Discussion
I have a 2007 Audi A3 1.8T which i got about 6 months ago from an Audi Dealership.
I'm 21 and I have decided i don't really want so much money tied up in a depreciating asset, plus if i'm honest i am finding the A3 a little dull to drive.
Looking on Autotrader & the like i think i could get £11 - £12k for mine (21,000 Miles, S-Line, fully loaded with Nav Leather etc, 6 months dealer warranty left, service not due for 18months, MOT til August) Ideally would want to put £5kish back in the bank for house deposit fund, so that gives my a budget of £6-7k to get a 'fun' car.
Bored of hatchbacks so thinking of either getting a Mk1 TT Coupe (1.8T 225), or a Z4 2.5i Roadster.
Ideally mileage below 50k, TTs seem to be around 2001/2 and Z4s seem to be around 2003/4 from initial research.. Leaning towards Z4 as looks more modern, will be nice for summer and performance isn't too far off the TT.
Any advice / views / other ideas?
I'm 21 and I have decided i don't really want so much money tied up in a depreciating asset, plus if i'm honest i am finding the A3 a little dull to drive.
Looking on Autotrader & the like i think i could get £11 - £12k for mine (21,000 Miles, S-Line, fully loaded with Nav Leather etc, 6 months dealer warranty left, service not due for 18months, MOT til August) Ideally would want to put £5kish back in the bank for house deposit fund, so that gives my a budget of £6-7k to get a 'fun' car.
Bored of hatchbacks so thinking of either getting a Mk1 TT Coupe (1.8T 225), or a Z4 2.5i Roadster.
Ideally mileage below 50k, TTs seem to be around 2001/2 and Z4s seem to be around 2003/4 from initial research.. Leaning towards Z4 as looks more modern, will be nice for summer and performance isn't too far off the TT.
Any advice / views / other ideas?
Edited by A13 on Tuesday 20th March 08:24
Z4.
In my opinion the TT just isn't a 'fun' car. the handling is dull and although its realitvely fast(ish) its just not that involving.
I guess the standard answer of drive them and see what you like the feel of. But without a doubt for me it would be something rear wheel drive for a fun car.
Have you considered an S2000?
In my opinion the TT just isn't a 'fun' car. the handling is dull and although its realitvely fast(ish) its just not that involving.
I guess the standard answer of drive them and see what you like the feel of. But without a doubt for me it would be something rear wheel drive for a fun car.
Have you considered an S2000?
Go for the Roadster. I've owned both cars, the Z4 was more fun, the TT was more practical. Both 100% reliable. Z4 gives you rear wheel drive pleasure, the TT has Quattro limpet like traction which while being fun in its own way, is not as involving. A BMW six cylinder engine note with the roof down is hard to beat on a sunny day.
Z4 But then I might be biased.
Had two of the E85 2.5 engine. Try and get an Si if you go for the facelift as thishas more power than the standard 2.5 Great car and quick enough.
Having driven my sister in laws new TT, I would still got for the Z4. The TT won't feel much different to the A3 imho
Had two of the E85 2.5 engine. Try and get an Si if you go for the facelift as thishas more power than the standard 2.5 Great car and quick enough.
Having driven my sister in laws new TT, I would still got for the Z4. The TT won't feel much different to the A3 imho
I have owned both. The TT is still pretty dull to drive, even the latest model. The Z4 is a proper sports car. Get the 3.0L, you will only regret it otherwise - running costs are nearly the same as the smaller capacity models and you get more toys and power with the 3.0L.
The only fault with the Z4 is the runflat tyres. This can be fixed.
The only fault with the Z4 is the runflat tyres. This can be fixed.
e, plus not too keen on the look of it.Op, how many miles are you doing? Why not buy something more fun like a TVR 350i or a C4 Corvette. Either will have way more charm and fun factor than a 2.5 Z4 or a TT and both will also hold their values far better.
At the tender age of 21 and evidently having some serious disposable income, why not live a little and be somewhat less sensible while you can?
At the tender age of 21 and evidently having some serious disposable income, why not live a little and be somewhat less sensible while you can?
300bhp/ton said:
At the tender age of 21 and evidently having some serious disposable income, why not live a little and be somewhat less sensible while you can?
Because he is trying to save money for a house deposit, as stated in the OP.EDIT: in answer to the original question, the car you should choose will depend if you want a car that will be fun to drive (BMW) or one that is easy to live with in all driving conditions (Audi).
