Buying a second car

bear1

Need your opinions/feedback guys/gals on the following cars I'm thinking of purchasing. We need to get a second car for the misses and I want her to have something a bit flash and safe but within budget and diesel.
For now the budget, for the car alone, is 3k and minimum 2003 reg.

http://cars.donedeal.ie/cars-for-sale/mercedes-c220-cdi-2003/5501648

Know nothing about Mercs but they are everywhere so it must be good

http://cars.donedeal.ie/cars-for-sale/car-for-sale/5493695

http://cars.donedeal.ie/cars-for-sale/audi-a6-2003-diesel/5354146

http://cars.donedeal.ie/cars-for-sale/saab-9-3-2003-linear/5409754

Does anyone own or have experience with the above cars?

Max Power1

I think I would have the Audi from the links you posted. I like that model, and it is from the time (sort of) of the reliable audis, that were unaffected by the poor vag reliability of the later '00 era

bear1

Yeah I do like the Audi, the only thing that puts me off is the mileage but if all work is done on it then I would turn a blind eye to it.
Does this particular Audi suffer from any common problems?

Scortho

What about the gtv you linked in bangernomics?
http://cars.donedeal.ie/cars-for-sale/alfa-gtv/5535020

I know its 02 but its been looked after by gerry.

bear1

Petrol plus she says 1 Alfa in the household is enough

Scortho

bear1 wrote: »

Petrol plus she says 1 Alfa in the household is enough

HAHA

I know people get fed up of this, but does she need a diesel?

You should buy it anyway. itd be worth sleeping on the couch for a few weeks as well!:pac:

RustyNut

The most reliable car in your list is the merc by 1000 miles. I've owned various bangernomics Mercs over the last 20 years and all they ever needed was regular servicing.

I know it a bit subjective but I think Mercs are the nicest yokes to drive and they have being doing diesels for decades. My current one is a 320 cdi that will do 40 mpg if you nurse it around.

Just check really well for tin worm.


Enjoy which ever one ye go for.

bear1

I know people get fed up of this, but does she need a diesel?

You should buy it anyway. itd be worth sleeping on the couch for a few weeks as well!

Ask away yes she needs one as every few months she drives home to Poland and or around the country.
Yes I could buy it, but not only am I sleeping on the couch but I'm also going to be invading my own pants for a while also

bear1

@Rustynut: that particular Merc has the 140bhp engine correct? are they gutsy or underpowered on what looks like a fairly heavy car?
Are they with the chain or the belt?

Also, I remember reading somewhere that on the Audi/BMW that when the belts are being changed the engine needs to be moved or something to that effect?

Scortho

bear1 wrote: »

Ask away yes she needs one as every few months she drives home to Poland and or around the country.
Yes I could buy it, but not only am I sleeping on the couch but I'm also going to be invading my own pants for a while also

Fair enough. Definitely a diesel then.
Still Worth it in my books as a weekend car

Buy her a corolla (with the smallest engine going) and shell let you buy as many alfas as you want after driving one for 6 months.
I know it's an alfa, I know it's 800 over budget, but it is diesel and is a 05.
http://cars.donedeal.ie/cars-for-sale/05-alfa-romeo-156/5361533

RustyNut

bear1 wrote: »

@Rustynut: that particular Merc has the 140bhp engine correct? are they gutsy or underpowered on what looks like a fairly heavy car?
Are they with the chain or the belt?

Also, I remember reading somewhere that on the Audi/BMW that when the belts are being changed the engine needs to be moved or something to that effect?

They are a chain.
The thing that makes diesels so nice to drive is the torq which makes for effortless driving especially with the merc auto box. You won't find it lacking in pulling power and they are the perfect tool for buzzing across Europe.

bear1

Scortho wrote: »

Fair enough. Definitely a diesel then.
Still Worth it in my books as a weekend car

Buy her a corolla (with the smallest engine going) and shell let you buy as many alfas as you want after driving one for 6 months.
I know it's an alfa, I know it's 800 over budget, but it is diesel and is a 05.
http://cars.donedeal.ie/cars-for-sale/05-alfa-romeo-156/5361533

you are trying aren't you Pity it isn't the Ti version.. still 150bhp ain't bad from the 1.9... of course the 20v 2.4 would be even better
You know she said she'd be happy with a 1.4TDI Polo :rolleyes:
That's why I took over the search

bear1

Yeah the Europe thing is quite important. My wife's sisters' husband has the estate version of the Merc with the auto box and, maybe cause its the estate, but I always got the feeling that our diesel Volvo would keep up with it.
Agree with you about the diesel pulling feeling, I'd only get a petrol if was a high horsepower one.

Scortho

bear1 wrote: »

you are trying aren't you Pity it isn't the Ti version.. still 150bhp ain't bad from the 1.9... of course the 20v 2.4 would be even better
You know she said she'd be happy with a 1.4TDI Polo :rolleyes:
That's why I took over the search

I'd let her get the polo.
A second alfa is a possibility that way.

bear1

They are bloody terrible though, as boring as mass nearly.
Plus I think on long journeys the 1.4 just wouldn't cut it. I've seen a 330d for less than 3k on DD... smart option?

Scortho

bear1 wrote: »

They are bloody terrible though, as boring as mass nearly.
Plus I think on long journeys the 1.4 just wouldn't cut it. I've seen a 330d for less than 3k on DD... smart option?

Which is exactly how you'd go about getting your second alfa! She'll
Moan that its too slow, it's not nice enough and you can take her off to see a nice 156 that's diesel!:D

I wouldn't say no to a 330d though if I did the miles. Once it has a decent bit of power I'm happy.

bear1

Full of reasoning Scortho aren't you
To get the Alfa would require a bit more saving and/or would require giving up my 156 as 3 cars is idiotic. Even if the Alfa is more of a part-time car. Decisions Decisions
Maybe I'll just let her sit in the Polo and see how she reacts

Scortho

bear1 wrote: »

Full of reasoning Scortho aren't you
To get the Alfa would require a bit more saving and/or would require giving up my 156 as 3 cars is idiotic. Even if the Alfa is more of a part-time car. Decisions Decisions
Maybe I'll just let her sit in the Polo and see how she reacts

When it comes to alfas definitely.
Being an alfa owner you should know that though!
2 Dailys and a summer car!
Makes a gtv feasible.

bear1

Ok.... want to buy my 156? It's the 2.4 version

Scortho

bear1 wrote: »

Ok.... want to buy my 156? It's the 2.4 version

Nope. I've the v6.

bear1

I've got more torque

bear1

Just to update this, I went to look at a Fiat Grande Punto 1.9 Sporting last night. Absolute gem of a car, 2 door and manual so ticks her boxes and with a good 130bhp under the bonnet it ticks mine
Dual-Zone climate control works well and with just about 115km on the clock its not bad either for a 2006 car.
Car pulled very well in all gears and it has the 6th gear too which is a nice bonus.
Bad points:

Each alloy has a scuff, and there are a few scratches on the bumper. Not very visible but I don't like seeing them.
Car wobbles slightly whilst driving, sort of like a bent rim. Got the lad to knock 1k off the price if I agree to buy it. Saturday will be the decider.
Anyone have this car and any opinions on it?