IS200 V CT200 V A3 Saloon V Avensis

cjmcork

folks, looking for opinions on which of the 4 to get serious about.....

IS200
CT200
A3 Saloon Diesel
Avensis Diesel

I do about 110km per day Monday to Friday and maybe another 50 at the weekend.........single driver, no kids, no need to worry about access to back seats.............budget up to 21k if it's something that I fall in love with

trying to buy a mid-life crisis car but trying to edge on the side of sensible, so want something that'll be reasonable to service with access to spares, etc for mechanic

bazz26

Jasus, I'd hardly consider any of them a midlife crisis car to be honest.

ofcork

I'd go for the Lexus have a 12 avensis diesel very reliable but agricultural.

cjmcork

ah I'm having a sensible mid-life crisis (plus, I don't want to get a tattoo and I don't like motorbikes) but I still need something that'll turn over in the morning! (as in the car!)

colm_mcm

The Lexus is200d would be the first for the chop anyway.

cjmcork

colm_mcm wrote: »

The Lexus is200d would be the first for the chop anyway.

are the reasons optical or mechanical?

colm_mcm

Mechanical. They're just a detuned 220d. Just not a great engine.
Would be a nice enough drive otherwise. A bit small inside as well.

The a3 saloons are usually 1.6 tdi. You could look at the Jetta as well as its similar enough albeit an older design

ofcork

Did they have the gasket issues I know that engine in the avensis had CT 200 would be off the list for me.

bear1

I wouldn't call any of those mid life crisis cars.
Two options, either check out the luxobarge thread and get a proper mid life crisis car for silly money or you could get a newer turbo petrol car.
Checking dd gave me a focus St, gti 208 etc.

colm_mcm

ofcork wrote: »

Did they have the gasket issues I know that engine in the avensis had CT 200 would be off the list for me.

The 200d is the same 2.2 engine as the 220d just with less power.

bazz26

Look at the VW CC or Audi A5 for something stylish yet sensible.

selectamatic

is300h