The Car Thread: Mark III

[Soundwave]

Why are people coming away from Diesel? Last year I picked up a top spec focus 1.7TD (not as exotic as some of yours!) and its more economical and quicker if thats your bag than the ecoboost equivalent.

I got it in race red too so it looks great!

Is it government pressure and potential bottoming out for resale? I plan on keeping it for a good while and getting pennies for it either way.

For me the gains over petrol are negligible these days.
I do circa 15 miles a day between school run, dropping Katie off & heading to the office so for me the benefit of extended Diesel mileage isn't there.
Also the government pushing to phase it out means values are dropping on Diesel cars.
Electric will never work for me as I have to park in the road & charging would mean running a cable across a path, a small green space & then plugging into the car, just not feasible so Petrol only for me...plus the petrol only choices for sporty broom brooms is much wider than diesel ones

Neil

[charlesr]

Not mucked about with the sound yet. Give it ten seconds to get going.

https://www.sugarsync.com/pf/D61844_89_95169208301

[JU!]

Hey guys,

Quick question for you all but what criteria do you look for in a used car?
for example...how old do you conisder too old before it hits the no pile?

I mean I'm currently trying to whittle down a shortlist but trying to decide on what I'd consider too old to look at is becoming difficult.
My current car is a 2012 Mazda 3 so I want something newer than 2012 but would you think a car that's a 2015 model be too old?
My budget means that I can get a failry good car that's 1-2 years old or it also means that if I go for a car tha't around 5 years old I can get something fairly bonkers
If the mileage is low & full History would you consider a 5 year old car?
My only worry is that I normally keep a car for between 4-5 years so by the time I'm changing it's going to be around 10 years old whereas going more sensible means I could have a 6 year old car by the end of term

What would you do??

Neil

As someone else buying a 2017 GT86 Facelift car soon replacing a 2004 Facelift Celica I can say find a model of car you like and investigate it. I considered a 2013 GT86 which is not too much different from the 2017 to be honest. It will depend on the car to how much stuff has changed mechanically or tech wise. To be honest most manufacturers still using older type tech anyways for bushing, suspension and even engines e.g. Subaru WRX, so a 2015 model of a WRX can be sort of similar to a 2019 vers. I am not sure but newer cars how reliable are the electrics is the only thing that worries me. I personally don’t consider 2012 an old car. Maybe early 2000s or 1990s old. As an owner of a 2000s car I would say newer car less chance to get small issues like valve corrosion or leaking radiator, like I did or bits of rust. Regard used cars as long as you know what issues that particular model will have you should be fine, you could also get a warranty if really worried. To add to this yes if mileage low and depends on previous owners the car would be fine.

Thanks man

Agree on the tyres, I've never scrimped on them & always had the best I could afford.
Still remember having my Clio 172 & when I was living at home going through 3 sets in about as many months because I wasn't happy with the way they felt, finally settled on some BF Goodrich as they were best of all worlds
Think a good History & reasonable mileage are also worth noting.

I mean it's realistically only going to be 10 years old around the time I'm getting ready to replace it.
previously I'd never look at buying a car over 3 years old but there seems to be so much available at the 5 year mark at the moment it seems daft to avoid at least considering them

I mean for budget going 1-2 years old I'm looking at -

Leon Cupra 290
Golf R or GTI TCR
Audi S3
Megane RS280 or Trophy 300
Hyundai i30N Performance
Focus RS
Civic Type R (IF I can get over that overly exaggerated styling lol)

But if I drop back to 2015/2016 cars I could consider -

Audi RS3
BMW M2 (Probably a touch too small if I'm being honest)
BMW M3
BMW M4
Porsche Panamera
Maserati Ghibli (That said I could probably get a 3 year old one of these within budget)
Merc C43

So yeah it's fast, sensible & nearly new or fast, sort of sensible & totally barmy

Neil

That’s a good list. For me ones that stand out Civic Type R is apparently amazing but yes very marmite looks, I love this car and after GT86 in between GR Supra would definitely get one. Renault RS are great I think and Hyundai i30N. Like Audi a lot of people have BMWs but M2 great car not seen many people with them, really as far as BMWs go. Focus RS good but rough ride. I would say Audi RS is good but so many people have Audi’s, but understand why people like them, heard understeer a bit. Panamera would be cool but Diesel would put me off.

[JU!]

I saw the preview of that at Frankfurt last year and can’t believe they went with it after all the criticism it received. But apparently it’s a look certain markets like. And remember the reactions to the Bangle era BMWs and they aged rather gracefully.

Wow if you saw it in the flesh and it was still horrible, can only imagine it was certain markets that liked it. I guess yes could b because we are not used to this style also, but first impressions for me are very bad.

