What to get?

InvaderGIR · 3 Dec 2008 at 20:00

Ok, so it's coming up to mid December and by around mid January/early February I would like to have a car again so am asking for some advice.

As many of you will know, my previous car history is not the best (and for those that don't know..Reanult 5 Campus, Peugeot 306 XLd, Peugeot 205 XR) and I would like to improve on it. All my previous cars have been cost me under £1000 to buy (most expensive was the 306 at £700).

I'm now looking to spend £1500 - £2000 on my next car, now to a lot of people here that's pittance, but for me it's quite a lot so I want to ensure I get the best I can for my money.

I'm after something as new as possible (obviously not going to get that new with the amount I have to spend),
is petrol, is remotely practical (easy to get in and out of, more than one bag of shopping's space in the boot etc.),
is good to drive,
is not French (bored of them now

),
is easy enough/cheap to maintain,
and lastly has a large engine (economy is not an issue).

My last point isn't such a big deal, but I really am bored of low powered cars and so would like something with the ability to move rather than just wheeze along. I'd also like things like AC, Airbags, ABS...all things that modern cars have and none of mine have ever had.

I have been looking at all sorts of cars, but most are cancelled out because of maintenance costs, or are just way out of budget even if they fit all other criteria.

One car I did stop on and have been seriously contemplating is a 1998 Toyota Celica GT, it has all the bits I'd like and production age is new...but it is still a mid 90's car at the end of the day, and the inside really reflects this. Also, as-yet I haven't driven one, so don't actually know what they are like properly.

I have been suggested a 325 but looking at autotrader they are quite old (granted they have the kit, ABS etc.) but I also understand from here that BMWs are rather costly to maintain (I'd do any work that I could myself, but parts costs are high by the looks of the forums).

Ok, enough waffle, all cars will be considered unless they are ridiculous, so please, give me ideas.

List so far to try/find more about;

Car - Reg - Insurance cost
Toyota Celcia GT - R reg - £910.75
BMW e36 325i Coupe - M reg - £1080.00
BMW e36 328i Coupe - N reg - £1013.65
Mitsubishi Galant V6-24V - R Reg - £942.50

Shimmy · 3 Dec 2008 at 20:08

Mondeo/Civic Vti-S. Primer GT P11 - cheaper, older.

OllyM · 3 Dec 2008 at 20:11

Mondeo ST24/200?

Sam · 3 Dec 2008 at 20:18

InvaderGIR said:
is remotely practical (easy to get in and out of, more than one bag of shopping's space in the boot etc.),

Sam · 3 Dec 2008 at 20:20

Shame you cant save some more money to get a 172 Cup because if for some reason i had to sell the VX and start again that would be my first and last choice

Not sure on what i can suggest for that sort of money, 172s go for not a lot of cash but im not sure £1500 is enough.

Oops there french

InvaderGIR · 3 Dec 2008 at 20:25

Haha Sam, the more powerful of the French cars are able to be considered...but I'd still rather avoid them. 172 or GTi-6 would be the main French condenders.

As for Mondeo...I forgot to add the stipulation that it can't be a Mondeo as they are (to me) boring, and ugly.

I also like the idea and the feel of RWD cars, but in my budget is only really stuff like MR2s and I can only get decent insurance on a nonturbo and I think I'd grow out of that quickly, plus they don't appear to be all that practical or easy to work on.

[TW]Fox · 3 Dec 2008 at 20:28

InvaderGIR said:
As for Mondeo...I forgot to add the stipulation that it can't be a Mondeo as they are (to me) boring, and ugly.

Whereas an old 90's Jap Coupe is the epitome of excitement, challenging styling and interesting interior.

Sam · 3 Dec 2008 at 20:31

InvaderGIR said:
Haha Sam, the more powerful of the French cars are able to be considered...but I'd still rather avoid them. 172 or GTi-6 would be the main French condenders.

As for Mondeo...I forgot to add the stipulation that it can't be a Mondeo as they are (to me) boring, and ugly.

I also like the idea and the feel of RWD cars, but in my budget is only really stuff like MR2s and I can only get decent insurance on a nonturbo and I think I'd grow out of that quickly, plus they don't appear to be all that practical or easy to work on.

Test drive a 172, if you go for a non cup you get loads of toys and its a really fun little car ... I dont think your budget will get a good one mind you perhaps you should think about saving a little longer ....

£1500 isnt going to get you a lot, not that matchs your above criteria

Jez · 3 Dec 2008 at 20:31

£1500-£2000

I'd have an old BMW. The size of it would depend on the mood i was in on the day.

