What do you drive?

[Phil Silvers]

1 hour ago, A'Villan said:

Going to buy a car soon, will need one by March at the latest. I've narrowed it down to between three hatchbacks:

• Subaru Impreza
• Volkswagen Golf
• Ford Focus

Are these models overseas? I'm assuming the Golf would be for sure. Any problems to be wary of? I hear transmission can be problematic.

Seeing as an automobile is one purchase that ensures you'll never see a return on investment, I should do my research and thoroughly inspect any car.

Spoke to a dealership with whom I came very close to purchasing a Golf from, additional 3 year warranty for $300AUD was on offer, but the car was sold before I could test drive.

Anyway, any insight into the three vehicles mentioned, or hatchbacks in general, would be received well.

Got a new Golf GTD 18 months ago, brilliant all round motor, fast, economical, long service intervals, mine hasnt missed a beat.

I've had 2 Ford Focus in past and whilst they drive nicely, both mine had niggly faults. Interiors are cheap feeling.

Got two mates who are Impreza fanboys. Good all round motors with bomb proof reliability. WRX STi models are awesome.

[A'Villan]

Thanks for the feedback @blandy and @Phil Silvers!!

I've only gone to see and drive golf's so far. So blandy, we do have that in common.

The focus is in the mix because you can get the same year make, for half the price.

Subaru's have been the most reliable cars my family have ever owned and I'm out to ImpressHer with the Imprezza (anyone?).

It will be a golf, but they are expensive for parts and so I want to make sure I'm buying a good one.

And yes, blandy, second hand. I'll be aiming to get a decade out of it though, that's why the Subaru is in the mix.

[blandy]

59 minutes ago, A'Villan said:

It will be a golf, but they are expensive for parts

I'm less well versed in buying VW parts in Aus (i.e. not all versed), but in the UK there's the VW dealers and then a whole swathe of unofficial VW specialists who can often provide parts at less than main dealer prices. I know there are some of these in Aus, but being such a large place, the shipping costs, or local availability may be less of an advantage. I know there's a thriving classic VW scene in Aus, mind, as I stumbled across it (much to my delight) a while ago

On 03/12/2017 at 09:53, blandy said:

Sometimes you go for a walk and come across the most unexpected, but rather marvellous things, completely by chance. Having failed to get tickets for the test match in Adelaide, I decided to go to Fremantle instead, as it was in a lonely planet guide as one of the top 10...etc..

Got there, yesterday, the flat wasn't ready, so I went for a walk and after less than 5 minutes of wandering found the round the world yacht race was just starting the third leg...

then today, I went for another wander to go to the beach and found a classic VW rally happening right next to it. I love old Vee Dubs. Just the smell of them makes me want to buy another one, when I get back.

And it's raining at the cricket, anyway

[chrisp65]

We had a ‘71 1300, white, very similar to that last photo. Bloody loved that car, we had it years longer than we should have, but we just couldn’t bring ourselves to get rid.

[A'Villan]

@blandy Don't know if it's a thing over your way but whenever children here see the model of VW pictured it's a game of first to spot one gets to punch someone in the arm and call, "Punch Buggie, no returns (no return punch)!" Needless to say school excursions would be a nightmare for teachers whenever the bus passed a VW dealership!

[Xela]

I wonder what will happen to the used/classic car market, with the regulations on emissions. Looking at 2035 for no new ICE vehicles being produced (or earlier). Maybe 2040-2050 for removal of all extant ICE vehicles from the roads. 

I'd always fancied a fleet (ok, 1 or 2) of my teenage dream cars when I retire. I'm guessing the arse will fall out of the market... or will it increase and will they be viewed as 'art' by certain people. 

[chrisp65]

3 minutes ago, Xela said:

I wonder what will happen to the used/classic car market, with the regulations on emissions. Looking at 2035 for no new ICE vehicles being produced (or earlier). Maybe 2040-2050 for removal of all extant ICE vehicles from the roads. 

I'd always fancied a fleet (ok, 1 or 2) of my teenage dream cars when I retire. I'm guessing the arse will fall out of the market... or will it increase and will they be viewed as 'art' by certain people. 

I think the issue will very rapidly be about getting hold of petrol.

 

[Xela]

3 minutes ago, chrisp65 said:

I think the issue will very rapidly be about getting hold of petrol.

 

I did think that. It will become very expensive and available to only a select few.

We may see more of this: classic cars converted to run on electric

 

[chrisp65]

Yep, that’s the ultimate isn’t it, a bloody lovely old car converted to electric.

Karmann Ghia, Beetle, Porsche 914 (yes, really).

[stuart_75]

Ordered a BMW i3s as my first company car. Taking the plunge with full electric. Quite looking forward to embracing the EV revolution.

[blandy]

On 15/02/2020 at 07:04, stuart_75 said:

Ordered a BMW i3s as my first company car. Taking the plunge with full electric. Quite looking forward to embracing the EV revolution.

A lad at work has one and he commutes 40 miles each way. He loves it. He's probably had it for 4 or 5 years or so now.

[jackbauer24]

I'm completely stuck on what to do for a car in a few months, I'm not inspired by anything or, if I am, I certainly can't afford it!

My lease comes to an end in July. I've had a Scirocco R for 3 years, 8k miles with maintenance for £320pm. The Scirocco is no longer made so can't start again. I also only paid about £1k initially on that deal.

