Bare Knuckle Pickups Forum
At The Back => Time Out => Topic started by: Brow on January 26, 2011, 12:46:32 PM
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Hey guys.
I've recently come to the conclusion that due to work more than doubling my commuting mileage (and not paying anything towards it) that I'm going to have to sell my Ford Focus ST170 and buy something in a Diesel that's still big enough for me to fit my gear in but not too big as it won't fit on my drive :lol:
I more or less have a £10k budget (less if possible) including whatever I'd get for mine part exchange so just thought I'd ask for some opinions of what I could get for my money.
So far I've checked out (and all are 2.0 Diesel unless stated)
Ford Focus mk2 Titanium
Renault Megane RenaultSport Diesel
Audi A3 (if I can find any in my budget)
Golf TDI (if I can find any in my budget)
Seat Leon
Does anyone have experience of any of these cars? Pros/Cons of each? Any other suggestions of things I could look into?
Thanks!
Craig
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if you're doing lots of miles, something with a smaller engine is going to offer better MPG surely ???
how about a Petrol/LPG car?
Smartcar?
when I was last on about, well complaining about, the MPG I get from my Petrol Saab 93 the local mechanic guy I take my car to reckoned his Toyota something or other (similar size car) does nearly 60MPG on the motorway and around 45MPG urban.
some links...
http://www.fuel-economy.co.uk/stats.shtml
http://www.buyacar.co.uk/cars/article_best_for_fuel_economy_top_20_2527.jhtml
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Don't some newer Golfs come with that new "Blue Motion" mumbo-jumbo? Isn't that some kind of fuel-saving gubbins? Might be worth having a gander at.
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http://www.whatcar.co.uk is worth a look too
bluemotion is a model designed for maximum fuel economy, ie skinny tires and aerodynamic tweaks
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I own a Seat Leon and buying was a seriously good move. It's a lot of car for the money, the engine is Volkswagen and Audi and it's very solidly built. I got mine (a Mark 1) for £ 5000 with only 68000 miles on the clock. Had it for over a year, replaced the EDR valve and that's it. Brilliant car.
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I'm not a massive fan of the small engine, save money rule. Generally you're going to go as fast as you want to go(say 75mph on the motorway officer), if you have a smaller engine then your driving it harder. I notice this when I drive the wifes Yaris as she does 70 odd and I do a little more.
Like fbloke says, any of the VAG group cars are good second hand (VW Audi Skoda) and all have decent deisel engines. You could always take it over to my mate at Revo and have it remapped for extra econamy (or power). I've been a number of their cars and they're nuts. They had his Leon running at 360 bhp (it's the white one on their site)
Generally you can't go too wrong with something Japanese either.
What are you after and how many do you need to fit in because a Lotus Elise can be quite economic
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My folks have a Golf TDI and it's been rock solid, IIRC they average over 50mpg.
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Not a cool option but my sisters Micra seems to last forever on one tank. In comparison my Fiesta Zetec S absolutely drinks it, only gets about 37mpg :(
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Thanks for the opinions guys.
I currently get about 28 MPG out of my car, and that's not even driving it like an idiot! :lol:
Micras/Fiestas.Corsas etc are too small and Mondeos etc are too big.
I've tried a Diesel Focus and a diesel Renault Megane out so far and much preferred the Focus. I've also found an Audi A3 for within budget, so I'm going to have a look at the weekend :)
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I get around 55 mpg from my Peugeot 308 HDi.
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I get around 55 mpg from my Peugeot 308 HDi.
How are those to drive?
I learnt to drive in some of the smaller Peugeots but haven't been in 1 since.
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I'd go with the Focus.
Nothing French. There are quality issues with French cars and it's near impossible to change a light bulb.
VW is reasonably reliable but the same goes for the Ford and Ford parts are cheaper. Don't be fooled by the Blue Motion marketing, they did a real world test the other day and they use more than claimed.
I'm waiting for the first Alfa MiTo Multi Airs to hit the used market below 10K Euro. I test drove one for a day. Heaps of fun to drive and I managed to get 18 kilometers per litre average without driving economical. It is a compact car but I can fit my gear in in it: head, cab, guitar and misc.
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... 18 kilometers per litre...
That's just over 42mpg for fans of the Imperial system :P
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...and please remember there's no such things as a perfect car, they all have some weak points. As my mate Andy used to say:
"If it's got t1ts or wheels, it's going to give you trouble!"
