Car Suggestions Please

highguyuk

Hey,

I currently drive an 1997 Peugeot 306 1.6 Petrol 5 door, which is great and really comfortable. However, having had a recent service I know that it will soon need new front disks and pads and to pass its MOT will need a new cat. converter.

Therefore, I have been playing around with the idea of getting a newer car, ideally something newer with a 1.4 engine for lower tax rates and more fuel efficency.

Have just used the AA car recommendations pages and it mainly came up with the Vauxhall Astra - but just wondered if any of you knowledgeable people could come up with some other suggestions.

My budget would be £2500 + my car. My main concern is that I am 6'5 and therefore need something with plenty of room. A/C and 5 door preferable as I have it on my car at the moment but not essential. I really like the Mark IV VW Golf, although not sure this is within budget and have heard the 1.4 engine struggles with the weight of the car.

Alternatively, do you think it is worthwhile hanging onto my old car? It has just had a service and only has 70,000 which is 20k under the average. New cambelt, PAS belt, rear tyre, exhaust backbox and midpipe, new air con pipe and re-gas, new rear brake cyclinders and shoes and a full service. I mean - what else can a car need!? lol. :rolleyes:

All help and pointers greatly appreciated.

balsingh

Can't really argue with an Astra. Sensibly priced, good to drive, the 1.4 engine is pretty perky yet economical. Most Astras come with aircon and the seats are height adjustable for taller drivers.

I would however, suggest you look into a diesel. The newer engines are excellent and even though the engine capacities are usually higher than petrol engines, the emissions are usually very low (especially with the newer HDi,CDTi type engines).

Not too keen on the Golfs. No matter how execellent they are, they are too overpriced, both new and used, and haviong a Golf doesnt justify the price difference.

Need_More_Money_2

highguyuk wrote:

Hey,

I currently drive an 1997 Peugeot 306 1.6 Petrol 5 door, which is great and really comfortable. However, having had a recent service I know that it will soon need new front disks and pads and to pass its MOT will need a new cat. converter.

Therefore, I have been playing around with the idea of getting a newer car, ideally something newer with a 1.4 engine for lower tax rates and more fuel efficency.

Have just used the AA car recommendations pages and it mainly came up with the Vauxhall Astra - but just wondered if any of you knowledgeable people could come up with some other suggestions.

My budget would be £2500 + my car. My main concern is that I am 6'5 and therefore need something with plenty of room. A/C and 5 door preferable as I have it on my car at the moment but not essential. I really like the Mark IV VW Golf, although not sure this is within budget and have heard the 1.4 engine struggles with the weight of the car.

Alternatively, do you think it is worthwhile hanging onto my old car? It has just had a service and only has 70,000 which is 20k under the average. New cambelt, PAS belt, rear tyre, exhaust backbox and midpipe, new air con pipe and re-gas, new rear brake cyclinders and shoes and a full service. I mean - what else can a car need!? lol. :rolleyes:

All help and pointers greatly appreciated.

I would agree with the advice about diesels. Road tax is also cheaper because of the lower emissions.
Have a look at http://www.channel4.com/4car/best-in-class/used/index.html

Also see http://www.reliabilityindex.co.uk/

vansboy

If you like the 306 why not get the jobs done & THEN look around, 'till you find something you like?

Discs/pads are not really dear & not a 'fault' just something that needs doing from time to time.

& are you SURE you need the cat - not something else giving this impression???

You seem to have had some sensible expense on it - why not get some value from this expenditure?

At the age of the car now, it's still some life in it, even though there's not a great value in it.

& try Astra BEFORE buying, I find the seats PAINFUL - like a fist in my back - totally oposite to the 306 comfort!!

VB

balsingh

vansboy wrote:

& try Astra BEFORE buying, I find the seats PAINFUL - like a fist in my back - totally oposite to the 306 comfort!!

I found that with the previous shape Astra but I found the current Astra seats excellent.

BobToo

You would find the Astra dreadful to drive after a 306. The petrol engines are completely gutless and don't pull at all until you get to 70mph. Once you get to 70 the speed keeps creeping up.

You aren't really saving a great deal on road tax with a 1.4 and an engine that's too small doesn't do much for fuel efficiency.

Don't even think about a common rail diesel (they are the modern ones with the performance and economy that everybody talks about) at this budget. It's still new technology and they haven't quite cracked the long term reliability yet. It might not go wrong but if it does the bills will edge into four figures.

I would just keep the car you've got unless you're worried about the image of having an older car. There's plenty life in it yet.

chas1937

I,ve just checked GSF parts and for discs they are £25 average and pads same.The cat comes in around £120 so if I was you I would keep car considering the amount you have done already.Thing is without MOT you would get peanuts for your car and therefore better to keep it and see if it passes and if so keep it till maybe 6 months left on it then change as no one in right mind will buy car with less than that on it unless they get it for next too nothing.I have 940 Volvo that has only had sister and myself as owners with 124000 and in imaculate condition and recently went too see a Merc at £5000.As there was only 1 month left on mot dealer offered £200 but said if i mot,d it he would go too £300.2 weeks later car passed Mot with nowt wrong as I do own servicing and all it cost was price of mot which local garage does for £20.Mind you he did say that the car was really a one off sort of car