What to Buy?

Marshal · 4 Dec 2001, 15:30 (Ref:182089)

OK, here's the scenario. I'm looking for a 4 door car, for less than £6k (no problem with it being much less than £6k), which is fun to drive (subjective I know, but I'll be using my Puma as the benchmark), reliable, and has performance equivalent to or better than the Puma.

My list so far consists of

Nissan Primera 2.0e GT or 2.0 SRi (can anyone tell me the difference, or the pro's and cons?)
Subaru Impreza (Fuel costs and insurance might be a bit steep though)
Alfa 156 2.0 TS (I've test driven a new one and I think I'd like the sports suspension - but we're getting a bit picky here, and there are only going to be a few in my price range)

Other suggesations??

woodyracing · 4 Dec 2001, 18:08 (Ref:182198)

how about a Vauxhall Vectra ?
the 2.5 V6 should be ok, a bit thirsty though.
or the rare SuperTouring looks cool

Paul V · 5 Dec 2001, 08:57 (Ref:182423)

You could always look at an Alfa 164 - even the last ones (around 97/P) are within your price range.

They come in various flavors
2.0 Tspark (150bhp) - Good grin factor
3.0 24v V6 (210bhp) - i've got an auto version - now on 139k
and the range topping
3.0 24v V6 (230bhp) Cloverleaf - High grin factor

All go pretty well and are well equipped (Lusso being better)

Truckosaurus · 5 Dec 2001, 09:12 (Ref:182432)

The Impreza is a great car, but for 6K you won't get a turbo.

May I recomend the Alfa 164's cousin the Saab 9000 (same floorpan and doors).

I wide choice of engines from 150bhp 2-litre to 230bhp 2.3 turbo. You can pick them up cheaply as there isn't much of a market for big cars.

Super reliability, loads of room inside. It won't be as chuckable as your Puma but in a straight line they will destroy it

There are also a huge number of independant Saab garages.

You could also get a 900/9-3 for that money, which is a bit smaller.

TimD · 6 Dec 2001, 08:30 (Ref:182851)

The Alfa 164's in my shopping list too. The Saab is dynamically a good car, perhaps even a better car, but it doesn't have that silky Alfa 3-litre V-6.

If you want something more economical, more super-tourer'ish, then the very first of the Volvo S40 T4's should be sniffing around that price bracket too.

**bella** · 7 Dec 2001, 12:07 (Ref:183261)

Quote:

Originally posted by woodyracing
how about a Vauxhall Vectra ?

no! vauxhalls are sooo unreliable. an aa man friend says the car he sees the most often with its suspension on the floor and broken down is vauxhalls.
never let me hear those nasty words from you again!

(ps alfa would be nice

)

Dan Friel · 7 Dec 2001, 12:36 (Ref:183272)

Fiat Coupe??? - not four door...

Or what about a 6k Hillman imp - surely you could get the best in the world for that Marshal??

Do I get the impression that needing four doors and losing the Puma means something???

Always thought the nissan was underrated...

Marshal · 7 Dec 2001, 13:12 (Ref:183280)

Thanks for the feedback.

As I mentioned the £6k is an absolute limit, and I don't really want to pay more than £4k. I hadn't considered the Alfa 164, so I'm pondering that now. I won't be looking at Vectra's, my current company wheels are an Astra, so I won't be going for a Vauxhall....

This is actually to replace the Imp (alas) and the requirement for 4 doors, relates more to the arrival of nieces and godsons etc, rather than anything I'm personally responsible for

So the Puma stays and I'm off to see a '95 N Primera 2.0e GT this afternoon (£2,700). I'll let you know how it goes.

BTW, did anyone see there was a racing Imp with transporter for sale in Autosport this week..... £25k!

TimD · 7 Dec 2001, 13:19 (Ref:183283)

Marshal, please, please, don't tell Maisie that you're parting with an Imp...

Marshal · 7 Dec 2001, 13:32 (Ref:183291)

Only £700, 52k miles from new, 12 months mot, tax exempt.....

Maisie · 7 Dec 2001, 14:47 (Ref:183307)

Ooops - too late

WANT IMP!!!!!!

TimD · 7 Dec 2001, 16:53 (Ref:183348)

Curses! She's seen it!

TimD · 7 Dec 2001, 16:54 (Ref:183349)

Imminent danger of an IMPulse purchase.

Dan Friel · 8 Dec 2001, 11:53 (Ref:183636)

I've driven that Imp - and on a race circuit it was.. an absolute beast and well worth £700 of anyone's money - apart from mine that is..(but only because I don't have seven pounds let alone 700..)

Marshal · 8 Dec 2001, 12:04 (Ref:183638)

Have ended up buying the Nissan (seems a nice car) so am having to part with the Imp. It also comes with about 4 boxes of spares, and is finished a the very tasteful shade of Warchild Orange

Go on Maisie, you know you want to!

Maisie · 10 Dec 2001, 10:10 (Ref:184225)

I know I want to, I'm fairly sure I can't afford it, and Chris won't let me

But maybe if we have a garage reshuffle and I get a new job in the new year...