Which Car???

mysticsniper · 13 Apr 2007 at 01:20

I have decided to dump my gas guzzler, and go for something more eco, and as I don't do that many miles anymore. It makes more sense. Got about 5k to spend.

I am going for a nice little Ford Fiesta, I have seen a couple of cars I like, one is a 1.4 Zetec, and the other is a 1.4 Ghia. I am not sure which is the better model, the Ghia has a few added extras, but everyone tells me to get one with a Zetec engine.

Any advice would be great.

[TW]Fox · 13 Apr 2007 at 01:24

mysticsniper said:
I have decided to dump my gas guzzler, and go for something more eco, and as I don't do that many miles anymore. It makes more sense.

Actually, it makes no sense at all. The less mileage you do, the less a car that isn't very fuel efficient will actually cost you. This is why the perfect car for low mileage usage is something with a large engine - lack of demand pushes price down, and you won't be sadled with huge fuel bills as you simply don't do the miles to justify it.

If you do insist on buying something small and pokey you should know both Fiesta 1.4 Ghia and Zetec have exactly the same engine - Zetec is just the trim level (Confusingly, Zetec is the name of a Ford engine as well).

mysticsniper · 13 Apr 2007 at 20:59

[TW]Fox said:
Actually, it makes no sense at all. The less mileage you do, the less a car that isn't very fuel efficient will actually cost you. This is why the perfect car for low mileage usage is something with a large engine - lack of demand pushes price down, and you won't be sadled with huge fuel bills as you simply don't do the miles to justify it.

If you do insist on buying something small and pokey you should know both Fiesta 1.4 Ghia and Zetec have exactly the same engine - Zetec is just the trim level (Confusingly, Zetec is the name of a Ford engine as well).

The miles that I am doing are just pottering about round town, and going to the Golf course and back. I'm sure that I will be using twice as much petrol in my 2litre car than a 1.4. Plus the

Cheers for the info on the Zetec/ Ghia

[TW]Fox · 13 Apr 2007 at 21:00

mysticsniper said:
The miles that I am doing are just pottering about round town, and going to the Golf course and back. I'm sure that I will be using twice as much petrol in my 2litre car than a 1.4.

Maybe, maybe not. But if you'd be spending £40 a month on petrol instead of £20... is it really a big deal? Is such a small saving worth changing for?

Cheers for the info on the Zetec/ Ghia

No worries.

James_N · 13 Apr 2007 at 21:06

mysticsniper said:
The miles that I am doing are just pottering about round town, and going to the Golf course and back. I'm sure that I will be using twice as much petrol in my 2litre car than a 1.4. Plus the

Cheers for the info on the Zetec/ Ghia

But its false economy. The 2 litre might be costing you £10 a week or so more to run, but your looking at spending a massive £5k on a car? it would take a long time for the 1.4 car to pay its self off. £5k can buy you LOTS of petrol!

Scarfacé · 13 Apr 2007 at 21:06

What car do you currently own?

I agree entirely with Fox's comments.

If you hardly do any miles, you won't use much fuel, even in a thirsty car. So why not take advantage and have a nicer car that is nicer and easier to drive, and of course much more fun than a 1.4 Fes.

mysticsniper · 13 Apr 2007 at 22:11

James_N said:
But its false economy. The 2 litre might be costing you £10 a week or so more to run, but your looking at spending a massive £5k on a car? it would take a long time for the 1.4 car to pay its self off. £5k can buy you LOTS of petrol!

How can it be false economy? If the 1.4 TCDI will do more miles to the gallon, then a 2.0 1997 Rover 420Sli. Plus the Rover its an old bangor, it is leaking oil, needs a lot of working doing to it. I want a cheap run around that will last me a number of years.

James_N · 13 Apr 2007 at 22:22

people are under the false assumption that a diesel is always cheaper to run.

My mate is always telling me his 307HDI gets double the miles to the gallon that my volvo 740 does.

