Depressed by used car options

[0000]

A Focus is a capable and affordable all rounder. I think you have to really want a large boot, faster acceleration, better economy, quieter ride, or something other particular facet to justify spending the extra cash and it will probably be to the detriment of some other aspect of the car.

If you doing sufficient mileage to worry about the economy I'd run it into the ground and then you'll have to buy a new car, that might take a while though. Just don't pick a Focus next time.

[300bhp/ton]

Al U said:

veccy208 said:

What about looking for cheaper cars with higher specs? Look at cars between 5-10k and a bit older. Get some great cars with full service history, 1 owner and kept in a garage all their lives. It also gives you a chance to look at something different from the usual.

Just fancy something newer to be honest. I don't think 6 years old or newer is an unreasonable target.

Well no it isn't, but yes it is if you are then being very picky about the rest of the spec. For any given budget there is usually a compromise.

[danrst171]

Megane RS? Just go a little slower on the motorway and MPG should be almost what you ask for and you'll have a beast to enjoy on any drive other than your commute.

[FredClogs]

Al U said:

FredClogs said:

Spend less on the car, get something a bit older and with a petrol engine for £10k and save the money for fuel bills and repairs.

I don't really think the benefits of a petrol car are going to be made apparent with the type of driving I do. My personal opinion is that lazy diesels are perfect for motorway driving, just fancy something better than the focus.

Got to be this then...

http://www4.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...



Diesel
>200bhp
Good MPG
Looks great
Not a focus
Coupe

Do I get a commission?

[aeropilot]

Al U said:

FredClogs said:

Spend less on the car, get something a bit older and with a petrol engine for £10k and save the money for fuel bills and repairs.

I don't really think the benefits of a petrol car are going to be made apparent with the type of driving I do. My personal opinion is that lazy diesels are perfect for motorway driving, just fancy something better than the focus.

As much as I hate diesels, I agree with you. For what your doing though journey wise, my money would be going on something with a lot of comfort and a big diesel, and where bigger miles on it when you come to sell aren't going to be such an issue, so I'd be looking at something 'prestige' and maybe with already some miles on the clock...and what it looks like is a pointless criteria really.....you're buying a mile munching, daily, not a supercar!
A6/A8, 530d, Jag XFd, Merc E-Class.....?

I'd be tempted by something like this, toys, lots of comfort, decent mileage on a run....

http://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/v...

[Crusoe]

Al U said:

Crusoe said:

GT86 ticks all the boxes I think. Either that or something like a z4 coupe for 10k and live with 30s mpg.

My previous car was an S2000, which is in a different league to the GT86 IMO. I also don't think that either a GT86 or Z4 is going to get the MPG I'm looking for.

I had two s2000 and on a second z4 (3lr and onto a m coupe this time) and my brother has a gt86 that I've done some miles in. 40mpg easily achievable in the Toyota, 3lr BMW more like low 30s which is still better than the Honda. Gt86 not in a different league for fun and so much more exploitable on the road, not as fast but did you ever VTEC in the final two gears anyway? Hybrid 3 series might be a bit over budget but turbo 3lr plus the battery boost gives good power and lots of low down torque. Great for a commute with electric only in start stop traffic and mid 40s mpg achievable, auto only though.

Edited by Crusoe on Wednesday 4th May 09:44

[Glasgowrob]

Keep the focus but get it mapped?

Had the same 2l tdci in s Mondeo £450 later it was making 197 bhp and 323 lbs/ft

Totally different car and £14500 cheaper than your other options

[Bill]

300bhp/ton said:

Not trying to be funny about it. But I've never had £15k to spend on a car and have always managed to find something I like and/or want. I struggle to believe you can't find multiple choices if I'm honest.

You have beer taste to match your beer money, whereas the OP wants the best champagne for prosecco money.

Personally I'd be keeping the Focus and looking at something with a V8...

[jcelee]

A modern Ford Focus is very good in this role and as others have said its a "white goods" role.

On Sunday I put some proper miles on my Caterham for the first time in some time - its worth £10-11k...
Having driven a lot of cars, IMHO, nothing sub £100k comes close to the thrills a Caterham (or equivalent) offers and it will feel uniquely special every time you drive it. I strongly recommend you run the Focus into the ground and buy a toy with your £15k. You'll also find a well purchased toy will not depreciate like any 'proper' car.

[AH33]

My VXR ticks all those boxes. Very good mpg for the performance on offer.

I wouldn't expect most people to be able to drive one though in case someone called them a chav

[SturdyHSV]

Bill said:

Personally I'd be keeping the Focus and looking at something with a V8...

Exactly right

Better yet, sell the Focus, get this for £9k:

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/231841460909

and spend the £6,000 on brave pills and fuel

Even better yet, get this for £4,875:

http://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/m...

Spend £5,625 sorting out any issues over time, and spend the other £4,500 on fuel.

For 20,000 miles a year, comparing 40mpg to 25mpg (you'd eek that out 'on a run' ) is about £2,500 a year vs £4,000 a year.

So your £4,500 would last you 3 years of supremely refined motorway cruising with a 5.4 litre V8 at your disposal, and 234,000 miles vs 174,000 miles is hardly anything, you could probably sell it on for at least £3,000 assuming it doesn't rust into oblivion!

