Toonman1

Yes, each to his (or her) own. Some think it's a wonderful car, but I've got high standards - like I expect to get to my destination without a car breaking down...

GTI

New Megane, luvley juberly 2.0 maybe 1.6 because quite puncy so i here - 1.9 DCi very good!
Nice and comfy and v. unrenault inside.
I liked it alot! Just get the 5 door!!!!

Toonman1

The styling's certainly grown on me; very individual.

Cheers

Ray_li

Its got a fat ar55 and I dont like fat ar55es in any form

Toonman1

You talking about the Megane, the Leon or something/one else Ray?

Cheers

def

New cars aint worked out all there niggley faults (that the manufacture normaly now about).
And all the other cars suggested seem abit slow to me clio yawn!
leon yawn! focus yawn!

Ray_li

Megane and women

Gary VR6

Get a Clio Cup. For £12k you'll be able to get one with the £695 climate control added in. Or get one that's 6 months old with 3000-5000 miles and pay £10000 for it as a private purchase. You can't dismiss this car because it's small - I've gone from a five door Golf VR6 to the Cup, and have a 4yr old son - the fun factor far far far outweighs the minor disadvantages of space. Drive it and you'll love it.

You might also love the surprising mpg: Example 1 - 35.2mpg over the 7000 miles in my cup, doing an average speed of about 35mph (I do lots of town driving with 70mile motorway blasts 2 or 3 times a week). Example 2 - 42.7mpg on a 650 mile motorway/A road roundtrip!! Ny Golf averaged 28, and I never managed more than 31 on any long distance journey; I believe the VAG 1.8 turbo engines return similar figures to the VR6.

Toonman1

I only got 26mpg from my Leon Cupra on Optimax - costs me £18 per month more to fuel my 02 WRXC PPP... No big deal and no big savings either.

Ray_li

Toonman1

26MPG. lol You're a College Lecturer, you're not supposed to have fun.
Im guessing ya the coolest tech at college with a scooby and all the other theachers drive a Volvo.

Toonman1

Wife's got a Scoob too Ray - she's a Primary School Teacher...

Cheers!

Ray_li

You sound like a science, Design or art teacher.
Aslong as ya not a maths, english or history teacher its ok.

Ray

Dont teachers get **** money? how can you both have a scooby?

IwantAscoob

how can you spend 12k on a seat ?, do me a favour, get a 5 grand fiat coupe 20vt and enjoy yourself.

TurboBoost

Every so often I do get tempted by the Coupe 20VT, until I realise its a FIAT and I start nervously shaking and fitting when I think of the dealerships my parents used to go to when they had FIATS. They are cheap though and can get to 100mph quicker than you can say "anti perforation warranty" & "electrical gremlins", or 150mph before you can say "Luigi must have been pissed the day that was built".

Toonman1

Ray

I'm Head of Photography, Digital Imaging and eMedia.

Cheers

Toonman1

No way! Tried one back in '96. Dreadful driving position (typically Italianate and way too cramped for me), tippy toe handling, awful build quality, and it'd mean being exposed to the Fiat dealer network. I didn't want one new - I certainly wouldn't want one that's 6+ years old.

Cheers

Ray_li

I dont like the fiat coupe 20vt.
Maybe I should save up alittle longer to widen my range.

Toonman.

I didn meadia studies at college. What a waste of 2 years. Ya not one of these male teachers that all the girls fancy are you with long hair?

MGJohn

Ray_Li

Before parting with any hard earned, do try a MGZS 180 or if you need smaller, a ZS120 or a ZR. Forget what you may have read elsewhere about these MG Zeds. Rely on your own judgement after driving some, not what a friend of a friend thinks he read someplace .... That V6 is a joy to use. You may like it. Shop around. New ZS180s with up to around 20% discount schemes would be near your upper limit whilst older used are available for under 10K now. ZS120s well within you limits, new or higher spec used.. ZRs even less pricey. These prices with no part exchange discounted deals.

If you plan to keep the car for a good few years, residuals with a well discounted up front new car will have much less impact than if you change your car frequently .....that's always costly irrespective of what car you buy.

If you do try a few Zeds (best to try several ...I did before buying) let us know what you think.

Toonman1

Don't think so Ray! No long hair either.

I don't however teach Media Studies. eMedia is Flash/Fireworks/Photoshop/Dreamweaver/Director etc The Photography is conventional and Digital.

Cheers

Mr Polka

10K will buy you a good Porsche 944 Turbo or a mint S2. These cars are very reliable, do 150mph and return circa 30mpg. They don't cost a bomb to service and are at the bottom of their depreciation curve.