FOAK: Car advice needed

Something Japanese.

(I wouldn't touch a used French car right now, though the Focus might be
worth a look)

 

I hire done once and detested it.

Pudding on wheels.

 

The 306 wasn't a bad car. Basically, a ZX platform and with the cracking
passive rear wheel steering.

But seriously, French electrics are utter shite. PAS may be better than
Renault in this respect, but as the things get old they give nasty
trouble.

 

Quite. Your point about the spec is well made. When I was looking round
for my latest car I decided an Elegance spec Octavia made more sense
than an Audi offering at the same price.

The down side may be residual value, but I had already decided that if I
liked it and it was reliable I might very well run it in to the ground.
Given the relatively high mileage the 'chateau' trips clock up any car
was going to depreciate fairly quickly. I learned that lesson with the
CRV.

The only major fault so far has been failure of the aircon pump.

As to other small cars I would say that Peugeots aren't what they used
to be when I had two 104s and a 304. I grew very fond of my old 306
diesel, but the ageing electrical system was like a lottery. The alarm
had to be deactivated and the central locking system was fairly random.
Fortunately, being a non turbo diesel it wasn't otherwise too reliant on
electrickery.

SWMBO's MkI Bravo was much better than her current Punto JTD. The Punto
is OK, but her 1.6 petrol Bravo was surprisingly fun to drive and was
almost faultless over 4 years/40000 miles (60000 on the clock when she
swapped it for the Punto).

I know Lozzo and others love to deride the Nova/Corsa, but I have found
them decent cars. SWMBO had a MkI and MkII 1.2 which gave no problems.
IMO the MkI was the better car and very competent on twisties (albeit
hardly fast). My 1.5Td Nova SX was the car have kept longer than any
other. I only got rid of it when the lad came along and we wanted
something with more room.

Never driven a small front wheel drive Alfa. When choosing the new toy I
decided that I wasn't interested in any Alfa that wasn't RWD and V6.

--
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wessie wibbled:

I hired 1.9 diesel one of those last week - not bad at all - pretty
frugal and happy sitting on the motorway at 160kph. Only thing I didn't
like was the blind spot behind the windscreen pillars which only
became intrusive on very twisty roads.

 

She's a burd, therefore anything with a glovebox for her Marigolds &
space in the back for an ironing board will do.

I'm in trouble now aren't I...

OK couple of serious suggestions, based purely on the fact that TG &
5thG rate them - Suzuki Swift or Toyota Yaris.

--
Krusty
www.MuddyStuff.co.uk
Off-Road Classifieds

'02 MV Senna '03 Tiger 955i '96 Tiger '79 Fantic Hiro 250

 

Krusty wrote:

^^^^^^^^^^^^

*snort*

 

We bought a brand new 206 for not much more than that last year.

 

Look East. Nissan, Honda especially. Far, far more reliable.

 

That sounds confusing. Is this F (I met) you are looking for or did you
change woman already.

Can't really go wrong with the Focus. They look ok. Drive well. Reliable
enough. Cheap spares available. Cheap to buy and easy to move on.

Think about the Puma too, I don't know anyone who hasn't loved owning them.

Get her to spend 6k though and buy a 2003/4 RX8 with 50ishK miles. They are
so sweet.

http://tinyurl.com/58h3ao
http://tinyurl.com/5zxp9a

 

Well yes, I wouldn't expect you, Champ or I to have one. But the
hatchback choices at that age seem pretty clear cut - Focus for best
handling, Golf for best image, Swift for best "I'm different, me", &
Yaris for best at just doing what hatchbacks are meant to do.

--
Krusty
www.MuddyStuff.co.uk
Off-Road Classifieds

'02 MV Senna '03 Tiger 955i '96 Tiger '79 Fantic Hiro 250

 

I'm still not sure about Nissan, not after my experiences with the
Silver Tuddy. Too much bloody Renault input, precisly where it's not
neded (electrics).

Honda, yeah. I'd also look at some of the new Korean stuff: should be
reliable as all hell, and five-year warranties...

 

yes.

 

Curses!

 

Crikey. That could be ideal. When can we talk? You still got my
mobile number?

 

....or her VAG

 

*whoosh*

 

Oh... arse. I'm still none the wiser though.

--
Krusty
www.MuddyStuff.co.uk
Off-Road Classifieds

'02 MV Senna '03 Tiger 955i '96 Tiger '79 Fantic Hiro 250

 

Be very wary of any Peugeot since the 306. I loved my TD 306, and did
100k trouble free miles before changing for a Leon. Big mistake,
despite being "VW" in origin it was not a good car, although I hear the
new one is better. The 307 has been slated by everybody I know that
owns one, crap to drive and very poor reliability.

But what do I know - I bought a Citroen C4 Coupe, which amazingly in 25k
hard motorway miles has been great[1]. I'm watching in glee as prices
of Accords and the like tumble as sales dry up, I'll be buying again in
the New Year I think.

[1] Still not keeping it after the warranty though!

 

this probably doesn't help you at all, but if I do change cars next
year, I'm looking at buying a 18 month old Golf R32.