New car advice

thinking of getting a new car this year...will be a cash buyer and will have 10-13k plus my car to trade in on top of that..

my car being a black seat leon cupra R...53 plate with 60k on the clock..full seat service history and have had the cam belt changed within the last 2k miles..

I am stuck to what I want..dont know whether to get a Golf...or even a brand new mini (for cheap running costs) or live a little and get a boxster..

any suggestions, pointers on running costs etc

mu current car is one of these

You could buy a whole fleet of these, at £1390 a pop...

Personally, and if you have no kids to transport or luggage to haul, I would say get yourself that Boxster.

How about a Mazda 3 MPS? Has a 2.3 turbo engine with about 260bhp. In the £400 tax band but seemed cheap to insure compared to similar cars. Fuel consumption not too bad considering the engine. Styling is pretty laid back and most people have no idea what it is. Test drove one a couple of weeks back and loved it.

If you want fun get an old diesil for general going to work stuff, and then get an Old Skool Ford Mk1 or 2 Escort, Rear wheel drive. Drop in a Zetec or similar and have a barrel of laughs. Sideways is the only way.

Seriously there are advantages in the Old Skool Ford motoring.

Free tax before 1.1.1973 ... Cheap insurance, even if you heavily modify them .... Got a mate Mk 2 Escort, Cosworth turbo lump, officially recorded 189mph. Accelerates faster than Peter Story teller chasing after a brown bag. Good old fashioned fun. Even wifes 1700 crossflow mk1 brings a huge smile to the face every time you drive it.

How about a Mazda 3 MPS? Has a 2.3 turbo engine with about 260bhp. In the £400 tax band but seemed cheap to insure compared to similar cars. Fuel consumption not too bad considering the engine. Styling is pretty laid back and most people have no idea what it is. Test drove one a couple of weeks back and loved it.

ahh..just been looking at these on line...look nice

My Dad has JCW Mini and loves it but he says he'd never buy another one. He's found the support from BMW to be absolutely shocking and had a lot go wrong with it over the two years he's had it.

They all feel a bit plasticy on the inside as well imo.

Nissan 350Z-GT?

http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/1457783.htm

BMW M3?

http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/1511381.htm

BMW 645Ci?

http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/1503889.htm

http://www.kia.co.uk/New-Cars/Range/Mid-Sized/Proceed.aspx

Don`t dismiss these. I know 4 or 5 people who own them and they love them. Bound to be something in the range to suit and at good prices - AND a 7 year warranty!!

http://www.autocar.co.uk/CarReviews/FirstDrives/Renault-Megane-2.0T-Renaultsport-250/244208/

What else would I say?

keep your leon and get this

http://www.mvagusta.co.uk/_motorcycles/f41000_2010/index.php

I'd be very tempted with this little beauty. Stunning...

http://carscoop.blogspot.com/2010/02/video-citroen-mini-cooper-jcw-fighting.html

well..my budget has gone up a little..I will have circa 20k (including the PX value of my car)....

this will probably be the last chance I will get (bar a lottery win) to getting a luxury car...I am torn between the following..

Porsche boxster

Porsche Carrera (2000-2002) - would love to get one of these but have no idea of costs etc

Nissan 350z

Golf R32

Forget the Carrera. You'd barely get a high mileage 90s model for that.

Forget the Carrera. You'd barely get a high mileage 90s model for that.

seen a few on psiton heads/other site at around 60-70k miles about 8-9 years old

still, high though for a car like that...???

seen a few on psiton heads/other site at around 60-70k miles about 8-9 years old

 

still, high though for a car like that...???

What about an Alfa Spider - can get a two year old one with v low miles for about £18,000. Fast good to drive.

http://www.buyyourcar.co.uk/used-car/alfa-romeo/spider/exp_101761_101761_600851538.aspx

seen a few on psiton heads/other site at around 60-70k miles about 8-9 years old

 

still, high though for a car like that...???

Fair enough, the state of the market has probably knocked 5k off a 2nd hand Porsche. That flat-six lump is easily good for 150k though, if it's been reasonably well looked after. I just would advise against buying the cheapest version of the most expensive car you can afford. You'd still have to pay Porsche prices for spares and repairs.

