Wotcha. I've just joined the forum and while posting in the newies' section a problem came to light.

I've got £10-£11k to spend on a vRS estate. Problem is, apparently, that's too much to spend on a Mk I and not enough to buy a Mk II.

Autotrader has a selection of nice Mk Is (I stand to be corrected of course), with around 17k-25k on the clock for about £10k.

Some wiser Briskoda hands have said I shouldn't drop that much on an older version, but I simply can't justify another 40 per cent on my budget. 'Er indoors would scalp me.

So what should I pay for a Mk I? I'm only looking for stock, not tweaked, motors BTW.

Since I shoulder charged a tyre wall at about 90mph in July I'm off the road - at least until the middle of December. It's a bit chronically naive to think the Mk IIs will have come down by then...

Suggestions?

Thanks in advance,

David

I got my 54 plater a year ago and paid just shy of £10k with 24k miles.

Now on 36k and considered the same as you that if I wanted to change to a mk2 they're way too much money and likely to stay that way for some time :( .

I'd say go for the mk1 if you can get a decent low mileage one on as late a plate as possible. (I think 55 is about the last?)

Plus you still have the option to remap it to beyond standard mk2 power easily anyway

So spend less on a Mk1 and keep the money for some of life's finer things? :confused:

I'd spend about £8k - £9k on a very tidy Mk1, and keep some cash either in the bank, on mods, have a holiday etc etc.

I do recommend you hold out for the colour and spec that you want though.

either do as aboev say or (think i may get scalped here) buy another car. audi s3, leon cupra r theres a lot out there for that sorta money.

Like most blokes who know very little about a motor/house/holiday I desperately don't want to a) buy the wrong thing and 2) pay too much for it. My criteria are: four doors and preferably an estate. The g/f is terrible at parking and so will doubtless crunch or scrape something, so bits/servicing etc should be as low as possible. And the car should be as fun as possible. Which is why I'm here...

Mondeo ST220?

tbh i know what you mean and the VRs is all of those you need imo similar to why i bought mine.

id spend about 8-9k on the newest nicest one you can find and keep rest for fun.

also have a look at the 4x4 estate "laurin and klement" ( i think thats right) as they have all options and are v nice. but only 150 bhp but with money saved can be remapped.

If you want low servicing costs , I have to say I don't think the VAG group fit that bill.

I'd have a good look at a lot of cars and test drive a few. While the MKI VRS is a fun enough car there are plenty of others out there too for the same or less money.

I could get a Mondey Ghia X with the 2.2 TDCI engine for 11k, at 6months to 1 year old, so I would guess there are plenty of other options in your price range.

Bear in mind that there are invariably little 'faults' with a new-model car which only come to light after they have been in production for three to four years and get sorted out during production later in the cars' life.

I'd recommend getting a tidy late-Mk I car as it should be as near faultless as you can get. Also, with a new model having been due out at the time the dealer may have chucked in some extra kit as 'standard' to help clear out the old stock.

Ah, yes - good thinking. I've considered the following - BMW 320D Sport (great to drive, good to chip and last well but need pricey dealer servicing), Honda Accord Type S (rides nicely, very reliable, loads of toys, but the 2.4 VTEC is apparently very dull), Passat Tdi 130 (good diesel, cheaper than an A4, bit big for g/f to drive without battering things) and A4 Avant Sport (firm ride, nice diesel, great 1.8T motor (of course), again - pricey servicing is what stops me. And her driving, again).

And so, back to the vRS...

Alfa 156?

I think BMW are running some kind of TLC pack aren't they? Guess it depends how old the car you're looking at is. If it's out of warranty, I'd be finding a good indy specialist to work on it, regardless of what I bought

Others suggestions... Mk3 Mondeo ST220, Volvo T5-R, Impreza, Legacy, Mitsubishi VR4, Signum, BMW 325/328/330d........

Chris

Yeah, Rich, I considered the Alfa 156 2.5JTD...then I spoke to an Alfa mechanic. He says they make great company cars, but if you're picking up the bills it's better to go Jap or German. Or Czech.

I've had a 'Bishi - great car, but spares and the dealers are surprisingly dear. The 220 Mondeo is awesome and if I could afford one I'd be tempted, but only the petrol ones are in reach.

Nah - I'll do what the honourable gentleman suggested earlier - wait and see what the dealers do at Xmas with an armful of cash waved under their nose.

Can anyone recommend a dealer in the South East/London area?

It'll more depend on what's on the table rather than wholly the dealers reputation.

Prices will fall on the MKII but I doubt to the 10 to 12k level by xmas. Certainly not for a tidy one and estates will br more expensive.

Have you seen the boot space on a Hatch?

the Petrol ST220 is supposedly a really good car from what ive heard and the only reason i didn't get one is the fuel costs which i heard can be pretty scary. its what the VXR vectra was aimed at and is one of the rarest cars in the uk

Having had a passenger ride in the St220 Mondy... Wow, just wow.

That is from somebody who hates petrol engined cars.

Amazing kit, no? The economy is pretty dire, tho, unless you've got diesel. Which is more casho. Poop.

I cannae have the hatchie - she wants a dog. I could simply buy some gaffer tape, a length of rope a four small rollerskates, tho....

I have a 05 mk1 hatch, and I love it! I can't justify spending essentially double what it is worth to get a new vRS however I think the new estate is better looking than the hatch this time.

The 1.8 20vt engine is refined, quiet, easily tuneable to mk2 power and economical.

Find a really nice MK1, and save the rest of your money as mentioned above.

black or silver? silver or black, I have had it 2 1/2 years and I still can't make my mind up!

The g/f is terrible at parking and so will doubtless crunch or scrape something, so bits/servicing etc should be as low as possible.

Rember the vrs is quite low if the gf is not to good at parking don't let her bump over too many curbs, or your front bumper may start to look pretty tatty!