Birthday present "what car"

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Firstly an apology. I have tried to avoid doing this for as long as possible. I know how we all love "what car" threads.

Itll be my 24th birthday in October and for it I want to buy a car.
My budget is around £40k

I am fairly flexible on the car, and I think its because of this I cant make my mind up.

This is a few examples of what I have been looking at for the past few months:
Jaguar XKR
Aston Martin V8V
TVR Cerbera
AMG Mercs
RS4

Obviously I wont get these in my price range brand new, so will be used. These will also be more expensive then 'normal' cars to run, but thats fine and to be expected.

Now, today I went into Land Rover (just for a look) and started to admire the Range Rover Evoque Coupe.
I came home and had a play on the "build your own" and specced up a car to how I would want it. The price was £42k (diesel, 9 speed auto, Zanzibar or black)

This got me thinking, I could have a brand new (64 plate?) car sat on my drive. But I cant help feeling that buying a new RRE over one of the cars above is a daft idea.. anyone else understand this?
I mean, who would buy a RRE over an Aston or Jag..? (other then the people who have done so)


What would you all do?
What cars am I over looking?

I want something special as it will be my car for the next 3 years (minimum) and its a lot of money to spend.

If it helps i have already ruled out a few cars:
Nissan GTR (insurance was way to high)
I dont want anything Jap because I really dislike the interiors
Most Porsches, but would consider a 997 turbo (need to do some research on running costs)
"cheap" super cars (ferraris etc) for obvious reasons, buy cheap = pile of problems


Insurance isnt a problem, The only quote I got that I laughed at was the GTR (£4500)

Ill only do 600 miles a month maximum as I have a company car, this will be more a weekend car so high fuel consumption isnt a problem.

Just as a side note, please dont say "buy a house" this money is to be spent on a car, if I wanted a house then I would buy one.

Any and all advice is gratefully received, thanks everyone.

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David87 said:

I'd go for the Aston, but Maseratis may be worth a look too.

The Evoque, although a great car, is a long way from the others you're considering! Whilst you're 24, buy something more exciting! Out of interest, if fuel figures don't matter to you, why diesel? The petrol-powered Si4 is quite a bit quicker.

Never considered a Maserati.. I shall have a look now.

I asked about the petrol, and I was told that I would have to wait over a month longer for one. Plus, when the time comes getting rid of a diesel one will be a lot easier then the petrol

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Thanks for the replies.

So, the range rover is a bad idea.. ill forget about that one then.

I do like the German stuff, RS4/BMW etc and got as far as testing driving and speccing up an M135 but pulled out last minute. The reason being, the car didn't feel very special.. the performance was amazing but the interior was bland, really didn't remind me of climbing into a black wheely bin to be honest with you all.

I prefer the more 'high end' luxury makes, Aston, Jaguar, Bentley etc but with these makes comes some reliability issues.
I think Ill have to bite the bullet and be prepared to pay a little more for a much more special car and the costs involved.


Not a massive fan of American muscle, but having said that Iv never really looked into them that much, ill do that now.


Nice to see a vote for the Jag, Im going to my local dealer this week to have a look at an early 5 litre XKR

Insurance isnt a problem, in fact most cars that have been mentioned are only a bit more to insure then the snotter im in now (saxo vtr)


Just out of interest, has anyone got any experience with Bentley CGT, costs etc? I have read that they have a bad habit of borking with no prior warning

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BE57 TOY said:

We have a 61 plate XKR and it's a bloody brilliant car and completely reliable. Bought it a couple of years ago for £60k so these would be in your price range easily by now id of thought.

the one im off to look at is £35k (as far as i can remember) the only thing I dont like about it is the colour (silver) but they have a few on stock, so if the test drive goes well then they can bring over one in my choice of colours.. The leeds Jaguar have a black 2011 one that looks the dogs danglies

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PugwasHDJ80 said:

Seriously you're 24 and you can buy just about ANY car possible

Trust me, buy the most fun, most impractical car you can because when you meet the women of your dreams and have kids it' gets MUCH harder to justify!

