Help! Which used cars should I test drive?

Kilty_2

Daisycoo wrote: »

A few people have warned me off Astras so that had put me off.

Given you'd be able to buy one with ~2 years manufacturer warranty remaining then any of the big problems that would come up usually do in that time - plus providing you stay away from the 1.9 CDTI the rest of the range are pretty reliable.

I have a 56 plate 1.6 petrol one myself, no issues so far 3 months in .

Kilty_2

moggylover wrote: »

For the money you are thinking of spending you could try being totally different!

I was looking to swap my very old car in last year and was persuaded that badge tarting was very foolish (I wasn't terribly difficult to persuade though) and I put aside the thought of the Audi A4 I had wanted and went out and scrappaged my Citroen and got myself a brand new Kia Ceed.

I'd second that - if you buy a Kia Approved Used Ceed you could get a 58 plate for about £8500 with a FULL 7 year warranty.

flyingscotno1

Daisycoo wrote: »

Quite liking the Mazdas now, will definitely add to my list. A few people have warned me off Astras so that had put me off.

Gilbert & Sullivan - I'm warming to the idea of a BMW and buying a set of winter tyres. Do you know how readily I can buy these in the UK - would Kwik Fit for example sell them?

Many thanks everyone, much appreciated!

In a word no they tend to do 'summer tyres' only. You could ask them but be far better using local independent or internet. Most places have little stock now with it being spring but also due to the number of purchases this year!


It's a shame you looking totally at premium badges- so many good cars out there from less prestigious manufacturers.

gilbert_and_sullivan

Daisycoo wrote: »

Gilbert & Sullivan - I'm warming to the idea of a BMW and buying a set of winter tyres. Do you know how readily I can buy these in the UK - would Kwik Fit for example sell them?

!

Winter tyres are expensive so you really want to keep the car at least 4 or 5 years to get the use and value out of them, and buy good ones if you do.
Flyingscot is right forget KF, good independent possibly and stocks are all but gone at the moment, i have sourced all mine from t'internet during the heat of the summer and autumn and got good value as a result, i have them fitted to second sets of wheels for ease.

Not as good as full winter tyres but you could do worse than get a quality all season tyre such as Vredesein Quatrac 3 fitted to the car as and when the tyres need replacing, i believe Hankook do something called an Evo (something or other) that supposed to be a good all season tyre too.
They have half summer half winter tread pattern and compound...might be a good compromise at no real cost penalty.
Good tyres of this sort tend to have excellent wet weather properties too especially in the cold.
Course you might find the BM you fancy is fitted with runflats and no spare, many owners swap these for normal tyres and get themselves a space saver and tools from the scrappie, runflats are an eye watering price and make the ride rock hard.

I was a reluctant 3 series convertee, i didn't like them at all but DD has owned 2x 320 Diesels over the last 6 or so years and i've been impressed by the overall quality reliability frugality and performance of them, and the added bonus of excellent high OE quality parts available from the likes of GSF and Eurocarparts excellent value.

Daisycoo

Thanks again. I can see the sense and appeal of the Kia and Astra but I think realistically I won't buy one (rightly or wrongly).

Interesting points on winter tyres. I do generally keep cars for quite some time (had this one for 7/8 years) so it may be worth my whilr. I really like BMWs (used to drive my mum's), it's just their uselessness in winter weather that puts me off so definitely going to look further into the cost and practicality of decent tyres.

I think I'll look at the Mazdas too and probably forget about Audis and Saabs.

Thanks.

emmell

Honda Civic is a lovely car to drive I also love BMW 3 series as well but I get what you mean about winter driving. I currently drive a Mini with runflats and they were useless in the snow, I was wobbling about all over, never had that with the Honda.
Happy hunting.
ML.