The Motor Forum

Soulless · Posted: Mon Sep 21, 2009 2:18 am Post subject: Untimely new car.

Unfortunately I am in the market for a new car.

About two months back during the night someone went into the side of my car. No mechanical damage just a large dent on the offside rear quarter panel. I don't want to claim on my insurance as they will add to heavily to my premium and the cost of getting it repaired would see me getting very little change from £2000. Given the price I paid for the car the repair is just uneconomic.

It leaves me with one real option and that is to replace it.

As always I have made a little short list. They all fall into my £2000 budget (that is if I get 1k for the Astra part exchange).

Another Astra maybe the 3 door hatch. I am fairly happy with it bar the dull interior, hard ride and poor brakes. It is large inside, nice supportive seats, good boot, good performance for its class and the SRI hatch back looks meaner then say a focus.

A ford Puma. It would be as late a model 1.7 I could buy as the 1.6 is frankly gutless. I have always liked the puma, its cheap to run and handles like a kart but the down side is its no were near as quick as the Astra and rear seats are a bit cramped.

A E36 Compact. Basically the same as the puma just rwd. The downside is its getting long in the tooth, costs more to run and is the slowest.

I had considered the Honda prelude but the insurance on even the 2.0 is high and also the MX5 but I need rear seats.

Any input or alternative choices are always welcome.
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" One day I will own a TVR, like Alfa ownership but more extreme "
~ What I said

" Yes - where as an Alfa is only likely to break down most of the time, in a TVR it's 100% guaranteed! "
~PR's reply

cbeaks1 · Posted: Mon Sep 21, 2009 6:53 am Post subject:

Focus 2.0 Zetec?

A good Mk2 Golf GTI 16v?

Blarno · Posted: Mon Sep 21, 2009 10:59 am Post subject:

Do you still have the Astra?

If it's uneconomic to get it repaired, have a bash yourself or keep it as a track slag.
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Arms held out, in the Jesus Christ Pose.

TimR · Posted: Mon Sep 21, 2009 1:02 pm Post subject:

Don't get an E36 compact.

My bro-in-law has one and it seems there are a lot of bits that are Compact only and hard to get hold of, therefore expensive.

Racing · Posted: Mon Sep 21, 2009 1:54 pm Post subject:

Golf Mk3 GTI 16v - much quicker and better than they are given credit for. Though finding a good one is hard and the insurance might be pricey.
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DradusContact · Posted: Mon Sep 21, 2009 3:32 pm Post subject:

The 1.6 isnt gutless, its the same 1.6 as in the zetec s, very easy to tune if your into your 'modz'. Its not a rocket though, i will give you that and compared to the 1.7, yes, it is pretty inferior due to the 1.7 having VCT.

If your worried about parts availability just remember there are no more 1.7's, and there havent been any made in nearly 10 years. The majority of the it is fiesta stuff but some of the stuff like the cams and cylinders is unique. The 1.7 has Nikasil lining and if it hasnt been looked after oil-wise it wont be a good buy.

Boot space is decent but its a queer shape, rear seats are ok if your carrying girls or small people, but remember it only has two rear seats.

Hope that helps.
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Apex clipper · Posted: Mon Sep 21, 2009 4:09 pm Post subject:

A GSI astra falls within that price..bulletproof engines.

Although I can see the appeal of a Golf or Focus.
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Minky Moo & Millie Maloo.

TimR · Posted: Mon Sep 21, 2009 4:15 pm Post subject:

Alfa 156 Twin Spark?

Available as a 1.6, 1.8 or 2.0 with, I presume, varying insurance groups.
£3k should get a decent enough early 2000s one with around 70k on the clock and a fsh.

woof woof · Posted: Mon Sep 21, 2009 4:23 pm Post subject:

"Do you still have the Astra?

If it's uneconomic to get it repaired, have a bash yourself or keep it as a track slag."

Just what I was going to say. Depending upon how bad it is it should be possible to get an at least half decent home repair done.
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woof woof's defence lawyer claimed that "Booze played no part in his typo's."

Confucius says "all reckless speeding is caused by accidents."