Edited by Mr Gear on Tuesday 20th March 09:35
300bhp/ton said:
Op, how many miles are you doing? Why not buy something more fun like a TVR 350i or a C4 Corvette. Either will have way more charm and fun factor than a 2.5 Z4 or a TT and both will also hold their values far better.
At the tender age of 21 and evidently having some serious disposable income, why not live a little and be somewhat less sensible while you can?
I'm not particularly comfortable having a 'large' sum of money sitting in a car like i do at the moment. Need to start thinking about getting my own place in the future so need to start saving!At the tender age of 21 and evidently having some serious disposable income, why not live a little and be somewhat less sensible while you can?
I probably do about 5k miles a year. Use it to drive 3 miles to station every morning and at weekends.
350z? Faced with a very similar situation, it is what I did and do not regret it one bit.
Nice and cheap for what you get, better to insure than a S2000 and ok on tax if you get a pre 06 one (which you will for 7k)
Only downside is the hilarious fuel consumption (32ish motorway, 22ish town) and the badge snobbery (if that kind of thing bothers you)
Nice and cheap for what you get, better to insure than a S2000 and ok on tax if you get a pre 06 one (which you will for 7k)
Only downside is the hilarious fuel consumption (32ish motorway, 22ish town) and the badge snobbery (if that kind of thing bothers you)
Ive only briefly drove a TT and I own a Z4. But for me the difference was night and day. I prefer the Z4 in every conceivable manner. Get the 3.0 as you could probably just get one in budget. I've just taken mine off SORN for three months and timed it with some decent ish weather.
I average 30 mpg too and I don't exactly granny about.
I average 30 mpg too and I don't exactly granny about.
Z4.
Frankly, a 21 year old male looks odd in a TT! Had the 2 litre myself - it didn't put a foot wrong. Bloody expensive tyres though!
Honestly though, all cars are depreciating assets. I don't want to sound patronising but alot of young people buy prestige cars and then are shocked at the daily running costs such as tyres. Almost all sellers when I was looking at 330 CIs for example seemed to be men between 21 and 30 who had bought the car and were shocked at running costs. Every single one I looked at was broken in some way and they were trying to sell it without paying to have it fixed.
When I was 21 I had a Fiat Punto Active Sport!
Frankly, a 21 year old male looks odd in a TT! Had the 2 litre myself - it didn't put a foot wrong. Bloody expensive tyres though!
Honestly though, all cars are depreciating assets. I don't want to sound patronising but alot of young people buy prestige cars and then are shocked at the daily running costs such as tyres. Almost all sellers when I was looking at 330 CIs for example seemed to be men between 21 and 30 who had bought the car and were shocked at running costs. Every single one I looked at was broken in some way and they were trying to sell it without paying to have it fixed.
When I was 21 I had a Fiat Punto Active Sport!
Mr Gear said:
Because he is trying to save money for a house deposit, as stated in the OP.
ok then, so how exactly does the logic work on buying a car that'll depreciate and lose £1000's in just a few years make sense then?? Not too mention the age of the cars the OP is looking at are just as likely to need some sort of maintenance. Edited by Mr Gear on Tuesday 20th March 09:35
A13 said:
I'm not particularly comfortable having a 'large' sum of money sitting in a car like i do at the moment. Need to start thinking about getting my own place in the future so need to start saving!
I probably do about 5k miles a year. Use it to drive 3 miles to station every morning and at weekends.
5000 miles a year is nothing.I probably do about 5k miles a year. Use it to drive 3 miles to station every morning and at weekends.
Seriously buying a car that won't depreciate has got to be worth it. Something like a 350i TVR, it's a Rover engine, Rover gearbox and Ford brakes. The body doesn't rust (keep and eye on the chassis).
Really there is no reason for them not to be reliable. You can easily work on them at home or any half descent mechanic can, no need to pay stealership prices for simple work.
They are likely to have 'niggles' and always something not quite working 100%, but it really shouldn't be things that stop them being driveable or usable.
300bhp/ton said:
ok then, so how exactly does the logic work on buying a car that'll depreciate and lose £1000's in just a few years make sense then?? Not too mention the age of the cars the OP is looking at are just as likely to need some sort of maintenance.
That's not my logic, that's the OPs logic. and since he was talking about spending £6k, it's not that much of a kick in the balls even if it loses half its value in the time he owns it. TTs and Z4s won't hit rock bottom any time soon.A £6k TT or Z4 has a lot less to lose than his current car. A corvette will lose £1k every year in insurance payments alone... and that's before you stick any fuel in it or put tyres on it.
There's a reason not many people drive Corvettes in this country - they are a pretty poor ownership prospect for us Brits.
Gassing Station | General Gassing | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff