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View Full Version : 200 is a going!!! Next Car? Your Input!



Dunk
29-07-2003, 17:20
I'm a Rep.

My company Nissan 200sx Touring is at the end of its lease....

So, the tri-yearly fun of ordering a replacement is upon me again.

I'm stuck between the cars in the poll above - so I'll put it to the 200 crew to help sway the decision...

BMW 320d Saloon.
Cheap Tax, Big trade-up contribution, Its a Bimmer (had a 323i coupe last time)

Skoda Octavia vRS 1.8T
Cheap cheap cheap cheap.

Volvo S60 D5
Out of leftfield, but hell, I'm gettin old, and I fancy a swedish tank!

After my previous company cars - Nissan 200sx, BMW 323i Coupe, Calibra Turbo - these will all be as boring as hell, so I'm not that bothered about having a Diesel

What do you lot fink? Bear in mind I'm stuck with it for three friggin years!

Vez
29-07-2003, 17:35
Out of the lot its og to be the Skoda, good bit of power and tweekable :D

Dave H
29-07-2003, 18:01
Live with it for 3yrs?

I would have to be the BMW imo, great diesel engine in them too!

JB
29-07-2003, 18:08
Although I hate them with a passion, I'd have to pick the BM for having great build, a decent engine and proper wheel drive.

Could you not go for an RX8 though?

Deacon
29-07-2003, 18:10
Rx8 sounds good

but the C02 is so very...very high :(

Dunk
30-07-2003, 09:19
RX8 would be twice as expensive as the 200 on the scheme once I've taken tax and fuel card into account. And believe me, the 200 ain't cheap!!

Skoda suspension seriously flawed - hit a ridge on the Motorway at 80mph+ and its like hitting the ramp at the end of the Ark Royals flight deck.

SR20DET
30-07-2003, 09:42
What about another 200SX, isnt it possible?

dunc
30-07-2003, 09:46
I voted RS on the poll above :p Its a shed load faster than the others mentioned surely? And its got a tubby :)

Lenagh
30-07-2003, 09:56
I'd have the skoda great handling and you have a turbo charger.

shadowninja
30-07-2003, 10:12
Originally posted by Dunk


Skoda suspension seriously flawed - hit a ridge on the Motorway at 80mph+ and its like hitting the ramp at the end of the Ark Royals flight deck.

great description :D but isnt the suspension supposed to be like that... 'RS'? ;)

SR20DET
30-07-2003, 10:24
If its only up to the mentioned three, Id take the Skoda too. Its front wheel driven scrabble, but hey the other two are slow as feck...

Matt_S
30-07-2003, 10:33
Two things,

I thought the Skoda was 4wd.

ANd if you think you can do heel and towing in the Skoda, think again. AFAIK the VW group have taken it upon themselves to cut all throttle input when the brakes are engaged (drive by wire throttle)

Id take the BM. There is a "stigma" that goes with them, but it is the best drivers car out of the three.

The RX8(ish) is cheap though, kinda lessening the initial tax costs...

Holmes14a
30-07-2003, 10:39
Sensible head says BMW, modifying head says Skoda (christ who ever thought that these two would be competitors for each other 4 years ago!!!) even though its scrabble. Should get an easy 225 BHP out of it.:)

dunc
30-07-2003, 10:46
Originally posted by Holmes14a
even though its scrabble.

I thought it was 4wd as well, could be wrong though.

SpeedyPete
30-07-2003, 10:54
Skoda

JB
30-07-2003, 11:04
Originally posted by Dunk
Skoda suspension seriously flawed - hit a ridge on the Motorway at 80mph+ and its like hitting the ramp at the end of the Ark Royals flight deck.

Try going over any kind of speed bump in one. Absolutely zero rebound control. A bit like the Alton Towers experience, but every day.

JB
30-07-2003, 11:06
What about a C220CDi Merc. Fantastic engine and handling at least as good as the BM and looks better IMHO. Not as well built though.

AshT_200
30-07-2003, 11:08
Mazda 6?

SpeedyPete
30-07-2003, 11:09
R34? :D

JB
30-07-2003, 11:11
Originally posted by SpeedyPete
R34? :D
You've obviously never had a company car to be taxed on have you :rolleyes: :rolleyes: :rolleyes:

Jason
30-07-2003, 11:13
You havent got the hang of this have you pete:rolleyes: :rolleyes:

SpeedyPete
30-07-2003, 11:17
I was jesting :rolleyes:

What are the limitations? Tax rating + Budget + age

Dunk
30-07-2003, 11:25
No to any Jap stuff - Three years, and 100,000miles plus (will be by Feb when it goes) has put me off Jap for a while.... There's only so much Vinyl a man can put up with!!!

