"New" Car Suggestions... Just For A Change

LSPIII

LSPIII

LSPIII

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29 Jan 2003
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Surrey
Another thread, another noob looking for a new car. I think the difference with me is I have a fair idea what I'm looking for. Having been scouring the classifieds etc I have been drawn to a few different things and was simply after people's recommendations vis-a-vis what to look for, what to avoid etc.

So... Bring on the flames! Here is what I am considering.

My budget would stretch to about 8k for the right car. I'm looking at something significantly more powerful and smile-enducing than my 1.8 Astra. Consumption doesn't overly bother me, but less than 20mpg would frustrate more than anything else. For practicality I want something with 4/5 doors although size doesn't bother me too much. So far I am most drawn to...

VW Golf Mk4 2.8 V6 4Motion
VW Bora 2.8 V6 4Motion
BMW 530i Sport
Seat Leon Cupra R

I would go as far as to say my current favourite is the Golf. The BMW is nice, but almost 1000 more to insure, and the Leon is only fwd whereas I was hoping to move to something rwd or 4wd. The Bora appeals from an initial purchase price point, being cheaper than an alternative Golf, though harder to source and less practical in the boot area. Is there any reason to seriously avoid the Golf?

I know that test driving will give me a good idea of what I will like and my plan is to do this over the next couple of weeks. I am in no rush to replace my current car so will be happy to take my time to pick the right car. It is after all the first time I will be buying something I want as opposed to settling for what I can find!

Waffle Over.
 
Of those four, I'd go for the bimmer.

Outside of those four, I'd save for six months and buy an Audi RS2.

*n
 
Upon further checking, as it happens, the 530i Sport would only cost about 100 more than the Golf :)

The question is whether a B-Road blast would be more enjoyable in such a bigger car. I fully expect a BMW sales pitch from Fox any minute now :D

The Audi idea is alright on paper, but those are old cars now and I'm not drawn to an estate in any way! If I was going to go Audi I would probably lean toward an A4 3.0 Quattro, but they are still quite expensive and I can't help but imagine the other cars I have been looking at would be more satisfying.
 
AndrewP said:
Mondeo ST220 worth suggesting?
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As nice as those are to drive, I can't get excited about a Mondeo. I just know that if I was to get one, I wouldn't look out the window with a big grin on my face just wanting to go for a drive.

That and a Family in-joke rules out Mondeos. ;)
 
I see a BMW 530i in there.... awaits Fox


We should totally have a "waiting for Fox" emoticon. It wouldn't be far from a batman symbol in the sky, yet digital and on a forum :D
 
The only truely super exciting B Road car you have there is the Leon. Both the Golf and the Bora are lardy cruisers, whereas the 530i is a lardy cruiser with a fantastic RWD chassis and class leading dynamics. It has a fantastic ability to feel huge on the Motorway yet shrink around you on a nice A road.

Obviously IMHO the 530i is the superior car (We'll exclude the Leon as its just too different) and is better than the Golf in every - better built, faster, better handling, and so on.

It is also, however, in another league in terms of running costs. Whilst fuel economy is the same, tyres, repairs and servicing will cost more.

Shame the ST220 is not on your list as it's arguably more fun and a better car than the two Golfs on the list.
 
penski said:
Can you get a 530 for £6.5k?

If so, something very fun could be found for £1.5k ;)

*n
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There are so many reasons why I shouldn't do that haha

1. I have one parking space
2. It'll be a struggle to insure one car, let alone two
3. I do most of my driving to and from and during work hours, sometimes around the country. It would be nicer if I could just have one car that would do the whole lot

I suppose I could consider an ST220. Maybe I ought to drive it and see. It's heavier (apart from the BMW) and slower than all the others, but if the handling makes up for it...


edit : There is an ST220 for sale literally a stones throw from my office. I shall take a look!
 
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[TW]Fox;10619721 said:
The ST220 is not slower than the others. It's pretty quick by all accounts. Dont judge everything on 0-60.
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Granted, 0-60 isn't everything. It's not unimportant though. I would want to know a 0-60 more than a 0-100 or 50-70 when looking for something nippy on country lanes. Maybe I'm wrong! I'm not saying it's slow of course, just using what figures I have available to me at the moment. Of course the advantage it would also have over say the Golf and BMW is that mileage would be less and it would be a newer car, which all help.

I just need to see if I can shake my opinion of them. I'll go have a look at one during my lunch break tomorrow seeing as I can practically see one out of the window here.
 
[TW]Fox;10619721 said:
The ST220 is not slower than the others. It's pretty quick by all accounts. Dont judge everything on 0-60.
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if your only after 0-60 performance, buy my aprilia rs 125, race tuned, power valve (rave valve) V force KTM carbon fibre reedblock, oversize carb, hand made czeck stainless steel zorst. 32.6 bhp on the dyno £1000

0-60 in 6.5 seconds with my 15 stone fat ass on it. however its crap for long journeys, and breaks as soon as you look at it! lmao

neal

2005_09_12_bikepics-427561-800.jpg


lol sorry for the hijack, just killing time at work... bored....
 
Neal said:
if your only after 0-60 performance, buy my aprilia rs 125, race tuned, power valve (rave valve) V force KTM carbon fibre reedblock, oversize carb, hand made czeck stainless steel zorst. 32.6 bhp on the dyno £1000
Click to expand...

... and ...

DIE in a huge ball of flame! I couldn't trust myself on a bike in a million years. I WOULD kill myself. Besides, I prefer cars anyway :P
 
At home I have full, accurate, through gears times for the 530i. I shall post them later. Will try and find similar times for the other cars.

I cant help thinking if B roads are your thing, you need something smaller. And not a Golf.

The 530i handles absolutely beautifully and really doesn't feel as big or heavy as it is. But it IS big, it IS reasonably wide and this can affect your confidence when threading it through narrow twisting lanes at speed. For B Roads, you need something small and nimble. Cupra R or smaller. Infact, I'd be erring more towards a Clio 172. I've driven a 172 across the moors, and I've done the same with my 530i, on the straights the 530i had more performance and was faster but when it got narrow and twisty the 172 just gave so much more confidence.

Plus the fact that it's designed to accelerate to 155mph means even above 60mph acceleration is strong - this combined with its refinement means its far too easy to find yourself travelling at speeds which do not suit a narrow road..

In much the same way that no matter how quick and nicely handling your powerboat is, a canoe is better through a winding brook :p

The 530i is more at home on sweeping A roads where you can enjoy it's excellent handling with plenty of roadspace, and the effortless midrange punch makes overtaking even several cars at once a breeze.
 
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