He used to work for Sky.
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I'd go with the Focus.
Nothing French. There are quality issues with French cars and it's near impossible to change a light bulb.
VW is reasonably reliable but the same goes for the Ford and Ford parts are cheaper. Don't be fooled by the Blue Motion marketing, they did a real world test the other day and they use more than claimed.
I'm waiting for the first Alfa MiTo Multi Airs to hit the used market below 10K Euro. I test drove one for a day. Heaps of fun to drive and I managed to get 18 kilometers per litre average without driving economical. It is a compact car but I can fit my gear in in it: head, cab, guitar and misc.
Thanks for the info.
I had seen those Blue Motion things advertised but never really had any real world reason to look into them until now :?
... 18 kilometers per litre...
That's just over 42mpg for fans of the Imperial system :P
Thanks for that. That's a good 12MPG more than I get now, but the diesels I'm looking at 'claim' 51MPG but I'll keep my eyes open.
...and please remember there's no such things as a perfect car, they all have some weak points. As my mate Andy used to say:
"If it's got t1ts or wheels, it's going to give you trouble!"
He used to work for Sky.
Oh yeah, I know there's no such thing as perfect. I just need to find something that has a decent enough mix of performance and economy. I'm not quite ready to buy a flat cap just yet! :lol:
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I'm in the same boat. I was looking at getting a Fiesta ST but, with fuel going up in price as it is and having a higher insurance group it would cost me too much even though I absolutely love it.
Vauxhall Astra's do quite well on diesel. Around the 57 mpg mark, but they're not quick (about 0 - 60 in 14 seconds) but you can get an Astra's that'll do 0 - 60 in under 10 seconds and get around the higher 40's low 50's mpg mark.
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The wifes Yaris is really good on fuel. It's a 1.3 petrol and has 100bhp, so fairly nippy day to day. I've got a diesel Astra Sporthatch (150bhp version) and the Yaris has much more room inside (and in the boot).
I don't usually give cars names, but we call this one The Turdis as it's massive on the outside and tiny on the inside. I'd avoid Vauxhall in general, but don't get a sport hatch.
Let me know how the A3 goes. Personally I'm not into them (had the chance of getting one). I don't think I could live with the ride quality. My mate who works for the tuning company thinks they're the worst car built on that platform (Golf, Leon etc).
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Focus feel nice and solid, and the boot space is massive! I almost got one but had a go in the Fiesta and it was so much more fun to drive :P Wasn't the sensible option though, since the Focus was meant to get about 55mpg and tax was only around £60 a year I think!
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My Focus costs £63 for 6 months tax Tom. 1 year is £130 which is still cheap compared to similar cars.
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Vauxhall Astra's do quite well on diesel. Around the 57 mpg mark, but they're not quick (about 0 - 60 in 14 seconds) but you can get an Astra's that'll do 0 - 60 in under 10 seconds and get around the higher 40's low 50's mpg mark.
Ha ha, didn't see this post before I made mine. I've got the fast Diesel Astra (only the VXR is faster) and get around 43mpg on average. I don't drive slowly, but I don't drive like a dick either.
They're typically Vauxhall. Decent engine mated to a gear box with the wrong ratios and a shoddy car around it. Mines an 08 plate and I've had it from new. It was delivered with a bit of trim hanging off and some of the seats are becoming unstiched. The handlings a bit iffy too, feels like you have to stop it parking up a tree if you have to break hard.
For a while I had the 5 door version that was a petrol auto. It drank more fuel that the 20 year old auto BMW that I have (which I need to sell to go on holiday. Only got 60,000 on the clock and was definately the best car I've ever had).
EDIT
Make that 44.1mpg. Just checked it on the way back from the Docs.
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Cheers for the new opinions :)
My current car is £245 a year tax, but only about £500 on insurance as I have to go to a modified insurer as a previous owner put a big exhaust on it and tinted the windows :lol:
The 2.0 TDCI Focus and the 2.0 TDI A3 Sportback are both £125 a year road tax but both are over £600 insurance from a 'normal' insurance company even though they're less powerful and lower insurance groups than my current car.
I guess it's down to the fact that they're 07 and 08 plate cars whereas mine is a 54 plate?
