Page 1 of Which new car should I buy?

I currently drive a Renault Laguna 2001 - and am bored with it! Want a new car, something sw***ier ;) But cant figure out which one to buy... the options I have are

1. Mazda RX-8
2. Mercedes Benz C220CDI Sports Saloon
3. BMW 520d SE

Anyone drive any of these? Or maybe have mates driving these that can give me a lowdown of running costs? All indicators on the internet point to the Mazda... but is it a good choice?

Cheers

What about a Toyota Celica.

Toyota are stopping producing these at the end of the year (along with the MR2). Hopefully this will mean that it will hold its value even more.

I have one, and it is great. Very nice to drive, running costs are very reasonable (~35-40 mpg) and it certainly is a head turner. The boot size is also deceptively large. I can fit a pram and shopping in it quite easily.

hope this helps.

I looked at the Mazda,but the extremely high CO2 emissions meant the company car tax would be ridiculous.
I`m kindof glad I didn`t buy one though,as I`ve read all manner of reports about excessive oil consumption in the w***el engine.
Apparently,800 (yes,hundred) miles per litre of oil is not unknown.
Given that a litre of the type of oil required will easily be £10 a bottle,it not only adds to your running costs,but it also adds to the `hassle factor`.
Constantly checking the oil is not something I want from a new car.

Mercedes aren`t know for their build quality these days and,certainly where I live,if you see a Merc,chances are it`s a taxi.

That leaves the BMW,which would be the sensible choice from your list,but is extremely common and,it has to be said,as boring as a grey suit.

Why just the list of three ?
You obviously have a budget of around £23-£25K,so that opens up a whole world of possibilities.

Try the new Audi A4,or a fully loaded A3 sportback ( like mine 8) )
Or the Saab 9-3
Or the Volvo S40/S60

donno if you like the shape but have a look here

I forgot the password to my earlier login so using this instead ;)

Celica: just dont like the looks or the engine - i think it is too noisy when stretched. The RX8 on the other hand is refined.

As for the budget: I am looking at sub£30K so anything there goes.

I have driven the Saab 9-3 and found it quite appealing, however I didnt like the interiors compared to the rest. The merc, I agree is not top notch build. The parking brake is painful as well. The BMW - again, as common as houseflies...

I know the problem of oil with the RX-8. Not only the oil but the petrol as well... it gives out 30mpg on the highway... but then it is a sports car. I looked at Glass`s life indices, giving comparisons with other cars, and the RX-8 has a life index of 70p per mile (thats costs per mile in a year, assuming 10000 miles, including depreciation, servicing etc.). And honestly... the RX-8 is pretty rare: Porsches are more common...

that... was my reasoning.

Volvo: just dont like the looks...
Audi: did consider the A4, but then the BMW 5 series is much more fun to drive... (plus Jeremy Clarkson did comment that the Mondeo is more fun to drive). I dont like the A3 too (personal opinion... no offence)

T¦M3CH4S3R

"I am worst at what I do the best, for this gift I feel blessed. I found it hard... it was hard to find. Oh well, Whatever! NEVERMIND"

This item was edited on Wednesday, 7th September 2005, 09:33

Oh - and forgot to add that the RX-8 has won the coupe of the year award two years running now - didnt win 2003 coz it was launched mid year.

T¦M3CH4S3R

"I am worst at what I do the best, for this gift I feel blessed. I found it hard... it was hard to find. Oh well, Whatever! NEVERMIND"

£30k budget ?
I know what I`d have.
Jaguar S-type sport.
MD has one here.
It is absolutely beautiful,inside and out.
It`s superbly put together as well.
It`s classy and different.
Their twin turbo diesel engine is also acknowledged as being one of the best around.
Clarkson himself acknowledged that he`d have one,after thrashing one around the Nurburgring. 8)

Hmm... thanks bowfer... hadnt considered that one

T¦M3CH4S3R

"I am worst at what I do the best, for this gift I feel blessed. I found it hard... it was hard to find. Oh well, Whatever! NEVERMIND"

Dont trust Bowfer here`s a picture of his real company car ;)




^Roll on saturday i get my new bike yipee^

:D ( ordered your new camo trousers to go with the bike ? ;) )

Here`s the S-type.
Stuff your common-as-muck BMW.
This thing is lovely and well within your price range.
Always wanted a nice Jag.
Goes back to watching The Sweeney and Steed on the The Avengers.