wife thinks i am mad - well whats new!
Discussion
So I have been a good boy and passed some exams to further my career. Its been a long painful process - partly my fault due to being a lazy sod.
So its reward time to myself for the effort I have put in. I've driven a 2.0 cdti astra for the past 4 years, the car is fine but I am bored, and the car requires about £1400 spent on it and is worth about £5k.
I want a automatic next - so no manuals.
Thinking a estate will be best as my daughter is 3 years old so has a bike now.
Prefer petrol but am open to diesel - I know the astra engine isn't the best but thinking 3.0 diesel wouldn't be the end of the world.
Not too old - current car is 11 plate - don't want anything older than this
Budget - well the wife is paying due to inheritance and I will pay her back - realistically £25k max - I have £4k saved plus astra trade in of £5k
I don't want another vauxhall
Not sure about SUV - have driven in america but think I want a estate
Currently do 7k miles a year but this is likely to increase with trips to south of france etc. I do 10 miles a day and then motorway etc at weekends.
Cars I have thought of / like
Jag XF sportbrake
Audi S4 Avant/A4 2.0 tfsi - don't want multitronic
Audi A6 - no multitronic
BMW 3 series
BMW 5 series
Citroen DS5
Merc CLS sportbrake thingy
Skoda Superb
Skoda Octavia (VRS)
Seat Cupra ST (yes I saw the lease thread already)
Ford Mondeo
Mazda6 estate
Think thats it - anyone had any experiance of these cars - care to chip in on any horror stories.
Or keep astra repair and go bonkers with a 5.2 v10 S6?
So its reward time to myself for the effort I have put in. I've driven a 2.0 cdti astra for the past 4 years, the car is fine but I am bored, and the car requires about £1400 spent on it and is worth about £5k.
I want a automatic next - so no manuals.
Thinking a estate will be best as my daughter is 3 years old so has a bike now.
Prefer petrol but am open to diesel - I know the astra engine isn't the best but thinking 3.0 diesel wouldn't be the end of the world.
Not too old - current car is 11 plate - don't want anything older than this
Budget - well the wife is paying due to inheritance and I will pay her back - realistically £25k max - I have £4k saved plus astra trade in of £5k
I don't want another vauxhall
Not sure about SUV - have driven in america but think I want a estate
Currently do 7k miles a year but this is likely to increase with trips to south of france etc. I do 10 miles a day and then motorway etc at weekends.
Cars I have thought of / like
Jag XF sportbrake
Audi S4 Avant/A4 2.0 tfsi - don't want multitronic
Audi A6 - no multitronic
BMW 3 series
BMW 5 series
Citroen DS5
Merc CLS sportbrake thingy
Skoda Superb
Skoda Octavia (VRS)
Seat Cupra ST (yes I saw the lease thread already)
Ford Mondeo
Mazda6 estate
Think thats it - anyone had any experiance of these cars - care to chip in on any horror stories.
Or keep astra repair and go bonkers with a 5.2 v10 S6?
that is a good budget, 25k ! id personally wouldn't spend that much on a second hand estate car. 10-15k would get you something really nice.
R36, V70R AWD, both great cars too. or go old school and bank 20k
( Volvo T5R / E46 touring ).
http://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/b...
R36, V70R AWD, both great cars too. or go old school and bank 20k
( Volvo T5R / E46 touring ).http://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/b...
Edited by MDMA . on Monday 25th July 11:05
I'd probably test drive a Ford Focus ST Estate and see what you think, 25k would get you a good 'un with all the toys if you go through Carwow/DTD etc. I understand it's got quite a different appeal (understatement!) Than the other cars you're looking at, but hey they're at least built in Germany, that's gotta count for something!
JonnyTenny said:
I'd probably test drive a Ford Focus ST Estate and see what you think, 25k would get you a good 'un with all the toys if you go through Carwow/DTD etc. I understand it's got quite a different appeal (understatement!) Than the other cars you're looking at, but hey they're at least built in Germany, that's gotta count for something!
I must admit the build in germany bit I am really not bothered about - I do buy what I like - it is just getting more and more difficult to get a car with a petrol - not impossible - the focus is out of the equation as pretty sure they aren't a automatic.Al;though the xf is a diesel it would only be the 3.0 v6 in terms of a diesel engine - I can't spend all this money on a 2.0 no matter how good it is (don't mind 2.0 petrol though)
gazza5 said:
JonnyTenny said:
I'd probably test drive a Ford Focus ST Estate and see what you think, 25k would get you a good 'un with all the toys if you go through Carwow/DTD etc. I understand it's got quite a different appeal (understatement!) Than the other cars you're looking at, but hey they're at least built in Germany, that's gotta count for something!
the focus is out of the equation as pretty sure they aren't a automatic.spookly said:
Focus ST is available with Ford's powershift gearbox. Dual clutch gearbox, same type of thing as VAG's DSG gearbox. So, yes... you can get an automatic Focus ST
Only the diesel ST is available with Powershift... Which is widely regarded as a pretty crap box. Certainly not comparable with VAG DSG's. HustleRussell said:
My Dad's got an F10 530d- I don't like it much, it feels uber sober and leaden. I imagine the equivalent 3-series would be lovely to drive.
Indeed, but you'd lose that lovely F10 interior and have to put up with the noticeably worse F30 interior. Swings and roundabouts eh?!Looking at some of the other cars on that list though, this may not be an issue.
