One thing I keep harping on about, as car nuts frequently do, it buying a new car. I have in mind a budget, I have the finance available should I take the plunge and I have my old car paid off and ready to go in as part exchange (not that I’m expecting very much from it mind). So what’s stopping me?
How do you decide on a vehicle?
The biggest stopping point I have is just not having a concept of what I want, or really what I need it for. I have my motorbike for riding to work and for a bit of fun, though I do take the car too depending on how much I’m lugging about. So, a few miles there and back. Well, any car could cope with that. CO2 emissions? Well, I don’t want to pay £400 for the year so that appears to rule out many slightly older top end performance models. A large car? I probably wouldn’t want too big a car, I am impatient at parking at the best of times.
How much should I spend?
Well, this would be an easier decision to make if I knew exactly which car I was actually going to go for. But I’m thinking around the £6,000-8,000 mark. I was beginning to think that a 2.0 TDI model would suit, perhaps of a Ford Focus or some sort of SEAT, but will it be enough power? Well, that sort of engine should return around 150bhp and a decent wedge of torque. Practical too. But, is it ‘special’ enough?
What I really want
My current car is a decent runabout, but nothing more could be said for it. It’s been used as a workhorse and it has covered a lot of miles. I’d like my next motor to be a little bit more special, but with reasonable economy and practicality. Given these criteria, what do you think I should go for? Here’s a few options I’ve been looking at:
1. Ford Focus 2.0 litre diesel
2. SEAT 2.0 litre diesel
3. Previous generation VW Polo GTi
4. Peugeot 307 CC
5. Renaultsport Clio 182
6. Renaultsport Megane 225
7. Lexus IS200
8. Mazda 6 MPS
9. Alfa Romeo GT
10. Subaru Impreza WRX
11. VW Golf GT
12. Honda Civic Type R (Old shape)
13. BMW 3 series
14. Audi A3
If you have any thoughts or suggestions on this ecclectic collection of cars and how I can narrow my choice down, please do let me know!
My biased view would edit it down to:
1. Ford Focus 2.0 litre diesel
2. SEAT 2.0 litre diesel
7. Lexus IS200
8. Mazda 6 MPS
10. Subaru Impreza WRX
11. VW Golf GT
12. Honda Civic Type R (Old shape)
Stay away from the 2.0-litre diesel in the Focus – it’s unrefined and shows off its Transit origins. The 1.6 TDCi is much better – less grunt but is quieter and will do 60mpg+.
Previous gen Polo GTI was a bit of a dog handling-wise and not worthy of the badge. Ibiza Cupra would be a better bet if you fancy something small from the VAG group.
My picks from your list would be:
1. Ford Focus diesel (1.6)
2. SEAT 2.0 litre diesel (in a Leon)
5. Renaultsport Clio 182 (so much entertainment and performance from such a little car)
Hi guys,
Thanks for the suggestions so far. I think I’m going to test drive a few, including the:
1) SEAT Leon (2.0 litre diesel)
2) Lexus IS 200
3) Subaru Impreza WRX
There’s a large multi-manufacturer car site not far away so who knows, there might be a hidden gem or two in there!
I’m going to be biased in my own way here. I would go for reliability as the main criterion. In doing so, this would have to see me go for a German marque / car. I would also recommend a SEAT also at the wild card.
I would go for the Golf GT, doesn’t lose it’s price and usually reliable as well as good quality.