The Micra's slowly killing me. I can feel the petrol in my veins chilling, every time I take the key out of my pocket. I'm still looking at different cars, and the current shortlist looks something like this:

* Focus RS

* Audi S4 Avant (v6 biturbo)

* Seat Leon Cupra R

* MG ZT 260 SE

The final car on the list can now be had for

Is that the Ford V8 engine? The one they say is in the Mustang?

Nice,but S4 Avant nicer

Make sure you get a decent warranty with it (garage one of course) IMO I would leave well alone. Seat Leon Cupra R for me from that list

i had a brief think about getting one of these.

plus side:

massive v8: noise, torque

rear wheel drive

rare

last ever "british" grand tourer

negative:

drink fuel

manufacturer's gone bust, have to rely on xpart for spares

not actually all that big inside for a big car

build quality not terrible but not as good as VAG

if you can afford the fuel, it'd be interesting...

S4 for me please

My problem with the S4 is that it's pretty cramped in the back, and they're getting on a bit. It's 12-13K for a 6 year old car, and they're not known for being especially robust. I'd also need to spend money getting the soggy suspension sorted out.

It's been mentioned on here that insurance for rovers is now difficult to get due to the parts problem and some insurers are now refusing cover.

I'll bear that in mind Eddy, thanks for the heads-up.

S4 more cramped in the back than the others?

Would be the S4 every day for me.

Conver the mg to lpg and you will be laughing.

S4 for me!...Can't understand anyone wanting a Rover!...no matter how cheap it is!

Chris

S4 for me!...Can't understand anyone wanting a Rover!...no matter how cheap it is!

You clearly haven't heard that V8 :eek2:

The S4's running costs are pretty high - it is a proper performance car and needs the servicing to go with that too.

Too many launches from a standing start and the 4 wheel drive system eats clutches.

There is a buyers guide in latest Top Gear mag if you are interested...

Awesome car - not much can keep up, esp. with the level of comfrt...

It's been mentioned on here that insurance for rovers is now difficult to get due to the parts problem and some insurers are now refusing cover.

No it is not

Try any of the direct line group (Direct Line, Churchill, Tesco) or More Than.

My old ZS was cheaper than my 1.6 Octavia.

Or confused.com

Awesome car - not much can keep up, esp. with the level of comfrt...

What's putting me off the S4 is the age; I'm looking at a 6 year old car which is likely to have been driven pretty hard. The rear legroom is also pretty dreadful, and I'd need to spend money on sorting out the crap OEM suspension.

The prob is the s4 doesnt handle... doesnt ride and is a 2 generations old audi...

The exhaust note is terrible..

if you want fun you want rwd.

I would go for the MG... do you remember the reveiw Clarkson gave it? he's pretty scathing when he tests cars round the track, and he raved about the MG, he loved it, so without a doubt, it would be a much better drivers car than the Audi.... and yes, that engine! go for it!!!!

If it was my

MG. No. Consider the residuals alone!!! Walk away

For

But the MG has lost most of it's value anyway.

The V8 will be a collectors car - no doubt. Buy it now and look after it.

Fantastic car, the engine sound is gorgeous - only problem is the fuel consumption (not a car for a high mileage driver).

But if I could afford the running costs or doing less mileage (20 - 25k per anum) guess what I'd be doing right now (or would have done last month). It wouldn't have been visiting a Skoda showroom.

What was the list price for them? Can't see it being a collectors car though

Is Rover really dead or will they be back.....again,again.

MG. No. Consider the residuals alone!!! Walk away

I'm not sure they will be that bad, it is afterall a limited run on the car (it just came in just as rover started to go down) last year models were at £20k and now down to a possible £10k. I doubt they will drop much more.

List price was around the £26-28k mark depending on model spec, and I think they will be a collectors car in a few years time.

Like I said if it was my money I know I'd take the MG, RWD and handles fairly well for a big(ish) car. The engine is also very under tuned which should mean it will last even longer

The ZT was £33K list price for the SE spec (including the electric seats, sat-nav and TV). Down to 11K in just over a year. The thought of it being worth 5K in 2 years frightens me. The insurance quotes are also strange - as much as £1200 (less than they quote me for a 993)

I like the Focus a lot, but I'd have to find an extra £2-3K from somewhere.

For interest, I do about 8000 miles per year, about 60% of which are around town.

Assuming 20 mpg (you'll get more) = 400 litres of juice =