A friend of mine needs a newer car...

She currently owns a Toyota Carina E with 224,000+ miles on the clock (yes that was 224,000!).

She is after a hatchback, she loves the Bravo, but needs 5 doors, and she is not fussed on the Brava...

She has about £5000 to spend, but bear in mind that she is not a usual woman driver, she wants something with a big of go in it, so at least a 1.6/1.8...

She likes the Seat Leon Cupra R, but cannot find one in her price range...

Can anyone suggest some models that i can temp her with...

Daz

Come on people...

i know you lot have plenty of opinions of cars, someones got to have some idea's

Daz

Re: Re: Not Fiat - Car choices for a friend in need...

1. Vauxhall Astra Sport.
2. Ford Focus 2.0 Zetec (insurance Group 8)

Re: Re: Not Fiat - Car choices for a friend in need...

Big no no to the Astra (she hates them)

2.0 Focus - Insurance group 8!, that good...one to remember

Not fussed on 306's...

Daz

Re: Re: Re: Not Fiat - Car choices for a friend in need...

What's so wrong with the Astra, all iv'e heard is badness about them, i was really thinking on getting one once my Brava dies.

Re: Re: Re: Re: Not Fiat - Car choices for a friend in need...

stilo
307
bmw 5
mg45

Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Not Fiat - Car choices for a friend in need...

Slightly off-the-wall choices, but how about:-

Subaru Impreza Sport 2.0 5-door (non-turbo) - 1998-2000 model should be within budget.
Mazda 323 2.0i ZX V6 5-door (coupe-style model) - last of the line 1998 cars should be within budget.

Both these are a bit different and interesting (for Jap cars anyway!) and the Mazda has a great V6. For a more conventional choice, how about Citroen Xsara 2.0i 16V - SX-spec 2000 facelift model should be affordable. Dull on the outside, but good to drive and well-equipped.

Other than that, non-turbo 1.8 Leon is still a good car, as is Focus Zetec.

Rich.

Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Not Fiat - Car choices for a friend in need...

I dont think she will find a stilo for £5k...
I'll have to check on the 307...
She really hates BMW drivers, so that may be a no no..lol
Doesnt like the MG's, except the rover 25 one, but again i dont think she could find one for £5000

Whats the Alfa 145 like?...The 2.0 T Spark in particular..

Daz

Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Not Fiat - Car choices for a friend in need...

isn't the alfa 145 the little 3 door hatch back?

why not look at the civic saloon, if she expects to get another 224000 miles out of a car i would stick with honda/toyota.

Although bmw do offer a 150000 mile service where they basically replace anything that might have worn. about £3k though. lol

Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Not Fiat - Car choices for a friend in need...

Alfa 146 is the 5-door version of the 145 (like Brava to Bravo). Always quite fancied one (2.0Ti is same spec as 145 Cloverleaf) - the motoring press doesn't seem to like them, but I've never driven one so can't really comment.

Rich

Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Not Fiat - Car choices for a friend in need...

Pug 406, Honda Accord, Renault Megane, Citroen Xantia, Rover214

Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Not Fiat - Car choices for a friend in need...

Try beating the price down on this one a little bit

http://www.fccuk.org/ubbthreads/showflat.php?Cat=&Number=196479&page=0&view=collapsed&sb=5&o=&fpart=1

Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Not Fiat - Car choices for a friend in need...

Thanks guys...

I will pass all these onto her in work today...

Daz

Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Not Fiat - Car choices for a friend in need...

would she consider the 156 Alfa?

Seen over 100 for under £5K on Autotrader.co.uk

Marko

Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Not Fiat - Car choices for a friend in need...

Fiat Sciento = £500.

Marea 2.4 5 Cylinder JTD Engine/Gearbox/Loom = £1000

Labour work to fit it = £2000

A trip to Nigel = £500

Money left over = £1000


Sorted!

Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Not Fiat - Car choices for a friend in need...

I have owned both the 145 Cloverleaf and the Mazda 323 Zxi.

The 145 was quicker, but thirstier. The Mazda was a supersmooth V6 with outstanding handling and build quality. **** rear visibility though.

Both are heavy on insurance, eben for me, when I was 35 with full NCB.

Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Not Fiat - Car choices for a friend in need...

Right i gave her the list of the cars you guys recommended...(but then had to find pictures of them all...lol)

Didnt like any of them i'm afraid...

So i took her round a car-supermaket, just to show her a few cars...(boy was that hard work!)

Still didnt really see any sensible cars that she liked (Lexus IS200, Saab 93 conv., Alfa 147?, Audi A3...we some of the cars she wanted, but couldn't afford)

The only ones she liked were...

Ford Puma 1.7 16v..
Renault Megane Coupe..
Fiat Bravo..(But commented that the headlights were hidden under the bonnet...cheeky cow!)

Dont ask what happened with getting a car that had to have 5 doors

Not much choice, but anyone know if any of the above are worth buying?

Daz