Ralphy (car question, if not interested then take the piss)

[McLovin]

£14k max at a push, insurance group no higher than 14...

[Ralphy]

Used or new?

[McLovin]

Used. Dont think i can afford new!

[Ralphy]

Right 2 options then really.

For £14k you could get a nice 04 or maybe 54 plate 2.0 Turbo A3 with the S line pack.

This gives you all the looks of the S3 but cheaper insurance (group 15) so one above the highest you stated.

Another option is a 2.0 TDi S Line.

Again all the looks of the S3 but lower insurance and a very economical diesel engine that also packs a big punch. (170 bhp)

[Ralphy]

The 2.0 litre Turbo is the same identical engine as in the Golf GTi with 197 bhp.

BUT it's 2 insurance groups lower than the GTi.

[pumbaa]

Uncle Ralphy, what do you think of the Mazda 6?

Not your cup of tea I'd suspect, but seeing as you are a guru on all things with engines and wheels, I thought I'd ask your opinion...

[Ralphy]

I actually like the Mazda 6. It's alot more stylish than most 4 door saloons and the MPS version is down right insane! Very stylish car with good japanese engineering and not too expensive compared to German rivals.


Blackcurrent............

http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/196748.htm

[pumbaa]

I actually like the Mazda 6. It's alot more stylish than most 4 door saloons and the MPS version is down right insane! Very stylish car with good japanese engineering and not too expensive compared to German rivals.

Phew! Its got Ralphy's seal of approval, so I'll be in with the 'cool kids' when I buy one next year. Won't be the MPS though  

[Bob's Orange]

£14k max at a push, insurance group no higher than 14...

Import one from Europe. My S-Line V6 cost about 11k Sterling. Fair enough the Insurance group is higher than 14 but you can't beat the sound of the engine coming out of the twin pipes!

[Ralphy]

I've driven the Mazda 6 MPS and the Mazda 3 MPS.

The 3 was very, very quick but the interior was awful and looked cheap.

The 6 was just about as quick but much better quality inside.

A run of the mill 6 will be a good everyday car.

[Ralphy]

£14k max at a push, insurance group no higher than 14...

Import one from Europe. My S-Line V6 cost about 11k Sterling. Fair enough the Insurance group is higher than 14 but you can't beat the sound of the engine coming out of the twin pipes!

Agreed.

Thats why the R32 is more appealing  than an S3.

It's cheaper and sounds better even if the S3 is a touch quicker.

[magicroundabout]

DSG stands for Direct Shift Gearbox and yes Walrus it is the same as the Audi S Tronic box.

It has 2 rather than 1 clutch plates by simply flicking a paddle the cogs swap instantly and smoothly.

thats what i meant

[Simon Pieman]

What are all these cars like to make love to Ralphy?

[glos_robin]

I did the unthinkable last week, was going to buy a new Civic type R but then work said they'd contribute to my fuel if I bought a Diesel  

So I've ordered a new black Civic Type S GT 2.2 turbo diesel with 18 inch Blade alloys... Not quite the type R but get it tuned by superchips and it'll do a job for a few years and doing 20,000 miles a year for work it'll save me £2,000 just in fuel, then there's cheaper insurance as am still only 22 so was a no brainer really. Disappointed I won't have the Type R but should still be a nice motor.

[Chubbs]

where do you work glos? get me a job