What car (saloon/hatch/4x4) £3.5-4k? Thank you!!

[rossyl]

Hi,

£3.5-4k to spend on a car, for my Mum.

Her Saab 2.0 Turbo 9000 died recently, so she needs a new car.

So here's my shortlist...(no sorry, no Mondeo's!).

I don't want to buy a carwith which, if something goes wrong, the parts cost a fortune. So which is the best/cheapest for upkeep?

Lexus IS200 (2000) - I hear these are rock solid?

BMW 5 series E39 (2000) - lots of cooling problems?

Honda CRV (2002) - fairly solid

Merc E Class (1999-2000) - rust, rust, and expensive parts?

Any others you'd suggest?

Thanks

 

[rossyl]

well she is interested in cars...(the Saab was quite fun to drive) but I'm more interested in her not borthering me with "this has gone wrong, that has gone wrong" etc...

 

[rossyl]

Honda CRV is one of the most pointless 4x4 attempts.

...it's for my Mum....

 

[rossyl]

I know. You've listed 3 saloons and one '4x4' which I don't understand.

The chances are the Honda will be cheaper/more reliable than the Merc or BMW, but unsure on the IS200 as it's Toyota based or something so could well be just as tough.

Well it's because she doesn't mind either (saloon or 4x4), the issue is really running costs. If a Honda CRV is the best option for running costs, ie it won't break too easily and costs £000's to fix,...well that's the way I'd prompt her.

It will be a 4x4 to be driven as a car, which is awful, but lets face it...90% of the ones sold in the UK probably are used like this. So it's 4x4 capapbility is of no issue.

I think the IS200, could also be a good bet.

Personally I don't like jap cars much, and instead throw my money at a Merc.

Thank you for the help so far guys.

 

[rossyl]

What about a honda accord, rather than the CRV ?

Thanks but, aren't they exceptionally dull cars to look at?

 

[rossyl]

And the CRV isn't?

Fair point, but she likes the look of it a touch more.

I did look at other 4x4's - Freelander, X Trail, Rav 4 - but the Honda seems the best out of this bunch in terms of looks/reliability. The Freelander, is far from hassle free it seems.

 

[rossyl]

Does she spend any time off road?

No.

 

[rossyl]

a saab 9000 died? not possible. you sure it wasn't a 900?

The garage was just as shocked, but it is truly dead.

 

[rossyl]

what went wrong in the end?

not entirely sure, i think head gasket went, then water was coming out of the engine, all whilst the car was doing 90-100mph.

Then the car stopped, luckily on the slip road of the motorway, and could not be restarted.

 

[rossyl]

no, the car stopped on a slip road. could have been perfect timing at an upcoming junction..

Precisely, she was pretty lucky.

Thanks Morba for all your responses on here, couldn't of said it better myself. Cheers.

I never thought I would say that, but actually, a Mondeo would fit the bill. Cheap, service on every corner, you'll get 5 year old, low miles example for the money... But since no Mondeos - get a Primera or Avensis.

I agree with you re the Mondeo but,
I don't think she'd like either because....

fords are clearly not done here, has to be something with a little prestige it seems..

Cheers Morba.

4x4s are almost always going to be more expensive to run than a normal road car and a large proportion of drivers think people in 4x4s who dont need them offroad look like complete tools.

Running costs - Maybe in fuel costs, I'm more concerned about reliability and parts. As for looking like a tool, I think it's so common nowadays it's not a big deal. Also Rav-4's, CRVs, Freelanders etc...they aren't off-roaders really, they're bought to use on the road. It's people in Range Rovers, Cayenne's, Discovery's etc who are driving real off-roaders who get more abuse.

Get the Lexus.

Aren't Lexus deemed better in the reliability stakes in all these surveys that do the rounds? Seconded out of that lot, it'll be hassle free and a nice little car.

Cheers only problem is...

the 9000 is cavernous, will she not find the IS200 a little small?

Damn...

Well let's see if i can convince her. But if it is too small, i'm glad to see the CRV hasn't had any scathing attacks on it's reliability, so that may be the one to go for if she wants a bigger car.

I will also make her look at a Mondeo.

 

[rossyl]

As daft as it sounds if your mum liked her Saab, why not get her another one? Or a Volvo of some sort?

reliability and running costs are the criteria, of which I don't think either would be better than the lexus/Honda...nor would the Saab's score too well.

 

[rossyl]

What about a fully serviced Alpha Romeo 156...that my Mum just told me she's seen and liked...

Alpha's and reliability? Like oil and water?????

 

[rossyl]

Owned one, loved it, wouldnt reccomend it!

They are not reliable whatsoever - had numerous electric problems, interior quality was terrible although looked nice, door handles jammed and the rear ones would come off in your hand. It liked a litre of oil every 1000 miles and averaged 12mpg with fairly sensilbe driving.

Lovely lovely car, but avoid them if reliability and running costs are on the list of priorities at all.

Oh, and the twinsparks need cambelt every 36k miles and the Selespeed ones will drain your wallet and possibly kill you

Haha

Cheers Iain, noted and will (even more strongly) put her off buying one of these!

 

[rossyl]

... (if I was the dictator of this country you'd be stabbed to death with a blunt pencil for spelling it Alpha) 164.

... They are both however famed for needing you to meticulous about servicing.

How about a Honda Accord Coupe or maybe a Prelude. Or if you want a properly stupid idea, how about a Renault Vel Satis.

haha Apologies Alfa, but i have now rendered that idea well off limits.

As for the others...I must say the vel satis is actually a good car!