Lancer or A3?

I am a fairly young driver at 20 (turning 21 soon). I've got to the point where I want to buy my second car and want it to be a nice sporty looking car, without too much performance so that I don't get stung on the insurance.

I want this car to last me between 5-7 years and I have an upper limit of £7000 to spend on the car.

I'm stuck between two choices, first is the Audi A3 1.6 and the second is the Mitshubishi Lancer 1.8 Saloon

At the moment, the fuel economy isn't much of an issue and I had 30p difference between the two on the insurance which was just a touch over £1100. Not bad considering I paid £1400 for my 51 plate 1.2 Corsa 6 months ago.

However, I am struggling to find out what these cars will cost me if they were to go wrong and how much are they to service which leads to my first question.

Realistically, are these cars likely to go wrong, and if so, how much is it going to cost me IF i were to buy one?

My preferance at the moment is the Lancer.

I am open to any other suggestions you have for similar cars, but I want to get away from the run of the mill cars people of my age buy, i.e Corsa, Fiesta, Golf.

Asked on 23 April 2012 by P-Siddy

Answered by Honest John
I would not go for something as rare as a Lancer 1.8. Better a fun car like a Mazda 2 1.3TS2 or the old shape Suzuki Swift 1.5. An Audi would give you a bit of status, if that's what you want and that's what you're prepared to pay for.
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