Sorry but a 'what car'
Discussion
I've done a couple of these threads recently but my circumstances have changed and so have my desires, hence the new thread. I have recently got a well paid job (for my age) and the first thing I promised myself was a new car, so this is what I'm doing. I have looked at the new Focus Titanium (I work for Ford so get discount) and although I love the car, it will be slightly out of budget.
The car will do around 12,000 miles a year and I have no limitations in terms of powertrain etc, I just want some suggestions as to decent cars that are within budget. I would rather a new car (I know, depreciation blah blah etc) but I've worked hard to get this job and plan to make the most of my money whilst I have no other major commitments. However I would look at second hand as long as it's recently modern, with a few toys etc.
I'm looking at paying via finance and ideally would like to pay less than £300 per month, although this can be increased slightly. Considered things like the A3 and 1 series coupe (second hand), and they are either slightly out of budget or not exciting enough. So any other suggestions?
The car will do around 12,000 miles a year and I have no limitations in terms of powertrain etc, I just want some suggestions as to decent cars that are within budget. I would rather a new car (I know, depreciation blah blah etc) but I've worked hard to get this job and plan to make the most of my money whilst I have no other major commitments. However I would look at second hand as long as it's recently modern, with a few toys etc.
I'm looking at paying via finance and ideally would like to pay less than £300 per month, although this can be increased slightly. Considered things like the A3 and 1 series coupe (second hand), and they are either slightly out of budget or not exciting enough. So any other suggestions?
Personally, I'd be looking at something around 2-3 years old from a main dealer.
It could be exactly the same spec and style as a brand new car.
It'll have full service history and some sort of decent warranty.
It (should) have a full valet and check up before being sold to you.
It'll cost about half the price.
You could get a brand new mundane motor.
Or, you could get a 2 year old prestige/exciting car.
I know that some people love the idea of a brand new car with only 6 miles on the clock.
But, I'd rather have a better older car than a brand new boring one.
It could be exactly the same spec and style as a brand new car.
It'll have full service history and some sort of decent warranty.
It (should) have a full valet and check up before being sold to you.
It'll cost about half the price.
You could get a brand new mundane motor.
Or, you could get a 2 year old prestige/exciting car.
I know that some people love the idea of a brand new car with only 6 miles on the clock.
But, I'd rather have a better older car than a brand new boring one.
^^^^ need to narrow it down a bit. How old are you? Is insurance an issue? Where is the car going to be kept? What sort of driving will you be doing? Do you really need 4 seats? Do you really need a boot? Is it a disaster if it chooses not to start one morning?
A3s really are just Golfs with a badge and they're pretty bland to drive until you get to S3 levels. I had one for about a year. Yawn.
Any reason why you wouldn't have a soft top? See points above. Everybody should have a convertible at least once. Can I be the first then? MX5!
A3s really are just Golfs with a badge and they're pretty bland to drive until you get to S3 levels. I had one for about a year. Yawn.
Any reason why you wouldn't have a soft top? See points above. Everybody should have a convertible at least once. Can I be the first then? MX5!
mnkiboy said:
£300 over how long? Over 4 years you could probably get something around £12k, a bit more if you've got a sizeable deposit to throw at it.
Narrow it down a bit, what do you want. New or Used? Fast or economical? 2 seats or 4?
Over 2, 3 or 4 years really, I don't have a massive preference if it's something I like than I could see myself keeping it for a few years. Number of seats isn't important, and as I won't be doing much mileage, it doesn't have to be doing 80mpg. Fast is always nice and something with a nice interior that is a nice place to be.Narrow it down a bit, what do you want. New or Used? Fast or economical? 2 seats or 4?
Snowboy said:
Personally, I'd be looking at something around 2-3 years old from a main dealer.
It could be exactly the same spec and style as a brand new car.
It'll have full service history and some sort of decent warranty.
It (should) have a full valet and check up before being sold to you.
It'll cost about half the price.
You could get a brand new mundane motor.
Or, you could get a 2 year old prestige/exciting car.
I know that some people love the idea of a brand new car with only 6 miles on the clock.
But, I'd rather have a better older car than a brand new boring one.
I'm the same as you, and something 2 years old will feel more than modern enough compared to my 11 year old Fiesta. So what sort of '2 year old prestige/exciting car' could I get?It could be exactly the same spec and style as a brand new car.
It'll have full service history and some sort of decent warranty.
It (should) have a full valet and check up before being sold to you.
It'll cost about half the price.
You could get a brand new mundane motor.
Or, you could get a 2 year old prestige/exciting car.
I know that some people love the idea of a brand new car with only 6 miles on the clock.
But, I'd rather have a better older car than a brand new boring one.
alfa pint said:
^^^^ need to narrow it down a bit. How old are you? Is insurance an issue? Where is the car going to be kept? What sort of driving will you be doing? Do you really need 4 seats? Do you really need a boot? Is it a disaster if it chooses not to start one morning?
