Advise me on my search for new car

[Station]

I'm wanting either of these, purely because I've driven them before and I loved them, the were good on petrol, and very comfy with luggage space (am I turning into an old man). I've got two stupidly impractical cars and it's getting to me now.

 

Rover 213/Honda Ballade

 

Honda Civic DX

 

I want one of these, but how are they on petrol/diesel?

 

 

At a push I'd try an Integra:

 

 

Basically, if it's solid and does good MPG, I think I'll consider it.

[Mr Lobster]

Heart says XM, head says Integra for me. Actually, I'd really like an Integra. Mr_Bo11oxs' one looked lovely but I'm guessing your biggest challenge with an Integra would be finding a good one.

[Cavcraft]

Agreed on the heart says XM but alas if you get one it's potentially HUGE money pit.If you go Ballade/213/216 route I'd have them in that order. The 1.5 Ballade goes like a scalded cat (really it does), the 213 had a Honda engine and the 216 was a Rover job from memory.Had a Vitesse once that was nicely spec'd but still a Rover which isn't neccessarily a good thing.

[dollywobbler]

Honda. My Civic had the 1.5 twin-carb lump (built in 1991!) and was bloody quick and did 40mpg. Nice.

[barrett]

Agreed on the heart says XM but alas if you get one it's potentially HUGE money pit.

If you go Ballade/213/216 route I'd have them in that order. The 1.5 Ballade goes like a scalded cat (really it does), the 213 had a Honda engine and the 216 was a Rover job from memory.

Had a Vitesse once that was nicely spec'd but still a Rover which isn't neccessarily a good thing.

isn't it something like 1k to get an XM serviced properly? I'd be terrified by one, but obviously it's the best choice for a masochistic shitist.

 

Rover 213/16s all seem to be hanging old piles of crap now, I reckon you'd be hard pressed to find a nice one, Ballades equally so. plus, personally I've never liked the look of them, they look super-wimpy and the detailing is shit. top-spec ones with the leather and all that might be nice to sit in though.

 

Surviving Civics seem to be ex-giffer and generally quite tidy, most are autos though. Dont seem to rust quite as much as other old jap stuff, and they are cheap as chips and seemingly unbreakable. This would be my choice (obviously, I really love 'em).

 

Like the Lobster says, finding a nice integra would be a challenge but i'm sure they are lovely things to smoke about in. Most are probably ex-giffer too so you might get lucky and find a nice one hidden away somewhere..

[Gompo]

I thought the Ex-Mr.Boll Integra was for sale again on RR? Also along with another one? Admittedly a 3-door one like in your pic would be ace but not seen one of that shape over here.

[155V6]

I don't really like Hondas but I'd happily drive that 3-door Integra

[Station]

 

There's one on retro rides at the moment

[messerschmitt owner]

Agreed on the heart says XM but alas if you get one it's potentially HUGE money pit.

having had two XMs - one a petrol money pit, the other a diesel, I'd go for a diesel one.I have to say, the petrol XM was badly maintained by previous owner and it showed, whereas the diesel has been generally well looked after.First recommendation on a diesel XM is get a low spec diesel turbo (2.1) with manual box. Mine is an SX so has no leccie seats but does have sunroof (non leaking), leccie windows in the front, leccie mirrors.Here's my current bill list in one month of ownershipPurchase price £600new spheres all round (7 spheres) £210 fittedtwo new Toyo CF1 tyres - £86 delivered plus £24 fittingfuel, air and oil filters - £15oil - £12windscreen wiper blades - £17it runs on veggie oil - and quite well too - at 85p a litre and does 50mpg on a long run and 40mpg in mixed driving.I'm not sure what I'll spend in the course of a year but I reckon it should give cheap motoring after the MoT, as it doesn't need anything else beyond what I have spent money on so far.It will need a timing belt at some point (72k interval - 35k to go) and I need to change the coolant.Common problems are HG failure due to lack of coolant change, hydraulic pipe failure (easy to make up pipes), and clutch (not a daunting job).There is oodles of luggage space - it has literally swallowed two 195/65r15 tyres with space for another three or four in the boot. It is luxurious and gives a super smooth ride. All the electrics work and the engine is economical - find a good one and it will be fantastic.

[messerschmitt owner]

isn't it something like 1k to get an XM serviced properly? I'd be terrified by one, but obviously it's the best choice for a masochistic shitist.

is this the V6 you refer to? I doubt you could spend the length of £150 on a filter and oil service on a diesel XM.I know nothing about the V6s but I heard the engine needed dropped slightly to access all the spark plugs, but I may be totally wrong.It strikes me that there is a lot of Citroen scare-mongering on this thread. Citroens are like any other car in terms of maintenance, and, although some things are quirky, the 2.1td is easy to work on at home.

[dollywobbler]

Aye. Citroens are just different, not really that scary once you're used to them. Well, ok, electrics can be a pain in the arse, but that doesn't stop people buying Alfa Romeos does it?MO - not sure I'd leave an XUD cambelt change until 72k. They can and do fail before that. I got the belts changed on both the BX and Renault for £160 (including some BX brake fettling) which I thought was entirely decent. Belt had only done about 35k, but had been in place for 7 years. Better safe than a smashed up sorry mess.

[messerschmitt owner]

DollywobblerI reckon it needs done soon, but have three MoTs to do this month (XM, Scooter and Motorhome), one of which involves a bespoke exhaust system so am cashless till July probably.

[scooters]

there's a nice BX14 on ebay just nowor you could always buy my CX!!! - pash luggage carrying though

[Station]

What's your CX like Scooters? Got to take my mind off ending up with either of these, which would be a miserable mistake.

 

 

[barrett]

It strikes me that there is a lot of Citroen scare-mongering on this thread. Citroens are like any other car in terms of maintenance, and, although some things are quirky, the 2.1td is easy to work on at home.

Don't get me wrong, I totally love Citroens, and I would own an XM in an instant. Whatever happened, a DS/CX/GS/XM is so bloody pretty I would happily chuck money at it to keep it going. Good to know they run well on veggie oil too!Station, I dont see how a Starion would be a mistake (see comment above about chucking money at pretty things)?

[Cavcraft]

I love XMs and will have a dizzler one day. Isn't another achilles heel the strut top 'things' that can give way with disastrous results?Had a 2.0CT turbo petrol one for a short while which was painfully slow and plagued with problems but obv that could be a one off.The leather interiors are fucking magic though, and the electric glove box between the front seats kept me amused for hours.

[messerschmitt owner]

the strut tops can go - but surely that isn't any different to the rust you used to get on Escorts at the top of the Mcpherson strut mountMine is good there but I did cake it in anti-rust paint and then primer just to make sure!