Nice test for someone - car on a budget
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Nice test for someone - car on a budget
Some who frequent here may or may not know my car was hit by another car recently (10.02.11). As it was only a little runaround the engineer has called me today confirming that it's a write off.
So I need some ideas on a replacement and look to your guys for advice.
Criteria is as follows:
1. Budget is £1200 topps
2. Baby friendly (so 4-5 doors if poss)
3. I would like power steering but could live without it
4. Not too old, i.e. early 90s
5. Reliable, not to expensive to run, possibly fun? to drive
6. Insurance friendly
I know most requests like these usually have a bigger budget but this is all I would have
TIA
Andy
So I need some ideas on a replacement and look to your guys for advice.
Criteria is as follows:
1. Budget is £1200 topps
2. Baby friendly (so 4-5 doors if poss)
3. I would like power steering but could live without it
4. Not too old, i.e. early 90s
5. Reliable, not to expensive to run, possibly fun? to drive
6. Insurance friendly
I know most requests like these usually have a bigger budget but this is all I would have
TIA
Andy
#2
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Join me and buy an Alfa 147! One could defo be had for that money. Mine hasn't had any major faults other than those caused by abuse/neglect and a bit of bad luck.
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You wont get more car for the money AND compared to my mates A3 1.6 its a mecca of reliability/power/fun.
They are gay.
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Vectra B, you can get a 2.5 V6 GSI for around £1200.
And will satisfy all of your above.
Get a smaller engine for insurance if you want.
An example.
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/1999-VAUXHALL-...ht_1556wt_1139
And will satisfy all of your above.
Get a smaller engine for insurance if you want.
An example.
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/1999-VAUXHALL-...ht_1556wt_1139
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Seeing as you like ze french i give you the 306 cab
£1200 will buy a nice example
very cheap to run (1.8)& good fun in the summer & ok in the winter
wide opening doors easy access to the rear for a kids seat
this is mine 2001 bought for £1300 last year
£1200 will buy a nice example
very cheap to run (1.8)& good fun in the summer & ok in the winter
wide opening doors easy access to the rear for a kids seat
this is mine 2001 bought for £1300 last year
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Vectra B, you can get a 2.5 V6 GSI for around £1200.
And will satisfy all of your above.
Get a smaller engine for insurance if you want.
An example.
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/1999-VAUXHALL-...ht_1556wt_1139
And will satisfy all of your above.
Get a smaller engine for insurance if you want.
An example.
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/1999-VAUXHALL-...ht_1556wt_1139
The dullest steering of any car in history
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#17
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http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/2248316.htm
Cash and a winning smile?
Some JDM action?
http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/2481071.htm
Something from the fatherland with a stupid engine
http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/2505427.htm (I like this one - S4 without the blowers)
Cash and a winning smile?
Some JDM action?
http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/2481071.htm
Something from the fatherland with a stupid engine
http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/2505427.htm (I like this one - S4 without the blowers)
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You could save a bit and buy my lovely Audi
http://pistonheads.com/sales/2532741.htm
A bit of a service and some new rubbers here and there and for way less than a grand you can be motoring in 90's luxury!!!
http://pistonheads.com/sales/2532741.htm
A bit of a service and some new rubbers here and there and for way less than a grand you can be motoring in 90's luxury!!!
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I hate to admit it but I've been looking at Alpha 156's at work today
A contractor at work is a biiig enthusiast of the marque and has about 14 at home in a barn. He said a lot of the stuff you hear is simply from folk who have no first hand experience. I've never driven one but would like to own an Alpha for the character and noticed that you can get 4 door saloon/5 door estates to suit most my criteria? Any thoughts guys? Oh and thanks for the links to cars for sale
A contractor at work is a biiig enthusiast of the marque and has about 14 at home in a barn. He said a lot of the stuff you hear is simply from folk who have no first hand experience. I've never driven one but would like to own an Alpha for the character and noticed that you can get 4 door saloon/5 door estates to suit most my criteria? Any thoughts guys? Oh and thanks for the links to cars for sale
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Buy an alfa with your eyes wide open - not reliable and parts expensive, fun if a second car.
How about? http://www.parkers.co.uk/cars/review...98.aspx?page=6
surprisingly good fun if pushed and reliable as a Swiss watch (not a fake one)
I have a 2.0L Accord which has 170BHP it is lively and reasonably refined and never misses a beat. leather interior, climate control, heated electric seats and dirt cheap to buy
If not a civic will also fit the bill and they handle like a dream. 1.6 sohc vtec is 125 bhp and the 1.6 dohc vtec is 156bhp. both good on fuel and real sleepers.
why buy and early 90's car if you want reliability - the two do not go hand in hand unless looking towards Mercedes. Rust and electrical problems will plague pretty much any car which is 15-20 years old.
How about? http://www.parkers.co.uk/cars/review...98.aspx?page=6
surprisingly good fun if pushed and reliable as a Swiss watch (not a fake one)
I have a 2.0L Accord which has 170BHP it is lively and reasonably refined and never misses a beat. leather interior, climate control, heated electric seats and dirt cheap to buy
If not a civic will also fit the bill and they handle like a dream. 1.6 sohc vtec is 125 bhp and the 1.6 dohc vtec is 156bhp. both good on fuel and real sleepers.
why buy and early 90's car if you want reliability - the two do not go hand in hand unless looking towards Mercedes. Rust and electrical problems will plague pretty much any car which is 15-20 years old.
