What Car should I get

Mini850

Howdy guys,

So, I never spend too much money on a car for myself (the wife gets a new family barge for safety and reliability) so I'm always on the look out for something cheap, but interesting.

Ive driven all sorts and currently drive an 04 Alfa Romeo 147 1.6

So you've guessed it, I don't mind having to do some work on the car.

Now I'm loving the Alfa, quick rack steering, revvy engine, leather interior.....all that jazz, but I'm getting restless so it might be time to have another look.

Here's where you come in, what would you recommend??

So here are my criteria:
1.Under €2500 (2500 is absolute max....ABSOLUTE, or else its no fun)
2.Petrol
3.Under 2ltr
4.Over 1.6ltr
5.No older than 2004
6.4 seats min please, don't care if its 2 or 4 door
7.Not a convertible
8.Interesting
9.Not Japanese

My picks so far are:
Skoda Octavia VRS
Vectra GTS/SRI
Alfa 156 1.8 or 2ltr
Audi A4 1.8T (might have to break my no older than 2004 rule)
Golf GTI 1.8T (Same as Audi A4)
BMW 316 1.8 (really don't want another beemer, but if I have tooooo, 2004 at that price??)
Passat 1.8T (don't really want another Passat either.....but its in the mix)
Renault Clio 172 (cheeky, might not get one for €2500???)
Skoda Fabia VRS (its diesel, and 1.9, but that engine in that little car....oh, and price is an issue)


Right yer turn peoples

duffman3833

If i had that list id go with the clio simply because you dont see many of them around. All other cars pretty common but that just my thoughts on it

grogi

You've never mentioned reliability - so I would go for an Alfa.

It would, especially with the TS motors, get interesting every morning

Toyotafanboi

If you like cars, you probably won't like the Passat, epic dull, same as the A4. Can't see a good case for buyong the cheapest BMW available either and you're currently doing the Alfa thing, so the 156 might not re excite you, so to speak. Mk4 GTi is fairly uninspiring too, to say the least.

The Skodas are good calls but i'd say you'd struggle to get a Fabia in budget.

Audi TT should definitey be on that list.
Few nice ZR 160's and ZT's on donedeal for that kind of money.
Probably get into a Mk1 Focus ST too.

Not Japanese limits you a little, one or two options available that way if you get your head around whatever reason you don't like the Japanese as a blanket ban for.

Mini850

I couldn't give a stuff about reliability. Ha. I drive an alfa on purpose ffs ha ha.

Audi TT is out. Not a genuine 4 seater imo. Nice car though.

Ya, did the passat thing, a boat on wheels and boring. Still not ruled out.

Focus ST, now there's an idea, bit old maybe???, I forgot about Ford. I own a Mondeo so I dunno why ha.
The MG's I cant warm to at all, shame as they are not bad (they like head gaskets though). They just seem to be out there, and I rather a sleeper car.


The jap blanket ban is there because ive never had fun in a jap car. Driven Imprezas and Evos and all the Hondas and I cant warm to them. No idea why, cant explain it. Nothing against them.

Other options ive seen

Polo GTI (rare as fook)
106 gti (too old, so good, but my feet are too big)
206 gti (just....not....gti enough. Had a 205 gti so that may have ruined me.
Seat leon cupra. (same car as the octavia and golf really)



What am i missing????

ba_barabus

Ford Mondeo ST?

drunkmonkey

The Golf in a red I if you can get one in budget, it's a comfortable well built car that's able to make ground, had one about 10 years ago and I still don't think the interior or exterior looks dated.

job seeker

Fiat coupe
Lupo GTI

You're really limiting yourself for choice once you exclude all Japanese IMO...

job seeker

Fiat coupe
Lupo GTI
Fiesta ST

You're really limiting yourself for choice once you exclude all Japanese IMO...

Mini850

drunkmonkey wrote: »

The Golf in a red I if you can get one in budget, it's a comfortable well built car that's able to make ground, had one about 10 years ago and I still don't think the interior or exterior looks dated.

I wont have you ruin this thread with any talk of diesels unless its a Fabia ha ha.

I had a Passat with the 130pd engine in it.

Mini850

job seeker wrote: »

Fiat coupe
Lupo GTI
Fiesta ST

You're really limiting yourself for choice once you exclude all Japanese IMO...

I LOVE the FIAT Coupe, so tempted to buy one recently, but all are older than 2004.

Lupo gti, rare as the polo gti, id love one. But a tad small. The 4 seater thing is down to me having to ferry the sprog around on occasion.

Fiesta ST, A genuine contender. Get one for under €2500???