A3s really are just Golfs with a badge and they're pretty bland to drive until you get to S3 levels. I had one for about a year. Yawn.
Any reason why you wouldn't have a soft top? See points above. Everybody should have a convertible at least once. Can I be the first then? MX5!
I'm 21 so insurance is a slight priority, but I don't mind paying for something fun. I don't know where the car will be kept at the moment as I am currently searching for a property, driveway is most likely though. 4 seats is not important, neither is a boot. I would prefer the car to start.A3s really are just Golfs with a badge and they're pretty bland to drive until you get to S3 levels. I had one for about a year. Yawn.
Any reason why you wouldn't have a soft top? See points above. Everybody should have a convertible at least once. Can I be the first then? MX5!
MX5 do not do enough for me to be honest, although soft tops in general are not a bad thing.
ali4390 said:
I've done a couple of these threads recently but my circumstances have changed and so have my desires, hence the new thread. I have recently got a well paid job (for my age) and the first thing I promised myself was a new car, so this is what I'm doing. I have looked at the new Focus Titanium (I work for Ford so get discount) and although I love the car, it will be slightly out of budget.
The car will do around 12,000 miles a year and I have no limitations in terms of powertrain etc, I just want some suggestions as to decent cars that are within budget. I would rather a new car (I know, depreciation blah blah etc) but I've worked hard to get this job and plan to make the most of my money whilst I have no other major commitments. However I would look at second hand as long as it's recently modern, with a few toys etc.
I'm looking at paying via finance and ideally would like to pay less than £300 per month, although this can be increased slightly. Considered things like the A3 and 1 series coupe (second hand), and they are either slightly out of budget or not exciting enough. So any other suggestions?
Are you putting a deposit down? Do you care about owning the car at the end of it?The car will do around 12,000 miles a year and I have no limitations in terms of powertrain etc, I just want some suggestions as to decent cars that are within budget. I would rather a new car (I know, depreciation blah blah etc) but I've worked hard to get this job and plan to make the most of my money whilst I have no other major commitments. However I would look at second hand as long as it's recently modern, with a few toys etc.
I'm looking at paying via finance and ideally would like to pay less than £300 per month, although this can be increased slightly. Considered things like the A3 and 1 series coupe (second hand), and they are either slightly out of budget or not exciting enough. So any other suggestions?
No offense meant, but a Focus Titanium sounds a pretty boring option for a 21 year old interested in cars.
I can sort of see the desire for a new car, although after about 8 weeks ownership I suspect that feeling will truly have worn thin. Maybe even after 4 or 5 days.....
There are simply loads of interesting cars available. But you'll need to revisit your priorities and wants though.
If it's sporty and fun I'd maybe be looking at used Elises or a VX220. If you want comfort and toys, then maybe a big Jag, Merc or BMW.
Or there's a host of interesting cars in-between from things like an RX-8 R3, Nissan 350z Nismo, BMW Z4 3.0's or maybe even some form of rally rep or hot hatch (Cooper S, Abarth 500).
ali4390 said:
So what sort of '2 year old prestige/exciting car' could I get?
£12500Over 3 years at 7% apr will be £385 per month.
Total amount paid at the end will be £13851, costing you £1351 to borrow the money.
So. £12500 to spend.
Go to autatrader, select a minumum value of 11k and max of 13k and less than 3 years old.
Perhaps limit it to BMW, Audi, Merc or whatever brand you like.
There's a lot of nice cars around.
300bhp/ton said:
ali4390 said:
I would prefer the car to start.
Do you actually mean anything sensible by this?? 
In fact, he even quoted the post which asked him.
I believe he was replying to that question.
I think you may have jumped the gun a little this time.
Snowboy said:
Earlier in the thread he was asked if it's a disaster if the car doesn't start in the morning.
In fact, he even quoted the post which asked him.
I believe he was replying to that question.
I think you may have jumped the gun a little this time.
Sorry it was my poor attempt at comedy.In fact, he even quoted the post which asked him.
I believe he was replying to that question.
I think you may have jumped the gun a little this time.
The Focus only appealed as it was a very nice drive, the interior was a nice place to be (compared to my current car) and the EcoBoost engine offered reasonable performance.
Thanks for all the other replies, I realise reading back that my original post could not have been more vague if I had tried but the answers have helped me get a better idea of what I'm after.
[quote=ali4390]
Sorry it was my poor attempt at comedy.
quote]
NEVER EVER EVER say sorry to someone for trying to have a laugh.
I didn't know your history of none starters and I still got your joke.
Back on topic, I think a Focus is a wee bit boring for your age as well mate. I was in a C4 yesterday that a 21 year old owns and I thought it was quite smart.