I can choose any car I like - but I'm sick of having a K980 tax code (I get taxed on £9800 I never earn... at 40 fecking percent! ) so the three listed are with my sensible head on...

Plus I got the Merc as a drivers car for the weekend.

Plus Points
BMW - comfort, build, comfort, cheap tax,

Skoda - cheap tax (low list), relatively quick,

Volvo - huge, cheap on scheme, an absolute tank

Negatives
BMW - image, 150bhp only, image

Skoda - appalling rebound control, flawed driving position, millions of taxis are octavias

Volvo - slow, heavy, surprisingly poor ride

SpeedyPete
30-07-2003, 11:31
Are those the only options then?

Or do you have any more you can choose from?

Jezz_S13
30-07-2003, 11:33
I'd deffo go for the bimmer.
that's a piss poor selection you have to deal with there...

Dunk
30-07-2003, 11:34
Originally posted by SpeedyPete
I was jesting :rolleyes:

What are the limitations? Tax rating + Budget + age

----------

Tax = % of original list price. That figure - 40% of that divide by 12 to get monthly tax.

200sx costs me £360 per month EXTRA tax

The BMW will cost me £249 per month EXTRA tax

----------

So, the considerations are:
1) List price (cos that also affects any trade up contributions I have to make) - but assume around a £25,000 list price

2) Emissions - puts the 350z out the window!!! 200sx has emissions of 270co2 per km = 30% tax (see above). BMW has 157co2 per km = 18% tax.... see why I'm considering the Bimmer now!??

3) Comfort - the 200sx has given me untold back ache from the less than ergonomic seats. 100,000miles in summink that ain't comfortable is no fun

4) RWD - prefer RWD... of course

Thats it basically

Dunk
30-07-2003, 11:35
Originally posted by Jezz_S13
I'd deffo go for the bimmer.
that's a piss poor selection you have to deal with there...

No - I can get any car currently in production.... its a case of wanting to pay for it!!!

SpeedyPete
30-07-2003, 11:38
Ah, so how much are those models going for then?

What about a fast golf or A4? Tdi's are quite speedy...

Those little Alfas are quite cool too...

Sideways14a
30-07-2003, 12:04
I would say either a Octavia vRS or a mazda 6, i test drove those at the beggining of the year and i was quite happy with them.
The octavia had about 210bhp with a dealer chip and was quick (but no 200sx) it handled very well and it was utterly huge inside.
the 6 was slower (was the 2.3 sport) but had a great interior and again handled very well.
Both are fwd with god knows how many computers ect trying to keep the front wheels from spinning, although they couldnt manage to stop the scrabbleness they did keep it to a minimum.
Mazda do a 4wd 6 thats utterly slow and a 4wd octavia with the 150bhp turbo is avaliable as well, it might be good when "played with"
:D

SpeedyPete
30-07-2003, 12:09
Originally posted by sideways14a
I would say either a Octavia vRS or a mazda 6, i test drove those at the beggining of the year and i was quite happy with them.
The octavia had about 210bhp with a dealer chip and was quick (but no 200sx) it handled very well and it was utterly huge inside.
the 6 was slower (was the 2.3 sport) but had a great interior and again handled very well.
Both are fwd with god knows how many computers ect trying to keep the front wheels from spinning, although they couldnt manage to stop the scrabbleness they did keep it to a minimum.
Mazda do a 4wd 6 thats utterly slow and a 4wd octavia with the 150bhp turbo is avaliable as well, it might be good when "played with"
:D

and probably the 4wd system off the golfs or quattos!

Donkis2032
30-07-2003, 13:14
Having just test driven a Mk4 golf I can verify the fact that pressing the brake and juciy pedal together cuts the F*&k$R out. Real nice when your giving it the big un....

VW Bora's go well, look cool and are real cheap on the old tax thing - but the same as the above

Audi every time - A4 TDI - fast enough (believe me) and really well put together. The A6 TDI isn't bad but not as nimble.

Both have lovely interiors and look well classy. Plus there are fewer about than the old 320d

Yak
30-07-2003, 13:54
:wack:

So the compcar is like £9800 (perk type thing) more a year but you get taxed on it?

is that how it works?