Mini850

ba_barabus wrote: »

Ford Mondeo ST?

Like the 3.0ltr beast of a thing??? Ah ya, if this country didn't penalise anyone who wanted a nice car and wouldn't have to sell a kidney to tax it, id go for it.

Has to be under 2ltr

drunkmonkey

Mini850 wrote: »

I wont have you ruin this thread with any talk of diesels unless its a Fabia ha ha.

I had a Passat with the 130pd engine in it.

I'm not on about the diesel, the red i in the petrol version is 180bhp 6 speed as opposed to the 150bhp 5 speed in the normal Gti.

Mini850

Just to throw a spanner in the works, Volvo V70 2.0T..........yep, Ill drive an estate, no problem

I actually almost bought a Golf Estate once. It was really high spec and had the 1.8T 150bhp engine in it as standard.

Mini850

drunkmonkey wrote: »

I'm not on about the diesel, the red i in the petrol version is 180bhp 6 speed as opposed to the 150bhp 5 speed in the normal Gti.

You are forgiven. lol

Same engine as the Octavia VRS then???

yep, not ruling out the Passat. Really handles s4it though.

job seeker

Mini850 wrote: »

I LOVE the FIAT Coupe, so tempted to buy one recently, but all are older than 2004.

Lupo gti, rare as the polo gti, id love one. But a tad small. The 4 seater thing is down to me having to ferry the sprog around on occasion.

Fiesta ST, A genuine contender. Get one for under €2500???

Ya, older than 2004. But thought you'd make an acceptation.

Mini850

job seeker wrote: »

Ya, older than 2004. But thought you'd make an acceptation.

I would but anything older than 2001 and it becomes a bugger to insure. Beautiful car though. Id nearly buy an early model and keep it until it becomes classic.

bmwguy

Lupo Gti, Audi A4, Passat, Mondeo ST, 3 series, Alfa 156, Boy racer Clios, estate cars, Polos.

A very eclectic mix of cars being suggested, and being well received by OP, in this thread!

Wonder what OP will end up with. My money is on a luxobarge having scrapped the 2004 restriction. I'll guess Audi A8.

Good discussion so far

ba_barabus

Mini850 wrote: »

Like the 3.0ltr beast of a thing??? Ah ya, if this country didn't penalise anyone who wanted a nice car and wouldn't have to sell a kidney to tax it, id go for it.

Has to be under 2ltr

Not exactly fitting the bill but there is a 2.2l Diesel Mondeo ST

https://www.donedeal.ie/cars-for-sale/ford-mondeo-st-220-tdci/11232332

I'll try find something more fitting with the budget and requirements

Toyotafanboi

I reckon the b5.5 Passat, it's the conformist option.

ba_barabus

Volvo S40 T4

https://www.donedeal.ie/cars-for-sale/volvo-s40-t4-auto-1-owner-new-nct-full-history/11237015

Mini850

bmwguy wrote: »

Lupo Gti, Audi A4, Passat, Mondeo ST, 3 series, Alfa 156, Boy racer Clios, estate cars, Polos.

A very eclectic mix of cars being suggested, and being well received by OP, in this thread!

Wonder what OP will end up with. My money is on a luxobarge having scrapped the 2004 restriction. I'll guess Audi A8.

Good discussion so far

We taking bets??? ha ha

I like cars and have no preference to any make. Have had everything from the old classic minis up to relatively new BMWs. Wish I could get over my lack of attraction to Jap stuff as some of them are fuppin brill cars. Like RX8's are starting to come into handy money, Honda Prelude and Accords are brill. Lexus do some decent stuff, but they dont excite me. They feel sterile or something. (one exception, but its out of price range and a two seater is the S2000 Honda.....what a car) The Alfa, for all its downfalls (reliability, not that fast, heavy, high maintenance) excites me. The morning commute is like a play time. So what I really want is the 147 GTA with the 6 cylinder engine...........but.......you know.............

Now you may say that some of my suggestions are not exciting. They are not, but they are interesting in some way (to me). They have something that will keep me happy

Audi A8.........can they be got in 2ltr???

ba_barabus

Saab 95 Linear Sport 2T

https://www.donedeal.ie/cars-for-sale/saab-95-linear-sport-2-0-lpt-full-service-book-/11401950

Mini850

ba_barabus wrote: »

Not exactly fitting the bill but there is a 2.2l Diesel Mondeo ST



I'll try find something more fitting with the budget and requirements

Thats a nice looking car, meaty.........but If I want to drive a torquey Diesel, Ill take the Family barge out for a spin.

Keep her revvy petrol guys.

