Mission Impossible: Stylish 4 Seat Coupe/Conv for £7.5KIsh?

[mikebradford]

Always liked the look of the Laguna Coupe
Looks great in the flesh, and im sure their will be one for your budget
http://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/r...

[masermartin]

silvertypes said:

No chance of a Maserati for me anytime soon ... Bet insurance is epic regardless of the other costs - nice dream tho!

On a 5k limited mileage policy it was comparable to the quote I've just had for an Alfa GT ...

[Ali_T]

Chris71 said:

If you're feeling brave, how about an RX-8? Four seats, four doors and a usable boot. You could buy three for that budget and it wouldn't matter if the first two engines expired.

Buy a low mileage R3, budget for replacing the coil packs and have a superbly sorted chassis wity superb practicality.

[danp]

silvertypes said:

So far people have been very helpful here & for that I'm grateful - in fact it's one of the best forums I've come across - many are packed with trolls

- The thing is I have limited funds. For some people if they get stunk with a bill of £1500 for some random failure that's no biggie

However if I got landed with even 1 bill of £1500 I'd be stuffed so I'd say it makes sense to do you're homework & weigh the odds in your favour

- money no object this would be a much shorter conversation...

Perhaps lower the budget a bit to allow for more of a slush fund?

Even if you've done your homework you *could* end up with a four figure bill on almost anything, and more so with an old-ish toy and tech laden German barge IMO.

[dave_s13]

So, now I really want a monaro!

I just wish it had a third rear seat for the odd time It'd be used to take us all out somewhere.

[danp]

I love those old W124 Merc's but might be a bit old as a daily as discussed. How about a semi classic, something like an e39 530i?

Should be able to get a nice one for a few grand, leaving plenty in the kitty, and no depreciation to speak of (unlike most things at 7.5k which will loose 500/1000 p.a.?)

Not a coupe but subtly stylish to my eyes, a great drive and good all rounder and still pretty sensible. Yes it's likely to cost more to maintain than something more modern (or a Honda!) but as mentioned you're saving on purchase price and lack of depreciation.

[ZX10R NIN]

danp said:

Perhaps lower the budget a bit to allow for more of a slush fund?

Even if you've done your homework you *could* end up with a four figure bill on almost anything, and more so with an old-ish toy and tech laden German barge IMO.

That's the point the CLK is no more tech laden than the E39 you mention, as someone pointed out you can get a Four figure bill from a clio.

Here OP, Two years warranty & some change to go towards running costs plus it has the better climate control than you get in most CLK's.
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2013...

This would be my next choice.
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2015...

I'd still take the diesel over these two:
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2015...

Finally for me this is what I'd take over the other two but it depends on your budget
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2015...

Edited by ZX10R NIN on Saturday 18th April 09:50

[silvertypes]

Chris71 said:

If you're feeling brave, how about an RX-8? Four seats, four doors and a usable boot. You could buy three for that budget and it wouldn't matter if the first two engines expired.

Brave yes. But not that brave :-) They drink oil a bit apparently but apart from that they do fit the bill perfectly.

Unfortunately Auto Trader is littered with broken ones seems really common that they break - shame nice car

[silvertypes]

mikebradford said:

Always liked the look of the Laguna Coupe
Looks great in the flesh, and im sure their will be one for your budget
http://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/r...

Yep me too good spot. Did some research on them - it's also a Nissan / Infinity in other countries

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2015...

Looks cool but import too much hassle so would go for the Renault version however..

Normally run screaming from French cars as they aren't known for their reliability - had a Citroen AX-Gt many years ago - engine blew up in the first 48hrs of owning it - rubbish!

The Laguna coupe fits the bill - looks nice got all the toys V6 is quite quick (not 'that' quick for a small car with 3.5litre) but not slow. Strangely what car say Avoid… 3.5 V6 GT tho generally its seems to get good reviews online

Probably have heavy depreciation & not convinced of reliability but it's certainly an option!

[silvertypes]

danp said:

Perhaps lower the budget a bit to allow for more of a slush fund?

Even if you've done your homework you *could* end up with a four figure bill on almost anything, and more so with an old-ish toy and tech laden German barge IMO.

Yep could be a good plan

Indeed anything could go wrong with any car. I'd love a Merc CL with massage seats, TV, Fridge, swimming pool etc etc but more gadgets means more things to go wrong so probably not brave enough to take a gamble on something that loaded

[silvertypes]

ZX10R NIN said:

That's the point the CLK is no more tech laden than the E39 you mention, as someone pointed out you can get a Four figure bill from a clio.

Here OP, Two years warranty & some change to go towards running costs plus it has the better climate control than you get in most CLK's.
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2013...

This would be my next choice.
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2015...

I'd still take the diesel over these two:
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2015...

Finally for me this is what I'd take over the other two but it depends on your budget
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2015...

Edited by ZX10R NIN on Saturday 18th April 09:50

Nice one - I'll probably keep trawling for cars on & off for a bit - (Audi S4 Quattro close contender) until I'm ready to spend (working on that at the mo...)

