What car? Does the Mrs need a 400hp+ estate?
Discussion
Long time lurker,just found the 'New topic' button! ; )
Current situation:
Have 2 x kids (3yrs & 8months) and after some discussion, Mrs Bernieburger is taking a 'career break' after maternity leave finishes in March. Unfortunately, that means her company car goes (Ford Kuga), and I need to buy her something to replace it.
I currently have a company car, which is costing me a fortune in tax (Mercedes E-class estate with fuel card), and was thinking to downgrade to a smaller car and use the savings to offset the running costs of a car for Mrs Bernieburger.
Over the last 10yrs my 'Sportscar saving fund' has always ended up being transfered to the 'buying a house fund' to 'getting married fund' to 'buying a bigger house fund' to 'having a baby fund' etc etc. I now would like to have something to at least partially scratch a PH itch (a 911 ST rep backdate would be nice)
Here is what I am thinking?
- Downsize my CC to Golf GT (Save myself £200/mth CC tax & another £60/mth net company car allowance)
- Buy Mrs Bernieburger a large car (To swallow kids + all the stuff they come with!) that will still give me something fun to drive at the weekends?
Budget about £12k
Options I am considering:
- C5RS6 Avant (Am I mad? Will potential DRC, tyres etc cost me a bomb?)
- B7 RS4 Avant (Finance another £8k or so)
- Subaru Forester STI (Will I ever perusade MRs B a blue car with bonnet scoop and gold wheels is a goer?)
- E90 335d Touring (Is it big enough? I know nothing is faster if mapped ; )
Or should I be more sensible and get something with 7 seats & slow?(And keep saving for a me weekend car)
- Volvo XC90
- VW Touareg
- Leggy FF RR (Petrol)
Any ideas for alternatives welcome or advice on pros/cons of the suggestions gratefully received.
S
Current situation:
Have 2 x kids (3yrs & 8months) and after some discussion, Mrs Bernieburger is taking a 'career break' after maternity leave finishes in March. Unfortunately, that means her company car goes (Ford Kuga), and I need to buy her something to replace it.
I currently have a company car, which is costing me a fortune in tax (Mercedes E-class estate with fuel card), and was thinking to downgrade to a smaller car and use the savings to offset the running costs of a car for Mrs Bernieburger.
Over the last 10yrs my 'Sportscar saving fund' has always ended up being transfered to the 'buying a house fund' to 'getting married fund' to 'buying a bigger house fund' to 'having a baby fund' etc etc. I now would like to have something to at least partially scratch a PH itch (a 911 ST rep backdate would be nice)
Here is what I am thinking?
- Downsize my CC to Golf GT (Save myself £200/mth CC tax & another £60/mth net company car allowance)
- Buy Mrs Bernieburger a large car (To swallow kids + all the stuff they come with!) that will still give me something fun to drive at the weekends?
Budget about £12k
Options I am considering:
- C5RS6 Avant (Am I mad? Will potential DRC, tyres etc cost me a bomb?)
- B7 RS4 Avant (Finance another £8k or so)
- Subaru Forester STI (Will I ever perusade MRs B a blue car with bonnet scoop and gold wheels is a goer?)
- E90 335d Touring (Is it big enough? I know nothing is faster if mapped ; )
Or should I be more sensible and get something with 7 seats & slow?(And keep saving for a me weekend car)
- Volvo XC90
- VW Touareg
- Leggy FF RR (Petrol)
Any ideas for alternatives welcome or advice on pros/cons of the suggestions gratefully received.
S
What about halving your budget?
Just found this BMW 5 SERIES via Auto Trader
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2013...
Just found this BMW 5 SERIES via Auto Trader
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2013...
i bought a newish, low miles CRV 2.0 Vtec Executive last year for around £12k.
it has absolutely everything fitted (leather, sat nav, dogging camera, f&r sensors, panoramic roof, sliding and reclining rear seats, double height boot etc etc etc).
it is terminally slow and dull as anything to drive, but it will never break, is HUGE internally (despite being small externally) and doesn't offend visually.
it'll be trucking along long after the VW toerags and Volvo yummy-mummy barges have self-destructed which is all that i could wish for.
it has absolutely everything fitted (leather, sat nav, dogging camera, f&r sensors, panoramic roof, sliding and reclining rear seats, double height boot etc etc etc).
it is terminally slow and dull as anything to drive, but it will never break, is HUGE internally (despite being small externally) and doesn't offend visually.
it'll be trucking along long after the VW toerags and Volvo yummy-mummy barges have self-destructed which is all that i could wish for.
village idiot said:
it is terminally slow and dull as anything to drive........
it'll be trucking along long after the VW toerags and Volvo yummy-mummy barges have self-destructed which is all that i could wish for.
