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Looking for a new car
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By *mojee OP Couple
over a year ago
Dunfermline |
So pretty much as the title says really. I'm looking to buy a used car roughly around the 13/14 plate age range and have seen a nice astra gtc 1.6 turbo. Has anyone got one and what are the good and bad things about them. |
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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago
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To be honest there's not much in most cars these days if they've been looked after.
I'm increasingly seeing cars with full dealer service histories that however have not been touched, save for an oil change.
So on that basis-
If i could give advice it would be alter your budget say if you have 10k buy a car for 8 ish. Then get -
Aa or RAC inspection
The cambelt and waterpump, with a coolant change.
New 3-5year gaurantee battery
Full service with all filters
Stick it in for an MOT anyhow with a specialist in that type if possible
But no one will listen as they buy with their heart not head.
And 'brands' don't mean much unless it's japanese |
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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago
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To be honest there's not much in most cars these days if they've been looked after.
I'm increasingly seeing cars with full dealer service histories that however have not been touched, save for an oil change.
So on that basis-
If i could give advice it would be alter your budget say if you have 10k buy a car for 8 ish. Then get -
Aa or RAC inspection
The cambelt and waterpump, with a coolant change.
New 3-5year gaurantee battery
Full service with all filters
Stick it in for an MOT anyhow with a specialist in that type if possible
But no one will listen as they buy with their heart not head.
And 'brands' don't mean much unless it's japanese |
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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago
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Things like MPG can easily be altered by checking tyre pressures, binding brakes, and learning how to get the best mpg out of that engine car combo.
Eg my car has a sweet spot of 3500rpm if I can keep revs near there once cruising it gets slightly more mpg, but at 3000 it gets less.
So either faster or slower or fuel type.
My engine IS designed for fuel octane above 95 so it runs better on super unleaded but my old car did not.
Do you know what overrun cutoff is and how to use it?
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If your not going to do mega mileage stick with a petrol. I have not long got rid of my old 07 astra vxr, 2.0 turbo, if the new Astra is as good as the old 1, it'll be a great car, I done 110,000 miles in mine with out a problem, only general maintenance. |
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By *artytwoCouple
over a year ago
Wolverhampton |
Doesn't matter, they're all the same if you want a commuter.
However, if you are old and farty:
Fabia, Jazz, Micra, Kia lol.
Ateotd, it's what you feel good about driving and running costs. Low insurance and low tax are good.
Always remember that one day you'll want to sell it so avoid 'funny' colours or odd spec cars.
High mileage can be good value but you buy a 100k miler, what is it going to have on it when you sell it? 150k? Who's going to buy it then. |
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By *olgateMan
over a year ago
on the road to nowhere in particular |
"Doesn't matter, they're all the same if you want a commuter.
However, if you are old and farty:
Fabia, Jazz, Micra, Kia lol.
Ateotd, it's what you feel good about driving and running costs. Low insurance and low tax are good.
Always remember that one day you'll want to sell it so avoid 'funny' colours or odd spec cars.
High mileage can be good value but you buy a 100k miler, what is it going to have on it when you sell it? 150k? Who's going to buy it then."
Fabia and Jazz or both scandalously underrated and much better than their image suggests.
Astra is ok but if you have a little more money get a Focus, if you have a bit more again get a Civic or a Golf |
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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago
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I don't know what it is with Vauxhall but unless it's the VXRs
Their other cars such as the GTC just seem to be outperformed by other similar cars even despite the Vauxhall having a bigger engine/more power. And they aren't cheap at all!
I had to endure a corsa exoflex and an Astra Sri as courtesy cars once. 
Dull, lifeless, boring, sluggish. And heavy on fuel since your foots to the floor to bloody get anywhere!
Hated every minute of those cars. |
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By *artytwoCouple
over a year ago
Wolverhampton |
Fabia and Jazz or both scandalously underrated and much better than their image suggests.
No denying it. It's just the image that is the problem and if no one cared about image we would all drive a Skodaaaaa |
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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago
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Get a Fabia or a Jazz if you're a myopic 80 year old lol
Yes the Astra might not have the best driving experience but at least you won't die of boredom when you're driving it. |
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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago
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"To be honest there's not much in most cars these days if they've been looked after.
I'm increasingly seeing cars with full dealer service histories that however have not been touched, save for an oil change.
So on that basis-
If i could give advice it would be alter your budget say if you have 10k buy a car for 8 ish. Then get -
Aa or RAC inspection
The cambelt and waterpump, with a coolant change.
