What car, or do I just spend out..
Discussion
I'm struggling to spend money.
Brand new M135i facelift to my spec is in the high 20s, 6k off list.
Its an awful lot of car for the money, but it is a lot of money.
Not sure I'd really use the performance, almost a bit of a waste ?
Due to various factors/things changing I can buy with a small 2 yr loan.
But, am struggling to order, got a mental block over the figure.
Used M135s have strong residuals - cars under £25k have miles, are manual or are white/have low spec. Compared to new the value doesn't look as good given I presume they will depreciate quicker now.
So:
lets say 20k
3-4 years old (old car is 7.5 so no point going any older)
petrol turbo.
8-10k miles a year.
Hatch or small saloon (no 2 seaters/coupes)
No boggo cars
Nothing that stands out too much (civic type r/impreza etc)
I like my mates facelift C350 C-Class, its a nice car but I'd rather avoid diesel and the petrol options (even for coupes) are rubbish (C63 out of budget). Coupe appears to be even worse for petrol engines.
Don't like E93 BMW, 335i is out of budget.
Golfs?, ~20k for a 3 year old GTI? not getting much for the money, not really a fan of them. Would do the job if I could put up with it, high chance I'll end up hating it.
Old S3? maybe, but 4/5 year old car with miles is going to be the only car in budget. Not a fan of the brand image, wary of DSG issues/costs. Look a bit dated already.
What am I missing ?
Don't mind Mazda 3 MPS but most are 2009 and all are £12k, would buy one if they were a few years newer and fitted budget better.
Thanks.
Brand new M135i facelift to my spec is in the high 20s, 6k off list.
Its an awful lot of car for the money, but it is a lot of money.
Not sure I'd really use the performance, almost a bit of a waste ?
Due to various factors/things changing I can buy with a small 2 yr loan.
But, am struggling to order, got a mental block over the figure.
Used M135s have strong residuals - cars under £25k have miles, are manual or are white/have low spec. Compared to new the value doesn't look as good given I presume they will depreciate quicker now.
So:
lets say 20k
3-4 years old (old car is 7.5 so no point going any older)
petrol turbo.
8-10k miles a year.
Hatch or small saloon (no 2 seaters/coupes)
No boggo cars
Nothing that stands out too much (civic type r/impreza etc)
I like my mates facelift C350 C-Class, its a nice car but I'd rather avoid diesel and the petrol options (even for coupes) are rubbish (C63 out of budget). Coupe appears to be even worse for petrol engines.
Don't like E93 BMW, 335i is out of budget.
Golfs?, ~20k for a 3 year old GTI? not getting much for the money, not really a fan of them. Would do the job if I could put up with it, high chance I'll end up hating it.
Old S3? maybe, but 4/5 year old car with miles is going to be the only car in budget. Not a fan of the brand image, wary of DSG issues/costs. Look a bit dated already.
What am I missing ?
Don't mind Mazda 3 MPS but most are 2009 and all are £12k, would buy one if they were a few years newer and fitted budget better.
Thanks.
Jimboka said:
Cooper S
Sorry - being difficult, they aren't really a car for a 30 something bloke, are they ?philmots said:
Megane 265?
Considered, but its the focus/astra etc set. And french, which is a bit scary.ajf said:
Look at the m235i I ike the drive over the m135 not sure why and it already has the new front from the LCI
I think its a good looking little saloon/coupe but 3 grand on top of the M135, trying to spend less, not more 
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2015...
I would personally go for the M135i, but the above is a good drive if you've definitely decided you don't want one.
I would personally go for the M135i, but the above is a good drive if you've definitely decided you don't want one.
Or in the high 20's you can get these.
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2014...
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2015...
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2015...
Saloon
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2015...
For me with these types of car available the 135i doesn't get a look in IMO
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2014...
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2015...
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2015...
Saloon
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2015...
For me with these types of car available the 135i doesn't get a look in IMO
Thanks for the ideas.
The E500 has the same problem as the C-class in that the engines aren't really viable, 200hp for a big car or a large vee, expensive tax, poor economy etc. I think the pick of the mercs is a c-class diesel.
None of the 3 series really appeal, the back of the E93 just seems a bit awkward. With the high value M3s I'm guessing that the running costs aren't going to be cheap? I don't think its viable to own something like that out of a warranty, not for me at least.
I'm a bit surprised that finding a sub 20k hatch/saloon is this difficult to be honest. Maybe I'm being a bit fussy.
A C350 c-class diesel has been suggested, they fit budget but not really sure I want a diesel, nor a c-class.. I'm not quite that old yet..
A C350 coupe is unobtainium.
Did return to looking at golf gti ED35s, there are a few for sale locally, all have DSG boxes, one is over 20k, and less than 20k miles, the others are about 17k but over 50k miles. Still not convinced I won't end up hating it.
