Topic: What Car Do You Own/Drive?

[pazcom]

I'm going to be in the market for a replacement car in the next couple of months. Not got a lot of cash spare, so will be looking to spend between £1500-£2000. Been looking at the Focus C Max. I don't do that much mileage so am discounting a Diesel. Given the budget I have I'm looking at ones between 53 and 55 plates. Most of these come with between 80K-110K miles on the clock. The 100K mileage figure concerns me a little...

Should I be worried about cars with 100K on the clock?

[paulrazor]

I'm going to be in the market for a replacement car in the next couple of months. Not got a lot of cash spare, so will be looking to spend between £1500-£2000. Been looking at the Focus C Max. I don't do that much mileage so am discounting a Diesel. Given the budget I have I'm looking at ones between 53 and 55 plates. Most of these come with between 80K-110K miles on the clock. The 100K mileage figure concerns me a little...

Should I be worried about cars with 100K on the clock?

maybe with a petrol, check its service history and dont be afraid to ask questions about what work has been done on it and if it had any problems

a diesel with 100k on it is nothing usually.

i bought an avensis in 2010 with 100k on it. i doubled that in 5 years, yes i ran into problems but what car isnt when you drive it that long. at some point you will have to replace brakes and get timing belts done etc but in 5 years and 100k miles it never once broke down

just make sure if you do go for this that it has a service history and check what work has been or needs to be done

[-Willo-]

I own a 1.4 Corsa SRI now, 2013. Love it.

[Salger]

2004 Mondeo LX with three wheel trims, a clunking front suspension and you have to use a key to push down a hidden button at the side of the auto gear stick to get it out of Park.
Dull grey.
In a 'polite' word - functional.
Also have a 2003 A Class Merc which hasn't moved for about a year.

Looking to upgrade to a Nissan Qashqai on a personal lease deal though - had one for a weekend recently and was very impressed.

[pazcom]

maybe with a petrol, check its service history and dont be afraid to ask questions about what work has been done on it and if it had any problems

a diesel with 100k on it is nothing usually.

i bought an avensis in 2010 with 100k on it. i doubled that in 5 years, yes i ran into problems but what car isnt when you drive it that long. at some point you will have to replace brakes and get timing belts done etc but in 5 years and 100k miles it never once broke down

just make sure if you do go for this that it has a service history and check what work has been or needs to be done

cheers for the advice. Yep aware of usual 'motoring' things like brakes and tyres can't be avoided.

[paulrazor]

cheers for the advice. Yep aware of usual 'motoring' things like brakes and tyres can't be avoided.

nowt can be done

my brake caliper seized one month out of warranty

400 euro it cost. hmpf

[L666KOP]

I'm going to be in the market for a replacement car in the next couple of months. Not got a lot of cash spare, so will be looking to spend between £1500-£2000. Been looking at the Focus C Max. I don't do that much mileage so am discounting a Diesel. Given the budget I have I'm looking at ones between 53 and 55 plates. Most of these come with between 80K-110K miles on the clock. The 100K mileage figure concerns me a little...

Should I be worried about cars with 100K on the clock?

Depends what you buy.

Not very fashionable like, but I've bought 2 Volvo V70's in the last 6 years. 1st one had 117k on it, kept it 2 years and put another 25k on it using it for work. Ladders on roof, 150kg work gear in boot. Spent money on a service, and tyres. Passed 2 MOT's with not even any advisories.
Not been so lucky with the one I have now. Bought at 127k with full Volvo service history, put 15k on it in just over 18months and I've had to spend 70 quid on 2 new droplinks.
Neither car cost me more than £1600, and I've spent £70 on repairs in 40k of motoring. Neither car had an easy life either.

My car has every extra you could think of, has done 141k miles and has no creaks, squeaks, or rattles. Stands me a 70 quid for 18 months of driving. I'll be keeping it forever. I know it will easily do 200k and probably still be better than a Ford/Vauxhall etc at half the mileage.

Good shout out for the Subaru's as well. Parts are dearer to buy, but like Volvo's you very rarely have to buy them.

I'm currently looking for a Forester for my wife, and to get us about when the weather turns where I live. Mileage isn't an issue. I'd be happy to buy a 150k miler if it's been looked after.

[Chakan]

I'm currently looking for a Forester for my wife, and to get us about when the weather turns where I live. Mileage isn't an issue. I'd be happy to buy a 150k miler if it's been looked after.

I just bought a new Forrester and highly recommend them.

[L666KOP]

I just bought a new Forrester and highly recommend them.

She won't be having a new one 

 

I've been very close to buying an Outback on 2 occasions, and each time the V70 won out. The only reason was that at both times of purchase I couldn't find an Outback with a manual gearbox and Heated seats in the price range I was looking.

[Chakan]

I decided I needed a new car and my 2006 Jeep was getting on a bit. Decided if i'm getting a car i'm getting on that is hopefully going last me at least 5-8 years.

[L666KOP]

I decided I needed a new car and my 2006 Jeep was getting on a bit. Decided if i'm getting a car i'm getting on that is hopefully going last me at least 5-8 years.

It will last you until you get fed up of it mate. Like the Volvo's, they're not brilliant on fuel, but that's more than offset by the fact you'll never have to spend money on them.

Unless you buy a diesel, they've not got the hang of them yet, and there's loads for sale over here with failed engines all around the 100k mark. It would appear 'boxer' and 'diesel' are not the best of combinations.

Edit.

This is for sale about 10 miles from where I used to live, if it's still for sale in 3 weeks when I go and visit my parents I'll probably buy it.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/271974061076?_trksid=p2060353.m1438.l2649&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT

[Chakan]

It will last you until you get fed up of it mate. Like the Volvo's, they're not brilliant on fuel, but that's more than offset by the fact you'll never have to spend money on them.

Unless you buy a diesel, they've not got the hang of them yet, and there's loads for sale over here with failed engines all around the 100k mark. It would appear 'boxer' and 'diesel' are not the best of combinations.

There were a lot of good things about it, so pretty happy with it at the moment. I'm sure it will last a long time.

Mine is regular gas not diesel, so should be all good. It's only got 2000 miles on the clock at the moment.

[L666KOP]

There were a lot of good things about it, so pretty happy with it at the moment. I'm sure it will last a long time.

Mine is regular gas not diesel, so should be all good. It's only got 2000 miles on the clock at the moment.

Just out of interest, what do you pay for petrol ?

[Chakan]

Just out of interest, what do you pay for petrol ?

I think right now it's around $2.60 for a gallon. My car usually fills up around the 14/15 gallon mark. I usually wait till the light comes on to go fill up, I went last week and spent $33 on gas. That usually lasts me around 3 weeks give or take, depending on where I travel.

[L666KOP]

I think right now it's around $2.60 for a gallon. My car usually fills up around the 14/15 gallon mark. I usually wait till the light comes on to go fill up, I went last week and spent $33 on gas. That usually lasts me around 3 weeks give or take, depending on where I travel.

Ha, it doesn't really matter about MPG then does it. 

I pay £5.23 a gallon where I am. Not sure how that converts into $

[Chakan]

Ha, it doesn't really matter about MPG then does it. 

I pay £5.23 a gallon where I am. Not sure how that converts into $

Yeah gas is pretty cheap here. In SC it's even cheaper, probably around $2. So if I really wanted to I could drive a couple of miles and fill up for cheaper, but i'm lazy.

MPG doesn't bother me much, I get around 19-21 driving in city and around 26-28 driving on the highway. I do have a little bit of a lead foot so it would be higher if I drove like my dad.

5.23 works around $7.97

[L666KOP]

Yeah gas is pretty cheap here. In SC it's even cheaper, probably around $2. So if I really wanted to I could drive a couple of miles and fill up for cheaper, but i'm lazy.

MPG doesn't bother me much, I get around 19-21 driving in city and around 26-28 driving on the highway. I do have a little bit of a lead foot so it would be higher if I drove like my dad.

5.23 works around $7.97

Ughhh.

I drive pretty carefully, fuel being expensive, and me being a bit of a tightarse like 

My V70 was doing about 27, then I read on a forum about resetting the ECU if the MPG drops below 30. This I did, and now I get 32-33 which I'm chuffed with.
Rachel drives like a rally driver, that's why she's stuck with a shitty little diesel that will do 45 no matter how driven. I'm dreading her getting a car that does ~27-30.
At least with it being petrol I'll be able to claim it back through my accountant.

[Chakan]

That's pretty expensive for petrol yeah, so best to conserve it. Let he pay for her own gas , once that starts to add up she'll ease off on the lead foot

[Mumm-Ra]

Is there something different between US and UK petrol? Because I keep hearing UK drivers moan about petrol prices, but then come out with vastly better mpg numbers.

I live in the states (Chicago, no cheap petty here) and drive:

2007 Honda CRV - 17.7mpg
2005 Volvo S60 2.5T - 17.8mpg

Weirdly they are pretty much identical at the moment. Why are mine so low? I do drive a bit like a rally driver, but it can't make that much difference

Oh and I bought my Volvo at 93k - its now at 94k, and I've had to spend about two grand on it! Front suspension, pcv breather kit, link bars, radiator.

[L666KOP]

Is there something different between US and UK petrol? Because I keep hearing UK drivers moan about petrol prices, but then come out with vastly better mpg numbers.

I live in the states (Chicago, no cheap petty here) and drive:

2007 Honda CRV - 17.7mpg
2005 Volvo S60 2.5T - 17.8mpg

Weirdly they are pretty much identical at the moment. Why are mine so low? I do drive a bit like a rally driver, but it can't make that much difference

Oh and I bought my Volvo at 93k - its now at 94k, and I've had to spend about two grand on it! Front suspension, pcv breather kit, link bars, radiator.

US gallons are smaller are they not ?

EDIT.

US Gallon is 3.78 litres
Uk Gallon is 4.54 litres

[LanceLink!!!!!]

I'd assume the Americans get less MPG because of all of the short journeys they take, they just don't walk anywhere. If they are a 2 car family, they drive their first car 50 yards just to get to the second car.

[exiledintheUSA]

I'd assume the Americans get less MPG because of all of the short journeys they take, they just don't walk anywhere. If they are a 2 car family, they drive their first car 50 yards just to get to the second car.

I do have a really long driveway.

[MBL?]

Is there something different between US and UK petrol? Because I keep hearing UK drivers moan about petrol prices, but then come out with vastly better mpg numbers.

I live in the states (Chicago, no cheap petty here) and drive:

2007 Honda CRV - 17.7mpg
2005 Volvo S60 2.5T - 17.8mpg

Weirdly they are pretty much identical at the moment. Why are mine so low? I do drive a bit like a rally driver, but it can't make that much difference

Oh and I bought my Volvo at 93k - its now at 94k, and I've had to spend about two grand on it! Front suspension, pcv breather kit, link bars, radiator.

American versions of the same car will often have bigger thirstier petrol engines as fuel consumption isn't as much of an issue. Both cars you mentioned are almost certainly petrol where as the equivalent in Europe would be diesel. 

[kavah]

Corkboy loves a Subaru Outback....

Pretty much the coolest car on the planet (2001 - 2006) the new ones are too big

[Titi Camara]

Don't mock the afflicted.

Tepid's been soothing irritations in the TWAT all summer

[Col]

My mrs bought one of these this week:

[L666KOP]

Anyone use Winter tyres ?

I'll be getting a new car before November, part of me thinks I should be getting a 4 wheel drive of some sort, part of me thinks I don't need the extra year round expense. 

Used to have a Grand Cherokee with all season tyres on it that would go anywhere I pointed it. But I've never used a car and gone from Summer to Winter tyres. I've just acquired some for my V70 that should give me the extra grip I need in icy/light snow.
However, I don't think the roads will be gritted/cleared within 2 miles of my house, and there's a short, but fairly steep hill to get me off my lane.

I don't mind sensible expenditure, because neither of us gets paid if we don't get to work so it makes sense to invest some money in what could be a problem in the next couple of months.

Toying with the idea of a cheap 'soft roader' to do me until spring to give me an idea of real world getting about, but if I can get away with decent winter tyres it would be better.

Either way, I will be getting a different car so no real extra expenditure. It's just what to go for...

[thejbs]

Winter tyres are great.  I use them Nov-Mar.  I was sold on them after driving a 3 series with winter wheels, in snow.  It made my front wheel drive Audi feel like an ice skate.  If you buy something that has 4WD for performance purposes (quattro, xdrive etc) you'll still be fucked in winter because of their fat low-profile tyres.  If you buy a 4x4 jeep you'll find yourself losing out on economy for the sake of a couple of weeks a year of shite weather.

[L666KOP]

Winter tyres are great.  I use them Nov-Mar.  I was sold on them after driving a 3 series with winter wheels, in snow.  It made my front wheel drive Audi feel like an ice skate.  If you buy something that has 4WD for performance purposes (quattro, xdrive etc) you'll still be fucked in winter because of their fat low-profile tyres. If you buy a 4x4 jeep you'll find yourself losing out on economy for the sake of a couple of weeks a year of shite weather.