[JU!]

In most instances nope as the space between the two car seats in the back is too narrow for the missus to squeeze into (much as she'd love to sit with the kids). The joys of a hatchback

Lol shame cool cars cannot be slightly bigger so annoying I know. Maybe yr answer is a sporty sedan or something then perhaps.

[nakamura]

I want a gt86 but it does hurt that it isn't really any faster than my Celica. And the Celica is so much fun to drive. Still a good car though. But it needed a turbo model too imo.

[jamesy]

This is brilliant. Would love to see interior pics of the dashboard too!

[Soundwave]

As someone else buying a 2017 GT86 Facelift car soon replacing a 2004 Facelift Celica I can say find a model of car you like and investigate it. I considered a 2013 GT86 which is not too much different from the 2017 to be honest. It will depend on the car to how much stuff has changed mechanically or tech wise. To be honest most manufacturers still using older type tech anyways for bushing, suspension and even engines e.g. Subaru WRX, so a 2015 model of a WRX can be sort of similar to a 2019 vers. I am not sure but newer cars how reliable are the electrics is the only thing that worries me. I personally don’t consider 2012 an old car. Maybe early 2000s or 1990s old. As an owner of a 2000s car I would say newer car less chance to get small issues like valve corrosion or leaking radiator, like I did or bits of rust. Regard used cars as long as you know what issues that particular model will have you should be fine, you could also get a warranty if really worried. To add to this yes if mileage low and depends on previous owners the car would be fine.

Well I've been doing a whole bunch of reading up lately & trying to get my long list down to where I want it to be lol
Yeah think it's mostly just things like updates to software & comfort things
Funny you should mention the Impreza WRX I was looking at those last night
They are nice but that blasted rear wing lol

That’s a good list. For me ones that stand out Civic Type R is apparently amazing but yes very marmite looks, I love this car and after GT86 in between GR Supra would definitely get one. Renault RS are great I think and Hyundai i30N. Like Audi a lot of people have BMWs but M2 great car not seen many people with them, really as far as BMWs go. Focus RS good but rough ride. I would say Audi RS is good but so many people have Audi’s, but understand why people like them, heard understeer a bit. Panamera would be cool but Diesel would put me off.

I have always liked the Type R from the very first EP9 models but the new one just so blingy & boy racer, I'm so over having massive spoilers & bits that I just can't see me feeling comfortable driving one & I am probably doing the car a massive disservice by writing it off because of that but I just want understated performance now not flashy lol

The Hyundai i30N is such a surprise, it looks great & is apparently amazing on the road but I'm just worried about residuals...think I might be a closet badge snob lol
Definitely going to try one though when I can, just to see
The Renault RS has always been special, My Clio 172 is still one of the best cars I owned & I've had hot Renaults before (had a 19 16v back in the late 90's) so the 280 & 300 are high up on the list & they seem so well reviewed too.

Agree with the Audi's seem to be everywhere these days, the RS has always been a dream car for me, so the opportunity to own one may just be too much to pass up lol

M2 is an absolute beauty & as much as I would love one I think it might just be too small in the back
Ideally I'll be keeping whatever I get for 4-5 years & by that time Chloe will be 12-13 (holy crap that's a scary thought) so I need to make sure that it will still be useable for her as she gets bigger, that's why the M4 & M3 both make an appearance, the extra room in the back that they allow means they are more than likely going to be the M Car of choice...just do I need 4 doors or can I get away with 2 (& a folding roof lol)

Focus RS is still in with a shout but being an Essex boy...there are a lot of them locally
Far less S3 / RS3 / Megane / Golf R then any Ford hot hatch

Think the Diesel thing will most likely kill of the idea of a Maserati & the Porsche as great as it would be to say I own one I think going forward Diesel isn't way.

Thanks for the input man, I appreciate it.

Neil

[Brad]

Hey guys,

Quick question for you all but what criteria do you look for in a used car?
for example...how old do you conisder too old before it hits the no pile?

I mean I'm currently trying to whittle down a shortlist but trying to decide on what I'd consider too old to look at is becoming difficult.
My current car is a 2012 Mazda 3 so I want something newer than 2012 but would you think a car that's a 2015 model be too old?
My budget means that I can get a failry good car that's 1-2 years old or it also means that if I go for a car tha't around 5 years old I can get something fairly bonkers
If the mileage is low & full History would you consider a 5 year old car?
My only worry is that I normally keep a car for between 4-5 years so by the time I'm changing it's going to be around 10 years old whereas going more sensible means I could have a 6 year old car by the end of term

What would you do??

Neil

Depends on the car. I just bought an 8 year old Volvo XC60. I’d seen several 2008 models on the road still looking good. Get what you want. You won’t enjoy driving a car simply because it’s new!