InvaderGIR · 3 Dec 2008 at 20:40

[TW]Fox;13018664 said:
Whereas an old 90's Jap Coupe is the epitome of excitement, challenging styling and interesting interior.

I just can't find the Mondeo interesting or likeable...not the ones in my budget anyway, I prefer the ones like Solid's.

Sam said:
£1500 isnt going to get you a lot, not that matchs your above criteria

Yeah, it's a big problem really, but I'm getting fed up of having no car. I could wait for quite a while and build up more money, but I don't think I'd want to spend much more on a car at the moment anyway, not until I've finished uni and have a decent wage.

Jez said:
£1500-£2000

I'd have an old BMW. The size of it would depend on the mood i was in on the day.

This is an option...for the toys and RWD aspect, but I've not seen anyone where say they are cheap to maintain.

Jez · 3 Dec 2008 at 20:41

Depends on your definition of cheap, really

"Cheap" isn't quantifiable

UltimateBadger · 3 Dec 2008 at 20:42

Your budget and criteria don't really meet in the middle - you may have to compromise.
What about a Golf or somesuch?

Skeeter · 3 Dec 2008 at 20:45

e34 BMW 5 Series!

Might fail the 'cheap to repair' requirement though.... and the newish car requirement too...

InvaderGIR · 3 Dec 2008 at 20:47

True, basically most things people seem to say is when something small goes wrong on a BMW it'll cost like £500 to fix and that due to them being decent what they are, they maintain their high maintenance costs throughout their life.

Having said that, so long as parts aren't extortionate (if going for a mid 90's one I'm sure scrappies have loads of parts anyway), then it's quite cheap as I'd do the work myself saving on the garage costs.

Jez · 3 Dec 2008 at 20:48

If you are mechanically competent then don't worry about the running costs, the old BMW's are quite simple to work on. The only model to avoid really are the 7's with self levelling suspension.

InvaderGIR · 3 Dec 2008 at 20:49

Skeeter said:
e34 BMW 5 Series!

Might fail the 'cheap to repair' requirement though.... and the newish car requirement too...

Newish isn't that big a deal, so long as it isn't a tin box that when someone sneezes it breaks....al la Pug 205 and Ren5.

Jez said:
If you are mechanically competent then don't worry about the running costs, the old BMW's are quite simple to work on. The only model to avoid really are the 7's with self levelling suspension.

Well I changed an engine in the 306...but haven't done 'simple' stuff like brakes...but they do like really easy.

Sone · 3 Dec 2008 at 20:50

Skeeter said:
e34 BMW 5 Series!

Might fail the 'cheap to repair' requirement though.... and the newish car requirement too...

my old e34 was great fun to drive

Early e39s were a grand when i was looking that gives you some money for maintaince.

Jez · 3 Dec 2008 at 20:52

InvaderGIR said:
Newish isn't that big a deal, so long as it isn't a tin box that when someone sneezes it breaks....al la Pug 205 and Ren5.

Well I changed an engine in the 306...but haven't done 'simple' stuff like brakes...but they do like really easy.

If you have done that then a BMW wont cost you anything to run, parts are 10-a-penny on ebay and through breakers. People seem to think that Merc/BMW etc are built mysteriously and are unworkable, the fact is that if you can change an engine then you can repair bits and bobs on anything regardless of the badge on it.

Aero · 3 Dec 2008 at 20:59

I know you said you don't like mondeo's invg and I was the same until I broke my polo. I just bought a cheap mondeo, and thought i;d keep it until my next pay check and i'd fix the polo. However the mondeo is nice to drive, quite rewarding & reasonably quick. Cheap to repair from what I've done so far. Plenty of space, ok its not much to look at but its got a certain charm I find.

I like it and I found it has grown on me immensely! (sp?)

Aero

InvaderGIR · 3 Dec 2008 at 21:07

Sone said:
my old e34 was great fun to drive Early e39s were a grand when i was looking that gives you some money for maintaince.

That's another reason for not wanting to spend too much, if I spend a max of £2k on a car in Feb then shortly after I'll have more money ready for repairs etc. should it need them.

Ok, so thinking along the BMW track... :eek:

...fill me in on what's a decent enumber etc....I know nothing on them other than the higher the number the newer it is.

I just did a quick look and e34s look good (same as someone on here has...Lashout I think)...but they are kind of old...and e39s look ok too...but I'd like an idea as to what is a good choice so I can run quotes to see if it's a worthwhile pursuit.