I would agree with another poster about the Alfa 159. It will look good for years with some TLC and you may even be able to stretch to a 2.4JTD. plus it is practical and will be economical.
Try and find a red one with those big telephone dial wheels...very nice! or how about these:
should fit the bill nicely. Economical, characterful, well kitted out as run-out models normally are, and more reliable than the pub pundits would lead you to believe.
They are not the most spacious of cars inside (we looked at one at the weekend but unfortunately had to rule it out for that reason,) but I think that one would be well worth a look.
I think your theory makes sense only if you do low mileage. I suffer from a hatred of giving money in tax to the government ie the bulk of any money spent on road fuel in the UK. The RX8 is a nice car
Almost any Petrol engined car will do the equal of 40 MPG on diesel if run on LPG, and at the same time would involve a smaller contribution to the government than either petrol or diesl, you just need to leave £1,500 of your budget for the conversion, which sould be easy given the lower second hand value of petrol cars.
I've not known them to better 30-35 mpg, but if bought for a lot less than the budget the trade off might make sense.
I think your theory makes sense only if you do low mileage. I suffer from a hatred of giving money in tax to the government ie the bulk of any money spent on road fuel in the UK. The RX8 is a nice car, I am old enough to remember a friends 1973 RX3 that he bought new when I bought a Triumph 1500 at the same time.
Not too long ago, I posted a link to an early RX-8
Hi Fidji
Yes, that's the way I'd go; choose a car only recently deleted therefore dropping in value, and buy it as cheaply as possible. You're right, there are RX8 bargains to be had, and few around making them an unusual sight on the High Street.
The RX-8 is a great car - I love driving them. The engine is very different from that of a typical car. I love having to rev the nuts off it to get any sort of torque. They handle very nicely and are surprisingly practical, and for lower mileage drivers, the significantly reasonable secondhand prices would mean that despite the running costs, like you said, it could be a financially viable car to run. They tend to be pretty reliable too, but for high mileage drivers, the poor fuel consumption could indeed be an issue. Earlier ones that were registered prior to 2006 don't incur the stupid mega tax rate, too. I also happen to think they look terrific and are almost certain to be a future classic.
True, but better the money in your pocket, paid out in small portions over time, than all of it in the dealer's bank account and none to put in the tank. Choose a BMW and the service department will get your money in short time.
The problem with reducing your budget and spending it on fuel instead is that, in theory, you could do it BUT filling up with fuel is a frequent activity and it is hard to persuade yourself that it is costing you the same as you put another £90 of fuel in week after week.
18 February 2010
I would agree with another poster about the Alfa 159. It will look good for years with some TLC and you may even be able to stretch to a 2.4JTD. plus it is practical and will be economical.
Try and find a red one with those big telephone dial wheels...very nice! or how about these:
http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/3886307.htm
http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/3846566.htm
http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/3481330.htm
they all look pretty good!
15 February 2009
Bargepole, touch, don't, a, with.
Octavia VRS or Seat Leon equivalent. Ford Focus.
15 December 2008
This (2008 Alfa 147 diesel)
http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/3892936.htm
should fit the bill nicely. Economical, characterful, well kitted out as run-out models normally are, and more reliable than the pub pundits would lead you to believe.
They are not the most spacious of cars inside (we looked at one at the weekend but unfortunately had to rule it out for that reason,) but I think that one would be well worth a look.
19 December 2008
I think your theory makes sense only if you do low mileage. I suffer from a hatred of giving money in tax to the government ie the bulk of any money spent on road fuel in the UK. The RX8 is a nice car
Almost any Petrol engined car will do the equal of 40 MPG on diesel if run on LPG, and at the same time would involve a smaller contribution to the government than either petrol or diesl, you just need to leave £1,500 of your budget for the conversion, which sould be easy given the lower second hand value of petrol cars.
23 December 2009
I've not known them to better 30-35 mpg, but if bought for a lot less than the budget the trade off might make sense.
I think your theory makes sense only if you do low mileage. I suffer from a hatred of giving money in tax to the government ie the bulk of any money spent on road fuel in the UK. The RX8 is a nice car, I am old enough to remember a friends 1973 RX3 that he bought new when I bought a Triumph 1500 at the same time.
17 July 2009
I also happen to think they ... are certain to be a future classic.
Agreed!
If Simon fights shy of the RX8's looks he should inspect the Mazda 6, another fine vehicle.
5 September 2011
Not too long ago, I posted a link to an early RX-8
Hi Fidji
Yes, that's the way I'd go; choose a car only recently deleted therefore dropping in value, and buy it as cheaply as possible. You're right, there are RX8 bargains to be had, and few around making them an unusual sight on the High Street.
The RX-8 is a great car - I love driving them. The engine is very different from that of a typical car. I love having to rev the nuts off it to get any sort of torque. They handle very nicely and are surprisingly practical, and for lower mileage drivers, the significantly reasonable secondhand prices would mean that despite the running costs, like you said, it could be a financially viable car to run. They tend to be pretty reliable too, but for high mileage drivers, the poor fuel consumption could indeed be an issue. Earlier ones that were registered prior to 2006 don't incur the stupid mega tax rate, too. I also happen to think they look terrific and are almost certain to be a future classic.
17 July 2009
filling up with fuel is a frequent activity
True, but better the money in your pocket, paid out in small portions over time, than all of it in the dealer's bank account and none to put in the tank. Choose a BMW and the service department will get your money in short time.
11 January 2010
The problem with reducing your budget and spending it on fuel instead is that, in theory, you could do it BUT filling up with fuel is a frequent activity and it is hard to persuade yourself that it is costing you the same as you put another £90 of fuel in week after week.
You're not stuck in traffic - you are traffic!!
17 July 2009
25 mpg the best he ever got
I've not known them to better 30-35 mpg, but if bought for a lot less than the budget the trade off might make sense.