The E500 has the same problem as the C-class in that the engines aren't really viable, 200hp for a big car or a large vee, expensive tax, poor economy etc. I think the pick of the mercs is a c-class diesel.
None of the 3 series really appeal, the back of the E93 just seems a bit awkward. With the high value M3s I'm guessing that the running costs aren't going to be cheap? I don't think its viable to own something like that out of a warranty, not for me at least.
I'm a bit surprised that finding a sub 20k hatch/saloon is this difficult to be honest. Maybe I'm being a bit fussy.
A C350 c-class diesel has been suggested, they fit budget but not really sure I want a diesel, nor a c-class.. I'm not quite that old yet..
A C350 coupe is unobtainium.
Did return to looking at golf gti ED35s, there are a few for sale locally, all have DSG boxes, one is over 20k, and less than 20k miles, the others are about 17k but over 50k miles. Still not convinced I won't end up hating it.
Crafty_ said:
Thanks for the ideas.
The E500 has the same problem as the C-class in that the engines aren't really viable, 200hp for a big car or a large vee, expensive tax, poor economy etc. I think the pick of the mercs is a c-class diesel.
None of the 3 series really appeal, the back of the E93 just seems a bit awkward. With the high value M3s I'm guessing that the running costs aren't going to be cheap? I don't think its viable to own something like that out of a warranty, not for me at least.
I'm a bit surprised that finding a sub 20k hatch/saloon is this difficult to be honest. Maybe I'm being a bit fussy.
A C350 c-class diesel has been suggested, they fit budget but not really sure I want a diesel, nor a c-class.. I'm not quite that old yet..
A C350 coupe is unobtainium.
Did return to looking at golf gti ED35s, there are a few for sale locally, all have DSG boxes, one is over 20k, and less than 20k miles, the others are about 17k but over 50k miles. Still not convinced I won't end up hating it.
How many miles do you do per year? Under 8k & I'd say yes to the petrol past that why not consider a diesel I'd suggest you test drive 3.0 diesel to make sure you don't want one.The E500 has the same problem as the C-class in that the engines aren't really viable, 200hp for a big car or a large vee, expensive tax, poor economy etc. I think the pick of the mercs is a c-class diesel.
None of the 3 series really appeal, the back of the E93 just seems a bit awkward. With the high value M3s I'm guessing that the running costs aren't going to be cheap? I don't think its viable to own something like that out of a warranty, not for me at least.
I'm a bit surprised that finding a sub 20k hatch/saloon is this difficult to be honest. Maybe I'm being a bit fussy.
A C350 c-class diesel has been suggested, they fit budget but not really sure I want a diesel, nor a c-class.. I'm not quite that old yet..
A C350 coupe is unobtainium.
Did return to looking at golf gti ED35s, there are a few for sale locally, all have DSG boxes, one is over 20k, and less than 20k miles, the others are about 17k but over 50k miles. Still not convinced I won't end up hating it.
It seems like you're looking for a fun car but want it fairly new & value for money.
C250CDI Coupe 22k
http://eu.hlserve.com/Delivery/Delivery.aspx?hm_CI...
350 Saloon
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2015...
Alpina
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2014...
If it has to be a hatchback how about a Golf R
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2015...
Or a Focus RS both are holding their money extremely well.
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2015...
Or if it has to be new>
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2015...
From the bottom up...
Doesn't have to be new, but there is little point in buying a car almost as old as what I have.
Focus RS is the exact sort of thing I want to get away from.
As previously said, not a huge fan of golfs, I have driven a mk7 R, wasn't overly impressed. I read that many consider the 7R to be a better car than the 6..
Mercs - I can drive my mates C350 if I want to try one. I think its a nice car but not really sure if its something I want to own, I don't need 4 doors, nor a car that big. Limited choice, unless you want an estate. If you go for a coupe they generally are lower spec and aren't all that special.
I've yet to see anyone under 50 driving one.
Reasonably new and value for money - sure, why wouldn't I want those attributes ?
8-10k a year mileage wise.
Doesn't have to be new, but there is little point in buying a car almost as old as what I have.
Focus RS is the exact sort of thing I want to get away from.
As previously said, not a huge fan of golfs, I have driven a mk7 R, wasn't overly impressed. I read that many consider the 7R to be a better car than the 6..
Mercs - I can drive my mates C350 if I want to try one. I think its a nice car but not really sure if its something I want to own, I don't need 4 doors, nor a car that big. Limited choice, unless you want an estate. If you go for a coupe they generally are lower spec and aren't all that special.
I've yet to see anyone under 50 driving one.
Reasonably new and value for money - sure, why wouldn't I want those attributes ?
8-10k a year mileage wise.
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