New ish car....7-8k

thumbitin · 15 Aug 2011 at 09:57

Seeing as the forum was so helpful to spec me a computer I thought I would try the same for a car!

So anyway my Mk4 golf is about to die, took it in for a full service and they basically said the front suspension is on the way out and the turbo too. It’s annoying as it’s a great car and served me well but time to move on.

So I have 7-8k to spend. I've always had golfs and wouldn't mind moving away from VW unless its a newer gti, thought about an old one again but probably not the best thing to turn up to meetings with clients in one. I'll probably save buying one again until my midlife crisis.

Basically I would like something fairly sporty (or sporty looks at least.) Three door, as I don't have kids to fit in the back or luggage all the time etc. Fairly economical, would like at least 35-40mpg. I don't do a huge mileage, probably around 8000 miles a year maximum and that’s being generous. Petrol or diesel is fine.

I was thinking a 3 series of some sort? 320i, 320d? My missus has a one series and its lovely to drive; I would obviously need something faster and\or bigger. (As I'm a bloke.)

Maybe a Gti but could be a bit thirsty? I think they're around 30mpg and insurance...but need to investigate that. Mind you, 28, 6 years no claims, clean license etc. etc.

Any suggestions at all would be very helpful as looking to sort asap.

Doesn't have to be a BMW or Golf.

Thanks forum!

Saytan · 15 Aug 2011 at 09:59

dont bother with a 320i, it has all the costs of a 330i, with none of the win.

cost wise, you might as well buy either a 318i for cheaps, or a 330i if you're not bothered

thumbitin · 15 Aug 2011 at 10:29

How are the 130i? Read a couple of reviews and they seem to be quite positive. A 30 mile commute would be about £6.00...which is doable, the same as getting the train anyway.

Are the larger engined BMWs ok for servicing costs etc?

Saytan · 15 Aug 2011 at 10:32

servicing isnt too awful at an independent specialist. i paid somewhere in the order of £120 for my last inspection 1, which is the "middle" service

not experienced the 130i personally, but i have heard the interior isnt really up to BMW quality

Participant · 15 Aug 2011 at 10:54

So:

- £8k.
- Sporty-ish.
- Three doors.
- Petrol engine (at 8k mile p.a. it's got to be petrol).
- Client friendly.
- Fairly fuel efficient, at least 35mpg.
- Not too old.

Audi A4 2.0 TFSI, though I don't think the saloon came in coupe guise.

Tute · 15 Aug 2011 at 19:00

If you can stomach 30MPG rather than 40, how about an ST220?

Reason i'm saying is that 8K p.a is quite low.

Participant · 15 Aug 2011 at 20:45

I thought ST220, but then if he was worried about the Golf GTI potentially not being client friendly, then the ST220 is a complete chav-fest. IMVHO.

[TW]Fox · 15 Aug 2011 at 20:55

Robbie G said:
I don't think the saloon came in coupe guise.

I don't think the Estate came in Coupe guise either

Tute · 15 Aug 2011 at 21:04

Robbie G said:
I thought ST220, but then if he was worried about the Golf GTI potentially not being client friendly, then the ST220 is a complete chav-fest. IMVHO.

I personally don't think either of them are. It's not like he's going to stick horrible aftermarket Halfords tosh on it, I hope?

Participant · 15 Aug 2011 at 21:08

[TW]Fox;19838985 said:
I don't think the Estate came in Coupe guise either

Ha! Ok, I don't think it came in coupe guise. At all.

[TW]Fox · 15 Aug 2011 at 21:11

It doesn't

thumbitin · 16 Aug 2011 at 09:54

Thanks for all the input! I was thinking more of the old GTIs that ouldn't be the best to turn up to meeting in....might be a talking point though. It would be a mk5 that I would go for as apparently the mk4 GTIs are a bit lardy.

Audi would be a good shout, however, as I'll be parking on busy streets around my missus' house then size might be an issue. Same with the ST220, although I love the look of those things it must be said.

What would be the Audi equivalent of a golf gti? A3 2.0 tfsi? Are they any good?

thumbitin · 16 Aug 2011 at 09:56

Tute said:
I personally don't think either of them are. It's not like he's going to stick horrible aftermarket Halfords tosh on it, I hope?

Don't worry about that!

I can never understand why people think they know better when it comes to styling than leading car companies?! :confused:

paradigm · 16 Aug 2011 at 10:03

Robbie G said:
Audi 2.0 TFSI

These map well! And appear to be relatively frugal when driven without anger.

thumbitin said:
What would be the Audi equivalent of a golf gti? A3 2.0 tfsi? Are they any good?

They are "ok", but not a huge step up from the Golf in terms of build quality and "toys". An (B8/8K) A4 would be a far better purchase than an 8P/8PA A3. The 8K A4 can come with MMI, the A3 has to make do with the aging, and very limited RNS-E system, which doesn't integrate with the car beyond steering wheel controls and doesn't allow for great multimedia integration. However I think you'd have to push the budget to 9K~ for that.