Decisions, decisions on a limited budget...
Discussion
I've previously had a succession of boring but competent company cars however a new job without a company car means I now have the opportunity of being able to buy anything that takes my fancy within my budget.
I don't want a personal lease or any finance deals and I'm not interested in having the latest registration numbered car on my drive.
Being something of a "car guy" I fancy having something a bit different. I want a semi-classic. Looking through this website with my £10k budget any of the undermentioned appeals:
BMW Z3M, 635CSI, 840CI, 3.0 Z4 (but too common?)
Merc SL (1996-2002) or a high mileage SL500 (2002 onwards)
Jag XK8
Nissan 350Z or a Honda S2000 might also be considered - but I'm not convinced that they are special enough, if you know what I mean.
Does anyone actually drive any of these cars as a daily driver? Are they suitable as such? I'd expect the running costs of say a 635CSi to be greater than a mundane second hand Mondeo/Insignia etc but as I'll only be doing around 35 miles per day I'm hoping that it will be manageable.
I don't want a personal lease or any finance deals and I'm not interested in having the latest registration numbered car on my drive.
Being something of a "car guy" I fancy having something a bit different. I want a semi-classic. Looking through this website with my £10k budget any of the undermentioned appeals:
BMW Z3M, 635CSI, 840CI, 3.0 Z4 (but too common?)
Merc SL (1996-2002) or a high mileage SL500 (2002 onwards)
Jag XK8
Nissan 350Z or a Honda S2000 might also be considered - but I'm not convinced that they are special enough, if you know what I mean.
Does anyone actually drive any of these cars as a daily driver? Are they suitable as such? I'd expect the running costs of say a 635CSi to be greater than a mundane second hand Mondeo/Insignia etc but as I'll only be doing around 35 miles per day I'm hoping that it will be manageable.
Edited by TR4man on Friday 25th July 12:46
BMW E63/E64 645 falls well within budget - V8 loveliness and room for 4.
I used mine as a daily, averaged 22 around town, 32 on a 70+ motorway cruise
they have all the toys and still look like the 70k car they were originally IMHO - some people don't get on with the bangle design, but i think they have got better over time
I used mine as a daily, averaged 22 around town, 32 on a 70+ motorway cruise
they have all the toys and still look like the 70k car they were originally IMHO - some people don't get on with the bangle design, but i think they have got better over time
3.0 Z4 is totally practical as a daily driver. A proper old 635CSi is hard to find without a lot of rust, and one that hasn't got any rust on it is too good and too rare to use every day in all weathers, IMO.
840ci is lovely but rare.
The SL would be a decent choice and there are some good XKs available at your £10K budget, but have deepish pockets or a repair fund in case of things going wrong. I would buy a couple of grand cheaper and keep £2k back as a reserve.
Nissan 350Z or a Honda S2000 are both perfectly practicable dailies though the S2000 is more of an acquired taste
840ci is lovely but rare.
The SL would be a decent choice and there are some good XKs available at your £10K budget, but have deepish pockets or a repair fund in case of things going wrong. I would buy a couple of grand cheaper and keep £2k back as a reserve.
Nissan 350Z or a Honda S2000 are both perfectly practicable dailies though the S2000 is more of an acquired taste
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