WhatswiththeR

iTrader: (1)

i got MB Quartz entry level 6.5" components to go into my car even though there entry level for MBs there still way better then middle to top spec components of other companys, such as pionner, sony, kenwood, fusion etc so yes i am happy that i got lower spec speakers

J4CKO

iTrader: (1)

Mate, the cars image is the least of your worries

J4CKO

iTrader: (1)

My usual rule of thumb with most things is, don't buy the cheapest in a range and don't buy the most expensive as the former is pared down to a price and the latter usually laden with crap you don't need, doesnt always apply but its usually true.

Some people arent all that bothered, a 318 provides enough performance in that it will do the motorway limit, accelerate enough to keep up with traffic and even overtake, is comfy enough, safe enough, looks unobtrusive, is ok on fuel, it does its job, you cant really tar all drivers of boggo spec cars as tossers yearning for somethign a few rungs up, a lot are but a lot just dont care, the dont need 350 bhp, few of us do really.

We arent a representative section of society on here, car people do tend to be snobbish about low end models and build up halo models as being some kind of holy grail, for most people a Lancia Delta Integrale or Escort Cosworth is a chavvy old box, an M5 makes them queasy when it accerates, an RS4 sets their teeth on edge.

I think sometimes we put up with discomfort, extreme expense and looking like tools in the pursuit of performance and perhaps the wannabes put up with the expense by buying the blingy versions, there are different motivations and to be honest neither mentioned are any more noble.

WhatswiththeR

iTrader: (1)

thats sooo true my old boss' accountant had a seirra cosworth years ago when they just came out. she hated it, having to warm it up, then leave it running to warm it down all while trying to do the school run. so one day she traded it in for a 1.0 micra. needless to say her husband wasn't happy lol she now drives a honda cr-v and has still got said micra

Simon 69

I bought a D&G suit once, but it wasnt great.

paulr

I've had a 316 compact for 6 years. I bought it because my brother had a 320 for 8 years, did over 200k and i was impressed with the reliability. Mine has never let me down, and does nearly 40mpg. It was an upgrade from a 1.4 Astra. Use it for getting to work. I bought it for practical reasons, cost and reliability and previous to the Astra i had two (rusty) escorts. I saw it as a better quality Escort/ Astra.

JamJay

If I was going to spend that kind of money on anything, i'd just as sooner go the whole hog. What's 33k when you've already got £135k handy...unless you don't have the extra £33k, then best get saving!

Matteeboy

"Bargain basement Ferrari" -

Best sentence on SN for ages.

orbix

I always try and buy the best item for my budget regardless of make.
You won't find many premium brands in my house for this reason.

If you regard Denon as a premium brand then i did buy a cheap AV receiver, i'm sure if i took the majority advise from AV forum i should have bought decent second hand one instead.
But it does the job and i'm happy with it.

Oh 2 weeks ago i bought the cheapest Harmony remote and i'm well happy with that, the best thing i've bought this year by far.

ALi-B

iTrader: (1)

We have a bog standard spec MKIV 1.6 Golf at work for a runabout.

It is without doubt the most horrible car I've driven- and I've driven some sheds in my lifetime, there is no redeming factor in the driving experience it provides with the added fact the new RRP price of this car was considerably more than a better speced same year Focus which also drives better, more roomy inside and not really any less reliable.

I really struggle to understand why someone would have paid the extra to have this car over a lesser branded derivative like a Fabia or Leon, which in basic form offers the very same dull experience but at a lower price.

And I'm not being snobbish as this is coming from someone who used to drive a 1984 Polo and 1986 Nissan Sunny everyday.

And don't start me on 3 series BMWs. The only time they makes sense to me is in high spec 330, M3/CSL or 330d/335d versions. Otherwise its a bland, uncomfy (standard seats), cramped, not very practical commuter car, that isn't the cheapeast to run or maintain. Admittedly they are the only cars out there that actually still have a bit feel through the steering, but I doubt thats any particular reason for buying a 318 over a better specced and cheaper Mondeo.

And this is from someone who still has a 325SE touring used for dragging shyte as its teh only thing I have with a tow hitch at the moment (and even then the rated towing weight is somewhat restrictive).

LG John

The steering in the Mondeo is far more alive (and not just because their is power through it) than a 3-series

Where the 3-series, and indeed Mercs, score highly for me is RWD. If Ford and Vaxhaul moved back to an FR platform I think they'd give the 3-series much more to worry about.

Devildog

Kenny,

By alive I assume you mean "corrupted"?

I appear to differ with some of the folk on here. My view is often to buy the lower specced version of the highest quality product, rather than the higher specced version of the lower quality product.

But then I'm not a bling kind of person.

Devildog

Ali,

Whilst the Golf may be "premium" in terms of cost, the whole VW quaility thing is a misnomer for me. Perception, not reality.

There are better quality but cheaper cars in that sector.

Which highlights the difference between a quality product and something simply perceived as a quality product.

