cars

[Rob]

Yes, that's right, cars. I'm thinking about buying a nwe one (NOT TO DRIVE AROUND ST ANDREWS IN). I'd like something quick, but not excessivly pricey. Any ideas?

[A66]

What's your budget?

[box_of_delights]

Your biggest cost is likely to be insurance if you're wanting a very quick car. It depends what you define as fast.

If you want some decent overtaking "pull" - i.e. torque then a turbo diesel is the way to go. Petrol cars without turbo or superchargers (i.e. the majority) may be fast in terms of top speed, but can't beat a turbo diesel for 'away from the lights' nippiness.

Assuming you don't want a tiny city car but don't need a large sedan, you'd do a lot worse than look at a Volkswagen Golf, Ford Focus, GM Astra or Renault Megane. All the above offer nippy 1.6 litre petrol engines which have roughly 110bhp - if you're wanting quicker then they go up roughly to 1.8, 2.0 etc. Diesel wise they all offer 'everyday' powerplants with outputs ranging from 85bhp-150bhp (even the lowest output will feel quicker than a petrol equivalent because of the turbo boost at low revs.

If you're looking second hand you'll be fine with the above. The Focus and Astra depreciate quite severely from new so only couple of year old examples are fairly achievable for under 10K. The Megane II and Golf have been around for a few years now (the former has just been facelifted and the Golf is due to be refreshed next year) so their prices have eased.

If you do want a smaller car, try a Fiesta (you could go for the RS model if you want a proper hot-hatch) or a Polo (again, the TDI models give you speed and SE trim and above will give you niceties like alloys, aircon etc.) The new Fiat Punto (called "Grande Punto" until next year) looks hot and has good engines plus will be quite cheap to insure.

[hr]

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[Rob]

aye, sorry, shold have said a bit more, oops. Am thiking around 10000 (been saving like fuck!). My dad had a TDi golf that i loved, so thinking baout that. Also thinking a clio 172/182 for smile on face factor. Also considering a civic type r. though insurance could kill that idea! Any thoughts on simmilar lines?

Quoting box_of_delights from 20:52, 22nd Dec 2006
Your biggest cost is likely to be insurance if you're wanting a very quick car. It depends what you define as fast.

If you want some decent overtaking "pull" - i.e. torque then a turbo diesel is the way to go. Petrol cars without turbo or superchargers (i.e. the majority) may be fast in terms of top speed, but can't beat a turbo diesel for 'away from the lights' nippiness.

Assuming you don't want a tiny city car but don't need a large sedan, you'd do a lot worse than look at a Volkswagen Golf, Ford Focus, GM Astra or Renault Megane. All the above offer nippy 1.6 litre petrol engines which have roughly 110bhp - if you're wanting quicker then they go up roughly to 1.8, 2.0 etc. Diesel wise they all offer 'everyday' powerplants with outputs ranging from 85bhp-150bhp (even the lowest output will feel quicker than a petrol equivalent because of the turbo boost at low revs.

If you're looking second hand you'll be fine with the above. The Focus and Astra depreciate quite severely from new so only couple of year old examples are fairly achievable for under 10K. The Megane II and Golf have been around for a few years now (the former has just been facelifted and the Golf is due to be refreshed next year) so their prices have eased.

If you do want a smaller car, try a Fiesta (you could go for the RS model if you want a proper hot-hatch) or a Polo (again, the TDI models give you speed and SE trim and above will give you niceties like alloys, aircon etc.) The new Fiat Punto (called "Grande Punto" until next year) looks hot and has good engines plus will be quite cheap to insure.

[hr]

http://standrews.facebook.com/profile.php?id=37101440

[box_of_delights]

The Clio 182 has just been replaced by the 192 (i.e. the HOT version of the new Clio III) but I'm not sure if it's in the dealers yet - and it's over 15K to buy new (I think).

If you're wanting the Clio II, then the 172 (pre-facelift) and 182 (post-facelift) are good buys but watch they haven't been thrashed.

Civic Type-R again a good car, but for the money you're looking at one a good three or four years old. Bear in mind they're launching an all new Type-R very soon based on the all new Civic.

