Need some help - everyday car

jamie · Post by **jamie** » Sun Apr 15, 2007 6:36 pm

Alright I need some help looking for something for everyday transport.

Requirements
Currently I am doing about 1000 miles a week and the Zeds costing me £150 a week in petrol

This is likely to continue for a bit longer.
Looking for something with cruise control and a bit of space in it that wont break down too much.

Budget under 4k

So far on my list on not sure about are
Alfa 147 1.6 type thing - but not sure about not breaking down!
Audi A4 '98?
307 Desiel - but not sure about not breaking down!
Old BMW 3 serise?

My list sucks - need help!

Rich H · Post by **Rich H** » Sun Apr 15, 2007 6:52 pm

Audi form that list.

Mind you if I was allowed to spend 4k on cars it would be something a little less sensible.

There is a BMW 850i on fleabay for £3k....

Hmmm, V12.....

haggis catcher · Post by **haggis catcher** » Sun Apr 15, 2007 6:59 pm

Passat TDI. ??? 55 mpg no probs.

jamie · Post by **jamie** » Sun Apr 15, 2007 7:38 pm

RICHARDHUMBLE wrote:Audi form that list.

There is a BMW 850i on fleabay for £3k....

Hmmm, V12.....

Think my fuel bill would at least double

Rich H · Post by **Rich H** » Sun Apr 15, 2007 7:45 pm

Never said it would be a suitable car for you... It does has an LPG conversion...

Something from the VAG then, will run forever and the diseasals are pretty frugal. Skoda Octavia = Passat without the VW?

s333fee · Post by **s333fee** » Sun Apr 15, 2007 9:09 pm

Dominic · Post by **Dominic** » Sun Apr 15, 2007 10:12 pm

Audi or VW.

Don't touch anything french or italian. They'll brake down... I have a mate who runs a garage... he know's his stuff.

gorrie · Post by **gorrie** » Mon Apr 16, 2007 5:07 pm

MG ZT 190, (2.5 KV6 engine)... 51-plates start around £4K.

I had a 2.5 KV6 160 for 3yrs. Chopped it in about 2.5yrs ago for a ZS180 (another 2.5 KV6) and now miss it. A great daily drive, and it handles great for a bigger car (long suspension arms at the back help I think). Better than the BMW 3-series I used to have by far.

The KV6 engine is nice and creamy... although, I'd rather have the one from your 350Z.

Approx 28mpg... if you need better then you can get a 160 which is a 4-pot 1.8T... or a 120 (which is just a 1.8 K-series).

Andy.

timmsky · Post by **timmsky** » Mon Apr 16, 2007 5:16 pm

gorrie wrote: ...ZS180 (another 2.5 KV6) and now miss it. A great daily drive.... Better than the BMW 3-series I used to have by far.....

Andy.

BMW in Rover upstaging horror

I think you should elaborate

hiscot · Post by **hiscot** » Mon Apr 16, 2007 7:02 pm

gorrie wrote:MG ZT 190, (2.5 KV6 engine)... 51-plates start around £4K.

I had a 2.5 KV6 160 for 3yrs. Chopped it in about 2.5yrs ago for a ZS180 (another 2.5 KV6) and now miss it. A great daily drive, and it handles great for a bigger car (long suspension arms at the back help I think). Better than the BMW 3-series I used to have by far.

The KV6 engine is nice and creamy... although, I'd rather have the one from your 350Z.

Approx 28mpg... if you need better then you can get a 160 which is a 4-pot 1.8T... or a 120 (which is just a 1.8 K-series).

Andy.

I have the MGZT cdt135 cracking car brilliant handling great fuel (45-55 easy ) loaded cruise ect firm sporting ride and the only bits that give trouble are bmw spec bits ( engine is good )ie rad fan and fuel pumps, rummour is the car was so good bmw fitted certain poor quailty bits to scupper them

Titanium S1 111S (gla) · Post by **Titanium S1 111S (gla)** » Mon Apr 16, 2007 7:19 pm

Focus D

Not very interesting but if you get a high spec one it will be cumffy and have the toys.

Lots available for buttons, particularly at auction. Rep-transporter for sale.

gorrie · Post by **gorrie** » Mon Apr 16, 2007 7:52 pm

timmsky wrote: BMW in Rover upstaging horror

I think you should elaborate

It was a 320... cost more than the ZT, had less toys, less grunt, shocking gearbox which needed replaced, and for all BMW's 50:50 weight distribution, it didn't go round corners as well as the ZT.

Now, if it had been an M3... well...

Andy G · Post by **Andy G** » Tue Apr 17, 2007 8:32 am

Hi Jamie

What about a golf gt tdi?

Must be some around that money, and will easily hit 50mpg, and have overtaking ability. My Mums had a series of them, and most have racked up large miles up and down the A68 without fault.

Personally I wouldn't look any further than that. (probably should have got one instead of the Merc

)

Post by ed » Tue Apr 17, 2007 8:39 am

You'll get some higher mileage 98-2000 golfs for that kind of money but id maybe spend an extra 1k and get a decent one!

tuscan_thunder · Post by **tuscan_thunder** » Tue Apr 17, 2007 9:08 am

At 3k the only thing I would consider (for a commuter) would be a Focus 1.6. The 1.6 is the sweetest engine of the range and it's quite entertaining to drive.

Reliable, economical, cheap all round, good chassis, not an embarrassment to drive, it'll sell on very easily