CMGraphix's New Car

Right after many months of car repair after car repair, one being a new alternator this Friday, I have decided after 7 years to get a new car, but I'm undecided what to get this time, so I'm asking the community for your opinions.

As with anything with TORA, I have a few rules.
- No French Cars
- Hatchback preferable
- Budget of £2500-£3000 (so 2nd hand basically)
- not over 80,000 miles
- Something "sporty" yet not costing a bomb in terms of tax and petrol (1.4l?)

Favourite so far:

Get the Honda!!!!
Had one myself for about two years as my first car and it is bloomin awesome. The only issue I had with mine was tyres. It was fitted with Bridgestone Potenzas and the compound is so soft I was gettign through fronts like there was no tomorrow.
Deffo go for the 3 door and ideally the Type S or R if you can. If you want to go for smaller engines, then my mum ran the SE Executive version of the same car and it was equally well equipped but was a 1.6. Went really well and was as good to drive as my R.

Yea, I'm looking for something which doesn't drink petrol, or high on road tax so keeping options open.

Current figure on current car - http://www.parkers.co.uk/

36mpg
£121 6 months car tax
0-60 (ITS IMPORTANT!) - 11.1secs
BHP 90
1.6l

I just bought a Golf GTI, getting it on Tuesday :p

Heaps of cars out, if I spot anything good I'll let you know.

What about an Feista ST?

Hmmmm, difficult.

Only had a quick look. Not looked into any details of tax and such. I know you don't want anything over 80k miles, but when it's German I don't think that makes much of a difference as they run forever.

All under £3k.

Honda Accord Mk6 03 - http://classifieds.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/honda/accord/honda-accord-mk6-vtec-se-2003/867092

Toyota Celica Mk7 05 - http://classifieds.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/toyota/celica/toyota-celica-mk7-vvti-2005/838527

Lexus IS200 00 - http://classifieds.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/lexus/is/is-saloon-200-2-0-sport/895838

Audi S3 01 - http://classifieds.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/audi/s3/audi-s3-quattro--rare-scuderia-red/887707

Audi TT 01 - http://classifieds.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/audi/tt-mk1-99-06/audi-tt-quattro-225bhp-2001/846891

Mazda RX-8 05 - http://classifieds.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/mazda/rx-8/2005-mazda-rx-8-2-6-192ps-4d-189-bhp/868951

Honda Civic S Sport 05 - http://classifieds.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/honda/civic/honda-civic-1-6-v-tec-sport--facelift/860448

MINI Cooper 02 - http://classifieds.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/mini/cooper/mini-cooper-2002-69-000-miles-new-mot/863157

VW Bora 04 - http://classifieds.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/volkswagen/bora/volkswagen-bora-1-6-highline-4dr-auto/749405

Hyundai Coupe 03 - http://classifieds.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/hyundai/coupe/hyundai-coupe-gk-v6-53-2003/850889

VW Golf Mk4 GTI 03 - http://classifieds.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/volkswagen/golf-gti-mk3-mk4/volkswagen-golf-mk4-gti-2003/887784

BMW 318 03 - http://classifieds.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/bmw/e46-3-series-98-06/bmw-3-series-e46-318ci-se-2003-facelift/885773

Toyota MR2 Mk3 04 - http://classifieds.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/toyota/mr2/toyota-mr2-mk3-roadster-2004-hardtop/891353

Don't underrate the Skoda Fabia either. Quick cars, and as well built as the VW their based on

Couple of steals in there, some I wouldn't mind trading my car in for and making some money

Unless you have disposable income, avoid the Type-R. It's very hard to live with on a day to day basis as a main car, as it is very thirsty, costs a few bob to tax and insure, and the ride is back-breaking. Fun, but everyone I know that's had one has moved on quickly due to running costs.

That's the reason I went for the 1.8 Civic Sport. I needed something practical, cheap to run, and would still be fun to drive. The VTEC engine has relatively low emissions, thanks to the economy valves it runs at low revs, so it is cheaper to tax than the missus' 1.6 Suzuki Liana hatch. Insurance was reasonable too as it isn't classed as a high risk theft or hot hatch, but still get about 150bhp and variabe valve timing so it's a lot of fun to drive, and the thick tyres grip and grip and grip.

Get a Honda, but beware the Type-R.

DO NOT consider the 2001AudiTT! I've had mine since2003 and I love it but it's expensive to repair,the 225 HP torso version requires premium petrol and even changing the oil is a pain in the buttocks. Had to change the alternator last year and even though I'm mechanically inclined and have all the proper tools, it took me almost 6 hours to change it out. It's a love/hate situation with this vehicle.

I have seen a few BMW 318s around, and surprisingly enough the road tax is cheaper than my Xsara!!

But as Dewey said for the Audi TT, german car parts can be expensive. I know they will break down less often, but when they do go, its a dent creator, hence thinking Japanese.

ckBrenneke wrote:Unless you have disposable income, avoid the Type-R. It's very hard to live with on a day to day basis as a main car, as it is very thirsty, costs a few bob to tax and insure, and the ride is back-breaking. Fun, but everyone I know that's had one has moved on quickly due to running costs.

