Two Faced

[Clivey]

OK: Imagine you have a family of four and associated luggage etc. that you want to be able to ferry in comfort with 40+ mpg economy, BUT you also want a car that'll be entertaining on the right road. Will it be:

Alfa-Romeo 159 1.9JDTM Turismo 4-door
Technical Specifications: http://www.alfaromeo.co.uk/cgi-bin/p...y=831403640000

Notable Features: Cruise Control, Climate Control, Single CD-Player with radio controls on steering wheel, "Alfatex" upholstery, Chilled armrest compartment, Turbo pressure gauge, 16" alloy wheels, Trip Computer, 6-speed manual gearbox, Saloon bodystyle

Honda Accord 2.2 i-CDTi Sport 4-door
Technical Specifications: http://www.honda.co.uk/car

Notable Features:

Vauxhall Vectra 1.9 CDTi (150BHP) Elite 5-door
Technical Specifications: http://www.vauxhall.co.uk/vx/configu...TechnicalSpecs

Notable Features: Leather upholstery with heated front seats, Satellite Navigation with dashboard mounted CD-changer, Climate Control, 17" alloy wheels, Trip Computer, 60/40 Split rear seats with "load through" facility, 6-speed manual gearbox, Hatchback bodystyle

Volkswagen Passat 2.0TDi SE 4-door
Technical Specifications: http://www.vw.co.uk/new_cars/passat_...engine_id=1205

Notable Features: Electrically adjustable driver's seat, Velour upholstery with "load through" facility, Single CD-Player with MP3 compatability, Rear air vents, Semi-automatic Air Conditioning, 16" alloy wheels, Trip Computer, Automatic Handbrake, 6-speed manual gearbox, Saloon bodystyle

[IBrake4Rainbows]

......Entertaining? out of that lot?

Gotta be the Alfa. if only for the sheer beauty of the thing.

[jediali]

The Alfa ranks way ahead in driver appeal both on the road and as a soulful car, but its pricey. The honda is the best package in my opinion as a family car..but wheres the new mondeo! It really is a fantastic car apparetly.

Why these four?, the way i see it:

- family D segment = mondeo, passat, vectra, primera,..
- compact executive = 3 series, C calss, X-type, IS, 159...

[Clivey]

The Alfa ranks way ahead in driver appeal both on the road and as a soulful car, but its pricey. The honda is the best package in my opinion as a family car..but wheres the new mondeo! It really is a fantastic car apparetly.

Why these four?, the way i see it:

- family D segment = mondeo, passat, vectra, primera,..
- compact executive = 3 series, C calss, X-type, IS, 159...

Good question, and one I would have asked. The answer comes in this form:

I'm looking to buy used in about 6 months' time. At the current rates of depreciation, these four cars will all cost less than £13k with less than 20k miles on the clock.

The new Mondeo's only just been launched, so it hasn't had the chance to depreciate yet, and I don't like the previous generation version at all (I travel in one as a taxi most days, so I know what it's like)

[jediali]

Good question, and one I would have asked. The answer comes in this form:

I'm looking to buy used in about 6 months' time. At the current rates of depreciation, these four cars will all cost less than £13k with less than 20k miles on the clock.

The new Mondeo's only just been launched, so it hasn't had the chance to depreciate yet, and I don't like the previous generation version at all (I travel in one as a taxi most days, so I know what it's like)

i see, good point, i would say the accord still. But what about..

family of four

Is there anything you need to get of your chest or is this wishful thinking

EDIT: I am in a similar situation myself. Hoping to get my first career job soon and hence a better car. But i'm not thinking 4 door, more driver orientated coupe/roadster options insurance allowing. I will probably ask opinions on my options in due time.

[Clivey]

Is there anything you need to get of your chest or is this wishful thinking

Lol. OK, basically with my Dad being a driving instructor, he has a Mini One D for his instruction car, Mum has another that's also a stand-in for Dad's incase anything goes wrong. This leaves me with the "biggest" car in the family - currently a Vauxhall Corsa 3-door...that's a Corsa for family of four...See the problem?

[cmcpokey]

EDIT: I am in a similar situation myself. Hoping to get my first career job soon and hence a better car. But i'm not thinking 4 door, more driver orientated coupe/roadster options insurance allowing. I will probably ask opinions on my options in due time.

i would recommend a mini for that.. that was my position, and it has sufficed beautifully.

to the question at hand, it would be the alfa hands down. so so pretty.

[Cotterik]

considering the fact that having 3 more people in the car pretty much kills any of the performance the cars originally had

I'd have to go with the alfa. The other 3 cars would fit well in a dull urban driveway. But the Alfa puts a real smile on anyones face. Its beauty is worth the money if anything.

[Clivey]

considering the fact that having 3 more people in the car pretty much kills any of the performance the cars originally had

I'd have to go with the alfa. The other 3 cars would fit well in a dull urban driveway. But the Alfa puts a real smile on anyones face. Its beauty is worth the money if anything.

Luckily I won't have to carry the rest of the family all the time, then ...believe it or not, it's the Vectra that's actually the fastest car here in a straight line!

[jediali]

Your the only car enthusiast i know that favours the vectra. no offence intended but the 2 key reasons its bought is keen pricing and fleet deals...not driving fun. If i had to get a vectra but didn't want the image asscociated with it i'd get a 9-3.

[Clivey]

Your the only car enthusiast i know that favours the vectra. no offence intended but the 2 key reasons its bought is keen pricing and fleet deals...not driving fun. If i had to get a vectra but didn't want the image asscociated with it i'd get a 9-3.

If I "favour" the Vectra, why have I made this thread and poll? Notice also that I haven't voted. I think it's a good car, that's all - just like the other "contenders" here...

...if I wanted a Vectra and didn't want the image associated with it, I'd get a 159 . Same chassis and engine.

[my porsche]

Well I think they are all going to be awfully boring to drive, so I'll go on looks, which in this case goes to the Honda with big grey wheels.

[Quiggs]

2.0T and 3.6L Passats are pretty entertaining to drive, considering their size. Don't know about the TDIs though, since we don't get them.

And the Alfa is fugly. I said it. What now?

[Vindesh17]

Although the Alfa is tempting I'd go with the Honda.

[digitalcraft]

Mazda 6