Virtues of buying a 1.8l car

thehamo · 01-10-2008 8:08pm #1

How do guys.

Im just trying to get my head around a few options for cars.

Most of the cars I seem to like the most have 1.8L engines on them. Being 26with 4 years no claims, i would hope that insurance wouldnt be too high.

Has any one got any opinions on bying a 1.8? Is it worth the extra expense? Should I just settle for a 1.4 or 1.6? The car I was looking at was a mazda 6 or Vectra GTS. If its a 1.4 it would prob be a focus or along those lines....

Anan1 · 01-10-2008 8:10pm

What do you drive now, and how do you find it?

eringobragh · 01-10-2008 8:14pm

Get a 1.8 it won't cost that much extra to insure. I'm driving a 1.6 and next car as a minimum i'll be getting a 1.8

thehamo · 01-10-2008 8:15pm

I drive a 1.2 Bravo at the moment and it does my nut to be honesy. Im not looking for super fast performance or anything, its just that they two 1.8's seem to be the ones that catch my eye the most.:o

Anan1 · 01-10-2008 8:21pm

I'd start by driving a few cars, that should give you a much better idea. Remember that a 1.8 in a Bravo-sized car will be significantly nippier than the same engine in a Mazda 6.

bazz26 · 01-10-2008 8:26pm

When your talking about cars the size of a Mazda 6, Ford Mondeo, etc then they are more suited to a 1.8 litre engine than a 1.6 litre. 1.6 litre engines in cars that size are a false economy imo. The struggle under the weight of the car making them underpowered and heavier on fuel. My last car was 1.8 litre petrol and it was just as economical as my father in law's 1.6 litre version of the same car. Tax was only about €80 more per year than a 1.6 and the insurance increase was negligible for me.

To be honest I think the jump in running expenses from a 1.2 to 1.8 is nearly the same as going to 1.6 litre.

Heroditas · 01-10-2008 8:36pm

Make sure it's a turbo too!

thehamo · 01-10-2008 8:40pm

haha,

if im concerned enough to post about simply buying a 1.8L engine, I dont think a turbo is gonna come into the equation!

gyppo · 01-10-2008 8:56pm

bazz26 wrote: »

When your talking about cars the size of a Mazda 6, Ford Mondeo, etc then they are more suited to a 1.8 litre engine than a 1.6 litre. 1.6 litre engines in cars that size are a false economy imo. The struggle under the weight of the car making them underpowered and heavier on fuel. My last car was 1.8 litre petrol and it was just as economical as my father in law's 1.6 litre version of the same car. Tax was only about €80 more per year than a 1.6 and the insurance increase was negligible for me.

To be honest I think the jump in running expenses from a 1.2 to 1.8 is nearly the same as going to 1.6 litre.

What Bazz said.
I ran a Mazda 626 1.8l for 3 years, and which for its size and comfort, was amazingly economical. A 1.6l engine ( which didnt exist in this model ) would have struggled, and would almost definately been heavier on fuel.

The tax difference between a 1.6 and 1.8 is marginal compared to the comfort of having a car that can overtake swiftly and safely. On the insurance side of things (in view of your tender years

), shop around before you make your final decision.

Stephen · 01-10-2008 9:53pm

I'm the same age as you with the same no claims and I drive a 1.8 litre Civic. The insurance isn't too bad - go get some online quotes. Plus she's pretty quick once you keep the revs high :pac:

cianclarke · 01-10-2008 10:05pm

Dude, I'm 20 and driving a 2.0l with only 2 years NCB. Live a little!

maidhc · 01-10-2008 10:06pm

thehamo wrote: »

Has any one got any opinions on bying a 1.8?

I have a 1.8 (albeit a diesel) I fail to see how a Cinquento would be cheaper to run (leaving aside tax). Insurance is about €400 or something along those lines.

My advice:

Get a 2.5 or bigger

E92 · 01-10-2008 10:16pm

If you're looking for something bigger than a Bravo, then you'd want to be a right eejit to buy an underpowered low spec 1.6 paddy special.

1.6s are fine in a Focus, Bravo etc but most certainly are not in cars like the Vectra, Mondeo etc which these days are nearly the size of a 5 series so clearly they need a bigger engine.