New 3-5year gaurantee battery
Full service with all filters
Stick it in for an MOT anyhow with a specialist in that type if possible
But no one will listen as they buy with their heart not head.
And 'brands' don't mean much unless it's japanese"
My Alfa went in for the belts, idlers, tensioners and water pump change at my favourite Alfa specialist earlier in the week. The previous two changes (both 10k miles early) were done at an Alfa dealer. We were horrified to find that the last change (and quite probably the previous one too) had been done using the Tipex method rather than using the correct cam-locking tools and TDC gauge. Never put too much faith in full dealer history, they're only interested in making money and will often cut corners. |
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"I very much doubt it'll have 50k miles on when I sell it in a few years time as it's only got 15 on it now. "
If you are not driving long journeys daily then avoid a new diesel as the DPF will give you problems they need to clean but will only do so when the engine is warm and above a certain rev range for a fixed amount of time. It is possible to force this but a dealer with the correct software would be required. I personally find vauxhalls uncomfortable and the seats give me a sore back. But make sure you test drive it for a long enough time before you buy. Are you buying private or trade? |
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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago
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"With tolerances that tight I'm amazed it didn't have a problem"
The aux belt tensioner was rattling a bit, we don't think it had been changed on the last change. If you know these engines you'll know that its common that if the aux belt goes it can pass through the cam belt and either strip the belt or cause it to jump a few teeth taking out the rockers (semi safe engine). Either way I'm glad its done and it cost less than half of what it would have at a stealers. |
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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago
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"I very much doubt it'll have 50k miles on when I sell it in a few years time as it's only got 15 on it now.
If you are not driving long journeys daily then avoid a new diesel as the DPF will give you problems they need to clean but will only do so when the engine is warm and above a certain rev range for a fixed amount of time. It is possible to force this but a dealer with the correct software would be required. I personally find vauxhalls uncomfortable and the seats give me a sore back. But make sure you test drive it for a long enough time before you buy. Are you buying private or trade?"
You can usually force a regen yourself by holding the engine (when warmed up) at 2500rpm. It'll smoke like a twat for a few minutes though. |
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By *mojee OP Couple
over a year ago
Dunfermline |
"I very much doubt it'll have 50k miles on when I sell it in a few years time as it's only got 15 on it now.
If you are not driving long journeys daily then avoid a new diesel as the DPF will give you problems they need to clean but will only do so when the engine is warm and above a certain rev range for a fixed amount of time. It is possible to force this but a dealer with the correct software would be required. I personally find vauxhalls uncomfortable and the seats give me a sore back. But make sure you test drive it for a long enough time before you buy. Are you buying private or trade?"
It's from a dealer demonstrator car one owner 15k miles vxr body kit and all optional extras on it for 10 grand. All in all I think it's a good deal |
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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago
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I wouldn't touch a vx nowadays. My mate swore by them for years until the ceo did an interview and basically said quality wasn't their concern, it was all about cost and building the cheapest car possible. Ironically it was around the time they launched that 100k mile warranty.
The astra 1.7 diesel eco is terrible to drive. Too heavy and cumbersome.
I've a 2.0l tdi leon, old shape and had it 6 years. It's been great. I love it. I'd go for another,a mazda 3 sport or an alfa guilietta. I had a 147 before and loved it. Who am I kidding I'd have the alfa all day long. |
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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago
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" Who am I kidding I'd have the alfa all day long. "
I've driven nothing but Alfa for the past ten years, I wouldn't have anything else. I love the bloody things and the way they make you feel special with every drive..  |
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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago
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" Who am I kidding I'd have the alfa all day long.
I've driven nothing but Alfa for the past ten years, I wouldn't have anything else. I love the bloody things and the way they make you feel special with every drive.. "
Get in your blood don't they. I'm runningy leon into the ground then for a guilietta cloverleaf. |
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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago
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" Who am I kidding I'd have the alfa all day long.
I've driven nothing but Alfa for the past ten years, I wouldn't have anything else. I love the bloody things and the way they make you feel special with every drive..
Get in your blood don't they. I'm runningy leon into the ground then for a guilietta cloverleaf. "
Don't discount the MiTo Cloverleaf. They may be small but they're exceptional little cars. Very much like the original Mini but with lots of extra power and more room.  |
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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago
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Wait till next year for the 1.5 civic 
From what I've found so far it's been rated at 174bhp, 0-60 in 6.8 seconds. But it's looking more like it will be 201bhp.