Coffin Dodger

Got a Passat 1.8S for my daily runabout so pretty much bottom of the Passat range. Wouldn't have been my first choice but needed something in a hurry (totalled previous car and no second car at the time ). Quite pleased with it to be honest. Comfortable for long cruises, has all the bits I need - ie. climate control and a decent radio, economical too.

As above though not sure if VW is a premium brand or not

Matteeboy

I used to have brand blindness then I had to replace my R32 urgently (constant vandalism) and tested the usual suspects - BMW, Audi and VW.

The Audi and VWs I tested (diesel estates) left me cold - poor handling, no feedback in the steering, daft pricing. The BMW wasn't bad but offered very little advantage over the others -a bit quicker but it weighed more than a large container ship.

So tried "peasant" brands - Ford and Vauxhall. I was shocked at how much better they handled and how lively they felt - so I went for a Poxhall. Still got it and still rate it very highly.

Gear Head

iTrader: (2)

I used to have a golf mk4 1.6se. Now have a focus 1.8 zetec and it is so much better to drive. It will take one fat pay cheque or something to go seriously wrong with it to make me chage automobiles for some time!

Devildog

Matt,

Whilst I agree with you entirely that the Astras/Focuses are as good (and better to drive) than the Golf equivalents, its quite sad that you would potentialy overlook the best car in its class by a country mile because of "image"

Its like inverted snobbery with you.

Its not the car that makes the ****...

ALi-B

iTrader: (1)

I was dragged round the electrical store in search of a new washing machine as the old Slovenian manufactured Gorenje is about to throw a bearing (sounds like a high speed train ) and I can't source replacement parts:


Amongst a huge line up, we were faced with several brands that appealed to us:

Bosch
Siemens
Balay (who? Spanish brand)

about €30-50 between each model of the same spec.

Guess what? All three machines were actually the very same machine, barring the badge and visual controls: same drum, same door, same drawer, same pump acess cover. And no doubt the same motor and electronics underneath. Yet one carries a €50 excess due to its badge (Bosch, incase you didn't guess ).

Simon 69

Only the top Bosch models are actually better and made in Germany. Many are made in a generic washing machine factory in Spain.....

Jamescsti

I currently drive a MG ZT 120, bought it 2 1/2 years ago so MG Rover was gone before I even bought it, it's the smallest engine but I like driving it, it's never let me down (touch wood) and at the time I needed an economical car as I was buying my first house.

Pretty much bottom of the range as ZT's go but I still love the look of it.

ALi-B

iTrader: (1)

Exactly, by buying a basic Bosch machine, there is little if any gain over the Balay.

Incidentally, I noted that the fridge/freezers are the same too.

LG John

No, not necessarily corrupted...that's why I wrote what I wrote in the brackets. Obviously, you can feel the power acting through the front and that detracts from the experience. However, on turn in and during cornering there is better weighting and a more accurate feedback than a 3-series (inc e46 M3). It steers and turns in a lot like the Puma which is quite an achievement considering the car is 50% heavier! The steering in a 3-series is no great benchmark for comparison though!

astraboy

maybe
astraboy.

Matteeboy

It's not a deal breaker, just an issue to overcome.

Deep Singh

I have never seen the point in owning a 318, MB C180, 1.6 audi A4, porsche cockster etc etc.

Its only worth spending the money if you can afford one of the models that has kudos, is not so common and a hoot to drive.

If not, bank the money and get a decent ford. At least you won't look like a wannabe.

Petem95

About 4-5 years ago I had a 2002 2.0 SE Audi A4, so pretty low-end model, and it was one of the best cars I've ever owned, and I wish I hadn't sold it. I've had other Audi's since which have been nothing but trouble and have hammered me on depreciation.

Some of the low-end models make sense IMO. Look at models like the new BMW 316d. It still a 2.0 litre engine and does 0-60 in 10seconds (which is enough for normal driving), returns a stunning 64mpg average, road tax of £35. You could pay £15k more for a 335d and get the same car with a more powerful engine, but if you aren't really interested in the extra acceleration, why bother?

Go back 10 years and yes it was stupid to buy a low-end premium brand with an underpowered engine and wheel-trims, but now I think it makes a lot of sense.

Jamz3k

i bought my car last year its a 2001 Alfa Romeo 147 Lusso last year for under £3k and i love it although its the top spec in terms of gizmo's, cruise control, 6disc cd, satnav, dual climate control and has a leather interior but it has the second to last least powerful engine which narks me a little when I could have got a 2.0 150bhp version for almost the same price but Norn Iron choice can sometimes be limited.

My friend bought a year before that a 2002 BMW 318Ci for around 10k maybe more it was a bit of a sore subject he avoided. It has cloth seats and a tape deck. No toys, no armrests, nothing! When I bought my car he was actually jealous sitting in it because it is such a nice place to be.

For this reason I really don't see the point in low spec, high price BMW's because his is dull as dishwater and the interior looks like something out of the 80's........and its been as reliable as my car, which is not reliable at all

Sonic'

I took a look at a 360 Spyder in Blackburn today, and to be honest I wasnt impressed close up

I do have a bit of a soft spot for them but that one today did look bad