Advice on new car

[Norman Verona]

I hate diesels!!!

I would still change oil and filter every 3000 miles and the air and fuel every 12,000.

I'm working on a friends diesel Espace at the moment (nightmare!). The oil's like Tate & Lyle treacle (in the green tin).

I'm black up to my elbows in half an hour of starting work.

[Reidy]

Norm, Had a Peugeot 307 SW for a year or two, Couldnt fault it, It was the SE model with full glass roof and all the toys, It was a roomy car, 7 seats if you needed them and didnt look the worst either, It was the 110 diesel model, dont know what the petrol deriative is like though.

[brianm]

Renault build quality is much improoved but only over the last 2 years or so, so if you go that way make sure it's fairly new. (Actually you may be OK buying in France as I'm sure they send all the crap ones over here)

The missus has a diesel Clio, an ex demo '52plte. Been faultless in 45K so far. I have a diesel Megane est, 2 and a bit years old now and I'm happy enough with that.

I did have the previous Megane though, RXE top of range car, 8 months old. Hated the lack of quality feel to it and let it go after only a month.

We tried the latest Clio as the missus was considering swapping. Excellant feel and massive improvement in build over the one she has now, but this one will stay 'til it dies, giving 65 to 70+mpg week in week out, you can't knock.

I'd certainly reconsider the diesel option.

[steve_m]

I'm working on a friends diesel Espace at the moment (nightmare!). The oil's like Tate & Lyle treacle (in the green tin).

I'm black up to my elbows in half an hour of starting work.

Stop your whining Norm       Change the oil - it should look and feel like petrol oil but black.

You can always pressure wash the engine bay before you start if that French lump has been leaking oil everywhere.  My engine bay is as clean as a petrol car engine bay.

[Norman Verona]

Actually the engine and bay aren't too bad, it's when you start taking the manifolds and cam cover off that it's treaclly.

Of course I'll cange the oil and filters whilst it's out, got to really if the heads been off.

This car has 285,000 Kms on the clock so hasn't done too bad.

Brianm, she does about 3000 miles a year so fuel economy isn't that much of an issue.

[matthew h]

go for the Clio sport. Point out to her that you have the Elise & she needs something for her

[LordB]

I think the twingo is too small and poofy for her.

I was thinking of a Clio Sport.

But then she reminded me that I had the Elise  

go for the V6 Clio then..........more than enough room for a passenger!

probably the best French car ever put on the road! (now theres a challenge)

[Chris_G]

How about one of these PANDA 100HP

Evo seem to love them!

Chris

[Norman Verona]

Chris, has it been breathed on by Arbarth?

Pug 307 SW may be a good compromise.

Good food for thought,

Thanks all, now all I've got to do is find some money. And I'm working on that.