Oh no. Another car decision thread.

[Casio]

Now, as late I've been thinking of getting a new car, as mine is getting a bit old and beaten up in carparks. To keep it short and simple:

- No more than 15k AUD.
- Not too old (2000/2001 or later would be ideal)
- Relatively economical (Under 10L/100km combined is fine, better is better [~24MPG US])
- RWD or FWD doesn't worry me, but most likely I will be looking at FWD.
- Power is not an issue, I've been driving around with 80hp and a 12 second 0-62mph time for years.
- Preferably European, for no real reason
- No overly sporty cars
- Gadgets and practicality are a plus
- Wagon is even a bigger plus.
- Reliable (ie, no Alfas)
- Auto/Manual doesn't worry me.

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Now that longer list than I thought it out of the way, and to get an idea of what I'm looking at, I've already inquired about this, and may take it for a test drive Monday.

2002 VW Bora V5

Anyone had any experience/thoughts on this? I had a quick look at it on the lot and the interior looks to have a stunning fit and finish.

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Other thing I've been eyeing off is.

2001 Audi A4 AVANT 1.8T

I would like a Wagon, as I often transport my girlfriend and I's animals, and I think they're pretty cool. Again, anyone have experience with these?

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Another thing that I kinda like but not too sure.

1999 Saab 9-5 SE Estate

I'm a bit against this car, cause it looks kinda beaten up, and not too keen on Saab Reliability or Economy. But something like this is what I'm after.

 

[Revheadnz]

I would stay away from Saabs, the depreciation is awful and the reliability would be questionable at best.

Have you considered BMW 3 series? The touring wagons are unusual but they do exist. This 318i touring is a 2003, with 65ks on the clock for the equivalent of AU$16.5K.

 

[gibson]

Audi FTW!

 

[Jondot]

I would stay away from Saabs, the depreciation is awful and the reliability would be questionable at best.

Aww, but they're so swooshy and wonderfully mediocre!

Oh right, yeah sorry, I have a dull car fetish.

I was about to suggest a nice Golf Estate:

But I'm not sure if they were even sold over there :/ If you want practicality and like the Bora, you might want to take a look at some standard Golf hatches, actually. I mean there's less of a boot, but you can get to it more easily.

 

[Philly]

M5Power has an A4 (1.8T, maybe?) that you could talk to. These seem like good cars. I almost ended up with a 3.2 version, which I would have been more than happy with.

YSSMAN has an old Jetta as well. These also seem to be pretty good cars.

But of course I'm going to recommend both these cars being a VW fan...

 

[Prosthetic]

M5Power has an A4 (1.8T, maybe?)

Philly, He is going to murder you tonight for saying his car is a 4 cylinder

He has the 2.8 Quattro A4.

In fact this same kind. (I took this shot for him in the DYSAGT thread)

 

[YSSMAN]

YSSMAN has an old Jetta as well. These also seem to be pretty good cars.

* Had

Jenna (the 1996 Jetta Wolfsburg Edition) died back in February due to a mysterious transmission issue that apparently effects a lot of the models of that generation. Try to find a new manual trans for that range, you're going to be hard-pressed to get a good deal (I was quoted at $2600 for one of them).

...Now I've got Mieko (the 1998 Toyota Celica GT) around, and shes treating me well...

===

THAT BEING SAID!

MKIV Jettas are hit and miss, just like most VW products. While you're going to see class-leading comfort and style (for the time), build quality is going to be spotty at best for most of the cars. I don't think they sent the Mexican-built Jettas to Oz or to Europe, but the rule of thumb in the US is usually that the 2001+ models with the 2.0L are usually good to go, 2003+ models with the 1.8T should be "safe" as well. We never received the VR5 model here, but I think daan (?) has one... He should be able to fill you in on how good/bad it is.

I'd be interested in a Saab 900/9-3, if they're available in your price range. They seem to be fairly "affordable" and certainly "reliable," but parts tend to be a little pricey if/when things break.

 

[Casio]

Yeah, the Saab reliablity and parts cost worries me a little bit.

I am inclined towards the Audi Wagons. The other one I've found is this one:

1997 Audi Avant Quatto

This one has the 2.6 Engine and Quatto, so will obviously have more performance than anything else here. However, 215,000km to me is alot, especially since my car has done 175,000 and I'm looking to go less. But in terms of this car and other Audis, what is the engine reliability like? Does anything major need to be done at 150,000km/200,000km marks?

 

[homeforsummer]

2002 VW Bora V5

Do it. I'm considering a Bora V5 as my next car too (or it's Toledo V5 cousin). They sound great, get 30+mpg (UK), well built, stylish in a subtle way. If I was solely going for a practical-not-too-sporty-reasonably-economical-European-not-an-Alfa-reliable-front-driver, I'd get the Bora V5 with no hesitation

 

[Turbo Lag]

I'd go for the A4 Avant, like I've been telling you.

 

[Casio]

A4 Avant's don't have super cool V5s though.

 

[430Scud.]

How about a used Audi A3 or a used BMW Estate/Hatch?(1/3/5 series)
Maybe a Honda Fit/Jazz?
Or an old Honda Accord/Toyota Camry Estate? (they're incredibly boring though)=(

 

[ExigeEvan]

His car got written off and he has a Saab now, check his threads for pics and info.

 

[Azuremen]

I was thinking he (Casio) had ressurected this thread for suggestions... only to find thread necromancy.

Casio, my man, close this thread.