Car Upgrade

Cato2605 · 30-12-2010 8:26pm #1

Hi Guys,

Hope you can help me out. I am now driving 8 years and always had a 1.2 litre car from the Micra, Fiesta and currently a Punto. Next year I want to upgrade to something a little bit bigger and more powerful, what I am calling a "grown up" car. But to be honest i dont have a clue what i should look at. Like would i go up to a 1.4 or 1.6. Also what model of car people would people suggest. I would like to hear your opinions to give me some guidance and ideas. (cause to be honest when it comes to cars i dont have a clue)

Many thanks

homer90 · 30-12-2010 8:32pm

Give us your budget, it may help with ideas ...

colm1234 · 30-12-2010 8:41pm

its was obvious you dont have a clue about cars as soon as you said you own a punto, no offense. here is a basic guide line to use when buying cars for those that dont know too much about cars stay away from fiat, peugeot,citroen,daewoo,alfa romeo,rover

if buying petrol go for a japanese car eg toyota, honda, nissan, mazda

if buying diesel go for german car eg bmw, vw, mercedes,

with out a price its hard to give you any better advice

Alanstrainor · 30-12-2010 8:42pm

colm1234 wrote: »

its was obvious you dont have a clue about cars as soon as you said you own a punto, no offense. here is a basic guide line to use when buying cars for those that dont know too much about cars stay away from fiat, peugeot,citroen,daewoo,alfa romeo,rover

You haven't a clue.

OP; I thought it was worth mentioning that just because a car is a 1.4, does not mean it's any faster than a 1.2. It all depends on the car, and engine in question. A 1.4 petrol focus is shockingly slow, and i'm not talking as some sort of speed freak that would find anything slow, they are dangerously slow!
It's just worth keeping in mind.

JamBur · 30-12-2010 8:43pm

colm1234 wrote: »

its was obvious you dont have a clue about cars as soon as you said you own a punto, no offense. here is a basic guide line to use when buying cars for those that dont know too much about cars stay away from fiat, peugeot,citroen,daewoo,alfa romeo,rover

if buying petrol go for a japanese car eg toyota, honda, nissan, mazda

if buying diesel go for german car eg bmw, vw, mercedes,

with out a price its hard to give you any better advice

What a load of crap, Punto is a great starter car...... for its price point it is a great machine. I won't even bother with your jap\german pov.

30-12-2010 8:43pm

colm1234 wrote: »

its was obvious you dont have a clue about cars as soon as you said you own a punto, no offense. here is a basic guide line to use when buying cars for those that dont know too much about cars stay away from fiat, peugeot,citroen,daewoo,alfa romeo,rover

if buying petrol go for a japanese car eg toyota, honda, nissan, mazda

if buying diesel go for german car eg bmw, vw, mercedes,

with out a price its hard to give you any better advice

From that post it seems you don't know too much about them either.

30-12-2010 8:46pm

And before you mention it Colm, plenty of mechanics are brain dead mongs who know sweet feck all about cars really.

Alanstrainor · 30-12-2010 8:46pm

Alanstrainor wrote: »

You haven't a clue.

...

JamBur wrote: »

What a load of crap, Punto is a great starter car...... for its price point it is a great machine. I won't even bother with your jap\german pov.

RoverJames wrote: »

From that post it seems you don't know too much about them either.

I think we all spend too much time on this! Hahaha

JamBur · 30-12-2010 8:46pm

seems to be a trend in the previous posts.......

edit: Alanstrainor beats me to the punch again

colm1234 · 30-12-2010 8:48pm

so now all of a sudden the punto is a great car ?????? what planet are you guys living on french and italian cars are **** its a basic fact of life

doOh · 30-12-2010 8:49pm

oh god ... me as provisional licence owner i started with Mitsubishi Galant 2.0 i would never ever go for something with smaller engine than that. Its not only about engine size and power but also safety ... Get an audi, bmw, lexus, honda (not civic though) anything with a little bit of weight

colm1234 · 30-12-2010 8:51pm

Alanstrainor wrote: »

You haven't a clue.