Last edited by The Zohan; 23 February 2011 at 05:58 PM.
#24
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Mate has a 156 with the big wing on it... mind he's an RAC patrolman so the reliability issues don't bother him. Its not been that bad actually but it isn't jap.
I'd look either Jap or dull - Mondeo, Vectra etc. Alternatively, think BMW or MB. You can pick up a 5 series or a C-Class for this money and chances are they'll still have a lot of service history and a low owners.
With a more prestige car it was screwed together better in the first place and people tend to keep them and carry onservicing them well after the usual 3 year warrenty is up (MB offer 30 year recovery through Mobilo if you keep up dealer services) so they tend to be better looked after than the average family wagon.
5t.
I'd look either Jap or dull - Mondeo, Vectra etc. Alternatively, think BMW or MB. You can pick up a 5 series or a C-Class for this money and chances are they'll still have a lot of service history and a low owners.
With a more prestige car it was screwed together better in the first place and people tend to keep them and carry onservicing them well after the usual 3 year warrenty is up (MB offer 30 year recovery through Mobilo if you keep up dealer services) so they tend to be better looked after than the average family wagon.
5t.
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Buy an alfa with your eyes wide open - not reliable and parts expensive, fun if a second car.
How about? http://www.parkers.co.uk/cars/review...98.aspx?page=6
surprisingly good fun if pushed and reliable as a Swiss watch (not a fake one)
I have a 2.0L Accord which has 170BHP it is lively and reasonably refined and never misses a beat. leather interior, climate control, heated electric seats and dirt cheap to buy
If not a civic will also fit the bill and they handle like a dream. 1.6 sohc vtec is 125 bhp and the 1.6 dohc vtec is 156bhp. both good on fuel and real sleepers.
why buy and early 90's car if you want reliability - the two do not go hand in hand unless looking towards Mercedes. Rust and electrical problems will plague pretty much any car which is 15-20 years old.
How about? http://www.parkers.co.uk/cars/review...98.aspx?page=6
surprisingly good fun if pushed and reliable as a Swiss watch (not a fake one)
I have a 2.0L Accord which has 170BHP it is lively and reasonably refined and never misses a beat. leather interior, climate control, heated electric seats and dirt cheap to buy
If not a civic will also fit the bill and they handle like a dream. 1.6 sohc vtec is 125 bhp and the 1.6 dohc vtec is 156bhp. both good on fuel and real sleepers.
why buy and early 90's car if you want reliability - the two do not go hand in hand unless looking towards Mercedes. Rust and electrical problems will plague pretty much any car which is 15-20 years old.
I'd prefer something made within the last 12-13 years.
One thing which I am concerned about is something that general insurers won't like. As I have this claim ongoing I dunno if I could swap back to Moley afterwards to get a good deal on anything even mildly performance. I have a feeling CIS would double/triple my policy if I turned up wanting a quote on a group 15 car for example, even though I have 4 years NCB.
Last edited by chocolate_o_brian; 23 February 2011 at 06:46 PM.
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Mate has a 156 with the big wing on it... mind he's an RAC patrolman so the reliability issues don't bother him. Its not been that bad actually but it isn't jap.
I'd look either Jap or dull - Mondeo, Vectra etc. Alternatively, think BMW or MB. You can pick up a 5 series or a C-Class for this money and chances are they'll still have a lot of service history and a low owners.
With a more prestige car it was screwed together better in the first place and people tend to keep them and carry onservicing them well after the usual 3 year warrenty is up (MB offer 30 year recovery through Mobilo if you keep up dealer services) so they tend to be better looked after than the average family wagon.
5t.
I'd look either Jap or dull - Mondeo, Vectra etc. Alternatively, think BMW or MB. You can pick up a 5 series or a C-Class for this money and chances are they'll still have a lot of service history and a low owners.
With a more prestige car it was screwed together better in the first place and people tend to keep them and carry onservicing them well after the usual 3 year warrenty is up (MB offer 30 year recovery through Mobilo if you keep up dealer services) so they tend to be better looked after than the average family wagon.
5t.
1. They usually cost a lot to bu new so would replacement parts be costly even when 10-15 years old?
2. The image that 10+ year old Beemers have, regardless of comment on here
3. I don't actually like Beemers for some reason, just not for me
Sorry, 3 points
#27
I used to have a Alfa 156 as a company car, 2 litre petrol, only issue I had was the Selespeed gearbox, the main issue was it either wouldn't go into reverse or would get stuck in reverse, only way to reset it was turn ignition off and on again, dealer couldn't sort it either, or could never recreate the problem
#28
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I used to have a Alfa 156 as a company car, 2 litre petrol, only issue I had was the Selespeed gearbox, the main issue was it either wouldn't go into reverse or would get stuck in reverse, only way to reset it was turn ignition off and on again, dealer couldn't sort it either, or could never recreate the problem
Go on COB, get that 156 bought, you won't regret it (you probably won't get to work either!)
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http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classifi...ge/3?logcode=p
Here ya go, you can get 2!
Or just one with a huge spec and lowish miles 10 years old. http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classifi...ge/4?logcode=p
Here ya go, you can get 2!
Or just one with a huge spec and lowish miles 10 years old. http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classifi...ge/4?logcode=p
Last edited by The Zohan; 23 February 2011 at 07:26 PM.