New Car

[rogant stard]

Looking for help.

Thought I'd take advantage of the off topic forum and seek advice from you all.

After taking my previous motor to the skip earlier this week I'm now looking for a replacement - hopefully one with brakes and a working engine.

I've got about 5k to throw around and ideally want something less than 5 years old, low mileage and pref less than 1.6cc.

Does anybody have any advice or suggestions?

I'm not rushing into it - have the loan of a pushbike for now which I'm just about remembering how to use - but want something soon.

Maybe then I can post a picture of my new car complete with chauffeur and personal valet.

[Chris]

Volkswagen Polo.

We've just bough one for my girlfriend. 1998, Polo 1.4cl, 5-door.

£4850.

[swimusa]

A Volkswagen Polo? Ok, so I went to the London Times (yes, I know you call it the Times because it is the first newspaper called the Times, but the world no longer revolves around you :p , just kidding) and typed in the proper search items, and what is a Volkswagen Polo, or a Vauxhall or a Daihatsu? These are real car companies? I mean I know Volkswagen is, with its Jetta, Golf, New Beetle and Passat models, but never heard of a Polo. But Vauxhall, and Daihatsu? Why do they not sell in the largest economy in the world? Bizarre.

[rogant stard]

Thanks for your help Swimusa - never really intended this thread to degenerate into a debate on the merits of the GB/USA's automotive industry.

However, Chris - sounds like a good deal but I'm not really a Polo man, if you were talking a Golf then maybe.

Any more suggestions?

While we're on the subject of looking for help - does anyone have any advice on what to do when a massive water leak from the flat above begins dripping into yours for a few hours then, just as it's getting dark and with the most unhelpful set of plumbers supposedly on their way, rips the wallpaper off the ceiling and cascades into your living room for the next 4 or 5 hours, turning all the electricity in the flat off.

Laptop battery running low now so may not get to pick up any replies for a while but look forward to any assistance - though don't turn it into a GB buildings/plumbers etc are much worse than those in the States thread please Swimusa;)

[swimusa]

I'll try and retain such remarks.

[Steve]

Originally posted by swimusa
and what is a Volkswagen Polo, or a Vauxhall or a Daihatsu? These are real car companies? I mean I know Volkswagen is, with its Jetta, Golf, New Beetle and Passat models, but never heard of a Polo. But Vauxhall, and Daihatsu? Why do they not sell in the largest economy in the world? Bizarre.

I suspect that a polo wouldn't sell in America, too small, only a 1.0 litre engine y'see :D

As for Vauxhall, part of General Motors (I suspect you've heard of them ;) ) and AFAIK most of the larger models have a lot in common with those sold in the states.

Daihatsu are Korean, probably sell under a different name if they do at all in the US They all sell all over Europe. Would have thought (and I'm no economist) that here isn't a huge difference between the US economy and that of Europe combined.

[BigFish]

I might be wrong (most likely am), but I think VW used to market the polo in the states as the VW Rabbit! Like I said, I'm probably wrong, but Jack Ryan used to own one in Tom Clancy's books and it sounded about the same size! At least, it did the way I read ;)

Oh yeah, Mr Stard, are you complaining about having your very own indoor swimming pool?

[rogant stard]

Originally posted by BigFish
Oh yeah, Mr Stard, are you complaining about having your very own indoor swimming pool?

[edit by Chris] Yes .......... [/edit by Chris]

[swimusa]

The Volkswagen Rabbit was replaced with the Golf in 1986. If Vauxhall is a GM company, then it has striking similarities with other GM cars. You can see the similarities between Cadillacs Chevrolets and Pontiacs. And the only Korean cars sold here are Kia, Hyundai, and Daewoo (which is teetering on bankruptcy).

And as for the Polo being too small for the US, they are selling the Mini here now, and I have seen at least 10 of them, and I think they're neat.

[rogant stard]

Originally posted by rogant stard


[edit by Chris] Yes .......... [/edit by Chris]

Sorry!

[lane4]

Did you write something naughty there Stard?

[rogant stard]

Originally posted by lane4
Did you write something naughty there Stard?

While not writing it fully I alluded to something naughty.

Either way I promise it won't happen again. But I must be excused after enduring the week I've had - I'm sure you'll agree.

[sub24]

Why do cars in Great Britain cost double the price they do in North America? Including European cars like BMW?

[swimusa]

Taxes, titles, options, government regulations. Why does gas cost upto 3 or more pounds less per gallon here? It has to do with trade within the system I would think. Plus because there is a larger market in the United States, the cars can be sold at higher quantities thus reducing costs. Plus, BMW has a plant in the United States, and thus does not have to spend as much money to ship their cars internationally like they would Europe.