Fancy a change, ideas welcome..

Jano

Jano

Jano

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Joined
31 Mar 2009
Posts
2,383
Location
Basingstoke, UK
Current car is a Mazder 3, 1.6 ts2, 05 reg. It's my first car and has served me well, but there a few things that are starting to get on my nerves so I feel like a bit of a change. I'll be coming in to a bit of money soon and will set aside around £10k to spend, plus the value of the Mazda, so probably 3.5k at a guess looking at auto trader - though I would expect less. What I would like -

  • I guess I'll still be looking at a hatchback of some sort as it is handy on occasion.
  • More grunt than the pathetic engine in the Mazda.
  • Fun to drive.
  • Comfortable. I don't want anything smaller than the Mazda 3.
  • Only do about 10k a year so petrol.
  • Bit higher quality, Mazda's starting to rattle a bit.

Had been thinking of the new Mazda 3, but the 2.0 offering is £20k plus and I don't want a brand new car as it seems a complete waste of money. The old man has a Focus and can't say it really does anything for me, less room than my Mazda and not really any better, seems a sideways step to me. This has then left me considering the German offerings, but then I see how much more expensive they are and wonder if it's really worth the extra money. Insurance isn't really an issue as I'm 34, so nothing is really expensive. Commute is mostly motorway, on the lovely m4, which has also left me pondering an auto due to the stop start nature of rush hour traffic between Reading and London.

Any curveball recommendations?
 
My only concern with that is drive space at home isn't huge, it's a shared drive between two houses and its already a fairly tight squeeze. I am open to the idea of a larger car though.
 
That kind of budget opens you up to a lot of cars!

But when I was looking a few months ago you can find some lovely BMW 130i's around. So cool and under appreciated in my opinion. With that lovely straight 6, so full of win.

It would leave you with a little bit of change for petrol and running costs :)
 
I get enough grief from my brothers and the girlfriend for driving an old mans Mazda as it is, don't think I'm quite old enough for the smoking jacket and slippers that come with an old Jag just yet ;)
 
350z?

hatch boot, fun to drive, nice interior and feels like a quality car. plenty in your budget too.

its has 2 seats which could be an issue for you?
 
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There is a Nissan stealer round the corner from my work and I have to admit I do like them. Good shout, will have to go and have a look and have a think about getting on with a 2 seater.
 
p1RATE said:
350z?

hatch boot, fun to drive, nice interior and feels like a quality car. plenty in your budget too.

its has 2 seats which could be an issue for you?
Click to expand...

It also has a Cassette player made by BOSE!, what more could you want?

If we're going down that route, nice Z4 3.0si for that budget.
 
Fun to drive, but comfortable, kinda rules out most hot hatches...

You say your drive is mostly motorway? Personally I'd be looking at a Mondeo/Superb, with my preference towards the latter. A 1.8T Superb should be well within budget.

My curveball will be an Alfa Romeo 159
 
I do like Alfa's, and the non symmetrical number plate would annoy the gf immensely which is always a bonus. Superb, although I know its a good car I just couldn't bring myself to do it, a bit like the Jaaaag. Mondeo's again don't really do anything for me.

I don't really need a big car which is why I was looking at something smaller. It's only 15 miles on the motorway, junction 11 to junction 7, its just that it can sometimes take some time as the traffic is usually pretty bad. There are a few of the 1.4 TSI Scirocco locally for sale but again it seems a lot of money to me, and no idea if its worth it.
 
I agree on the looks department of the Mondeo and Superb.

159 isn't a large car, probably not that much longer than the Mazda 3. Scirocco are overpriced IMO, buy a golf which is equivalently cheaper.
 
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