help me. buying a car in england.

[Sledlude]

I recently moved to England and I am in the market for a new ride. trouble is, i dont know what the hell to get... and i'll be the first to admit that i am not very familiar with the quality/reputation of some of the makes and models available here... such as renault, peugot, vauxhall, etc.... i was thinking maybe a honda or veedub but i might want to branch out a bit. also, the models available here are different than usdm.

so, i turn to IA for your expertise... or something like that. help a fellow IA member out ya'll... and I'll rep IA all the way in europa.

suggestions? comments? etc?

holla!
a

[Scotsman]

pm EJ25run and tell em i sent ya , that guy is the most knowledgable (sp) person i know about foriegn cars

[EJ25RUN]

Thanks Scotsman

Im not 100% on all the laws in Britain but the two biggest things to for you to consider are tax and MOT.

Car wise, i hear most French cars don't rank very high on quality or reliability.

Are you looking for a hatchback?

Some good ones would be Ford Focus, British Honda Civic, and VW Golf.

My best suggestion would be the new Ford Fiesta.....cheap to run and looks great.

http://www.greencarsite.co.uk/GREENNEWS/NewsPhotos/new-ford-fiesta.jpg

Oh and whatever you buy, a diesel would be better cause gas over there is expensive and you'll need the gas mileage.

On the other hand, if you want petrol, i think their octane rating is 98.

[SampaGuy]

Fords are better than in the US, also all the GM cars are better (vauxhall/opel). The various small VW models that are not sold in the US are very good cars. SEATs have VW chassis and engines, but they do not hold their value as well. Like EJ25 said, the french cars are not famous for their quality. Anything italian though (alfa romeos, lancia, fiat) is complete shit. Im not sure about MG and other english cars. I would stick to japanese or german.

Im also not 100% of the laws in the UK but they are probably as the same as the rest of the european union, tax is based on the size of the engine. Thats why you will find a lot of turbocharged 4 cyl models.

[Sledlude]

i considered the fiesta, however i dont know if i can bring myself to buy a ford. i guess it is considered and import here... lol

what do you think about the golf mk5 gt (tsi)?

i think the tax is for sure based on engine size, no one really drives anything > 2.0 liters. the MOT im not too worried about, as long as the car isnt a total piece of shyt and runs well it shouldnt be a problem.

[lcortes32]

Dude I think you you should just stick to Honda..

[4dmin]

Ford is Europe is actually pretty good. But I would highly suggest Skoda/VW: Lupo, Polo or Golf, they are cheap, easy to work on, very economical, and you have a variety of flavors from N/A, Turbo, Diesel, etc

[EJ25RUN]

i considered the fiesta, however i dont know if i can bring myself to buy a ford. i guess it is considered and import here... lol

what do you think about the golf mk5 gt (tsi)?

i think the tax is for sure based on engine size, no one really drives anything > 2.0 liters. the MOT im not too worried about, as long as the car isnt a total piece of shyt and runs well it shouldnt be a problem.

TSi should be good. Again, i don't know what the cost is to gas vs diesel. Last time i was in Europe, everyone was in a diesel but if you want petrol, VW is still fine.

How about a Mini one? Is that too little power?

Also, what is your price bracket?

[OneSlow5pt0]

get a escort cosworth

[4dmin]

Honestly I would check out polo and lupo tsi ... They got a turbo+supercharged model out. I think 1.4l

[99fordzx2]

Get the Ford Focus I think its the RS. Its an I-5 turbo. So sexy.


-D

[The Yousef]

Thanks Scotsman

Im not 100% on all the laws in Britain but the two biggest things to for you to consider are tax and MOT.

Car wise, i hear most French cars don't rank very high on quality or reliability.

Are you looking for a hatchback?

Some good ones would be Ford Focus, British Honda Civic, and VW Golf.

My best suggestion would be the new Ford Fiesta.....cheap to run and looks great.

http://www.greencarsite.co.uk/GREENNEWS/NewsPhotos/new-ford-fiesta.jpg

Oh and whatever you buy, a diesel would be better cause gas over there is expensive and you'll need the gas mileage.

On the other hand, if you want petrol, i think their octane rating is 98.

took the word right out of my mouth. the new Fiesta is gorgerous! stay away from Alfa's too, they look gorgeous but are horrendously unreliable. you'll be fine with any Honda, Ford, Vauxhall, Toyota cars.

[4dmin]

took the word right out of my mouth. the new Fiesta is gorgerous! stay away from Alfa's too, they look gorgeous but are horrendously unreliable. you'll be fine with any Honda, Ford, Vauxhall, Toyota cars.

that car is ugly as sin - it looks like a ford focus w/ down syndrome look at the head lights. i can't believe you would mention ford over DUB :2up:

[EJ25RUN]

that car is ugly as sin - it looks like a ford focus w/ down syndrome look at the head lights. i can't believe you would mention ford over DUB :2up:

Whatever Admin. I understand you like VW to a point where others cars don't stack up but the Fiesta is currently the hottest thing going in Europe. It is more significant in its class than even the new Scirroco is in its.

