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[cat] 10/4/2003 10:50

second hand VW transporter turbo diesel

[alchemy] 10/4/2003 10:17

Car Magazines Embarrasing ? it is the shelf above that is embarrasing !


3 series Touring never has enough room IMHO in the estate bit -- oops sorry BM never ever use the estate word

[dontknowitall] 10/4/2003 09:27

I've been reading this with a degree of interest, since we're also looking for a car.

We've a Volvo S60 - wonderful car, but unfortunately my wife doesn't enjoy it (leather seats make her feel sick) and we hardly ever use it - 7000 miles in 15 months.

We bought it on a 4 year loan but I was thinking the other day that it's an awful lot of money to spend on a car we don't drive, especially when we've just bought a horse, pony and about to build stables.

Anyways, we're trying to find something zippy to replace it but at much lower cost. Have come up with Seat Leon too and also one of those Honda Civic thingies - our local showroom had a nice black sporty looking one 18 months ago, but I suspect they've sold it by now!

But in my hunting, this is probably the best website I've found:
quick, clean, logical, etc) - and it starts searching from your local town too. Excellent and thoughtful design.

[quidzinn] 10/4/2003 09:10

Bee emm 320d touring

Q

[danfulton] 08/4/2003 23:57

Seat Leon Cupra

[march] 08/4/2003 23:10

I'm disappointed - I thought this was going to one of those 'I've made a sh*t load of money trading - what shall I spend it on?' threads.

This was a fun one from the boom days.

[djlungi] 08/4/2003 18:29

is a good place to start.

[contract note] 08/4/2003 17:26

noddys car and ill give it to erroll for his efforts

[hi-there] 08/4/2003 17:16

How about a 2nd hand corniche for touring europe.

[the player] 08/4/2003 16:59

Alchemy,

Thanks.

Any good online sites for car test reports? Or any magazines that post their reviews online?

I find car magazines a tad embarrasing, I have to say! ;-)

TP

[alchemy] 08/4/2003 16:53

OK well the recent mag I got loved the new Subaru Forester .

[the player] 08/4/2003 16:50

pingers,

Because tax accounts for about 30% of the cost over here - slightly more in fact. So, buying new makes sense. A BMW at 30% below its original cost is quite a few years old. Why not buy new for the same price?

That said, I'm not totally committed to spending 30k. I can get about 30% off whatever I buy. So, any other suggestions for suitable (new) hatchbacks or estates are welcome! ;-)

TP

[pingers] 08/4/2003 16:44

If you want it for shifting lots of stuff, then you need a level entry door which the Golf does not have. You need a real estate car, the BMW will run forever. Why do you need to spend all that money? A BMW a few years old is only just run in, buy secondhand and avoid the depreciation.

[jabberstocky] 08/4/2003 13:10

The 404 is a sort of hatchback.

[logica2me] 08/4/2003 13:09

I like the VW cars, but the dealerships in this country are an absolute nightmare to deal with. Any routine servicing or warranty repairs take about a month to been seen to, you can no longer simply drive in to a dealership and get a mechanic to have a 'quick look'.

Thats the only thing that puts me off.

Honda Accords are nice and the dealerships are fantastic.

[jabberstocky] 08/4/2003 13:09

Bristol 404 or 405 convertible.

[errol6429] 08/4/2003 13:07

I'd get a Ferrari 360 Modena.

[the player] 08/4/2003 11:56

MPH,

Will only be going abroad for 12 months, maybe a little more. So, will buy a right-hand-drive and suffer it for that long before bringing it home.

For that reason I'm tempted to buy it here (Dublin) as I know I'll get a RHD immediately. May have to wait a while in Brussels and I must own it for 12 months abroad in order to qualify for no tax - I think.

TP

[m_p_h] 08/4/2003 10:41

Golf TDI's are superb motors, Really impressive performance and handling. Economy's stupidly good as well. VW have really got it sorted with there TDI engine.

If you're taking it abroad, buy abroad initially...........Germany give good discounts on New VW's compared to UK prices.

Plus it will be easy to get a left hooker. (which I assume you want if your using abroad?)

[goatbreath] 08/4/2003 10:15

How about a used BMW 530d Touring. With the new model coming out in Europe in January, used versions will be at bargain prices. Great performance, style, fuel economy and residual value - I think I'll get one myself!

[the player] 08/4/2003 08:56

Log,

I agree with you, but there is something I forgot to tell you..........

I may be buying this car net of duty and V.A.T. because I will be taking it abroad. In that case, I have set myself a E30,000 limit. But, the real cost will be nearer E20k or less.

Any views on the Volvo V40?

TP

[logica2me] 08/4/2003 08:46

The Player

Quite simply, in answer to your question, I wouldn't (buy).

Rather than tie up £20k cash, why not lease a car, with the option to purchase at the end? The big leasing companies get such a large discount on new vehicles, often you end up paying less than the price of the new vehicle even with all the interest added!

A good place to start would be

Log

[the player] 08/4/2003 08:27

Here's the query..............

You have Euro30,000 to spend - about Stg20,000.

It must be an estate or a hatchback, for goods carrying reasons, not family reasons.

At the moment I'm taken by the VW Golf GTi, 5 door or the VW Golf 1.9Tdi 150 bhp. (I'm very partial to diesels!). Curiously, the diesel is slightly cheaper than the GTi over here.

I also like the new Renault Megane.

What else would fall into this price/category that people would recommend?

Thanks.

TP

[johngreenspains] 23/6/2002 17:14

Many thanks to all those that have made helpful contributions here!! I have taken note and will use info to buy.

JJ; Re the fiesta - totally agreed as few friends have owned - load of trash CVT. This is why Fords stop selling the auto fiesta.

Anymore views pls? Thanks