What, to spend years and years driving a dull car??it'll be trucking along long after the VW toerags and Volvo yummy-mummy barges have self-destructed which is all that i could wish for.
Good luck with that.
After my Alpina was written off (not my fault, perfect car really) I had a similar problem - my "996 turbo fund" became the "help buy a new house, keep the old one too" fund. I got a 545i estate - pretty quick, nice noise, room for the small boys and all the toys but crucially with mondial warranty. I wouldnt have a newish BMW without one. It just ate its water pump so the warranty washed its face. I figured big diesels dont get great economy round town and petrols are cheaper to buy so man maths made it work. With the change from 10k + a bit of saving, I'll get an m3/m5 (or similar) as a weekend/track car until the 996 turbo becomes viable again.
So, maybe she doesnt need a 400hp+ estate but a 330hp estate car + a weekend/track car seems like more win?
So, maybe she doesnt need a 400hp+ estate but a 330hp estate car + a weekend/track car seems like more win?
bernieburger said:
Mrs Bernieburger is taking a 'career break' after maternity leave finishes in March.
Hmmm....Good luck!Mrs Foxmeister took some maternity leave aswell, arooound 2007ish when all was good and forgot the way back to work!
Im currently holed up in a wartorn enviroment(not the UK) to fund this "short spell", just aswell she doesnt drive right enough or i would be dealing in the black markets for sure!!!
gizlaroc said:
village idiot said:
it is terminally slow and dull as anything to drive........
it'll be trucking along long after the VW toerags and Volvo yummy-mummy barges have self-destructed which is all that i could wish for.
What, to spend years and years driving a dull car??it'll be trucking along long after the VW toerags and Volvo yummy-mummy barges have self-destructed which is all that i could wish for.
Good luck with that.
You miss the point, he won't be driving it much, his wife will !
Ease of use and practicality rule. Ever tried testing the handling balance and performance of your car with the wife and 2 toddlers in tow!?
If its your only car then that's different, you might want a more sporty allrounder for when you are on your own.
Buy this for your missus:
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2006-VOLVO-XC70-2-4D-SE-...
And go mad with this:
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/1993-TOYOTA-SUPRA-AUTO-T...
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2006-VOLVO-XC70-2-4D-SE-...
And go mad with this:
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/1993-TOYOTA-SUPRA-AUTO-T...
bernieburger said:
Long time lurker,just found the 'New topic' button! ; )
Current situation:
Have 2 x kids (3yrs & 8months)
...
Here is what I am thinking?
- Downsize my CC to Golf GT (Save myself £200/mth CC tax & another £60/mth net company car allowance)
- Buy Mrs Bernieburger a large car (To swallow kids + all the stuff they come with!) that will still give me something fun to drive at the weekends?
Budget about £12k
Options I am considering:
- C5RS6 Avant (Am I mad? Will potential DRC, tyres etc cost me a bomb?)
- B7 RS4 Avant (Finance another £8k or so)
- Subaru Forester STI (Will I ever perusade MRs B a blue car with bonnet scoop and gold wheels is a goer?)
- E90 335d Touring (Is it big enough? I know nothing is faster if mapped ; )
Or should I be more sensible and get something with 7 seats & slow?(And keep saving for a me weekend car)
- Volvo XC90
- VW Touareg
- Leggy FF RR (Petrol)
Any ideas for alternatives welcome or advice on pros/cons of the suggestions gratefully received.
S
RS4 and 3 series are quite small in the back. Estate options allow for carrying of all the crap that comes with kids, but conversely encourage the carrying of all the crap that comes with kids. Current situation:
Have 2 x kids (3yrs & 8months)
...
Here is what I am thinking?
- Downsize my CC to Golf GT (Save myself £200/mth CC tax & another £60/mth net company car allowance)
- Buy Mrs Bernieburger a large car (To swallow kids + all the stuff they come with!) that will still give me something fun to drive at the weekends?