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I'm being forced to sit here very still, so I thought I'd have a browse of Auto Trader. How's this:
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201103377456716/sort/pricedesc/usedcars/fuel-type/diesel/price-to/10000/make/honda/page/1/postcode/le94jf/radius/1501?logcode=p
Might have to buy this one myself, it's amazing what 10 grand gets you:
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201103377391215/sort/pricedesc/usedcars/price-to/10000/fuel-type/diesel/model/brera/make/alfa_romeo/page/1/postcode/le94jf/radius/1501?logcode=p
I like this game:
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201041370394469/sort/pricedesc/usedcars/fuel-type/diesel/price-to/10000/model/lancer/make/mitsubishi/page/1/postcode/le94jf/radius/1501?logcode=p
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i vote for the Ti focus.
my mom has a c-max, which is the retarded cousin of the focus and
a: it drives surprisingly well (even after i stuck it in a ditch, roof down)
b: it pretty much never goes above 7.5l/100km (strictly town cycle) .. my alfa does that on the motorway. if you run the ford on the motorway it drops down to 4.7 (it's a 1.6 TDCI)
c: it's REALLY roomy, in the front, in the back and you can get a halfstack AND two guitar cases minimum in the back, without folding the seats down
d: It's a ford and pretty much never goes wrong (even if you're an idiot with it), where a renult will.. that's why the spare parts are a dime a dozen.
P.S.
Dont buy an Alfa Romeo :D .. unless it's built after 2005 :D
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I get around 55 mpg from my Peugeot 308 HDi.
How are those to drive?
I learnt to drive in some of the smaller Peugeots but haven't been in 1 since.
Quite nice actually6- good roadholding and the steering is nicely balanced.The engine is superb and acceleration between 50 and 70 is good. I agree with Ratty that changing headlamp bulbs is a bit fiddly but I haven't had to do that on this one.
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I'm being forced to sit here very still, so I thought I'd have a browse of Auto Trader. How's this:
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201103377456716/sort/pricedesc/usedcars/fuel-type/diesel/price-to/10000/make/honda/page/1/postcode/le94jf/radius/1501?logcode=p
Might have to buy this one myself, it's amazing what 10 grand gets you:
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201103377391215/sort/pricedesc/usedcars/price-to/10000/fuel-type/diesel/model/brera/make/alfa_romeo/page/1/postcode/le94jf/radius/1501?logcode=p
I like this game:
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201041370394469/sort/pricedesc/usedcars/fuel-type/diesel/price-to/10000/model/lancer/make/mitsubishi/page/1/postcode/le94jf/radius/1501?logcode=p
Thanks for the links :) The Civic is 1 I've been unsure about tbh and is 1 I've never looked into. I've looked into some car mags and they all say the engine in the Civic is the best most reliable diesel engine in this size hatchback, which is a good sign I guess! I've added it to the list to check out more in person.
i vote for the Ti focus.
my mom has a c-max, which is the retarded cousin of the focus and
a: it drives surprisingly well (even after i stuck it in a ditch, roof down)
b: it pretty much never goes above 7.5l/100km (strictly town cycle) .. my alfa does that on the motorway. if you run the ford on the motorway it drops down to 4.7 (it's a 1.6 TDCI)
c: it's REALLY roomy, in the front, in the back and you can get a halfstack AND two guitar cases minimum in the back, without folding the seats down
d: It's a ford and pretty much never goes wrong (even if you're an idiot with it), where a renult will.. that's why the spare parts are a dime a dozen.
P.S.
Dont buy an Alfa Romeo :D .. unless it's built after 2005 :D
The Focus is definitely the favourite of the 2 I've driven so far. I'm hopefully trying the A3 and a Civic at the weekend so I'll see how they compare to the Focus :)
Quite nice actually6- good roadholding and the steering is nicely balanced.The engine is superb and acceleration between 50 and 70 is good. I agree with Ratty that changing headlamp bulbs is a bit fiddly but I haven't had to do that on this one.
Thanks for the info. I'll keep an eye open over the weekend and see if I see any around to check out.
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I have a DS3. Just big enough to fit my gear in with the back seat down.
0-60 in about 11 and 75 MPG
you'd need to find a 2nd hand one though to fit your budget and they are about as manly as an MX-5. (My previous girl car)
I'd go for a diesel Focus if I were you
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I WANT A DS3 !!!!
oh ..
resume :P
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I have a DS3. Just big enough to fit my gear in with the back seat down.