Fair enough, the state of the market has probably knocked 5k off a 2nd hand Porsche. That flat-six lump is easily good for 150k though, if it's been reasonably well looked after. I just would advise against buying the cheapest version of the most expensive car you can afford. You'd still have to pay Porsche prices for spares and repairs.

that is the thing..although a carerra is a brilliant car (imo) it is when something needs fixing..and how much that will cost etc..

Rx-8?

http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/1552564.htm

http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/1544487.htm

http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/1453660.htm

http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/1548396.htm

keep your leon and get this

http://www.mvagusta.co.uk/_motorcycles/f41000_2010/index.php

Oh come on S-I-N, just get a 2010 Yamaha R1 and be done with it. Probably a fair bit cheaper [though you try finding a bloody price], and he'd be able to afford some fancy gear, aswell. I'm being tempted again by a V2 Firestorm. Love that motor, though pity about the camchain.

no porsche for me...just been researching and they are terrible for engine failures

http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/1552564.htm

 

http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/1544487.htm

 

http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/1453660.htm

 

http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/1548396.htm

Theres no way I would buy a car from pistonheads - you can almost guarantee the previous boyracer owner will have thrashed it. You'd be better off trying to find one owned by a 60 year old accountant who bought it as a sop to a flagging libido and only drove it gently.

Oh come on S-I-N, just get a 2010 Yamaha R1 and be done with it. Probably a fair bit cheaper [though you try finding a bloody price], and he'd be able to afford some fancy gear, aswell. I'm being tempted again by a V2 Firestorm. Love that motor, though pity about the camchain.

RRP including DVLA Charges:£12,622.00

can only find finance options though, bit wierd http://www.phmotorcycles.co.uk/Bikes/yamaha-yzf-r1-2010.html

and theres nothing like a vtwin

also, why buy japanese when you can get italian power like this for 35k

god damn that bike is nice

that firestorm really liooks like an english bike made a few years ago. . but with a much nicer engine

that firestorm really liooks like an english bike made a few years ago. . but with a much nicer engine

Agreed, the Ducati is a beaut. Nice price too, I don't think. I've got nothing against the MV either. Very nice indeed.

Tbh, I'd never buy a brand new machine anyway. Besides, there are some lovely bikes out there that are 5-10 years old, that haven't been mistreated, and are perfectly good machines for everyday riding. I mentioned one, the V-twin 1000cc Firestorm. There's my pre-Vtec VFR800Fi, which a lovely bike. There's more Fireblades than you can shake a stick at, and there are Yamaha R1s, R6s, nice Fazers, etc.. Tbh, motorcyclists are spoilt for choice, and that's without even trying to sample the European, British, and err... American bikes.

OK, perhaps we'll leave Harleys and Victorys to the cruiser contingent.

MV's are ok, you need the 1000 rather than the 750 as the 750 needs to be revved way too much, and at the end of the day they're both just Suzuki engines! Personally if it was my money and i wanted a bike i'd get a Ducati 1098r (which is apparently quicker than the Desmo in real world situations according to mates who own both) or a Bimota DB5. As for the car situation i havn't heard of many problems with the Boxster (especially engine faliures!) anything other than a classic car is going to lose value, how about an original E30 BMW M3, you'll get a nice one for £12k, if you look after it it won't lose value and parts are pretty much readily available. You can probably get classic insurance as well, if the old angle doesn't appeal how about a E46 M3.

I'm not sure that tdd wants a motorcycle, chaps

everyone wants a bike, they just havn't realised it yet

everyone wants a bike, they just havn't realised it yet

I'm not sure if he's man enough (remember he is 'In the Navy!') :smt050

everyone wants a bike, they just havn't realised it yet

I can categorically inform you that Ponty certainly doesn't want a bike. He told me he had a bad time with one in his late teens or early twenties. A few nasty comings off, IIRC. Nothing to do with his competence, I assure you.

That is one thing about bikes. Treat 'em right and they reward you with thrills a car driver can only imagine. Treat 'em wrong and you're down the road on your arse or worse, especially with all these tin boxes on wheels taking up all the space. They bite.

I can categorically inform you that Ponty certainly doesn't want a bike. He told me he had a bad time with one in his late teens or early twenties. A few nasty comings off, IIRC. Nothing to do with his competence, I assure you.

 

That is one thing about bikes. Treat 'em right and they reward you with thrills a car driver can only imagine. Treat 'em wrong and you're down the road on your arse or worse, especially with all these tin boxes on wheels taking up all the space. They bite.

