opinions on which european car i should buy(limited budget)

CHEETR · 15-10-2009, 09:05 PM

hey guys, i have just taken on a new job as a business development manager (on road sales) where i'll be meeting alot of high end CEO's in victoria and occasionaly flying interstate.

I'm after something european, and i plan on not leasing or taking out a loan for a car as me and my fiance' are saving to buy our own home (shes at university so funds are strapped) and we are only 22 so just starting out.

I'm digging into the savings as i'll be getting a car allowance with the new job.

so if anyone can recommend a car thats reliable and cheap on petrol (im very mechanicaly minded so maintenance is no issue cost wise) it would be very greatly appreciated, my budget is 10k but im hoping to spend around 7-8k if i can.

here are the cars i have found so far

1996 E36 bmw coupe (1.8l manual)with m3 bodykit,black with leather and sunroof and m3 wheels in 10/10 condition with 160,000kms - $9,000

1998 alfa romeo 156 sedan (2.0l manual) baby blue with tan leather trim and 180,000kms 10/10 condition - $8500

1996 Audi A4 (1.8l turbo manual) gunmetal grey 180,000 kms no leather or sunroof $8900

if anyone has suggestions on those cars, or can even suggest something else along those lines that would be great.

i owned a e36 coupe simular to the black one and it was one of the most reliable and cheapest to run i have ever owned over both ford and holden.

we have a BA XR6 that will be a family car eventually but for now im after euro, so please guys dont post about getting a ford, its definately euro for this one i just need some opinions on which way to go.

hendrixhc · 15-10-2009, 09:10 PM

None. Stick to an Aussie built ford and support australia!

CHEETR · 15-10-2009, 09:12 PM

we have a BA XR6 that will be a family car eventually but for now im after euro, so please guys dont post about getting a ford, its definately euro for this one i just need some opinions on which way to go.

hendrixhc · 15-10-2009, 09:16 PM

Can i ask why the need for euro? Didnt mean to insult, just dont understand the logic.

Driven euro myself and didnt find them anyhting special.

CHEETR · 15-10-2009, 09:20 PM

i have always been a broad minded person when it comes to cars, have owned skylines, bmws, fords, holdens ec..

and i find the euro cars alot more comfortable for long periods, i loved the beamer i had for driving around all day on the road for work, and leaving my v8 fords and holdens for weekend cars to play with.

hendrixhc · 15-10-2009, 09:31 PM

Fair enough then. go the beamer looks good, are nice to drive.

Audi IMO for knobs! ( previous boss had one and he was a complete knob)

Alfas good car but expensive to repair

Have fun with your purchase!

KR1STO · 16-10-2009, 09:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CHEETR

and i find the euro cars alot more comfortable for long periods,

Sorry to jump in the thread... but i don't know about that..

Dad had a 5 series and a 7 series and honestly the fairlane was a more comfortable ride when we did long trips..

Obviously, this was before suspension mods and big wheels...

If you are gonna go Euro, go a medium to big, if you're looking for comfort..
The small ones aren't really that comfy..

Just sold a 2000 206, that was small...!

geckoGT · 15-10-2009, 09:29 PM

The audi and bmw are good options.

Not the alfa, they have very poor reliability and earlier models are difficult and expensive to get parts. Dogs and Lemons Guide lists this as "avoid like the plague"

xy500 · 15-10-2009, 09:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by geckoGT

The audi and bmw are good options.

Not the alfa, they have very poor reliability and earlier models are difficult and expensive to get parts. Dogs and Lemons Guide lists this as "avoid like the plague"

Fair call, the alfas are pretty bad, but i would take much of what the dogs and lemons guide says with a grain of salt, they write off some really tough cars, and talk up some useless ones. Interestingly enough when i checked the dogs and lemons guide gave a poor rating for audis?
i reckon the beemer is the way to go - especially as you already have experience with them.

geckoGT · 15-10-2009, 09:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by xy500

Fair call, the alfas are pretty bad, but i would take much of what the dogs and lemons guide says with a grain of salt, they write off some really tough cars, and talk up some useless ones. Interestingly enough when i checked the dogs and lemons guide gave a poor rating for audis?
i reckon the beemer is the way to go - especially as you already have experience with them.

Very true, you do have to take their advice with a large grain of salt but I have not heard many good things about the reliability of any car they rate as avoid like the plague.

smally289 · 15-10-2009, 09:38 PM

I know you have your heart set on a Euro car, but think long and hard about it. The ones you mention are all 10 years old with near 200,000km on the clock. Ive been a mechanic for 22 years and have worked on just about everything imaginable. These cars have the potential to bite your wallet hard if things go wrong! I agree that they are nice to drive and look at, but scary all the same.

