20 replies to this topic

[bigrob]

Evening all!

It's been a while since I last visited, but after reading a few threads over the last couple of days I thought I'd pipe up again.


Now, a lot has changed over the last year or so, no longer own any minis or metros, but have got a project Beetle and mk1 golf cabrio.

Me and the missus are expecting our first child, and the c-max I have is a bag of awfulness, so I'd like to replace it with a classic 'family car'.


Now the criteria,

5 doors is a must.
I'd like it to be relatively safe (think 3 point belts in the rear for the baby seat)
Relatively good value for money in buying cost vs running cost vs insurance.

I was thinking a long the lines of a mk2 golf or anything really.



So what do you guys think?


Thanks all, and I look forward to getting involved again!

Cheers, Rob

[Cooperman]

If you don't need a hatchback, a BMW E46 325i is, quite simply, a super car. Fantastic value with great reliability.

[r3k1355]

Top of the mark safety-wise is probably a Volvo, but the looks can be quite marmite.

Can pick up a T5 in Saloon or Estate, those are pretty swift.

 

You could go older, 940, 740 or 240 ??

 

[bigrob]

I did look into older BMW's but the insurance is mad.

I'm in love with the 240 estate, but my work ruins my fuel economy already

[r3k1355]

So you need a diesel family barge?

Old Diesel Merc's are pretty reliable.

 

What about a W201 with the AMG kit?

 

 

Edited by r3k1355, 30 June 2017 - 10:31 AM.

[bigrob]

A merc never even crossed my mind if i'm honest!

It's not so much it needs to be diesel, it's just my drive to work is 10 miles of Cornish lanes

[jamesmpi]

BMW E28 (early 5 series). Not sure what insurance is like though.

[CityEPete]

What about a nice Montego or a Maestro, keep it in the family!

[Mat]

MG ZT. Cheap as chips, choice between a diesel or petrol 1.8, 1.8T, or 2.5V6 (the best one). Lovely car, and classic-ish too!

[bigrob]

Yeah i've pretty much got my heart set on a volvo 240 estate. The only thing putting me off is the abysmal mpg...

[r3k1355]

You could buy one of the 2.4l diesel engined cars and swap in the TD version from the 740?

Same engine also saw us in some VW's so parts might be fairly common?

 

It's an IDI engine with a Bosch fuel system so usually some scope for tuning as well. 

Edited by r3k1355, 24 July 2017 - 10:46 AM.

[austinmini1963]

Volvo Amazon all the way!

[Mat]

Volvo 200s are cool.

[magicmat]

looks on ebay for W201 and sees a 21k version...

 

err maybe not !

 

http://www.ebay.co.u...HAAAOSwmLlX8oqL

[Laurie]

What about one of the new massive Minis? They're 5 door, available in diesel, decent sized boot space (for a mini to have this is amazing!), etc

Buy used / nearly new and you'll save yourself a fortune, BMW Minis hold their value too.

I bought a 6yo less than 35k on the clock, diesel, 2 door (boot on this one so small it's not counted on the spec as a door) as that's what suits me, convertible, I get about 50-60mpg average and believe me I trash this car

Edited by Laurie, 08 August 2017 - 05:21 PM.