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

Yeah, I don't know much about small engines like that, I did test drive one of the corsa 1l petrol turbos for my brother, was surprisingly nippy, much nicer than the non-turbo 1.2

I think youll find the 1.4 turbo multiair has 170hp .

I am also in early stages of looking for a similar size car for my wife's next car, currently she has a 13 plate Astra (horrible thing), and have a similar budget, but am down in Devon, so don't think we will be competing. Skodas are currently top of my list too.

I had 2 giulietta multiair and neither missed a beat in the 5 years I had them .

Think he was referring to the Skoda with 105bhp not the Alfa...

oops sorry .

yeah, as he says, we've pretty much looked at everything over the last month. seems to be smaller car or higher mileage.

And shit ton of cat C/D/S/N

i'm a mileage fanny, but i have been looking at dadwagons, trying avoid the totally unnecessary grand c4 picasso type cars (which look cool, i reckon). i want to tow 2k and no oil burners. not easy.

i see this: https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Skoda-Superb-3-6-V6-Elegance-DSG-4x4-5dr-Estate/223243219687?hash=item33fa5532e7:g:KBcAAOSwQzJb~sYZ:rk:2:pf:0

then see this: https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2012-Skoda-Superb-3-6-V6-260ps-4X4-DSG-Elegance-1-OWENR-FULL-SH/202556386216?hash=item2f294d2ba8:g:H30AAOSwBkNcJlVg:rk:1:pf:0

and think - does it make a diff? i bought the lowest mileage/highest spec i could with the GTI and it will no-doubt pay off when i sell it (it still has <70k for a 12 year old car), but i reckon a low mileage 12 year old skoda won't get 4k more than a car with 150k

That's a lot of car for the money!

Good that makes me feel like I'm barking up an OK tree.

My Audi's got a derivation of that motor (in 190bhp guise) and I keep meaning to get it Revo'd, they reckon they can get it up to 215-225bhp for the sake of 300 quid!

I think it does, I’d get the lower mileage car even though it’s more money.

In a Corsa, yeah that engine size would be ok, but in a big estate that might get fully loaded up once a kid arrives? It could start to struggle.

Not saying it definitely will, I'd just be considering it, and not just if you want to drive fast. There's a lot to be said for being able to accelerate on a dual carriageway quicker than a glacier without having to drop down gears. It's a lot more relaxing and comfortable on a long journey. Especially if you're in the South west where it starts getting hilly.

One of my pet hates is people who keep a constant throttle position instead of constant speed. They come barreling past you on a downhill doing 85-90, then when it turns into an uphill they're groaning along in top gear, barely pushing 60. It shouldn't be a problem but you end up in this constant overtaking, being overtaken, overtaking, which is just tiring on a long journey, so then it's a choice of, do you slow down, let them fuck off and get back in to your own groove, or punch it and leave them behind?

Yes, fully agree, and to be honest, I personally will be looking for something with a bit more grunt, as you say we have a lot of hills down here.

I hate people who slow down and speed up all the time, I tend to use cruise control religiously, and it is amazing when you set it, how much you spend your time overtaking and then being passed by the same car over and over again...

The newest fiesta is meant to be very roomy if you want to turn your 7k into PCP or lease payments @Quincy

My friend has the ST and he has 2 kids.

With brand new you get the luxury of 0 miles, warranty, and service packages so other than fuel and tyres, you can plan your expenditure well.

it is automatic. when you change lanes and go left, the person behind you has to speed up just enough to make sure that you have brake to let them past whe you approach the car in the middle lane. exacerbated by cruise control

So here's my thing with mileage, how long are you planning on keeping your car?

If you're buying a 7k car to run it until it dies, and you've got 2 options, 2 cars exactly the same age and options, will the one with more mileage die quicker, and if it doesn't, will it cost more before it dies than the saving in purchase price?

With things like cambelts and water pumps, you're still going to have to get it done, you might just have to wait longer if it's lower miles, but then again it might reach age based service schedule at the same time. Would it be better to buy one that's already had it's 60k big service? Does a motorway mile car need bushes and suspension sooner than one that's been driven about town and hit 5,000,000 potholes for its entire life?

I'm not saying one is better than the other, I just think it's a really hard decision to make because there's so many factors involved with car maintenance and reliability and just because one car has lower miles, doesn't make it the better buy.

In buying a new car and they are trying insanely hard to flog me some autoglym spray in and out for the car. Anyone on here bothered with it in the past? Worth it?

any recommendations for PCP companies to keep an eye on?

is it called "life shine"?

If so my car had it from the dealer (it was free) but i'm not sure what benefit it gave.

I have a 2013 fabia estate in monte carlo "tech" trim, granted its the previous generation to the current one but it's been good for us loading it up with kit for weekend away trips and bikes and climbing gear and whatever else without too much fuss.

Do you need to be ULEZ compliant?

ah great to know! I live in Romford and my mrs works in chadwell heath so not 100% required but wouldn't be upset to be compliant...

Ones similar to mine go for £7-7500 it appears, you get sat nav and bluetooth and all that with the "tech". Petrol versions are a bit cheaper i think.

the engine choices were 1.6 TDi or 1.2 TSi Petrol, they're both Euro 5 so the petrol will be compliant but the diesel won't be.

of course they make normal fabia estates which i don't really like aesthetically, and there is also Seat Ibiza estates which are the same car but different design / spec

https://www.ccsales.co.uk/mercedes-e55-amg-470bhp-kompressor-estate-the-only-one-out-there-in-oxfordshire-6352250

Yep - I've saved a load on Autotrader to compare/contrast. Thanks for the insight!