Well this sucks... What car

[enemi]

So,

Long story short, I have to find a car to share with the missus.
3K budget
HAS to be Auto!!! (FML)
Petrol would be preferred - but worst case scenario, ok with Diesel.
Insurance shouldn't be a problem - as we're both mid 20's with a couple years of NCB.

No idea what to go for.. Been looking at some oldish BMW types.
Other that than, maybe Volvo's?

Looking for some help & ideas..
Please fire away

[Slow]

If you have to go auto, go barge?

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2014...

[sherman]

Lexus or mercedes?

[Macadoodle]

Definitely got to be a barge.

Slow said:

If you have to go auto, go barge?

George, I've sent you a PM.

[BritishRacinGrin]

Your threads are here

[bennyboysvuk]

Ok, so this C36 AMG is £1k over budget, but you can make that back by becoming a 'gangsta' and selling drugs from it.

I thought a C36 might hit the spot, but this car seems to suggest they've fallen into the wrong hands.

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2014...

[Slow]

Macadoodle said:

Definitely got to be a barge.

Slow said:

If you have to go auto, go barge?

George, I've sent you a PM.

I dont see it anywhere?

[Bennet]

You don't say what you value most in a car.
(Looks, reliability, mpg, handling, badge, boot space etc.)

I had an auto Hyundai Coupe sIII for a while. I imagine you might find one for around 3k, or one of the later "gen 3.5"s.

It rides too hard but it looks ok and is well equiped. Masses of boot space for the style of car and the back seats fold. If your mrs is as uninterested in cars as mine, she'll think it's brilliant.

2.7 v6 gives a nice sound when revved and shifted along well enough but only 25mpg mooching around the suburbs. 2.0 comes in an auto as well.

I don't know what you're used to so you might hate it.

[Jim AK]

Barge.

V70 or S80. Seats are fantastic. They ride well but dont handle. Pretty reliable & auto, diesel or petrol ones are everywhere.

[vtecyo]

GS300 and a holiday.

[GreatGranny]

Can't go wrong with this.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Volvo-V70-2-4-140-bhp-au...

Low mileage, 1 owner, looks like its been looked after, unstressed engine, seats like armchairs and its even a nice colour IMO :-)

[windydog]

Barge at mid 20s? Barging is cool, but IMO perhaps less fashionable at mid 20s. Some ideas for a semi that the Mrs may object less to.

One that caught the eye:

Merc SLK 320 - low miles at 79k, probably most of those 245BHP are still in there. Stereotypically the Mrs might enjoy it for different reasons than you especially come summer. Colour works for both. Only $250 for a non age plate.
http://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/m...

Or another, Saab this time. Very low miles at 41k, quick, looks very tidy.
http://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/s...

[SLCZ3]

X-type, 2.5/3.0.

[Bonefish Blues]

9-5 Aero, shirley.

[CYMR0]

Pretty mini-barge?

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2004-04-Mercedes-Benz-CL...

[Bonefish Blues]

anonymous said:

[redacted]

There's 65mm (W) and 300m (L) in it (ETA vs a W203), so it's not as big an old thing as you'd think.

Cracking car to be had for way less than OP's budget, hence my suggestion.

[GreatGranny]

windydog said:

Barge at mid 20s? Barging is cool, but IMO perhaps less fashionable at mid 20s. Some ideas for a semi that the Mrs may object less to.

Good point, we may be sugesting cars we would personally like to buy :-)

Not sure if a barge wouyld have been my first choice in my mid 20s but at nearly 50 it would be ideal.

The Merc looks ok and one car that IMO has to be auto.

[enemi]

Bennet said:

You don't say what you value most in a car.
(Looks, reliability, mpg, handling, badge, boot space etc.)

Cheers for all the great suggestions guys - all really helpful.
In regards to Bennet's comments above, I would rate them as follow;

1) Reliability
2) MPG
3) Handling
3) Looks
4) Bootspace
5) Badge

I really like the Volvo & Saab suggestions - I used to own a S40 myself.

As for the missus' and autos - she's actually a really confident and decent driver.. She got her license in Australia where most people learn privately in Autos.. which explains the lack of Manual skills.

What do you guys think about Japs like Mazda, Subaru Autos at this price range?

[V40TC]

Buy the Volvo it will last until your situation changes and you can move it on
spares available on ebay all the time
car is great quality and safe.

[Riknos]

Personally, I'll be getting this:

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/TOYOTA-CELICA-VVTLI-190-...

Looks great, handles well, reliable (has the 2zz which didn't have the issues of the 1zz) so 190bhp isn't exactly a slouch, should still return high 30 MPG on a run, and is a semi-auto too so you can still have some fun!

Rare as rocking horse st too - I'm quite tempted now myself