That's my dilemma.

It's her car we're replacing. The winter tyres on mine should do as long as it doesn't snow heavily.
Thing is, it's our first winter up here and we don't know to what extent the roads are gritted/cleared when it snows.

Certainly not going back to a real 4x4.

Tempted to get a CRV/Forester/Outback/Rav4 type vehicle. She only goes 6 miles to work so it rules out a diesel, unless I use the new one for work, which can be anything from 20-100 miles a day. And I don't want the cost of running a big 4x4 every day.

Thing is, her car fails the MOT in November, so we need something sharpish.
 

[Crimson_Tank]

Get either the Forrester, outback, or Rav4, I have driven years with my outback in the snow and ice without using winter tyres, never had a problem, even with inches of ice and well over a foot of snow.

[Andy @ Allerton!]

Still got my Astra 1.7 CDTi

120,000 on the clock and still going strong from new.

[jason67]

That's my dilemma.

It's her car we're replacing. The winter tyres on mine should do as long as it doesn't snow heavily.
Thing is, it's our first winter up here and we don't know to what extent the roads are gritted/cleared when it snows.

Certainly not going back to a real 4x4.

Tempted to get a CRV/Forester/Outback/Rav4 type vehicle. She only goes 6 miles to work so it rules out a diesel, unless I use the new one for work, which can be anything from 20-100 miles a day. And I don't want the cost of running a big 4x4 every day.

Thing is, her car fails the MOT in November, so we need something sharpish.
 

What you've got to remember is that it doesn't snow everyday, ok you'll get some days where you get snowed in and you need a 4x4/winter tyres  but most of the time the roads will be pretty clear. I live in Slovenia 1100m up, we have snow cover for at least 3 months of the year, fuckin loads of it, but the roads are never really closed except when we have a big snowfall, then I might have to leave the car and walk up the hill. I have a shitty seat with winter tyres and really it's no problem, better than paying for some 4x4 monster that uses loads of fuel.

[Mumm-Ra]

Tempted to get a CRV/Forester/Outback/Rav4 type vehicle.

Get either the Forrester, outback, or Rav4,

As a proud CRV driver for going on 8 years now, through Chicago winters, I'd like to tell Crimson Tank to go fk himself for that shocking bit of disrespect

[L666KOP]

As a proud CRV driver for going on 8 years now, through Chicago winters, I'd like to tell Crimson Tank to go fk himself for that shocking bit of disrespect

 

After spending a good portion of today researching reviews online I can inform you that the crv is as good a 'soft roader' as you can get.
 

[Crimson_Tank]

As a proud CRV driver for going on 8 years now, through Chicago winters, I'd like to tell Crimson Tank to go fk himself for that shocking bit of disrespect

Chicago, with your decent snow removal and salt trucks...

Southern Illinois laughs at you. 

The CRV is decent, my mother in law just bought one. But if I recall correctly, it is on a civic chassy, but more top heavy. 

[paulrazor]

Winter tyres are great.  I use them Nov-Mar.  I was sold on them after driving a 3 series with winter wheels, in snow.  It made my front wheel drive Audi feel like an ice skate.  If you buy something that has 4WD for performance purposes (quattro, xdrive etc) you'll still be fucked in winter because of their fat low-profile tyres.  If you buy a 4x4 jeep you'll find yourself losing out on economy for the sake of a couple of weeks a year of shite weather.

driving in the snow is at times terrifying

[SamAteTheRedAcid]

Just bought a trailer for my sleek red machine:

Spoiler

[close]

[Crimson_Tank]

Nice Sami, I wish I had the trailer too!

[SamAteTheRedAcid]

Nice Sami, I wish I had the trailer too!

you wouldn't wish for the bit where I had to put the trailer hitch together, effing and jeffing in the garden with the drill though

[Jinxsy]

Looking to upgrade to a Nissan Qashqai on a personal lease deal though - had one for a weekend recently and was very impressed.

Can thoroughly recommend the Qashqai - reliable, economical and if you get into the Accenta or Tekna, then they've got loads of kit for the £. My missus has been using it for the school run and work for the past 12 months, and it hasn't been anything other than perfect.

I'm going electric as of the end of the month. Big step, but I think it's the future.