Looking for a new car, cant decide

iaind

iaind

iaind

Soldato
Joined
26 Feb 2009
Posts
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Location
Exeter
Morning all! Been quite some time since I've been around here, a quick look around would suggest not much has changed which is great :)

As those of you with good memories might remember, I bought an old accord about a year ago as a cheap runabout. Was hoping to get a year or more out of it, which it's given me now so any time I get out of it now is a bonus really. It's not been at all problematic, had a new clutch a few months back but a mechanic friend helped make that a cheap job! Unfortunately now, the gearbox itself seems to be on its way. It's also getting relatively tatty, with the cyclist dent and some other bits.

So as I've got a few quid aside I'm going to replace it in the next few months, the problem is deciding what to get. Wanting to spend 2-3k, could add a few hundred quid more if something really good comes up. What I'm after

- Some degree of practicality, preferably a hatchback type boot. Not carrying people around, but something I can use for larger loads, tip runs etc.
- Sensible running costs (in terms of insurance, servicing etc)
- Fuel economy not important, minimal miles
- Something "cooler" than a tatty old Honda Accord (this is probably the most difficult requirement! :D)
- Something a bit different/bit of fun.

I had been quite keen on the Hyundai Coupe... yes, I know they're crap compared to the competition but they do everything I want, they look great and are amazing value for money. Problem is, I went to have a nosey at one yesterday and I dont fit properly :(. I had read that the driving position is odd and sure enough my head was against the ceiling in any sort of proper driving position.

So, any other suggestions? I did see a Mondeo Mk3 Zetec-S 2.5 within budget locally. Yes, I got bored of my old one (lets not get into that) but at the end of the day they're great cars. Although it doesnt fit the last 2 requirements, those are the ones that arent too important.

Thanks all!
 
I think the Mondeo 2.5 Zetec-S is a great shout.

I'm also quiet amused by the fact that after a year you've decided one of our key original suggestions when you went through that farce is, infact, the way to go :p
 
Lets not deliberate on stuff from a year ago, please. But the higher budget makes it much more appealing - eg I'm looking at facelift higher spec models, rather than prefacelift LXs and the like.

My old Mondeo was probably the best all rounder I've owned and I still think the ZS looks great. Without the potential for diesel type problems in the back of my head I think I'd be more than happy with one. Given that my commute is all of 5 minutes, if I take the car at all, then I cant see me getting bored as quickly. Not expecting the V6 to be quick, but should be pleasant and make the right noises

This is the car I've seen

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classif...red-listing/dealer/13984/usedcars?logcode=flp

Looks, from the outside, identical to my old one. Half leather, which mine didnt have and what look like (aftermarket?) parking sensors. Only downside is it's an auto - which I'm not against but not sure if the autobox is any good
 
The words "cool" and "mondeo" don't belong in the same sentence.

Good cars they may be but cool they are not.
 
Ben Cole said:
The words "cool" and "mondeo" don't belong in the same sentence.

Good cars they may be but cool they are not.
Click to expand...

Thats exactly what I acknowledged in the original post, but said it was one of the criteria I was happy to sacrifice.

Cooler than an old accord though, yes.
 
Ben Cole said:
Yeah I suppose...maybe. Depends just HOW OLD the Honda is though.:)
Click to expand...

Behold

IMAG0014.jpg
 
Other thoughts from the day....

Toyota Celica, always liked these, fit the criteria and I can fit in them

A3 Sport 1.8T/Golf GTi 1.8T/Leon Cupra - all under a similar umbrella, varying value for money in that order

Any reason not to consider these too?
 
To be honest, I'm not after anything "that" sporty, its just with the golf type cars above the petrol range is pretty weak and the 1.8T is the only real good one from what I can gather. So if I was to get a megane, would probably just get a bog standard 2.0 - they're horribly unreliable though arent they?
 
Morning again all.

Am still struggling with this a bit - basically Im trying to make my mind up now, so that when the gearbox finally gives up in the Honda I know exactly what I want. That might be a few weeks, it could be several months.

The mondeo is probably the best shout, but I'd be after a very specific model - a facelift zetec s 2.5, I can only find 2 for sale in the UK at the moment...rare!

The other one that really appeals is the Celica, I'm really keen on those and they do everything I want. However, I don't want to pay the extra insurance for the 190 (360 quid for the 140, 750 for the 190) so assuming I can't get that down (awaiting a reply from Adrian flux) then it's got to be the 140. Those, apparently had oil consumption issues pre facelift, so I need it to be a 2003 onwards. My budget buys one, but only just so may prove tricky to find again.

So - if I drop the requirement for it to have a 3 or 5 doors what does that leave me in 2 and 4 door territory? The prime candidate seems to be the X type 2.5 sport - tons of those around for my budget. Any thoughts on those? I remember something about issues with the 4wd system, has anyone got more info?

Other than that, what else is worth considering. 3 series/C class/A4? a bit of a minefield at this money and servicing/repairs could be pricey.

I appreciate that my selection of cars is a bit random - the celica and the x type don't really belong in the same list, but I like them both and my mileage is so low that many factors don't really matter
 
Wouldn't bother with a 140bhp Celica. They are said to be COMICALLY slow cars.

Would avoid 'premium' cars as well at 2-3k unless you really know what you're doing. Play it safe and go with a mondeo :).
 
I'm not after quick - specs say under 9s to 60 which seems tolerable. Went out with the intention of trying one yesterday, first place was closed, second car was a dog and wouldn't even start, rid place was just closing as I got there. I will try one before adding it to the list though, and hopefully I can find a better deal on the 190 as that will make the buying process a lot easier anyway

As I said above, the mondeo only really appeals in a very rare combination so although I'm not writing it off, just want to have a few options. Agree about the premium cars at that budget, as they seem to all be dogs.....except the Jag.. There's a lot of really tidy looking cars around for that money.

My mechanic friend just suggested a prelude. Hmm...
 
Morning again all, random thought dump time, I may have reached a decision though :)

So, cars I've found and driven...

- Golf GTi 1.8T. Quite liked the car although they're a bit sameish, difficult to find one that hasn't been messed with and hard to justify some of the high prices
- A3 sport 1.8T - much the same as above really
- Celica 140 - Joshy, you were spot on. I expected it to be a bit quicker than my Honda which to me is tolerable. Same sort of power but smaller - however it felt much slower. The noise and practicality don't justify the lack of any power
- Mondeo 2.5 - great car and definitely top of the list if I get talked out of my #1, although they'll always feel like the old pair of merrel trainers I've got - brilliant and reassuring, but not very interesting
- BMW E46 - always liked these but they're a complete minefield at this budget and so,somehow dont feel very "me"

Last but not least, my decision pretty much made on..

- Lexus IS200, preferably a sport cross. Had a look out of curiosity and was frankly stunned. Quality, spec and comfort are spot on. Value for money is great (only slightly older than the mondeo for the same money), meant to be reliable and they seem to all have been looked after and not messed around with. The drive was superb, felt 10 times better than I ever expected. Handled superbly and made a fantastic noise. Not a fast car but more punch that I was expecting. Insurance is cheap. Only downsides i can come up with are the image (meh) and the power doesn't really justify the fuel economy. However, low mileage makes this a non issue.

So anything else I should know? What to look out for, anything I'm missing?

Cheers again, thanks for reading my ramblings :)
 
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