Ideas for a new car... 2k ish

LostPhil

LostPhil

LostPhil

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6 Feb 2007
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Location
Norwich, Norfolk
After owning my 25 GTI for 3 years and putting up with the poor condition of the paintwork and other problems previous owners have caused (should've looked at the car more carefully on purchase!), I'm considering selling it and buying something else while it needs bits doing to it.

I'd probably chuck in up to £2000 for the new one, plus anything I get for the 25, but I'll say just £2000 for now. At the moment I'm just considering options, need to sort a new job first but I'd like some ideas at what I can get. Insurance shouldn't be much of a problem....

Looking for a coupe or a saloon (basically, anything bigger than mine) that looks nice with a bit of poke that'll drive nicely on both long distance motorway cruising and the odd A/B road short journey (usually at some speed. I'll leave it at that!). Would like to get 30mpg cruising at 80 if at all possible, I think I only get around 35 in the 25 anyway.

On the list at the moment is:
- MG ZT 190. Comfortable, nippy and supposed to handle well. Quite a lot of car for the money.
- Peugeot 406 Coupe V6. Love the look of them, a bit thirsty... But still! Supposed to drive nicely too.
- Ford Cougar V6. A friend has one and it's quite a nice place to be even if the V6 isn't all that powerful considering.
- Alfa GTV or 156 (not sure about engine choices...). I love the GTV interiors from pictures and the overall look of the car. Getting on a bit now though and it's an Alfa... Same story with the 156.

Mondeos aren't my thing I'm afraid, unless it's a mk3+ ST then I'm not going to consider it. Diesel I'm not too keen on to be honest but throw in suggestions if it's a good drive.

Something just a bit different yet competent would be ideal :)

Any opinions on the cars listed above are welcome and any warning about massive running costs besides fuel would also be appreciated! I'm not on much of a salary...
 
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Hyundai Coupe?

The 2.2HDi in the 406 Coupe is pretty decent actually and remaps very well

If you're bothered about reliability at all, forget about the Alfas, especially at 2k
 
I did look at Mk1 Hyundai Coupe's before I bought the 25. The top spec ones weren't tooo bad to sit in although never got to test drive one. Engines seem a bit low on power for their size though? At least they used to be. Any particular spec that I should look at?

I'll have a ganders at the HDI Pug. I guess the power delivery could suit the car. My heart's with the V6 but the mind's with the diesel! Is there any decent site I could look up regarding the tuning?

Would 2k get a decent example of a Prelude? Being a Jap car I expect them to keep their value well!
 
2k would buy a Mk1 F2 Evolution. Phase 2s are started to creep into this price band, especially if you add the money from your current car. They're not quick cars really though.

The Pug HDi is remarkably smooth and quiet for an oil burner - a friend has one and is looking at Celtic tuning for 180bhp ish. Makes a great long distance cruiser, very comfy
 
Accord Type R or 200SX would get my votes in either of these class but you would be looking at older high mileage ones for £2k, £3k-£4k bracket would get much nicer examples, both great cars to drive and are abit different from the usually european stuff.
 
The GTV is going to be a money pit, and neither that nor the 156 will be a good motorway cruiser - noisy, engine drone, upright seating position, too much feedback etc.
 
mjt said:
9-3 Aero
http://pistonheads.com/sales/1231460.htm
http://pistonheads.com/sales/1256401.htm
Click to expand...

Bingo, that might just be the ticket! That second one looks immaculate too. Anyone have anything to criticise them on? The steering wheel looks nice to hold, one worry I had switching from mine :p Seems to tick all the boxes to be honest. Guessing they're generally pretty reliable?

EDIT: I do agree that the Alfas will be money pits, it's more of a heart than a head thing. As for the other points, anyone else want to confirm?

I would also LOVE an Accord Type R but I can't stretch to that at the moment unfortunately!
 
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iaind said:
The 156 exhibits exactly none of those characteristics.
Click to expand...

It exhibits all of those qualities (faults). Noisy twin sparky engine derived from a 1960s design, car built by a load of monkeys having a bad day, hardly any sound deadening material, all of which combine to create a lot of noise, vibration and harshness. A Lexus it most certainly aint.
 
The TSpark isnt any noisier than similar cars, neither is road/wind noise. The V6 is quieter though, as you'd expect. It's built badly in terms of trim but its as comfortable as you'd expect. And "upright seating position"? Lol, what, do you want to be lying down or something? Protip - the little wheel on the side of the seat makes it tilt.

I'd definitely not recommend one for 2k but what you've posted is just plain nonsense. Nobody ever compared them to a Lexus, they're not even meant to be comparable
 
Driving tractors in your spare time must have lowered your standards of what constitutes a decent car.

The 156 was brought out to compete with the A4 and the E46 both of which are lightyears better built, more refined, more reliable and better to drive.

The 156 is just a piece of junk in comparison with an crappy twin sparky engine that used oil, had a tendancy to destroy itself and threw noise and vibration into the cabin. Unreliable in almost every way and they just disintegrate with age. 156s are worth pennies these days for a very good reason.
 
I'm under no delusions that the 156 is a well built reliable car, but poor cruisers they are not. A 2.0 Tspark is probably a bit noisier than a 320i, but most had quite large exhausts for a pleasant engine note. They are by no means noisy.

They also (amazingly!) came with more than one engine - the 1.9 and 2.4 JTDs are pretty competent and the V6s are very nice. There's very little point arguing further - neither of us are recommending them, I just object to your irrational hatred to something you've clearly had no experience with.
 
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