What Car ?

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solerina

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I'm currently getting lessons , don't laugh , I've got a full bike licence so I can ride a Ducati and not blink but I need a car so it's back to square one . I've sort of decided that a ford focus diesel is about the best deal .Safe , thief proof , economical , holds it's value . About 8k . Anyone any better suggestions ?
 
Diesels work out much cheaper in mileage-per-litre terms, automatics mean you don't have to fart about with fifty gear changes a minute in an urban environment, anything by a big-volume mfr. like Ford or Vauxhall means you can get spares and repairs done without having to send away to Ulan Bator for replacements... although I have to tell you it was my 9 y.o. Proton which jump-started the First Aiders' one year-old Ford Focus at Plumpton! "Never buy a bloody Ford," was the driver's slightly irritated advice. :angy:
 
I drive a FORD FOCUS TDCI GHIA DIESEL 1.8 Turbo it flies but cost new in access of £16K I have had it from new 3yrs now come next month and would not change it for anything else 50 to the gallon @ speeds 70-90 ON MOTOR WAYaround town 34 to the gallon NEVER FAILED ME YET!!! :P
 
:lol:

I don't drive but I gather from those who do that the Ford Ka is excellent and reasonably priced
 
People often advise other to buy Fords are the parts are usually in plentiful supply and quite cheap.

I prefer cars that don´t needs parts changing regularly <_<

You´d need to pay me to drive a Ford.

We (Mrs Mo & I) have been driving Japanese cars for about 15 years now and they are incredibly reliable and usually better-equipped than European cars.

(I´m only driving an Audi these days ´cos it´s got the best diesel engine of its generation and I cover 170 miles a day. As soon as I get another job nearer home I´ll be looking for another Japanese car.)
 
"We (Mrs Mo & I) have been driving Japanese cars for about 15 years now and they are incredibly reliable and usually better-equipped than European cars"
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They will have been made in Europe - and quite possibly the UK. These days it's very difficult to apply a nationality to any car (apart from a Morgan).
 
I drive a peugeot 106 at the moment. Looking to get a new car as its 3years old now. Looking at either VW Polo or Lupo, Skoda Fabia, Seat Arosa oe Ibiza and Renault Clio. Always wanted a Ford Puma though.
 
I know that, Brian :rolleyes: but the QA systems in the Japanese plants seem to produce a superior product. We've had British-built Nissans and Hondas, two Japanese Mitsubishis one Japanese Toyota and they were marvellous cars. The Toyota was particularly reliable.

I've had two Fords, one VW Beetle and one Marina and I've driven other people's Peugeots, Renaults, etc. Some were pleasant to drive but lacked a quality feel or equipment you'd take for granted in a Japanese car.

The Audi oozes quality and I average just over 54mpg but, like Mrs Mo, is high-maintenance.
 
I am thinking of buying a cuope. I assume its a mid life crisis. What make would anybody recommend. I like the Hyundai.
 
I've just bought a Mini Cooper and love it. One of the pluses is that lots of pretty girls seem to own them too and they wave it you because you've got one.
 
Er Maurice, a bit of advice, a Mini Cooper is a not magnet to a girl who already has one.

Have a word with the Missus.
 
Sols: yes, Maurice is right about the Japanese cars (the Proton is Malyasian but uses a Mitsubishi engine block, I believe). My second car was a Mazda 323 which went like sh*t off a stick, was fantastically reliable, and surprisingly comfortable for a smaller car. Plenty of boot space, too. I had it at 2 years old, and drove it in Saudi for another six - only sold it on because I left the country. So, at 8, it was still going great guns, and a really safe, sound wee car it was. I can't abide all this dumping cars at 3 stuff - unless you do horrendous mileage, and the car's crappy, there's no need.

Don't know what functions you need from your car, though? If you need big boot space, for example, you can't get much roomier than Skoda's Octavia 1.8, with a very roomy interior and loads of reliability.

Just a word to some people: what's the point in telling Solerina your car cost over £8,000 when that's her limit? :rolleyes: It'd be more helpful pointing her to cars that are good and come in under that, if possible.

Sols, Google up Exchange and Mart, and go to their Used Cars section. You can then type in the price range you want, and the type of car you have in mind (hatchback, saloon, mini, people carrier, etc.) and that'll show you a whole range of possibles. It also lists dealers who you could find near to you, arrange for a few test drives, and see what feels good to you. For example, I think the Fiat Clio's cute, but I hate the way the steering wheel fits into the hand - that sorta thing! Good luck!
 
KA can be got for less than £5000 brand new.... £8000 may buy you a second hand car of the upper priced vehicles.... but I put what my car costs new :P so you can get some idea as regards second hand ones would now cost but depends on the said specy!! of any car year or model...
 
Originally posted by an capall@Apr 3 2005, 08:49 PM
Mo, I thought a grey import was an elderly tourist. Can you explain?
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An, a grey import is usually a Japenese car meaning it is Japanese spec made for the Japanese market. So it will be set up different to european spec cars. Also insurance and maybe servicing and parts could be more expensive. You would also lose a lot more money when it comes to sell it on.
 
But it's a lot cheper in the first place and the spec is usually significantly better than the UK or European versions. And it is R-H drive.
 
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