Help me out - which car?

datsunman

datsunman

datsunman

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6 Aug 2003
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336
Thinking of buying a new car in the next couple of months and for the life of me can't decide what to get. Either a new (3 years or younger) decent car or an older low mileage car and a new bike.

My criteria:

I want a medium sized motor, saloon, estate or hatch, not really fussed but must have room in the back for two adults.
Must be quick and have good handling but not handling over comfort

So far I've looked at:

Focus ST & Bike - Not bad but tiny in the back, looks very cramped
Leon Cupra R & Bike - Not bad but looks dated now, cheap option though
M3 - Keep coming back to the M3 but warranty costs are now horrendous
Saab 9-3 2.8T Aero - Nice motor but not nice enough to have on it's own IYSWIM, would need a bike too and that puts it out of budget
S3 & Bike - Already had one and now looking dated, new one maybe end of year? (Probably over £30k though)
R32 & Bike - Had a MkIV and thought it was cr*p. Fuel economy was rubbish. (175 miles to fifty quid....)
Golf GTi - Too much money for a Golf although does look better in the back than the Focus.

Any other ideas?
 
S40 T5 maybe? Its built on the same platform as the focus and Mazda3 but with a nicer and more comfortable interior(IMO). Also been out for a year or two so there are second hand ones about.
 
jonarob - Looked at the RS4 but ruled it out as it's over budget (looking at circa £25-30k).

dandle - Yep, good call, might have to go and look at one to see what they're like.
 
Dandle said:
S40 T5 maybe? Its built on the same platform as the focus and Mazda3 but with a nicer and more comfortable interior(IMO). Also been out for a year or two so there are second hand ones about.
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Can highly recommend it - I've just bought one :)

If you search around there are some real bargains to be had. I paid £15.5k for mine - 14 months old with less than 2k on the clock. Not bad for a car that would have cost around £25k new with the options it has fitted.

The seats are amazingly comfortable, and it's really nice to drive.
The engine is great - really nice and smooth, and very quiet. Happy to eat up the miles as a motorway cruiser, but when you want power it's instantly there.
One of the criticisms of it has been the space in the back, but both my parents have ridden in the back of mine, and neither found it at all cramped.
 
zain said:
Audi A3 V6 Quattro would suit your budget perfectly :)
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Didn't even think of that and our new one turns up March 1st(2.0T though). If you look at the A3 sportback there is more room for rear passengers than the last model A4.
 
Ah yes forgot about the March thing, best to get it after then so reg is 56. The DSG gearbox is amazing and the TDI are quite good on fuel.
 
zain said:
Ah yes forgot about the March thing, best to get it after then so reg is 56. The DSG gearbox is amazing and the TDI are quite good on fuel.
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It will be 06, 56 starts in sept. ;)
 
Done the A3 thing already, I used to work for VAG so have been through most of the range. I personally think VAG cars are very expensive for what you get. (IMHO) I specced a Golf GTI up the other night and it came to £27k, for a Golf!

I think my two favourites at the moment are the S40 T5 and the Saab Aero 2.8T, both are brilliant at losing shedloads of cash in their first year so can pick them up for a song. :)

Keep the ideas coming. :D
 
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