Which car would you chose?

He told me he's changed his mind and is going to go for a brand new Corsa SXi instead :).




Edit: That really doesn't work as well since he's posted in the meantime
 
It is a difficult decision though - I could buy one of the excellent cars I've listed or... I could buy a Corsa :(

Infact wait actually just checked and a new 1.2 SXi is out of budget at £11,000 :(
 
[TW]Fox said:
Infact wait actually just checked and a new 1.2 SXi is out of budget at £11,000
Click to expand...

I'm sure you could find the extra cash. You're only young once :).
 
ajgoodfellow said:
Have you considered an Audi A4/A6?
Click to expand...

A4 is interesting, they do a 3.0 Quattro which looks nice but I'm not sure how in budget it is.

A6 discounted becuase it's like a 5 Series only not as good and FWD.
 
PMKeates said:
Do not by an Impreza. Simply do not! You'll love it's performance, drive and handling - it really is exceptional to drive. You'll then hate it for being probably, unfortunately, one of the least reliable cars ever built. I know a number of people who have bought these cars and what I've just said is their sentiments exactly - great fun, but so expensive to run (Unless you get a super-lucky one) it isn't funny.
Click to expand...

OK, I just have to comment on this before I read through the rest of the thread. My 110k mile '97 UK Impreza *NEVER* missed a beat the whole time I owned it. It was tuned to 346 bhp on those standard, 110k mile internals, and lived in the redline. I drove it like I stole it, daily. The only thing that really went wrong was a hairline crack in one of the rad tanks. New rad, cheap, and dead easy to do.

They don't deserve the unreliable reputation, a lot of it is from people buying import STi's, running them on 95 ron then wondering why they go pop. When looked after and tuned correcetly they are very reliable.

Anyway, I'll carry on reading the thread now :D
 
Last edited:
DreXeL said:
OK, I just have to comment on this before I read through the rest of the thread. My 110k mile '97 UK Impreza *NEVER* missed a beat the whole time I owned it. It was tuned to 346 bhp on those standard, 110k mile internals, and lived in the redline. I drove it like I stole it, daily. The only thing that really went wrong was a hairline crack in one of the rad tanks. New rad, cheap, and dead easy to do.

They don't deserve the unreliable reputation, a lot of it is from people buying import STi's, running them on 95 ron then wondering why they go pop. When looked after and tuned correcetly they are very reliable.

Anyway, I'll carry on reading the thread now :D
Click to expand...

Sounds like pretty much what I've heard. Only reliablity issues are imports and heavily tuned. No surprise really.
 
Get an Audi A4/S4 Avant :D That would be so much cooler than a BMW! I can't comment on how good they are to drive though :(
 
[TW]Fox said:
A4 is interesting, they do a 3.0 Quattro which looks nice but I'm not sure how in budget it is.

A6 discounted becuase it's like a 5 Series only not as good and FWD.
Click to expand...

Ive ridden in the A4 2.5TDI Quattro and it's okay... Nice interior, decent looks but it's cost the owner about 3000 in one year in repairs. Knackered low profile alloys, constant tyre poping, psu for sat nav system failed twice, electrics for brake lights failing, huge bills from Audi dealers.. To be fair I think he bought a total lemon but it was enough to put me off. It is fully loaded but it is very mcuh the top of the range A4/3 Series rather than a 5 Series or equiv. I also feel that the styling of Audi vehicles seems to date fast- a lot faster than the BMW range but maybe that's just me?
 
Some stats on reliability from warrantydirect.

Subaru Impreza turbo 93 -

Reliability Index 275 (lower is better, 112 is the average)
Average Age 2.7
Average Mileage 26819
Time off the Road 9.5
Average Repair Cost £1,146.67
Air Conditioning -
Axle & Suspension 15.80%
Braking System 2.60%
Cooling and Heating System -
Electrical 5.30%
Engine 52.60%
Fuel System 2.60%
Transmission 21.10%
Click to expand...

Subaru Legacy 94 -
Reliability Index 67
Average Age 5.1
Average Mileage 57022
Time off the Road 1.5
Average Repair Cost £485.30
Air Conditioning -
Axle & Suspension 30.00%
Braking System -
Cooling and Heating System -
Electrical 10.00%
Engine 20.00%
Fuel System 20.00%
Transmission 20.00%
Click to expand...

5 Series 96-
Reliability Index 88
Average Age 3.9
Average Mileage 49300
Time off the Road 2.1
Average Repair Cost £249.16
Air Conditioning 6.80%
Axle & Suspension 21.40%
Braking System 1.20%
Cooling and Heating System 28.00%
Electrical 20.00%
Engine 6.20%
Fuel System 6.60%
Transmission 9.30%
Click to expand...


http://autotrader.reliabilityindex.co.uk/search_results.html?apc=11310987377436538
 
[TW]Fox said:
It is a difficult decision though - I could buy one of the excellent cars I've listed or... I could buy a Corsa :(

Infact wait actually just checked and a new 1.2 SXi is out of budget at £11,000 :(
Click to expand...
Nothing wrong with 3 years 0% finance, old chap :p
 
Nickg said:
can you get a Golf R32 for this kind of money?

just to throw the cat amongst the anti golf pigeons!
Click to expand...

What does it offer though that makes it stand out from the crowd? I mean, the Impreza is reknowned for its fantastic performance, handling and grip, the 5-series is the best exec saloon of its class/year, the Mondeo is a jack of all trades and excellent value for money. I can't see any reason to go for the Golf unless you're a real Golf enthusiast.
 
of the cars you've listed Fox i'd go for the Subaru to be honest.. the model in the picture you linked is by far the prettiest too :D

I'm not a ford fan (to put it mildly) but of the two listed i'd say the ST200 is the better option.. £5k cheaper and only 0.1 of a second slower? also of the two i'd say that the mk2 is prettier

of the BMWs.. dunno, i've only ever driven a 528i and an older 325i and to be honest wasn't impressed with the 5.. the 3 felt like it had much better handling, the 5 felt a bit wallowy


personally though, with up to 10k to spend i'd be looking at older cars and seeing what i could pick up..


Rangerover Overfinch 570i.. should be able to pick up a pretty fine mid 90's one for under 10k, not as fast as the cars you listed and not got the handling either, but the luxury and the soundtrack make up for it :)

Skyline, also mid 90's but could you get an r34 for under 10k these days? in my eyes much prettier than the subaru, probably faster in a straight line and enough technical gadgetry for you to really get your geek on.. :)

heh i actually know of someone selling a Lotus Omega (lefthander Lotus Carlton) for ~10.5k at the moment.. 180+ mph top end, fun handling (depending on your idea of fun maybe..) reasonable luxury, no baseball cap required.. :D
 
from many accounts the skylines arent anything like people think unless you change the suspension / brakes etc.
 
For me it would be between the ST220 and the 5.

Personally i'd rather have the ST220 but either would be a fantastic motor to own at your age.

In your position the bottom of the list would be the Impreza (just doesn't seem to offer what you want from a car) closely followed by the ST200 (power aside its going to feel like your sitting in your old Mondeo).


EDIT- Did I hear someone say POLL ?
 
Last edited:
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom