This will get some 'opinions' going . . .

OK everyone, need some opinions on a new car! And before you all panic, this is as well as, not instead of, the B!! Martin is changing jobs and I won't be able to use his company car as much and will need a four-seater as well as the B. Criteria is as follows:

Around the £6k to £9k mark
Ideally no older than a 52 plate
Ideally deisel but would consider petrol
At least 4 proper seats
Ideally no more than 50k on the clock, but OK to be a bit more if deisel
Something I can trust to get me on a 2 to 3 hour journey without breaking down
Something that's not toooo dull

Think that's about it - so far I've looked at the following - which all fit these requirements

Mercedes C200/C220 coupe
Mazda RX8
Toyota Celica
BMW 3-series
Audi A4

The Merc and the Celica are my top favourites at the mo - especially as I've found a fab Celica in bright blue!

All suggestions welcome - happy to consider something a bit out of the ordinary (no surprise there!).

Thanks

The top 3 are for gaymen or girls.
No4 is for idiots who pay too much for a 'bottom of the line' car and think they look cool in their red braces and mirror shades.
No5 is ok..if you like clunking around in an underpowered tutonic tank.

I AM a girl!

I'd get a really well looked after Fiat coupe from the fiat coupe forum. 4 seats, boot and 220Hp. Expensive to run but going for lunch money at the moment. All the above will be a teeny weeny dot in the rear mirror. And no, they don't rust more than any other car.

Yep, but he's already said he's not driving it if it's too girly!

Mercs, had some in the past don't like them and would never buy another.
RX8 is brilliant but has crap MPG 24ish
Toyota Celica (4 propper seat's, I don't think so)
3 series Never liked them unless 325 on as quite boring and plain (no experience with the newer versions)
Audi A4 have no experience of them.

Like the idea of the Coupe but would think you would need to find a low milage completely unmolested one as I can't think of anyone that wouldn't kick the a$$ out of it, as they are such fun to push the right pedal on. The engine sound is also very addictive

If thinking A4 I would have a look at a pre 2001 728 sport they are extremely good to drive and are just completely full of luxury they are relatively quick as well for being the lower of the range, plus you will be ble to pick them up very cheap. You also can't discount the 5 series as they are just so good. You may even be able to pick up the Alpina B10 for that sort of money and one word sums it up....WOW! One of the fastest things I have driven in a long time BUT even with the 4.4 is far more ecconomical than the RX8

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/BMW-ALPINA-B10...QQcmdZViewItem

How about an Alfa 166 or similar? Or some Lancia?
Keep it in the Fiat family

Going back to Alan's point about the Coupe the non-turbo 154hp one is a seriously underated animal and not normally modded or molested. Also not so expensive to insure.

I had 3 coupes and the na was by far the most reliable.

A4- over-rated, I thought you said "not too boring", needs decent engine to get to 60mph before far end of M4.

RX anything- rotary engine MPG

Celica- might look good (depending on model) but apparently often not as good to drive (so I'm told).



Sorry, we're all being really positive aren't we...

Renault Avantime

I have a 55 plate VW Bora thats fully loaded and it's built like a tank, for the money you just can't not take a look. MY friend has a 52 plate C class and I would say the build quality is no better.

Just look at what you get for the money!! 25k, diesel, 2004, leather all for £6500 !! Sure its not going to light your fire but bang for buck you just cant go wrong.

Link

New shape audi A3

Stick to the Fiat family, I bought my Sportswagon shown below last year with only 16,000 on the clock. It's fully loaded and only cost 5.7k. Great that an Alfa depreciates from 24k to that in just 2.5 years, so long as you aim to keep it for a while.
No I've not broken down yet it's run like a dream.

If you're thinking diesel, then presumably you aren't wanting the low 20s mpg of the RX8 or any of the horrid German things that do that if they have a half decent engine....

I'd agree with keeping it Italian. Alfa 166 major bargain - though mpg not clever unless you get the twin spark....

Be adventurous and import a Lancia Kappa or first of the Thesis if you can find one for £9k (hard now the euro is strong).

Or, how about a 1999 Maserati Quattroporte V8 twin turbo?

Or if being sensible, Alfa 159....should be able to pick one up for £9k shortly....