Budget about £12k
Options I am considering:
- C5RS6 Avant (Am I mad? Will potential DRC, tyres etc cost me a bomb?)
- B7 RS4 Avant (Finance another £8k or so)
- Subaru Forester STI (Will I ever perusade MRs B a blue car with bonnet scoop and gold wheels is a goer?)
- E90 335d Touring (Is it big enough? I know nothing is faster if mapped ; )
Or should I be more sensible and get something with 7 seats & slow?(And keep saving for a me weekend car)
- Volvo XC90
- VW Touareg
- Leggy FF RR (Petrol)
Any ideas for alternatives welcome or advice on pros/cons of the suggestions gratefully received.
S
Forrester - good luck with the scoop. I doubt you'll get that one off the ground.
RS6. Like these, but suspect you might spend a while looking for a good unmolested one these days.
I'd be reluctant to provide Mrs66 with the keys to 400hp in order to ferry the kids around. Not because she'd give it beans, but because that style of driving tends to be low speed and so thirsty, and collects a disproportionately high number of bumper scuffs IME.
Touraeg and FFRR are 5 seats, not 7. Though you don't need 7 unless you're planning to have more kids, and even then it's a luxury rather than a necessity. Having recently acquired a 4.2SC FFRR I can say that it is a nice place to spend time, but not that fast, and feels every bit as heavy as it is. That said, it's an excellent wafter and provides no incentive to push on (a good thing, given what it is). That would be my pick of the 4x4/SUV roster. After than an X5 probably.
Forget making the family car a fun car.
Get a sensible family wagon for the wife and family.
Can you not get a fun car as your company car?
Or perhaps get an allowance to use your own car and buy something fun?
If not then you need to become a three car family - and that's a big family decision as it'll come with more annual costs.
Get a sensible family wagon for the wife and family.
Can you not get a fun car as your company car?
Or perhaps get an allowance to use your own car and buy something fun?
If not then you need to become a three car family - and that's a big family decision as it'll come with more annual costs.
Thanks for all the replies.
Hornetrider- almost tempted to buy that unseen!!
ITP/Village Idiot - sensible choice, but couldn't part with the hard earned for a Honda (Unless an NSX or ITR) and the Mercedes is just for work/business unf.
Remymartin-like the B5RS4 but never seem to find any that don't have galactic miles. Shout if you see one for me!
Foxmeister- realistic that 'Career Break' means 'I have no intention going back to work' ; 0
My slight man maths means that my wife can use the car in the week, for any 'big trips' i.e. holidays we can stuff everyone in, and then occassionally if I get some time to myself or with the lads (ha!) she can have the golf (or whatever company car I get) and I can take the barge!
Tempted to think sod it and get a more expensive lusty barge C5RS6 with a bit of warranty, or an M5 touring/B7 RS4 avant for 6 months, and maybe then get something a bit boring 12 mths down the line. i.e. scratch an itch and try and get out without any scary bills.
Have gladly weaned myself of stupid impulse purchases as I've got older (Remember buying myself a BOSE radio alarm clock one bored Sunday afternoon after graduating - I was on £13k/yr and spent half a months wages on an alarm clock - plonker!)
Hornetrider- almost tempted to buy that unseen!!
ITP/Village Idiot - sensible choice, but couldn't part with the hard earned for a Honda (Unless an NSX or ITR) and the Mercedes is just for work/business unf.
Remymartin-like the B5RS4 but never seem to find any that don't have galactic miles. Shout if you see one for me!
Foxmeister- realistic that 'Career Break' means 'I have no intention going back to work' ; 0
My slight man maths means that my wife can use the car in the week, for any 'big trips' i.e. holidays we can stuff everyone in, and then occassionally if I get some time to myself or with the lads (ha!) she can have the golf (or whatever company car I get) and I can take the barge!
Tempted to think sod it and get a more expensive lusty barge C5RS6 with a bit of warranty, or an M5 touring/B7 RS4 avant for 6 months, and maybe then get something a bit boring 12 mths down the line. i.e. scratch an itch and try and get out without any scary bills.
Have gladly weaned myself of stupid impulse purchases as I've got older (Remember buying myself a BOSE radio alarm clock one bored Sunday afternoon after graduating - I was on £13k/yr and spent half a months wages on an alarm clock - plonker!)
bernieburger said:
Thanks for all the replies.