I've got a bike, StL. Only a 125 but I'm saving for an upgrade. I just know that they're bloody dangerous in the wrong hands and that you're completely at the mercy of car drivers, not all of whom should actually be on the road, IMO. Also, I'm well aware that there are plenty of bike riders who shouldn't be on the road either.

This is my current steed....

 

and theres nothing like a vtwin

also, why buy japanese when you can get italian power like this for 35k

 

There's nothing like a Ferrari V8

For £35k, you can get Italian power like this......

You didn't tell me you had a bike, Ponty. I like that. I nice little scratcher. Something you can zip about on.

Now if it had a 500cc single in that frame, then it would definitely be nice.

BTW, you're not at the complete mercy of car drivers. You learn to have the ability, first to read who the idiots are, and secondly, to steer well clear of them. Lightning acceleration helps.

one of these if I were you.....

BMW 3 series M Sport Coupe (white)

Audi A5

VW Scirocco

Or be one of the 1st to own the new Peugeot RCZ

Just got a Skoda Octava VRS 2.0 Ltr 200BHP

Its a beast! and a snip at 19k

some of these look nice

http://www.autovogue.com/sale-details/bmw/3-series/ref-16884171

http://www.autovogue.com/sales/view-all/page-1

Diesels are for old men.

20 inch wheels..?

how much would tyres for those bad boys cost..?

A lot! Servicing would require you to sell yourself down the docks too.

am leaning to a VW Golf R32....prefer the MKIV but would probably go for a MKV

never, and i mean never buy a VW, crap, slow and they break down a lot, add repair prices and its just not really viable.

Just buy the Boxster. Great value for money and not too expensive to run. In a different league to all the other stuff you've mentioned.

Avoid the VW things. Totally overpriced. Your probably know that already having owned a Seat. I don't understand why people fork out all that extra cash for a VW when you can get an equivalent Seat for much less, and it's the same car underneath. Badge snobbery has a lot to answer for!

Just buy the Boxster. Great value for money and not too expensive to run. In a different league to all the other stuff you've mentioned.

 

Avoid the VW things. Totally overpriced. Your probably know that already having owned a Seat. I don't understand why people fork out all that extra cash for a VW when you can get an equivalent Seat for much less, and it's the same car underneath. Badge snobbery has a lot to answer for!

Hence why I allow myself to be seen in a skoda! Golf GTi engine underneath the bonnet and the whole chassis is practically a golf/audi.

An equivelent car with a VW/Audi badge on it would be a whole lot more than 19k!!

some of these look nice

 

http://www.autovogue.com/sale-details/bmw/3-series/ref-16884171

 

http://www.autovogue.com/sales/view-all/page-1

http://www.autovogue.com/sale-detail...s/ref-16884171

That one is real nice - prefer a white Audi A5 though (more class)

Not them allows though!!

Agreed above.

 

Get the Octavia VRS. I have the 2.0 T Petrol and awesome car. Cheap to insure for my age, lots and lots of room and discrete. Chavs don't realise how powerful it is as it does not have any "Look at me and my go faster stripes" Also if your in fast lane on M3/M27 everyone moves out your way sh*tting themselves

 

Lol, thats the best bit. Mines black too so has added effect!

Havent gone as far as wearing only white shirts to add to the police look just yet.... :D

Love the look on the chavs face as I leave them for dust. Done by a Skoda, bad luck chavs

You only have to sit in the new Golf GTI to see that it is a cut above the Skoda. Don't get me wrong, I've had two new Skodas so I'm well aware what they are all about. However, the inverse badge snobbery against VW is way wide of the mark. You get what you pay for and, whilst the new Golf GTI is certainly expensive, it is clearly a class above the Octavia Vrs.

No one was implying "inverse badge snobbery" quite the opposite. I'm well aware that the skoda won't be AS good. It's the cheaper cousin but there's not enough in it to justify paying so much more for a different more widely accepted badge. Oh sorry, and all that amazing extra amazingness you get with a golf apparently. The original point was that they use the same engine in both the cars. Essentially it's the engine that matters.

FWIW I had a golf mk IV a few years back and not driven an 'overall' better car yet. I am however fully appreciative that cars like the Octavia VRS are made as those of us that aren't stupid enough to blow the sort of money a new golf GTi would cost now get to drive something that in my mind is just as good, albeit the badge.

I would never drive a skoda