Pie_n_Chips

Alright there me ol mucker long time no hear

Have looked into the new Fiesta, but you know Mrs P a fussy ****** at the best of times, it's gots to be a China Blue 206 HDi D Turbo. Having said that she does like the previous Fiesta Zetec-S.

LOL @ Chris and the Sunday Telegraph

[Edited by Pie_n_Chips - 11/3/2003 10:59:47 AM]

Pie_n_Chips

OK Mrs Pie currently has a '91 1.4 mk5 escort with a mere 51k on the clock, the car runs as sweet as and is in exceptional condition for it's age. But she's getting increasing unhappy with the lack of power stearing and poke under the bonnet, so were looking to replace it with a newer car, ideally less than 3 years old.

Criteria are

It's got to "look" nice (a woman thing)
Not be red or green
Be economicalish

Cars so far are:-

New Clio DCi
Ford Focus - whatever
Ford Fiesta
Audi A3
Peugeot 206 HDi

Any comments welcome on any of the above, especially if you run one as a second car.

Cheers Pie

mynickers

All good cars, what about a civic? Ultra reliable!

Pie_n_Chips

Hi mynickers, EP3 civic discounted due to it's godawful looks (according to the missus)

[Edited by Pie_n_Chips - 10/27/2003 11:43:31 AM]

mynickers

yeah well I can't really argue with her there, coupe looks good, but standard looks a bit boring mpv-ish! Tis a good all around car though, what about the jazz, that's a bit prettier..

But the focus is very good motor..

I am driving a clio at the moment, they're nice, but the build quality isn't amazing, the clutch slips a little, the steering is a bit sloppy sometimes, too much body role, however, considering it is a non sport run around, the chassis is pretty good, and it hanldes ok for what it is.

What about a mini?

also what about Peugeot 206 - nice looking little car, & on top gear they said they are one of the best for depreciation in their class.

Even though they're common as muck, you'd probably get a really good deal on a saxo vtr/vts as they've just bought out the C2, they come with free insurance, and they're still a great little car and they've got some grunt.

[Edited by mynickers - 10/27/2003 11:41:15 PM]

Pie_n_Chips

Having had a 206 Gti myself, I would quite like her to get a HDi D Turbo 206, are there any known issues with the HDi engine or am i best asking on the pug forums?

Mmmmm test driven a Jazz and i liked it very nibble and chuckable, but alas the mrs isn't a fan. I'm not even going to mention Saxo's to her, she hates them with a passion, in fact the only car she really likes is the 206.

Thanks for your suggestions tho', it's appreciated

Pie



[Edited by Pie_n_Chips - 10/28/2003 9:25:02 AM]

AudiMan

Pie,
Just bought the wife a 1.8 zetec focus, 2000, 24k miles from a dealer £7k, has climate pack & reflex pack, and I must admit it is a brilliant car (especially when coming from an escort like yourself), build quality is very high and it drives better than the 1.8 Audi A3 I had, (plus you won't get much of an A3 for £7k).
My sister has a 206 deisel, and it's as brittle and plasticy as my old 205. (good engine though).
which would I choose,? the Focus every time, it's a two door so looks quite sporty, good on fuel, and lovely to drive.
Best thing to do is drive all the contenders and get the lady to choose, that way you're covered !.

Ian..

Pie_n_Chips

Ian thanks for the input on the Focus I've driven alll the cars mentioned apart from the new Clio, but echo your comments about rattly french build quality, being a Honda man myself.

AudiMan

Pie,
Been in a new Clio (was 172 cup) build wasn't much better than the 206 !! , did look at a new Megane (looks are still a bit radical) but that was a very good car, (just a bit out of our price range).
Honda make some very impressive cars, nearly bought an Accord Type R before getting the Scoob, my one major gripe with Honda is they are always facelifting models and you can end up with a very dated looking car very quickly. (probably true of most manufacturers, but the Jap ones seem worse).
Still can't praise the Focus enough, (and the wife loves it !!!)

Ian..

Pie_n_Chips

Yep 4 years between major revisions is a PITA but just spare a thought for all those fugly owners out there, what was it 8-12 months -

mynickers

yeah I am a honda man too, but I think I would agree focus is a damn fine car, if I needed a sensible car, I would consider one. Best car ford has made in a long while.

Rich D

iTrader: (12)

Nope, it's a cracking engine and plenty of tuning potential too...

paulr

What about an Astra.As a workhorse its the best car i've ever had.130k and still drives fine.Cheap,very reliable motoring.6 years and only head gasket and water pump needed replacing.

Only downside is it is a bit dull.

GTI

Golf GTI? Great car (whatever you lot say about handling) I loved mine!
A3 only if its a 1.8t - Again great car loved mine (had a 1.8t and a S3)
Focus - What are you thinking! (sorry have a bit of a hate of fords)
Clio - Great little car, plenty of poke, stylish, a little cramped, good kit levels.
Ibiza?
Polo?
Civic is a great car IMO
But I'd go the Golf, new Megane or Clio way.

Pie_n_Chips

Astra hmmmm let me think about that for all of 1 naano second - NOPE!!!, having had a 2.2 coupe and a 5 year stint with a cavalier Gsi, never again.
Golf whatever - disappear into obscurity and sometimes up your own backside (well vw are wannabe bm drivers)

ChrisB

Wotcha mate. I noticed some adverts for a brand new Fiesta (new shape) 1.4 Zetecs for a shade under £6.5k in Telegraph Motoring pages on Sunday.

For a bit more poke, my folks X plate Fiesta Zetec S is very nice to drive. More warm hatch than hot, but should help on the insurance for Mrs Chips.

Jamesemt

I drove a Fester Zetec 1.25 a few years ago - it blew me away considering the engine size...actually feels sporty...
My dad's just got a new clio and it is such an improvement compared to the pre facelift model...

Proby521

iTrader: (1)

Ive had my 206 2.0 HDI dTurbo a couple of months now. Cant fault it, no problems with build quality, ALL cars are plasticky inside now. The engine is superb, the low-down pick up is unreal, and puts most other 2.0 N/A petrol cars to shame.Also when I'm getting 130 mile for a tenner, can't be bad. Depreciation is also very good, 306 dTurbos are still demanding high prices, (unless clapped out 200K miles), which is keeping the prices high on 206 HDI's. Good luck.

Chris.

Proby521

iTrader: (1)

Whoops,

forgot to mention insurance. The 206 2.0HDI puts out 90bhp. I tried to get quotes for the missis on Saxo VTR's which I belive are also around 90ish BHP, (1)Saxo = £980/year, (2)206 2.0HDI = £490????? and the 206 eats Saxo's for breakfast, just because it's a derv, insurance companies seem to favour costs, one last bonus point is the road tax. Because the car has decent emissions, the 2.0HDI is also only £115 for 12 months!!!

Chris

workshy_fopp

Get a Mini One. If you've got 7k, you've got 10k - no servicing costs for 5 years, no tyres (maybe) no exhausts, free roadside recovery, easily does 40 mpg. Got to be the cheapest car to run all things considered. Disagree?

Pie_n_Chips

Proby521 - Thanks for the insight into HDi ownership, appreciated

Workshy_Fopp - Unfortunatly this choice isn't dictated via the usual arguments, initial outlay, running costs, cost of ownership. But by that wonderful thing called "oooo isn't that pretty" factor.

workshy_fopp

Birds love Minis. You don't see many blokes driving them (apart from me) but it's the bird's car, not mine, honest