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Currently got a 1.6 petrol Berlingo (2009) with 44k miles
Does the job on the bike front and camping front but for a newly single fella - looks a bit shit on the lady front!!
Condition wise its got a couple of scuffs and bike marks etc so would be a 6-7/10 so not worth loads. FSH etc so i reckon worth about £4-5K at most
I need a car for commuting (15 miles each way on country roads), Shopping, general pootling about, Bike rack on the back/roof is a MUST. Economy must be 40mpg or better in real life. Fit camping stuff in etc. Not bothered about an estate so no big barges. importantly must look good!
VW Golf should be lady friendly and do everything you want.
bit meh
I'm selling a 2008 Mazda 6 Sport Estate. Good for 40mpg, tow bar, nice big boot.
http://singletrackmag.com/forum/topic/fs-mazda-6-sport-estate-1
A few on here have some very nice MX5's - bike will go in boot wheels of - have a search of threads.
The small Alpha Romeos look great, not sure on the reliability/quality front though.
You did make me chuckle that you think a Golf is meh and you're driving a Berlingo ! Do you have a Postman Pat hat ? 😉
A3 Sportback
hence wanting a fun car lol - berlingo is too old for me 🙂
Alfa Romeo GT JTD with a towbar for the bike rack?
[img] http://pictures2.autotrader.co.uk/imgser-uk/servlet/media?id=8be132510e5bd087e59870d88cf5ea55 [/img]
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201410138184499/
@idiot has posted the model I was thinking about - mate had one and used to put his road bike in the back wheels off, looks great but I do have no idea about reliability etc.
bit meh
What do you expect for £4-5K?
Alfa might work then as suggested, but a bit less practical.
Alfa GT is a good shout, arguably one of the best looking cars for the money (especially the Blackline spec) and even has proper, usable by humans back seats!
Might feel a bit dated as it's based on the 147 platform which I believe is a development over the years of the what started off life as the Fiat Tipo years ago... saying that, if you've been driving a Berlingo it'll feel like a supercar! Also being derived from the 147 they're cheap enough to run and parts are fairly plentiful. Lots of good Alfa specialists around these days too.
It's a shame you want/need 40mpg as I think you can get the last of the proper Alfa V6s, the 3.2 with a Q2 dif would be a cracking car!
Had an Alfa GT before we had kids, was big enough in the back as the seats go down flat, used to get two MTBs in bags along with enough kit for a week in scotland. is a nice place to be, and looks the business 🙂
However, reliability isn't fabulous, be prepared to dedicate a bit of TLC, well worth it though.
Golf, Focus, etc. If you're dead set on getting a real 40mpg you won't be looking at sports cars.
I used to be a BMW fanboi but I'm convinced their build quality has gone right downhill since about 2000 while other manufacturers have been steadily upping their game.
Modern (post 2000) Alfas are pretty reliable.
Maybe something like a Golf GTI or Civic Type R? Fun and practical and not too boy-racer.
keep the ideas coming
**Sorry just re-read your budget requirements... it is nice though...
More up to date but slightly less practical version of the GT - Brera?
2.4 jtd so bags of torque and sufficient if not fantastic mpg.
What is your budget? What about a Golf Mk6 GTD. Fairly fast and excellent fuel ecnomy.
Are you really looking for a lady who cares what car you have rather than who you are?
I'd stick with the Berlingo & be yourself rather than what you think you should be, you'll get found out in the end
Type R will get 27 mpg if your lucky and to get it you need to drive like an oap. No V-Tech at all! Which makes it boring to drive. I loved my EP3 Type R as it was big inside for a 3 door , 2 mtbs in the boot with seats down and just front wheels off. Was sad to see it go but less than 25 mpg average was killing me. I replaced it with an A3, nice car get 40 mpg with bikes on the roof but it's bloody boring to drive and needs another 20bhp at least from the engine.
For £4k-£5k I'd try and pick up a Golf, preferably a GTI and you should get mid 30s out of it I'd think as the new ones easily get 40 mpg.
Seat Leon or Ibiza? Like a golf/big polo but a bit more interesting.
Mazda MX-5 1.8. 40mpg. Saris Bones will take care of the bikes. Camping gear fits in the boot, no problem.
Worked for me when I found myself newly single several years ago 🙂
A mate of mine and a fella from work both had/have Alfa GT's (1.9td) and they seem pretty unreliable from what I've heard of them breaking down regularly getting all manner of warning lights etc.
They do look VERY nice (Alfas always do) but reliability is a concern.
I would probably try and get a petrol NA Alfa if I was to plump for one to keep the complexity down, but even then..
Another thumbs up for an Alfa GT JTD. Had one a few years ago, great at cruising. Again could get 2 bikes and kit in the back. Reliability was good, weak clutches and squeaking suspension bushes were common problems besides corrosion underneath. Not a bad engine either averaged 47mpg and cheap to service as shared with Vauxhalls and Saabs from memory.
for a [b]newly[/b] single fella - looks a bit shit on the lady front!!
Then you'd want to keep it surely? Enjoy life a bit!
