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$110K Budget, what european car?

Rm2s

By Rm2s,
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Chrispie

Chrispie

5th Gear

I dont know what to say.. actually after 3 test drives, my drive is still quite jerky. But I went with blind faith and got it anyway.

 

I come to realize that you cannot learn to drive it smoothly within the short span of time in a test drive. It took me about a week to say that I can drive it smoothly at a rating of 7.5 out of scale of 10. It will get better. There are times i can actually change the gear from 1 to 2 and not even feel the slightest jerk.

 

I guess when you are at the driver's seat, any jerkiness is amplified as your senses sharpens. Last nite when my sis was driving for the first time, the jerk just feels like any other manual car when the gear is shifted upwards.

 

Bro, go with the petrol version. I think its better.

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Crv007

Crv007

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(edited)
Per subject line, I have a budget of $110K, what European car would you recommend?

 

Prefer 4/5 doors auto, hatch or sedan is fine.

 

1) Alfa Romeo 147

2) Audi A3 Sportback

3) BMW 116i

4) Chevrolet Epica

5) Chrysler Sebring

6) Citroen C4/C5

7) Fiat Barvo

8) Ford Focus/Mondeo

9) Mercedes A170/B170

10) Mini Cooper

11) Opel Astra

12) Peugeot 308/407

13) Renault Laguna/Megane

14) Skoda Octavia/Superb

15) Volkswagen Golf/Golf GT/Golf GTI/Jetta/Beetle/Passat

16) Volvo S40

 

When did American join EU?? [laugh]

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Rm2s

Rm2s

5th Gear
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For some reasons, I know exactly what you are trying to tell me.... haha.

 

Since I am going to buy new, I am just too concerned that if I cannot get used to the gearbox, now that is a major pain on daily basis.

 

They have a MY07 3.2 still available .. that comes with regular auto, I think can slash their price if I am willing to stretch my budget further up north to close to 160K or so.

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Ajedi72

Ajedi72

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Bro ... audi clearing the current batch of A3 1.8T ... at 105,200 with 18" rims. If take 17", the selling price is 100,200. Left 6 units, 5 silver or grey and one black. From SE.

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Rm2s

Rm2s

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Really? Nice price, too bad facelift is coming. They used to sell the A3 1.8T at about 119K. I pity those owners now.

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Comfy

Comfy

1st Gear
I like Alfa 159, in fact, I test drove the Sportwagon, after 3 test drives, I concluded that I cannot handle the selespeed. My thought then was that I am not going to risk over 100K on a car when there is a chance I will hate the gearbox on daily basis. As you have rightly posted, to sell Alfa within a short time, the depreciation will kill.

 

Recently they are bringing in the diesel version with regular autobox. I actually went to ask them just now after work.

 

The Sportwagon on display in their showroom on diesel is asking for 124K, the sedan version is 117K. It is within my budget with a stretch. I do not mind so much on the roadtax, so, the sales guy will be arranging for a test drive for me when the press is done with their test drive car.

 

Will report back [inlove]

 

but the diesel tax is way too high to digest... [sweatdrop][sweatdrop]

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Rm2s

Rm2s

5th Gear
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I know, $1.25 for each cubic capacity. I am hoping that the gahmen will review this when Euro V is widely accepted. The Alfa, according to the SE, is currently Euro V compliant.

 

Will see how.

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Chrispie

Chrispie

5th Gear

bro, i think the gear box is the last thing u shld be worried about. All the 159 drivers managed to tame it. So you can too.

 

The most worrying things are:

 

1. You spend too much time at the car park coz u keep turning back to admire the car after parking.

 

2. You are damn scared ppl parked beside you dent your car.. so you cant wait to go to your car every 30min to check.

 

3. You purposely take longer route to your destination so you can stay in the car longer. (pay for more gas..)

 

4. Your sexiness factor goes up and your parter starts to get edgy.

 

5. You fantasize of the car before you buy it. You fantasize it even more AFTER you buy it.

 

I guess that summarize my experience so far..

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Rm2s

Rm2s

5th Gear
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If I could rent a 159 for 2 weeks that would be perfect for me to sort out my fear. Haha .. thanks for the poison.

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Crv007

Crv007

Neutral Newbie

bro, i think the gear box is the last thing u shld be worried about. All the 159 drivers managed to tame it. So you can too.

 

The most worrying things are:

 

1. You spend too much time at the car park coz u keep turning back to admire the car after parking.

 

2. You are damn scared ppl parked beside you dent your car.. so you cant wait to go to your car every 30min to check.

 

3. You purposely take longer route to your destination so you can stay in the car longer. (pay for more gas..)

 

4. Your sexiness factor goes up and your parter starts to get edgy.

 

5. You fantasize of the car before you buy it. You fantasize it even more AFTER you buy it.

 

I guess that summarize my experience so far..

 

100% agree. my buddy brought a black 159 red seat [jawdrop] wow I nearly cum on his 159 exhuast!!! [:)] ha ha ha kidding but to show you how sexy 159 can be, and build quality way better than previous ALFA

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Chrispie

Chrispie

5th Gear

yes... the exclusivity and its design and the way the car performs simply makes the owner indulge in self-bliss and satisfaction.

 

It is so different than you driving a 320 and you see 98743027 other same makes on the road...

 

The fact is that parked beside a 320 or A4 or C class, i dont feel any inferior at all even though the car is 20k cheaper.

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Beng2

Beng2

5th Gear
I dont know what to say.. actually after 3 test drives, my drive is still quite jerky. But I went with blind faith and got it anyway.

 

I come to realize that you cannot learn to drive it smoothly within the short span of time in a test drive. It took me about a week to say that I can drive it smoothly at a rating of 7.5 out of scale of 10. It will get better. There are times i can actually change the gear from 1 to 2 and not even feel the slightest jerk.

 

I guess when you are at the driver's seat, any jerkiness is amplified as your senses sharpens. Last nite when my sis was driving for the first time, the jerk just feels like any other manual car when the gear is shifted upwards.

 

Bro, go with the petrol version. I think its better.

Bro,

Pardon me for asking a stupid question. Why in the world do we need to go through such trouble to drive the Alfa? Am I missing anything?

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Beng2

Beng2

5th Gear
hope they can reduce the tax? i think i work harder to keep up with the tax is faster... [:p]

Didn't you hear the latest news? Road tax for diesel cars are now the same as that of petrol cars (just based on cc, not propellant).

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

...but only in Malaysia la [laugh]

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