Spec me a 4 door

mad_allan · 5 Aug 2007 at 15:46

Decided I need 4 doors, it's too much hassle with having to climb in the back to get at the little un and the Mrs is moaning

I have £10k to play with, this is just for the car, insurance is seperate.

Currently drive a CTR and quite used to the speed. I would like something with a bit of pace.

On my shortlist so far:

Mondeo ST220
BMW 330i
BMW 530i / d
Audi A4 2.0

Any other opinions? Really looking for help and other members who have these and can comment on them

Cheers

NickXX · 5 Aug 2007 at 15:49

Can get a nice 530i for a lot less than your budget:

http://www.pistonheads.co.uk/sales/215949.htm

IPBA · 5 Aug 2007 at 16:05

Accord Type R worth a shout here - you drive a CTR so know about FWD VTEC powered cars

£7995 for a Pre facelift with 29k on the clock got to worth a look

http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/199293.htm

Sone · 5 Aug 2007 at 16:06

that ollys motor?

mad_allan · 5 Aug 2007 at 16:11

IPBA said:
Accord Type R worth a shout here - you drive a CTR so know about FWD VTEC powered cars

£7995 for a Pre facelift with 29k on the clock got to worth a look

http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/199293.htm

I've test drove a couple and as much as I want to like them, I can't

NickXX said:
Can get a nice 530i for a lot less than your budget:

http://www.pistonheads.co.uk/sales/215949.htm

Didn't realise they could were as cheap as that, mileage doesn't bother me.

v_man · 5 Aug 2007 at 17:27

Have you considered a Saab 9-3? Cracking cars for the price, represent quality without a hefty tag. Don't decide on the beemer/audi without having driven one. Something like this perhaps? http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/214199.htm

[TW]Fox · 5 Aug 2007 at 17:55

Saab 9-3 will be miles better than the others, the 9-3 is an excellent car with fantastic build quality, a real quality feel inside and out and simply outstanding handling.

Kitchster_uk · 5 Aug 2007 at 18:24

DO you need 4 doors or a hatch-back? The 5 series beemer will feel like the best place to be but can be heavy on repairs & service, the Mondeo will be very nice again and fairly rare. The 3 series - meh, may as well hyave the 5 tbh and the audi...er...no thanks. Very pricey for what you get and the 2.0 will have you snoring compared to the others.

v_man · 5 Aug 2007 at 19:01

Originally posted by [TW]Fox
Saab 9-3 will be miles better than the others, the 9-3 is an excellent car with fantastic build quality, a real quality feel inside and out and simply outstanding handling.

You also forgot to mention the 9-3 has a nicer interior, is more comfortable and has more kit as standard than the others

[TW]Fox · 5 Aug 2007 at 19:04

v_man said:
You also forgot to mention the 9-3 has a nicer interior

Yes of course, how could I forget the work of art that is the simply lovely interior of the 9-3 - so much better than anything from the likes of BMW and Audi

v_man · 5 Aug 2007 at 19:07

Originally posted by [TW]Fox
Yes of course, how could I forget the work of art that is the simply lovely interior of the 9-3

Now you're talkin.

Kitchster_uk · 5 Aug 2007 at 19:13

Fox, can you please lob me £20 via Paypal/bacs - I need a new sarcasm detector and some more persil as I soiled my pants when it exploded.

Cheers

mad_allan · 5 Aug 2007 at 19:22

Kitchster_uk said:
DO you need 4 doors or a hatch-back? The 5 series beemer will feel like the best place to be but can be heavy on repairs & service, the Mondeo will be very nice again and fairly rare. The 3 series - meh, may as well hyave the 5 tbh and the audi...er...no thanks. Very pricey for what you get and the 2.0 will have you snoring compared to the others.

Her only requirement was 4 doors

Fox, same as kitchster - I need a new sarcasm detector

The 5 certainly will be getting test driven over the next few days as will an ST if I find one in close proximity to me.

Would like Dangerous' view on the Mondy or someone else that owns / owned one

[TW]Fox · 5 Aug 2007 at 19:23

I've not owned one but I have a particular interest in this area of cars so I've driven them all and it was the Mondeo that came closest to winning for me.

mad_allan · 5 Aug 2007 at 19:29

[TW]Fox said:
I've not owned one but I have a particular interest in this area of cars so I've driven them all and it was the Mondeo that came closest to winning for me.

Is the 5 series the best place to be compared to the ST? I know once I test drive both myself but what are your thoughts?

[TW]Fox · 5 Aug 2007 at 19:43

They are both great cars.

The Mondeo looks good, has a reasonably nice interior, Recaro seats, and the 3 litre V6 sounds absolutely fantastic. The handling is tidy. However the bodykit doesn't set it aside from the regular Mondeo in the same way that of the ST24 did with the Mk2.

The 5 Series.. is quicker, handles slightly sharper, is noticeably better built, and has the 'image' if that thing matters to you. It also looks fantastic. But it'll cost more to fix, and will be older, and the engine doesn't sound as good as the Mondeo..

olv · 5 Aug 2007 at 19:43

RWD makes you cooler... fact.

mad_allan · 5 Aug 2007 at 19:53

Insurance quotes:

Mondeo ST220 = £520

BMW 530i = £650

Not bad at all insurance wise

Found a t Mondy in Cambridge, gonna give them a call tomorrow and then test a 5 on Tuesday

OllyM · 5 Aug 2007 at 19:56

The Mk3 Mondeo is a very good car, but the BMW is (IMHO anyway) in a class above. The disadvantage is obviously that they do cost a fair bit to run, and you will get an older, higher mileage car for your money, but they are a much nicer place to be.

[TW]Fox · 5 Aug 2007 at 20:04

mad_allan said:
Found a t Mondy in Cambridge, gonna give them a call tomorrow and then test a 5 on Tuesday

Test the right 5, you don't want an SE or a 6 owner from new thrashed around town 90k mile Sport either.