New Car Help

[HTL]

http://search.autotrader.co.uk/es-uk/www...-67-103-133-146,N-4294967104-4294967222/search.action

This is NOT the car we are buying, its just an example.

Me and Mrs HTL are getting a new car, I have my heart set on one of these, what you guys reckon? She wants a Audi A3.

The Alfa Romeo is simply the best looking car for reasonable money on the market.

Or am I just buying the cars for its looks? Is it going to be a dog to drive?

 

[HTL]

web page

Sorry it didnt work, try this one.

 

[medwayjon]

HTL - Alfa Romeos, from a man in the know simply DO NOT DO IT!!!

They are lovely to drive but are an absolute digrace in terms of reliability, quality, servicing/repair costs and depreciation.

It isn't a case of what goes wrong with Alfas, more what doesn't.

I simply will not get involved in selling Alfas, my warranty company puts a 100% loading on them as they are that bad.

Sorry to be a killjoy but your mrs is completely bang on the money with the a3, reliable, quality, retains value.

Also look at the compact C-Class Merc, VW Golf GT TDi the Seat Leon to name just a few.

 

[HTL]

We got a Seat Leon, I want something that looks a million bucks about the 10-12K mark. Did think of a tt but I know it will be too small.

The A3 is a good car but I reckon its going to be too small for the golf clubs, netballs, school equipment etc H.I.D is a P.E teacher so the car is always full of equipment and folders.

 

[medwayjon]

Go for the Mercedes then, they are so good. I drive a Merc and so do a huge proportion of other car dealers.

They don't go wrong, are classy, nice to drive and have the wow factor without a doubt.

For your sort of money you should be able to get a C-Class Saloon, C220 CDI elegance Auto on an 03-plate with sensible miles no worries. This car will do around 45mpg, is bomb-proof and looks gorgeous in black/silver, go for one with AMG wheels and it is pornographic.

For the same money you would also get a C220 CDI sports coupe (compact) model, again they are the business.

If it were my money I would definately be going for a diesel, petrol cars are depreciating so hard now and are becoming harder and harder to sell on the used market.

 

[HTL]

Only thing with that mate is im nearly 25 and don’t want to look like im driving my dads car.

Think I will try a Diesel for my next car and also maybe an automatic? I really am so gutted about the Alfro GT I had heard on Top Gear etc about their reliability and ignored it.

 

[medwayjon]

The merc sports coupe would never look like your dads car mate, far too sporty and nimble for that.

Another tip, avoid car supermarkets, their preparation is poor, they have been know to falsify service history records and they aren't known for good customer service once they have had your money.

They are bad enough for us and a most of the other dealers to walk away from cars at auction we see with car-world etc on numberplates and window stickers.

Best bet is to go main dealer for that sort of car, independant dealer with a long-standing reputation and professional memberships for example the Retail Motor Industry Federation. Buy private to save a few quid but risky, alternatively get yourself down to the auction, there is huge potential saving down the block and a wide choice of cars.

If you need any valuations or anything PM me as I have all the latest books/software packages for this purpose.

 

[HTL]

Thanks for you info and advice mate. Will do that, where abouts is your shop? Im in Leatherhead, Surrey

 

[medwayjon]

I am in Chatham Kent, will leave it there as I don't want to actively plug via the forum but like I say, get in touch if required.

 

[HTL]

Will do. Going to have a look at Mercs later. H.I.D will be hard to bring around she will think I will just be buying it to show off I bet!

 

[medwayjon]

Shame that petrol is so dear as there are some real bargains to be had. If I wasn't for the cost I would have carried on driving my S6 but at £100/week for 120 miles or so it was silly.

There are so many lovely Jags, S-Class Mercs, 740+ BMW's, Big Lexus & Range Rovers that are becoming cheap and very hard to sell. A few dealers I know have stock like this and they can't give it away, the reason is simple, The people who have suitable income to run such beasts can also afford to buy new ones.

 

[haplesshacker]

I of course bow to MWJs knowledge, but if it's someones else's money, I'd go for the Alfa, entirely for external looks, cabin looks, styling, oh and did I mention looks!!

If you want to be invisble, (and not out of pocket) anything German.

Buy with the head, go German. Buy with the heart, go Italian.

Did I mention that they look damn good as well!!

(MWJ is right though, if it's your money go German)

However I guess Alfas would seem okay to me as I'd really like a TVR Sagaris. Might as well go the whole hog and want a Lotus an'all!!

Good hunting, hope that you find something that you're happy with.

By the way MWJ, surely the whole Italian car thing is a bit outdated now, or is it still true of all Alfa models?

 

[HTL]

I know the looks are car porn! But the Merc will last years and loads more room, but the Alfa is so good looking and Wow the back is so fat and sexy and the grill is so Italian and good looking and could you imagine a spin down country roads in it pulling up to a country pub and admiring your car being the sexiest in the car park…………

AAAHHHHHH!!!!!