Car insurance question

[vectradriver]

Understeer sets in when you appraoch the limits - when does that happen on public roads? Very rarely. I've had it once badly, but that was in the wet and on a nearby slip road rated at 20mph and I think I went round in double that and needed to apply some brakes. Saying you can't compare them is one thing, I was saying that both have been criticised for their dull driving experience yet both have good grip and steering accuracy. Those two attributes are the same factor in any car, regardless of comparison. I didn't say the Vectra pulls more or less grip, I said it was something it had a lot of, but the rest of the experience was below par. Not trying to compare it to the A3 in any way, but saying it shared key attributes that don't make it a neccesarily a good handling car.

What German publications have compared the Vectra with an A3 anyhow? You've made that up surely, given they are different sizes/body styles.

 

[Poverty]

I didnt say that they compared a vectra to a A3, I ment that they had tested vectras to A4's and passats, and they had also tested A3's and going by what they said I can form an opinion on the vehicles, and I also used track times also.

Anyway the leon is ruled out too.

I need to find a car that does 0-60 in 9-10 secs, and is available with a sporty exterior trim and 3 doors.

 

[Scaff]

As I have mentioned before insurance on a celica is extremely high, otherwise id go straight for the 140hp version.

Yet one of the main points you have highlighted as a plus for the A3 is interior quality. My company car is a Celica and I can assure you that while the interior is well made, the quality of materials used is very, very low.

As for what I said about fords the point of that statement was to show that anyone can spew out old stereotypes.

I could almost accept that it was an attempt at sarcasm if you had not this immediately before...

Vauxhalls are garbage and I certainly wouldnt want another one of those let alone a compare a vectra to A3.

....ohh look another blatant stereotype.


Scaff

 

[Poverty]

Id say it still rings true for alot of vauxhalls, just need to read owners reviews.

 

[daan]

The MX-5 doesnt seat enough people, I need atleast a four seater.

I need to find a car....[with] ...3 doors.

4 seats are easier to access with 4, or 5, doors.

Lets just face it. You need an A3, whether its the best car or not. Anything we suggest is not going to be good enough. You'll find some excuse to rule it out.

 

[Poverty]

4 seats are easier to access with 4, or 5, doors.

Lets just face it. You need an A3, whether its the best car or not. Anything we suggest is not going to be good enough. You'll find some excuse to rule it out.

Actually I want a 3 series, but like the seat insurance costs rule that out. The insurance on a 3er isnt much more than a A3 but the car itself is. Im also sure the insurance on a MX-5 would be crazy for me.

I dont need a A3 at all, I need a car that does 0-60 in 9-10 secs, seats four or five people, is reliable, costs under 12k and costs less than 3.5 grand to insure and has a sporty exterior.

Oh and it cant lose nearly half its value as soon as I buy it.

 

[Roo]

Id say it still rings true for alot of vauxhalls, just need to read owners reviews.

JD Power Survey results for 2-year-old (05 reg) cars:

Audi A3 (29/40)

Vauxhall Vectra (21/40)

And the rest of the Vauxhall range:

Zafira (30/40), Astra (27/40), Corsa (27/40), Omega (24/40), Agila (36/40).

 

[Poverty]

I dont actual hold JD power surveys in high esteem at all TBH. I prefer to read the owner reviews to get an idea of possible problems and the frequency of those. The Vectras owner reviews are very mixed, with alot of people saying that they will never buy a vauxhall again. Now im sure you could find someone who says that about every manufacturer, but the frequency of comments along those lines on the vectra does make one think.

Im now having another look at MK2 focus', mk4 golfs, mk 5 golfs and older 3 series.

 

[Roo]

I dont actual hold JD power surveys in high esteem at all TBH. I prefer to read the owner reviews to get an idea of possible problems and the frequency of those. The Vectras owner reviews are very mixed, with alot of people saying that they will never buy a vauxhall again. Now im sure you could find someone who says that about every manufacturer, but the frequency of comments along those lines on the vectra does make one think.

Im now having another look at MK2 focus', mk4 golfs, mk 5 golfs and older 3 series.

Fifth Gear's car reviews page.