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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago
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It may come as no surprise but most car makers of any brand don't give a shit about quality- if they make it out of warranty who cars.
Yes that goes for most of ze Getmans too. I knew an ex CAD designer who worked all over the world for various manufacturers and said as much.
Only the Japanese and now Koreans have a different mentality I'd say.
That doesn't go for smaller volume sports cars etc |
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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago
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"It may come as no surprise but most car makers of any brand don't give a shit about quality- if they make it out of warranty who cars.
Yes that goes for most of ze Getmans too. I knew an ex CAD designer who worked all over the world for various manufacturers and said as much.
Only the Japanese and now Koreans have a different mentality I'd say.
That doesn't go for smaller volume sports cars etc "
The 1.6 Kia ceed GT actually looks pretty good, the 1.0 turbo 3 banger they have to compete against the ecoboost engine is pretty cool too.
Seems there's a bit of a war at the moment revolving around 1.0 turbo engines. Can imagine they will all get to 60 pretty quickly but have no pulling power when accelerating from a higher speed.
Honda are also getting in on the game with a 1.0 civic with 127bhp. |
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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago
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" Who am I kidding I'd have the alfa all day long.
I've driven nothing but Alfa for the past ten years, I wouldn't have anything else. I love the bloody things and the way they make you feel special with every drive.. "
Plus One.
I know very little about cars, but I do know I'm in love with my Guilietta. She's expensive to drive, has had too many little minor faults (windscreen
trim, door handle rattle etc) and probably won't last as long as other cars but her number plate is at a jaunty angle, she is beautifully sleek and I've never felt as content in any other brand just sitting behind a wheel.
Alfista forever  |
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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago
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Civic 1.6 sport is decent, I currently have the 1.4 56 plate and looking to upgrade. Tested the 1.6 and it's nippy and looks good. Better reliability than a Vauxhall.
Looking for something a little SUV then take a look at the Honda HRV.
This is top of my list ATM.
Had a MERC 2.2 CLA AMG for a few days last week, that's was amazing if the price stretches that far |
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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago
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"
Don't discount the MiTo Cloverleaf. They may be small but they're exceptional little cars. Very much like the original Mini but with lots of extra power and more room. "
Or just buy a Fiat Punto seeing as they are the same car in a different body 
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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago
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"
Don't discount the MiTo Cloverleaf. They may be small but they're exceptional little cars. Very much like the original Mini but with lots of extra power and more room.
Or just buy a Fiat Punto seeing as they are the same car in a different body
"
They share the floor plan with the Fiat 500, the chassis is bespoke to Alfa and the engines were developed separately from Fiat but share similarities. So you were close but no cigar....  |
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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago
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"
Don't discount the MiTo Cloverleaf. They may be small but they're exceptional little cars. Very much like the original Mini but with lots of extra power and more room.
Or just buy a Fiat Punto seeing as they are the same car in a different body
They share the floor plan with the Fiat 500, the chassis is bespoke to Alfa and the engines were developed separately from Fiat but share similarities. So you were close but no cigar.... "
You had better get the Cubans out
The MiTo is built on Fiat Small platform used on Fiat Grande Punto |
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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago
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"
Don't discount the MiTo Cloverleaf. They may be small but they're exceptional little cars. Very much like the original Mini but with lots of extra power and more room.
Or just buy a Fiat Punto seeing as they are the same car in a different body
They share the floor plan with the Fiat 500, the chassis is bespoke to Alfa and the engines were developed separately from Fiat but share similarities. So you were close but no cigar....
You had better get the Cubans out
The MiTo is built on Fiat Small platform used on Fiat Grande Punto"
That's the Giulietta... |
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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago
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"
Don't discount the MiTo Cloverleaf. They may be small but they're exceptional little cars. Very much like the original Mini but with lots of extra power and more room.
Or just buy a Fiat Punto seeing as they are the same car in a different body
They share the floor plan with the Fiat 500, the chassis is bespoke to Alfa and the engines were developed separately from Fiat but share similarities. So you were close but no cigar....
You had better get the Cubans out
The MiTo is built on Fiat Small platform used on Fiat Grande Punto
That's the Giulietta..."
I'm sure the guilietta,bravo and delta (it's embarrassing it's a chrysler and not a lancia) are all the same underpinnings. I'm guessing the grande punto is included in that also.
Just think there's roughly 80 odd different vag group cars that use the golf as their platform. All that efficiency and cost saving and still couldn't get their emissions figures right.
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