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traineo Community / Off-Topic & General Chat / OT: New car choice, need opinions.
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Colin Barnes
Fitness Guru
Posts: 216
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 # Posted: 21 Mar 2008 13:02


I've had a complete mare with the company van for a couple of months now, and although i don't pay towards running it, and it's handy for lugging large items around, I'm tired of driving of it as it keeps breaking down. My employer has said they will pay towards my fuel bills if I use my own personal car, so I've decided it's time that I get my own car again, I miss having my own motor and it's just not sexy cruising in the sun in an old diesel van!

So, I've not got a large budget for this, so the car i'll be getting will be 5-8 years old, and I'm going for as much flash for my cash as possible, and have narrowed the options down to the following:

1. Mercedes Benz C180 Elegance
URL

2. Alfa Romeo 156
URL

3. MG-F
URL

What do y'all think?
Dave Nicholson
The Master
Posts: 2094
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 # Posted: 21 Mar 2008 14:13


I'm a big fan of the AR, classy and fun car!

I'm also excited about the new VW Golf TDI, because it's quick and fun, and the opportunity to use biodiesel... Unfortunately, it's not yet available in the States.
Angie H
Fitness Guru
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 # Posted: 21 Mar 2008 14:20


I vote the Alfa Romeo. That's one sexy car. I don't see too many Alfas here in the States. Of course I'm basing this solely on looks. I have no idea what the pros and cons of each car would be on a reliability, cost of ownership, etc. standpoint.
Dave Nicholson
The Master
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 # Posted: 21 Mar 2008 14:23


At least in the states, they all have a rather high cost of ownership!
Angie H
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 # Posted: 21 Mar 2008 20:02


Get the Alfa Romeo. It's super sexy. The Mercedes looks like a granny car and the MG looks like a teeny-bopper car. The Alfa is just right.


Angie H
Fitness Guru
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 # Posted: 21 Mar 2008 20:05


I admit, I have a thing for cars. I once went out to lunch with a vendor whom I didn't like, until I realized he drove an M5. Gosh, I would have liked to have had my way with him right there and then, in the car, muhahahahahaha.
~ Linaeve
Fitness Guru
Posts: 311
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 # Posted: 21 Mar 2008 20:22


I would provide input but I'm more of a truck gal. sorry. BUT out of the ones listed I do like the AR most.
Dave Nicholson
The Master
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 # Posted: 21 Mar 2008 20:26


I 'borrowed' an M5 for about a week, and had the M3 convertible (first year w/ the 333HP) for part of a summer and wow, damn sexy.
Dean Grimshawe
Fitness Guru
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 # Posted: 21 Mar 2008 21:07


Out of the 3 I would probably choose the Alfa Romeo. For that kind of money I'd have probably looked at a BMW or a Lexus myself though, but that's just me. Whatever you do though, stay away from that MG thing!! It's a hairdressers car
zeb r
traineo Regular
Posts: 52
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 # Posted: 22 Mar 2008 02:10


The Alfa looks nice

.. or get a smart car. When I drive my dads with the p-plates on you wouldn't believe the stares I get, it's awesome :P
tex girlee
traineo Fanatic
Posts: 169
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 # Posted: 22 Mar 2008 03:57


ooo... that alfa romero is preety! dont know much bout cars, cept that i like em hott n fast! anyhow that one is nice lookig, though i have never heard of it. but you probably have more to consider then just looks. ;)

tex
tex girlee
traineo Fanatic
Posts: 169
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 # Posted: 22 Mar 2008 03:58


alfa romeo! my bad. shows i really dont kno anything bout cars..

tex
Colin Barnes
Fitness Guru
Posts: 216
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 # Posted: 22 Mar 2008 13:01


thanks for all the input guys. Everyone I speak to have all said they prefer the Alfa, a dude a couple of doors down my street has a couple of Alfa's in his drive, althought they are GTV's, but I might go and have a chat with him, it seems the 156 2.0 Twin Spark is the best choice, so looks like the up-coming bank holiday I'll be car shopping.

Smart-Car - I doubt I would even fit in it!

Dean, I hear you on the Lexus/BMW but for the money I want to spend its difficult to find one that hasn't been thrashed by wannabe drug dealers, or has done uber amount of miles as rep-cars. However, there are a couple of models that I want to keep an eye out for; the Lexus IS200 and the BMW 318i Compact, if I can find one under 80k miles then the Alfa will have some competition.
Linds A
traineo Regular
Posts: 42
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 # Posted: 22 Mar 2008 21:24


haha you must have some sort of money if you can afford one of those cars...they look expensive.
Dean Grimshawe
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 # Posted: 22 Mar 2008 22:44


Quoting: ColinFB
I want to keep an eye out for; the Lexus IS200 and the BMW 318i Compact, if I can find one under 80k miles then the Alfa will have some competition.


I think you'll be surprised what you can get for your dough if you do a quick search on autotrader.co.uk

Quoting: ColinFB
but for the money I want to spend its difficult to find one that hasn't been thrashed by wannabe drug dealers, or has done uber amount of miles as rep-cars.


So long as you check her out that kind of mileage really isn't an issue. I'm looking to upgrade my old 320i this summer. However, she has 190k on the clock and I still get compliments as to how she sings. The engine is sweet as a nut and could easily do that again. The only reason I want to upgrade is pure vanity and the desire to have a newer model. Functionally she is awesome. Checking out the mileage is one of those tricks you pick up off your Dad and never really question. Modern engines are good for plenty of miles and its just as possible to get a duffer on 30k than it is to get a real treat that has 200k on the clock.
Colin Barnes
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Posts: 216
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 # Posted: 23 Mar 2008 11:17


Lindsey - I wish I did have a lot of money then I would be looking at a Lotus I'm only looking to spend 3k hence trying to find a 5 year old with low mileage/good condition.

Dean - Glad you are happy with your beamer, I've widened my search on autotrader (100miles) and found a nice choice of 318i compacts (I prefer the small hatchback to the larger regular 3 series). So I would say that I'm more leaning towards the baby beamer over the Alfa purely because BMW's good longterm rep, whereas the Alfa's rep is somewhat shady.

Which model are you looking at?
Dean Grimshawe
Fitness Guru
Posts: 1178
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 # Posted: 23 Mar 2008 16:55


Quoting: ColinFB
Which model are you looking at?


I'm a saloon man myself though the compact has a reputation for being a much better car. Maybe a 318/ or a 320 would be fine. My current 320 is a 6 cylinder which is great news again with the mileage as there is much less wear on a 6 cylinder engine as it distributes the work across 6 pots instead of 4. Partly why my little baby still sounds so good.

Am looking for one perhaps about 5 years old, and preferably I'd like one in black. Wheels are everything to me, though I can always get them afterward if need be. My current beamer is metallic racing green which is pretty nice if I'm honest though black cars look mint when they are all polished up. Of course, a second hand beamer gets a great response for not a lot of dosh. In essence you are getting a £20-30k car far just a few grand, maybe up to £4-5k most though you can get a deal at around £3k if you keep your eyes open. Sounds like a good deal to me!!
Angie H
Fitness Guru
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 # Posted: 24 Mar 2008 17:28


My personal favorite of all time. Do they have these in the UK?


I have one just like it.


Colin Barnes
Fitness Guru
Posts: 216
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 # Posted: 25 Mar 2008 00:34


Angie, what is it? It looks a little like a Toyota MR2?
Angie H
Fitness Guru
Posts: 718
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 # Posted: 25 Mar 2008 15:00


It's a lot bigger than a MR2 - it weighs 3700 lbs.