- but I think you've nailed it - I'm 99% it's a CLK and unless you'd suggest a good reason to avoid them, hopefully a Convertible - it is sunny afterall. which engine is just down to budget I think

Cheers :-)

[silvertypes]

Drool

http://coupeandcabriolet.co.uk/cl500/4588563104

[ZX10R NIN]

Lol I'd pick the CLK over that generation CL nice example though, before you buy a Convertible test drive it & the Coupe as it's not as nice a drive as the Coupe in my opinion, also the convertible only comes in petrol.

Convertible options:
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2015...

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2015...

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2015...

[silvertypes]

ZX10R NIN said:

Lol I'd pick the CLK over that generation CL nice example though, before you buy a Convertible test drive it & the Coupe as it's not as nice a drive as the Coupe in my opinion, also the convertible only comes in petrol.

Convertible options:
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2015...

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2015...

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2015...

Thx will bear that in mind re: CLK Coupe / Conv

Out of interest why would you take the CLK over the CL? If I went for a Coupe I reckon the CL looks the dogs...

New the CL was megabucks so I'm assuming it's like buying a loaded S-Class & takes the bills to a new level should anything need doing - or is that a wrong assumption?

[ZX10R NIN]

silvertypes said:

Thx will bear that in mind re: CLK Coupe / Conv

Out of interest why would you take the CLK over the CL? If I went for a Coupe I reckon the CL looks the dogs...

New the CL was megabucks so I'm assuming it's like buying a loaded S-Class & takes the bills to a new level should anything need doing - or is that a wrong assumption?

That CL has the ABC air suspension which is a straight 1-1.5k bill also the bushes at the bottom of the legs go & that's another expensive job £250.00 per leg to be refurbed plus you lose your car for a week when I looked at these I wasn't put off by this but preferred the interior of the SL so I decided to buy the SL instead.

[silvertypes]

ZX10R NIN said:

That CL has the ABC air suspension which is a straight 1-1.5k bill also the bushes at the bottom of the legs go & that's another expensive job £250.00 per leg to be refurbed plus you lose your car for a week when I looked at these I wasn't put off by this but preferred the interior of the SL so I decided to buy the SL instead.

That backs up what I thought then - expensive if they go wrong (CL)

Should I win the Lottery though... the top of the range new CL's are pure filth! ...

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2015...

You're SL looks awesome - way out of my price range... but awesome nevertheless

[ZX10R NIN]

Yes the CL63 BiTurbos are awesome things I've put off buying my one until next year now that I've bought the 55 AMG luckily my dad has a CL63 BiTurbo 654bhp at the crank after a map & H pipe on the exhaust

[silvertypes]

ZX10R NIN said:

Yes the CL63 BiTurbos are awesome things I've put off buying my one until next year now that I've bought the 55 AMG luckily my dad has a CL63 BiTurbo 654bhp at the crank after a map & H pipe on the exhaust

Nice...

I've been driving myself insane reading reviews & I'm coming to the conclusion that pick any car & there will be a forum with 50% saying don't touch with a bargepole & 50% that it is the best car money could buy - so I may as well buy a) what I like & b) what i think I can afford

Currently I'm thinking I wouldn't tire of seeing a Merc on the drive & in the right colour & spec a CLK can look pretty awesome so it's top of my list.

I AM still nervous about how it will cope in winter (especially living on a hill) being rear wheel drive, when I have found front wheel drive (not with winter tyres) hard work some years - but that aside...

Also agree the diesel looks best all rounder. Some say its a bit noisy - especially when booting it - don't really want it to sound like a taxi so it's a tie between that & the 350 Petrol though may be a bit too expensive for a nice one - we'll see

[ZX10R NIN]

The 320 doesn't sound like a taxi, they don't really have a sound as such but they can:

<iframe width="640" height="390" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/lkqyYxg6u4E" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

I'd still pick the CDI but the 350 is still a good a car, there will always be good & bad experiences with all cars. I've always bought the car I want & that suits my budget after that just do all the checks & get the best car for the cash.

Here are the best Two of Diesel/Petrols IMO
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2015...

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2015...

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2015...

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2015...

If you want one get one you'll be happy.

[silvertypes]

ZX10R NIN said:

The 320 doesn't sound like a taxi, they don't really have a sound as such but they can:

<iframe width="640" height="390" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/lkqyYxg6u4E" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

I'd still pick the CDI but the 350 is still a good a car, there will always be good & bad experiences with all cars. I've always bought the car I want & that suits my budget after that just do all the checks & get the best car for the cash.

Here are the best Two of Diesel/Petrols IMO
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2015...

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2015...

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2015...

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2015...

If you want one get one you'll be happy.

Thx for that - Diesel sounds pretty throaty ...

All 4 look good choices, about the right miles budget, spec etc - think the 'sport' really does look the best!

When I'm ready just got to find one locally that floats my boat / fits my budget. Either the 320CDI, the 350 or the 500 Petrol Sport depending on my approach to risk / financial suicide... The 500 is still tempting! Coupe or Conv not sure

Probably too pricey but this looks pretty close to perfect spec - low miles Sport, FSH with 1 owner. HAd a Silver car for pushing 10yrs - nice to have a change Black or seen a nice mettalic blue wld be cool

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2015...