used car suggestion required...

I have to get my first car and i'm going for a used one... on my mind are:


volvo S40
volvo S60
alfa 156
alfa 159
skoda octavia
honda accord
honda prelude
BMW serie 3
audi 4

please post your impression on the following car if you have ever had or drove one.

karsten

ps: what is a resonable webpgae with car reviews?

edited: i'll post here the ofers i find around.

first one

volvo s40 from 2004
2000 TD
85000km
9500 euros (to be argued about) 1 year warrantry

 

I wouldn't risk buying a used alfa. Actually I wouldn't risk buying a new one either..

 

Go Swedish or German, can't fail there..

 

have you had bad experiences? the old alfas were awful (alfasud anyone?), but seems that from the 156 on they've got really better...

how does that S40 offer seems to you guys?

 

quite a few of my associates and friends had alfas and they didn't follow up the brand on their next purchase. Actually one of them replaced a Alfa 75 with a 3Series BMW for example.

BMWs are a driver's car..unlike an Audi or Mercedes they feel more video-gamish in the way they can slide and turn, it's always like the car is pivoting around your hips.

That said volvos and audis are probably safer.

 

I take it the S40 you priced in was from a dealer? - I just took a quick look at a few local sales on pistonheads and for similar money in England you could get a 2008 model.

I'd go with what people have already said; stay away from Alfa, especially older models. It's generally the electrics! Don't buy French either.

German is your best bet. I drive an Audi A3 and since new have had no problems at all; it's coming upto it's third birthday! I have friends who drive German too and no complaints!

I wouldn't buy a Honda as they depreciate in value too quickly.

My advise would be not to buy from a dealer.

Good Luck! :thumbsup:

 

here in italy it's a must to buy from a dealer since they give warrantry for up to 2 years on the cars they sale... this dealer will give 4 brand new tires+complete engine check and warrantry.

private sale are unsafe, you might never know what you'll run into! or at least this is what i've heard from friends here; a few were so desperate after buying a used car from a private they had to resell in a few months...

BTW on that pistonhead page where do you find the quotations?


BTW, thanks all for your suggestions!

 

It all depends what you really need ...
I got an Audi A3, its 6 years old now (its 2nd A3 generation, i purchased it 8 months after release). Its 2.0 FSI 150hp, so far, no problems.
My gf has a VW Polo 1.9 TDI its about 8 years old and i think that it has arround 85hp, same thing, so far, no problems.
Well, i have to say that to drive on the city i preffer the Polo, but thats my taste ...
I would avoid Alfa aswell, i only heard bad things about those, and Volvos look shit to my eyes.
From the list you got, i would pick the BMW depending on year and kms, i used to drive an A4 aswell and i never liked how this car goes, my A3 has much better grip.

 

Better to give us a price range and the kind of model you are looking for. A mid-size Saloon/Sedan from the sounds of it. A Saab 93 is a very nice car in that bracket.

 

Honda or VolvoS40

 

i dont know if this happens the same on the rest of countries, but here in Spain, if you got a saab you have to go to porsche for spares, not a good idea to purchase one, i asume that this is one of the reasons no1 has those cars here

 

This is probably something you shoud take up with local friends or other folks that live in Italy. There are too many variables and what is good elsewhere might not work where you are.

 

I never knew that. In the US, most GM dealers will service Saabs and some still sell them. I guess they are transitional at the moment.

I would be surprised if the whole of Europe had to go to Porsche for parts. Does anyone else know?

 

the chassis will rot before the engine or tranny die.

 

german = electronic nightmare.

 

lol, true.

 

thanks for the feedback i'll keep you guys updated regarding other offers i'll get made

 

a little update:

i had a run on the s40 and even at 80k kms it's almost brand new both inside and outside... I've been offered it a 9300 euros with all the taxes in and 1 year complete warrantry in all europe (the same as on the new cars), or at 9700euros with 2 years warrantry. BTW it's a freaking great car, confortable, silent, decently fast!

today i plan visiting BMW and Honda... i'll let you know what they'll offer, even tought the s40 almost conquered my heart already!

 

ok i've been offered an honda accord too
2.200cc ctdi 140cv this one has as a + the integrated navi..
this one too from 2004 same price as the s40, so i'm a little puzzled on what to do...

i'll have a test drive today or tomorrow, but i think it'll be really difficult to choose...

in the end the choice will be between honda and volvo...