It's a 1st gen Dodge Stealth; same thing as the Mitsubishi 3000GT, but with different bodywork. Twin Turbo 3.0L V6. It's a fairly rare car.
Dean Grimshawe
Fitness Guru
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 # Posted: 25 Mar 2008 15:22


My dream car is a Mercedes SLR. Now we're talking!!

I'd settle for a Mercedes McLaren though.

Funny, cos I don't generally like Mercedes that much normally
Colin Barnes
Fitness Guru
Posts: 216
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 # Posted: 25 Mar 2008 15:36


Angie - I don't think we have them overhere, american sports car's aren't really particularly desireable over this side of the pond as the european brands have it sewn up (Ferrari, Porsche, Mercedes etc..)

The SLR is indeed a fearsome beast, but I would say my ultimate would be a Bugatti Vayron:



Angie H
Fitness Guru
Posts: 718
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 # Posted: 25 Mar 2008 15:51 - Edited by: fauxvirgo


It's actually Japanese, with American badging. Hence, the reason the Mitsu 3000GT and the Dodge Stealth are the exact same car.

My hubby has friends with cars that are easily quicker than the Bugatti in the 1/4 mile with minimal investment, and they are completely reliable with 130k+ miles on them. That's one reason Asian imports are so big in the tuner scene. There's nothing quite like laying waste to American or European muscle with what appears to be a rather run-of-the-mill Japanese sports car. The surprise and embarrassment on their faces are priceless. When your investment is easily less than 1/10 of the price of those cars, it's even sweeter.

But if tuning isn't your thing, then go for the $$$$$ European ones!
Rachael M
The Master
Posts: 2299
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 # Posted: 25 Mar 2008 16:20


I like the AR too, but I don't know why everyone is so opposed to the MG. I think they are both pretty.
Angie H
Fitness Guru
Posts: 718
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 # Posted: 25 Mar 2008 16:30


The MG looks like something a 16 year old should be driving.
Dean Grimshawe
Fitness Guru
Posts: 1178
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 # Posted: 25 Mar 2008 16:33


My friend has one of those MG convertibles and we all give him so much crap for it. It really isn't a real car and looks like something that would run off of AAA batteries!!
Samantha Cordell
Fitness Guru
Posts: 338
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 # Posted: 25 Mar 2008 16:35


GOOOOO the beamer - proud beamer driver here


Angie H
Fitness Guru
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 # Posted: 25 Mar 2008 17:18 - Edited by: fauxvirgo


Are they marketing the new 1 Series BMWs in other countries? I've been seeing commercials for them here in the states, and the coupe is sexxxxxy. Twin Turbo I6 is optional; for $36k USD, seems like a hell of a bargain.
Dean Grimshawe
Fitness Guru
Posts: 1178
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 # Posted: 25 Mar 2008 18:45


Quoting: fauxvirgo
Are they marketing the new 1 Series BMWs


Yes, we already have them here. I'm not a fan of the one series as it is just copying the Volkswagon Golf which I think is a great car already. I prefer BMW to stick to what they do best and stay with the larger rear wheel drive cars. I'm not all that keen on their sports versions or 4x4 vehicles either. However, I do own a 3 series and I love the 3 series range.

Quoting: fauxvirgo
Twin Turbo I6 is optional; for $36k USD


Sounds like you guys make more of a saving than we do. Add to that the cost of unleaded fuel in the UK. It is over £1.05 a litre here at the moment and even more expensive for diesel. Maybe I should go get a 1 litre car??
Colin Barnes
Fitness Guru
Posts: 216
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 # Posted: 25 Mar 2008 21:39


Due to the fuel costs, I have been thinking about a diesel - which has the potential to easily accept bio-diesel in the near future, but it's hard to find affordable (for me at least) Beamers or such like with diesel engines. My choices are extending a little to include the aforementioned Golf, but also motors such as the Ford Focus, Peugeot 306 etc.. although they aren't particularly exciting, I'll have to decide between flash and practical.
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