Hi All!

The wife needs a new car and I am struggling for ideas so thought I'd see if you guys could give me some inspiration.

She currently has an Alfa 156 which I talked her into getting a few years back, and it is now becoming far more trouble than it's worth. Muggins here does all the work on it and it is a proper pain in the arse to work on. Rusted on nuts and bolts come as standard with these things...

We have £2000 maximum to spend and are hoping to get something reliable, nice to drive with a few toys and not more than 2 litres.

My first thought was a Lexus IS200, as I have a LS400 which really is the epitome of reliability. I service it a couple of times a year and that's it. Was hoping an IS might be the same but am struggling to find any I like the look of in my area?

She doesn't want a boring Focus or Fiesta type car so anyone have any other ideas? I'm based in Reading BTW.

Cheers!

E46 3-series? Lovely to drive, plenty of toys, and mostly very reliable....

Skoda Octavia vRS/Seat Leon Cupra/Golf GTI/Audi S3 - fun, reliable, in budget

Hot hatch? Not a 'boring Focus or Fiesta' but there are plenty of others to choose from - e.g. Clio 182, Megane 225, Vag range (see above), Fabia vRS, Civic Type R?

My friend has a Lexus LS200, and other than the nice engine note, it is a seriously dull car. Uninspiring to drive, expensive on parts, and normally driven by old people! His has been fairly reliable, but it is really showing its years now.

MK2 MX5
Impreza WRX
BMW Z3

If you're not bothered about the number of seats or fuel economy......

Thanks for the ideas. I have a bit of an issue with BMW drivers but maybe if my wife has one it might cure this. Thinking a good clean 3 series is the way to go...

quote:

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Originally posted by david_hornet27
Thanks for the ideas. I have a bit of an issue with BMW drivers but maybe if my wife has one it might cure this. Thinking a good clean 3 series is the way to go...

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Saab 9-3 - plenty diesels or petrols.

SAAB 9-5 2.0ltr turbo?
Lots about at silly money as the majority of non-owners won't go near them now the company's gone.
Plenty of spares and specialists incl. DCA at Upper Bucklebury nr. Thatcham who not only service and repair but break and supply s/hand parts.
Plus Alan or Simon there are always generous with their help if the need arises.
Ask me how I know.....
HTH.
Cheers Pewe10

[Edited on 28/11/13 by pewe]

Mazda Mx-5

MGF

Mercedes-Benz C-class (W203) with supercharger.

Just sold my 52 plate Mercedes C Class for 2k. They are a seriously nice car. My first Merc, and enjoyed every minute of the 2 plus years I had it.
2 ltr engine, tiptronic box, loads of toys, and managed an average of 38mpg on a trip to Cornwall last year. There's loads around, and great bargains to be had.
I even sold my Lotus and the C Class to fund an SLK 280.