Both the A3 and the Vectra have 4 stars for everything. Interestingly, in the first review of the Vectra:

I have Vectra 1.9 CDTI(150 bhp) saloon. The 1.9 CDTI engine has so much power that it feels like you have 250 bhp under your hood. Audi A3 1.8 turbo didnt stand a chance against me in second gear

Champ Car's just started, so I'm off to watch that instead.

 

[Poverty]

lol I can copy and paste from forums where people in their chipped diesels say how they kept up with a M5 in traffic etc. Unless both people are actively racing comments like those are stupid.

Anyway im considering a 1.6 fsi golf at the moment, as I could drive that for a year and then get something faster once that year has passed.

 

[Scaff]

Id say it still rings true for alot of vauxhalls, just need to read owners reviews.

No you said (after wrongly accusing others of stereotyping) "Vauxhall's are garbage", that's not a selective statement, you are saying that everything that has worn the badge is garbage. Its a blatant stereotype, but to be clear the only real reason I am picking you up on it is because of your own accusations of stereotyping to others.

I actually agree that a lot of cars to wear the badge have been bloody awful, but a few diamonds in the rough have, and do exist. The current Astra, while it may not meet your needs in this situation, is most certainly not garbage.

I dont actual hold JD power surveys in high esteem at all TBH. I prefer to read the owner reviews to get an idea of possible problems and the frequency of those.

From JD Power Consumer Surveys site

This is the biggest, most comprehensive test drive ever – a massive 23,322 people took part, driving a mind-boggling 481 million miles in total. That’s 1000 return trips to the moon, or 20,000 laps around the equator.

This makes the JD Power and Associates Customer Satisfaction Index the most important motoring survey you’ll read this year.

There is no substitute for living with a car and using it every day if you want to find out how reliable, comfortable, frugal or practical it is.

That’s exactly what the JD Power Customer Satisfaction Index (CSI) does – every commute, family holiday and trip to the garage is taken into account and owners reveal the truth about every aspect of their cars’ performances, from how they look, right down to the repair bills and annual insurance costs.

Source - http://www.whatcar.com/news-special-report.aspx?NA=214562

The JD Power survey is one of the single most comprehensive analysis of owners experiences with the cars and the related dealer networks, you want the experiences of real owners, well that's exactly what it is.

Regards

Scaff

 

[Poverty]

Fair enough.

Just noticed that VW now make a 1.6 polo sport. 0-60 in 10.4 secs, 105 hp. Would want to test drive that along with the golf.

 

[Famine]

I need a car that does 0-60 in 9-10 secs, seats four or five people, is reliable, costs under 12k and costs less than 3.5 grand to insure and has a sporty exterior.

Oh and it cant lose nearly half its value as soon as I buy it.

Why didn't you say that then?

I can think of eleventy cars to suit you. Let's start with a lightly-used Mazda 3 2.0 Sport/TS2 (iG 8), Mazda 6 2.3 Sport/Zugara (iG 13), Honda Civic 2.0 iVTEC Type-S (iG 11), Lexus IS300 (iG 15, but a saloon rather than a hatch and a big fleet car - liable to be much cheaper), Hyundai Coupe 2.0 (iG 10 - 2.7 V6 is group 14 and in the price range, but I doubt insurable) - and the list goes on.

 

[Poverty]

I like this:

and this

Am really liking the side profile of the mazda. Will get some insurance quotes on both vehicles.

 

[Scaff]

The Hyundai Coupe is a great little car, and has received excellent reviews from just about every quarter.

Evo have been running one as a long term car for about a year now, and its surprised quite a few people at the trackdays they hold.

One thing I would add is that I would strongly suggest putting some of your budget to one side and investing in some advanced driver training and a session at a skid-pan. It will open your eyes to what car control is all about, give you greater confidence and help you enjoy your final purchase all the more.

Regards

Scaff

 

[Poverty]

One thing I would add is that I would strongly suggest putting some of your budget to one side and investing in some advanced driver training and a session at a skid-pan. It will open your eyes to what car control is all about, give you greater confidence and help you enjoy your final purchase all the more.

I think I'll do that.