OP; I thought it was worth mentioning that just because a car is a 1.4, does not mean it's any faster than a 1.2. It all depends on the car, and engine in question. A 1.4 petrol focus is shockingly slow, and i'm not talking as some sort of speed freak that would find anything slow, they are dangerously slow!
It's just worth keeping in mind.

ok what are you on about ????

colm1234 · 30-12-2010 8:53pm

RoverJames wrote: »

And before you mention it Colm, plenty of mechanics are brain dead mongs who know sweet feck all about cars really.

what before i mention im a mechanic of 20 years is it ?

JamBur · 30-12-2010 8:53pm

Aah lads, it all depends on a persons circumstances. Not everyone needs a heavy 2l sedan. Its wrong to make sweeping statements without having some background. I wasn't saying the punto is flawless, I was saying it is a great car for its price..... and the reliability in them isnt as bad as people make out. The Irish are far too concerned with plate and badge snobbery.

Before anyone asks; I'm Irish and have a french car.

Apologies o\p for the way this thread has gone

MagicMarker · 30-12-2010 8:55pm

colm1234 wrote: »

what before i mention im a mechanic of 20 years is it ?

Case in point.

colm1234 · 30-12-2010 8:56pm

JamBur wrote: »

What a load of crap, Punto is a great starter car...... for its price point it is a great machine. I won't even bother with your jap\german pov.

punto is the biggest heap going, do some research fella

Dilbert75 · 30-12-2010 8:58pm

Meanwhile back on topic.....???

OP what do you want in a car?

smokie2008 · 30-12-2010 9:02pm

RoverJames wrote: »

And before you mention it Colm, plenty of mechanics are brain dead mongs who know sweet feck all about cars really.

Seems someones had a bad experience with a mechanic so paints us all with the one brush.

colm1234 wrote: »

its was obvious you dont have a clue about cars as soon as you said you own a punto, no offense. here is a basic guide line to use when buying cars for those that dont know too much about cars stay away from fiat, peugeot,citroen,daewoo,alfa romeo,rover

if buying petrol go for a japanese car eg toyota, honda, nissan, mazda

if buying diesel go for german car eg bmw, vw, mercedes,

with out a price its hard to give you any better advice

Pretty fair statement in my opinion, except maybe peugeot as the 206 is a fantastic starter car.

JamBur wrote: »

What a load of crap, Punto is a great starter car...... for its price point it is a great machine. I won't even bother with your jap\german pov.

Punto is, and always has been, a piece of shít, oil leaks, weak as engines that blow head gaskets for fun, endless money pits really.

MagicMarker · 30-12-2010 9:04pm

smokie2008 wrote: »

Seems someones had a bad experience with a mechanic so paints us all with the one brush.

He didn't.

yourdesiredname · 30-12-2010 9:04pm

You cannot just recommend a car without knowing a bit more information. A micra would be the perfect car if you live in a city, drive in around town and occasionally drive 50 or 60 miles somewhere whereas a Audi A8 4.2 wouldnot be the best car. However, if you drive 1200 miles a week, the micra would be useless and the audi would be a good choice............

Do you use the car to commute to and from work? How far? How much traffic?

Do you regularly carry passengers?

Are you into any sports/activities that you use the car for?

Mostly city or country driving?

Annual mileage?

Parking, on street or off the road?

Any ideas what you like? Jeeps? sports cars? Convertibles?

This would be a start.....

smokie2008 · 30-12-2010 9:05pm

MagicMarker wrote: »

He didn't.

Baseless statement then????

Anyways, OP you male or female?

colm1234 · 30-12-2010 9:06pm

its nothing to do with plate snobbery given to choice of a 1.3 corolla 99reg or a 03reg pug206 1.1 id chose the corolla every time, its more about reliability one of the cars i own is a 95 corolla hatchback 1.3 and there is 269000 miles on the clock its running like new id like to see a french car owner that can say the same

smokie2008 · 30-12-2010 9:08pm

Fair enough Colm but not everyone buys a car with the intention to run it into the ground and clock 1/4 of a million miles on it, so I wouldn't be jumping to advise someone to avoid it based on that reason.

(not a hope in a hell you'd find a 206 with that mileage all the same:D)

Alanstrainor · 30-12-2010 9:09pm

Okay okay, this has gone completely off-topic.

