What would you buy?

[Scott]

No, it's not for me. I've already said elsewhere I'm getting a Cube (project to follow at the weekend once I've picked it up!).

My mum's looking at getting a new car, I was wondering if you guys had any thoughts on what to get with the following criteria:

Year: 2009 or newer
Mileage: Sub-40k
Power: Approx 150bhp as she currently has an A3 1.8T and doesn't want anything slower
Extras/Interior: A/C and alloys, leather seats preferable, and also hopefully built-in sat nav (though not essential). It needs to be pretty comfortable as she has back problems
Doors: 3 door is fine, as long as it's not too much trouble to get 4 passengers in the car (occasionally)
Transmission: Must be auto or have paddleshift
Budget: ~£10k

So far we've ruled out:
Citroen DS3/4/5 (no auto in their 1.6 THP options - which also goes for Peugeot)
Anything Vauxhall, Ford, Toyota, Honda

And so far she's interested in:
VW Golf/Audi A3 1.4 TSi & the 150 diesel (I've advised against as they're extremely plastic and boring as hell)
VW Scirocco 1.4 TSi (lot of money for what you get, also lots of plastic)
Renault Megane GT Line 2.0D (165 bhp, looks amazing and has a lovely interior) - this is her favourite so far
Volvo C30 (I'm recommending the 2.4l D5 R-Design as it comes in auto and I think looks great)

I can't say I've looked at or suggested anything BMW or Mercedes to be honest.

Any other ideas? Thanks gents

[Niall]

Scott if you want i will bring my hire car up one eve and she can have a look over that? I know obviously she wouldnt buy one of them in particular but it gives you an idea to build quality and what they are like...

Mazda 3 or a bit too small?
Out of all of the cars you listed above, id go for a c30! look great and are supposed to be very very well built and reliable.

[Niall]

Ooh or actually on a serious note here, how about a new shape kia ceed (not the SW!) have a look on their site. They do them very well spec'd, very nicely built and not bad pricing at all.

[Just Sean]

Whatabout seat leon the.new ones are quite good looking!

No i dont get commision for seat!

[Scott]

Mazda 3! Forgot about that one, she didn't like the build quality of them as they were also incredibly plastic and she didn't like how it drove.

The Kia could be a good plan, I know they've released a more sporty version recently so that could be something else to look at? I'll ask, cheers buddy!

Oh and Sean, the Leon isn't a bad idea. She likes the new Ibiza - http://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/u...sg/1570209#

[Niall]

Whatabout seat leon the.new ones are quite good looking!

No i dont get commision for seat!

But are shockingly bad on fuel for the sort of performance you get

[Niall]

Mazda 3! Forgot about that one, she didn't like the build quality of them as they were also incredibly plastic and she didn't like how it drove.

The Kia could be a good plan, I know they've released a more sporty version recently so that could be something else to look at? I'll ask, cheers buddy!

Pro Ceed GT? I got sent a link to it on the work email the other day as its on our car list. Looks very nice but they arent even out yet so she would have to buy brand new and they start from 20k.
Have a look at the Ceed 3. They do that in a auto (apparently very nice to drive, a few guys at work have them due to bad left legs...convenient eh!?)

Or what about a Honda Civic type s?

[pugjohn306]

Mazda rx 8 can be had for about 5g skoda octavia about same price
Mini cooper. hyundi coupe. Suzuki sx4 merc c class...

[1616six]

Amber's mum has a pro ceed, I'd be very very tempted with a diesel one. Epic value for money!

[Niall]

She wont get on with a Mini at all. Even the basic model has really harsh crashy suspension.
Again, id rate the octavia and scott knows how bullet proof they are But doubt thats her cup of tea

[pugjohn306]

Can get a decent vauxhall insignia for 10 thow.

[1616six]

Can get a decent vauxhall insignia for 10 thow.

You can't.

And they have already said no vauxhalls, or they WOULD have got a vectra, common sense.

[Toms306]

Suzuki Swift? My Mum still loves hers a year since buying it new....