Mini850

Toyotafanboi wrote: »

I reckon the b5.5 Passat, it's the conformist option.

See it is an option, but I've had one........that marks it down.

Mini850

ba_barabus wrote: »

Volvo S40 T4

Hmmm.......theres an option................not with an auto box though

Mini850

ba_barabus wrote: »

Saab 95 Linear Sport 2T

Saab.........always liked em. How are they for parts these days???

Toyotafanboi

Mini850 wrote: »

See it is an option, but I've had one........that marks it down.

But you keep saying you want something interesting, fun, with a revvy petrol, it's none of those things and if you think japanese cars have a sterile interior the Passat s, not one to talk...

I think, genuinely, if you are serious about wanting a fun car with a €2.5k upper budget, you either really need to include japs or drop the no older than 04 rule. Otherwise you will end up in something cat.

ba_barabus

Mini850 wrote: »

Saab.........always liked em. How are they for parts these days???

No issues AFAIK. That's a facelift 95 and it doesn't suffer from the engine oil sludge issues. I'd also imagine there is wiggle room in the price. They're well able to go but the handling is definitely more comfort orientated. Best thing would be to drive one and see.

Mini850

Toyotafanboi wrote: »

But you keep saying you want something interesting, fun, with a revvy petrol, it's none of those things and if you think japanese cars have a sterile interior the Passat s, not one to talk...

I think, genuinely, if you are serious about wanting a fun car with a €2.5k upper budget, you either really need to include japs or drop the no older than 04 rule. Otherwise you will end up in something cat.

When I say revvy, I mean not a 4000rpm rev limit from a diesel ha.

Ok, so far, I think the Golf GTI or Skoda Octavia VRS are front runners. 150-180 reliable BHP with an option of remapping (not a fan of it unless done right)

So given I'm into sleeper cars that don't scream "look at me, I'm very fast", what Jap car would you suggest that would give me the same bang for my buck??

Mini850

Toyotafanboi wrote: »

But you keep saying you want something interesting, fun, with a revvy petrol, it's none of those things and if you think japanese cars have a sterile interior the Passat s, not one to talk...

I think, genuinely, if you are serious about wanting a fun car with a €2.5k upper budget, you either really need to include japs or drop the no older than 04 rule. Otherwise you will end up in something cat.

When I say revvy, I mean not a 4000rpm rev limit from a diesel ha. And when I said sterile, I meant the feeling I got, rather than just the interior.

Ok, so far, I think the Golf GTI or Skoda Octavia VRS are front runners. 150-180 reliable BHP with an option of remapping (not a fan of it unless done right)

So given I'm into sleeper cars that don't scream "look at me, I'm very fast", what Jap car would you suggest that would give me the same bang for my buck??

bmwguy

Mini850 wrote: »

We taking bets??? ha ha

I like cars and have no preference to any make. Have had everything from the old classic minis up to relatively new BMWs. Wish I could get over my lack of attraction to Jap stuff as some of them are fuppin brill cars. Like RX8's are starting to come into handy money, Honda Prelude and Accords are brill. Lexus do some decent stuff, but they dont excite me. They feel sterile or something. (one exception, but its out of price range and a two seater is the S2000 Honda.....what a car) The Alfa, for all its downfalls (reliability, not that fast, heavy, high maintenance) excites me. The morning commute is like a play time. So what I really want is the 147 GTA with the 6 cylinder engine...........but.......you know.............

Now you may say that some of my suggestions are not exciting. They are not, but they are interesting in some way (to me). They have something that will keep me happy

Audi A8.........can they be got in 2ltr???

No I think the smallest petrol is a 2.8
Good you have a wide range of cars you like.

I had an Alfa 156 up to a few years ago, I did like it. It was a red 06 the very last of them. Paid 5.5k in 2010 for a 4 year old with 50,000 miles. Great value in the recession there was.

But I'll throw something out shamelessly, its what I drive now. I have an 04 bmw e39 sport which I absolutely love. It breaks one of your rules though it is a 525i so it is a 2.5 engine

I have had the smaller 3 series engines and this is a better beast in every way. I paid 2450 for it in 2013 as a 9 year old with 95000 miles. I did plan on only keeping a year and moving on but it hadn't missed a beat in 3 years and now I think I will keep it for another 2 while all the potential replacements depreciate.

