- 2,319
- benzoboy
- BenRB26
Hi all, first off, haven't posted much lately. Not sure why, just didn't. I'm sorry.
Now that that's out of the way, we can get onto the topic in hand.
Right, so, as you may or may not be aware, my dad's currently driving a 2006 Nissan Navara 2.5 DCi on contract hire (lease). It's going back in September and he's looking ahead for a new car to buy. The criteria is:
- Up to £10k, can go over but not too much. £13k absolute max.
- Decent performance. He's not too fussed about cornering as he's usually on the motorway, but it's always nice to have.
- Not too old, let's go with anything newer than a 52 UK reg (Sept. 2002 on).
- Not too "in your face", he's 47. Can't be doing that stuff without being locked up by the midlife crisis police.
- Decent running costs. He says if he likes the car a lot he's willing to be a bit lenient. But nothing silly.
- Reliabilty. This is quite an important one, as he does a high amount of mileage annually, and he's his own boss so he can't afford to miss any time off work.
I've been on the Autotrader recently, just browsing, and there's a fair amount of good cars around. But of all the ones we've seen, I reckon these are the best:
- Audi S3 8L
This is by far my personal favourite out of all the cars we've looked at. As it fits all of the criteria:
Up to 10k: Does this, can get a good 2003 one for £9,000.
Decent Performance: Does this too, 0-60mph in about 6 and a half seconds is fantastic. It also has the famous Quattro system, so we know it corners well. Plus the 1.8T has been used in many VAG cars so there's a lot of tuneability in case my dad ever gets bored.
Not too old: Does this, as mentioned, you can get a 6 year old one for £9,000.
Not too "in your face": Does this as long as it isn't Wee Yellow. It's a fantastic looking car I reckon, short, wide, and low. Perfect.
Decent running costs: Does this, it's only a 1.8, so MPG can't be too bad. Even though it is turbocharged. It's also only just in a certain Road Tax Band, by a couple of g/km, and apparently certain modifications can bring this down to the lower tax band. Superb.
Reliability: I'm fairly certain it does this, because it's German. And even if something was to go wrong, the VAG 1.8T has been used in many cars. So parts can't be too hard to come by.
One of the other things I quite like about this car is how they all came with a Bose sound system, this immediatly gets my dad's attention as he's all for good sound systems in cars, and Bose are widely regarded for making fine Speakers. They also came with Recaro seats, either in full leather form or half leather/alacantara form. Also fantastic.
In a nutshell:
Pros: Good looks, fantastic engine, decent performance without sacrificing everyday use.
Cons: Space, maybe a bit over-priced.
- BMW M3 E46
Another one of my favourites, although it's a slightly less realistic candidate. Nonetheless, worth a look:
Up to 10k: While you can get one for 10k, it's a bit of a stretch. They all seem to be motorway mileage and about 02 plates. Still, going up a grand or two can get you a better/newer one.
Decent Performance: I don't really think I need to explain this one. I mean, it's an M-sport BMW for chrissakes.
Not too old: As I said, to get anything newer than an 02 plate you'd need to stretch the budget a bit. Worth it though.
Not too "in your face": I reckon it does this, lets people know it's not a car to mess with without punching you in the face. Not that many people don't know what an M3 is anyway.
Decent Running Costs: Couldn't avoid this, no clue what MPG is but I'm guessing it isn't the best, seeing as it's a 3.2 litre. And it's a BMW, so it comes free with BMW servicing costs.
Reliability: Most German cars are pretty reliable, but of course with a car like this most examples will most likely be thrashed. But there's always one or two with "one mature owner".
Fantastic motor for sure, of course there's a few sacrifices but I guess in the end of the day there isn't many cars that give it all. Ride may be a bit harsh on this, so that's one to look out for.
In a nutshell:
Pros: It's a BMW M3, performance, looks, badge.
Cons: Cost, comfort.
- Ford Focus ST
ASBO FTW. One of the few FWD cars I like, fantastic handling too I've read. We did look at getting an olderRS but we decided those were a bit dangerous.
Up to 10k: Does this, I think £10k gets you a 56 plate one. Which is a lot better than the other two German cars.
Decent Performance: It's not quite as fast as the S3, but it's by no means slow. It's also fantastic in the bends too. Not just for a FWD, just fantastic full-stop.
Not too old: As I said, you can get a 2006 model, which is brilliant for the money.
Not too "in your face": Eh, I suppose if he gets one that isn't Asbo orange.
Decent Running Costs: Does this, Volvo 2.5 turbo isn't too bad on fuel consumption I've read, and lower tax band than the S3 too I believe.
Reliabilty: It's a Volvo and Ford collaboration, enough said.
Great cars, get a fair amount of kit too if you get the top spec "ST-3". Just as long as he doesn't get an orange one...
In a nutshell:
Pros: Good performance, not too bad looking, top spec ones get a fair amount of kit.