There you go, some proper PH suggestions

[bakerstreet]

300bhp/ton said:

Not trying to be funny about it. But I've never had £15k to spend on a car and have always managed to find something I like and/or want. I struggle to believe you can't find multiple choices if I'm honest.

This. Mileage is usually the sticky point. I always end up buying high milers because it allows me to get the cars I want within by limited budget.

I wanted a Saab Aero estate, but only had a grand to play with, so I bought a really clean car. Only downside is that its got 200k on the clock. Had it since Feb last year. Only done about 5k in it, but its been as good as gold

If I was the OP, I would be looking at the Merc c class Sport diesel. Good looking cars and decent on fuel.

[Al U]

FredClogs said:

Got to be this then...

http://www4.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...



Diesel
>200bhp
Good MPG
Looks great
Not a focus
Coupe

Do I get a commission?

No you don't get commission for suggesting something I have already said I don't like earlier in the thread .

[Al U]

Glasgowrob said:

Keep the focus but get it mapped?

Had the same 2l tdci in s Mondeo £450 later it was making 197 bhp and 323 lbs/ft

Totally different car and £14500 cheaper than your other options

I wouldn't map an old leggy car to be honest, I think the extra load on the concerned parts isn't worth the gain. Things just tend to break faster on mapped cars in my experience.

[Al U]

Bill said:

You have beer taste to match your beer money, whereas the OP wants the best champagne for prosecco money.

Personally I'd be keeping the Focus and looking at something with a V8...

I wouldn't go that far. I didn't start the thread saying why aren't Panamera diesels £15k yet!?

[Al U]

SturdyHSV said:

Exactly right

Better yet, sell the Focus, get this for £9k:

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/231841460909

and spend the £6,000 on brave pills and fuel

Even better yet, get this for £4,875:

http://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/m...

Spend £5,625 sorting out any issues over time, and spend the other £4,500 on fuel.

For 20,000 miles a year, comparing 40mpg to 25mpg (you'd eek that out 'on a run' ) is about £2,500 a year vs £4,000 a year.

So your £4,500 would last you 3 years of supremely refined motorway cruising with a 5.4 litre V8 at your disposal, and 234,000 miles vs 174,000 miles is hardly anything, you could probably sell it on for at least £3,000 assuming it doesn't rust into oblivion!

There you go, some proper PH suggestions

TVR's and old Merc's aren't really of interest to me unfortunately. I know they appeal to a lot of people on here but not myself.

[Al U]

aeropilot said:

As much as I hate diesels, I agree with you. For what your doing though journey wise, my money would be going on something with a lot of comfort and a big diesel, and where bigger miles on it when you come to sell aren't going to be such an issue, so I'd be looking at something 'prestige' and maybe with already some miles on the clock...and what it looks like is a pointless criteria really.....you're buying a mile munching, daily, not a supercar!
A6/A8, 530d, Jag XFd, Merc E-Class.....?

I'd be tempted by something like this, toys, lots of comfort, decent mileage on a run....

http://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/v...

I agree with everything you have said, but I just can't bring myself to seriously consider something so bland looking. Again things like the Phaeton and Octavia VRS are cars that I like and can see the appeal but just don't fancy one myself.

[FredClogs]

Al U said:

FredClogs said:

Got to be this then...

http://www4.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...



Diesel
>200bhp
Good MPG
Looks great
Not a focus
Coupe

Do I get a commission?

No you don't get commission for suggesting something I have already said I don't like earlier in the thread .

Fussy b'stad...

Polestar tuned Volvo C30?

http://www4.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

The new V40 with a D5 or T5 engine will amuse as well and they're essentially a coupe really even though they have 5 doors...

There's also various MINI body styles with the Copper S diesel engine or JCW setup that you could enjoy...

[Al U]

FredClogs said:

Fussy b'stad...

Polestar tuned Volvo C30?

http://www4.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

The new V40 with a D5 or T5 engine will amuse as well and they're essentially a coupe really even though they have 5 doors...

There's also various MINI body styles with the Copper S diesel engine or JCW setup that you could enjoy...

Not the first time I have been told I am fussy

If I wanted the 2.5T petrol engine in the volvo I would just get it in a more practical package, like a focus ST!

The Mini would be a good shout were it not for the fact that the other car in my household is a petrol Cooper S! One is bad enough I couldn't have another.

[aeropilot]

Al U said:

aeropilot said:

As much as I hate diesels, I agree with you. For what your doing though journey wise, my money would be going on something with a lot of comfort and a big diesel, and where bigger miles on it when you come to sell aren't going to be such an issue, so I'd be looking at something 'prestige' and maybe with already some miles on the clock...and what it looks like is a pointless criteria really.....you're buying a mile munching, daily, not a supercar!
A6/A8, 530d, Jag XFd, Merc E-Class.....?

I'd be tempted by something like this, toys, lots of comfort, decent mileage on a run....

http://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/v...

I agree with everything you have said, but I just can't bring myself to seriously consider something so bland looking.

You currently own a Focus FFS........so I would have said, you're more than comfortable with 'bland' ....?