How about a Mk4 Golf GTI with the TDi 150 engine? Pretty fast, but not the most scintillating drive. But you do get the image factor and a practical 5-seater.

Assuming you might want some warranty left, I'd consider a Clio or Fiesta and go see what dealers can offer you second hand. You may strike a deal and get a car with some original cover left. Otherwise, most dealers give you at least 12 months cover on second hand cars (Ford are unique in offering 2 years used car warranty) which will give peace of mind.

[hr]

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[Rob]

class - cheers. Have heard that the 150 bhp mk IV tdi has more problems than the 130bhp one. Also have heard the traction control cant hadle the torque fromt he 150 engine. Also have heard the seat leon could be a good call. the came car with a different badge. everyone's happy....

Got a few test drives lined up between shristmas and new year. sorted. I'm also nder the impression that this time of year is a bitch for dealers to sell cars. Could be on to a winner here....

Quoting box_of_delights from 21:06, 22nd Dec 2006
The Clio 182 has just been replaced by the 192 (i.e. the HOT version of the new Clio III) but I'm not sure if it's in the dealers yet - and it's over 15K to buy new (I think).

If you're wanting the Clio II, then the 172 (pre-facelift) and 182 (post-facelift) are good buys but watch they haven't been thrashed.

Civic Type-R again a good car, but for the money you're looking at one a good three or four years old. Bear in mind they're launching an all new Type-R very soon based on the all new Civic.

How about a Mk4 Golf GTI with the TDi 150 engine? Pretty fast, but not the most scintillating drive. But you do get the image factor and a practical 5-seater.

Assuming you might want some warranty left, I'd consider a Clio or Fiesta and go see what dealers can offer you second hand. You may strike a deal and get a car with some original cover left. Otherwise, most dealers give you at least 12 months cover on second hand cars (Ford are unique in offering 2 years used car warranty) which will give peace of mind.

[hr]

http://standrews.facebook.com/profile.php?id=37101440

[theyahyahyahs]

Quoting rob from 21:15, 22nd Dec 2006
class - cheers. Have heard that the 150 bhp mk IV tdi has more problems than the 130bhp one. Also have heard the traction control cant hadle the torque fromt he 150 engine. Also have heard the seat leon could be a good call. the came car with a different badge. everyone's happy....

Got a few test drives lined up between shristmas and new year. sorted. I'm also nder the impression that this time of year is a bitch for dealers to sell cars. Could be on to a winner here....

Quoting box_of_delights from 21:06, 22nd Dec 2006
The Clio 182 has just been replaced by the 192 (i.e. the HOT version of the new Clio III) but I'm not sure if it's in the dealers yet - and it's over 15K to buy new (I think).

If you're wanting the Clio II, then the 172 (pre-facelift) and 182 (post-facelift) are good buys but watch they haven't been thrashed.

Civic Type-R again a good car, but for the money you're looking at one a good three or four years old. Bear in mind they're launching an all new Type-R very soon based on the all new Civic.

How about a Mk4 Golf GTI with the TDi 150 engine? Pretty fast, but not the most scintillating drive. But you do get the image factor and a practical 5-seater.

Assuming you might want some warranty left, I'd consider a Clio or Fiesta and go see what dealers can offer you second hand. You may strike a deal and get a car with some original cover left. Otherwise, most dealers give you at least 12 months cover on second hand cars (Ford are unique in offering 2 years used car warranty) which will give peace of mind.

[hr]

http://standrews.facebook.com/profile.php?id=37101440

Brother Rob,

Won't you try an Audi A3? Great piece of kit and easy on the wallet too. Give it a go.

[Bizarre Atheist]

Alfa Romeo 147 T spark. 2.0 powaaah, Italian looks and finesse...granted you'll be back at the dealer every five minutes having something or other fiddled with. Buy a nearly-new second hand model as depreciation is just absurd on new Alfas.

You should also consider BMWs - a four year old 316 or 318 should fit inside your budget and insurance isn't as bad as you might think. DO NOT, however, buy a compact or a 1-series as you will be mistaken for a ladyboy hairdresser.

