Top spec 'normal' car vs. entry level 'premium'
Discussion
Hi All,
Just starting the process of looking to change my car. Currently driving a 2009 Mazda 6. This is a 'top of the range' Sport version which i've had a couple of years.
The mileage is racking up (i do 25k a year) and i'm ready for a change! So on to the options...
Option 1: Replace with the new Mazda 6 Touring. Again in top of the range spec (manual, leather, satnav, reversing camera etc etc). This is another 2.2d with around 175bhp
Car cost circa £29k
Pricing wise, circa £3.5k down then around £479 p/mth + service pack (without any discounts etc). Based on 25k p/annum for 3 years and 0% APR.
Option 2: Go RWD and pick up a 520d touring, a few options has this at over £40k with ease. Last year I had a quote on one for £620 p/mth (no deposit, 25k p/year, service pack included over 4 years). With a deposit I expect this to be a little cheaper p/mth. In fact if you work off £30 p/mth for every £1k 'borrowed' putting in £3.5k should see the monthly payments at around £500 p/mth
So the BMW is more expensive, more common, has less 'toys', has a bigger boot (important as we have another kid on the way) and will cost me more to run. If it was a 530d the extra power would make the decision much easier!
So the question comes down too... top spec 'normal' car vs. entry level 'premium' OR see if I can get a good deal on a 530d!
Phill
PS. Yes I know that I can get x/y/z for £500 and run it until it dies, i've tried that and enjoyed it BUT when the banger starts to die it got too stressful. I want/need the convenience of being able to throw it back at the dealer. Secondarily I work bloody hard and i've never had a new car!
Just starting the process of looking to change my car. Currently driving a 2009 Mazda 6. This is a 'top of the range' Sport version which i've had a couple of years.
The mileage is racking up (i do 25k a year) and i'm ready for a change! So on to the options...
Option 1: Replace with the new Mazda 6 Touring. Again in top of the range spec (manual, leather, satnav, reversing camera etc etc). This is another 2.2d with around 175bhp
Car cost circa £29k
Pricing wise, circa £3.5k down then around £479 p/mth + service pack (without any discounts etc). Based on 25k p/annum for 3 years and 0% APR.
Option 2: Go RWD and pick up a 520d touring, a few options has this at over £40k with ease. Last year I had a quote on one for £620 p/mth (no deposit, 25k p/year, service pack included over 4 years). With a deposit I expect this to be a little cheaper p/mth. In fact if you work off £30 p/mth for every £1k 'borrowed' putting in £3.5k should see the monthly payments at around £500 p/mth
So the BMW is more expensive, more common, has less 'toys', has a bigger boot (important as we have another kid on the way) and will cost me more to run. If it was a 530d the extra power would make the decision much easier!
So the question comes down too... top spec 'normal' car vs. entry level 'premium' OR see if I can get a good deal on a 530d!
Phill
PS. Yes I know that I can get x/y/z for £500 and run it until it dies, i've tried that and enjoyed it BUT when the banger starts to die it got too stressful. I want/need the convenience of being able to throw it back at the dealer. Secondarily I work bloody hard and i've never had a new car!
philmots said:
If a Mazda 6 is big enough won't a 3 series? In that case a 330d!
Out of your two though I'd have the 5.
The 6 hatch is big enough... and it has a massive boot, so dropping to a 3 touring would see luggage space reduced (which we'll need more of due to the dog). Out of your two though I'd have the 5.
I did have a look at an Octavia VRs, I couldn't put my finger on it but I just didn't like the interior. Also the costs seemed to have rocketed!
CallorFold said:
carparkno1 said:
New seat leon ST? Looks good and not expensive.
Chucking in DAB, led lights and sat nav at the moment as part of a deal.
May as well consider the Focus ST as well then (in estate guise)Chucking in DAB, led lights and sat nav at the moment as part of a deal.
carparkno1 said:
New seat leon ST? Looks good and not expensive.
Chucking in DAB, led lights and sat nav at the moment as part of a deal.
This guy knows. Utterly spectacular car in the spec aforementioned.Chucking in DAB, led lights and sat nav at the moment as part of a deal.
As to cheap 'n' cheerful v prem, drive them both and then ask yourself if the extra quality is worth the sacrifices you'll have to make elsewhere to afford it. I drive all sorts of cars all the time and anyone who tells you that there isn't a difference between, say, a top spec Insignia and a basic 3 series or C-class is either in denial or completely mad.
I know you want a brand new car, but your monthly budget would get you a really, really good used example of almost anything. What about a brand new motor makes it worth the money, to you?
p1stonhead said:
Go top spec 'normal' in my opinion.
The 520d has a lovely interior but isnt exactly exciting. Neither is the Mazda but at least it will have all the toys.
I agree with this chap.The 520d has a lovely interior but isnt exactly exciting. Neither is the Mazda but at least it will have all the toys.
