|
Reading Redhound's post who came home with a different car they set out to.buy.
I set out to buy something like a BMW 3 series I came home with an Mazda RX8. Uneconomical, uncomfertable on long runs, no hatch I set out to buy a cheaper second car, a Focus or similar, bought an Alfa 156 saloon
|
|
Best of luck with them, and I hope you enjoy them. Ironically, the two you rejected - 3-series and Focus - are in many people's view the best cars to drive in their sectors.
|
|
Sadly, the RX8 and Alfas thrive on the 'X factor' which, in the showroom, tends to take on a disproportionate weighting. Familiarity breeds contempt for the 3 series and the Focus.
The novelty factor of the w***el can distract one from the fact that it is a terrible engine that has-finally-been dropped.
On a more cheerful note, you can learn to smile wryly at a car's ideosyncracies and become fond of it in spite of-or perhaps because of them.
|
|
Absolutely agree with the above ,car buying is in part about emotion and ego ,not just about logic and cost.
|
|
Not what I bought but what the salesman tried to persuade me to buy. Went to try a Passat Estate, need the space. Salesman insisted a Scirocco was perfect. Total muppet, hope he got the sack.
|
|
I bought both the Alfa and Mazda on the fact they were so much cheaper then the BMW (used to have a BMW company car) I went to see, less mileage, better equipped. The same is true with the Alfa.
I love both cars, they are fun to drive, fast, reliable, wish the Alfa was an estate but my father has a perfectly good estate on occasions I really need one.
Logics says I should get rid off both cars and buy one, a Jag or Alfa 159 estate. Reality is I will probably get rid of the Mazda soon n(been saying that for two or more years) and buy a convertible, a Lotus would be cool. The Alfa will probably stay for a while longer.
|
|
You might want to consider changing the RX-8 for the much better MX-5, if you think a soft top is better - I suppose it depends on whether the boot is too small (although probably bigger than a Lotus, and much more reliable, a better ride and you can put the hood up quickly). Don't get a VW Eos (see HJ's review) as it leaks.
I considered getting an RX-8 once (also thought of getting a Honda Civic Type R) - love the looks, in and out, but the engine is just too much trouble - no short journeys, no performance unless you rag it all the time, pitiful mpg. I'm glad I didn't get one (chickened out and got a Mazda3 1.6 petrol instead), as I overheard one unhappy camper find out how much it would cost for a new CAT on his RX-8 (it had blown because he used it too often for short shopping trips) - he nearly blew his top! If only they'd used a 2.5 litre V6...
|
|
|
|
|
Reminds me of when I got my fleet car in CZ.
I wanted an Octavia, the salesman was desperate to get me to take the then new model Golf. This was always going to be a difficult sell on spec, as you get a lot more for your budget on an end-of-model-life Octavia than a new model Golf(!)
One of the things he trotted out was that the Golf was larger inside. I got up, opened the boot of both cars and asked whether he had a special VW tape measure somewhere that had smaller centimetres on it.
I ended up with a 20v Turbo 4x4 Octy, a car whose copious bootfuls of grunt coupled with an ability to get all of it onto the tarmac I miss to this day.
|
|
|
|
Absolutely agree with the above ,car buying is in part about emotion and ego ,not just about logic and cost.
Not for me it ain't. I does me sums
having said that, doing sums did not prevent buying a Rover 16/75/90/110. a Riley 9 (1929), A 1938 MG TB, Tickford a 1963 Lotus Elan S3,An Austin A30 and A35, several Minis, a Jaguar XJ6and a heap of tat called a Mondeo when I needed a run around.
It all depends how you do the sumz. :-)
Edit and a couple of BMWs...
Edited by madf on 27/10/2012 at 22:17
|
Come on !
Your seriously suggesting that the purchase of an xj6 ,minis and a 1938 mgb were logical purchases .
Cars like those are all about passion ,they make very little sense in terms of cost or practical use ,but that's good .ive bought and sold a few XJ6 .i would have to say they were one of the most beautifull saloon cars ever made .
Every time I sold one I half regretted it ,I consoled myself with the profit and looked forward to buying another .
Tony g
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
As an impoverished student and provisional license holder in 1969, I saw an advertisement for an Austin A35. Ideal undergraduate transport. Went to view it and it had been sold for the £25 asking price. The trader pointed to a Standard Vanguard Estate (1960 vintage) at the same price- and I fell in love with it. 2.0 litre with a front bench seat, 3 gear-change on the steering column and an "umbrella" parking brake emerging from the dashboard. Reasonably priced insurance was not a problem at that time!
Ran it for 18 months without any problems that a bit of welding couldn't remedy and sold it for £17.50. Never regretted that wild purchase!
|
|
I just love how prices have soared over the years - today you can only get a pair of windscreen wipers for that price!
|
I just love how prices have soared over the years - today you can only get a pair of windscreen wipers for that price!
Yes but - in those days, only the top 5% of earners got over £2,000/year - it's called inflation.
In most cities, the ribbon development of new houses between the World Wars sold for £300-400 just to keep things in perspective.
|
|
Julie - those choices are brill.
I was tempted by the RX8 because they are so cheap to buy and from a physicist's POV, the rotary engine is a bit of fun, but I ended up with a 6 instead. If you can get yourself a MX-5 instead then it's really worth it - I absolutely love mine. Doesn't leak either and I get 40mpg out of it.
|
|
40??!!?
How do you manage that while driving like the carpets on fire?
|
|
In 1972 I returned from 2.5 years working abroad. Brand new house needed some pictures hung etc and needed a hammer.
Went into local town, parked up outside a garage.
Inside was 1 month old MGBGT and drove home in it. £1265 for the car and £50 / year insurance for 25 yr old.
I still have the hammer,
|
|
|
40??!!?
How do you manage that while driving like the carpets on fire?
I drive appropriately for the road conditions, at all times :-P
|
|
|
|
|