Blarno · Posted: Mon Sep 21, 2009 4:33 pm Post subject:

Or if not, fetch it to me and I'll have a bash at fixing the damage.
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Arms held out, in the Jesus Christ Pose.

DaveGibson · Posted: Mon Sep 21, 2009 5:20 pm Post subject:

TimR · Posted: Mon Sep 21, 2009 5:23 pm Post subject:

Ah, I didn't read the original post properly, thought it was £2k plus £1k trade-in.

Oh well, there's plenty v reg 156s kicking around showing 70-80k miles and priced at around £1500.

gonnabuildabuggy · Posted: Mon Sep 21, 2009 5:31 pm Post subject:

DaveGibson · Posted: Mon Sep 21, 2009 5:47 pm Post subject:

A year or three back, my brother's 'R' registered 306 was hit at the back by a scrote being chased by the police. The damage wasn't too bad but it was enough to be deemed uneconomical to repair. He took the payoff, bought the car back and had a mate fix it.

Soulless · Posted: Mon Sep 21, 2009 7:33 pm Post subject:

I was going to get a Mk2 GTI as a second car but the £1000 I had saved for that is now being used on the daily driver fund. As much as I like old cars as daily drives I would rather something modern. Mk4 GTIs are in my budget range but only the frankly very un-GTI-like 2.0.

I would try to repair it but the only way to do so is cut the panel out as you cant get to it from the inside or underneath.

The Focus has always been to me the " white goods " of cars. The only spec that looks different to the rest is the RS. I know the Astra is no exotica but the 1.8 is faster and cheaper to insure then the 2.0 focus.

The compact I have written off as all the Ti's in my range have been thrashed.

The puma makes most sense to me. Only two rear seats is not a problem as that was the same as the Astra. My only gripe is the performance. I know its not the be all and end all of a car but Astra 8.5 to the pumas 9.2 (10.1 for the 1.6). That's a big difference to me.

Parkers suggests in this order a CLK, Ford Cougar and Fiat coupe. A little different.
_________________
" One day I will own a TVR, like Alfa ownership but more extreme "
~ What I said

" Yes - where as an Alfa is only likely to break down most of the time, in a TVR it's 100% guaranteed! "
~PR's reply

Matt · Posted: Mon Sep 21, 2009 10:22 pm Post subject:

I can imagine the prices of the Coupe parts being expensive because only the front bumper mounts are shared with the rest of the models and the rear bumper can only fit on the saloon, so it's practically bespoke parts throughout. The roof for instance is one piece and mounts to the front wings at a different point than the hatches, estate and saloon.
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Small car, big heart.

Big TC · Posted: Tue Sep 22, 2009 5:12 pm Post subject:

Roadrunner · Posted: Tue Sep 22, 2009 7:04 pm Post subject:

At the risk of sounding like a stuck record, how about a ZT?

http://search.autotrader.co.uk/es...ture=2001&vehicleRegLetter=51

http://search.autotrader.co.uk/es...ture=2001&vehicleRegLetter=51
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"Whatever is rightly done, however humble, is noble." Henry Royce

Martin · Posted: Tue Sep 22, 2009 8:22 pm Post subject:

They are cheap, but the second one is awful and surely he's too young?

Better option than anything so far imo, but I'm a little older!
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cbeaks1 · Posted: Tue Sep 22, 2009 8:27 pm Post subject:

Would a ZS saloon not make more sense? They are supposed to be pretty good.

Gooner · Posted: Tue Sep 22, 2009 11:42 pm Post subject:

As an alternative to the Golf mk4 have you thought about a Leon or even a Toledo? Toledo V5's are within your price range these days and they're pretty good cars. Be quick too plus a decent boot and the early ones were even built by VW in Germany.
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- Insert clever and/or amusing quote here -

TimR · Posted: Wed Sep 23, 2009 1:26 pm Post subject:

Soulless · Posted: Sun Sep 27, 2009 3:50 am Post subject:

ZT is a little too big. I test drove a ZS diesel today and really liked it, shame its just out my price range. The V6 is to costly on my insurance. Is the 1.8 a poor and unreliable compromise?

I have been looking at 156s, there are a few 2.4 diesels but again the insurance is too heavy. There is also a lone Subaru legacy 2.5 saloon that is looking nice.

