Car Purchase - Opinions And Advice Needed

JCR1987

Hi guys,

So we're looking to buy a new car this week. Myself and the wife are sort of at loggerheads about which one to buy, so i'd appreciate any input/opinions about the pros and cons of our selections. We've got around 8k budget, plus if possible our 2001 Renault Clio to part ex. It a bit knackered though so I doubt anyone would take it.

Her choices:
Ford Focus (07 plate)
Ford Mondeo (07 plate)
Vauxhall Astra (07 plate)

My choices:
BMW 1 Series (any, with less than 50k mileage)
Renault Laguna Estate (06/07 plate)
Saab 9-3 (05/06/07 plate)
Volvo V50 (05/06/07 plate)

Would also be interested to know, if we went to a dealer and offered to pay cash in full for any car we're interested in, are they more likely to negotiate a lower price, or is pushing the finance deal a bigger incentive? We'd initially both agreed on a new shape Honda Civic, but have quickly found they're just out of our price bracket. Shame cos they look very smart in black.

Finally, anyone who has any recommendations for websites for car deals, let me know.

Cheers,:beer:
JR

punkstoner

1 series if you can afford it.

saab second

Volvo 3rd.

Your choices are OK, but why does your Mrs want a car that looks like a cheap company car?

JCR1987

The only Ford I'd consider is the new shape Mondeo, but again, they're way out of our price bracket. I'm not keen on the Focus, just seems like a bigger version of a Morris Marina.

I'd prefer the 1 series but its difficult to find one which has relatively low mileage and is under the 8k mark. Saab may be a bit big for the wife, so logical choice may be the Volvo, if we can find one.

Incidentally, I've been on the Autotrader website recently and enquired about a couple of good deals I saw on a BMW and a Volvo. They did look very good deals (almost too good to be true) so I emailed the seller, and got exactly the same reply back from both emails:

[FONT=arial,helvetica]Hello ,
The car is still for sale. I am originally from Italy. I had a work contract in United Kingdom and I needed a car so I bought this one. I have to sell it because I have moved back to Italy and it's quite hard to drive an british car with the steering wheel on the right side. I`ve reopened my account here on this listing but i forgot to change the personal details as the address and phone number. The car is now in Roma in excellent condition as you can see in the pictures also, HPI clear, no accidents, no scratches,no dents, no need for additional repairs and I have all the necessary documents to make the sale.This is a garage kept car, very well maintained.
The last price is £4,000 including shipping and insurance.
I agree to leave you few days for testing.
- the car comes with a clean history log and the certificate of registration.
I have spoken with one of my friends in United Kingdom and he said there is no need for me to come over there to close the deal in person because there are many shipping companies that can handle this kind of situations. So I have done a little research work and found out a local shipping company. I have asked them how much it will cost for such transaction and they've told me to come up with the delivery address (so they can calculate the shipping fees) so just let me know the address where you want it to be delivered so that the shipping company can calculate the total cost.
Cheers


I'm thinking of sending all my money to him in the post, in cash. He seems honest enough don't you think?
[/FONT]

punkstoner

sounds like erm, a nigerian.

"goooooooood afternoon madam, my name is obeke mulisaaabbbbbtttaaa, calling from your bank. We neeeeeeeeed to tranzfers some monies."

Smi1er

JCR1987 wrote: »

The only Ford I'd consider is the new shape Mondeo, but again, they're way out of our price bracket. I'm not keen on the Focus, just seems like a bigger version of a Morris Marina.[FONT=arial,helvetica][/FONT]

Have you actually driven these cars to see what they're like?

moonrakerz

JCR1987 wrote: »

I'm not keen on the Focus, just seems like a bigger version of a Morris Marina.

If you really think a Focus is "a bigger version of a Morris Marina.", could I suggest you buy an Austin Allegro (there are 1,000 still registered at DVLA) or a 20 year old Lada, or a Sinclair C5 or .................

AdrianHi

The 1 series is a rather small car, OK for 2 people up front plus luggage but not much more than that.
It might be more expensive to buy, but holds it's value well so in the long run is not necessarily more expensive, running costs are reasonable. The 120d is brilliant all round, avoid the early petrol engines like the 116i and 118i as they are not up to much on fuel economy vs. performance. A more recent efficient dynamics 1 series petrol is a different story.
If it is too small and / or to expensive do not test drive it. Drive one fast down a winding country road and if you like that sort of thing, you'll be hooked and nothing else will come close, except may be a 3 series

JCR1987

Smi1er wrote: »

Have you actually driven these cars to see what they're like?

No, not test driven anything yet, am waiting for the weekend. It may well be that the Focus drives like a supercar, but it still doesn't change the fact it looks like a goldfish on wheels. I will test drive it though, as the wife wouldn't let me not and I don't trust her not to just go and buy it without me. I'll also try test driving their best 07 Mondeo, should probably be able to get one under our 8k budget and would rather get one of them if we decide on a Ford.

Saw a nice Volvo V50 on a dealership website that I'm hoping to go and look at tomorrow, an 05 plate with 33k on the clock, £7400.

All of this is irrelevant though if I can find a 1 series under budget and sensible mileage. (very doubtful).

DKLS

Dont touch the Saab its a vectra with a new suit on, and who in their right mind would want a vectra?

Idiophreak

I'd have thought you'd do well getting an astra on that budget, if it's big enough for your needs...I love my astra, drives nicely, quite nippy, quite economical, cheap insurance, big enough to chuck most stuff into, small enough to park easily...I'd have thought you'd get a bit more spec in the astra/focus than the others for that price...But not quite as "prestige" as your choices, I guess...

ArsenalFC

JCR1987 wrote: »

All of this is irrelevant though if I can find a 1 series under budget and sensible mileage. (very doubtful).

I think the astra would be a decent 2nd choice. But like u said if u can get your hands on the 1serie for the right package then thats the only one to get. I have no experience of the 1serie but had 2 bmw 3serie, if the1 is anything as good as the 3 serie then it'll put a smile on your face when driven. I have just sold my 323ci coupe to a relative and be a proper MSE by looking to get a sub £1k fiesta 1.25