No issues at all in that time, pretty good spec with auto lights, climate, Bluetooth connection, cruise control, even including keyless entry and push button start on top spec SZ4. It's definitely a 'Mum' car tbh, so I assume they'll do an auto lol and even with the 1.2 96bhp engine it's not slow as it's pretty light but theres also a 1.6 sport iirc.

[Niall]

Can get a decent vauxhall insignia for 10 thow.

You can't.

And they have already said no vauxhalls, or they WOULD have got a vectra, common sense.

This. And also why would you buy an insignia? Put if this way, if she didnt like the build quality of a VW, she wont like a insignia. They are absolutely shocking for a "premium" Car

[Grant]

This. And also why would you buy an insignia? Put if this way, if she didnt like the build quality of a VW, she wont like a insignia. They are absolutely shocking for a "premium" Car

I would beg to differ.

Forget the dash colour (an option) whats wrong with the one my old man has?

[Niall]

This. And also why would you buy an insignia? Put if this way, if she didnt like the build quality of a VW, she wont like a insignia. They are absolutely shocking for a "premium" Car

I would beg to differ.

Forget the dash colour (an option) whats wrong with the one my old man has?

For a 25-27k car, its very very plasticy! And yes if i was getting one, would definitely have one with a black dash

[pugjohn306]

Can get a decent vauxhall insignia for 10 thow.

You can't.

And they have already said no vauxhalls, or they WOULD have got a vectra, common sense.

Yes you can and i didnt see no vauxhall

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/a...000/page/1'>

<img src='http://pictures2.autotrader.co.uk/imgser-uk/servlet/media?id=259365802' height='200' width='270'>

[Grant]

For a 25-27k car, its very very plasticy! And yes if i was getting one, would definitely have one with a black dash

As Im guessing is the same with the hire car parked on your drive?

And +1 to the black dash.

[Niall]

For a 25-27k car, its very very plasticy! And yes if i was getting one, would definitely have one with a black dash

As Im guessing is the same with the hire car parked on your drive?

And +1 to the black dash.

Yeah thats even bloody worse! And thats a 35k car! Hence why i offered to drive it round one eve so she can have a look. I think it will put her off owning a BMW if she is after something that feels solid.

[Grant]

if she is after something that feels solid.

Just f*cking LOL!

[Niall]

if she is after something that feels solid.

Just f*cking LOL!

Yeah i was wondering how long it would be for someone to pick up on that. lol

[Just Sean]

What about Hyundai i30? 7year warrenty has to say someching about their quality

[Toms306]

What about Hyundai i30? 7year warrenty has to say someching about their quality

That's not a bad shout tbh.... My college tutor bought one - and he'd been a tech for BMW for several years before teaching so knows his stuff lol.

My granddad had an i10...horrible and cheap being the pov spec model but it never actually broke anything.....

[Dum-Dum]

Mazda RX8 can be had with a paddle cant it?

[Scott]

They're terrible on economy though unfortunately I completely forgot to say, it needs to do around 40mpg or above.

[Niall]

Also, RX8 needs to be driven in the correct manor to last. Not being rude but im sure your mum scott wont give it a proper ragging when its needed!

[Connor]

Im guessing you ruled out Honda's due to the price tag? As the 1.6 derv would have been spot on, even the 2.2 returns decent mpg (so Im told, I always drove them like i stole it)

[Jenkosowls]

Seat Ibiza bocanegra paddle shift in them 1.4 tfsi engine vag technology

[Rippthrough]

For a 25-27k car, its very very plasticy! And yes if i was getting one, would definitely have one with a black dash

My grandad's had one for years, and it's still quiet and rattle free, and that's impressive for him (given he's run into things 3 times already...).

Maybe it's a touch plasticy inside on the lower end models, but I prefer build quality to be build quality, not 'how soft are the bits I never touch' quality.

[Poodle]

Nails got some brand new one that is different to all the previous ones somehow.

Tbh Scott, i would have suggested the C30.