Just another what car thread...

T

Tim182

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I am contemplating getting a new car this year so the question is... which one?

Budget is R200k to R260k and I am looking at second hand cars in the 50 000km range.

Options in order of preference

2008 Audi TT 2.0 TFSI
+ fuel economy
+ sexy car
- FWD (hard to find a 2.0 AWD)

2007 Audi TT 2.0 TFSI Roadster
+ fuel economy
+ convertible :D
+ sexy car
- FWD (hard to find a 2.0 AWD)
- almost out of 5 year motor plan
- probably have to go into 80 000km range to get within price range

2007/2008 Nissan 350Z Coupe/Roaster
+ 230 kW and 358 Nm!!!!!!
+ RWD
- Fuel consumption
- Judging from the people who drive them it may be hard to find one which hasn't been driven into the ground
? No idea how reliable
? No idea how expensive maintenance is

2008 Mercedes SLK 200
+ RWD
+ Good fuel consumption
+ Hardtop convertible
- Little power
- Looks aren't that great
- Normally don't like Mercedes
? No idea how reliable

2008 BMW 325i Coupe
+ RWD
+ Good fuel consumption
+ practical
+ good power
- not as much fun as the others
- not a convertible
- looses value quickly

2008 BMW 125i Convertible
+ RWD
+ Good fuel consumption
+ 4 seats
+ good power
- not as much fun as the others
- Doesn't drive and feel as sporty
- hard to find
- looses value quickly

2008 BMW 120i Convertible
+ RWD
+ Good fuel consumption
+ 4 seats
- no power
- not as much fun as the others
- Doesn't drive and feel as sporty
- looses value quickly

2008 BMW 125i Coupe
+ RWD
+ Good fuel consumption
+ 4 seats
+ good power
- not as much fun as the others
- Doesn't drive and feel as sporty
- not a convertible
- looses value quickly

Volvo S40 T5
+ Good fuel consumption
+ practical
+ good power
- not as much fun as the others
- Doesn't drive and feel as sporty
- not a convertible
? No idea how reliable
? No idea how expensive maintenance is


Open to other ideas except:
- GTIs, hate them
- Hate most FWD hatches
- Boring cars, ie 320i, C180, Golf, A3 1.4T...
- Don't like most Asian cars
 
Why do you have so many 'female' cars in the list? ;)
 
Only get the Merc SLK if you have a good back and don't mind feeling the smallest bumps in the road.

I would go for the 2008 BMW 125i Coupe.
 
Dolby said:
Why do you have so many 'female' cars in the list? ;)
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Any suggestion for a more masculine sports car or convertible in that price range?

satanboy said:
Only get the Merc SLK if you have a good back and don't mind feeling the smallest bumps in the road.

I would go for the 2008 BMW 125i Coupe.
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That's what I heard about the SLK... Not bothered by that. The engine is an issue through.
 
Rosaudio said:
Audi
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Tempted but just not sure if I could live with the fwd. If the TT had rwd it would be a no brainer. Guess I will have to take it on a long test drive and get a feel for it, maybe its not that bad
 
Of that list...

BMW 325i Coupe.

Hands down the best car of the lot in terms of the right types of compromises...
 
I'm buying a new car on Wednesday and can go to R220K, I cannot believe what you are posting here 2nd hand compared to what I'm shopping for new.
 
cbrunsdonza said:
I'm buying a new car on Wednesday and can go to R220K, I cannot believe what you are posting here 2nd hand compared to what I'm shopping for new.
Click to expand...

That's why there is no way I am ever going to buy another new car. There is so much you can get for 220 if you look around and barter a little, especially if you don't need finance or only little finance.

And you still get 1 - 3 years of comprehensive motor plan on any of these cars which covers all repairs and even service.
 
Strange.
Silly list, silly requests, since when is a straight 6 engine an economical car, same with a 2litre petrol turbo?
Lol, I think you watch too much Top gear and don't have a realistic feel for a car.

My pick is the least gay car on the list and its not the Volvo. And if you can't guess which one, its the 325 coupe.
 
On that list, the 325 coupe - it offers the most well-rounded package. But if I was spending my own R260k, I wouldn't get anyhting on that list.
 
Haldex said:
Strange.
Silly list, silly requests, since when is a straight 6 engine an economical car, same with a 2litre petrol turbo?
Lol, I think you watch too much Top gear and don't have a realistic feel for a car.

My pick is the least gay car on the list and its not the Volvo. And if you can't guess which one, its the 325 coupe.
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Silly reply. I never said I am after an economical car. The TT and SLK use under 9l/100km which is brilliant considering the power and engine size. Most others use around 10l, only the Nissan uses over 12l which can get quite expensive. I used to own a so-called "economical" small hatchback and never got under 8.5l with my driving style.

325i is awesome but not sure if I'd take it over a TT...

thedutchman said:
i would buy the volvo.... its the best spec car, seriously fast and fun car to drive :)
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Its a serious consideration, especially because they're trading around 220k. Drove one a couple of times and quite liked it. Do you have any experience with regards to reliability and maintenance costs? Also, how does a Volvo keep its resale value?
 
Nokkie said:
I :love: my SLK even with a sore back.
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Which engine do you have? And also how is it in terms if reliability? I have to say, the hardtop is amazing! Wish you could get the 280 in SA
 
Tim182 said:
Which engine do you have? And also how is it in terms if reliability? I have to say, the hardtop is amazing! Wish you could get the 280 in SA
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2009 SLK (51000kms on odo)

In terms of reliability: Excellent - Have been driving it since 2009, been a few times to CPT with it and back also a few KZN trips,
Very luxurious, brilliant sound. On the open road - easy over takes. Lots of power :D


Rated output (kW at r/min) 135/5250 (135/5250)

Rated torque (Nm at r/min 270/1800–4600 (270/1800–4600)

Acceleration 0-100 km/h (s) 8.7

Top speed (km/h) 230 (231)

Power transmission

Drive system Rear drive

5 speed auto gear box
 
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Tim182 said:
And you still get 1 - 3 years of comprehensive motor plan on any of these cars which covers all repairs and even service.
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1-3 years.

Lets say after 2 years something expensive breaks - you got 5k+ for a service and 30k+ for a turbo/gearbox?

Don't want to go into the whole affordability thing, assumed you have crunched the numbers but IMO these are cars you buy cash or with a huge deposit and not for the long term. Seen far too many close friends lose more than just their cars trying to be cool and buy look at me cars.

If it was me and I had some extra cash for a weekender car, from that list it would be the BMW 325i Coupe.
 
OP you not sure how reliable a merc is ......

msot reliable of the lot ...just an issue would be maintenance ...seeing that if it has a mobilo plan it will go on until 2014 but you pay part of the cost like a %
 
Brawler said:
1-3 years.

Lets say after 2 years something expensive breaks - you got 5k+ for a service and 30k+ for a turbo/gearbox?

Don't want to go into the whole affordability thing, assumed you have crunched the numbers but IMO these are cars you buy cash or with a huge deposit and not for the long term. Seen far too many close friends lose more than just their cars trying to be cool and buy look at me cars.

If it was me and I had some extra cash for a weekender car, from that list it would be the BMW 325i Coupe.
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Thanks Mr Wiseguy... Service on these cars is generally less than on most little and affordable cars. In anycase, while on motorplan it is included and won't cost you a single cent. If something expensive breaks, then its also covered under motorplan. All these cars listed have between 1 and 3 years of motorplan left which can then be extended further. The only cost on these cars, as long as they are on motorplan, are the tires which can get expensive. Once the motorplan has run out, it can get expensive which is fine.

In any case, I have never owned a car for more than 2 years.

samr1wp said:
OP you not sure how reliable a merc is ......

msot reliable of the lot ...just an issue would be maintenance ...seeing that if it has a mobilo plan it will go on until 2014 but you pay part of the cost like a %
Click to expand...

I know Mercs are reliable, just wondering about the SLK. Not worried about engine etc, I am interested if there are potential issues with things like roof motor, isolation, springs...
 
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