Hornetrider- almost tempted to buy that unseen!!
ITP/Village Idiot - sensible choice, but couldn't part with the hard earned for a Honda (Unless an NSX or ITR) and the Mercedes is just for work/business unf.
Remymartin-like the B5RS4 but never seem to find any that don't have galactic miles. Shout if you see one for me!
Foxmeister- realistic that 'Career Break' means 'I have no intention going back to work' ; 0
My slight man maths means that my wife can use the car in the week, for any 'big trips' i.e. holidays we can stuff everyone in, and then occassionally if I get some time to myself or with the lads (ha!) she can have the golf (or whatever company car I get) and I can take the barge!
Tempted to think sod it and get a more expensive lusty barge C5RS6 with a bit of warranty, or an M5 touring/B7 RS4 avant for 6 months, and maybe then get something a bit boring 12 mths down the line. i.e. scratch an itch and try and get out without any scary bills.
Have gladly weaned myself of stupid impulse purchases as I've got older (Remember buying myself a BOSE radio alarm clock one bored Sunday afternoon after graduating - I was on £13k/yr and spent half a months wages on an alarm clock - plonker!)
Heyyyy! What about me???? Hornetrider- almost tempted to buy that unseen!!
ITP/Village Idiot - sensible choice, but couldn't part with the hard earned for a Honda (Unless an NSX or ITR) and the Mercedes is just for work/business unf.
Remymartin-like the B5RS4 but never seem to find any that don't have galactic miles. Shout if you see one for me!
Foxmeister- realistic that 'Career Break' means 'I have no intention going back to work' ; 0
My slight man maths means that my wife can use the car in the week, for any 'big trips' i.e. holidays we can stuff everyone in, and then occassionally if I get some time to myself or with the lads (ha!) she can have the golf (or whatever company car I get) and I can take the barge!
Tempted to think sod it and get a more expensive lusty barge C5RS6 with a bit of warranty, or an M5 touring/B7 RS4 avant for 6 months, and maybe then get something a bit boring 12 mths down the line. i.e. scratch an itch and try and get out without any scary bills.
Have gladly weaned myself of stupid impulse purchases as I've got older (Remember buying myself a BOSE radio alarm clock one bored Sunday afternoon after graduating - I was on £13k/yr and spent half a months wages on an alarm clock - plonker!)
Ah HPSauce, sorry for any offense, took so long writing the reply whilst at work,hadn't seen your post!
Volvo I might get away with, likelihood of the Supra being allowed any where near the house - slim. Worried I would get a bit carried away with a Supra a la JAMIEP and we'll be living in a shoebox but with a 1000bhp monster ; )
Volvo I might get away with, likelihood of the Supra being allowed any where near the house - slim. Worried I would get a bit carried away with a Supra a la JAMIEP and we'll be living in a shoebox but with a 1000bhp monster ; )
hornetrider said:
What about halving your budget?
Just found this BMW 5 SERIES via Auto Trader
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2013...
Who on earth specified a 545i with Business Nav and no Xenons!? Just found this BMW 5 SERIES via Auto Trader
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2013...
left field suggestion here...
vw t5 transporter/combi/campervan/shuttle/whichever version!
go for a 2.5 in swb form with a tailgate. it will fit in a regular parking space, swallow everything you could ever dream of.
the t5 is masses of fun to drive, especially once you remap it (you can go well over 250hp with the 2.5) and sort out the handling (18" load rated tyres and good coil-overs), gives great fuel economy and is quite cool.
i have one in addition to the crv and the vx220 nursery car (see today's car pool), and the t5 is the nicest drive.
with a stack of kids and all their crap in tow, you have all you need to go on great adventures.
vw t5 transporter/combi/campervan/shuttle/whichever version!
go for a 2.5 in swb form with a tailgate. it will fit in a regular parking space, swallow everything you could ever dream of.
the t5 is masses of fun to drive, especially once you remap it (you can go well over 250hp with the 2.5) and sort out the handling (18" load rated tyres and good coil-overs), gives great fuel economy and is quite cool.
i have one in addition to the crv and the vx220 nursery car (see today's car pool), and the t5 is the nicest drive.
with a stack of kids and all their crap in tow, you have all you need to go on great adventures.
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