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Author Topic: People who know lots about cars, please help  (Read 2292 times)
Doore

« on: Saturday, February 20, 2010, 21:23:07 »

Hello.

You look very nice today.

I need a bit of help - I'm trying to help a family member who knows nothing about cars purchase a new one.  However, I don't know much more than they do.

Budget: 10-14k (ish)

Car: Automatic, 5 dr hatchback, ideally bigger than the supermini - contenders so far include the Nissan Note and the Honda Jazz.  Are there any real winners in this range?

All advice gratefully received.
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Arriba

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« Reply #1 on: Saturday, February 20, 2010, 21:25:09 »

does it have to be an automatic?
shite fuel economy and something else to go wrong.i hate them
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Doore

« Reply #2 on: Saturday, February 20, 2010, 21:30:15 »

does it have to be an automatic?
shite fuel economy and something else to go wrong.i hate them

Personally I agree, but they need an auto due to a physical condition.
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Arriba

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« Reply #3 on: Saturday, February 20, 2010, 21:32:54 »

i see.
i reckon the best idea is to shortlist a few, then test drive them
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Doore

« Reply #4 on: Saturday, February 20, 2010, 21:35:39 »

We've already booked test drives on the Jazz and the Note, thinking about the Skoda Fabia as well.  Just was wondering, as I was idling about on here, if anyone has bought something similar recently and is pleased with the deal they got?
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iffy

« Reply #5 on: Sunday, February 21, 2010, 00:01:20 »

http://www.parkers.co.uk/choose/wizard.aspx

Mazda 3, Peugeot 207?
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nochee

« Reply #6 on: Sunday, February 21, 2010, 07:59:54 »

I dont know much about cars but blue ones are nice.
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Ralphy

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« Reply #7 on: Sunday, February 21, 2010, 08:06:09 »

Avoid French cars.

New Vauxhall Astra is a very good car and Vauxhalls are very reliable.

Can't go wrong with Honda's either.

Personaly, if I was buying a family hatchback I'd get VW Golf. German build quality is leagues ahead of anything else.

For £14,000 you could pick up a very nice low mileage Golf.

What Car gives it 5 stars...

http://www.whatcar.com/car-reviews/volkswagen/golf-hatchback/summary/25456-5

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Ralphy

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« Reply #8 on: Sunday, February 21, 2010, 08:09:57 »

Some examples .....

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/search/used/cars/volkswagen/golf/postcode/ox75lq/radius/1501/sort/priceasc/price-from/10000/maximum-age/up_to_1_year_old/price-to/14000/transmission/automatic
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herthab
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« Reply #9 on: Sunday, February 21, 2010, 09:36:33 »

Go for a Skoda. German build quality (They're owned by VW) and much cheaper.
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Ralphy

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« Reply #10 on: Sunday, February 21, 2010, 09:41:25 »

Go for a Skoda. German build quality (They're owned by VW) and much cheaper.

Agreed. Good cars.














I'm a badge snob though Cheesy
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Doore

« Reply #11 on: Sunday, February 21, 2010, 10:35:56 »

Cheers guys, I'll look into the Astra and Skoda options.
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ron dodgers

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« Reply #12 on: Sunday, February 21, 2010, 10:43:36 »

father in law is quite restricted in movement and has a Toyota Yaris, you can have it fully auto, or use the gear stick or use the paddles - he seems to like it
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Nomoreheroes
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« Reply #13 on: Sunday, February 21, 2010, 11:06:31 »

Someone said to avoid French cars, but I don't necessarily agree. I was thinking at one stage of getting a Renault Modus as a second car. I have a Renault Grand Scenic, which in its class, is cheap to run and maintain. It is comfortable, has been reliable and problem free for the last 3 years (touch wood!). Its also got alot of little extras thrown in - Especialy as I bought it from a reputable internet dealer. 

The Modus the same car as the Nisan Note (like a Ford Galaxy is the same as a VW Sharan). Renaults are cheap to run (w/r/t insurance, tax and fuel consumption). I read some road tests on line and they commented upon the car's durability.

However, in the end, I decided to go for a Suzuki Swift - basically because I saw 100s of them in Aus and NZ when I went on holiday. I thought they looked nice and when I went for a test drive in a diesel version I thought it was really nice to drive. I've been very pleasantly surprised at how good it is. If I were to change it and wanted something slightly bigger, I would possibly go for a Suzuki Splash - The only thing that puts me off the Splash is a poxy rev counter or something plonked on top of the dashboard.

Bottomline is that cars are very much an individual taste. Some people go for looks, some for size, some because of family or personal neeeds, some for economic reasons and some just for initial cost. If you are considering some specific ones, go on Ask Jeeves and type 'Car name review'. I'm sure that you'll find loads of info and also alternatives too.
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Phil_S

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« Reply #14 on: Sunday, February 21, 2010, 12:15:01 »

Going off at a tagent it amazes me that people buy Foreign built cars. Food from Holland & Denmark, Cars from France, Water from France, etc etc. These people then complain when they lose their jobs. A good example is the Car worker who loses his job, & then goes down the supermarket & buys Danish bacon. Or the farmer who complains about people buying Irish Beef, French Cheese, or Dutch Pork yet drives around in a John Deere Tractor.
I would suggest that the first Port of call be Honda.
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