NEW CAR FOR BUBBLE

by south african beef 32 Replies latest jw friends

  • south african beef
    south african beef

    Bubble and I are off to choose a new car for her tomorrow.

    We won't get it tomorrow as she wants the new '08 plate but we have to decide soon.

    The choice is either a VW Golf 1.6tsi Match or a Fiat Grande Punto 1.4Dynamic Sport - which shall we go for?

    The Glof we would probably have to buy on Personal Contract Hire but the Punto we buy outright. She has a Punto now.

    I know the Golf has a good reputation for reliability but it's a bit dull! She only does 10,000 miles per year and the Punto has that great Italian flair (might be biased, I've got an Alfa Romeo) and the quality has improved greatly recently.

    What do you all reckon?

    Probably don't want to include and Americans in this as they are way behind Europe in car styling and dynamics! (not intended to upset anyone!)

    Regards

    SAB

  • free2think
    free2think

    Ok cool, thats sounds like fun.

    I dont know anything much about cars but i hope you have a good time car shopping.

  • south african beef
    south african beef

    Thanks Free2Think.

    We should have fun - today I've been poring over websites and looking through car mags trying to help Bubble make her mind up.

    We'll just have to wait until she drives them both and then she will know which one is best for her.

    Regards

    SAB

  • llbh
    llbh

    Hi depends what you want.

    My last 4 cars have been vw's all good all reliable. My son has our old passat 121k starts 1st time despite being outside. original clutch and exhaust. I now have a Touran. Go for higher spec if poss. Goodies worth imo. Get climate control if u can it is wonderful.

    Most cars are reliable though .

    Depreciation worse in Italian cars, though they are usually cheaper.

    Regards llbh

  • AlphaOmega
    AlphaOmega

    Some photos would be good to help us all choose for you

  • VoidEater
    VoidEater

    From my somewhat dated experience, I would balance the extra cost against what would I think would be the somewhat tighter/heavier German suspension, and it's highter-tech peppier engine. Will you miss the likely more exciting performance driving experience? If no, the Fiat will give you I think comparable room and comfort these days - and a happier pocketbook.

    I'd take each out and see what it feels like.

    I would go with the VW myself. But I'm one of those Americans.

  • south african beef
    south african beef

    All what you say is true llbh, that's exactly what I've been debating all day. Reliability is good with VW's but they are bland, I love the Itailan flair for design and their reliability is better now.

    However it's Bubbles choice - so I better keep my opinions to myself!

    Alpha and Omega ( or is that Alfa and Omega!) - don't ask me to do anything technical - I'm useless at uploading photos and stuff. If I can work it out I will. Suffice to say both cars are small (supermini or compact European), 5 door hatchbacks. Both are very good on the old miles per gallon. up to 51 for the Golf and 62 for the Alfa and that is with petrol engines.

    Regards,

    SAB

  • AlphaOmega
    AlphaOmega

    Fiat Grande Punto 1.4Dynamic Sport VW Golf 1.6fsi Match

    Are these the right ones ?

    By the way - your username always makes me think of Biltong. Is that what it means - or am I being thick ?

  • south african beef
    south african beef

    Void Eater - what you say makes sense though the Alfa definitely has the sportier engine and it is cheaper to insure, though the residual value after three years is a lot less. However as I said if we went for the Golf we would be getting it on a contract where we pay a fixed ammount per month then either pay a large 'baloon' payment at the end to keep the car, or jus hand it back and have to start all over.

    Prices in the UK are about £15,100 for the Golf (about $30,000) and about £11,600 ($23,000) for the Punto. Prices here are madly high aren't they? That's what happens when you live in the socialist republic of Europe I'm afraid!

    Alpha - thanks very much for posting the pics - they are correct though the particular models we are interested in have a higher spec.

    Thanks again, I would ask how you did it but the techno jargon will confuse me!

    Biltong is dried srtips of meat that they have as snacks in South Africa. However, despite being born there, I am British and in fact have lived in England since I was a baby. Sorry about the confusing username!

    Regards

    SAB

  • AlphaOmega
    AlphaOmega

    Alpha - thanks very much for posting the pics - they are correct though the particular models we are interested in have a higher spec.

    Thanks again, I would ask how you did it but the techno jargon will confuse me!

    Biltong is dried srtips of meat that they have as snacks in South Africa. However, despite being born there, I am British and in fact have lived in England since I was a baby. Sorry about the confusing username!

    Regards

    SAB

    No prob for the pics - sorry the spec is wrong - cars aren't my thing really (well, not since they became packed full of computers).

    I just searched for the car names on Google Images, loaded up the pic on the screen, right clicked and copied it... then pasted it in the JWD post.

    Biltong is lovely - very expensive over here though compared to SA.

    Oh... the most important thing about a car is the colour of it - any ideas about that ?

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