That's the reason I went for the 1.8 Civic Sport. I needed something practical, cheap to run, and would still be fun to drive. The VTEC engine has relatively low emissions, thanks to the economy valves it runs at low revs, so it is cheaper to tax than the missus' 1.6 Suzuki Liana hatch. Insurance was reasonable too as it isn't classed as a high risk theft or hot hatch, but still get about 150bhp and variabe valve timing so it's a lot of fun to drive, and the thick tyres grip and grip and grip.

Get a Honda, but beware the Type-R.

Exactly my thinking. I was even considering the 1.4i S, simply for something brisk but cheaper than the Type-R. 0-60 is only 1 second longer then the Type-R for a 1.4!!

I'm currently looking at the Veloster myself... or the CRZ. Want something newer with low emissions and lower tax.

Agree about the tyres - mine had two new tyres at the start of the year, and they are looking rather second hand now, although still street legal by far. The car squirms in the wet, and the traction control light flickers like mad when I hammer it round the ring road at Prestwick Airport on the way home, but frankly, holding on to that while it is doing that is half the fun!

The coast road from Exmouth to Lyme Regis was excellent in the Honda. Miss it lots!
Scot, did you have the Bridgys on yours?

Goodyear optigrips 225-45-17s.

Back end is planted, even in the wet, it's the fronts under hard acceleration - VTEC kicks in around 3000 revs on the 1.8, IIRC - that just skitter on wet surfaces. In the dry, as I said above, grip grip grip.

i saw Richy mention an add for the IS200. I have a 2004 IS300, of course the same car but just wanted to say its a fun, reliable, sporty but good on gas and an affordable car. But i know your looking for a hatch and i'm not a hatch fun haha but i hope you get the car you want...

Next year i will be getting this...

Is there any reason for wanting a hatchback, such as to have a more compact car, or would a something bigger be considered too?


I wouldn't worry too much about the pure mileage on the clock. A car that has covered a low mileage may be more worn out because it has never been allowed to warm up fully on each journey.

You should look more at at items that commonly need replacing and check the service history to see if they have been done recently so you won't need to cover those costs.


If you compare THIS 1.6 Civic with its facts and figures HERE against THIS 320D with its facts and figures HERE you'll see there's very little to choose between them.

The main difference is going to be insurance but the BMW is more economical and faster despite being both bigger and sipping from the black pump. They are even in the same tax band. Fuel costs would be ~5% higher for the BMW but it is ~15% more efficient.

Diesels tend to hold their residuals better than petrols, but it takes a long time for that to come back to you in terms of saving at the pump.

ckBrenneke wrote:Diesels tend to hold their residuals better than petrols, but it takes a long time for that to come back to you in terms of saving at the pump.

Tottaly agree Simon, maybe miss a petrol your going get wacked year after year co2 emissions decent desiel set you back 3K 4 years drive it into ground im eyeing up a golf or skoda diesel next year

ckBrenneke wrote:Diesels tend to hold their residuals better than petrols, but it takes a long time for that to come back to you in terms of saving at the pump.

If you're buying brand new out of a dealership then without a doubt yes but when looking at the second hand market, the diesel premium minimises with age. If you are spending the same amount on a petrol car vs. a diesel car then the more efficient one will start saving you money straight away, especially if they are in the same tax bracket, because there is nothing to offset.

Just thought I'd compare the Civic to the 320D to mix things up a bit.

Going by my own experience of when I got my Civic, I looked at the 2.2 diesel compared to the 1.8 petrol. For an equivalent spec diesel, with the same mileage (28,000), I was looking at least £800-£1000 more. To get one on a similar price (£8000), the mileage was in excess of 40,000 on the diesel.

In the end, I preferred the NA petrol engine, so went with that.

Late to this conversation but let's see if I can help:

It might be a sore spot with you guys over in Europe but what about the Fiat 500? If you get a decent version (not base) you could probably find one for that price, no? That 1.4l has got some spunk. Plus it's actually quite roomy on the inside. I sat in one at an autoshow last year and I was thinking "my god I'm gonna feel like a canned sardine" but I got in and I felt the opposite even ky uncle who is 6' 4" got in and didn't feel cramped. No real room in the back seat tho, that's the only issue, although I guess you guys are used to that in Europe. Plus if you want to get some good quality performance parts down the road, you could hop over to you nearest Chrysler dealership and put in some orders thru Mopar.

My other recommendations would be the golf and the fabia, as my family (here and in Hungary) have owned both and they are quite pleasant. I have no objections with vw products....except the Veyron.

The Fiat 500 new version still is coming in at £7-8000 second hand so not affordable for my budget. I did have a looksie though.

The hatchback question, mainly as I prefer the look of most hatchbacks, however I have eyed up a couple of BMW 318i's. Again it seems that yes Diesel is better economy but on the newer cars, and I don't think my budget would stretch to get such a car.

hmmm Simon depends on this
-

have you got cash to spend on service MOT Petrol while doing short journeys of yes small hot hatch around what you told me civic etc

if doing long journeys dont wana fork out road tax, mot & huge service bill then get a 2nd hand diesel

dont think about value when come sale 2nd hand cars which people never seem to get run them into the ground use them

Sad as maybe, I have created a Google Doc on the options;



The Red is my current car, and green seems to be favourite at the moment. If there are any cars I should add to this list, or factors to consider then do let me know!