Car appreciation... the aesthetics, the engineering, etc

Mercedes-Benz TV || Fistful of Wolves>

chuckles.

alfa. has ever a four pot sounded so good. That particular giulia is so nice, wonder if they're more attainable than a decent 105?

no. twin dellortos on an alfa twink is astounding.

@BRM - show me a link. need distraction at work and have good headphones...

Mates dad had a 33 with twin carbs of some kind. without the air filters that sounded very nice. Also my friends sud - actually, most alfas sound great when being wrung out.

I can only imagine it sounding sweeter as a 1300

He like that kid at six form wid the racing mini. B-)

(Generic comment not V-L)

All boxer engines with downdraught carbs.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=tI-WKde8Jgo

^the alfaholics cars are FUCKING quick. they were lapping us at leasttwice every session at castle combe. the spider is special.

I'm not sure this is really the right thread, but I don't see any other car threads here so... here we go..
After many years of convincing myself I don't need to, I'm finally learning to drive and will be taking my test next month some time.

I'm looking for a recommendation for a first car. Considering the following:

a) Insurance - I'm 30, I live in South East London, our flat has locked, off street parking. I'm probably not going to be able to insure myself on anything bigger than a 1.6 (or is this less of a consideration now I'm older? Would I better off with a 1.8?).

b) The driving I will be doing will mostly be to Wales and back, so no tiny cars. There will also be the odd bit of about town stuff, like driving to LVV for racing and odd job stuff; so urban mpg is a consideration, but not an ultimate priority.

c) diesel? Petrol?

d) Will need to be second hand and probably no more than £3k

I don't really give a shit about car brands or models, I just want something that will be reliable, economical, drive well and not look like complete dogshit.

Easy - a Golf

Skoda Estate

totes amaze

Think I would like a roll cage in that nurburgring alpha.

Yes, Golf. Diesel if you plan on hi miles.

An old estate might also be a good bet as the longer wheel base and 6th gear adds a bit of comfort to the motorway.

Spare yourself the hipster tax and get a Skoda.

Spare yourself the middle-class anti-brand tax and get a Seat

If you aren't going to do many miles, but those miles that you do are going to be mainly motorway I'd get a big petrol engine (ignoring the insurance for one second) as they'll be cheaper than a diesel by a meaningful amount.

How about a 2.4T Volvo V70?

Just look at insurance quotes first and then wince.

Have you seen the last alfaholics gta? super lightweight with carbon fibre panels even the bonnet brackets are drilled and makes something like 180bhp/ton. First outing was at the london classic car thingy.

I'd take a Focus over something VAG. More reliable, get more car for your money and cheaper to fix if it goes wrong. 1.6 petrol or TDCI will both be great.

Or something like this would be a great motorway cruiser and most likely go on forever

http://www.carandclassic.co.uk/car/C575576

Look at insurance groups and tax, first car what ever age is going to cost alot.

Or look at bangernomics..something major goes wrong ebay it and buy another. But how mechanically minded are you?

You're 30, so you'll probably find that engine size doesn't make any difference. It was as cheap/expensive for me (OK, with an extra 40) to insure a 1.8 Alfa, a 3 litre Merc or a 5.2 litre Jag. What will raise the cost is the theft and crash profile, so go for a comfy barge that doesn't appeal to the scrotes and doesn't end up in hedges a lot.
You have to do a hell of a lot of miles every year to gain back the premium cost of diesel cars and diesel fuel. And that hell of a lot of miles has to be done in a wheezy gutless stinking nasty-sounding unreliable tractor engine. Get a nice big petrol motor and hang the economy - it's nearly down to a quid a litre again. Basically get a Jag. Or a Merc 124 estate like Woodster said. They are the best estates ever made. (sorry Dammit:-))

I'm so bad for posting questions in threads and forgetting about them! The boot won't lock at all, the central locking doesn't work and it also won't lock using the key in the lock on the boot.

A focus?! Every time I've rented anything Ford I feel utterly ripped off, and that's just the £140 it costs for the weekend, don't even want to think of actually buying one. Same goes for Vauxhall.

I vote VW, Skoda, merc or a Volvo. VW and Skoda I'd guess for better mpg, merc or volvo for comfort.

Yah, sometimes cost effective does not mean cheap. My bro had to replace the springs on his ford blatantly because they were cheap steel. Can work both ways.