Then again, if I had 10 grand to spend on a car, I'd buy carS. A late 90s classic Mini for a couple of g's, a late 60s Land Rover for a grand or so, and a Mk2 MG Midget for about 3 grand. Probably still be enough change for a 5 year old Alfa 147... But that's just me.

Congrats on saving that much - I very much envy your buying power.

[hr]

http://www.race2paris.co.uk
http://standrews.facebook.com/group.php?gid=2204763785

[Bizarre Atheist]

Alfa Romeo 147 T spark. 2.0 powaaah, Italian looks and finesse...granted you'll be back at the dealer every five minutes having something or other fiddled with. Buy a nearly-new second hand model as depreciation is just absurd on new Alfas.

You should also consider BMWs - a four year old 316 or 318 should fit inside your budget and insurance isn't as bad as you might think. DO NOT, however, buy a compact or a 1-series as you will be mistaken for a ladyboy hairdresser.

Then again, if I had 10 grand to spend on a car, I'd buy carS. A late 90s classic Mini for a couple of g's, a late 60s Land Rover for a grand or so, and a Mk2 MG Midget for about 3 grand. Probably still be enough change for a 5 year old Alfa 147... But that's just me.

Congrats on saving that much - I very much envy your buying power.

[hr]

http://www.race2paris.co.uk
http://standrews.facebook.com/group.php?gid=2204763785

[Bizarre Atheist]

Alfa Romeo 147 T spark. 2.0 powaaah, Italian looks and finesse...granted you'll be back at the dealer every five minutes having something or other fiddled with. Buy a nearly-new second hand model as depreciation is just absurd on new Alfas.

You should also consider BMWs - a four year old 316 or 318 should fit inside your budget and insurance isn't as bad as you might think. DO NOT, however, buy a compact or a 1-series as you will be mistaken for a ladyboy hairdresser.

Then again, if I had 10 grand to spend on a car, I'd buy carS. A late 90s classic Mini for a couple of g's, a late 60s Land Rover for a grand or so, and a Mk2 MG Midget for about 3 grand. Probably still be enough change for a 5 year old Alfa 147... But that's just me.

Congrats on saving that much - I very much envy your buying power.

[hr]

http://www.race2paris.co.uk
http://standrews.facebook.com/group.php?gid=2204763785

[thebrookster]

If you are looking for something fast, I would also recommend looking at the safety records of various models. I happen to know that VW are pretty good, however you do not want a car that will crumple at the slightest thought of a crash!! (I can recommend VW, as my 20 year old Polo has recently saved my life in a front end smash with a lorry. Very dead Polo, but I am still here.)

[Rob]

Quoting theyahyahyahs from 21:40, 22nd Dec 2006

Brother Rob,

Won't you try an Audi A3? Great piece of kit and easy on the wallet too. Give it a go.

Ah....thing is, is that i'd ideally want an S3. So if i got an A3 then i'd know that it's not what i'd really want. And an S3 is out of budget. Also, the most powerful tdi a3 is 130 bhp, the equivilant golf is 150.

A good shout though, and if one at the right proce turned up then wo knows what might happen...

If you are looking for something fast, I would also recommend looking at the safety records of various models. I happen to know that VW are pretty good, however you do not want a car that will crumple at the slightest thought of a crash!! (I can recommend VW, as my 20 year old Polo has recently saved my life in a front end smash with a lorry. Very dead Polo, but I am still here.)

this is a well good call - am looking for something pretty solid.

Then again, if I had 10 grand to spend on a car, I'd buy carS. A late 90s classic Mini for a couple of g's, a late 60s Land Rover for a grand or so, and a Mk2 MG Midget for about 3 grand. Probably still be enough change for a 5 year old Alfa 147... But that's just me.

This is valid. I'd love an alfa GTV, though to keep it running would require a budget from the government. Ont he carS theme, i'm 6" 4 so old minis are out as are midgets. Already got an old 70's landrover too

Cheers everyone....off for a few test drives next week!