Hi there All,

Does anyone have any advice as to what car I should be looking for, for my wife?


General thoughts are this:

1. She's a relatively good driver but with only a few years experience, so would be nice if it was relatively easy to drive.

2. I would like it to be a safe car in the event of an accident.

3. Got to carry a small family, but thinking maybe (very maybe) provision for a dog soon.

4. Budget is whatever my Golf sells for minus £500 so (hopefully) worst case scenario is between £2k to £2750 ish... (Absolutely no money spare to add to it)

5. She now only does 3.6 miles to work (and back) so it doesn't strictly have to be great on fuel, but don't want stupid insurance and cheaper tax would be nice but not essential.


I'm pretty sure I had a list as long as my arm in pre-requisites, but can't remember them now Basically I am on such a tight budget that I need it to be a good car, by the way the purchae money I quoted above is for ebay prices rather than forecourt or locally as I need the budget to stretch as far as it can, and if you suggest actual cars on ebay, I'd ideally like them to be within 25/50 miles of me (CW10 0DA)...

Now just to throw you off the scent, I'm gonna tell you my own thoughts - I keep flitting between getting an entirely sensible (read boring) suitable car for the immediate situation to something that will be a good car for us/her for the next few years when Josef isn't a baby...

So my thoughts are these:

Audi A6 Saloon (maybe 1.8T SE) 1999 - 2001 ish
Audi A4 Avant (Estate, pref Diesel, 2001 ish
Mercedes A Class 160 (mid range model spec) <2002
Freelander TD4
Citreon Xsara Picasso (don't really know spec levels or what year I could afford)
Honda CR-V (don't really know spec levels or what year I could afford)
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Audi A4 Convertible (or something similar)

Please don't let my car thoughts influence your suggestions, I think it has been proved many times in the years that I've been on this forum that I know nothing about cars! Welcome suggestions from everyone and if you have a reason for a suggestion or why I shouldn't choose the cars above then please write just a line or two...

Kind regards and thanks in advance...

Steve

Edited for Speeling

[Edited on 13/3/11 by Steve Hignett]

2003 Patty TDi?

A4 is on my list too Pants...Good call that.

3.6 miles to work buy her some sturdy walking boots, Why the move from the Golf to an Audi basicaly the same platform or is it insurance?.

I run a 1.8 golf turbo can return 38 MPG on a run and can get 30+ over an 8 mile trip over 3 miles probably 19mpg so would think the Audi the Same mine is mapped to around 200bhp and appears more economical than before weird.

I'm going to have a very nice Astra coupe 1.8 in black up for sale soon for around 2k. It's fully serviced and drives perfectly with a full mot and 1 owner from new.

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Originally posted by austin man
3.6 miles to work buy her some sturdy walking boots, Why the move from the Golf to an Audi basicaly the same platform or is it insurance?.

I run a 1.8 golf turbo can return 38 MPG on a run and can get 30+ over an 8 mile trip over 3 miles probably 19mpg so would think the Audi the Same mine is mapped to around 200bhp and appears more economical than before weird.

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i fancy a change if you wanna buy my bora, 2001 tdi se, £2500

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Originally posted by MK9R
i fancy a change if you wanna buy my bora, 2001 tdi se, £2500

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Originally posted by Steve Hignett

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Originally posted by MK9R
i fancy a change if you wanna buy my bora, 2001 tdi se, £2500

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Pics, Spec etc???

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Received and replied!

Any other ideas guys and gals???

My Missy uses my 99 Zafira and although I'm not a Vauxhall fan it's quite a good motor and generally seems very well built. She says she’s very happy with it and it’s a good size and fairs well in crash tests. Mpg is good and 1.6 engine is well powerful. Only down side is lower engine access at the back is very tight and replacing the steering rack (why I got it so cheap...£200) requires front subframe removal. she also likes the 7 seater capacity as she can take her friends in it for girls nights out, I like it cos I can take loads of rubbish to the tip! Rear leg room is massive when the seats are slid back normally. All that in a car about a foot shorter than my Bluebird!



[Edited on 14/3/11 by Mr Whippy]

I wouldn't get a diesel for regular 3.6mile journeys - won't do the motor or fuel consumption any favours.

Seems like excellent value (A-Class on Autotrader - and 34 miles from you,)

[Edited on 14/3/11 by TimC]

I'm not convinced that these day diesels are any cheaper to run than the petrol equivalent since the price of diesel is so much more. Plus their more difficult and costly to work on than a petrol engine. I know a couple of folk who have faced £700 bills for pump/meter replacements, one ended up scrapping his car.

[Edited on 14/3/11 by Mr Whippy]

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Originally posted by TimC
I wouldn't get a diesel for regular 3.6mile journeys - won't do the motor or fuel consumption any favours.

Seems like excellent value (A-Class on Autotrader - and 34 miles from you,)

[Edited on 14/3/11 by TimC]

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Originally posted by franky

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Originally posted by TimC
I wouldn't get a diesel for regular 3.6mile journeys - won't do the motor or fuel consumption any favours.

Seems like excellent value (A-Class on Autotrader - and 34 miles from you,)

[Edited on 14/3/11 by TimC]

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thats a scam.

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Originally posted by McLannahan
Yup...Deffo a scam. Nicely spotted Franky!

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It's not a scam, I just contacted him and the car sounds amezzin, got thousands of quids worth of ICE, £10k worth of wheels, and he throws in free happy ending massages with every fuel tank fill up...


I've just sent him a cheque for £22000 (I get the £20000 back when I pick up the car)

[Edited on 14/3/11 by Steve Hignett]

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Originally posted by TimC

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Originally posted by McLannahan
Yup...Deffo a scam. Nicely spotted Franky!

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Ah yes - Sorry to point you at a scam!

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Originally posted by Steve Hignett

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Originally posted by TimC

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Originally posted by McLannahan
Yup...Deffo a scam. Nicely spotted Franky!

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Ah yes - Sorry to point you at a scam!

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If I didn't know better........................

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Originally posted by MK9R

He is looking for new employment at the moment.........

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I am currently lucky enough to be experiencing Omega, by Vauxhall And wow - what an experience - words can barely express. I have a saloon, but an estate might be more practical for your intended use. Big, comfy, safe and dirt cheap. Elite auto version is the most pimpin way to cruise for sure, and all that baby sick just wipes straight off the smooth cow interior. Actually, baby isn't sick in the first place cos he/she feels so comfortable and privileged compared to the other babies. Doggy is similarly happy in his huge and luxurious boot. Correct-wheel-drive means it's great for towing if that ever takes your fancy, or maybe a spot of drifting. You can choose from 2.0 up to 3.2 petrols, plus a diesel.

If you want something rally chaep try a skoda fabia had one for 4 years never put a spanner on it good on fuel past all its mot ,s and cheap insurance