last car thread - i promise.

helpimcrap

helpimcrap

helpimcrap

Soldato
Joined
13 Jan 2004
Posts
12,773
Location
Leicestershire
just trying to narrow it down and i've never been in the predicament where a) i've had a choice b)need something reliable due to not being able to do as many jobs on the car and c) not being able to test drive.

so i've narrowed it down with the help of you guys to:
a)2002 fiesta 1.25
b)2002 focus 1.6
c)2002 mondeo 1.8/2.0 (although 2.5/3.0 could be interesing lol)
d)2001 Volvo s40 1.8
e)2002 corsa 1.2
f)2002 honda accord 1.8 (?)
g)2000 VW golf
k)2002 Skoda Fabia

i'm guessing the best overall would be the volvo which is incredibly reliable but expensive for parts.
then
2001 Volvo s40 1.8
2002 focus 1.6
2002 fiesta 1.25
2002 mondeo 1.8/2.0
2002 Skoda Fabia
2002 honda accord 1.8
2000 VW golf
2002 corsa 1.2

if i can find a focus its the best compromise of mondeo and fiesta. the honda i know nothing about. the golf has an image problem ie because its a golf its overpriced on price and parts. and i know loads of people who love vauxhalls but then loads of people who don't. still, it's faired better than the vectra or omega.

am i right in my assumption? not having a license or being able to testdrive i can't make the call on my tod or i simply wouldn't bother you guys but i wasn't expecting to get it back so soon, i thought it might be years before i got the chance. well, i haven't got it back only a reccommendation but i want it so badly it's not even funny as then i get independance.
 
Corsa's are horrible to drive, rule that out. You're not a youngster so rule out the fiesta. I've never been convinced about the Volvo S40, I don't think they are a particularly reliable car. Golfs are meh, nothing wrong with them but they are not worth the premium price tag and inflated servicing costs. That leaves you with either the accord, focus or mondeo. If you pick a good example of any of those three and you'll be happy.

I left out the fabia, it's not a great car and most of the engines are pretty naff.
 
Now that's a varied list. Some of those cars aren't even in the same league as each other.

I think it might help you to take a little time and think about what you actually want the car for, as it should help your decision. If you just want something small and cheap to run to knock about in, then look towards Corsa/Fiesta territory. If you don't mind paying for the privilege for the extra room, refinement, and some would say prestige, then lean towards the Volvo, or my choice from that list, the Honda. :)

Middle of the road, the Focus and Mondeo will cost peanuts to maintain, have reasonable running costs, and are a step up from the superminis.
 
[TW]Fox;14144613 said:
Err in what way is a 98-02 shape Accord better than a Mk3 Mondeo?
Click to expand...

Possibly if it has the 2.2 VTEC mentalist engine, a Type R badge + big wing (which I know you detest), but otherwise it isn't better. From the given list - Mondeo every day of the week. Even Saturday.
 
cheers chaps/chappettes, thanks for narrowing it down further. ideally i want a smaller car hence the fiesta and corsa and the accord as civics i've found are boy racers cars. so are fiestas and corsas though so the null and voids them. wasn't overly sure about the s40, or fabia or accord so i added them as they fitted the budget. ideally i guess i'm looking at focus or if the right one comes up, mk3 mondeo or mk 4 (?)fiesta. size isnt an issue as insurance is similar for all cars. toyed up an m5 but the insurance triples for that lol.
 
cool, wanted to consider all cars tbh and this was much narrowed to before. The 1.6 focus is the winner closely followed by a 1.25 fiesta or 1.8 mondeo.

how much different/reliable are the 1.3 fiestas over the 1.25 zetec? i presume the o1.3 is the mega old enduro ohv design?
 
oh and just to abate any confusion over the insurance, it's about £200-300 f/c regardless of a fiesta or mondeo except the extortionate M5 or Holden GTS-R which i did for fun lol.
 
The Fiesta 1.3 engine is from Flintstone's era of engine design.

The Fabia is pure stodge to drive. Anyone who suggests otherwise can't have driven many cars. Gets you from A>B cheaply and reliably but that's it.
 
Personally I would look at the Accord or S40 both are better built than the mondeo http://www.reliabilityindex.co.uk/tophundred.html?apc=3128339010848601. The s40 is a bargain at the moment and a lot of them are very well specced, with cruise and heated seats etc. They are well made, comfortable and easy to work if you do need to do anything. The downside is they wont set the world on fire driving them but will anything in that list.
 
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