The fiat coupe is tempting but the insurance is the best part of £1500 and the turbo it is cheaper for me to insure a modded RX7.
_________________
" One day I will own a TVR, like Alfa ownership but more extreme "
~ What I said

" Yes - where as an Alfa is only likely to break down most of the time, in a TVR it's 100% guaranteed! "
~PR's reply

Blarno · Posted: Sun Sep 27, 2009 9:04 am Post subject:

The 1.8 K series have head gasket issues, but there are easy ways of sorting it out. Not quite sure what it is, I think it's something to do with the oilways or mounting plugs, but it's supposedly an easy fix. Google it.
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Arms held out, in the Jesus Christ Pose.

SpecB · Posted: Sun Sep 27, 2009 9:21 am Post subject:

Blarno · Posted: Sun Sep 27, 2009 9:30 am Post subject:

I knew it was simple! It was being discussed on Barryboys t'other day.
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Arms held out, in the Jesus Christ Pose.

Soulless · Posted: Sun Sep 27, 2009 2:37 pm Post subject:

Interestingly after checking with my insurance company the difference between the MG and the Alfa and the Subaru is only about £100. I am starting to think are they worth the £1100 insurance?
_________________
" One day I will own a TVR, like Alfa ownership but more extreme "
~ What I said

" Yes - where as an Alfa is only likely to break down most of the time, in a TVR it's 100% guaranteed! "
~PR's reply

DradusContact · Posted: Mon Sep 28, 2009 12:46 pm Post subject:

Its a shame you live you far away, could of let you try the beast if ou were a bit closer.
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Soulless · Posted: Mon Sep 28, 2009 10:06 pm Post subject:

I wish I could take you up on that.

I am trying to find a post august 2000 puma as it will have only been run on low sulphur fuel so the nikasil wont be a problem and they have to me nicer alloys then the fan ones.
_________________
" One day I will own a TVR, like Alfa ownership but more extreme "
~ What I said

" Yes - where as an Alfa is only likely to break down most of the time, in a TVR it's 100% guaranteed! "
~PR's reply

DradusContact · Posted: Tue Sep 29, 2009 9:13 am Post subject:

Thunder would be best bet, last 1500 made, special edition, leather seats, best of the range bar the racing. I dont think you can beat the original wheels i love mine, so different.
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woof woof · Posted: Tue Sep 29, 2009 9:49 am Post subject:

"I would try to repair it but the only way to do so is cut the panel out as you cant get to it from the inside or underneath."

Dunno what panel it is but here's my body butchers solution to getting out a dent when you can't get to the back...

Drill a hole or holes in it, screw a self tapper or self tappers in, use the screws to pull the dent out, hammer into shape, fill as required and paint.

Worked for me years ago when I used to do that sort of thing.
_________________
woof woof's defence lawyer claimed that "Booze played no part in his typo's."

Confucius says "all reckless speeding is caused by accidents."

Blarno · Posted: Tue Sep 29, 2009 3:34 pm Post subject:

^^^ Alan's ghetto repair shop.
_________________
Arms held out, in the Jesus Christ Pose.

woof woof · Posted: Tue Sep 29, 2009 3:51 pm Post subject:

Some people have a six pack...I have a two pack.
_________________
woof woof's defence lawyer claimed that "Booze played no part in his typo's."

Confucius says "all reckless speeding is caused by accidents."

Bob Sacramento · Posted: Tue Sep 29, 2009 4:15 pm Post subject:

Dry ice in the middle of the dent and sit back and watch it pop out.
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Keep Calm & Carry On.

Guitar Zero · Posted: Tue Sep 29, 2009 7:19 pm Post subject:

I'm failing to see the logic in needing to get new car just because your current one has a big dent in the side of it that is purely cosmetic (no mechanical damage).

Or do you just want to change your car regardless ?
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Previous convictions :

2006 Focus ST 2.5
2001 BMW 520i
2002 Focus 2.0 zetec
1999 Fiat Punto

gonnabuildabuggy · Posted: Tue Sep 29, 2009 9:02 pm Post subject:

Nice 318i P reg FSH, 130K elderly (now deceased) owner on Volkszone if you are interested.
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Aint no substitute for cubic inches.