Spec my brother a £3k car

[Kingy]

Hi all,

After years on various bikes (his latest being a VFR800) my brother is looking at buying a car. He's 20, has no NCB, and is looking for a car with toys and poke for £3k. The car must be on a Y plate or newer (private plate for his 21st), and he's been looking at the Cougar Ghia X 2.5 V6, the Astra SRi (probably 2.2), Mondeo Ghia X, and 406 Coupe V6.

Of the cars thought of so far, (particularly the Astra) is there anything to be particularly cautious about?

Any other obvious choices to consider?

 

[Kingy]

I believe the V6 engine in the 406 Coupe is rather unreliable and very expensive to repair.

Ghia X Mondeo's can be picked up easily for £3k

That's a shame, though looking closer it seems that the 406 Coupe idea for £3k may have come about before the >2001 age requirement was established. I think that one may be well be scratched off the list.

My initial thoughts regarding the Cougar were that as it's based on the Mk2 Mondeo platform, the Mk3 Mondeo would be a better bet. Although the Cougar is better looking, I can't make up my mind if that's a good thing or not, as I sometimes tend to think that if you're going for stylish, then you should have a stylish budget, which in turn would afford a better car than the Cougar...

The Astra 2.2 SRi would have the youngest image, but would have considerably less kit than the other options mentioned...

The Vectra SRI would be better looking than the Mondeo, but I hear it's a dog (why?), and while Omega's are bargains, I've heard concerning things regarding reliability...

What are the specs on the V6's in the Cougar/Mk3 Mondeo?

 

[Kingy]

Is he not gonna get stung on the insurance for having no NCB on a V6..? Or anything over 2litres infact?

Apparently the models mentioned are insurable. He'll probably go TPFT and up to £150 a month...

 

[Kingy]

bump

 

[Kingy]

Tell him to buy on condition rather than age, - especially if he's got a private plate! - he'll find some interesting ideas out there.

The age is because his private plate is a Y reg, so he can't have anything older than that if he wants to use his plate...

 

[Kingy]

I'd leave the plate on retention & buy something more realistic then!

Restricting a choice of car & budget due to a plate? Daft imo! - Not for nothing does my personal plate start with a K.

I did suggest getting the car before the plate, but apparently that didn't happen...

Leaving a 21st birthday present on retention isn't really an option...

 

[Kingy]

406 Coupe if he's feeling brave, plus it would suit a private plate whereas a private plate on a bog standard Mondeo would look a tad daft IMHO.

You could maybe get an ST200 for this money, though?

A 2001 ST200 is likely to be tricky for £3k, good shout though... Do the V6's stand up well to higher mileages?

Why would a 406 Coupe be brave?

 

[Kingy]

They break lots. But look so beautiful. Although its mainly the 3.0 that has the reliability trouble.

Moo. I always thought the 210bhp V6 SE 406 Coupe was the one to have...

 

[Kingy]

He's gotta ask himself which is more important. The plate or the car?

Not yet he doesn't.

Considering he's currently shortlisting cars to have a nose around and establish a favourite, with a view to then seeing what sort of examples are available for the money that also meet the age criteria. In the meantime, perhaps such statements are a little premature?

Ask Fox if it's possible to get a high motorway mileage but good condition, top of the range motor that's 4 years old for £3k. The question posed here, is if the age requirement is relaxed to 6 years, what other options are available?

The OP did ask for comments on reliability and what to look for on the cars mentioned so far. We've ruled out the 406 Coupe, and had a few others suggested that are worth keeping an eye on, on the off chance that an OC/mint motorway car comes up at the right price.

Are the V6's in the 2001 Mk3 Mondeo, and 2001 (I think there was a facelift?) Cougar the same engine in the ST24?

Any thoughts on the Astra 2.2? Is this the same engine as found in the NASP VX220?