Neeek · 16-10-2009, 11:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by smally351

I know you have your heart set on a Euro car, but think long and hard about it. The ones you mention are all 10 years old with near 200,000km on the clock. Ive been a mechanic for 22 years and have worked on just about everything imaginable. These cars have the potential to bite your wallet hard if things go wrong! I agree that they are nice to drive and look at, but scary all the same.

Completely agree with this one.

In 2004, my wife and I bought a Saab 9000CD, 94 model, 155,000km on the clock with a full service book from a dealer, brilliant condition and so on. We paid $7,000 and bought it from, of all people, a church minister.

Bloody lovely car it was. For about a year.

Then we had an overheating problem. That cost us a grand to fix. Then the header tank split. Wrecker wanted $250 for a secondhand one, I bought one from the UK for 10 quid and had it mailed over, fixed it myself. Breathed out. Turned to the wife and said "hope nothing else goes wrong..."

Then the aircon died. Was given a hefty estimate to fix that, so we left it and revelled in the luxury of heated leather seats on 30 degree days with all the windows down - very classy.

Then the rear view mirror fell off - $150 from a wrecker for a replacement. Then the overheating problem came back, so another header tank split was fixed with another new header tank from the UK. Problem stayed at bay for a while. Then the electric aerial packed up, so I left it. Then the ABS light kept coming on and could only be reset by a dealer for $50 a time... and then it came back on again 30 yards down the road. Then the trip computer went blank. Then we had a small power steering hose leak ($100 for a small hose, FFS!!!). And all while this was going on, the transmission started slipping (was an auto) - got a quote to fix that and it made my eyes water and my wife started sobbing.

In the end we decided to offload it. Figuring that it was still a nice car (well, it would've been if things didn't need doing to it), we went to get a roady on it. It failed on CV joints, a few bits and bobs that were easy to fix and the headlamp wiper motor wasn't working. Traced to a broken motor, which we priced up, and we started weeping again. The bill to get a genuine RWC on it would've set us back about $2,500. And this was from a private garage specialising in Saabs and Volvos... and yes, they were about 50% than a main Saab dealer.

Traded it in on a Mazda 323 and haggled as much as we would for it. They took the Saab away for two grand, but not before I ripped the stereo out!

You may get lucky and buy a cheap, reliable 10-year old Euro. And if you do, fair play, good on you. But it's not worth the risk in my opinion. The only time I would ever say "go for it" is if you're buying a two year old with a warranty and you can afford the bills that may come your way. I, for one, will never buy a cheap old "was expensive and flash when new" car ever again.

CHEETR · 15-10-2009, 09:38 PM

thanks guys, i think i might drop the alfa then seems to be nothing but bad things about them on the net.

i'm leaning more towards the audi as it looks alot newer where as the e36 shape came out in 1990

Iggypoppin' · 15-10-2009, 09:50 PM

I don't want to insult you, so take this with a grain of salt; it sounds a bit like you are trying to impress a bunch of high end execs by buying a euro car, often these sorts of cars are associated with execs so I see your reasoning, but really if you are after a nice day to day work car with impressive looks and a comfortable ride, it might be wiser to shop around a little more for something with more reliability and cheaper servicing costs.

The cars you have listed seem nice; I would love the bmw, but really, there are other options that suit your budget and lifestyle. I am looking at what you want it for, and really feel there are other cars better suited to your needs and budget.

Sorry if I offend you, it is not my intention to do so. Just trying to help out.

CHEETR · 15-10-2009, 09:56 PM

any suggestions 76txcoupe?

im not trying to impress anyone, i simply stated some cars that i find drive very nice and are very comfortable.

im very open to ideas on other cars.. although i do want to stray away from holden and ford as i'd like to keep them as hobbies for weekend cars in the future, and have something different to rack up kms in.

4Vman · 15-10-2009, 10:02 PM

Personally... with that kind of budget AVOID euro.. it will be a money pit.
Stick with Aussie or Japanese...

Auslandau · 15-10-2009, 10:02 PM

Don't laugh but I would have a look at a Volvo ..... very reasonable around your price range and some great deals. Fairly cheap to run, can go like the clappers, servicing is way better than all 3 thats been mentioned.

Have a look at the S80 6 cyl turbo. There are some under 10k, under 200k's and very well optioned.

