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Aug 16, 2006 12:35:08 GMT
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Looking at a few options for a replacement for the Celica. So its got to be something wife-friendly.
Spec so far is that its :
4 doors (or 5)
Big but not too big
"safe"
not boring
prestige or sporting feel
not expensive to run/maintain
insurable
so far we have a shortlist
Mercedes C class (230 kompressor?)
Subaru Legacy 2.5 quad cam
Lexus GS300 (might be too big, too thirsty, too ugly)
looking to spend arround £2000 - £2500 really.
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1941 Wolseley Not Rod - 1956 Humber Hawk - 1957 Daimler Conquest - 1966 Buick LeSabre - 1968 Plymouth Sport Fury - 1968 Ford Galaxie - 1969 Ford Country Squire - 1969 Mercury Marquis - 1970 Morris Minor - 1970 Buick Skylark - 1970 Ford Galaxie - 1971 Ford Galaxie - 1976 Continental Mark IV - 1976 Ford Capri - 1994 Ford Fiesta
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Aug 16, 2006 12:39:31 GMT
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Can you buy any of those for £2000?
Volvo V40? Or is that too dull?
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Aug 16, 2006 12:50:43 GMT
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How about importing something from Japan? I imported a 1994 Nissan Skyline 4 door with 50k on the clock for £1300. Fairly big, good on gas (2.0L straight six), very good handling and pretty plush. Electric everything, pas and a/c. Plenty of R33's in the UK now so parts aren't too much of an issue.
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1962 Datsun Bluebird Estate - 1971 Datsun 510 SSS - 1976 Datsun 710 SSS - 1981 Dodge van - 1985 Nissan Cherry Europe GTi - 1988 Nissan Prairie - 1990 Hyundai Pony Pickup - 1992 Mazda MX5
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Aug 16, 2006 12:55:19 GMT
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most of those in the £2250 - £3000 range in Autotrader so a bit of haggling... Legacy 2.2 can be had from £795, Lexus GS300 can be had from about £1495.
Depends how much I get for the Celica really.
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1941 Wolseley Not Rod - 1956 Humber Hawk - 1957 Daimler Conquest - 1966 Buick LeSabre - 1968 Plymouth Sport Fury - 1968 Ford Galaxie - 1969 Ford Country Squire - 1969 Mercury Marquis - 1970 Morris Minor - 1970 Buick Skylark - 1970 Ford Galaxie - 1971 Ford Galaxie - 1976 Continental Mark IV - 1976 Ford Capri - 1994 Ford Fiesta
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Aug 16, 2006 13:03:44 GMT
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Jag XJ40?
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Aug 16, 2006 13:06:51 GMT
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Is this a 'loaded question'? I.e. would the sudden need for a 'family size' car also be associated with a sudden but prolonged dip in income, know what I mean?  If so, is a fairly thirsty old luxo-barge in the highest tax bracket a sensible idea??? Or is it really time for a sub-1400cc or diesel-power basic chugga? |
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Aug 16, 2006 13:12:03 GMT
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I would be tempted to go for a BMW 3 Series over a Mercedes C-Class. How about a Saab? 9-3 or 9-5 could be had for that kind of money.
Or an Alfa 156 - very pretty, 4-dr with coupe looks, and a bit sporty...
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Aug 16, 2006 13:53:08 GMT
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I can get you a 2.2 legacy for a lot less you've got my number |
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The lurker formerly known as Cappuccinocruiser.. or wedgedout..
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Aug 16, 2006 14:11:44 GMT
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71 Alfa GT 1300 Junior
89 Alfa 75 3.0 V6 Veloce
89 Alfa 75 3.0 V6 America
2015 C220 estate Daily shunter
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bstardchild
Club Retro Rides Member
Posts: 14,937
Club RR Member Number: 71
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Aug 16, 2006 14:15:21 GMT
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Alfa 156 - you can get a nice 1999 V6 for that Initial reaction - Damn that is steep depreciation On reflection 7 yrs old probably about right Still very scarey tho - glad I run old s h i t e now and don't change my cars every two years!!! |
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Aug 16, 2006 14:44:48 GMT
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What ever it is needs to be 100% reliable, and cheap service parts. The Toyota is the one car we can depend on on the family fleet so what ever comes in its place has to be as reliable. The Jag is too big, too unreliable, too thirsty, and the parts are too expensive, the rear seats and boot are both well below par as well. Otherwsie a good call Alfa 156 - back when I was offered a company car the Alfa 156 was on the fleet department's banned list due to reliability and service cost issues... Pretty, but too much potential hassle. Not sure we can live with the image issues about running a 2nd hand 3 series Beemer. the "-" series of Saabs seem to have reliability issues as well. My old 9000 was tough as boots and running sweet at 175,000 miles, but the Ecotec powered ones are no where as good so I'm told. Em doesn't much care for Volvos. Also worth remembering that she thinks a Focus is a big car... |
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1941 Wolseley Not Rod - 1956 Humber Hawk - 1957 Daimler Conquest - 1966 Buick LeSabre - 1968 Plymouth Sport Fury - 1968 Ford Galaxie - 1969 Ford Country Squire - 1969 Mercury Marquis - 1970 Morris Minor - 1970 Buick Skylark - 1970 Ford Galaxie - 1971 Ford Galaxie - 1976 Continental Mark IV - 1976 Ford Capri - 1994 Ford Fiesta
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Aug 16, 2006 14:47:08 GMT
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Get a 'big' focus then  A diesel one at that. Think that every penny she saves pootling about at 50mpg is more pennies you can blow on gas-guzzling beasts. ;D |
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Aug 16, 2006 14:49:27 GMT
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I was gonna suggest a Lexus IS, but prices for them are still quite high. They are *lovely* to drive though, and I think if I had to have a new(ish) car it'd be one of them. But it's out of budget so ignore me!
