We need a new car, what should we buy??

[davidd]

The time has come for us to think about getting a proper car, thankfully I think I've talked my wife into keeping the Griff and changing her Saab turbo convertible.

We need 4 doors and a hatch or estate (two mental dogs to cart about).

It does not need to be overly sporty as we still have the Griff. However I'd rather not have something utterly tedious (but I don't want another car that spends a large part of it's life having petrol shoved into it).

And I don't want to spend more than 9k.

It needs to be comfy, easy to drive and have air con and nice seats!

I'm thinking of a Saab 9-3 or maybe a passat estate.

Anyone got any ideas (no a Cerbera is not an option)?

Thanks

D.

[Roadrunner]

Used Golf VR6 for that money. Solid, reliable, nippy, decent interior, understated, hold value well etc...

[pdavison]

What about a Subaru Impreza Wagon/Estate - quick, reliable, with lots of space and available for around the £9k mark.

Just a thought !

[plotloss]

There is but one choice!

Audi RS2

The only optional extra listed on the press pack was simply:

Labrador Sedatives

Matt.

[davidd]

They are all fine cars but I'd rather have something which is going to be a little more frugal.

Please try harder ;-)

[flasher]

I am going to duck now!!!

I would highly reccommend a Volvo S40 T4, or a Volvo V40 T4. We have an S40 as our second/first/sensible car and with all the leather/climate control etc.etc it is a great motor. Nothing like a Volvo at all in fact. They go forever, only need a service every 10K and are built like a brick s**house. IMO of course.

[davidd]

Volvo s40..hmm what would I get for 9k? How big is the estate?

[aovcerb]

davidd, how about a Landrover Discovery, I use this to transport the mutt family around, 1 x Labrador, 1 x physco Springer Spaniel and a Jack Russell the later being my partners. Saves the wear/tear, paw marks and chewed seats in my Cerb and being a TDi it is quite nippy with 34 mpg. Plus the added bonus is you can tow your TVR to track days and the way I drive put all the broken bits on the trailer and still get home.
Some pretty good ones about for 9k and loads of specialists to maintain and buy bits from though green wellies optional !

Edited by aovcerb on Tuesday 22 January 13:10

[rustoni]

quote:
There is but one choice!

Audi RS2

Audi RS2 for under 9k - That's wishful thinking!

[currymonster]

Dont laugh, but second hand newish Skodas make a very inexpensive and vfm alternative to the Passat. All VAG engines and build quality. If only you can get past that badge stigma. Alternatively, if u want frugality and size, try a big diesel Vauxhall estate... rwd and big enough to carry a small horse in comfort.

[davidd]

I had thought of a skoda however the comments from my wife led me to believe she was a against the idea ;-)

[davidd]

What about a seat leon, what are they like and will I get one for £9k ?

[yum]

Don't laugh, but I would echo the Discovery route. We also have one, along with the chimaera. plenty of room, and the ladies love the 'commanding' driving position. It is so unsporty that you won't compare its performance to the griff each time you drive it, which you would with a eurobox.

You could probably get a 1996/7 300tdi for £9k. they do approx 25-30mpg depending on how you drive them.

worth a test drive.

R

Edited by yum on Tuesday 22 January 13:46

[MattW]

How about trading in the dogs for a couple of Jack Russells and buying a diesel SMART!

Seriously though the following could be worth a punt:

306 Diesel Turbo S
Audi A3 TDI
Audi A4 Avant
Fiat Multipla (only joking )
Honda CRV
Jeep Cherokee 2.5 TD
MB A160
Mitsubshi Galant VR-4 Estate
Toyota Rav4
Vauxhall Omega Estate (2.0, 2.5, 3.0 or TD)
Volvo V40 TD
Volvo 850 (T5/TD)

As you can tell I'm a bit board at the mo!

Matt

[MattW]

Cheapest Seat Leon on the Autotrader site is £9,250 for a 2001 SDi with 11k on the clock.

Matt

[davidd]

306 Diesel Turbo S

DD says..My Dad had one, everytime I drove it my big feet made me nearly crash!

Audi A3 TDI
Small and expensive

Audi A4 Avant
Possible, good option (thats sort of where I was going wth the Passatt, thought I'd get better value with the Passatt).

Fiat Multipla (only joking )
It's such a good idea though...NOT!

Honda CRV
No, I think they are horrid.

Jeep Cherokee 2.5 TD
Very good idea, lot's of goodies, reliable etc, etc.

MB A160
Small and expensive

Mitsubshi Galant VR-4 Estate
No I doubt H (the other half) would like that.

Toyota Rav4
I don't like them.

Vauxhall Omega Estate (2.0, 2.5, 3.0 or TD)
Probably a bit big.

Volvo V40 TD
V40, yes, good idea
Volvo 850 (T5/TD)
Not sure I'd get one for the money.

Thanks

D.

[bryanlister]

Volkswagen Passat SE Estate TDi - or Passat 1.8 Turbo (quicker than you may think!), loads of space, not expensive to run, good residuals. Don't know how much they are as 2nd hand though?

[MattW]

Davidd, cos I'm sad and have nothing to do (I'm working out my notice), I checked all those cars on the Autotrader web site, all were within your budget - varied in milage and age mind you but nothing much older than P reg with about 60k on the clock.

Looked up Passat estates there is a 1.8 20v currently up for £9,450 with 26k on the clock, find it at:

www.paragonvehiclesales.co.uk

Matt

[davidd]

Hmm, interesting. I've not driven one so I'll take one out.

What about a Saab 9-3? The reason I ask is that I expect I can get Offord to find me a good one. Has anyone one the list had one What do they think?

D.

[flasher]

Look around and you will definitley find one, check this out:-

"1998 R VOLVO V40 2.0 Turbo , Red Mica, 63000, 5 Door, MOT-12 mths, Alarm, Electric Mirrors, Electric Windows, Full Service History, Leather, One Owner, Power Steering,£8450 www.bondstreetselect.co.uk. tel:- 08000854800"

Found this on autotrader. Saab is a good idea, Simon at Offord will get you a minter for £8K.