Help Me Find a Good Petrol Car Please

freddyboiii

Hi guys,

After spending a lot of time looking at diesels I have finally conceded the fact that a petrol car makes way more sense for me!

I'm looking to spend ~€6000. What I'm looking for is reliability, decent economy and a bit more power than average.

I'm not afraid of biggish engines or paying that bit extra in tax for good performance. I have a good no claims bonus too so I should be ok for insurance on most things. I'm not looking for a big 2.5 turbo or anything mad like that just something with that extra bit of kick for overtaking, motorway driving, not feeling like I'm driving a pedal powered car.

I do a decent mix of journey lengths (15km each way to and from work & >1km journeys to the shops and gym.

I've driven the 1.4 version of the newer 06+ Civic models and like the handling and layout on the inside, was thinking of getting the 1.8 but apart from that I'm fairly clueless about my options.

Any suggestions would greatly appreciated, Thanks.

run_Forrest_run

you could do worse than picking up a Mazda 6 1.8, plenty of them out there given your budget. That's what I did.

Moneymaker

BMW 320 should fit the bill perfectly.

http://cars.donedeal.ie/cars-for-sale/bmw-320-new-nct-immaculate/6403745

If everything checks out that should be a perfect choice.

http://cars.donedeal.ie/cars-for-sale/bmw-3-series-320-se-cabriolet-fsh-nct-t/6327651 - Something different

The 2.0 engine came with 170bhp if I remember right.

Sobanek

Doesn't the E90 have problems with coilpacks?

Idbatterim

http://www.carzone.ie/search/BMW/5-Series/523-523I/201352220715044/advert?channel=CARS

http://www.carzone.ie/search/BMW/5-Series/520i-AUT/37013861788015570/advert?channel=CARS

or the 520 is E950 to tax... 523 is E1080...

http://cars.donedeal.ie/cars-for-sale/bmw-520-e60/6414456

Sobanek

That 520i is seriously overpriced.

CianRyan

You liked the civic but wanted more power and better spec?
Civic Type R.

SleeperService

The 1.8 civic hatch is, in my opinion , a fantastic mix of economy and power, reliability and looks. I accept that the looks are love/hate but it has plenty power for joe public and decent mpg. (i hear the saloon may be better built, was it colmmcm here said that)

Was thinking of oneone myself until a, funny you should mention, 2.5 turbo alternative came along at the right price :-)

colm_mcm

I've had my 1.8 civic 18 months without so much as a bulb blowing.
Hitting for 150km and still tight.
Only real criticism is the engine is a bit boomy.

chinwag

Does the split rear window on the Honda Civic bother people much?

colm_mcm

chinwag wrote: »

Does the split rear window on the Honda Civic bother people much?

It did initially but not any more. Very handy at night as it blocks out glare from headlights.

The bottom half isn't heated which is a bit dumb.

Bigus

Sobanek wrote: »

Doesn't the E90 have problems with coilpacks?

And corolla, Avensis , polo, golf , focus, skoda, Saab, Punto ,renault laguna megane, etc etc etc. in fact almost every modern car that's not diesel, no big deal, available in motor factors

freddyboiii

Thanks for all the suggestions guys, glad to hear good feedback about the 1.8 civic. I reckon a 5 series would be a bit on the big side for me, I'm only 24 and wouldn't have too many passengers so I'd prefer something a bit smaller. I'll give the 320s a look

Lanshane

Hi all,

Just like the OP I too may be changing my car in the near future and am looking for a good petrol. I've always drove civics and they have always been so reliable to me. Thing is I drive 80 miles a day. My current car is a 13 year old 1.6 civic petrol hatch. It averages 40 MPG, all rural driving mainly. It has been a great car but feel like changing to another civic. I do not want diesel after all the horror stories I hear, even though my mileage falls into the diesel bracket. However I have always found the civics to be very economical especially for rural driving. Just wondering what would peoples opinion be on a 1.8 SES version saloon in terms of economy/comfort/power etc? I would prefer the saloon TBH. Why do they appear to be better built as was mentioned in an earlier post? My budget is 10k, may stretch to 11. I was looking at the I30 too but dunno how they compare. Any recomendations? Tks!

colm_mcm

Lanshane wrote: »

Hi all,

Just like the OP I too may be changing my car in the near future and am looking for a good petrol. I've always drove civics and they have always been so reliable to me. Thing is I drive 80 miles a day. My current car is a 13 year old 1.6 civic petrol hatch. It averages 40 MPG, all rural driving mainly. It has been a great car but feel like changing to another civic. I do not want diesel after all the horror stories I hear, even though my mileage falls into the diesel bracket. However I have always found the civics to be very economical especially for rural driving. Just wondering what would peoples opinion be on a 1.8 SES version saloon in terms of economy/comfort/power etc? I would prefer the saloon TBH. Why do they appear to be better built as was mentioned in an earlier post? My budget is 10k, may stretch to 11. I was looking at the I30 too but dunno how they compare. Any recomendations? Tks!

The 1.8 is fine for power, I'm averaging early 40s in mine. My mother has an 08 diesel i30 (1,6 116hp) and mechanically it's been A1 in the last 2 years.
To be fair its just as nippy as the Civic despite having 25hp less on paper its got a lot of torque. They generally don't give trouble and would be a good bit more economical than the honda. Tax is also much less, even 08 onwards civic 1.8 saloons have relatively high tax. Tax on the hatchbacks is lower post 08 compared to the saloon.
Some will prefer the saloon civic to the hatch as it has independent rear suspension and is built in Japan as opposed to the uk. That said, neither of things has been a problem for me in the last 18 months, and the hatch is much more practical than the saloon due to the rear opening, lower boot floor and fold-up rear seats (fuel tank is under the front seats so there is a load of space under the rear seats as a result)
I looked at saloons and hatches before I bought mine, and I preferred the seats and seating position in the hatch, and the higher roof, also the sunroof in the saloon is your normal type, but the hatch has a panoramic job which makes the cabin much more airy.

If I was spending 11k on a civic, it'd have to be a diesel. I don't regret having the petrol, but the diesel has a lovely lump of torque that the petrol hasn't.

Cee-Jay-Cee

I too would recommend the 1.8 civic saloon. 140bhp and 44mpg average is hard to beat. They're a marmite car and many dont like them.

The Accord 2.0 is also a very good car with 150bhp and high 30's mpg figures. They're reliable and very comfortable.

Is be happy with either.

esio1313

hi freddyboiii, check Mazda 3 great car . 1.6 engine there is a chain, on the start you will safe ad list 500e , go to any forum mazda and you will see how good is the car. Im happy owner M3.

jimmythedivil

Volvo C30 1.8. Pleasure to drive, usual Volvo toys and refinement. Looks great...I happen to be selling one so perhaps biased.

Lanshane

Thanks for the helpful replies:

Any opinions on this:

http://www.carzone.ie/search/Honda/Civic/1.8I-SES/38313914286344290/advert?channel=CARS

I have a hatch myself and find it practical too. Have the hatch and saloon the same engines, just a different body?

If anyone sees a good hatch somewhere I would appreciate a link?

Thanks again

colm_mcm

Lanshane wrote: »

I have a hatch myself and find it practical too. Have the hatch and saloon the same engines, just a different body?

Yes.