Graduate transport

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Sat 5 Feb 2005 22:40
Graduate transport - vwdriver
My brother leaves university in June and has got a job. He will need a car for making travelling a short distance to a from work daily and for making 50-60 mile motorway journeys at weekends. He wants a car which is resonably cheap to run but has good performance and high specification, he is looking at mid sized hatch backs and wants to spend around £10k. I think a new Seat Ibiza 1.9tdi se would be good with high levels of kit as standard. What is everyones opinion on this car? Does anyone have any other suggestions?
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Sat 5 Feb 2005 23:59
Graduate transport - andymc {P}
The diesel Ibiza should be a good motor, especially in 130 bhp Sport guise. He should get one that's nearly new/used, save a bit of depreciation.
Seat Leon would be another good hatch, as is the Focus TDCi. Skoda Fabia vRS may be a possibility, but rare at this price. Corolla D-4D also available at this price, albeit not as quick (not as fun) as the others would be, but probably a bit more reliable.
After a quick search, have seen all of the above on Autotrader for between £8k-£9k, from 2002-2004.
--
andymc
Vroom, vroom - mmm, doughnuts ...
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Sun 6 Feb 2005 00:08
Graduate transport - Avant
Depends how important image is to him. The Ibiza or Skoda Fabia TDI would be cheap to run: so would a Honda Jazz depite being petrol only. The Jazz is a small car with medium-car accommodation. My wife loved hers but it doesn't feel as fast as a turbodiesel.

Or for £10k he could go for a newish Golf or Focus (Adam will be along soon to recommend the trendy Focus saloon - fewer of them about, so more distinct!).

If he want to buy new I'd go for the Fabia: Skodas are acquiring an image of 'Stuff the old jokes - this is a good car and I know what I'm doing'. Or something more upmarket but secondhand - try an Audi A3.
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Sun 6 Feb 2005 18:49
Graduate transport - vwdriver
Thanks for your help, I don't think image is that important. I think the audis and vws are overpriced considering there are skodas and seats based on the same chassises with many similar components for several thousand pounds less. My gran has a honda jazz, the rear seats ae very clever and it is really roomy for a small car. I don't really like the exterior but think the pros outweigh the cons. I've been in a 130bhp tdi ibiza and they really shift, don't think the insurance will be too mad either.
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Sun 6 Feb 2005 19:41
Graduate transport - Altea Ego
The Ibiza TDI sport in 130 guise is a super little car. Has bags of image, is quick, cheapish to insure, good MPG.

Perfick
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Sun 6 Feb 2005 21:22
Graduate transport - Hugo {P}
Now in my day, an old VW combi with some little luxuries was a perfect solution.

Accomodation and transport all wrapped up in one.

OK so ideally you needed a bathroom as well but some say they were great for those emergencies when they lost their digs due to running out of money!

If your finances weren't up to this, then a cheap van was the answer. Again, stick some windows in it and bed down in that. A bit cold in the winder but great for going out drinking. You park it in the pub car park and simply get in it when the night is over and hey presto, no drink driving, no taxi costs and no B and B costs! You just get up in the morning and drive home, or back to a car park/layby where you wouldn't be moved on!

H
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