[Soundwave]

Depends on the car. I just bought an 8 year old Volvo XC60. I’d seen several 2008 models on the road still looking good. Get what you want. You won’t enjoy driving a car simply because it’s new!

Well I'm still a few months off getting anything as the money isn't quite there yet but it's why I'm starting looking, reading, digesting & joining as many specialist forums as I can to get all the information I need & hopefully get the list WAY down before I do start looking in earnest.

Also I'm not getting anything because it's new but mostly because it won't be too old when I come to change it...if you get my meaning

Neil

[JU!]

Well I've been doing a whole bunch of reading up lately & trying to get my long list down to where I want it to be lol
Yeah think it's mostly just things like updates to software & comfort things
Funny you should mention the Impreza WRX I was looking at those last night
They are nice but that blasted rear wing lol



I have always liked the Type R from the very first EP9 models but the new one just so blingy & boy racer, I'm so over having massive spoilers & bits that I just can't see me feeling comfortable driving one & I am probably doing the car a massive disservice by writing it off because of that but I just want understated performance now not flashy lol

The Hyundai i30N is such a surprise, it looks great & is apparently amazing on the road but I'm just worried about residuals...think I might be a closet badge snob lol
Definitely going to try one though when I can, just to see
The Renault RS has always been special, My Clio 172 is still one of the best cars I owned & I've had hot Renaults before (had a 19 16v back in the late 90's) so the 280 & 300 are high up on the list & they seem so well reviewed too.

Agree with the Audi's seem to be everywhere these days, the RS has always been a dream car for me, so the opportunity to own one may just be too much to pass up lol

M2 is an absolute beauty & as much as I would love one I think it might just be too small in the back
Ideally I'll be keeping whatever I get for 4-5 years & by that time Chloe will be 12-13 (holy crap that's a scary thought) so I need to make sure that it will still be useable for her as she gets bigger, that's why the M4 & M3 both make an appearance, the extra room in the back that they allow means they are more than likely going to be the M Car of choice...just do I need 4 doors or can I get away with 2 (& a folding roof lol)

Focus RS is still in with a shout but being an Essex boy...there are a lot of them locally
Far less S3 / RS3 / Megane / Golf R then any Ford hot hatch

Think the Diesel thing will most likely kill of the idea of a Maserati & the Porsche as great as it would be to say I own one I think going forward Diesel isn't way.

Thanks for the input man, I appreciate it.

Neil

Keep whittling them down sounds like you have an idea above. Yes Honda Civic Type R does have a giant wing I imagine hard to see and a bit of attention maybe drawn to it, agree it looks a bit boy racer oddly the boy racers can’t afford it, so not sure what Honda we’re thinking really... There is a smaller spoiler one now I believe there is the SI one too which is more sensible and less giant wing. Sounds like you have a lot of history with Renault which could be good I’m sure you would enjoy their latest offering. If Audi RS is the dream car then go for that where allows if possible or the S model of more affordable (more affordable than the Nissan Skyline R34 I dream of). If locally a lot of Fords then perhaps avoid them. Keep us posted...I certainly need something else to keep my mind off GT86...Trying with video games RE3: Remake and TLOU2.

[JU!]

I want a gt86 but it does hurt that it isn't really any faster than my Celica. And the Celica is so much fun to drive. Still a good car though. But it needed a turbo model too imo.

I have not test driven a GT86 but yet as you say underpowered would be an understatement but I’m hoping the RWD and driving dynamics will make up for that. I’m sure that Turbo issue will be sorted with New GR86 . What Celica do you have?

[Brad]

I have not test driven a GT86 but yet as you say underpowered would be an understatement but I’m hoping the RWD and driving dynamics will make up for that. I’m sure that Turbo issue will be sorted with New GR86 . What Celica do you have?

I had an 86 for a couple of years. It was awesome and I never wanted it to be any faster than it was to be honest.

[Hirst]

This is brilliant. Would love to see interior pics of the dashboard too!

It's a bit half-dismantled at the moment as I've been tinkering with it and doing a test fit of the new meter while also undoing some messy old wiring fitted by a previous owner, including a badly-wired alarm and radio.



I've also been able to obtain through a friend a proper spec sheet for the car so have since removed a few things that have been added from another car - such as that luxurious clock, which on mine should be a plastic square as I've got the base model "Standard". This means no clock or radio, so I've since removed the clock (and ordered the piece of plastic to go where it once was). It wasn't working right anyway!



Mine should be like that white one on the right.

[Colin]

Not really been bothered about a new car for a while now, but I am absolutely full of want for the new two door Ford Bronco.



If they release this here I'm all over it.