The lickyhood of me having a compor new car for that matter range from 0 to nill :rolleyes:


BTW id have the skoda just to be diffrent

mickstreet
30-07-2003, 14:02
Just to throw another car into the equation....

Don't Peugoet now make a coupe with a diesel engine..?















Ok, I'll go now...:rolleyes:

Matt_S
30-07-2003, 14:25
Are you biased mate?

It appears you like skodas more than you're letting on.....



:D - Ooh thats the same colour too!

WHich is which....:D

http://www.mypix.fsnet.co.uk/my%20200sx%20pics/sxoxsig/04.jpg

TomM
30-07-2003, 15:14
Can you stretch to a BMW 330d? Gorgeous cars, great engine, apparantly good performance.

SpeedyPete
30-07-2003, 15:16
I just dont htink I could ever buy a bmw

JB
30-07-2003, 15:24
Originally posted by SpeedyPete
I just dont htink I could ever buy a bmw
I can hear the cheers at BMW HQ in Bracknell from here:p

ZXSpectrum
30-07-2003, 15:25
How about a Saab 93/95?

200+Bhp and really comfortable... Aparently falls into the lower tax bracket/category too... :) Very reliable, look pretty good and very spacious...

SpeedyPete
30-07-2003, 15:26
Originally posted by JB
I can hear the cheers at BMW HQ in Bracknell from here:p


cheecky get

Maybe an old style M3, in silver :nod:

SpeedyPete
30-07-2003, 15:28
Originally posted by ZXSpectrum
How about a Saab 93/95?

200+Bhp and really comfortable... Aparently falls into the lower tax bracket/category too... :) Very reliable, look pretty good and very spacious...

Indeed, nice cars, turbo, and fast.....

what about that new Aero one, very quick

Yak
30-07-2003, 15:29
Originally posted by SpeedyPete
I just dont htink I could ever buy a bmw

Me either.... in fack i know i wont :wack:

JB
30-07-2003, 15:32
Originally posted by SpeedyPete
Indeed, nice cars, turbo, and fast.....

what about that new Aero one, very quick

Ever driven one?

I have. It has the pottential to be quick, unfortunately there's so much torque steer you have to tread very carefully to avoid putting it through the nearest hedge.

As low powered cars Saabs are great for bimbling around in. As high powered cars they suck, as you would expect of something based on a Vectra chassis.

SpeedyPete
30-07-2003, 15:36
Originally posted by JB
Ever driven one?

I have. It has the pottential to be quick, unfortunately there's so much torque steer you have to tread very carefully to avoid putting it through the nearest hedge.

As low powered cars Saabs are great for bimbling around in. As high powered cars they suck, as you would expect of something based on a Vectra chassis.

Yeah? Tis a shame, and I had high hopes for the new ones...

Still, ive driven a Vectra, with hard suspension and it handled pretty well on the nice sunny day at santa pod...

nothing to brag about though :indiff:

SpeedyPete
30-07-2003, 15:39
And in comparison to the other options there it would be fine would it not?

JB
30-07-2003, 15:39
Originally posted by SpeedyPete
Yeah? Tis a shame, and I had high hopes for the new ones...

Still, ive driven a Vectra, with hard suspension and it handled pretty well on the nice sunny day at santa pod...

nothing to brag about though :indiff:

PML :annoyed: :annoyed: :annoyed: :annoyed: :rolleyes:

gaz.thomas
31-07-2003, 10:05
The diesel A6 is a reasonable drive (slow but comfy and a bit luxurious) - and with the money you'll save you can buy an old S13 for the weekend :)

Gaz
-x-

JB
23-10-2003, 14:16
So what eventually did you decide to go for Dunk?

docwra
23-10-2003, 14:49
Originally posted by SpeedyPete

it handled pretty well on the nice sunny day at santa pod...


I cant believe you didnt notice this JB .............. :wack:
Not exactly the twistiest circuit, old Santa Pod eh?? :wack: :wack:

mr-mac
23-10-2003, 16:36
ERM I'm Sorry for shouting but......

350z

They are arriving in Nissan dealers very very soon. (the merchandise is just been put in the display cabinet at my local one.

350z, you know you want one - O and it trounces the RX8 in every way....

:D :D :D

Can't belive this hasn't been said yet.

:D :D :D