I know I am partially to blame, but can we just drop it and keep it about the OP?

If someone wants to discuss other brands etc start a new thread.

30-12-2010 9:10pm

smokie2008 wrote: »

Seems someones had a bad experience with a mechanic so paints us all with the one brush.

MagicMarker wrote: »

He didn't.

As MagicMarker said I didn't have a bad experience with a mechanic. Lots of qualified mechanics are an absolute disgrace who couldn't diagnose a flat tire.

colm1234 wrote: »

............... and there is 269000 miles on the clock its running like new id like to see a french car owner that can say the same

Ever see a high mileage 406 taxi ?

30-12-2010 9:11pm

Alanstrainor wrote: »

Okay okay, this has gone completely off-topic.

I know I am partially to blame, but can we just drop it and keep it about the OP?

If someone wants to discuss other brands etc start a new thread.

Didn't see this before I threw in my last post

I'll stop now though :cool:

psycho-hope · 30-12-2010 9:17pm

how about something like an 1.6 focus or a mondeo, octavia or a laguna. when i first learnt to drive my instructor had an 1.6 focus, god i loved that car was so disapointed when he turned up for a lesson in a yaris:pac:

colm1234 · 30-12-2010 9:18pm

RoverJames wrote: »

As MagicMarker said I didn't have a bad experience with a mechanic. Lots of qualified mechanics are an absolute disgrace who couldn't diagnose a flat tire.

Ever see a high mileage 406 taxi ?

im talking petrol engine not diesel

Alanstrainor · 30-12-2010 9:27pm

colm1234 wrote: »

im talking petrol engine not diesel

I've already asked people to stop posting off-topic. I'd appreciate it if you would drop it.
Infractions and bans come next.

Idbatterim · 31-12-2010 1:33am

I would say a mondeo. I have heard the 1.4L Focus engine is a joke.

andyseadog · 31-12-2010 6:04am

the 97-01 5 door hatch corolla.

available in 1.3 or 1.6, pretty looking thing, very reliable, reasonably comfortable, economical, big boot, nice presentable grown up car usually with decent standard kit. post 2000 models also have chain driven engines which eliminate big service bills.

i dont want to jump on the arguement bandwagon that this thread seems to be holding, but i really dont see the fascination with VAG TDi's.

Cartel Mike · 31-12-2010 6:47am

OP narrow it down to four cars you can see yourself driving.
I always visit a massive new and used car lot or dealership to see whats out there and to elimanate certain cars.
Theres alot of well knowledgeable folk here that are excellent and maybe drive these cars.
You have had fairly left of centre cars in the past so maybe you wouldn't drive a mondeo/focus skoda or toyota anyway.(im the same).
Are you a desiel or petrol head?
No point unless you narrow it down.

Pdfile · 31-12-2010 7:04am

OP... stick with fwd ( what you know best ) and get something somewhat comfy relyable and not too slow...

1.6 civic with leather interior or simular?

Cato2605 · 31-12-2010 9:08am

Hi Guys,

OP here, many thanks for your response. Of course if I gave more info regards the type of car that would make sense.

1) Will need a 5 door
2) Dont require a car 2 commute to work so only recreational driving.
3) Into surfing so something that can care a board.
4) City driving

Budget is around EUR 5,000, not sure if i will get anything on a trade in with the Punto tis 02.

colm1234 · 31-12-2010 10:59am

Cato2605 wrote: »

Hi Guys,

OP here, many thanks for your response. Of course if I gave more info regards the type of car that would make sense.

1) Will need a 5 door
2) Dont require a car 2 commute to work so only recreational driving.
3) Into surfing so something that can care a board.
4) City driving

Budget is around EUR 5,000, not sure if i will get anything on a trade in with the Punto tis 02.

the 03 upward avensis would be a great car for that has all the bells and whistles of more expensive luxury cars too

shamwari · 31-12-2010 11:05am

Cato2605 wrote: »

not sure if i will get anything on a trade in with the Punto tis 02.

You might get something on a trade, but if it's clean with some NCT on it, you might shift it privately with would be better when it comes to haggling on your new car.

yourdesiredname · 31-12-2010 8:42pm

Car Upgrade

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