But also a shout out to the Alfa if you want to keep below 2.0 but the build quality between the 2 is very different, the Alfa interior is a bit cheap in comparison, but you know that and still have it on your list

Toyotafanboi

a 1.8t Passat has a 6k rev limit, so i would struggle to call that a rev happy car either, just saying. i know being turbo you are getting good power low down, but realistically i don't think 130-150bhp in a Passat sized car will ever have it considered a sleeper, you'd have an e46 320d blow you away off the lights. not wishing to sound harsh but are we looking for something that is a hoot to drive or a family saloon here?

purely discussionally, i think looking for a post 2004, somewhat enthusiast orientated car with an upper budget of €2500 and a 2.0 cap on motor tax is not really going to get you what you want, unless you want a 4 banger 3 series or a mid spec Passat, but then we've missed the point.

2.5 4wd, decent poke, endless spec, very comfortable, 2006 Subaru Outback
https://www.donedeal.ie/cars-for-sale/subaru-outback-2006/11215805

fake cow, fake wood, very understated looking, facelifts aren't fond of head gaskets 1.8t 160bhp, 2006 Rover 75 Conni
https://www.donedeal.ie/cars-for-sale/rover-75-1-8t-connoisseur-se-4/11156170

2.0 6 cyl, rwd, leather, climate control, cruise control, elec seats, very understated looking, original Irish car, 2003 Lexus IS200
https://www.donedeal.ie/cars-for-sale/lexus-is-200-executive-nct-02-17/10987610

a proper "hot hatch" imo, 2002 Focus ST
https://www.donedeal.ie/cars-for-sale/st-focus-170/11211668

4 banger supercharger, 170bhp(?), easy on the eye, premium badge, cow, questionable reliability, 2004 C-Class
https://www.donedeal.ie/cars-for-sale/mercedes-c180-kompressor-sport-edition/11465226

Modern styling, decent spec, comfortable, reliable, good drive with 140bhp and very good fuel economy, 2007 Civic hatch
https://www.donedeal.ie/cars-for-sale/cars/11423964

you have to make an effort to think outside the box and be prepared for compromise somewhere, at the €3k~ price point it's very hard to have your cake and eat it. otherwise you'l end up driving a mk4 Golf GTi and hating yourself because the power is lacklustre and it's virtually indistinguishable visually from a 1.4 baseline.

Toyotafanboi

The BMW Mini is another good call...

2002 Supercharger, never driven one but i'd say it's good fun. An old neighbor had one and the exhaust tone is lovely.
https://www.donedeal.ie/cars-for-sale/mini-cooper-s/11263967

or if reg plate and understated looks are life, 2005 black on black Cooper.
https://www.donedeal.ie/cars-for-sale/mini-cooper/11246832

Mini850

Toyotafanboi wrote: »

a 1.8t Passat has a 6k rev limit, so i would struggle to call that a rev happy car either, just saying. i know being turbo you are getting good power low down, but realistically i don't think 130-150bhp in a Passat sized car will ever have it considered a sleeper, you'd have an e46 320d blow you away off the lights. not wishing to sound harsh but are we looking for something that is a hoot to drive or a family saloon here?

purely discussionally, i think looking for a post 2004, somewhat enthusiast orientated car with an upper budget of €2500 and a 2.0 cap on motor tax is not really going to get you what you want, unless you want a 4 banger 3 series or a mid spec Passat, but then we've missed the point.

2.5 4wd, decent poke, endless spec, very comfortable, 2006 Subaru Outback


fake cow, fake wood, very understated looking, facelifts aren't fond of head gaskets 1.8t 160bhp, 2006 Rover 75 Conni


2.0 6 cyl, rwd, leather, climate control, cruise control, elec seats, very understated looking, original Irish car, 2003 Lexus IS200


a proper "hot hatch" imo, 2002 Focus ST


4 banger supercharger, 170bhp(?), easy on the eye, premium badge, cow, questionable reliability, 2004 C-Class


Modern styling, decent spec, comfortable, reliable, good drive with 140bhp and very good fuel economy, 2007 Civic hatch


you have to make an effort to think outside the box and be prepared for compromise somewhere, at the €3k~ price point it's very hard to have your cake and eat it. otherwise you'l end up driving a mk4 Golf GTi and hating yourself because the power is lacklustre and it's virtually indistinguishable visually from a 1.4 baseline.

No no, appreciate all the reply's so dont worry about sounding harsh. I'm a big boy now ha ha.

