New Car Advice

techdiver · 15-09-2009 1:28pm #1

Hi,

Just looking for any opinions on the following types of cars that I am interested in.

The first one is the Merc CLK

http://www.carzone.ie/search/Mercedes-Benz/CLK-Class/AVANTGAR/200937195189163/advert?channel=CARS

The second is the Alfa GT

http://www.carzone.ie/search/Alfa-Romeo/GT/1.9-JTDm/200936195099689/advert?channel=CARS

The third is the BMW 3 series coupe (bit more expensive)

http://www.carzone.ie/search/BMW/3-Series/320i-LEA/200931194780967/advert?channel=CARS

What are the views of the above cars and are there any other I'm over looking such as the Mazda RX-8 etc...

Thanks.

CountingCrows · 15-09-2009 1:34pm

Think as a starting point you should decide if you want/need a petrol or a diesel car.

peasant · 15-09-2009 1:37pm

Anyone who spells Alfa as "Alpha" should't be allowed drive one anyway ...so you're down to the Merc or Beemer

techdiver · 15-09-2009 1:38pm

CountingCrows wrote: »

Think as a starting point you should decide if you want/need a petrol or a diesel car.

I'm on the fence really on that one. It wouldn't be of the highest importance on my list.

Suppose I'm leaning slightly towards petrol, but reading up on certain models such as the Alpha it was claimed that the petrol model is very thirsty....

Santa Claus · 15-09-2009 1:39pm

I'm by no means an authority on cars like other posters here but just on my personal opinion:

Mercedes have given their C class a bit of a face lift in late 07 which looks marginally nicer, so this 05 model will get the "old model" excuse if you look to sell/trade in the future.

Alfa GT would be my choice every time on looks but alfa still have the label of being unreliable (although i think since the 156 they have been pretty stable) and so resales tend to suffer due to this perception.

Bmws just don't excite me at all. A lot of my mothers golfing friends drive 3 series coupes and their average age is mid 60 (i'm sure there are younger people who drive them, that's just my experience)

Owen · 15-09-2009 1:45pm

If you're 70 and you wet yourself regularly, the Merc's a good option. If depreciation doesn't bother you, the Alfa will be a great car to own and have fun in. The BMW is okay too, but there's lots on the road, so make sure it's what you want.

How about an Audi A5? You'd be able to spec one with lots of equipment to make it a bit more refined than the standard model, and IMHO, they're one of the best looking cars on the road at the moment.

techdiver · 15-09-2009 1:53pm

PaintDoctor wrote: »

If you're 70 and you wet yourself regularly, the Merc's a good option. If depreciation doesn't bother you, the Alfa will be a great car to own and have fun in. The BMW is okay too, but there's lots on the road, so make sure it's what you want.

How about an Audi A5? You'd be able to spec one with lots of equipment to make it a bit more refined than the standard model, and IMHO, they're one of the best looking cars on the road at the moment.

I absolutely love the look of the A5, in fact it would be my first choice, but they are a bit pricey at the moment. I'm only looking at the €20K mark. I have to wait a few years for that price to become possible.

I'm not 70 either, but have been known to wet myself...:D

Owen · 15-09-2009 2:04pm

Whoops, never clicked on your links, so I didn't know your budget. Sorry!

CountingCrows · 15-09-2009 2:09pm

I changed from a BMW 320CI (older E46 model) to an Alfa GT diesel recently. So far I'm very happy with the GT, but a full 12 month warranty really is a must.

Merc is a beautiful machine but not a drivers car.

techdiver · 15-09-2009 3:32pm

What do you guys think of the Mazda RX-8? One like this:

http://www.carzone.ie/search/Mazda/RX-8/192PS-To/200904191562515/advert?channel=CARS

smash · 15-09-2009 3:44pm

Alfa or BMW!

That RX-8 is overpriced and underpowered!

Alanstrainor · 15-09-2009 3:46pm

Go for the Alfa GT, it's one of the sexiest cars on the road! And the 1.9 JTD is supposed to be savage.

smash · 15-09-2009 4:08pm

Alanstrainor wrote: »

Go for the Alfa GT, it's one of the sexiest cars on the road! And the 1.9 JTD is supposed to be savage.

Screw that. you'll land this for €16,500 inc travel. And look at the spec!

Alanstrainor · 15-09-2009 4:20pm

steve06 wrote: »

Screw that. you'll land this for €16,500 inc travel. And look at the spec!

Hmm you might just be on to something....:eek:

smash · 15-09-2009 4:26pm

They'll deal in € so offer €12k - VRT is €4,127 boat is €100, flight is about €30, then food and petrol!

Bargain of the century! I'm almost tempted!

Santa Claus · 15-09-2009 4:35pm

steve06 wrote: »

Screw that. you'll land this for €16,500 inc travel. And look at the spec!

yeah but your overheads (insurance/tax) will be much higher with the 3.2 litre
The 1.9 alfa diesel engine has always been a good choice and reviewers generally prefer it over the petrol engines or the 2.4 jtd

However if you don't care about the engine size, then you'd get this for 20k i'm sure

As for the rx-8 when it first came out i saw loads of mammies in supermarket carparks fishing the kids out of the back with the suicide doors so it wouldn't be my cup of tea.

What about this Peugeot 307 ? Seems insanely well specced

techdiver · 20-01-2010 2:38pm

Hi,

Just to let you know I eventually went for the 2006 Alfa Brera 2.2 JTS. It was between that and an RX-8 and running costs and insurance swung it for the Alfa.

I much preferred it to the GT as it felt more solid and seems to have better build quality. It also, in my opinion, looks better. I know some will disagree with me.

New Car Advice

Comments