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You can buy a device on Ebay or Amazon to play Bluetooth in an older car from about £10, so that isn't really a factor.
Having said that, I wouldn't go anywhere near a 1 Series of that age. Awful cramped things with interior space (in the rear anyway) closer to a Corsa than an Astra. And not really sure what you mean by this,
(despite better drive)
because my understanding is that without a powerful 6 cyl engine, the 1 Series drives pretty much the same as a front wheel drive car. Beauty is of course, very much in the eye of the beholder, but personally, I also think the 1 Series is hideous.
Not overly fussed about the Insignia either. It is a big car, but it isn't especially spacious for its size.
Out of those three choices, it would be the Astra for me. But without being restricted to those three, I probably wouldn't even choose the Astra as, while not a bad car, there are better options out there.
Edited by badbusdriver on 17/04/2021 at 19:28
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You can buy a device on Ebay or Amazon to play Bluetooth in an older car from about £10, so that isn't really a factor.
Having said that, I wouldn't go anywhere near a 1 Series of that age. Awful cramped things with interior space (in the rear anyway) closer to a Corsa than an Astra. And not really sure what you mean by this,
(despite better drive)
because my understanding is that without a powerful 6 cyl engine, the 1 Series drives pretty much the same as a front wheel drive car. Beauty is of course, very much in the eye of the beholder, but personally, I also think the 1 Series is hideous.
Not overly fussed about the Insignia either. It is a big car, but it isn't especially spacious for its size.
Out of those three choices, it would be the Astra for me. But without being restricted to those three, I probably wouldn't even choose the Astra as, while not a bad car, there are better options out there.
Thanks for the detail! I heard some 1 series owners say that even with the bluetooth device, it wasn't working, not sure what to make of that. What would you recommend bearing in mind what I am looking at?
Well I really enjoyed the 1 series I drove, it was a 120d I think 160bhp and it felt like a firm ride and my friend has a 2016 (newer shape) and he told me the RWD on his ensures a completely different drive to an Audi A3 of a similar age. What bothered me was the crap old interior and yes the back is so cramped, the shape of the car has grown on me though.
I just need one for 2 years before I get the XE. So far I am putting the Insignia ahead of the Astra as I don't like the shape of the astra and there is just more comfort inside the insignia, also lovely sedan look. If I can stretch my budget then the Insignia facelift would be good as they improved the car a lot whereas the Astra remained unchanged mostly.
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I would totally discount the 1 series, overrated, uncomfortable and no space in it, the 3 or series is a much nicer car if you can stretch to a good, dealer maintained, full history one, otherwise it's a risky venture. Insignia is a nice big lump, comfortable but I think prone to niggles, but if you can find a nice one, although I agree with BBD, Astra is better. Don't forget diesel high mailers might have expensive repairs outstanding.
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I would totally discount the 1 series, overrated, uncomfortable and no space in it, the 3 or series is a much nicer car if you can stretch to a good, dealer maintained, full history one, otherwise it's a risky venture. Insignia is a nice big lump, comfortable but I think prone to niggles, but if you can find a nice one, although I agree with BBD, Astra is better. Don't forget diesel high mailers might have expensive repairs outstanding.
1 series has mostly £30 tax too but paying a couple of hundred extra (maximum) is no big deal. The reason I thought the Insignia was reliable is they are like a salesman's car and even in Europe they do a lot of miles/km. But yes who knows their maintenance issues.
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What would you recommend bearing in mind what I am looking at?
What is your budget?.
Also, ORB asked about petrol or diesel. I see mention of the 120d, does this mean that you plan to buy diesel?. If so, the only one of your three I'd contemplate would be an Astra, but only with the 1.7 Isuzu sourced turbo diesel (which is extremely reliable).
BMW's are not generally as reliable as their image might have you believe, but going from least to most reliable, it would be as follows, 4 cyl diesel, 4 cyl petrol, 6 cyl diesel, 6 cyl petrol.
The diesel Insignia (along with the 1.3, 1.6, 1.9 and 2.0 diesel Astra) uses Fiat diesels which aren't that great.
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What would you recommend bearing in mind what I am looking at?
What is your budget?.
Also, ORB asked about petrol or diesel. I see mention of the 120d, does this mean that you plan to buy diesel?. If so, the only one of your three I'd contemplate would be an Astra, but only with the 1.7 Isuzu sourced turbo diesel (which is extremely reliable).
BMW's are not generally as reliable as their image might have you believe, but going from least to most reliable, it would be as follows, 4 cyl diesel, 4 cyl petrol, 6 cyl diesel, 6 cyl petrol.
The diesel Insignia (along with the 1.3, 1.6, 1.9 and 2.0 diesel Astra) uses Fiat diesels which aren't that great.
About £5000 pounds. Yes I wished for a diesel but it's not essential, I will be travelling within a county but not more than that. Looking at the advice on here I should be getting a 1.6/1.8 SRI Astra or something. I will need to take one of these for a drive, the interior is almost like the Insignia, also has electronic brake which they later dropped in the Astra (heard it's not too good or to save money). I've never liked a Golf/A3 but perhaps that would be better for a similar age, price and reliability. I owned some bullet proof Jap cars previously but fancy a change. I think it's between 3 series and Astra now for me, what a weird mix :)
Edited by Gusto1 on 17/04/2021 at 20:35
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