Mac

Of the 3 neither. Golf is underpowered, MX5 lacks space and has 2 seats, that model S40 is ancient.

rockdrummer

Thanks for reply Tipsy Mac

Golf - Not too concerned with power, just as its cheap, reliable, nice car

Volvo s40 - maybe ancient but I have been looking around alot and this is the best one I cud find - low mileage, leather, nice alloys, good price etc

MX5 - I have same concern but its a nice car, convertible nd all.... cool

What would you recommend then?

robtri

Single, looking for a fun drive....
has to be the MX-5....
yes it is limited on space, but such a great car to drive,
very much a fun car and is miles ahead of the others in terms of FUN factor...

Lord Derpington

Why did you choose an automatic golf? Manual a year newer and quicker for the same money LINK

Bear in mind, while you said on of the arguments for getting a golf was cheaper tax, this is not true. You were looking at diesel road tax on a 1.9 is €582 a year. The 1.8 petrol is €551 so it is not much different, however the running costs of a diesel would be lower.

EDIT: Agree completey with robtri, if your looking for a fun car to drive and maybe pull in MX5 will do a better job than a Volvo or a diesel golf anyday

rockdrummer

Thanks for the replies lads,

Greenfly - never said cheaper tax for golf, sorry what I meant by cheap, was cheap to run i.e. fuel - would get alot more MPG with diesel... just maintenance is supposed to be exp. I cud get a more powerful golf in petrol, but then tax is higher and fuel is higher !!!

Drove automatic in US last year and loved it, just hate when in traffic in Ireland (which is alot of the time) you have to keep movin up and down gears !!

MX5 Im leaning towards, just space may be an issue, wondering could I live with it based on its such a fun / cool car !! Yes hope the chicks like it aswell Not enough room for some car rompy neither

rockdrummer

Do ya like the alloys on this? Have tested this one and is nice just not too sure of alloys !!

http://www.s-bmotors.com/showroom.php

Its this one on page 3:

Mazda MX-5 ROADSTER 1.6 NEW ROOF 1999

voxpop

Golf isnt expensive to service - well nothing more than any other car

rockdrummer

I dont know the golf is expensive to service as a fact Im just basing this on Whatcar.com:

"Golfs aren’t cheap to service, but their overall reliability record suggests you won’t fork out that often for repairs"

But you will have to service at least once a year, nd even though they are reliable when buying secondhand you never know you may have to fork out for repairs so I want these to be cheap aswell, just in case !!

voxpop

But you will have to service at least once a year, nd even though they are reliable when buying secondhand you never know you may have to fork out for repairs so I want these to be cheap aswell, just in case !!

Unless you are talking about going to a dealer for the service then a service is a service no matter what the make. eg garage charges 150 for a service. It doesnt matter if you have a golf or a focus.

Obviously if you pick a car with an auto box and it goes bang, you are in trouble but otherwise the golf will be comparable with other manufactures when it comes to repairs and servicing.

rockdrummer

Fair enough....

Is an automatic more prone to faults than manual transmission?

bazz26

I'd take the Whatcar comments about the Golf with a pinch of salt. One thing the MkIV Golf is not known for and that is reliability. They have their fair share of recurring problems.