I had an Audi for a while. Great car and the Mrs hates me for selling it but just too damn expensive to service.

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geckoGT · 15-10-2009, 10:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by auslandau

Don't laugh but I would have a look at a Volvo ..... very reasonable around your price range and some great deals. Fairly cheap to run, can go like the clappers, servicing is way better than all 3 thats been mentioned.

A lot of logic there, reliability is pretty good, performance is good and they have a good level of features for their price. It is just a pity they didn't sack their styling department. In the late nineties - early 2000 the styling did improve and I would look at them in that price range. You would get a younger and better equiped volvo than bmw at that price range.

CHEETR · 15-10-2009, 10:04 PM

4vman - as stated up top, im not asking whether to buy aussie or euro, i have decided on euro.

im simply getting opinions on which euro to buy.

4Vman · 15-10-2009, 10:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CHEETR

4vman - as stated up top, im not asking whether to buy aussie or euro, i have decided on euro.

im simply getting opinions on which euro to buy.

No probs, my bad.
I hope you have a good mechanic.

STHSV8 · 15-10-2009, 11:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 4Vman

No probs, my bad.
I hope you have a good mechanic.

dont worry about him. What about a w124 merc (300e). a well looked after example is a timeless automobile and should be had for around $10k.

XWGT · 16-10-2009, 09:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CHEETR

im simply getting opinions on which euro to buy.

Ok let me lay this on you

2003 Audi A4 1.8T CVT

Known issue with the CVT......google it

Currently looking at $4k to remove and repair (CVT still working..showing warning indicators). One Auto Trans place actually laughed when I told them the model, and calmly sated between $3 to $8k..........the car is worth maybe $15k on a good day....

60,000 klm service - $1350 at Penfolds
20,000 klm service - $720 at Penfolds

I think your getting the picture...................

Euro are nice. The Audi is great to drive........great economy......great sound system and comfort.....however they are bloody unreliable (cant remember the last time I had all 4 indicators working for more than 24 hours) bug prone and very expensive to keep on the road.

I urge you to SERIOUSLY consider the running and maintenanc costs of used Euros before diving in.

FYI I have also owned Porsche and BMW (Mini). Both of those cars were exceptional however they were both expensive to buy and service.

CHEETR · 15-10-2009, 10:06 PM

auslandau - thanks for that, i'll jump on now and check some out.
not really keen on driving a volvo or telling people i own one, but it is only a work car after all so i'll check that avenue out as well.

Auslandau · 15-10-2009, 10:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CHEETR

auslandau - thanks for that, i'll jump on now and check some out.
not really keen on driving a volvo or telling people i own one, but it is only a work car after all so i'll check that avenue out as well.

Thats why I siad dont laugh

Take one for a spin ..... if you can work out what all the buttons do ..... they are a great car.

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CHEETR · 15-10-2009, 10:09 PM

also stated up top, i am very mechanicaly minded, having built 2 cars featured in magazines and multple other cars over the years in my single car garage from ground up, i do have a fairly good idea on what im doing and i do have the tools to do it myself.

CHEETR · 15-10-2009, 10:18 PM

just had a look, a lot of car for your $$ there.. can pick up an S80 turbo 6 with full leather and sunroof around 100,000 kms for about 8k..

GavL · 15-10-2009, 10:19 PM

Volkswagen Passat like below maybe?

http://www.carsales.com.au/all-cars/private/details.aspx?R=7739383&__Qpb=true&Cr=9&__Ns=pCar_P riceSort_Decimal|1||pCar_RankSort_Int32|1||pCar_Ma ke_String|0||pCar_Model_String|0&keywords=&__No=13 5&__N=1216%201246%201247%201252%201282%20463%20408 &silo=1011&PriceTo=408&seot=1&PriceFrom=463&tsrc=a llcarhome&__Nne=15&trecs=12406&__sid=1234DF33F4D7

CHEETR · 15-10-2009, 10:22 PM

thanks gav, i used to sell those, hadn't really looked into buying one though might check some out on carsales

that one is in act though so no good to me lol im in vic

geckoGT · 15-10-2009, 10:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CHEETR

that one is in act though so no good to me lol im in vic

:eclipsee_ Road Trip!!!!!!! :eclipsee_

Yaw · 15-10-2009, 10:46 PM

I can give one very good reason not to buy euro.
Working in insurance I can tell you for fact if you are unforunate enough to have an accident Euro cars take longer to repair as quite often parts are not available in australia and need to come from overseas.

If you must go euro stick to BMW or Mercedes, they do have a decent range of parts in Australia.