New and nice, or older and flash?
Poll: New and nice, or older and flash?
Total Members Polled: 112
Discussion
What car with a slight difference...
So, I've got an aging but nice BMW 650, that basically takes me to/from the station and on motorways. I'm thinking of replacing it with a new shape 650, but as the budget has crept up to ~£30k I can't help but notice 2006 Aston Martins and Porsche 997s are available.
I really like the idea of cruise control with a brake function for the boring motorway stuff, and (in my mind at least!) a newer car is likely to be more reliable... And yet, Astons look so nice, and a Porsche is almost the perfect cliche mid-life crisis car!
So, general opinion poll - mod cons with bells and whistles, or something the same age as what I have, possibly more basic, but with car park cred?
So, I've got an aging but nice BMW 650, that basically takes me to/from the station and on motorways. I'm thinking of replacing it with a new shape 650, but as the budget has crept up to ~£30k I can't help but notice 2006 Aston Martins and Porsche 997s are available.
I really like the idea of cruise control with a brake function for the boring motorway stuff, and (in my mind at least!) a newer car is likely to be more reliable... And yet, Astons look so nice, and a Porsche is almost the perfect cliche mid-life crisis car!
So, general opinion poll - mod cons with bells and whistles, or something the same age as what I have, possibly more basic, but with car park cred?
I've chosen to decline from voting, as I don't like the reference "flash"
I'll always prefer the second option, to use my motoring budget to seat me in the best possible product that my means can support, based entirely on my own requirements and means of assessing a vehicles fit in what can be judged as being "best"
Throughout my entire motoring career, I've been privileged enough to own (in the true sense of the term, rather than those who barely rent their ride these days) and enjoy used vehicles that I would never have a hope in hell of having possession of the keys to as a new option.
All have been fastidiously maintained, however mostly using the most economical means ..... that means fun getting the spanners out, and knowing when an independent pro is required.
Maybe it's my age, or maybe it's the complexity of more modern machines, however I'm leaning towards the former for consideration in the future ..... For a white good car, I'm not afraid to consider a pay as you go kind of motoring lifestyle.
For the OPs motoring needs, then go "flash"!!!
I'll always prefer the second option, to use my motoring budget to seat me in the best possible product that my means can support, based entirely on my own requirements and means of assessing a vehicles fit in what can be judged as being "best"
Throughout my entire motoring career, I've been privileged enough to own (in the true sense of the term, rather than those who barely rent their ride these days) and enjoy used vehicles that I would never have a hope in hell of having possession of the keys to as a new option.
All have been fastidiously maintained, however mostly using the most economical means ..... that means fun getting the spanners out, and knowing when an independent pro is required.
Maybe it's my age, or maybe it's the complexity of more modern machines, however I'm leaning towards the former for consideration in the future ..... For a white good car, I'm not afraid to consider a pay as you go kind of motoring lifestyle.
For the OPs motoring needs, then go "flash"!!!
Good thread. I am in the same position, albeit at half your budget. So for me it is either a 6-8 year old V6 or even V8, vs a 3 year old 4 pot diesel with toys. Cannot make up my mind. Before I started looking around I was dead set on getting something boring and newer since I put so much money into keeping the current one running. But I just don't know if I can bring myself to spend the cash on a 3/520d when I could get an older 330i.
Moral of the story for me is, it's always car specific. In your case I would definitely go for a 997 over a newer 6series.
Moral of the story for me is, it's always car specific. In your case I would definitely go for a 997 over a newer 6series.
I don't get why anyone would spend £30k on a car with a 4 pot diesel?
Out of cars mentioned thus far, I'd have a 997 and possibly lose the year via a personal plate.
Were I spending my own cash though, I'd opt for comfy daily driver (a 2011 BMW 5 series or similar) and spend the rest on something iconic and fun to own / drive.
Out of cars mentioned thus far, I'd have a 997 and possibly lose the year via a personal plate.
Were I spending my own cash though, I'd opt for comfy daily driver (a 2011 BMW 5 series or similar) and spend the rest on something iconic and fun to own / drive.
.....sobI'd go older, and maybe widen your search a little. I was in the same predicament a few years ago (around 2008) when replacing a C Class. At the time my mileage was fairly low, sub £10k. At that point I bought a Maserati 3200GT which had a real presence and the ability to put a huge grin on my face. I subsequently changed that for a 996C4S, which whilst still a great car, didn't provide the same sense of occasion as the Maserati. A quick search shows loads of Granturismo's for sale at your price point......
Impasse said:
As someone who has owned one as a daily driver for nearly four years with no issues, I'm quite happy not to have purchased a similarly priced diesel saloon. 
Ha! I may have to create another thread to ask about early Vantage reliability and niggles... I've owned a hand built British car before (albeit further down the price spectrum!) in the form of a VX220. The issues I had with that car were just about acceptable for the price point, but it'd be too depressing to push the boat out, buy the dream car, and then find it has bits that fall off or otherwise fail!Jasandjules said:
A station car and motorway mile muncher would be slightly older and boring for me..... Just like I have, a Passat Estate......
Then use the rest to buy a toy..
For me, the problem is that I know I'd never really use the toy. I don't really have the time or inclination to go out for a drive any more, as depressing as that sounds, so I'd need one car to do it all. I do have a garage, and had briefly considered keeping the current car and buying a Caterham, but I'm sure it would spend nearly all it's time parked up with the battery going flat...Then use the rest to buy a toy..
tter?
DanL said:
sinbaddio said:
A quick search shows loads of Granturismo's for sale at your price point......
That's a good shout - I've not looked at them. An Alfa I owned years ago leaves me a little worried about their general reliability, but I assume that this isn't really a problem!http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?t=129...
Older better car every time!
Sometimes the new gadgets can be fitted easily (eg my Merc has a Nokia-shaped bluetooth dongle that fits in the original car cradle, hidden in the armrest). Sometimes they aren't stuff you even want. Radar cruise control is by no means a new gadget anyway, must be on some 10 year old cars now.
The only time you'll regret it is if you regularly drive a route that matches the Euro emissions test.
As you have had an older 650 you are going in with your eyes open about the possibility of big bills, the porker bills surely won't be MUCH more than that?
Sometimes the new gadgets can be fitted easily (eg my Merc has a Nokia-shaped bluetooth dongle that fits in the original car cradle, hidden in the armrest). Sometimes they aren't stuff you even want. Radar cruise control is by no means a new gadget anyway, must be on some 10 year old cars now.
The only time you'll regret it is if you regularly drive a route that matches the Euro emissions test.
As you have had an older 650 you are going in with your eyes open about the possibility of big bills, the porker bills surely won't be MUCH more than that?
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