0-60 in about 11 and 75 MPG
you'd need to find a 2nd hand one though to fit your budget and they are about as manly as an MX-5. (My previous girl car)
I'd go for a diesel Focus if I were you
I'd never heard of the DS3 before so had to google it. I like a bigger car than that tbh, but glad you like yours! :)
The Focus is still the leader at this moment in time although I am now considering the Civic a bit more! :lol:
Let me know how the A3 goes. Personally I'm not into them (had the chance of getting one). I don't think I could live with the ride quality. My mate who works for the tuning company thinks they're the worst car built on that platform (Golf, Leon etc).
Sorry, only just read this properly :?
Yeah I'll post back what I think if I get the chance to try 1 :)
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Another vote for the Focus here mate. The VFM is excellent, loads of "extras" as standard, superb build, good performance/ economy and they hold their value. We have an 05 petrol Ghia and when I can I'm going for the Focus Ti TDi too. The only reason I'm in no hurry is because ours although just over 5 years old has only done 27K from new as it only really gets used by my better half.
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Never buy a Diesel Alfa. Not because they're not good or anyting but because it's blasphemy.
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I'd agree with that. I was amazed that you could get a Brera for 10k though, even if it is a diesel.
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I agree on the Alfa thing tbh. My mate had 1 of their smaller cars and it was nothing but trouble! I would love to have an Alfa at some point in the future though!
Cheers Don! At the minute the Focus is still the front runner but I'm going to see the A3 tomorrow and a Civic later today, so I'll see how it goes 8)
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Check out PCP deals on brand new Vauxhalls and petrol Seats/Skodas - VAT off is a 20% saving! You may get a nice cheap monthly payment with your trade-in...
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Alfa owner top tip
Always drive in the near lane on the motorway - that way the hard shoulder is never too far away.....
:-)
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So why do people buy Alfa's? I hear all these stories about them breaking down but people still love them.
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people buy them cause they're 'sexy'. good reason to avoid if you ask me. my ex missus had one from new(petrol)
new engine after 30k, although with arm twisting alfa paid 80%.just outside of warranty.
Focus are great although fords have never been great for diesel engines unlike the french who make v.good diesels.they are generelly complicated though, my sister in law flattened her battery by leaving on the lights overnight and had to call out renault (megane) to open it, reset the computer and supply a new battery.350euro.
nissan , honda and toyota don't make anything that isn't good, petrol or diesel.
finally diesels are not what they used to be and they do get you moving.
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Some of you take Jeremy Clarkson way to seriously.
Alfas will only cause you problems if you mistreat them. Rule number one: don't rev them when the engine is cold. For the rest: check fluids on a regular basis and replace only with quality stuff. If you get it serviced, take it to someone who has experience with more brands than just Vauxhall and VW and who still has an ounce of passion left. That one will see it as the mechanical work of art that it is and accepts the challenge. The other one will see it as hell and will do a half assed job and try to get it out of his shop as quickly as possible.
I have driven Alfas for years. It goes into service and MOT once a year. Yes, I had problems but not as many as my neighbours who choose so called reliable German cars.
Asking why people buy Alfas is like asking why some people demand more qualities from food other than nutrition. Some people also want it to taste good, look good, be refined, excited even get to you on an emotional level.
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As of Saturday morning I'll be the owner of a 57 reg Mazda 3 Hatchback 2.0L Sport Diesel :)
It was just as nice to drive as the Focus I tried a few weeks ago, but was about £1800 cheaper (which always helps) :)
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Some of you take Jeremy Clarkson way to seriously.
Alfas will only cause you problems if you mistreat them. Rule number one: don't rev them when the engine is cold. For the rest: check fluids on a regular basis and replace only with quality stuff. If you get it serviced, take it to someone who has experience with more brands than just Vauxhall and VW and who still has an ounce of passion left. That one will see it as the mechanical work of art that it is and accepts the challenge. The other one will see it as hell and will do a half assed job and try to get it out of his shop as quickly as possible.
I have driven Alfas for years. It goes into service and MOT once a year. Yes, I had problems but not as many as my neighbours who choose so called reliable German cars.
Asking why people buy Alfas is like asking why some people demand more qualities from food other than nutrition. Some people also want it to taste good, look good, be refined, excited even get to you on an emotional level.
Good luck finding one of those in the UK, I've been searching for over 20 years... no luck yet :?
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Good choice on the Mazda, they look very nice.
I'm thinking of getting a Fiesta Zetec S TDCi. Looks like an ST but cheaper and better on the fuel.
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Good choice on the Mazda, they look very nice.
I'm thinking of getting a Fiesta Zetec S TDCi. Looks like an ST but cheaper and better on the fuel.
Yep, and if you have the 1.6L TDCI it's only £20 a year road tax!
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I came late to the party with this, but I was going to suggest a mazda 3 diesel sport (I have the petrol one) as they truly are great underrated cars.
For the money you wont get a better spec either. The Bose stereos are very good too.
I hope it serves you well.
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Some of you take Jeremy Clarkson way to seriously.
Alfas will only cause you problems if you mistreat them. Rule number one: don't rev them when the engine is cold. For the rest: check fluids on a regular basis and replace only with quality stuff. If you get it serviced, take it to someone who has experience with more brands than just Vauxhall and VW and who still has an ounce of passion left. That one will see it as the mechanical work of art that it is and accepts the challenge. The other one will see it as hell and will do a half assed job and try to get it out of his shop as quickly as possible.
I have driven Alfas for years. It goes into service and MOT once a year. Yes, I had problems but not as many as my neighbours who choose so called reliable German cars.
Asking why people buy Alfas is like asking why some people demand more qualities from food other than nutrition. Some people also want it to taste good, look good, be refined, excited even get to you on an emotional level.
Good luck finding one of those in the UK, I've been searching for over 20 years... no luck yet :?
^ +1
all the mechanics I've been too see it as a job and nothing more - and I tend to go to local family-run garages where you'd imagine that kind of spirit is alive and well :roll:
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You could also go to a garage specialised in classic and/or exotic cars. Big chance they have passion for cars and big chance they've seen and done it all.
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I have a garage local to me that mainly deals in performance cars more than anything else and they're 2 of the best, nicest mechanics I've ever come across. They're cheaper than going to the dealer as well.
I'll count myself lucky by the sounds of it!
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Well, my Alfa garage always treats me well... as they should, unless they get rid of a regular customer :P
seriously.. the only things that have gone wrong on my 156 are the things that go wrong on ANY 12year old car. so it's not unreliable at the least. The trim squeaks a bit, and it doesn't like winter a whole lot, but so far it hasn't done me wrong.. and i only paid 2k (with all the services included) for it.
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I've been looking around and apparently the Honda Accord diesel is the most reliable car out there (or at least one of the most). I can get a nice one within my budget even though insurance will be quite a bit. But I turn 25 in July and I'll be keeping the car for at least 4 to 5 years. Worth it?
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The accord is a fairly big car, so depends if you need the space. Nice cars though, my mate spent 6 months finding the right one and then parked it in a ditch within two weeks (black ice). What's the budget?
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The budget is about £4000, £4500 maximum. I'm expecting higher mileage but as it's apparently a very reliable car I'd expect it to last me 5 years at about 10,000 miles a year.
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Well, my Alfa garage always treats me well... as they should, unless they get rid of a regular customer :P
seriously.. the only things that have gone wrong on my 156 are the things that go wrong on ANY 12year old car. so it's not unreliable at the least. The trim squeaks a bit, and it doesn't like winter a whole lot, but so far it hasn't done me wrong.. and i only paid 2k (with all the services included) for it.
My 156 had little problems as well. Battery died after 7 years. A relais blew in the Selespeed system. That was an expensive one because the car had to be towed and it took a while to diagnose. At one point the spark plugs needed changing. It's quite an exotic system with distributorless ignition and two sizes of spark plugs made from exotic metals. Most mechanics wouldn't dare touch it. I did it myself and it was quite easy.
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If anyone wants to see real unreliability, buy an Aprilla.
Mine cost me £1,200 to fix and it didn't even make it home from the garage.
Steve - If your looking at Honda's then you can't go too far wrong with anything with the VTec engine. It's probably the best petrol engine there is, so long as it's serviced properly. My mate who parked the Accord the wrong way up now has a VTec Prelude and loves it. If you want a hell of a lot of car for your money, then Honda Legends are a good deal nowadays, although you may end up looking like your granddad :lol:
My Beemer has still got at least 150,000 miles left to go on it. Sure you don't want that, it's the auto version of this badboy (in silver):
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201050375427459/sort/pricedesc/usedcars/price-to/2000/model/3_series/make/bmw/postcode/le94jf/radius/1501/page/1/keywords/316?logcode=p
Going cheap to forum members :lol: