What car?

[Southwell]

Hi All,

Im looking to get a better car for racing, going to change the Mrs' car.

My wants:

330D Manual or Auto, but not very good on fuel.
320D Auto or Manual

Looking at 2003/4 with around 100k on the clock.

I want it fairly punchy with good MPG (45+)

Any other suggestions? We really want a smaller Golf sized car but i find them uncomfortable on 1 hour+ drives.

Looking at spending around 4k, but can raise if the right car comes along. I don't drive enough to spend more than that really.

Thanks

Ian

[Chris56]

I can certainly vouch for the Mazda6 Diesel - not quite as powerful as the 320d (although can eaily be remapped to 155bhp +) but has superb handling and reliability. Plenty of low-down torque and huge boot. There is one in the "for sale" section that is £1k under budget, newer with a lower milage, the seller I can most certainly vouch for!!!!!!

[Southwell]

I had an 06 Mazda 6 143. Was a really nice car, I only sold it as i wasn't doing long journeys. Should shift that one in no time, i sold mine in 18 hours from putting it on Autotrader!

[dibble34]

Look up the 320d on forums, i was looking at these a while back, but lots of horror stories. Can't remember the exact details, but the engines have some sort of flap which can get eaten by the engine and totals it. I found a thread with hundreds of people reporting the same thing. Have a look here http://www.bmwswirlflaps.co.uk/

Not sure if 330 is affected

[Chris56]

Originally Posted by Southwell

I had an 06 Mazda 6 143. Was a really nice car, I only sold it as i wasn't doing long journeys. Should shift that one in no time, i sold mine in 18 hours from putting it on Autotrader!

Thats the reason im selling mine - Im fancying a Saab 9-5 Aero/Volvo T5/Subaru Legacy instead, not as cheap to run, but more capable of frightening the wife! Still, the Mazda has been by far the best car i've owned

With regards a car for you, I sense an affinity towards a German Diesel, in which case the 320d is a great car, and certainly your price/milage requirements should get you something decent. There is also the Audi A4 1.9tdi.

If practicality is on your list, how about a Volvo V70 D5 - suberb diesel engine, acres of space and they will just eat the miles

[Southwell]

Originally Posted by dibble34

Look up the 320d on forums, i was looking at these a while back, but lots of horror stories. Can't remember the exact details, but the engines have some sort of flap which can get eaten by the engine and totals it. I found a thread with hundreds of people reporting the same thing. Have a look here http://www.bmwswirlflaps.co.uk/

Not sure if 330 is affected

Ooh, that doesn't sound good! Thanks for the info.
The Mrs wants a focus diesel, they are under well under 4k for a 2007 with 80k on the clock! I like the running costs of a cheaper car, but need it to be more spacious really.

Originally Posted by Chris56

Thats the reason im selling mine - Im fancying a Saab 9-5 Aero/Volvo T5/Subaru Legacy instead, not as cheap to run, but more capable of frightening the wife! Still, the Mazda has been by far the best car i've owned

With regards a car for you, I sense an affinity towards a German Diesel, in which case the 320d is a great car, and certainly your price/milage requirements should get you something decent. There is also the Audi A4 1.9tdi.

If practicality is on your list, how about a Volvo V70 D5 - suberb diesel engine, acres of space and they will just eat the miles

I love my Golf, it is very well made and running nicely, it just isn't confortable for too long with big Recaro leather seats!
V70 is way too big.
Saab 9-5 are nice, my boss loves Saab's. Jaguar X types are ridiculously cheap now, im not quite old enough though i think.

[dibble34]

Had an 06 focus zetec for a year and loved it. Boot is one of the biggest in class. Could get the estate?