Sorry it was my poor attempt at comedy.
quote]
NEVER EVER EVER say sorry to someone for trying to have a laugh.
I didn't know your history of none starters and I still got your joke.
Back on topic, I think a Focus is a wee bit boring for your age as well mate. I was in a C4 yesterday that a 21 year old owns and I thought it was quite smart.
badlands1 said:
ali4390 said:
Sorry it was my poor attempt at comedy.
NEVER EVER EVER say sorry to someone for trying to have a laugh.I didn't know your history of none starters and I still got your joke.
In just a few weeks here I've noticed Mister BHP does tend to jump on people for making silly comments.
In this case he himself made a silly comment because he didn't read the entire thread and read your comments out of context.
He's always struck me as a decent chap, so I'm sure he's feeling a little silly and somewhat sheepish right now for leaping before he looked as it were.
Anyhow.
Focus = Boring.
Get yourself a convertible BMW or Audi.
Much more fun.
ali4390 said:
The Focus only appealed as it was a very nice drive, the interior was a nice place to be and the EcoBoost engine offered reasonable performance.
Not sure I could agree with any of those tbh.I'd suggest some test drives in other types of cars, I'm fairly sure you'll then come back and reassess the claims you've made.
Maybe start out test driving (even if no intent to buy, just to give you some idea and broader experience):
-BMW M3 e46
-Jaguar x358 V8
-Mitsu Evo VIII
On a side note, have you considered something like a Chrysler Crossfire? 2 seat, comfy, fairly quick, rare and good looking. You should be able to get a last of the line 2007 model easily within budget and low mileage.
300bhp/ton said:
ot sure I could agree with any of those tbh.
I'd suggest some test drives in other types of cars, I'm fairly sure you'll then come back and reassess the claims you've made.
Maybe start out test driving (even if no intent to buy, just to give you some idea and broader experience):
-BMW M3 e46
-Jaguar x358 V8
-Mitsu Evo VIII
On a side note, have you considered something like a Chrysler Crossfire? 2 seat, comfy, fairly quick, rare and good looking. You should be able to get a last of the line 2007 model easily within budget and low mileage.
Would love an E46 M3 or Evo VIII but have always thought them out of reach due to insurance, however I'll look into them. I have considered the Crossfire but it doesn't do anything asthetically for me.I'd suggest some test drives in other types of cars, I'm fairly sure you'll then come back and reassess the claims you've made.
Maybe start out test driving (even if no intent to buy, just to give you some idea and broader experience):
-BMW M3 e46
-Jaguar x358 V8
-Mitsu Evo VIII
On a side note, have you considered something like a Chrysler Crossfire? 2 seat, comfy, fairly quick, rare and good looking. You should be able to get a last of the line 2007 model easily within budget and low mileage.
I suppose when I think about it, I would like a sports car of some description as I may as well make the most of my money and time without commitments. I'm looking as Z4s at the moment and I'm seriously tempted.
Although the Focus is a 'nice' car, i'd take the chance whilst you can and buy something interesting.
The new car thing wears off very quickly. Before long it's filthy, there's a couple of scratches to the paintwork, a rattle coming from somewhere and you realise it's just like any other Focus out there. And you've lost £8K in a year.
The new car thing wears off very quickly. Before long it's filthy, there's a couple of scratches to the paintwork, a rattle coming from somewhere and you realise it's just like any other Focus out there. And you've lost £8K in a year.
ali4390 said:
Would love an E46 M3 or Evo VIII but have always thought them out of reach due to insurance, however I'll look into them. I have considered the Crossfire but it doesn't do anything asthetically for me.
I suppose when I think about it, I would like a sports car of some description as I may as well make the most of my money and time without commitments. I'm looking as Z4s at the moment and I'm seriously tempted.
I understand insurance is likely an issue. I think the aim of driving such cars should be more to give you the experience to then compare cars like a Focus Titanium too.I suppose when I think about it, I would like a sports car of some description as I may as well make the most of my money and time without commitments. I'm looking as Z4s at the moment and I'm seriously tempted.
e.g. the Focus is fantastic when compared to an Astra. But when compared to an M3 it's nothing.
This in turn might help guide you to the type of cars you really want to look at and buy. Even if it means buying slightly older to get something better, faster and more fun.
300bhp/ton said:
Chrysler Crossfire? 2 seat, comfy, fairly quick, rare and good looking
I think that's rather subjective - I'm inclined to strongly disagree!I had a drive in a Mk4 Mondeo the other day (Titanium X sport 2.0 diesel), IMO a much better steer than a Focus, with much comfier seats, and more toys/space. However, it really isn't an interesting car, just extremely capable. A good buy nearly-new IMO.
Edited by RenesisEvo on Tuesday 25th October 11:33
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