Spec me a sensiblish car

Joshy

Joshy

Joshy

Soldato
Joined
15 Jun 2009
Posts
5,016
Location
London
I wouldn't know a sensible car if it hit me in the head, so I sort of need help with this.

As I've mentioned once or twice, I need to cut down on the amount I pay in insurance, which means putting to bed my bonkers car habit for a few years at least. I started off considering stuff like MX5s and MR2s because I really do what to retain a bit of fun in my motoring, but after a serious think I NEED some degree of practicality that a 2-up Roadster can't offer.

So! Back to the drawing board with a £2,500 maximum budget and the desire for an interesting, semi practical car that flies below the insurance radar.

The funny thing is that due to me doing very few miles, traditional running costs (Fuel and the like) aren’t actually a problem but insurance is the kicker on the stuff that I’d like to own.

I’ve been looking a lot at Omegas lately. The Late (Facelift) V6s seem like incredibility good value for money, have a decent amount of toys and have the bonus of being quite cheap to insure even with a 217BHP+ 6 pot under the bonnet and RWD to boot. Only problem I can see is that the model that I’d want (3L Manual Elite) are quite rare.

I struggling to think of anything else to add to the short list, but then again I don't do "sensible" so am a bit clueless :p

What are Seat Toledos like? I remember the V5 being recommended a while back, and they do seem to be quite a nice car for the budget?

Is the Omega a decent suggestion given my brief?

Thanks

Josh :)
 
Cheap on insurance.... so consider a V6 old large Vauxhall :o

Fiesta, Focus, Mondeo, Polo, Yarris, Punto, Ibiza, Leon, Toledo etc....

1.2, 1.4 or 1.6.

People who do budget motoring yet still end up with 10 year old V6 saloons don't make sense to me.

Either do it properly with a £1.5k Mondeo or don't really bother as the cost to change won't end up saving you much.
 
Cant see an Omega saving you much money over what you got now.
 
Peerzy said:
Cheap on insurance.... so consider a V6 old large Vauxhall :o

Fiesta, Focus, Mondeo, Polo, Yarris, Punto, Ibiza, Leon, Toledo etc....

1.2, 1.4 or 1.6.

People who do budget motoring yet still end up with 10 year old V6 saloons don't make sense to me.

Either do it properly with a £1.5k Mondeo or don't really bother as the cost to change won't end up saving you much.
Click to expand...

I know but car ownership is pleasure thing above else for me. If I simply needed cheap, reliable transport my Bus pass has most things beat... Sure it is slow and uncomfortable, but so is a 1.2 Fiesta :p.

The Omega suggestion might seem weird, but it costs around HALF what the Soarer costs to insure. That's around £100 in my pocket every single month right there. And then there is the fact that I won't be tempted to spend every spare penny that I have modifying/fixing it, like I do with the Soarer.

Some might say that the Omega is a dull car, but it's got plenty of useless gadgets, is fairly powerful and has RWD - That's pretty much my own personal definition of "interesting" right there :)
 
You're paying £2400 per year to insure an old toyota? :eek:

As above, given what youve posted before, you'll be bored of anything "sensible" in no time
 
Toledo V5s are great value for money. I've owned one for nearly 3 years and its been mechanically very reliable. It's reasonably quick, great sounding engine, and I get about 29 mpg on mostly motorway driving.

Be aware however, that these cars have a real issue with water ingress. I've tried numerous times over the years to fix mine but with no long term success. Check for damp (or even sodden) rear carpets. I had a frozen pond in mine during the harsh winter last.
 
iaind said:
The water issue is a simple fix - rear doors cards off and some decent sealant :)
Click to expand...
Mine leaked through the front seals too, and it's a pain of a job to do properly.
The front doors require the metal panel to be removed as well and have that sealed, rather than just the door card.

Sealing the door card only held the water out for a year.
The water rests on the door sill and spills in.
 
Sorry I didnt mean seal the door card, but take it off and seal the metal inner panel from the outside - shouldnt need to be removed
 
Lashout_UK said:
I guess the 5 series is too expensive on insurance?
Click to expand...

I can only get an E39 523i, which I don't really think is worth bothering with?

iaind said:
You're paying £2400 per year to insure an old toyota? :eek:
Click to expand...

Believe it or not, just a few months ago I was chuffed at getting such a good deal :(.

Lashout_UK said:
Serious suggestion:

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=230513857234

(Although I'd wager you 20 quid it's a 5.0, not a 5.7 - the 84 RS's never came with the 5.7 and a 5 speed manual)
Click to expand...

Serious suggestion? Seriously?

You come into a thread where you see that I am desperately trying to be "sensible", kick my life long habit of buying old sheds that are older than I am and get something slightly more down to earth... So you suggest a 1984 V8 Camaro? :p

Whilst that is exactly the sort of thing that is usually right up my street, right now I just can't do it :(.
 
iaind said:
The water issue is a simple fix - rear doors cards off and some decent sealant :)
Click to expand...

Not so simple a fix I'm afraid. I've done all 4 doors with sealing cord and silicone sealant for good measure. I now believe my leak to be coming from the wiring loom or bonnet release grommet under the scuttle panel, although I've attempted to seal both of these without success it seems. I would not buy this model of car again, even though it has lots going for it.
 
Although to be fair, that's pretty much the only major fault with the Leons and Toledos.
I haven't heard much about the VAG V5 units though. Whether that's due to so few being sold or because they're generally trouble-free is another matter :p
 
Seether said:
Not so simple a fix I'm afraid. I've done all 4 doors with sealing cord and silicone sealant for good measure. I now believe my leak to be coming from the wiring loom or bonnet release grommet under the scuttle panel, although I've attempted to seal both of these without success it seems. I would not buy this model of car again, even though it has lots going for it.
Click to expand...

Is the cabin filter not the other place they leak?

I used that tough black guttering sealant on mine and it was fine for more than a year
 
[TW]Fox;17231714 said:
A 2002 52 Vectra Club is a better car.
Click to expand...

Yeah, but remember that I'm an enthusiast who would be willing to overlook the flaws of a car that is based on such an old design ;)

At least I would be if they let me have a proper sized engine :mad:.

Janesy B said:
MK3 Mondeo, V6 Ghia X.
Click to expand...

For some reason the V6 Mondeos cost millions to insure for me. Can only have the 2ltr, and I can't help but think that it would be incredibility dull...
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom