What is the best car ?

[Stefanel1]

I want to change my Lancia Delta in 6 or 9 months. And I hesitate between these cars :

- Audi A4 1.6 Pack
- Alfa Romeo 156 1.6 TS
- Peugeot 406 1.8 16s SV
- Peugeot 206 1.6 Roland Garros
- Audi A3 1.6 Ambiente
- BMW 316i Coupé E36

So could you tell me what is the better to you concerning the handling, confort (acoustic mainly) and performances. I don't really care about the living space. The handling is the first argument.
All the cars quoted are between 1997 and 2000 with from 60 000 km to 90 000 km (40 to 55 000 miles) for a same range price.

If you have any other suggestions, do not hesitate ! But as you saw, these engines are not very powerfull (between 90 and 120 hp) because I don't want to have one because of the insurance's prices !

And, personnaly, what is your favorite looking one ?

[Stefanel1]

I forgot to put the Alfa 147 in the post below so the list is now :

- Audi A4 1.6 Pack
- Alfa Romeo 156 1.6 TS
- Peugeot 406 1.8 16s SV
- Peugeot 206 1.6 Roland Garros
- Audi A3 1.6 Ambiente
- BMW 316i Coupé E36
- Alfa Romeo 147 1.6 TS


Ask pics of these cars if you don't know it exactly.

[Stefanel1]

For Americans (where some of these cars are not sold in their country) :

Peugeot 206 Roland Garros, note the panoramic sun roof :

[Stefanel1]

The Peugeot 406 SV :

[Stefanel1]

The Alfa 147 :

[Stefanel1]

and the Alfa 156 :

[BMW-Hamann]

I prefer Audi A4 with aero kits from neuspeed or reiger ... 18" or 19' wheels ... lowering kit .. sport muffler ... heemm .. I think it will look nice ... what do u think?

[Stefanel1]

I think that with the 1.6 102 hp, 19' wheels will be too much I have to take a car not too powerfull (euphemism) for my insurance, and the best is the Alfa from this point of view with 120 hp and its fabulous Alfa engine.
Another point : I'm 18 and student and I'm not very rich, so I wo't sped more than 8 500 € (£6 000/US$ 9 000)... and want to spare money to travel, etc. etc.

[Jimster]

147 without a boubt- FAR better reliability record than the 156

[Stefanel1]

I love the design of the 156. Is it really less reliable ? Is it more reliable than a Delta of 1995 ? because I had no problems with it and made almost 20 000 km (since May 2002)... Italian cars are reliable

[blazed on haze :\]

id buy the bmw.

but this is only my biased opinion... i hardly know anything about european cars.

[Stefanel1]

The problem with the BMW is that it's a RWD and on a wet road, you've to be very carefull, or at least slower than in (mainly) the Peugeot or the Alfa.
And the design is getting old.
As you can see, since I posted this tread I've precised my choice between the Alfa 156 (favourite now), the Audi A4, the A3 and the Alfa 147

[Stefanel1]

Two votes for "other" : very interesting ...

[1qtrmilekid]

It's all about the Lexus IS sport design, personally I like it w/ the nav
it's really the best if you look at it in on the grand scale, price gas mileage, looks, engine, 17" wheels. I mean everything. I test drove the car a few dys ago, this car is perfect. I found an offer online that said I can get a free subscription to media week if I test drive the car, I did and I'm waiting for my new mag, here's the link


http://www.mediaweek.com/mediaweek/index.jsp


:badass:

[Stefanel1]

I'm not a big fan of japanese cars, and in Europe, Lexus has no image, contrarly to the USA where it's almost as good as Mercedes, BMW or Audi.
Another point : the IS 200 makes 155 hp, and I can't take a too "powerfull" car for my insurance : I'm only 19 and the insurances here are far more expensive than in the USA.
Finally, the handling of the IS is not bad but less good than the Puegeot or the Alfa.
Though, it's a nice car.

Cool : you try a car, and you get a subscription to a magazine !