I'll have a vote for the DS5 (simply because few others probably would) If you get a late model it will have had the dampers upgrade which sorts out the ride comfort. the 2.0l Diesel is miles more refined than any Merc diesel and puts out 180 bhp. You will have all the toys you could want (HUD, massaging seats, roof binds) lovely interior and a unique looking car.
The best part is that the depreciation will ensure that you won't have to spend anywhere near your budget & get a used / ex demo late plate for considerably less than some of the others on your shortlist.
The best part is that the depreciation will ensure that you won't have to spend anywhere near your budget & get a used / ex demo late plate for considerably less than some of the others on your shortlist.
MDMA . said:
that is a good budget, 25k ! id personally wouldn't spend that much on a second hand estate car. 10-15k would get you something really nice.
R36, V70R AWD, both great cars too. or go old school and bank 20k ( Volvo T5R / E46 touring ).
http://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/b...
£9.5K for a E46 330i estate? Behave. I don't think the fact that it has done less than 3000 miles a year is a good thing.R36, V70R AWD, both great cars too. or go old school and bank 20k
( Volvo T5R / E46 touring ).http://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/b...
Edited by MDMA . on Monday 25th July 11:05
gazza5 said:
JonnyTenny said:
I'd probably test drive a Ford Focus ST Estate and see what you think, 25k would get you a good 'un with all the toys if you go through Carwow/DTD etc. I understand it's got quite a different appeal (understatement!) Than the other cars you're looking at, but hey they're at least built in Germany, that's gotta count for something!
I must admit the build in germany bit I am really not bothered about - I do buy what I like - it is just getting more and more difficult to get a car with a petrol - not impossible - the focus is out of the equation as pretty sure they aren't a automatic.Al;though the xf is a diesel it would only be the 3.0 v6 in terms of a diesel engine - I can't spend all this money on a 2.0 no matter how good it is (don't mind 2.0 petrol though)
Little bit more and you could get a Volvo V60 Polestar.
That's quite a mixture of cars in your list - I can't decide if you want performance or economy, something almost new or 5 years old, something rare or something common.
If I was picking from your list I'd play it fairly safe and go for the Cupra ST. You'd get a new or very lightly used model for that money, complete with manufacturers warranty.
That's quite a mixture of cars in your list - I can't decide if you want performance or economy, something almost new or 5 years old, something rare or something common.
If I was picking from your list I'd play it fairly safe and go for the Cupra ST. You'd get a new or very lightly used model for that money, complete with manufacturers warranty.
Al U said:
£9.5K for a E46 330i estate? Behave. I don't think the fact that it has done less than 3000 miles a year is a good thing.
I know it's mega money. was just using it as an example ( bad example I know 
) im sure privately, it would be 4-5k max. OP has a huge choice if spending 25k. Okay, boring answer, dont use your £25k buying a depreciating asset like a car. If you have a mortgage put it into that, or invest/save it in something low risk.
Then go get a brand new Golf R Estate on a lease deal with a 10k mileage allowance, DSG box, 4WD, petrol, nice place to sit, and certainly fast/fun enough.
Alternatively, look at 3 - 5 year old cars so that depreciation is a fair way along and you wont end up watching your wifes inheritance dwindling away through depreciation.
For option 2 Id personally be looking towards Audi, they make really nice estates and the A4 2.0 TFSi is a decent engine mated to the S-tronic 7 speed. Recon you could get one for under £20k, and ticks every box.
Then go get a brand new Golf R Estate on a lease deal with a 10k mileage allowance, DSG box, 4WD, petrol, nice place to sit, and certainly fast/fun enough.
Alternatively, look at 3 - 5 year old cars so that depreciation is a fair way along and you wont end up watching your wifes inheritance dwindling away through depreciation.
For option 2 Id personally be looking towards Audi, they make really nice estates and the A4 2.0 TFSi is a decent engine mated to the S-tronic 7 speed. Recon you could get one for under £20k, and ticks every box.
Why does the wife think you're mad - is it for spending 25 large of her inheritance money?
Just make sure that she's completely on-board with what you're proposing - if not you'll find that the novelty of that new car will soon wear off and you're left looking despondently at increased running costs, depreciation and having her nagging at you.
Just make sure that she's completely on-board with what you're proposing - if not you'll find that the novelty of that new car will soon wear off and you're left looking despondently at increased running costs, depreciation and having her nagging at you.
Thunderhead said:
Okay, boring answer, dont use your £25k buying a depreciating asset like a car. If you have a mortgage put it into that, or invest/save it in something low risk.
Then go get a brand new Golf R Estate on a lease deal with a 10k mileage allowance, DSG box, 4WD, petrol, nice place to sit, and certainly fast/fun enough.
Alternatively, look at 3 - 5 year old cars so that depreciation is a fair way along and you wont end up watching your wifes inheritance dwindling away through depreciation.
For option 2 Id personally be looking towards Audi, they make really nice estates and the A4 2.0 TFSi is a decent engine mated to the S-tronic 7 speed. Recon you could get one for under £20k, and ticks every box.
This. Or spend 10-15k on a 3 year old V70. Then go get a brand new Golf R Estate on a lease deal with a 10k mileage allowance, DSG box, 4WD, petrol, nice place to sit, and certainly fast/fun enough.
Alternatively, look at 3 - 5 year old cars so that depreciation is a fair way along and you wont end up watching your wifes inheritance dwindling away through depreciation.
For option 2 Id personally be looking towards Audi, they make really nice estates and the A4 2.0 TFSi is a decent engine mated to the S-tronic 7 speed. Recon you could get one for under £20k, and ticks every box.
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