help with new car ideas please

EnzoSmithers

EnzoSmithers

EnzoSmithers

Associate
Joined
31 Jan 2004
Posts
365
Location
Newcastle UK
Morning all,

this time last year I bought an 1.8 TDCi 08 Ford Mondeo Titanium X for 11000. Its a nice car, but underpowered and not offering the good mpg I had hoped for. (37 last full tank around the doors only).

I do however like the toys it comes with, along with the sport pack and the way it looks (which is important to me, but not the wife).

Now, I bought the car and upgraded in a hurry as the focus we had previously was going to die a death with a failing dual mass flywheel so upgraded quickly and at the time the Mrs and me said lets get something bigger as we love camping and could do with the extra space, hence the Mondeo.

However in reality, the Mrs finds it hard to park and is quite intimidated by its size, and 95% of the time we drive to work, our parents and the shops.

We probably do about 900-1000 miles a calendar month in it.


I'm looking to save a bit of money, trade it in and get something else for around the £8000 mark. it must have 5 doors (her requirement not mine) and I prefer the sportier models over the plainer specs (or like this one a titX with sport pack (18's and spoiler).

Fuel wise am i going ot be better off going to Petrol? What cars would cater for my needs and are available with a sporty option?

I love the Focus Zetec S pack, but their rare and normally go for more than my reduced budget. After the Zetec S the standard Focus' look poor imo.

Any ideas/thoughts guys?
 
Thought about a Civic? Depends really if you like the styling. My 1.8 petrol averages about the same as youve been getting but with mixed driving, Probably about 33-35mpg around town and 40-43 on motorway but I have had upto 53mpg on a 160mile round trip when I was really hypermiling. I find it a nice place to be, the engine is responsive and reliable as they come but can be driven with economy in mind. I expect everyone will tell you 12k miles/annum doesnt warrant a diesel.

Hawker
 
I had been looking at civic's actually, i like the styling. Only thing that puts me off a bit, and it sounds off, but having no rear window wiper in the wet must really hinder visibility?

good mpg though, for a petrol, 140bhp in a reasonably small car is quite a bit as well, should be quite fun to drive on B roads i'd guess?
 
My suggestion would be an Alfa Romeo 147. Gorgeous cars, plenty of space but not too big. All the gadgets inside. 3 door or 5 door versions.

1.6 or 2.0 petrol engines or a 1.9 turbo diesel version.

Alfa make reliable cars nowadays so don't worry about that! I own a 2001 1.6 in red, I love it soo much. I urge you to consider one!
 
Jake_C said:
Alfa make reliable cars nowadays so don't worry about that! I own a 2001 1.6 in red, I love it soo much. I urge you to consider one!
Click to expand...

It's possibly worth pointing out that they've got the turning circle of a not especially nimble barge however. My car is very similar in this regard but it does mean what should be a 3 point turn is automatically now a 7 point turn. You're right though, they certainly seem like quite nice cars from a passengers perspective.
 
G4cE said:
I had been looking at civic's actually, i like the styling. Only thing that puts me off a bit, and it sounds off, but having no rear window wiper in the wet must really hinder visibility?

good mpg though, for a petrol, 140bhp in a reasonably small car is quite a bit as well, should be quite fun to drive on B roads i'd guess?
Click to expand...

The lack of rear wiper makes zero difference to me to be honest - I personally dont like the 1.8 petrol but it's worth driving one to see how you get on. It needs an absolute kicking but then again most smallish petrols will anyway. The car is quite firm so reaonably good to chuck around, depends what you're expecting I guess, comparable to a focus.

Equipment wise you'll get a great amount for your money if you go for an EX model. MPG wise I would be surprised if most people seen over 40mpg motorway (my diesel only really gets into the 50's on long runs). I do think however that 40mpg is plenty good enough anyway
 
G4cE said:
I had been looking at civic's actually, i like the styling. Only thing that puts me off a bit, and it sounds off, but having no rear window wiper in the wet must really hinder visibility?

good mpg though, for a petrol, 140bhp in a reasonably small car is quite a bit as well, should be quite fun to drive on B roads i'd guess?
Click to expand...

Ive never been bothered by the lack of rear wiper, the screen is coated in some stuff that works pretty well to keep the water...i dont know un obstructive??? I had the same concerns with rear visibility when I bought it but its never been a problem

yeah its good fun to drive, ive had mine 3years now and dont feel the need to change the car, the engine is revvy which makes it enjoyable. Go test drive one. And on a run from leicester to london and back I cant remember a time when I didnt get 40mpg with the cruise on.

Hawker
 
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Anyone know much about the Golf 1.4 TSI 170bhp model? think its the GT? seems reasonably economical and would produce plenty of fun from the fun pedal. MK 5 golf boot seems a reasonable size, allthough the tent will have to go over the back seats and would never hit in that boot, it barely fits in the Mondeo's boot!
 
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