replacement for my beloved Alfa 147?

[sara3]

beloved... but costing me a fortune so it has to go :o/

so, I'll be borrowing £6-7k. I want something that will be a lower insurance group (this can't be difficult), small to medium hatchback, aircon, looks good, reliable, 2-3 years old max. something with a solid feel to it.

what would you suggest?

[sara3]

sorry redhelen.. and after your "where's Sara" thread, too. I am sorry :o/

DT, I've not worked out the whole per gallon thing. your insurance seems reasonable, mine's shocking, even though I've been driving since I was 19 with full no claims.

[DTCwordfan]

actually skodas are very good cars and won Euro car of the year - they got "sorted" out by VW so all those old jokes like what you call a turbocharged Skoda? A: a Milk Float, are all redundant.

I wouldnt rule them out of the equation......

[annie0000]

WE have a Skoda Octavia estate in black with sports alloys etc - it is a lovely car - much nicer than the Audi/VW equivalent and half the price. I do love Skoda's, but not that keen on the style of the smaller model.

[albaqwerty]

How about a nice little Corsa?

(No, I don't have one for sale, my OH managed to write it off:( )

Loved that little nifty thing, can't remember what the insurance was tho. MPG seemed rather good. Back to the insurance, it was cheaper than my OH's car tho.

[Barmaid]

That's actually a fair point. Mate of mine runs an 04 Skoda (not entirely sure of model). She traded her z3 in for it. Absolutely loves it. Says its cheap to run, reasonable to maintain and cheap to insure.

They used to be laughed at, but now get really good reviews.

[annie0000]

Audis are just Skodas but with a huge mark up for the badge ;o)

[DTCwordfan]

divide by just under 4 and you have it.

[DTCwordfan]

I'm with a local mutual and carry a 250 excess for that.....

[DTCwordfan]

sorry 200 excess.

[annie0000]

Skoda had 3 out of the top 4 cars of the year - they won manufacturer or the year too and the drivers satisfaction survey.......but, I am still not keen on the style of the smallest mode,l the Fabia.

http://www.skoda.co.u...ia/pages/default.aspx

Vauxhalls are notorious for reliability issues.

[lcg]

hi, sara. yes - diesels are more efficient and the newer diesel vw's actually outperform the petrol models in some cases (as demonstrated by top gear, my brother - who works in a vw garage - and i also researched in other motoring places!). my little gal drives on fumes and takes off like sh!t from a shovel. smooth riding and cheaper to insure than the equivalent petrol model too. for the money you're thinking about, you could get a decent model and i always buy through my dad or brother - finding someone who gets bargain deals is also a must...ask everyone you know to point you in the direction of a geezer who knows his stuff. good luck! x

[annie0000]

In general if you by a diesel from new then you need to be doing at least average (13k) mileage to make it worth while paying the mark up on diesel models in terms of the saving you will make on fuel consumption - that might be less of a case when buying used, not sure if the mark up has eroded by then. We tend to get petrol as we only do about 8,000 miles between two cars a year. I've had mine 3 and a half years and only just done 13k now.

[lslowry]

I've got a Nissan Note Sara, a brilliant reliable car. Could be classed as a wrinkly car but it's only £30 tax for the year. It does 400 miles to the gallon( i might have exaggerated a bit on this) it certainly good on fuel though. I've had no trouble at all with it and it's built in Sunderland!

[Hopkirk]

Polos are built in Spain, Lcg

[sara3]

sorry peeps, had a 3 hour power cut last night!

wow, you're all quite knowledgeable on your car stuff, aren't you? I'll have to come back and review your comments after work, but thanks for your input.

I still can't have a Skoda though ;o)

[sara3]

any views on the Fiat 500?

[ChuckFickens]

Very small in the back and very slow unless you get the 1.4 models (or the abarth, but they are pricey)

As a alternative to an Audi (you pay for the badge) or a skoda (you don't want the badge) how about a seat, they are the same car as the skoda and the audis but without the audi cost or skoda image (not that they deserve it these days)

http://www.autotrader...ars_old/price-to/7000

or

http://www.autotrader...icedesc/price-to/7000

[sara3]

thanks Chuck, I quite like Seats. I just assumed they'd be pricey on insurance. I'll look into it.

[whiskeryron]

// annie.. I just can't do a Skoda. no no no no no! //
I have a lovely Reg '05 Skoda Fabia Estate which I cannot fault. At least sara having a look at & sitting in & test driving one wouldn't hurt would it ?
Ron.