need a new shared car

[Zornyan]

right, had enough of our a3 8l 1.8t, since me and the Mrs bought the car 3 odd years ago I've spent countless hours working on the thing, I honestly ****ing hate it now, so many shitty stupid things have gone wrong, and it's cost me a small fortune.

so we want rid, the shit heap is going on eBay.

this leaves the question, we need a new car between us, basically it's 50/50 owned, her daily to work, mine to use for long journeys, or when we both go out together to save racking up mileage on my cars.

requirements

4 seats
good boot
decent sound system from factory
possibly petrol turbo, or something with good poke (so approx 200bhp and up)
reasonable economy (1.8t is shit, 25 on a run where's my 328 does 35+)
same 'medium' car size, she doesn't like big (wheyhey) so kinda focus'ey sized.

basically, daily she uses the car for a 50 mile round trip commute, and weekends/trips we'll take it up to say see her family in Liverpool, or in a few weeks we're going alton towers with a couple mates so we'll all go in our car. it's just nice to have a bit of poke when I'm driving

budget, ideally 2k, can go up to 3.

so far I've seen

1series bmws, older hatchbacks, no idea on reliability (although my e36 has been a dream) mostly 1.6/.8 petrols at this price range.

newer a3? not sure how much better the 8p is tbh?

golf's?

focus mk2s in this budget?

basically. what you got to suggest guys?

[Zornyan]

oh and should have mentioned open to the idea of an auto, misses hasn't had one before but tried my bmw before we converted it and liked it for the daily drive

[Clint]

Boot in the 1 series hatch is minuscule I believe?

You'd get a lot of Saab for that money. Space & comfort for long trips and pokey too.

[Zornyan]

Boot in the 1 series hatch is minuscule I believe?

You'd get a lot of Saab for that money. Space & comfort for long trips and pokey too.

forgot one important thing. do they look pretty? she cares about ascetics.

boot just needs to be big enough for like 2 or 3 cases etc. a3d size is perfect as an example

[Jonny Wilkinson]

Astra GTC. Alfa brera ? Vulva D5 ? Seat cupra ? Renault sport megane ?

Civics are good on juice but dull as dishwater to drive

Sent from my XT1032 using Tapatalk

[Mark]

Astra GTC. Alfa brera ? Vulva D5 ? Seat cupra ? Renault sport megane ?

For 2K?

You wont get a quick a Focus for that money and the 2.5T isnt much better on juice anyway. I would avoid 2nd hand diesels in that price bracket at they will all cost you money as thats the reason people are getting shot.

Focus wise, this is as good as it gets if not getting an ST

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classifi...code=p&adPos=9

However if one of the criteria is 'pretty' then you are on a loosing battle and you might as well go buy a Beetle

[Zornyan]

For 2K?

You wont get a quick a Focus for that money and the 2.5T isnt much better on juice anyway. I would avoid 2nd hand diesels in that price bracket at they will all cost you money as thats the reason people are getting shot.

Focus wise, this is as good as it gets if not getting an ST

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classifi...code=p&adPos=9

However if one of the criteria is 'pretty' then you are on a loosing battle and you might as well go buy a Beetle

That actually fits the bill alright, in terms of 'pretty' she just likes half decent looking cars, like her currently a3 has some 18" wheels and lowered a touch.

but things like that focus are alright with her.

not too interested in diesels, for one she actually likes the sound of an aftermarket exhaust etc on her cars, and as you've said mark the cheap ones will/could have some big bills coming up in my price range.

[Jonny Wilkinson]

For 2K?

I did kind of miss this. Looking again, it says he could push it to 3K.

2.5K will just about get you a GTC but many of the others are out of reach.

2K doesn't buy a lot if you need it to be pretty and Focus sized with proper go.

[misterjake]

Dunno if it fits your criteria but in about a month my 330D saloon will be up for sale.

Was thinking around £2500, its a manual Msport, heated leather, fancy optional stereo (cant remember what they were called) and an android touchscreen nav headunit. Still got the original DVD/nav unit. Not a great deal of history with 153k on it but ive done most of the recent work and put 13k on it since last November so im confident its a good car. Also have the emails from BMW UK proving the earlier service history (I got no service book with it) but decided it wasnt worth the hassle and cost to chase them all.

[Mark]

2.5K will just about get you a GTC but many of the others are out of reach.

They have depreciated quick, what are they, 5 years old?

[Jonny Wilkinson]

I thought they'd been making them 10 years. 2006 ? 2007 ? something like that.

I'm no expert though. FWD nonsense, isn't it.