Alternatively, if you're worried about running costs then consider a diesel, though these are usually 2.0s in this category. These are probably the best solution, plenty of go and good mpg. I'd love to tell you to buy a 2.0 petrol but they're as rare as hens teeth in addition to being sale proof unfortunately. There are 1.6 diesels but they only have as much power as a 1.6 petrol so they're going to be as hopeless as a 1.6 petrol, but noisier and less smooth.

VW do a 1.9 diesel but that is appalling, Opel do a 1.9 diesel(from 05 on) and that is considered to be one of the best of the type in addition to being very reliable.

galwaytt · 01-10-2008 10:50pm

E92 wrote: »

..Opel do a 1.9 diesel(from 05 on) and that is considered to be one of the best of the type in addition to being very reliable.

Correct. That's because it's a Fiat engine !

Same engine in my Saab 9-3, btw.

ArphaRima · 02-10-2008 12:43am

I would add a caveat to the diesel recommendations above. Just make sure its a turbo diesel (they all should be these days at that size range). I remember hiring a small car in Spain years ago with a 1.1 Diesel. It was funnily bad at times, outright dangerously underpowered at others!

I drive a 2.0L TFSI. Cant recommend that engine enough! Audi/Seat/VW etc all have it. Similarly the 1.4 TFSI is supposed to be great.

BostonB · 02-10-2008 2:21am

You should be looking at all the other characteristics of an engine not just the capacity. Torque, BHP, MPG etc.

Notch000 · 02-10-2008 8:53am

just grow some balls and buy one

Tipsy Mac · 02-10-2008 8:56am

Id go for whatever car u can afford to run and insure, more power usually makes a more enjoyable and safer driving experience, no point in praying to the lord when ur out of power trying to overtake in an underpowered car.

gyppo · 02-10-2008 9:10am

Notch000 wrote: »

just grow some balls and buy one

Thats surely going to help the OP make an informed choice. Brilliant:rolleyes:

Cyrus · 02-10-2008 9:20am

BostonB wrote: »

You should be looking at all the other characteristics of an engine not just the capacity. Torque, BHP, MPG etc.

what he said

capacity is almost a non issue, tax considerations aside (and thats only if we are taking second hand if new it is a non issue)

Biro · 02-10-2008 9:29am

thehamo wrote: »

haha,

if im concerned enough to post about simply buying a 1.8L engine, I dont think a turbo is gonna come into the equation!

Don't heed any neighbours or friends who's jaws drop when you mention higher engine sizes than 1.6. The Irish are afraid of big engines, for no real reason.
I wouldn't bother with a 1.8 in the cars you've mentioned though, the diesel options in either make more sense, drive both and you'll see!

jimbling · 02-10-2008 10:37am

Well, my last car was a 1.8T, new car is 3.2... wonder what will come next :eek:

Seriously though, go for it. And go for the Turbo too, doesn't add much to cost of insurance, and nothing extra to the tax..... but it adds a hell of a lot to the drive experience :pac:

omega man · 02-10-2008 1:10pm

BostonB wrote: »

You should be looking at all the other characteristics of an engine not just the capacity. Torque, BHP, MPG etc.

This is spot on. In general the engine size doesnt mean a whole lot. Remember the VAG SDI engine? 1.9L animal pumping out......67BHP? Look at the likes of the Cooper S (1.6 aprox 170BHP), Corsa OPC (1.6 190BHP) or the new VAG 1.4 turbo engines (up to 170BHP). Think power/weight ratio not capacity.

Ferris · 02-10-2008 1:23pm

omega man wrote: »

This is spot on. In general the engine size doesnt mean a whole lot. Remember the VAG SDI engine? 1.9L animal pumping out......67BHP? Look at the likes of the Cooper S (1.6 aprox 170BHP), Corsa OPC (1.6 190BHP) or the new VAG 1.4 turbo engines (up to 170BHP). Think power/weight ratio not capacity.

+1 but only after deciding what type of car you want for what you want to spend. Then test drive some and see if its quick enough for you. Most cars have a range of engines so one of them will suit you.