New Car Advice Please

[Mr Red Barron]

Faithful ph'ers of the southwest.

I need your help please in choosing our new car. Basically, as the Lotus is getting no use and the focus is a depressing car to drive back and forth to work everyday, we've decided that we're going to get rid of both to get one decent car to share between us. I had the same problem when I had the Monaro.....it just wasn't getting enough use.

So what we're looking for is either a 4x4, a crossover or an estate. Under 40,000 miles, no more than 5 years old, diesel and has to have a lot of toys (i.e. cruise control, air con etc.) and to spend no more than £14,000.

These are what we are considering at the moment.

Mitsibushi Outlander
BMW X3
BMW E90 3 Series Estate
Skoda Octavia VRS Estate

Any suggestions or reviews would be greatly appreciated!!

[Vidal Baboon]

All Road with a V6 Diesel
High miles but still perfectly capable. My BIL has one with similar miles & never goes wrong
Forrester STi
http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/2254292.htm
Legacy Outback
http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/1655055.htm
Mazda CX-7
http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/2029466.htm

All the above would be a nice all rounder, something good to drive whilst being able to do everyday tasks.

If you can swallow the fuel bill, I'd go for either the Forrester or CX-7.

Edited by Vidal Baboon on Friday 3rd December 11:36

[DKL]

Would agree with the Forester STI or a late model Impreza estate. Not diesel mind.

http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/2271717.htm

Edited by DKL on Friday 3rd December 12:34

[White Lightning]

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2010...

Stylish, well equipped, and still very new so plenty of warranty. Good engine with decent power as well.

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2010...

This Audi is beyond reproach!! Lovely car

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2010...

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2010...

Or this for some 4WD tomfoolery.

[Stubby Pete]

How about a Jag X-Type estate? Your budget would get you a good one.
Maybe a C Class Merc Estate?


I'd stay clear of pseudo off-roaders. Just expensive high estates. Either an estate or a proper 4x4 (Range Rover, Landcruiser or maybe X5 etc)

[White Lightning]

Yeah as above really.......please dont do a gay 'soft' roader. (although granted a nissan x trail is very close to that description) lol.

[Vidal Baboon]

Adam, for the love of God stay away from the Passats & A4s with the 2.0TDi (Outlander uses the same engine). They are the biggest pile of ste going*. Especially if you get unlucky and get one with a chain driven oil pump.

I've got rust bubbling through the paint on my 56 plate Passat TDi.

I wouldn't sell it to my mother.


BMW 330d Touring, or if you can stretch Alpina D3 Touring. Job Jobbed!

• slight exaggeration- read my profile if you want to see what's gone wrong with mine in the last year.

[xkrGiles]

I have some contacts, so let me throw something left-wing into the mix

CITROEN C5 2.0Hdi 160Hp Tourer Exclusive

All the toys, superb ride & build quality to rival the germans. Now a couple months ago i could of got a new one for you at £16k instead of £24k RRP, however the deals come & go.

Could probably find a 10 plate one with 10k on the clock for £14k or there are other deals available.

Anyway, let me know if your seriously interested & dont dismiss it straight away. I have had 4 of them & done 20,000 miles in each within 6 months, never missed a beat, not a single issue.

I know, I know......not very PH

Edited by xkrGiles on Friday 3rd December 20:26

[Pulse]

I know this isn't exactly answering the question, but be careful you don't just buy something for £14k that is JUST as boring as the Focus. Most of the cars mentioned will no doubt bore you to tears!!

Could you not maybe consider something like a new BMW where at least the petrol versions are excellent and give good MPG?

[Mr Red Barron]

Funny you should mention that Pulse......just come back from car shopping all day and have put a deposit down on a lovely 56 reg BMW 320d. Part exchanging the focus for it and come the spring i'll sell the Lotus and use that money straight onto the finance.

Think we got a bargain to be honest, 42,000 miles, se spec with extras (no i-drive unfortunatly) for under 12 grand. Considering we were looking at audi a4's for that price around the 80,000 mile mark i think we've done alright!!

Thanks for all the advice everyone, most appreciated!

[Pulse]

Nice one! The 20d is 170bhp isn't it? Enough poke to be fun! Will you be bringing it to any PH meets?

[Mr Red Barron]

Pulse said:

Nice one! The 20d is 170bhp isn't it? Enough poke to be fun! Will you be bringing it to any PH meets?

163bhp I think, but yeah, i'll be coming to meets still. Depending on how long it'll take me to sell the lotus i'll either be in that or this. Just got to figure out where and what colour smilie to put on the beemer now!

[Pulse]

Yeah, that's the one! My friend has a 120d and another with a 520d and both are quick!!!

If I get my new car I'll set up another meet!

[Mr Red Barron]

Pulse said:

Yeah, that's the one! My friend has a 120d and another with a 520d and both are quick!!!

If I get my new car I'll set up another meet!

oooooh, do tell...........what are you getting?

[Pulse]

All being well, a 350Z! Hoping it'll be a good replacement for the old Z!

[Mr Red Barron]

Pulse said:

All being well, a 350Z! Hoping it'll be a good replacement for the old Z!

Fancy a nice S2 elise?

[Stubby Pete]

Mr Red Barron said:

Pulse said:

All being well, a 350Z! Hoping it'll be a good replacement for the old Z!

Fancy a nice S2 elise?

Yes please!
Oh you want to sell it not just give it away. Never mind, I'll keep saving!

[Pulse]

An Elise is on my 'must own' list!