needing a new car.

[thebloyn]

Right just sold my Octavia vRS estate, nice car but I've had it with diesels.

Rather than go out and get something else, I am finally being sensible and getting a cheap ish runabout for upto 3k (possibly a little more if nice) instead of getting a car for about 6k and selling it after a year, because I get bored of them, (8 cars in 8 years of driving!)

This time I thought I would go Japanese (reliability, quirky fun cars?) After a megane, various skoda Vrs' and a 325ci.

Not fussed too much about economy/tax, my work commute is barely 5 miles, hence getting rid of the annoying DPF diesel skoda, although I would rather not have one in the £400 ved braket. ideally 5 doors, space for my thule roof bars and bike rack on top,

I have been looking at Civic type-s (not the new ones) mazda 3/6 sports, ok they wont set the world on fire but they have 5 doors, roomy, nice revvy petrol engines, plenty of toys and still look fairy modern, not fussed about mileage, and these seem really cheap some below 2k.

I cant really think of anything else, probably not something from VAG after all the skodas I have had, considered a focus ST170 they seem really cheap.
Would rather not have a french car after owning a megane!

 

[miniyazz]

Mazda MX5

 

[thebloyn]

mx5, lol no room for bikes!

Just come back from test driving this,

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=221270673166

very nice in and out, nice to drive, quite refined, felt fast.

A couple of things I am not sure about

stearing wheel way off centre, not sure why, alloys in very good condition, no obvious accident damage I could see

advisories on mot, one shock had an oil mist on it, slight movement in rear suspension bushes, i think

the biggie though, no service book, said I would come back when he has it, he phoned me later saying apparently its digital and all in the cars computer- surely that cannot be right, I have never heard of that!

 

[rodenal]

mx5, lol no room for bikes!

Just come back from test driving this,

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=221270673166

very nice in and out, nice to drive, quite refined, felt fast.

A couple of things I am not sure about

stearing wheel way off centre, not sure why, alloys in very good condition, no obvious accident damage I could see

advisories on mot, one shock had an oil mist on it, slight movement in rear suspension bushes, i think

the biggie though, no service book, said I would come back when he has it, he phoned me later saying apparently its digital and all in the cars computer- surely that cannot be right, I have never heard of that!

Steering may be off as he has had the shocks or the bushes sorted or other suspension work. Doesn't neccesarily mean it's taken a knock (though it's obviously possible), just allow for it to be sorted, my geo is currently miles off as I changed the trailing arm bushes on the e46 so it needs a proper alignment

I believe mazda don't give out a service book anymore (maybe they will if you ask). You should be able to call the dealer where the work has been done and confirm it all with them though - Ask the owner for details.

 

[rossk26]

Mazda 3 sport is also what I'm looking at next. Excellent value for money when you consider all the toys! I prefer the saloon model personally.

If you can, try and get the facelift model. It looks that little bit better, and Mazda seemed to throw every toy they could find into them. So all come with A/C, Bose speakers and cruise as standard.

Another car that takes my fancy in this price category is the Honda Accord.