Porker, fezza, lambo, r8, Tvr, track car, etc etc

Thats the plan!

Im going to do it now while I dont need to justify it, the only reason I will give is "because I can"

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greggy50 said:

I am 22 and can say without a shadow of a doubt of those cars I would get in a V8 Vantage at your age range the Jaguar is a bit old man for me the same for the Maserati also to be honest cannot see (unfortunately) the V8 vantage dropping much lower myself they seems great value to me.

This looks nice for a shade over £40k with the 4.7 engine
http://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/a...

thats the only thing stopping me from buying a Jag.

I mean, the car is for me, and me alone but I dont want to constantly hear "its an old mans car" I recon after 6 months itll annoy me to such an extent that the car will lose its shine

nice Aston too

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greggy50 said:

Scoticus said:

thats the only thing stopping me from buying a Jag.

I mean, the car is for me, and me alone but I dont want to constantly hear "its an old mans car" I recon after 6 months itll annoy me to such an extent that the car will lose its shine

nice Aston too

It's a great car and if can get round the image no doubt about it dad test drove one and loved it (07 plate 4.2) but it is a GT car imo and not something fun for the weekend. For me the Aston is something more special you get out the garage on a nice day and give a good thrashing. Also personally the badge does have some alure and the idea of owning an Aston at such a young age for me would be hard to resist!

I agree entirely with you. I love jags, but I cant get over the image they have had stuck to them.

I think that an Aston right now does make most sense (man maths) and would be a lot more fun on the roads around here.

Im no badge snob, nor am I a shallow show off, but I would get to say "I drive an Aston"




oh damn... think my mind has been made up

does anybody know how the V8V compares to the DB9 as they can both be had for similar money now.

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Jasandjules said:

Scoticus said:

does anybody know how the V8V compares to the DB9 as they can both be had for similar money now.

GO drive them both.

Personally I'd have the two seater at 24...

I was just about to delete that last bit, having watched a few videos and spoke to a family friend.. the V8V will suit me a lot more!

DB9, big GT car
V8V, weekend thrasher

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Vladimir said:

Jesus H Christ - I would have wet myself if I could get any of the above at 24! I thought I was doing okay buying a new Saxo VTR on finance at your age!

I know I am in a very lucky position at my age, but its come at a cost, working hard, losing 'friends' because of their 'issues', being called all the names under the sun, and having next to no social life, but itll be worth it.
Thats part of the reason I didnt want to post on here, I did want this thread to look like one of the "iv got money, look at me" sort of things..

I have a saxo VTR at the minute and love it! and ill be genuinely very sad to see it go. I think ill let my little brother have it haha

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greggy50 said:

Jasandjules said:

GO drive them both.

Personally I'd have the two seater at 24...

I would say the same myself go for the Vantage the more sporty car and suitable for a younger gent again the DB9 is more of a GT and not a weekend car.

Only dilemma for me would be hardtop or convertible as can get the 4.3 convertible V8 for a shade over £40k now...
http://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/a...

I knew somebody would do this to me.
Im not 100% on which one I would go for. I prefer the look of the coupe over the soft top with the roof up, but then again the roof wouldnt be up that much..

I think itll have to be a coupe if im honest. only time will tell though

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Ved said:

Firstly congrats on being able to afford it so early on - a good reward to yourself

I'd go down the C63 or 911 route. A 997 Turbo would be a stinking car with the right warranty as would the AMG.

I think you have to go for dramatics, value and unless you plan to keep it for a long time the depreciation.

Either way you should have a lot of fun looking.

Thank you.

I plan on keeping the car for at least 3 years. Gives me enough time to save up for the replacement.

I really do need to go over to the Porsche dealership again, the first time I went though I was mugged off. I asked to have a better look at a turbo they had outside, but was given the "we cant find the keys" excuse.. Even though I phoned more then 3 hours previously to confirm I was able to have a look and test drive..

Thats the problem with having a baby face :/

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speedtwelve said:

I'd buy the AM V8V without hesitation in your shoes. I think it's one of the best shapes AM have ever produced. Good package of quality, cool, noise, handling and reasonable performance as mentioned.

"Yeah, we'll go in the Aston." sums it up.

I say this as a 45 year-old died-in-the-wool TVR man. At 24 it's a no-brainer if you have the means. Have fun.

It does have a certain ring to it haha

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This is why I love Pistonheads, the last few comments have really made me laugh

I agree about being knee-deep, and yeah it'll more then likely be the wrong type, but I'll have to figer out how to filter out that sort....

Last night I spent countless hours looking through here, being a little silly.. Clicking in cars I thought would be out of range, only to find that there were a few with in budget.. Think exotic Italia..
Might not be the cleverest of moves though, not if the Alfa over the road is anything to go buy..

.

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vrooom said:

buy caterham. bonker fun.

I'd like a few comforts.. Like a roof and doors haha

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Actus Reus said:

OP - what's the company car out of interest (and why have a Saxo! ;-) )

The company car is just a little ford connect.
I have the Saxo because is a cheap little motor. I didn't want anything to expensive while I was saving up. Plus it's a laugh!


If looked at a few R8s and I do like them. Not been lucky enough to drive one though, may have to go and have a test drive.

Shame my budget won't stretch to a v10

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kippax said:

100% Aston although I wouldn't rule out a DB9 if you want (tiny) back seats :-)

Luckily I don't need back seats.

I think it's got to be something British.
Nobody else seems to make interiors like us.

Aston Martin, jaguar and Bentley are in a class of their own when it comes to luxury. I know the Germans and jap cars are faster, but it's not all about that. To me it's more about how a car makes you feel when yo are driving it, and I think I'd be a lot happier in something from a British maker.

It's time to start test driving cars now, that's if they'll let me!

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Morry10 said:

What about this:

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

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

Bit different

Cheers

That z06 is amazing!
I know I said fuel consumption isn't important, but how bad are they?

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Ah yeah good point

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PugwasHDJ80 said:

OP- odd question but what do you want the car to actually do?

Are you likely going to be doing lots of track days?
will you be doing long weekend jaunts?
Whats more important- Beauty, Top speed, cornering, build quality, creature comforts?

something older like that stingray will put a smile on your face EVERY day, but it won't go as well as the modern stuff, won't be as reliable, and won't be as comfortable.

An R8 is a beautiful machine.....but it doesn't have "soul" and it doesn't create lust in its form. (I'd still love to own one, but for different reasons)

When I was 24 the only car I wanted was a Cobra.

I put a deposit down on a gardner douglas (which are just amazing vehicles)

I then went to the factory and promptly started building/buying one of these:

A gardner douglas T70 - autocar review here https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9JU86OBAbbo

Otherwise- how about a Weismann

For me- for a weekend car in which I'd only do a few hundred miles, at 24- I wanted something unique that turned heads for all the right reasons

No that's a very good question

I won't be doing track days
I'll do day/weekend trips up and down the country and eventually into France, Italy etc..
The list goes: beauty, build quality and interior comfort, performance/cornering, top speed
However saying that, top speed isn't important but the way it gets there is..

The car will be my only vehicle and would be favourable if it was reliable.
I can't see my self in a classic car to be honest with you, I've done that before and constantly worried about it.

As you say, he R8 is a fantastic car but I think it would leave me cold after a few months, to me it's just a big Audi. Or a small Lamborghini and I think that's the problem with it, it's just a little bit too German.

The car I want should fit this spec:
£40k maximum
Incredible place to sit, the inside is as important as the out side.
Fast, 0-62 in around 4.5 sec
I'd like a nice badge, I'm no badge snob but for my budget I'd like it none the less.
Be able to take it out for a early morning blast, then be able to point it to Monte Carlo and not feel like I've just driven all the way around the world in a van.


Last night I spent a few hours looking at 360s with a manual gearbox, but I can't help feeling this is pure madness.....?

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The ftype is my ultimate car of the moment, and hopefully they will fall into my budget in time..

But I'm not going to get my hopes up just yet