After a new car possibly - advice please

[oweneades]

Hi all. I am possibly looking at changing the A2 for something a bit quicker / bigger / more lively. Only thing is I have to keep the missus happy

This basically means nothing french, no BMW's / Mercs / convertibles. She won't budge so I am not even bothering looking at anything that fits this bill.
(seen a lovely 318i tourer as well )

I am personally after something a bit more lively than the A2 in terms of driving reponse. Would prefer to keep the engine under 2.0l as I am 20 (very soon) and would prefer Insurance to be under a grand. Fuel consumption is important and I would prefer 35mpg + due to commuting.

Budget is 7K tops (not including insurance)

A quick short list (rough year)

1) 2000 - 2001 Audi A3 5 Door (a must) 1.9 TDI 110. SHouyld be able to get one with a SE spec and under 60k on the clock. Also like the standard 1.6 SE.
2) 2000 - 2002 VW Golf 1.6 - 1.8 SE, As above really although could afford a slightly newer model
3) 2003 Skoda Fabia 1.9 TDI 100, Seems to be quite nice although I have never driven one.
4) 2002 - 2003 VW Polo 1.9 TDI 100, As above really but looks to be built slightly better / has more kit but is more expensive.
5) Ford Puma 1.7, Heard nothing but good things about these although the missus would have to be convinced.

Pushing it with this one I think but:

6) Ford Cougar 2.0, I like the looks of this although unsure on insurance, tried a few and they wouldn't quote.

I am unsure of anything else at the moment although I am open to suggestions.


Cheers all.

 

[oweneades]

I personally don't like the look of the focus. Although they are nice cars its just not my sort of car (If that makes sense).

The Seat Leon I forgot to put on the list but it is up there.

My dad used to have a V reg Audi A3 1.6 SE and it was quite nice. Not hugely fast but quick enough for what I want. Although the 1.8 does sound tempting although I think insurance would be the killer on that.

The little puma is growing on me, especially the thunder as you have stated.

There is a very nice one silver in colour just down the road which looks very nice.

I have seen another option locally thinking about it.

Astra Coupe Bertone. Any thoughts? I had an astra 1.6 before the A2 so I suppose it would be like that although a little sportier / lower.

 

[oweneades]

It does look nice. I believe the one local is a 1.8 which would be ok on insurance.

Its in that gold colour too (Which I like)

Cheers guys, please keep the advice coming.

 

[oweneades]

Dude you are 20, she's your girlfriend not your wife, tell her to mind her own business, if you were married to her thats a bit different

From your list, Leon Cupra or a Focus would be where I'd be looking.

Shes my Fiancee thankyou and I respect her wishes.

The Leon Cupra isn't on my list?! I don't need something that powerful. Althoug the normal Leon is I do like the leon. May also look at newer Ibiza's.

And the smart roadster ...... lol..... lol...... Er no thanks.

 

[oweneades]

Does the car have to be a 5 door? (confused as you've put 'must' next to the A3 but then listed the Puma!)

Considered a Bora instead of a Golf? Slightly cheaper for same spec, although you lose the practicality of having a hatch.

The 5 Door A3 is a must as My dad currently has a 3 door one and I hate it .

I have indeed considered the Bora. Looking along the lines of the same sor of thing as the golf but could probably squeeze more kit for the price as well.

I do like the Toledo although I prefer the Leon. I havn't owned a Saloon up until now but it would still be an option.

I take it the toledo and leon are closly related (chassis, engines etc).


Ollym thankyou for your input on the Fabia. The badge doesn't bother me TBH (I love the VRS but insurance is a killer). I will have a look in the local scoka Garage at the weekend although the dealer does put me off (they seem deperate for a sale).

Anyway thanks all for your advice, although I will have to repeat I don't like the focus. Its a good car but I don't wish to buy one.

 

[oweneades]

The Toledo, Leon, Golf (mk4), Bora and A3 (mk1) are all very closely related as they use the same floorplan

The Bora is a saloon Golf, the Toledo is a saloon Leon

Thanks mate for clearing that up for me.

I was aware the golf / leon and A3 were roughly the same but I wasn't so sure on the toledo of the bora.

I must admit seeing a couple locally the bora is very nice.

 

[oweneades]

Wow, I'm amazed - out of all the garages we visited (Ford, Toyota, Volkswagen, Honda and Skoda), the service at Skoda was by far the best, and the sales person wasn't pushy at all. I guess it varies depending on where you are, though.

Personally, I think I'd take a long, hard look at a Bora or a Toledo if I was in your position.

Yeah I think its just the staff at the local garage.

When my dad was looking at an octavia VRS they basically kept asking him when did he want to buy it. He had only just got out of his car like 5 minutes before and it was the first time he had seen the car.

Anyway thanks TWfox I will definately be looking at hte toledo as well now. All of the garages are close to one another so I can just walk from one to the other (Seat / VW / Audi / Skoda)

EDIT: Well the bora does indeed interest me (as would the toledo which I assume would be around the same price as this)

Insurance on a 6.5K 2002 52 plate Bora 1.9TDI 130 (so same engine as the Fabia VRS I couldn't get insured on) is £889. Not bad really. An A3 1.6 is £998.

Hmmmm choices...

 

[oweneades]

You will almost certainly find a Toledo to be cheaper than the Bora.

Thats good to know.

Will definately have a look tommorow. Although it obviously depends on what is available within a certain distance.

Cheers everyone!