A couple of my mates did exactly this a few (quite a few now I think about it!) years ago. One had a BMW 316i in a spec that made an Easyjet flight look posh (windy windows, scratchy seats, radio cassette, no aircon etc) , and the other one had a Mondeo Ghia 2.5 V6 with all the toys, alloys, leather etc.
BMW driver hated it after about 2 months, Mondeo driver very happy!
What are the "toys" that you are sacrificing by going for the BMW? As standard they come with heated leather, nav, xenons, Bluetooth, climate, parking sensors. Rather than more options spend the extra on the auto box. I love a manual but the auto suits the car so well.
I commute 120 miles a day in mine (saloon auto). It is very comfortable, goes well enough and does over 45 mpg. Add to that some great lease deals and you can understand why you see so many on the roads.
Give one a go then decide.
I commute 120 miles a day in mine (saloon auto). It is very comfortable, goes well enough and does over 45 mpg. Add to that some great lease deals and you can understand why you see so many on the roads.
Give one a go then decide.
Maxus said:
What are the "toys" that you are sacrificing by going for the BMW? As standard they come with heated leather, nav, xenons, Bluetooth, climate, parking sensors. Rather than more options spend the extra on the auto box. I love a manual but the auto suits the car so well.
I commute 120 miles a day in mine (saloon auto). It is very comfortable, goes well enough and does over 45 mpg. Add to that some great lease deals and you can understand why you see so many on the roads.
Give one a go then decide.
Sounds odd but it's the little things like keyless entry that I would miss. I commute 120 miles a day in mine (saloon auto). It is very comfortable, goes well enough and does over 45 mpg. Add to that some great lease deals and you can understand why you see so many on the roads.
Give one a go then decide.
I would be looking at the auto
I test drove a 520d just before Christmas, it was a nice car and inside was comfortable. But driving it was nothing special, performance was adequate and it didn't feel special. Also I thought the engine noise was a little bit much at higher revs. My wife had the option of one of these as her new company car, which was why we tested it, and on one front it fulfilled your needs, it's big. As it's so big there was no chance my wife would choose it but I like to try cars so we had a go. Now I know big engined versions of these are a different beast altogether especially with all the tos BMW has to offer. But when looked at as base spec it was that exciting a package.
Claudia Skies said:
IMO it's always better to buy the base model of a better car than the tarted-up model of a lesser car. The fundamental quality of design and engineering can never be added later!
I reckon most people's - including petrolheads' - perception of quality comes in large doses from the interchangeable bits (e.g. leather seats), rather than fundamental engineering, especially when large pieces of the engineering - e.g. suspension - are themselves optional.csampo said:
I am in the same position, and am leaning towards the 6. The new 6 is supposed to be excellent, and brokers have the facelift 175 sport nav for £22-23k, at which point it becomes extremely good value. The Mazda is better value to buy outright, but BMW leases seem better value.
Just bear in mind those 22-23k cars will be pre-facelift models (facelifts just coming in to showrooms now). The facelift has a lot of improvements with ride, Nav console etc.FWIW I am in a previous generation 5 series at the moment. I like Mazdas a lot, have had a few, so went in for a test drive of a 2.2D Sport Nav Tourer the other week. Admittedly my 5 is a V8 but I found the 2.2D engine a bit gruff, peaky and ultimately disappointing. I was expecting more from the Skyactiv tech.
I'm sure I'd get used to this though if I was going to go for a diesel of any kind. The bigger worry for me was the lack of refinement. The car was a lot noisier than my 5, with noticeably more wind noise around the A-pillar and big tyre noise from the wide 19" wheels (my 5 is on 18s).
If you're doing 25k a year I'd be testing driving both cars - but for me the 5 would shade it on refinement as it's just a nicer place to sit in and soak up the miles.
How do they compare for reliability????
BMW have had the timing chain issue on the 20ds - not sure if fixed.
A chap on another forum is involved in the leasing business - and according to him - the Skyactives are throwing up some issues.
Hes got a 6 on his fleet - skyactive diesel - that a few weeks ago when he posted was off the road.
He also said that some early skyactive diesels have needed replacement camshafts.
This is all SECOND HAND info
Id love to know if "leasing guy" is on the money regarding Skyactive diesel reliability - or if they are generally very good
Is VAG an option OP????
And before anyone pops up to say VAG are't great - all cars have their issues
BMW have had the timing chain issue on the 20ds - not sure if fixed.
A chap on another forum is involved in the leasing business - and according to him - the Skyactives are throwing up some issues.
Hes got a 6 on his fleet - skyactive diesel - that a few weeks ago when he posted was off the road.
He also said that some early skyactive diesels have needed replacement camshafts.
This is all SECOND HAND info
Id love to know if "leasing guy" is on the money regarding Skyactive diesel reliability - or if they are generally very good
Is VAG an option OP????
And before anyone pops up to say VAG are't great - all cars have their issues
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