Help for a new (but old) driver
Discussion
Hello all
Bit of advice appreciated. Just passed my test (this afternoon in fact) at the ripe old age of 40, having spent many years as a biker (Blackbird). So now comes the properly difficult bit, which is choosing the right car. So any help the assembled masses might have would be truly appreciated.
With about 7k at my disposal I have the choice of something cheap, economical, sensible and (relatively new), or something older, bit more exciting and with a bit more poke, but obviously higher mileage too.
Kind of driving? If the missus uses it, then an urban commute of about 20 miles a day (I cycle into work, what with it being a whole .75 of a mile away). But I'd also want it for the odd long distance trip and it has to be practical enough to be able to lob a road bike in the boot/back (can't be bothered with a bike rack if the wife is mainly using it). Missus loved her old Civic EP3 but the fuel consumption was mental. But she's still partial to Honda's and their reliability does appeal. I like the look of some of the 2-2.5 litre 3 series BMWs (the insurance is fine, already checked it out) but am not sure whether high mileage (let's say 70k plus) is an issue or not. Also not sure about reliability, but am happy to be educated. But feel free to suggest anything you think might fit the bill. Except for a Citroen. Absolutely not buying a Citroen.
Fire away, (if you can be bothered!)
Cheers.
Bit of advice appreciated. Just passed my test (this afternoon in fact) at the ripe old age of 40, having spent many years as a biker (Blackbird). So now comes the properly difficult bit, which is choosing the right car. So any help the assembled masses might have would be truly appreciated.
With about 7k at my disposal I have the choice of something cheap, economical, sensible and (relatively new), or something older, bit more exciting and with a bit more poke, but obviously higher mileage too.
Kind of driving? If the missus uses it, then an urban commute of about 20 miles a day (I cycle into work, what with it being a whole .75 of a mile away). But I'd also want it for the odd long distance trip and it has to be practical enough to be able to lob a road bike in the boot/back (can't be bothered with a bike rack if the wife is mainly using it). Missus loved her old Civic EP3 but the fuel consumption was mental. But she's still partial to Honda's and their reliability does appeal. I like the look of some of the 2-2.5 litre 3 series BMWs (the insurance is fine, already checked it out) but am not sure whether high mileage (let's say 70k plus) is an issue or not. Also not sure about reliability, but am happy to be educated. But feel free to suggest anything you think might fit the bill. Except for a Citroen. Absolutely not buying a Citroen.
Fire away, (if you can be bothered!)
Cheers.
If you like BMWs, you might as well go for one. I've been driving them pretty much exclusively since I passed (aged 30something) and I daresay at some point I'll diversify a bit since I might need a more vanlike vehicle soon, but so far, they've been a pleasure to own and drive. I've only ever bought at the cheap end of the used market too (i.e. 'shed' price) expecting to have to invest around the same amount again to refresh a teenage vehicle, but that just adds to the pleasure of ownership for me, they've been run down to Southern France a few times and never let me down or left me stranded. I think if I had 7k to spend I'd look at getting a very nice late-model E46 and keeping the change for renovation and enhancement over a newer more mid-range e90.
Edited by vsonix on Wednesday 6th November 22:25
In a similar position, I found that no matter what the car, insurance was in the same ballpark. Therefore I decided to save money on the purchase price and spend it on the fuel bill. If you hardly ever drive it I don't see the logic in buying anything boring and sensible like a Skoda. Might as well buy with your heart.
londonbabe said:
In a similar position, I found that no matter what the car, insurance was in the same ballpark. Therefore I decided to save money on the purchase price and spend it on the fuel bill. If you hardly ever drive it I don't see the logic in buying anything boring and sensible like a Skoda. Might as well buy with your heart.
cool, what did you buy then?Gassing Station | General Gassing | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff