After a new car (5k budget)– some advice please?

Jotun

Jotun

Jotun

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Joined
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Liverpool
Hi guys, sorry for yet another 'spec me' thread.

I’m looking to replace my MR2 – I want something with more seats and that’s generally more comfortable but still enjoyable to drive. My budget is 5k. I don’t want to spend loads as I can’t imagine myself keeping it for more than 2-3 years at most, but if it was worth it I could stretch to more.

I know that BMWs are pretty popular on this forum, they look great but I’m thinking my budget won’t get me a decent one? I had a look on autotrader before and stumbled across this - which looks pretty good to my untrained eye, but seems it might be too good to be true – similar age and mileage examples look to be at at least around the 6k mark.

Other cars which have crossed my mind are the Mondeo or Focus, obviously I’d expect a similar condition car to be a fair bit cheaper, I’m open to any suggestions though. I don’t want an estate, but any other body type would be considered.

I do around 10k a year so I’ll be going down the petrol route.

Thanks :)
 
If it's cheap it'd be worth an HPI check and a AA / RAC / garage check over you'd have to pay for, he may not know the value or needs the money quick or doesn't need the money and just want's rid.

Would I buy a car advertised as 'sweet as a nut'??? probably not
 
it might be the bargain of the century and if you don't at least go and do some checks and find out, you will never know. I wouldn't sleep at night if I didn't give it a chance
 
Celica 190/T Sport?

2 more seats
I presume more comfy than the MR2
Enjoyable to drive

I would recommend a facelift version - 2002 onwards but £5k would be the minimum for teh 190 version. Quick example: http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/1943694.htm

Otherwise, there is the Skoda Octavia VRs, Leon Cupra and Civic Type R for that money.
 
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Jotun said:
My budget is 5k. I don’t want to spend loads as I can’t imagine myself keeping it for more than 2-3 years at most, but if it was worth it I could stretch to more.
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I can't imagine a 2003 E46, questionably under priced performance BMW is right for you.

Jotun said:
I know that BMWs are pretty popular on this forum, they look great but I’m thinking my budget won’t get me a decent one? I had a look on autotrader before and stumbled across this - which looks pretty good to my untrained eye, but seems it might be too good to be true – similar age and mileage examples look to be at at least around the 6k mark.
Click to expand...

You don't buy a car based on its popularity on an internet forum. :confused:

Generally if a car is too good to be true then it usually is. Usually, if it is very good, and at such a low price I'm betting it would have been snapped up by now.

Jotun said:
Other cars which have crossed my mind are the Mondeo or Focus, obviously I’d expect a similar condition car to be a fair bit cheaper, I’m open to any suggestions though. I don’t want an estate, but any other body type would be considered.
Click to expand...

A Mondeo will give you what you originally want - "something with more seats and that’s generally more comfortable but still enjoyable to drive".

On a similar note a Honda Accord is known for its reliability, and it's not "just another Mondeo".
 
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go for a golf with the 2.0ltr diesel and the dsg auto box.it's 6 speed and doesnt drive like an auto.the dsg auto box is more like a manual.loads of torque
 
vectisitch said:
go for a golf with the 2.0ltr diesel and the dsg auto box.it's 6 speed and doesnt drive like an auto.the dsg auto box is more like a manual.loads of torque
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He has a £5k budget.

Why do people post stuff like this? I mean... really?

He is after an enjoyable car and you suggest an automatic Golf diesel for twice his budget. Fantastic. I'm so glad you bothered.

I suggest a Veyron.
 
DB_SamX said:
Celica 190/T Sport?

2 more seats
I presume more comfy than the MR2
Enjoyable to drive

I would recommend a facelift version - 2002 onwards but £5k would be the minimum for teh 190 version. Quick example: http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/1943694.htm

Otherwise, there is the Skoda Octavia VRs, Leon Cupra and Civic Type R for that money.
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Thanks for the suggestions, the celica is a good suggestion, what are the seats like in the back?

Ricochet J said:
I can't imagine a 2003 E46, questionably under priced performance BMW is right for you.
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Is that because of my budget or the fact that I don't want to keep it for too long? I can go in to my finances briefly if it makes any difference :)

Ricochet J said:
You don't buy a car based on its popularity on an internet forum. :confused:
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Yeah I didn't phrase that too well, I meant that on this forum there are a large number of people with a lot more experience with cars than myself, and BMWs are generally well received amongst them, and I expect this is for a good reason. I didn't mean I'm just jumping on the bandwagon :p

Ricochet J said:
Generally if a car is too good to be true then it usually is. Usually, if it is very good, and at such a low price I'm betting it would have been snapped up by now.
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Yup you're right, it's a cat d write off

Ricochet J said:
A Mondeo will give you what you originally want - "something with more seats and that’s generally more comfortable but still enjoyable to drive".

On a similar note a Honda Accord is known for its reliability, and it's not "just another Mondeo".
Click to expand...
Thanks for the advice, I'll look in to them both, what sort of price should I look at? As much as I can happily spend, or a bit older? Obviously there will be a bit of a trade off between depreciation and needing repairs.
 
[TW]Fox;17243835 said:
He has a £5k budget.

Why do people post stuff like this? I mean... really?

He is after an enjoyable car and you suggest an automatic Golf diesel for twice his budget. Fantastic. I'm so glad you bothered.

I suggest a Veyron.
Click to expand...

Yup it's not quite what I'm after... That said, my budget is flexible - I was hoping to spend £5k but if it was worth I would stretch to £7k or £8k. I don't think a Diesel Golf would be worth it to me.
 
If you want fun for £5k the Clio 182 falls nicely into this bracket, worth checking out perhaps? More seats, the dash is a bit dull though.
 
[TW]Fox;17243835 said:
He has a £5k budget.

Why do people post stuff like this? I mean... really?

He is after an enjoyable car and you suggest an automatic Golf diesel for twice his budget. Fantastic. I'm so glad you bothered.

I suggest a Veyron.
Click to expand...

what!!! you can't buy a golf for 5 grand.**** i must off stolen mine then.what a sarcastic ****!!!!!!
 
did i say under 5 grand?mine was 5995 for a 2004.they can be found.but the op does'nt want one anyway.just don't like the sarcastic comments when the thread was asking for ppl's opinions and i gave mine
 
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