Which Car?

[ByronBlack]

Driving and cars seem to a popular discussion at the moment, and with my satnav now sorted (thanks to everyone who helped on that), I need a car to go with it.

basically, my work's van is old and is about to bite the dust, and instead of driving another old van bought by the company, i'm going to buy my own car (work are going to pay the running costs and fuel).

So in light of that, i need either a decent sized hatch or an estate, and I have about £3000 to £3500 to spend.

I'm currently considering a volvo 850 or an S40, if you were in my situation, what would YOU buy and why?

 

[ike]

An Astra G (Mk4) estate. Well nailed together, reliable and very pleasant to drive. Lots about, cheap to buy, maintain and insure. For 3.5K you could get one with respectably low mileage. They just do 'what it says on the tin' really.

Ike

 

[woody67]

Hiya Byron - if it was my spondulicks, I'd go for a Subaru Legacy or Forrester (quite apt,don't ya think?) They're generally unloved but are real bullet proof workhorses. You been on Autotrader website? Good luck

Mark

 

[beech1948]

Hi BB,
Subaru are a good choice but probably lose all value in about 2 yrs and parts can be a bit pricey, wheres your nearest service point also.

I was just looking for a car with my 18 yr old son and we looked at the J D Power reliability survey first....that showed that Toyota are one of the most reliable across almost all ranges of cars they produce...certainly top 5 in each case.

Service should be OK with lots of garages, fairly cheap to run, a bit lacking in excitement although my wifes RAV4 goes bit...

Second hand car prices are currently through the floor and still dropping with many sellers having more stock than they can shift.

Your also dropping towards the price point where any serious event will mean you will probably have to scrap the car. I have just scrapped my Honda Accord ( brilliant car) after 9 years and 240K miles because a stone came through the radiator, caused a cyclinder head gasket to blow when overheating.....which would cost about £1300 pounds to repair..with car valued at only £1500.

Good luck.
alan

 

[DazW72]

Driving and cars seem to a popular discussion at the moment, and with my satnav now sorted (thanks to everyone who helped on that), I need a car to go with it.

basically, my work's van is old and is about to bite the dust, and instead of driving another old van bought by the company, i'm going to buy my own car (work are going to pay the running costs and fuel).

So in light of that, i need either a decent sized hatch or an estate, and I have about £3000 to £3500 to spend.

I'm currently considering a volvo 850 or an S40, if you were in my situation, what would YOU buy and why?

I've got an S40 T4, and love it. Boot opening is tiny, if you've got a heavy foot then it drinks petrol like it's going out of fashion, and a new set of wellies is £500+. I've had it for 6 years and it still gives me a grin though. Very comfortable too (I'm 6ft 6 and 17st, so need a bit of room)
If I needed a car for work I'd probably have gone for the V40, and if someone else is chipping in with the running costs then an T4 spec. 2.0T is pretty good too. Avoid the small engines as they're painful.
Older models like mine score 4/5 on NCAP safety where the new ones I believe are a 5.

HTH

Daz

 

[ByronBlack]

s'funny, a few people from work have repeatedly mentioned the scooby over the last year, perhaps I should take a close look at these.

Daz, you confirm all my opinions on the Volvo's - that they are great, its just a case of finding one with low mileage for my small budget.

Thanks for all the suggestions so far, i'll dig around autotrader and parkers guide and see whats what!

Does anyone have any opinions on the MG ZS or ZT?

 

[Slim]

Byron, once you have settled on which car you want, I would definately check out your local motor auctions. You could save yourself a grand or two on a car like an estate.

 

[Paul Chapman]

Does anyone have any opinions on the MG ZS or ZT?

A friend of mine had an MG F (different model but built by the same people). Build quality wasn't very good - ie bits kept falling off; the hard top had to be put on crooked to stop it rattling and leaking; that sort of thing

Cheers :wink:

Paul

 

[paulm]

Does anyone have any opinions on the MG ZS or ZT?

A friend of mine had an MG F (different model but built by the same people). Build quality wasn't very good - ie bits kept falling off; the hard top had to be put on crooked to stop it rattling and leaking; that sort of thing

Cheers :wink:

Paul

Yep, same here, friend was desperate to buy British and splashed on an MG F, 6 months later couldn't get rid of it fast enough.

Sadly the romantic/idealistic notions weren't matched by design or build quality which in his experience with that particular vehicle at least were pretty shocking.......

Cheers, Paul.

 

[PowerTool]

Same here - a mate of mine had one,engine went after about 9 months
Couldn't get rid of it soon enough.

Andrew

 

[wizer]

 

[ByronBlack]

Wizer - I could really do with one of them when driving into london!!

 

[WellsWood]

I'd say Volvo every time. Allright, I know i'm biased 'cos I'm on my second one in 10 years and currently keeping an eye out for a replacement, but really you can't go wrong if you pick one that's been well treated. Personally I think the older the better, they're better built with less to go wrong, cheap as chips to buy, and will mostly do 200K without breaking sweat.
I'm a particular fan of older "end user" ones for my purposes, my current one cost me £480 off ebay and passed it's 3rd MOT (since I've had it) earllier this year without needing anything more than an odd bulb. In almost 4 years of motoring it's cost me a set of tyres and a battery. Ok you'll pay a penalty in fuel 'cos they're thirsty beasts, but I don't do many miles so not an issue for me (or for someone who has his running costs paid for :wink: ).
And oh! that load space (again older is better) if you've never had one you'll be hard pushed to appreciate what you can get in the back of a 240 or 700/900 series estate - I'm looking to buy a secondhand Axminster sbw4300 bandsaw soon and I fully expect to bring it home in the boot of my 940 with the tailgate shut!

p.s. anyone want to buy a scruffy but reliable 1989 volvo940 in white?

 

[lurker]

Byron,

Get a day ticket to holland , buy an old banger, bring back.

Drive round - no tax wave your middle finger at speed traps, ignore ken's congestion charges, when you feel you might attract attention take down to Tilbury docks and BBQ it.

I thought thats what all you Essex lads all do :lol: :lol: :lol:


But if you want to be serious go for the Volvo - the youngest one you can afford: ignore the high milage - my 740 had 280K on the clock and then I gave it to a mate and he put another 60k on it - finally scrapped because he could not be bothered to fix the heater and it needed 2 tyres.

Now have a Beamer that goes like the ......... but its been a money pit!

 

[Mark68]

I agree with the volvo choice..

Had my 940 wentworth estate for 10 years now,,,,never felled an mot,,always passed first time, and never had any problems with it,,always starts first time,,,never know a car to be so reliable,,, plus amazing what you can get in the back with the rear seats down,,,washing machines,fridges,freezers,,even 6x4 sheets of plywood!!!

 

[Vormulac]

Interesting to hear people knocking MG, I had an MGF for 5 years (only got rid of it because apparently you're not allowed to gaffer tape a baby seat to the roof) and it was brilliant. Comfortable, well made, everything worked perfectly and it started at the first turn of the key every time every day I had it.
Oh boy do I miss it (that's why after a couple of years of driving the sensible Renault Laguna I am looking at something a bit more fun like an Impreza or Legacy ).

V.