The Passat is an option, much more leaning towards the likes of a Golf GTI or VRS Skoda (180bhp right there out of the box with the Skoda (a family saloon thats a hoot to drive???)). A hoot to drive...........what does that mean to you? To me, my Alfa is a hoot to drive, it actually makes me smile. Its only 120bhp in a surprisingly heavy car, so fast it is not. Gear change is dire, what id do for a snickity change like in my Mondeo . It does handle though and the steering is sublime. Quick rack (horrible turning circle). It also has a beautiful engine note and loves to rev. Now, a hoot to drive may also be something with mad power and s4ite handling, or rear wheel drive (Had a 320D now you mention it, Torque and rwd was great, it was a hoot to drive also..........not as fast as you imagine though).
Now, I drove a Civic Type R once. It was brill, fuppin handled, reved, vTec roar. I handed back the keys and never thought about it again.........Im about thinking outside the box, but with the Japs, they are like beautiful women, everyone else fancies them.........while I'm looking to cop off with the geek with glasses, whos hiding a big pair of personalities under the jumper and is dirty as hell...........

Anyway your choices Mr Toyota (you never mentioned a Celica)

2.5ltr Subaru, beast of a yolk, interesting, but tax!! and a bit "jeepy"

The Rover is interesting, nice choice. Auto though. In manual, I wouldnt discount it

The lexus, Auto, drove one and it was lush.......just boring. Id go with a beemer before it if it was a battle of RWD cars

Focus ST, YES YES YES

The Merc, See comment about Lexus

The Civic, I'm only 32 man.....not 132.

Mini850

Toyotafanboi wrote: »

The BMW Mini is another good call...

2002 Supercharger, never driven one but i'd say it's good fun. An old neighbor had one and the exhaust tone is lovely.


or if reg plate and understated looks are life, 2005 black on black Cooper.

Now you're talking. Liking the Cooper S. I remember a time when I was restoring classic Mini's when I wouldn't look at one. Pure car snobbery. Didnt want to admit they were good.

I like super chargers.

Mini850

bmwguy wrote: »

No I think the smallest petrol is a 2.8
Good you have a wide range of cars you like.

I had an Alfa 156 up to a few years ago, I did like it. It was a red 06 the very last of them. Paid 5.5k in 2010 for a 4 year old with 50,000 miles. Great value in the recession there was.

But I'll throw something out shamelessly, its what I drive now. I have an 04 bmw e39 sport which I absolutely love. It breaks one of your rules though it is a 525i so it is a 2.5 engine

I have had the smaller 3 series engines and this is a better beast in every way. I paid 2450 for it in 2013 as a 9 year old with 95000 miles. I did plan on only keeping a year and moving on but it hadn't missed a beat in 3 years and now I think I will keep it for another 2 while all the potential replacements depreciate.

But also a shout out to the Alfa if you want to keep below 2.0 but the build quality between the 2 is very different, the Alfa interior is a bit cheap in comparison, but you know that and still have it on your list

I'm a Beemer fan. Had a 320D..............it nearly broke me with repairs though. I cant justify getting a car with a 2.5ltr engine.

Toyotafanboi

Mini850 wrote: »

The Civic, I'm only 32 man.....not 132.

that's exactly why you can't drive a German mid range saloon. you can have one when you have a pension.

i didn't mention a Celica because i own one, so i thought it would be seen as a bit cliche by the regulars on here. that and it's really just a two seater, but they do represent very good value for money.

Mini850

Toyotafanboi wrote: »

that's exactly why you can't drive a German mid range saloon. you can have one when you have a pension.

i didn't mention a Celica because i own one, so i thought it would be seen as a bit cliche by the regulars on here. that and it's really just a two seater, but they do represent very good value for money.

Ah no, what ever about the German saloon's, Civics of that type are for people who have given up on life.

I considered a Celica.........am I allowed to say that after all my jap dissing??? haha.

But ya, it is a two seater, but one of the more interesting Jap cars.

Some of the really old jap cars are cool. like the first civics (boxy)

sergiut11

I would go with Skoda Fabia VRS or Skoda Octavia 1.9tdi

Mini850

sergiut11 wrote: »

I would go with Skoda Fabia VRS or Skoda Octavia 1.9tdi

VRS yes, that little car with that big Denzal engine......yes please.

Octavia 1.9tdi??? Nahhh. VRS only on the Octavia..........otherwise ill be driving my dads car.

Moneymaker

You'd definitely get a 172 for less then 2500.

I had a 1.4 and it was a hoot, 2.0 in a car that size would be some craic i'd say.

Some sort of old Merc or a 320i maybe?

Focus ST?

Mini850

Moneymaker wrote: »

You'd definitely get a 172 for less then 2500.

I had a 1.4 and it was a hoot, 2.0 in a car that size would be some craic i'd say.

Some sort of old Merc or a 320i maybe?

Focus ST?

All mentioned above.

Ya, drove the Clio 172. It gave me the feeling my 205 GTI gave me. Raw, nimble