£16k, 25k miles per year, 'interesting', practical...

[llew75]

Hello all, been a lurker for a while but could now do with some advice.

Any suggestions for the above? It has been driving me mad trying to work out my best option.

I do 25,000 miles a year with my commute, which is 50% motorway, 25% back road, 25% town.

Currently have a 2.0 diesel focus - been great, but having owned more interesting cars in the past (Clio 182, 197, Mini Cooper) I'm now yearning for something more 'interesting' again. Interesting can mean quick, or decent handling, or just something interesting engineering wise.

It also needs to be relatively practical for a one year old baby's gear.

A brand new car has been ruled out because I presume a two year old car with 50k on the clock will have lost hideous amounts. I realise that whatever I do will probably take a big hit though.

So the criteria is:

>40mpg official combined MPG
£16k max budget
Relatively practical
Minimise depreciation (as much as is practically possible anyway)
'Interesting' in some way

Been thinking about things like 123d, Mk6 Golf 1.4 160 GT, Alfa 159 1.9, even something like Citroen C5 would qualify as 'interesting' in some ways.

But as I said, not sure what's best depreciation wise. As a rule of thumb, which would lose more over two years and 50k mileage? A nearly new £16k car with say 6k on it to start, or a two year old car with maybe 40k on it to start with?

As you can tell, my head is spinning a bit.

Any suggestions ideas would be much appreciated!

Thanks

Rich

[DanGPR]

Alfa GT JTD?

http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/1591933.htm

[DJC]

How about an Audi A8 4.2.ltr tdi ?

I think the 4.0 has got down to your price.

[Mag1calTrev0r]

How about a brand new Skoda Octavia vRS 2.0TDI. 170bhp and can be remapped if you want more. Alternatively the petrol if you don't mind the higher fuel bills.

Very cheap on Drive the Deal @ £16k. Maybe not mega interesting but a very good car

[robsco]

Citroen C6?

Very interesting, will have suffered from a monumental landslide of depreciation already, whilst extremely quiet and comfortable and fairly good on juice. And you're pretty much guaranteed not to see another one around for months on end. Alfa 159 sounds a good shout too.

Regards
Robsco

[llew75]

Thanks for the suggestions, some interesting ideas. Skoda intrigues me for some reason, and the Alfa GT, which I had also been thinking about.

Anybody got any rough idea what the £16k new Octavia would be worth two years later with 50k on the clock? I realise it would just be a rough guess, but any thoughts?

Thanks again

Rich

[jagfan2]

much more interesting than your average premium saloon

http://www.pistonheads.co.uk/sales/1200669.htm

http://www.pistonheads.co.uk/sales/1591771.htm

[edo]

DJC said:

How about an Audi A8 4.2.ltr tdi ?

I think the 4.0 has got down to your price.

Not going to average over 40mpg, and to get in budget would need to have been to the moon and back..

How about this:

2007 07 Reg BMW 3 SERIES 2993 cc 325D SE TOURING
Price: £15,495
Features:
38,000 milesManualGreyDieselEstate2993 cc
Full Description:
Glossary of Terms
5 Doors, Manual, Estate, Diesel, 38,000 miles, Grey, 1 Owner(s), Adjustable Seat Height,Air-Con,Alloys,Aluminium Cappings,Electric Mirrors,Electric Windows,Immobilizer,Power-Assisted Steering,Rear Wash/Wipe+Luggage Cover,One Owner,Remote Door Locking,Turbo Diesel,Colour Coded Bumpers,Alarm,Central Locking,Air Bags,CD Player,Service History,Leather Steering Wheel,Adjustable Steering Column,ABS,Climate Control,Cruise Control,Upgraded Alloys,Passenger Airbag,OBC,Multi-function Wheel,Rear Head Rests,Side Air Bags,Front Fogs,Traction Control,Acoustic Parking,Warranty,MOT.£15,495



Lots of space, rear wheel drive, silky smooth 6 cyl diesel engine, just under 200bhp, and will easily crack 40mpg.

Only 3 years old, below average miles, and saved yourself in the region of £20k on new for 38,000 miles.

Edited by edo on Thursday 8th April 22:21

[Mars]

A mint 3 litre Legacy should be had for about £10K giving you £6K to help with the running costs.

Fulfils your other requirements. Practical, interesting engineering, etc...

[amir_j]

e60 5 series

[RB26DETT]

Mars said:

A mint 3 litre Legacy should be had for about £10K giving you £6K to help with the running costs.

Fulfils your other requirements. Practical, interesting engineering, etc...

Good car.
Really like the shape.

[GreatGranny]

Hmmmmmmm Jag



http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2010...