Cons: It's a tarted up Focus, chav image.
Now that that's out of the way, we can get onto the topic in hand.
Right, so, as you may or may not be aware, my dad's currently driving a 2006 Nissan Navara 2.5 DCi on contract hire (lease). It's going back in September and he's looking ahead for a new car to buy. The criteria is:
- Up to £10k, can go over but not too much. £13k absolute max.
- Decent performance. He's not too fussed about cornering as he's usually on the motorway, but it's always nice to have.
- Not too old, let's go with anything newer than a 52 UK reg (Sept. 2002 on).
- Not too "in your face", he's 47. Can't be doing that stuff without being locked up by the midlife crisis police.
- Decent running costs. He says if he likes the car a lot he's willing to be a bit lenient. But nothing silly.
- Reliabilty. This is quite an important one, as he does a high amount of mileage annually, and he's his own boss so he can't afford to miss any time off work.
I've been on the Autotrader recently, just browsing, and there's a fair amount of good cars around. But of all the ones we've seen, I reckon these are the best:
- Audi S3 8L
This is by far my personal favourite out of all the cars we've looked at. As it fits all of the criteria:
Up to 10k: Does this, can get a good 2003 one for £9,000.
Decent Performance: Does this too, 0-60mph in about 6 and a half seconds is fantastic. It also has the famous Quattro system, so we know it corners well. Plus the 1.8T has been used in many VAG cars so there's a lot of tuneability in case my dad ever gets bored.
Not too old: Does this, as mentioned, you can get a 6 year old one for £9,000.
Not too "in your face": Does this as long as it isn't Wee Yellow. It's a fantastic looking car I reckon, short, wide, and low. Perfect.
Decent running costs: Does this, it's only a 1.8, so MPG can't be too bad. Even though it is turbocharged. It's also only just in a certain Road Tax Band, by a couple of g/km, and apparently certain modifications can bring this down to the lower tax band. Superb.
Reliability: I'm fairly certain it does this, because it's German. And even if something was to go wrong, the VAG 1.8T has been used in many cars. So parts can't be too hard to come by.
One of the other things I quite like about this car is how they all came with a Bose sound system, this immediatly gets my dad's attention as he's all for good sound systems in cars, and Bose are widely regarded for making fine Speakers. They also came with Recaro seats, either in full leather form or half leather/alacantara form. Also fantastic.
In a nutshell:
Pros: Good looks, fantastic engine, decent performance without sacrificing everyday use.
Cons: Space, maybe a bit over-priced.
- BMW M3 E46
Another one of my favourites, although it's a slightly less realistic candidate. Nonetheless, worth a look:
Up to 10k: While you can get one for 10k, it's a bit of a stretch. They all seem to be motorway mileage and about 02 plates. Still, going up a grand or two can get you a better/newer one.
Decent Performance: I don't really think I need to explain this one. I mean, it's an M-sport BMW for chrissakes.
Not too old: As I said, to get anything newer than an 02 plate you'd need to stretch the budget a bit. Worth it though.
Not too "in your face": I reckon it does this, lets people know it's not a car to mess with without punching you in the face. Not that many people don't know what an M3 is anyway.
Decent Running Costs: Couldn't avoid this, no clue what MPG is but I'm guessing it isn't the best, seeing as it's a 3.2 litre. And it's a BMW, so it comes free with BMW servicing costs.
Reliability: Most German cars are pretty reliable, but of course with a car like this most examples will most likely be thrashed. But there's always one or two with "one mature owner".
Fantastic motor for sure, of course there's a few sacrifices but I guess in the end of the day there isn't many cars that give it all. Ride may be a bit harsh on this, so that's one to look out for.
In a nutshell:
Pros: It's a BMW M3, performance, looks, badge.
Cons: Cost, comfort.
- Ford Focus ST
ASBO FTW. One of the few FWD cars I like, fantastic handling too I've read. We did look at getting an olderRS but we decided those were a bit dangerous.
Up to 10k: Does this, I think £10k gets you a 56 plate one. Which is a lot better than the other two German cars.
Decent Performance: It's not quite as fast as the S3, but it's by no means slow. It's also fantastic in the bends too. Not just for a FWD, just fantastic full-stop.
Not too old: As I said, you can get a 2006 model, which is brilliant for the money.
Not too "in your face": Eh, I suppose if he gets one that isn't Asbo orange.
Decent Running Costs: Does this, Volvo 2.5 turbo isn't too bad on fuel consumption I've read, and lower tax band than the S3 too I believe.
Reliabilty: It's a Volvo and Ford collaboration, enough said.
Great cars, get a fair amount of kit too if you get the top spec "ST-3". Just as long as he doesn't get an orange one...
In a nutshell:
Pros: Good performance, not too bad looking, top spec ones get a fair amount of kit.
Cons: It's a tarted up Focus, chav image.
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