Suggestion for new car

rizzee

Hi,

Just looking for some opinions on what to get next! Hope to get something sorted in the next few weeks.

Budget: Around 6-6.5k (euro)

Milage: 30 to 40kms each day 5 days a week, plus the same or maybe more at the weekends.

Essentials: From a garage with warranty! Minimum 2008. No more than 90k miles. Comfortable and good MPG (45 Mpg minimum will do). Max 1.6 petrol or 1.9 diesel. As trouble free as possible (will be keeping for minimum 3 years)

Also I'll just add in that Id love to get a car up north, being considerably cheaper and better spec. As long as there's warranty like I said.
Don't have to put in vrt costs with budget, that can be separate. (5-6k Sterling to spend then)

Would like something sporty-ish. I'm still undecided as to whether my milage would warrant me getting a diesel or not.

Haven't had a good look around proper but I'm liking 08/09 tdci Focus' design and a reputable brand, I've had 3 Grande Puntos and love them so maybe a upgrade to 10/11 Punto Evo 1.4?

any other suggestions or ideas?

Thanks

rizzee

Anyone?

fmcg_scribe

For reliability and resale value, a Focus would be a better bet than a Punto.

Mpg seems to matter to you, so perhaps your search should start here: http://www.whatcar.com/truempg/my-true-mpg

rizzee

fmcg_scribe wrote: »

For reliability and resale value, a Focus would be a better bet than a Punto.

Mpg seems to matter to you, so perhaps your search should start here: http://www.whatcar.com/truempg/my-true-mpg

I've had 3 Grande Puntos, all with no trouble for the most part. Loved them.

Resale value doesn't bother me really. I'm still unsure as to getting a diesel or not. What about the 1.6 Zetec petrol focus?

I'll check the website. Cheers

fmcg_scribe

rizzee wrote: »

I've had 3 Grande Puntos, all with no trouble for the most part. Loved them.

Resale value doesn't bother me really. I'm still unsure as to getting a diesel or not. What about the 1.6 Zetec petrol focus?

I'll check the website. Cheers

A satisfied Fiat owner. Wonders never cease.:)

rizzee

Haha!

What are Astra's like? gTC... 1.4/6.

MuppetCheck

rizzee wrote: »

Haha!

What are Astra's like? gTC... 1.4/6.

1.4 is slow and supposedly not that reliable as the miles rise but the 1.6 is a nice engine actually - much more free revving than the 1.8 too. They aren't a bad car and often overlooked, smooth and quiet.

If you're looking at a Focus (I'm assuming a 3 door?) look for a 1.6 Titanium petrol. It's a better engine than the Zetecs 1.6.

rizzee

MuppetCheck wrote: »

1.4 is slow and supposedly not that reliable as the miles rise but the 1.6 is a nice engine actually - much more free revving than the 1.8 too. They aren't a bad car and often overlooked, smooth and quiet.

If you're looking at a Focus (I'm assuming a 3 door?) look for a 1.6 Titanium petrol. It's a better engine than the Zetecs 1.6.

Thanks for the reply. Yeah I figured the 1.6 would be better than the 1.4s, a mate has a 1.8 and they're nice, had it over a year with Ni trouble.

What's better about the titanium do you know?

I would go for a punto again over these but just fancy a change really, keeping options open.

MuppetCheck

rizzee wrote: »

Thanks for the reply. Yeah I figured the 1.6 would be better than the 1.4s, a mate has a 1.8 and they're nice, had it over a year with Ni trouble.

What's better about the titanium do you know?

I would go for a punto again over these but just fancy a change really, keeping options open.

The titanium engine was more powerful and efficient but also a little smoother. For a similar outlay it's worth sourcing one.

bazz26

I'd look at the Hyundai i30, 1.4 litre petrol engine is nearly as powerful as some other 1.6 litre cars and it still returns good mpg and is very reliable. The Kia Ceed is the i30's sister car and tend to sell for less.

Bpmull

I wouldn't buy a 1.6tdci focus when your looking for a trouble free car for 3 years. So if you were going for the focus I'd be going 1.6 petrol with a decent spec.

I suppose there wouldn't be much point in suggesting a mk5 golf

Always liked the Astras and liked the one I had although if going for a diesel one I'd pick a 1.7 over a 1.3cdti.

rizzee

Bpmull wrote: »

I wouldn't buy a 1.6tdci focus when your looking for a trouble free car for 3 years. So if you were going for the focus I'd be going 1.6 petrol with a decent spec.

I suppose there wouldn't be much point in suggesting a mk5 golf

Always liked the Astras and liked the one I had although if going for a diesel one I'd pick a 1.7 over a 1.3cdti.

Thanks for the suggestions!! Hope to get something sorted in next 2-3 weeks.

Was talking to a garage about a 08 1.8 Astra sxi, gorgeous car. 1 year warranty on all parts, nct til 2016 and he's looking for 6k.

Reasonable!

advertsfox

DON'T BUY A 2008 FOR CHEAP TAX - YOU'LL BE PAYING AN EXTRA 1-3K FOR NOTHING!

In seriousness though, I recommend a Civic 1.8 ES petrol, Tiptronic 140BHP with 44MPG and looks the business - will live forever!

€6,450 with 77K miles in sexy black, €636 tax - http://www.carzone.ie/search/Honda/Civic/1.8I-ES-/71614081190421950/advert?channel=CARS


Actually, I want this car now instead so get something else :P

MuppetCheck

rizzee wrote: »

Thanks for the suggestions!! Hope to get something sorted in next 2-3 weeks.

Was talking to a garage about a 08 1.8 Astra sxi, gorgeous car. 1 year warranty on all parts, nct til 2016 and he's looking for 6k.

Reasonable!

I know people harp on about the tax but check that out carefully. If that's on the new system you will be paying a lot of motor tax for relatively little power. Make sure it's the newer 140bhp engine and not the older 125bhp, should be an SRI being a 1.8 too. Also check the gearbox - they are a known weak point.

Other than that, despite what's said about them, they are a nice car. I'd have a clean SRI over a Golf 1.6 or the equivalent tbh but the civic suggestion above is a good one too, personally I'd prefer a manual. Will outlast the Astra.

rizzee

Thanks for the tips and suggestions!

Haha I know about the 08 cars and tax etc, sure the 08 1.8 Astra is still 636 (?) per year!!

Fairly sure it's a Sport SRI 16v. FHS and will come valeted, fully serviced etc. My mate had a look at it the other day and said it's mint. I'll be viewing it Friday and let yous know how I get on


That civic is lovely! Looking at funds it seems 6k would be my absolute Max ! Manual cars only

advertsfox

rizzee wrote: »

That civic is lovely! Looking at funds it seems 6k would be my absolute Max ! Manual cars only

Tiptronic man, even better!