The difference is, he has a £350 a month loan to pay out on his car, I have nothing. His car cost £10k. Mine cost £100.

So although his car is more economical, it cost more in the first place, where as mine cost hardly anything, but uses a bit more petrol.

I keep thinking of upgrading to a V70 D5. To get a good one, again im looking at £10k, so although it would be slightly cheaper to run, id have to get a loan initially to buy the car, so again, false economy.

The 1.4 diesel will indeed do more miles to the gallon, but this saving is cancelled out by the fact you have to pay £5k to buy the car in the first place, where as, if you kept the rover, you could spend the £5k on a LOT of fuel.

Do you see my point?

[TW]Fox · 13 Apr 2007 at 22:25

mysticsniper said:
How can it be false economy?

The difference between a 30mpg car and a 40mpg if you cover a low mileage of, say, 4000 a year is... £2 a week.

Thats it - £2 a week.

Thats why spending £5k on a Fiesta diesel is false economy.

mysticsniper · 13 Apr 2007 at 22:54

Your not gonna convince me, and I will still be buying a new car, as I want one.

Does anyone have any other suggestions for me, in regrds to the new car for £5k. Other than the Fiesta that I like so far

Stanford · 13 Apr 2007 at 23:13

http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/154150.htm

Plenty of 'golf club kudos' and room enough for several sets of clubs. You don't get that in a Fiesta. £1500 under budget too.

The IPB · 13 Apr 2007 at 23:17

Wasn't the idea for him to get a smaller engined car lol that posted is not a smaller engined car!

Stanford · 13 Apr 2007 at 23:20

As highlighted above, a smaller engined car is a false economy. OK, perhaps a 4.2 Audi A8 isn't the best move, but there are plenty of better options than a 1.4 Fiesta. Especially for lugging golf paraphernalia around.

The IPB · 13 Apr 2007 at 23:23

No doubt I don't disagree with you, but I think the op has stated he wants a new smaller engined car regardless of what others have said, which is up to him really I suppose.

Stanford · 13 Apr 2007 at 23:23

It is, of course, his choice. But (and pardon my French) he'll do his ******** on a Fiesta bought for £5k.

djjuk · 13 Apr 2007 at 23:38

mysticsniper said:
Your not gonna convince me, and I will still be buying a new car, as I want one.

New car syndrome

Always easy to think of 'good' reasons why it must be done when that hits

[TW]Fox · 14 Apr 2007 at 00:17

mysticsniper said:
Your not gonna convince me, and I will still be buying a new car, as I want one

Thats good, but get a proper car not a learner car with a tiddly engine

Mon · 14 Apr 2007 at 00:22

As other have said you should get a bigger car and save the outlay on the car itself.

Spend about a grand on a 2 litre car, save the reset in fuel and have a car that doesn't have to be highly reved to leave the car park.

Surely you don't want to be seen at the golf course with a fiesta?

[TW]Fox · 14 Apr 2007 at 00:28

Surely you'd rather be seen at the Golf course in a nice Lexus..

Although perhaps you might chose to waft to the Golf course in a 2002 Jaguar X-Type?

Perhaps something more Sporting, like a BMW 323Ci Coupe? Plenty of room for those clubs..

Or you could chose a diesel powered Ford Fiesta. The choice for around £5k is yours but remember to make your choice based on whether you can save a tenner here and there on fuel

mysticsniper · 14 Apr 2007 at 00:52

[TW]Fox said:
Surely you'd rather be seen at the Golf course in a nice Lexus..

Although perhaps you might chose to waft to the Golf course in a 2002 Jaguar X-Type?

Perhaps something more Sporting, like a BMW 323Ci Coupe? Plenty of room for those clubs..

Or you could chose a diesel powered Ford Fiesta. The choice for around £5k is yours but remember to make your choice based on whether you can save a tenner here and there on fuel

Those are very nice cars, Are they within my price limit?