Depressed by used car options
Discussion
I sold my S2000 towards the end of last year to help with my house deposit which I've bought now. I got myself a 2005 focus 2.0 tdci for the interim, telling myself I'd get something decent again afterwards.
Now that afterwards has arrived, nothing on the market at the price I want to pay (could be the issue) particularly interests me. My journey to work is 42 miles each way, 5 days a week. That pretty much rules out a lease car/buying new without losing quite a lot of money. I also feel like I don't really need a new car and it would be a bit overindulgent to get one.
My requirements are basically:
Looks good, coupe ideally.
Can get 40mpg with no effort, and by no effort I mean at modern UK motorway outside lane speeds.
200bhp+
Mileage around 40k, I'd like to be able to keep it for at least a year and it not be approaching what society deems as high mileage.
Leather interior ideally with a screen/sat nav integrated but not essential.
Can be had for £10-£15k.
The focus has actually turned out to be really good for what I need a car to do. It munches motorway miles at speed, gives good mpg in return and the seats are comfortable. It's a titanium so has some nice options too. I think that is making it more difficult to look at what's available on the market at the moment and not feel a bit unmotivated to get something else.
Things I have looked at so far -
2010-2012 BMW 325/330/335D - I do like these, but I think they are expensive for what is a fairly common car and not exactly new. They look a bit dated next to the latest gen, but not enough to prevent me from considering them. £15k seems to be required for a decent example.
2013on BMW 125D - I do like these and I think for £15k they would be a good buy, but £15k ones with the right options such as xenons and the autobox are few and far between.
Golf GTD - Only 184bhp and £15k is a bit of a no mans land as that will get you the highest priced previous gen examples but not the lowest priced latest gen examples.
2011on Mercedes C250D - Only higher mileage examples available at £15k.
2010on Jaguar XF - Really prefer the latest gen so much so that I don't think I could go for the gen available at £15k.
BMW 123D/Audi TT tdi - totally subjective, but to me they are a bit feminine.
Scirocco tdi - just don't fancy one.
So should I just stick with the focus and until I find something I like? I feel like that could be a long time, any suggestions?
Now that afterwards has arrived, nothing on the market at the price I want to pay (could be the issue) particularly interests me. My journey to work is 42 miles each way, 5 days a week. That pretty much rules out a lease car/buying new without losing quite a lot of money. I also feel like I don't really need a new car and it would be a bit overindulgent to get one.
My requirements are basically:
Looks good, coupe ideally.
Can get 40mpg with no effort, and by no effort I mean at modern UK motorway outside lane speeds.
200bhp+
Mileage around 40k, I'd like to be able to keep it for at least a year and it not be approaching what society deems as high mileage.
Leather interior ideally with a screen/sat nav integrated but not essential.
Can be had for £10-£15k.
The focus has actually turned out to be really good for what I need a car to do. It munches motorway miles at speed, gives good mpg in return and the seats are comfortable. It's a titanium so has some nice options too. I think that is making it more difficult to look at what's available on the market at the moment and not feel a bit unmotivated to get something else.
Things I have looked at so far -
2010-2012 BMW 325/330/335D - I do like these, but I think they are expensive for what is a fairly common car and not exactly new. They look a bit dated next to the latest gen, but not enough to prevent me from considering them. £15k seems to be required for a decent example.
2013on BMW 125D - I do like these and I think for £15k they would be a good buy, but £15k ones with the right options such as xenons and the autobox are few and far between.
Golf GTD - Only 184bhp and £15k is a bit of a no mans land as that will get you the highest priced previous gen examples but not the lowest priced latest gen examples.
2011on Mercedes C250D - Only higher mileage examples available at £15k.
2010on Jaguar XF - Really prefer the latest gen so much so that I don't think I could go for the gen available at £15k.
BMW 123D/Audi TT tdi - totally subjective, but to me they are a bit feminine.
Scirocco tdi - just don't fancy one.
So should I just stick with the focus and until I find something I like? I feel like that could be a long time, any suggestions?
Edited by Al U on Tuesday 3rd May 21:20
Do any of the Saab 9-3 diesels have > 200 bhp? I'd be tempted to spend £5ish k on something like that for commuting (should be comfortable, economical, well equipped) and accept that a few years at 20/30k miles a year will make it a high mileage car. Then spend the other £10k on a fun car for the rest of the time... Maybe an Boxster or something like that?
It's fun spending someone else's money
Edited to add. Ah, you posted at the same time! So, if you don't want 2 cars then keep what you've got for the time being
It's fun spending someone else's money
Edited to add. Ah, you posted at the same time! So, if you don't want 2 cars then keep what you've got for the time being
wemorgan said:
Most of those options it would be almost cheaper to lease new than pay £15k on.
I've a 125d and it drives very nicely. So that's my choice of the above.
Maybe, but maybe not. Bearing in mind I'd need a car with 25,000 miles per annum and be tied in for 2 years.I've a 125d and it drives very nicely. So that's my choice of the above.
I did look at this and a Golf GTD weighed in at around £9.5k over 2 years. I don't think I'd lose that much on a used car and I'd rather have the freedom to come and go when I please, not worry about how many miles I am doing so much etc.
I think leasing is great for people that do lower mileage though.
A bit of a compromise on cost or mileage would put you in a BMW 635d
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2016...
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2016...
PSRG said:
Do any of the Saab 9-3 diesels have > 200 bhp? I'd be tempted to spend £5ish k on something like that for commuting (should be comfortable, economical, well equipped) and accept that a few years at 20/30k miles a year will make it a high mileage car. Then spend the other £10k on a fun car for the rest of the time... Maybe an Boxster or something like that?
It's fun spending someone else's money
Edited to add. Ah, you posted at the same time! So, if you don't want 2 cars then keep what you've got for the time being
I do like Saabs and I can see the appeal, but I just don't fancy one myself right now. It's fun spending someone else's money
Edited to add. Ah, you posted at the same time! So, if you don't want 2 cars then keep what you've got for the time being
Cemesis said:
I feel the same. £15k on a 6 year old 3 series is madness. Ten years ago I bought a 6 year old M5 for £16k. The 1 series is hardly a luxurious 5 series so don't waste £15k on that either.
Stick with the Focus until you find something that appeals.
I've looked at 5 series too but again £15k is bottom of the market of the latest gen and the ones with the decent engines are £20k realistically.Stick with the Focus until you find something that appeals.
I thought the 125d was good from the point of view it looks fresh, has the right ingredients for what I need, chassis could be satisfying enough at the weekend and I have heard good things about the auto. Interior is pretty nice compared to the other hatches available too. They look pants without the xenons though!
wibblebrain said:
A bit of a compromise on cost or mileage would put you in a BMW 635d
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2016...
I think that looks expensive for what it is. If I saw that going down the road and you told me it was more than about £12k I'd be surprised.http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2016...
Al U said:
Maybe, but maybe not. Bearing in mind I'd need a car with 25,000 miles per annum and be tied in for 2 years.
I did look at this and a Golf GTD weighed in at around £9.5k over 2 years. I don't think I'd lose that much on a used car and I'd rather have the freedom to come and go when I please, not worry about how many miles I am doing so much etc.
I think leasing is great for people that do lower mileage though.
Fair enough, though final point, you can lease an Octavia vrs for £8k at that mileage.I did look at this and a Golf GTD weighed in at around £9.5k over 2 years. I don't think I'd lose that much on a used car and I'd rather have the freedom to come and go when I please, not worry about how many miles I am doing so much etc.
I think leasing is great for people that do lower mileage though.
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