New Car ... Decision Time

[SteveB_NI]

I am now the proud owner of a 1.6 SXi 3dr

 

Can't wait to get it now! Thanks for all the advice everyone ... last night I tested both the 1.4 & 1.6 litre engines & decided there and then to get the 1.6.

[mrforgetful]

It's silly to compare getting a brand new 1.4 or 1.6 Astra to getting a 3 year old Monaro (or anything). The new car comes with warranty, no MOTs needed and will be a lot cheaper to run than a Monaro. Imagine the prices for parts for them!

 

As for engine size, I had a 1.6 Astra as a courtesy car, really liked it and went well, stuck to the road.

I think car engines are like computer specs. It may say one thing on the box but we all know that will barely run Windows alone nevermind the software on top.

 

Personally I'm a big Seat fan. Loving my 2004 Cupra Tdi and blows most things away I come across while still maintaining 45mpg when trhashed round town, and a good 60mpg cruising on the motorway at 85mph.

[gaz350]

recently got myself one of these babies

 

http://images.securedwebform.com/reviews/images/03-z-hero.jpg

 

Best bang for your buck and dam it looks good

[Skoggmeiger]

Do they do it in Girly Pink too?

 

Funny how on one topic we have folk telling us how they are paid pathetic salaries circa £13k, then we have folk spending that on a car. Mad world.

[ChrisC]

Lots of 0% offers around make things easier.

 

But still, is jealousy enducing!

 

Chris

[SteveB_NI]

My salary from my school technician job isn't an awful lot more than 13k - but I have a 2nd job too

 

I've worked damn hard since I was 16/17... - even during uni I used to do 40+ hr weeks in my "part time" job. I decided that I would like something nice to show for my hours worked.

[chrbb]

Good for you - work hard, earn the money then take pride in owning something you've earnt. My son had a sxi astra 1.6 lovely car, smooth engine more power than my mgf (which I've now sold due to the fact it was the worst car in history!) Enjoy it!

[Oops_my_bad]

I decided that I would like something nice to show for my hours worked.

Hell knows you deserve it doing this job

 

You can't really go wrong with an Astra - think you've made the right choice going for the 1.6. Hope you have many happy years motoring

[Midget]

It's silly to compare getting a brand new 1.4 or 1.6 Astra to getting a 3 year old Monaro (or anything). The new car comes with warranty, no MOTs needed and will be a lot cheaper to run than a Monaro. Imagine the prices for parts for them!

 

I was showing my amazement at spending that much money on a frigging astra, and then suggested getting the much better model at 1yo which'd still have 2years warrenty and cost alot less as they have terrible depreciation.

 

Good luck with the new car, you made the right choice not getting the 1.4

[gaz350]

Do they do it in Girly Pink too?

 

Funny how on one topic we have folk telling us how they are paid pathetic salaries circa £13k, then we have folk spending that on a car. Mad world.

 

Pfft Its far from a girls car. 3.5 V6 of pure fun, clutch and gearbox are not female friendly this is no Audi TT!!!!

and Steve I would go for the 1.6. that .2 will make the difference when you have to carry any sort of load!

[Guest Guest]

Dunno if its already been said, or even if im too late but;

 

Dont buy a Vauxhall from new, they depreciate FAR too quickly. If you plan on keeping it for 10yrs+ then fair enough but otherwise you will be looking at losing around £10k in the first 3yrs. To me no amount of warrenty is ever going to add upto £10k so id rather have it in my pocket ready for if something does go wrong.

 

Dont get me wrong theres nothing wrong with Vaux just i wouldnt dream of spending more than a couple of grand on one at most.

 

If you were getting a coupe or something abit special you'd be alot better off but 1.4/1.6 astras are common as muck and lose value quicker than almost any other car.

 

To put it in perspective my mate owns a V reg 1.6 astra. Bought it 2yrs ago for £4.5k, its now worth no more than £1500, £2000 at a very optimistic push.

 

 

Personally if i were wanting something abit new and nice id go for a nearly new VW or Audi, something which has already took the drop in value of being driven off the forecourt and will now keep most of its value.

[flyinghaggis]

I wouldn't have said that there was any problem paying that for a vauxhall. Most new cars will loose 50% of their value in the first 3 years? If you buy a new one for £14k and then sell it in 3 years time the odds are it will only have cost about £2k a year to run which aint too IMO bad given it's a brand new car with 3 years warranty. I'd have thought you'd have been able to get a 3-door astra for a good bit less than book price as most dealers will happily discount new ones by several grand?

Mind you I notice that my local dealers are selling new FOCUS ST's for £17k and you can get a new Impreza WRX for £17k just now aswell. Admittedly neither would be as cheap to run/insure as the Astra but they give you a lot more bang for your buck :twisted:

[Skoggmeiger]

My salary from my school technician job isn't an awful lot more than 13k - but I have a 2nd job too

 

I've worked damn hard since I was 16/17... - even during uni I used to do 40+ hr weeks in my "part time" job. I decided that I would like something nice to show for my hours worked.

 

I wasn't begrudging anyone spending THEIR hard earned cash on anything bud. Just puts things into perspective when a brand new, average car costs the same as a lot of folk earn in a year. Shame.

[mrforgetful]

But most of the population don't buy brand new cars.

[Oops_my_bad]

But most of the population don't buy brand new cars.

Happy medium here - got my golf on import, saving several grand that you would otherwise have to pay the VW stealer.

 

Of course you still get get folk who say "you paid all that for a Golf?" as they get out of their Fords

[mrforgetful]

I'd say that getting out of my Leon :op

 

Learnt the other day that in Japan you can only keep a car for 7 years then it has to be scrapped - hence all the imports available.

[john]

Only -ive bout a VAG Import is they only have 2 year warranties and you have to tell the insurance company they are a full UK Spec Import and some of them still go eeeew and stuff the costs up.