So what's next? Everything is either dull or slow or too expensive. I'd go a little more (£400pm) but needs to be 'exciting' for that. And not necessarily just speed.

Looked at a Toyota CHR - interesting styling, hybrid, techy.... Mindnumbingly slow (11+ seconds 0-60)

Looked at Jaguar E-Pace - above average looks, marque name, not fast, not really economical, more expensive

Looked at Honda Civic R - ridiculous Hot Wheels styling.

Looked at Golf/Focus etc etc but so incredibly boring in style.

Looked at Polestar and Tesla - too much and low availability.

Might just dust off the old pedal bike...

[chrisp65]

On 15/02/2020 at 07:04, stuart_75 said:

Ordered a BMW i3s. Taking the plunge with full electric. 

[A'Villan]

On 19/02/2020 at 07:06, jackbauer24 said:

I'm completely stuck on what to do for a car in a few months, I'm not inspired by anything or, if I am, I certainly can't afford it!

My lease comes to an end in July. I've had a Scirocco R for 3 years, 8k miles with maintenance for £320pm. The Scirocco is no longer made so can't start again. I also only paid about £1k initially on that deal.

So what's next? Everything is either dull or slow or too expensive. I'd go a little more (£400pm) but needs to be 'exciting' for that. And not necessarily just speed.

Looked at a Toyota CHR - interesting styling, hybrid, techy.... Mindnumbingly slow (11+ seconds 0-60)

Looked at Jaguar E-Pace - above average looks, marque name, not fast, not really economical, more expensive

Looked at Honda Civic R - ridiculous Hot Wheels styling.

Looked at Golf/Focus etc etc but so incredibly boring in style.

Looked at Polestar and Tesla - too much and low availability.

Might just dust off the old pedal bike...

If you can spend $60k(AUD) on an e-pace you've certainly got options, not that I'm much for cars.

You could get a RX7 or RX4 rotary for that money, I mean, you could even import yourself a Camaro from the States..

[chrisp65]

1 hour ago, A'Villan said:

If you can spend $60k(AUD) on an e-pace you've certainly got options, not that I'm much for cars.

You could get a RX7 or RX4 rotary for that money, I mean, you could even import yourself a Camaro from the States..

Wankel?

[Genie]

Jaguar E-Pace comes in 240ps Diesel and 300ps Petrol flavours, they will be quick (but not economical).

[Genie]

If you wanna go nuts @jackbauer24 how about this Porsche?

https://www.hotukdeals.com/deals/porsche-taycan-420kw-4s-93kwh-4dr-auto-3413261

[jackbauer24]

The Jaguar E-Pace on lease is around the £450pm mark with a £1kish deposit. It's more than I want to spend really but not impossible. It's not so much the value of the car as to the lease deals available. I want a lease as a) initial costs are low b.) It's new so all warranties are in place for duration c)don't have to do tax or mots d)it's a budgeted cost each month and e)I don't care about selling/ holding value!

So while the value of the car suggests there would be loads of ootions, getting on lease reduces that. As mentioned above, I think I got a bloomin good deal on my Sciricco R! Finding a replacement is harder.

So the Porsche at £8k deposit and £700+ per month is out unfortunately!!

[Genie]

2 hours ago, jackbauer24 said:

The Jaguar E-Pace on lease is around the £450pm mark with a £1kish deposit. It's more than I want to spend really but not impossible. It's not so much the value of the car as to the lease deals available. I want a lease as a) initial costs are low b.) It's new so all warranties are in place for duration c)don't have to do tax or mots d)it's a budgeted cost each month and e)I don't care about selling/ holding value!

So while the value of the car suggests there would be loads of ootions, getting on lease reduces that. As mentioned above, I think I got a bloomin good deal on my Sciricco R! Finding a replacement is harder.

So the Porsche at £8k deposit and £700+ per month is out unfortunately!!

How about this?

https://www.hotukdeals.com/deals/bmw-5-series-saloon-520d-mht-m-sport-4dr-auto-24m-lease-8k-miles-pa-290-pm-1740-initial-150-fee-8560-at-leasing-options-3412186

Quote

BMW new 5 Series mild hybrid 520d M Sport on a 2 year lease. Works out at 20.4% of £41.9k P11D value, 8k miles pa, £289.99 per month (6+23) plus £1739.94 initial and £150 admin - so £357 net per month

 

[wazzap24]

8 hours ago, jackbauer24 said:

The Jaguar E-Pace on lease is around the £450pm mark with a £1kish deposit. It's more than I want to spend really but not impossible. It's not so much the value of the car as to the lease deals available. I want a lease as a) initial costs are low b.) It's new so all warranties are in place for duration c)don't have to do tax or mots d)it's a budgeted cost each month and e)I don't care about selling/ holding value!

So while the value of the car suggests there would be loads of ootions, getting on lease reduces that. As mentioned above, I think I got a bloomin good deal on my Sciricco R! Finding a replacement is harder.

So the Porsche at £8k deposit and £700+ per month is out unfortunately!!

There are I-Pace deals knocking about now for similar money. 

Does over 250 miles on a charge, so depending on your mileage you’d make the saving in fuel? 

I test drove one the other week and it was rapid too. Lovely car.