And then if you have an 'opportunity' whilst on a biking weekend or such, there's a bit of room in the back! 😉
Looks shit tho
A4 cabrio, 1 series BMW, z4, 3 series e46 Coupe / cab are all in budget. I would think you would get a Mini Cooper happily in that price range too. Girls often seem to value new over good in cars - ie a lease Corsa might go down better than a 25 grand e30 M3 or 2 door P1 Impreza. So make sure whatever you get is kept clean and shiny and has a personalised plate so she can't spot the year. The BMW 1 and z4 are quite good choices as the shape hasn't changed much year on year. A MK1 TT on the other hand is obviously old hat.
The Alfa GT is a nice motor, it is 147 based, you will be changing suspension arms fairly regularly and you must buy one that's had regular fettling from the alfa man and keep it up if you don't want to experience massive depreciation. It's also obscure enough that nobody can be sure when it was made.
That said, I don't think I've ever seen anyone pull due to the car they had...
Want a mini cooper 🙂
What is the budget? You're saying the Berlingo is worth £4-5k, are you hoping to do a straight swap, or top this up?
Want a mini cooper
But you want to attract girls? They'll think you're gay, unless you have a Cooper S, which will fall way short of your specific MPG.
If you want a Mini, buy one, there are thousands out there, most are Coopers (just bought ms njee20 a Cooper Clubman this week), claimed MPG is 42 IIRC, so there or thereabouts. Cooper D will be better, but unless you're doing mega miles it'll probably be offset by costing you more in the first place and the higher servicing costs.
You've dismissed every suggestion in the thread, not really given much information, and seem to know what you want already. Starting to see why you're newly single 😉
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Get yourself a big stick.
Want a mini cooper
I thought you said you were trying to attract women, not have a sex change yourself!
Good car though.
40mpg, good for camping and must be a minge magnet.
Best "what car" thread ever.
Can't you just put some Ripspeed spoilers on the Berlingo? Maybe lower it a bit and stick some blingy alloys on?
njee - lol
You need my Mrs' figaro -meets none of your requierments but i'll gladly take the 5k for it.
Octavia vrs mk 2 had mine 4 yrs no probs, mines petrol 197 bhp I get mid 30s in mixed driving if economy is an issue you can buy a 170 bhp diesel great car if u can look beyond Skoda badge , 2-3k cheaper than a golf because of it.have been looking for a replacement for a few months decided to keep it for a couple more years as I couldn't find anything better
looks a bit shit on the lady front!!
Economy must be 40mpg or better in real life.
nothing gets the ladies than a frugal man 🙄
Just say to hell with economy and budget and get something you'll enjoy.
Essentially it should be a Alpha character followed by a numeric i.e. S3, M3, Z4, Z3(M).
Am i wrong in thinking a panda 100hp would be good fun - but not got an ounce of cool??
Fabia VRS
50 - 60 real world mpg
Quick , nippy car . Smart enough and look especialy good in bright red.
Hatchback so bike carrying shouldnt be much of an issue.
Saab 9-3 convertible. Lovely place to be, and fairly generic GM under the bonnet, so servicing costs reasonable.
Ach Id buy anything with a VW diesel engine. Ive just bought an Octavia VRS with the new style diesel motor which is so much fun to drive, reminds me of driving my old xr3, except Im averaging 53mpg on a run and 49 around town (and I drive like an idiot). The boot is enormous, and its a cool colour with fly alloys. Best car Ive ever had. If you dont want something that big get a Golf or a Fabia VRS. Im sure the equivalent Fords are just as good if you prefer the styling. These cars have all been lauded already in this thread though......for good reason.
[dullard]Or plan b keep the Berlingo and don't get involved with someone who is daft enough to base relationship decisions on what car you drive. Unless you plan to find your new partner in the car park of a retail park on a Saturday evening of course. [/dullard]
Edit: darn I really am a grumpy old man.
If you fancy a change regardless that's another thing and in your shoes I would go for something in the medium/larger hatch territory (I like the Mondeo/Octavia/Leon in that sector) smart but still practical.
MandI'd spend the cash on holidays instead... meet some fit rich european girls on a fortnight ski trip instead!
Still thinking panda 100hp. No-one has commented yet!!
panda 100hp.
and you mentioned attracting the laydeezz in your OP..... sounds like you'll be batting for the other team in a panda.
+1 for not trying to impress ladies with your car - drive something you want to drive and that meets your needs as a car - and if thats a panda then buy a panda.
OP- if a girl is really bothered about what car you drive as one of her main criteria then shes not right (for anyone).
A good car but still a compromise for camping/biking really.Still thinking panda 100hp.
Plus any shallow girl wont look at you.
If you want to impress a girl, concentrate on personal hygene, GOOD clothes and ideas to wow/keep her thinking 'what are we doing next as this is great so far'.
I had a 1.6 petrol Xsara Picasso as a stop-gap. I'll admit I liked it alot.
For 5k - the max to grab a shallow girl- get a Audi A3. Its a mix of a certain amount of style, isn't offensive and alot of people like them.
To everyone else its blander than dish water.
Honda Civic 1.6 i-dtec
Not a sports car... but punchy enough for overtaking. Only real negative is lack of steering feel.
120bhp, plenty of torque.
BUT... 65MPG minimum. 70+ if you drive like a granny.
super clever seats, so bikes are easy.
Sporty cars are over-rated 😉