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Aug 16, 2006 14:52:06 GMT
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I was gonna suggest a Lexus IS  'Nuff said. ;D |
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Aug 16, 2006 14:57:48 GMT
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Get a 'big' focus then A diesel one at that. Think that every penny she saves pootling about at 50mpg is more pennies you can blow on gas-guzzling beasts. ;D dare i even suggest Mongdeo,  not exciting, but you get a lot for your money. and zetecs are pretty well behaved arnt they and do ok on juice. (my Sapph will be up for grabs too, a bit of a power come down too from a celica and well under budget, just thought i'd mention it). |
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 it doesn't matter if it's a Morris Marina or a Toyota Celica - it's what you do with it that counts  |
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Aug 16, 2006 15:19:39 GMT
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I can't imagine owning a Focus. I have to drive this thing as well you know!
IS200 would be nice I guess, but still too dear. She wants a PT Cruiser and if we had £5K we'd probably be getting one of them. Not exactly the ultimate driving machine but hey, its what she likes. We've had them on depreciation watch since they came out. Another 2 years maybe.
I'd quite fancy a Rover 75. ZT260 would be my choice, but still too expensive by a mile although they are on the depreciation watch list!
Whatever it is will probably want to be a '95 or newer model.
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Last Edit: Aug 16, 2006 15:20:35 GMT by akku
1941 Wolseley Not Rod - 1956 Humber Hawk - 1957 Daimler Conquest - 1966 Buick LeSabre - 1968 Plymouth Sport Fury - 1968 Ford Galaxie - 1969 Ford Country Squire - 1969 Mercury Marquis - 1970 Morris Minor - 1970 Buick Skylark - 1970 Ford Galaxie - 1971 Ford Galaxie - 1976 Continental Mark IV - 1976 Ford Capri - 1994 Ford Fiesta
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Aug 16, 2006 15:43:50 GMT
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*If* an IS200 goes wrong, you're gonna pay big. Personally I've been pretty underwhelmed driving them; Good quality car though, and I thoroughly enjoy blowing my three Lexus-owning colleagues away on the way home every night. With a £300 Sierra. ;D I'm with Pog. Diesel Focus wagon. Nice to have something straightforward, inconspicuous, and cheap to buy and repair.  Besides, if you've got some flashy Merc / BMW / Lexus to blat around in, we may never see that Ventora finished! |
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My fleet:
Suzuki GSX-R600Y SRAD with bald, melted tyres
A borrowed Mondeo
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Aug 16, 2006 15:54:55 GMT
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Focus? Mondeo?! Yeah they're reliable, moderately good at everything and good value for money, but... they should come with a sticker saying "I completely lack any imagination or personality whatsoever"
OK so it's a 2nd car to the very exciting alistairk fleet, but on the road nobody can see that.
Maybe it's me and I care too much about what image my car gives out, but even if I needed something sensible, there's still room to be a little bit different.
I like the Rover 75 idea - an MG version would be a laugh!
As for depreciation, if I was spending over £5k I'd worry about it, but at £2k some other mug has taken the major blows of depreciation and, unless it's a Chevrowoo or Kia, the downward curve should even off a bit I'd have thought.
Oh, and I forgot about the Lexus IS / Partridge connection! "Jurassic Park" ;D ;D ;D
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Aug 16, 2006 16:40:13 GMT
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I get that too benzboy, Mongdeo is ok if you're looking for summat really cheap specailly, if you are looking for a heathy zetec left in the will of an OAP mongdeo. i'd defo consider one as daily fodder. mind in that market i would sooner hunt high and low for a nice sierra twink too!
How about bstardchilds weapons of choice, senators and carltons? mordern enough, retro enough, good performer, not too bad on juiceage, not tooooooooooo big, v credible, loads of space to lug junk, oh and families of course! generally what an idea, you'd even get change. Cue BC....
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it doesn't matter if it's a Morris Marina or a Toyota Celica - it's what you do with it that counts |
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Aug 16, 2006 17:06:32 GMT
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Al, do you remember my brothers Legacy estate?
its a metallic red 1995/6 car with rocketship miles, 2.2 on an auto box.
the rear diff makes a "clunk" on full lock, but its not gonna give any problems.
It's got a tidy body, and mechanically, is now 100% as far as we know.
He wants PEANUTS for it, cos we've got so many cars (again!) and its too thirsty for him.
Got 4 really good tires too, on alloy ford rims, but it's not gonna cos the earth to swap em over.
They're not bad for parts, and the engines just go on and on and on.
Taxed, MOT'd and ready to roll.
If it wasn't for the fact I was given a Polo yesterday, I'd have had it myself.
If you want it, call me.
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The lurker formerly known as Cappuccinocruiser.. or wedgedout..
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[*]
not exciting, but you get a lot for your money. and zetecs are pretty well behaved arnt they and do ok on juice. (my Sapph will be up for grabs too, a bit of a power come down too from a celica and well under budget, just thought i'd mention it).
Besides, if you've got some flashy Merc / BMW / Lexus to blat around in, we may never see that Ventora finished!