What Car?

[Gary K]

OK boys and girls, its time to change the car, I've currently got a Merc A class, its 3 years old and excellent as it is, its got to go.

I've got about £15000 maybe a bit more (£18k absolute max), what would you buy and why, remembering that it must :

1. be able to carry at least 2 gear gulpers and 2 twinsets plus camping and personal gear

2. not be above group 12 insurance

3. be reasonably fuel efficient as I do 20-25k pa

wwd

ps anybody want a 3 year old Merc A170 ?

[Chris Hall]

Get a van, diesel of course, and a smaller car, diesel as well. Then you will have the best of both worlds.

[Juz]

I'd recommend an A4 avant, 1.9TDI or if you could stretch, a 2.5TDI.

Actually, I'd go for a 2.5TDI A4 saloon and occasionally put a few bags on the back seats. The boot takes 2 complete sets of tech kit.

Juz

[Gary K]

Originally Posted by Chris Hall

Get a van, diesel of course, and a smaller car, diesel as well. Then you will have the best of both worlds.

Thats the thing about the A class design, the rear seats are removable (and are removed on a regular basis) and so is just a glorified mini van. At a guess over the 3 years I've had it, they've probably been out 50 times, so for a small car, its occasionally got a big boot

Also, 2 vehicles means 2 lots of insurance, tax, etc, etc

[Padowan]

I'm currently borrowing a VW Passat Saloon 1.9TDI and cos you can fold the rear seatbacks forwards I managed to get 3 twinsets, 2 stages and 2 boxes of all me and my buddies tech-kit in there, with no worries at all. It's also lovely and comfy, got plenty enough poke (esp if you get the 130PS model) and does 50mpg over long distances even with me at the wheel

One thing that's nicer on Estate models is that usually the hatch opens all the way to the boot floor, making a nice shelf to sit twinsets and things on to help donning - a saloon or hatchback often has a high boot lip which makes this a bit of a balancing act.

[Gary K]

Originally Posted by Juz

I'd recommend an A4 avant, 1.9TDI or if you could stretch, a 2.5TDI.

Actually, I'd go for a 2.5TDI A4 saloon and occasionally put a few bags on the back seats. The boot takes 2 complete sets of tech kit.

Juz

Not a totally bad idea, a guy at work has got a 2.5 TD avant, 4 wheel drive, full leather, very very nice but I'd probably trash it and the 1.9 is a group 13, the 2.5 is a whopping group 15 insurance, so that ones out I'm afraid

[Snash]

Originally Posted by Padowan

I'm currently borrowing a VW Passat Saloon 1.9TDI and cos you can fold the rear seatbacks forwards I managed to get 3 twinsets, 2 stages and 2 boxes of all me and my buddies tech-kit in there, with no worries at all. It's also lovely and comfy, got plenty enough poke (esp if you get the 130PS model) and does 50mpg over long distances even with me at the wheel

One thing that's nicer on Estate models is that usually the hatch opens all the way to the boot floor, making a nice shelf to sit twinsets and things on to help donning - a saloon or hatchback often has a high boot lip which makes this a bit of a balancing act.

I was going to suggest a VDub Passatt Estate as with folding down rear seats etc often your kit is on show. Wack it in an estate and cover it up away from prying eyes.

Simon

[Gary K]

Originally Posted by Padowan

I'm currently borrowing a VW Passat Saloon 1.9TDI and cos you can fold the rear seatbacks forwards I managed to get 3 twinsets, 2 stages and 2 boxes of all me and my buddies tech-kit in there, with no worries at all. It's also lovely and comfy, got plenty enough poke (esp if you get the 130PS model) and does 50mpg over long distances even with me at the wheel

One thing that's nicer on Estate models is that usually the hatch opens all the way to the boot floor, making a nice shelf to sit twinsets and things on to help donning - a saloon or hatchback often has a high boot lip which makes this a bit of a balancing act.

Not sure about the Pushit, sorry Passat, but the estate thing is a must, having the A class with the tailgate not only makes the kitting up easier but also makes a handy rain cover

[Padowan]

Originally Posted by Padowan

VW Passat Saloon 1.9TDI

Just checked Parkers, and the "Highline" 130PS model, which is what I have, and it has all the toys, leather, tiptronic of you want etc etc. is Grp12 Insurance

[Fiji Dave]

If you're interested then I have a 1998 Caterham 7 for sale. It's reasonably fuel efficient - I get about 35ish per gallon. Insurance is actually ridiculously cheap - I pay 200 fully comp.
If you've got 15k to spend you could have 4k change (think of all the extra kit you could buy!)

It'll do 0-60 in 5 seconds and it's more fun than you can shake a stick at

2 gear gulpers, 2 twinsets plus extras ....erm well.. it has a luggage rack that fits over the spare wheel...

or...buy my caterham and spend the other 4 on a transit van!