Help me choose a car (or suggest other ones)

J.B

J.B

J.B

Soldato
Joined
16 Aug 2006
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Ok so decided it might be time to pack in the Rover (416SLi 1994 81000 miled in the clock) next month and move on to something a bit more comfy and modern.

Only trouble is there's too much to choose from! The cars I've been thinking about:

BMW 3 Series (not the latest shapes, around 2000 onwards. Probable a 316 or 318)
Toyota Celica (the front runner at the moment)
Saab 9-3 or 9-5
Hyundai Coupe
Audi A4 (think Id rather have a 3 series though)

The brief isnt too complicated, basically I do about 60 miles a day and maybe once every 2 months need to drive up north so needs to be realible and take the miles with ease. I know the BMW does this, what about the Celica?

Fuels efficiency isnt a massive priority but is nice. Im aiming for around the 30mpg mark. I know if I wanted something really good mpg I could just get a hot hatch but none really appeal to me. People keep suggesting a Golf but Im not a big fan.

Can anyone give me some pros and cons or suggest some other ones to look at? Im a bit swamped with the sheer number of cars to choose from!
 
I'm not convinced that a 316i would be the sort of car that'll "take the miles with ease"...

What's your budget?
 
A 318i would be a useful choice if you are not bothered about high levels of performance. It has a reasonably good 2.0 16v Valvetronic petrol engine delivering about 140bhp. They are not loved on the used market so you stand a good choice of getting a half decent one for about 4-5k.
 
Interesting...Im not really a speed freak to be honest, just after a comfy ride. I've always been under the impression the BMW are expensive to maintain when it comes to parts and labour etc. Any truth in that?

As for the 316i not taking the miles, I always thought that any BMW engine would be good for this!

Forgot to mention a budget which is around 3-4k so the 318i could probably be accomodated in that.
 
Well it's no more expensive to run than any other 'premium' car of it's type, actually BMW parts and labour tend to be a little cheaper than Audi and noticeably cheaper than Mercedes.

Of course it will cost more to run than a Ford or Toyota though, I imagine the Saab would be about the same ...but half the car :)
 
J.B said:
Interesting...Im not really a speed freak to be honest, just after a comfy ride. I've always been under the impression the BMW are expensive to maintain when it comes to parts and labour etc. Any truth in that?
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Yes compared to a Ford or Vauxhall, no compared to an Audi or Mercedes.

As for the 316i not taking the miles, I always thought that any BMW engine would be good for this!
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The 316i is rubbish.

Forgot to mention a budget which is around 3-4k so the 318i could probably be accomodated in that.
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Hmmm, at this budget you might be better off with something like a Mondeo?
 
Saab 9-5, lot of car for the money, reliable no more to run than anything else in that bracket.

But then of course you cant forget a Mondeo i suppose.
 
mmm I guess I should add mondeo to the list of cars to look at and think about. Only really like the new shape though so that might be enough to put me off.

No ones mentioned anything about Celica which is the one Im leaning too the most!?!
 
What are your thoughts on an Audi A3?

Been looking on auto trader and for about 2k you can get a decent 04.

Would say 80000miles be a put off?
 
[TW]Fox;16919787 said:
Sorry what? You can't get a decent 04 plate Audi A3 for £2k at all, why would you even think you could :confused:
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Oops hold on, i might have got it mixed up with a different Audi :P
 
I have considered the A3 previously, are they much fun to drive? If I did get one I don't think I'll be getting one witj 100k on the clock as over the time I own it I'd put about 40k on it.

I've noticed no one has mentioned the Celica? Is that a bad sign?
 
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