Considering Changing To Something Quicker...

peterattheboro · 20 May 2009 at 23:18

DC5. I nearly had a sex wee over one this morning when he destroyed me down a sliproad

I could smell his burnt fuel! Hmmmmmmmmm

iaind · 20 May 2009 at 23:21

The mondeo's maybe a bit larger than a 3 but not by much, its not as big as a 5 series

The Mazda 6 is build on the mondeo platform so they're exactly the same size

[TW]Fox · 20 May 2009 at 23:22

jellybeard999 said:
Isn't the Mondeo 5 series sized (ie large) whereas the 6 and 3 series are more mid sized?

The Mondeo is almost as big as a 5 Series but the Mazda6 is a direct rival for the Mondeo.

And the 3 Series doesn't drive that much different from the 5 Series. It's certainly not a completely different type of car if thats what you are expecting. Arguably the Mondeo is a better choice than many of the similar cars on your list, its certainly better than the Octavia and in many ways the Mazda6.

jongeeone · 20 May 2009 at 23:44

I think you should decide on what you want from a car first, then go test drive ones aimed at what you want.

You will only come away thinking "Damn, wish i had purchased that..." etc.

act smiley · 20 May 2009 at 23:57

For the Alfa GT, decent price list for servicing etc at a specialist;
http://www.alfaworkshop.co.uk/alfa_romeo_servicing.shtml
Not quite the cheapest, but fair prices.

MarkDavis · 21 May 2009 at 00:07

jellybeard999 said:
Renault Clio 197
Focus ST
Audi TT (225 or 3.2 V6)
Alfa Romeo GT (3.2 V6)
Mazda 3 MPS
Mazda 6 MPS
BMW 330Ci
Skoda Octavia VRS
Nissan 350Z

You don't say what type of driving you do or what you're likely to need the car for (the TT and Octavia are wildly different cars in terms of practicality for example) but for £8k-£10k the E46 330Ci has to be by far the best all round, 'all conditions' car by a country mile. You'll be able to get a good one for that price too.

As for the GT, you'd only buy it for its looks, practicality (for a coupe) and the sound of its engine. It's basically a 147 which is some way behind a Mk2 Focus in the way it drives. The ST is a very good but guzzles petrol and you'll look like a chav. The 197 is cracking fun but drones on the motorway as its undergeared even in 6th but I don't see any reason why you couldn't in theory fit a longer 6th gear if you did a lot of motorway driving. The TT is good or mediocre depending on what you're comparing it to, and the Octavia is alright if somewhat overated. a lot of car for the money though. No experience of the MPS cars or the 350Z

Surprised you haven't got the Mk5 Golf in that list - its a cracker, as long as you don't mind its knobbly ride quality.

Bear · 21 May 2009 at 07:26

[TW]Fox;14114792 said:
Local Nissan dealer informed me replacement discs and pads all round on a 350Z is £1600. Bear costs like this in mind. There is a huge difference in running costs between some of those cars.

Nissan are a complete nightmare for prices and are a rip of for virtually everything. You can get the complete discs and pads for around £500 for a 350z.

jellybeard999 · 21 May 2009 at 08:17

jongeeone said:
I think you should decide on what you want from a car first, then go test drive ones aimed at what you want.

You will only come away thinking "Damn, wish i had purchased that..." etc.

People keep saying this, but how do you know until you try ???

I drive mostly A roads, and as above, all the larger cars are outside choices.

Conanius · 21 May 2009 at 09:09

I think your at a stage when you need to just try a load of cars really. I ended up having a choice between a monaro and an s2000. Very different cars but I would have glady taken either.

Matt82 · 21 May 2009 at 09:23

that wont be too dear and it will be quicker

Jonnycoupe · 21 May 2009 at 10:13

Matt82 said:
that wont be too dear and it will be quicker

Good job its got a 'charger otherwise it would be 'old and dull'

Ringiho · 21 May 2009 at 10:20

I am shocked by some of your quotes for insurance!

I am 21 wih 4y NCB. On my LCR I got £787 this year fully comp!

This is also where I suggest the LCR as a car

Gaygle · 21 May 2009 at 10:26

Bear said:
Nissan are a complete nightmare for prices and are a rip of for virtually everything.

This. They wanted £40 off of me before for a 5 cm long caliper sliding pin.

Sime · 21 May 2009 at 11:45

Throw a spanner in the works...

RX8 231?

Moeks · 21 May 2009 at 15:00

The 3 cars on your initial list that stand out to me, are; The BMW 330CI, the Ford Focus ST and the Nissan 350Z. Having said that, they are all very different. I suspect the BMW and Nissan have fairly close running costs, but both will cost more than the Focus to run, especially when bits start to wear out. You could also get a nice Honda S2000 for £10k, but, if you are having problems with insurance costs you may aswell forget that entirely for the time being, they cost Porsche Boxster money to insure, actually about £50 more for me, and I get far lower quotes than you.

I'd drive at least those 3 if you like them, and see what is what.