I am looking for a second car, because the missus has to use the Octavia for work, and I am getting fedup of catching two trains each way to work.

I fancy sticking with diesel, but I don't want another Octavia or even a Fabia, I want something a bit different.

I used to own Alfas and really love them, and I fancy a 2006 - 2008 GT with less than 100K miles. Has anyone ever had one of these, and if so, what are they like?

Please don't make comments about Alfas and reliability, because I have had four, and none of them ever let me down on the road.

Cheers.

Pretty car but never had one. Mate had a Brera diesel of that era and had little bother I as recall.

Well we’ve succumbed to a brand new Holden (Vauxhall/Opel) Astra, BK model, R+ 1.4 turbo 6 Spd auto (radar braking, lane assist etc) for £11500 with 3 yr free servicing, drive away.

Colour :white

Genuine white goods at that price

I somehow am liking the look of the Vauxhall Grandland X, a sister car to the Peugeot 3008 i believe, just not so blingy & they will be Much Cheapness 

very soon no doubt.

Even the Crossland X looks ok to me these days as my eyesite fails.

If Vauxhall has actually managed to produce a model that has no Fundamental Design or Manufacturing faults then as they keep turning out loads of them there must be bargains and ones worth running as a keeper.

 

 

Edited 13 January, 20188 yr by AwaoffSki

^^^^^^^^ Not so much the bling as the tech that concerns me over time, and particularly once out of warranty George.

I’m back to hankering for KISS in retirement.

(and how long before our local PSA dealership can service the Astra, I wonder)

 

 

I'm considering a KISS commuter. 20k a year in the beemer just feels wrong.

 

I clear the mortgage in July might think about a Dacia for the miles and something for the weekend. But it'll need 4 seats :-(

^^^?

Had a 'Brake Service' warning yet & not limp mode but no 'Sport', while brake pads, discs and connections are all OK?,

just a 'By miles' thing.

10 hours ago, Aspman said:

I'm considering a KISS commuter. 20k a year in the beemer just feels wrong.

 

I clear the mortgage in July might think about a Dacia for the miles and something for the weekend. But it'll need 4 seats :-(

One of George’s Jimnys .....and make you appreciate the beemer even more.

Already offered my short log carrier rather than a Landy but seemingly something bigger than a Tonka is wanted.

Just now, AwaoffSki said:

Already offered my short log carrier rather than a Landy but seemingly something bigger than a Tonka is wanted.

I can’t think of a KISS car still being sold otherwise.    A long ‘features’ list is the priority.

12 hours ago, Ryeman said:

One of George’s Jimnys .....and make you appreciate the beemer even more.

 

12 hours ago, AwaoffSki said:

Already offered my short log carrier rather than a Landy but seemingly something bigger than a Tonka is wanted.

 

I'm not sure I could cope with 20k year in George's Tonka.

 

No.

Just a short distance kind of thing.

It took me over 10 years to do 20,000 miles.

 

?

Have you seen the 2 Defenders sitting at Lamb & Gardiner Coupar Angus?

 

I could not do 10,000 miles a year in a Dacia Duster, they are an odd think to sit in.

 

Skoda Karoq is damn comfy.  & an easy in easy out sort of thing.

Why do Skoda / SEAT / VW / AUDI put their Crossover / SUV / some being part time AWD's out on rubbish ECO / Summer tyres and not 

have a good factory fit All Weather tyre option at no extra cost rather than Dealers trying to sell a Winter Tyre / Wheel package?

Edited 16 January, 20188 yr by AwaoffSki

The grill aside, I’m wondering if Suzuki’s S-cross works as an economical runabout.

 

What Petrol engines do you get in Australia.

The more expensive to buy 1.4 is a nicer more fuel efficient one than the cheaper 1.6 i read.

But then it all depends what you consider as economical.

1 minute ago, AwaoffSki said:

What Petrol engines do you get in Australia.

The more expensive to buy 1.4 is a nicer more fuel efficient one than the cheaper 1.6 i read.

But then it all depends what you consider as economical.

Agree George 

Give me a small turbo over a bigger na any day.

Diesel like torque and better fuel efficiency........even Honda agree and Toyota and Suzuki and.....

Its our last before battery power I’m thinking, and certainly not one with a GPF.

But then maybe better reliability with N/A. 

& simplicity.   What the difference in Europe is the Drive Trains offered with the different engines.

Apart from the fuglyness the Jeep / Fiat Renagade is rather good in the engine and gearbox choices, 

but then Fiat do the same or similar drive train choices in the less offensive looking versions they do.

Fiat 500X

Edited 18 January, 20188 yr by AwaoffSki

I just love the low down torque.

Cars are white goods out here at least.

24 years ago a basic Nissan Pulsar Q man with ac and nothing else cost $4000 dollars MORE than a ‘loaded’ Astra ....bags, esc, cc, radar braking....one could go on.   Not to mention the $A depreciation, lower wages etc......you have to pinch yourself to believe it.

When the turbo does eventually fail look for the recycling centre.

KISS is long gone.