Sledlude....have you any updates?

[Kyle]

renault clio sport v6 - the first car id buy if I moved there.

http://www.2fastlane.com/wallpapers/renault/Clio_Sport_V6_2004_2.jpg

or audi s3

http://www.autosportvehiclesolutions.co.uk/sitebuildercontent/sitebuilderpictures/.pond/s003.jpg.w300h225.jpg

[MongolPup]

The Clio is one hell of a car.

[4dmin]

Whatever Admin. I understand you like VW to a point where others cars don't stack up but the Fiesta is currently the hottest thing going in Europe. It is more significant in its class than even the new Scirroco is in its.

Sledlude....have you any updates?

that car is ugly as shit and i used to own a focus. focus RS/cosworth or escort cosworth would be way cooler then that car. furthermore the new scirroco is pure sex but i still would rather have 1.4 tsi supercharged+turbocharged

[Scotsman]

The Clio is one hell of a car.sickest racin car on Gran Turismo

[Sledlude]

YO so i think I'm settled with a 328. not my first choice, but oh well, didnt have much say in the matter. so much for branching out... but im about to make this bad boy SICK. it will be interesting driving RHD. Will post pics when it arrives thanks for all your help!
cheers
a

[speedminded]

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/1999-LAND-ROVER-110-DEFENDER-TD5-WHITE_W0QQitemZ150322438352QQcmdZ

http://i7.ebayimg.com/06/i/001/29/45/7c38_1.JPG

[JITB]

Vw has its problems worldwide..lol its just not over here. that being said.. Europe loves their european fords..and their is a reason. id be ashamed to get any car that i could get in the US in europe....u should take some pics of england for us.
fiesta
http://www.autoindiaforum.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/05/new-ford-fiesta-2.jpg
mondeo
http://puregreencars.com/files/2009-Ford-Mondeo.jpg
RS
http://media.popularmechanics.com/images/euro-ford-focus-rs-0808.jpg
Falcon Xr6 turbo
http://www.zcars.com.au/images/ford-fg-falcon-xr6-turbo1.jpg
Falcon v8
http://images.drive.com.au/drive_images/Editorial/2008/04/15/Falcon_m_m.jpg
Falcon UTE?
http://blog.hemmings.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/02/falcon%20xr8.jpg

[Sledlude]

just picked it up! my *awesome* (sarcasm) uncle who supposed to be helping me with this car buying situation picked it out without consulting me and brought it down today. the verdict?

a 328i e36 wagon. a station wagon! hahahaha. i got a fuckin pimp wagon.
i dont have a camera atm but this is pretty much what it looks like... but RHD.

http://www.simons.se/Bildarkiv/036-H_036-H4_036-H5_Avgassystem_exhaust_simons_BMW_E36_320i_323i_32 5i_328i_dubbelt_double.jpg

mine is also silver, but has severely dark windows and some sort of m series wheels on it, havent figured out which yet.

not my first choice, since i wanted something fuel efficient and small, but hey... it'll do. since i am on the coast it will be awesome to strap kayaks and surfboards to the top.

i must say, i drove on the other side of the road today for the first time. a truly terrifying experience.

im bout to throw some big ass wheels on this BITCH. and a bangin stereo system. :D wheel suggestions? hartge? ac schnitzer? bbs?

[speedminded]

just picked it up! my *awesome* (sarcasm) uncle who supposed to be helping me with this car buying situation picked it out without consulting me and brought it down today. the verdict?

a 328i e36 wagon. a station wagon! hahahaha. i got a fuckin pimp wagon.
i dont have a camera atm but this is pretty much what it looks like... but RHD.

http://www.simons.se/Bildarkiv/036-H_036-H4_036-H5_Avgassystem_exhaust_simons_BMW_E36_320i_323i_32 5i_328i_dubbelt_double.jpg

mine is also silver, but has severely dark windows and some sort of m series wheels on it, havent figured out which yet.

not my first choice, since i wanted something fuel efficient and small, but hey... it'll do. since i am on the coast it will be awesome to strap kayaks and surfboards to the top.

i must say, i drove on the other side of the road today for the first time. a truly terrifying experience.

im bout to throw some big ass wheels on this BITCH. and a bangin stereo system. :D wheel suggestions? hartge? ac schnitzer? bbs?There's a lot of potential with an e36 touring...

[speedminded]

more :camera:

[EJ25RUN]

The Alpina ones look fantastic.

[JITB]

good choice! never seen a 328 wagon!

[Sledlude]

i likes!! im stoked dude. totally different from what i was expecting. it should be fun!
it pretty quick too :)

im gonna put up some wheels i was looking at getting in a few to get some feedback.

thnx for the pics speedminded. i got a few ideas kickin around in my head.

[Julio]

You? In a wagon.. dont be getting no baby seats next..

Congrats on the new ride.. =]