Looking for a new car

[xstian]

I sold my car a few weeks back Toyota Corolla Compressor and I'm now looking for a replacement car.

What I would really like is a Toyota GT86. But I don't usually keep cars for much longer than a year. The Corolla I had for 18 months was probable the longest time i have ever owned a car. So I'm worried about the deprecation over the year that I will probably own the gt86, so in reality I can't really afford one, but maybe when the price drops a bit further. Its difficult being a miser.

So what the alternative,

Mazda RX8. I quite like these, but the obvious is putting me off. I know an engine rebuild is not that expensive, but it seems these cars are also suffering with rust now as well. It also looks like there are a lot of ropey examples about which look like they have been run on a shoe string, due to cheap purchase prices.

Subaru Impreza. Now I initially sold the Corolla because I saw a nice Impreza estate I wanted. Low miles, PPP pack, unmodified and the owner looks like he had just spent money on cambelt and renewing brakes etc. Of course by the time I had sold my car the Impreza had sold and now I can't find another which sounds as good.

Renault Megane R26. I didn't really want another hatchback, but these have a good reputation for very good handling. Couple of problems I've noticed. They seem to have a few common problems, which I can deal with, but it seems like a lot of the cars for sale haven't always had these issues addressed before sale. Also the cambelt change is expensive and often a reason for car coming up for sale.

So what left?

I have a dog, so it must have back seats, preferable a boot. Would prefer RWD or 4WD and must have a proper manual gearbox. I Don't really want another hot hatch, but as you can see I have one on my above list. I don't care about MPG. I drive a van all week, so it must be fun to drive. I don't mind a bit of maintenance, but I don't want a car that is going to break down on me every other week. Also the car must have A/C. Budget £5 ish, I could go a bit higher for the right car, but also happy to only spend £2k.

Cars I'm not interested in.

BMW's
Mini's
Ford Focus
Golf's
Audi TT's
And probably a few others as well.

[mattman]

manual are a bit rarer, but something like this if MPG is not a factor.

Has pretty much everything you'll need, will cruise and waft when you want, and pick up its skirts and run if needed - probably at the bottom of the depreciation curve

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2017...

[xstian]

mattman said:

manual are a bit rarer, but something like this if MPG is not a factor.

Has pretty much everything you'll need, will cruise and waft when you want, and pick up its skirts and run if needed - probably at the bottom of the depreciation curve

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2017...

Thanks for the suggestion and although that BMW looks like its great value for money, it's exactly the kind of car I don't want.

[mattman]

Doh! Would help if i read the list from the top!

Ok - Alfa GT?
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2017...

Nissan 350 Z - not sure if you could fit a dog in the back though
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2017...

Bit leftfield cheapy to get you through the next few months - surely can't lose much money - Mitsi FTO
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2017...

Edited by mattman on Friday 19th May 15:00

[xstian]

mattman said:

Doh! Would help if i read the list from the top!

Ok - Alfa GT?
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2017...

Nissan 350 Z - not sure if you could fit a dog in the back though
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2017...

Bit leftfield cheapy to get you through the next few months - surely can't lose much money - Mitsi FTO
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2017...

Edited by mattman on Friday 19th May 15:00

I hadn't thought about the alfa, although I think I prefer the earlier GTV6. They look very good, although I'm not sure how much fun they are to drive.

I can't get the dog in the other 2 and I really need to be able to get the dog in the car. Although the dog can fit in mine or my girlfriend van this will be the only car we own.

[MorganP104]

xstian said:

I hadn't thought about the alfa, although I think I prefer the earlier GTV6. They look very good, although I'm not sure how much fun they are to drive.

The GT is a good car, albeit a little fragile. I don't mean they fall apart randomly, but they don't take abuse very well (unlike, say, Volvos, Hondas and Toyotas). If you can find a well looked after car (ideally with no more than 3 or 4 owners), you'll enjoy the experience.

Driving-wise, they are competent and fun, rather than outright stunning. Some regard the GT as a 147 in drag, but this is unfair for two reasons - 1) the GT is a good car in its own right; 2) The 147's chassis is a good starting point. It's a similar thing to people who get sniffy about Jag X-Types being based on Mondeos.

One last thing with the GT - the diesel models are quick in standard tune, and can get very rapid with little effort on the tuning front. It's for this reason a full service history is essential on a car like this.

All in all, a good car - IF you find an unabused example.

[Frankthered]

MorganP104 said:

Driving-wise, they are competent and fun, rather than outright stunning. Some regard the GT as a 147 in drag, but this is unfair for two reasons - 1) the GT is a good car in its own right; 2) The 147's chassis is a good starting point. It's a similar thing to people who get sniffy about Jag X-Types being based on Mondeos.

Funny you should say that. I had a 147 from 2002 to 2006 and I had a test drive in a GT towards the end of that period. Obviously, it was only a short drive but I do remember thinking it was a very similar experience to the 147, except it was a bit bulkier, comfier seats and the ride was worse because it was on 18" wheels. I didn't fancy paying over £20k for a GT when I could have had another 147 for about £14k (in the end I did neither). I suppose the difference in price is much less significant now and you're right, the GT is a decent car.

[xstian]

I'll look into the Alfa GT, they sound like a decent car, but I'm not sure you could describe them as a fun weekend car.

There really isn't a lot around in this price bracket. I think the shear weight of modern cars have made most of them feel a bit dull.

[Frankthered]

xstian said:

I'll look into the Alfa GT, they sound like a decent car, but I'm not sure you could describe them as a fun weekend car.

There really isn't a lot around in this price bracket. I think the shear weight of modern cars have made most of them feel a bit dull.

A V6 could be fun!!

I agree with you, in an ideal world, I'd prefer a GTV(6), but AIUI there's not a lot of room in the back. They're also getting old and quite rare, as are Fiat Coupes.

I also like the Brera, but they are a bit heavy and, by all accounts, not that great to drive.

I think I would be tempted to have a serious look at RX8s. Your budget would get you something very near the best available, give them a very thorough check for rust and get it protected if you need to.

[xstian]

I bought a black Megane R26 in the end. It was local to me, but it needs a few jobs doing, but at least it was priced accordingly.

I've just ordered a polybush kit to address the knackered wishbone and the window regulator has failed on the passenger window. The A/C doesn't work, but I'm hopping it just needs a recharge. There are a few other jobs that need doing as well, but like I said it was priced accordingly.

[ZX10R NIN]

Glad you got sorted OP