My wife wants a new car

[falkster]

Following on from the efficiency debate, my wife spoke to me a few days ago (we don't talk often) commenting on rising fuel prices and increasing insurances.
Her boxster now costs her around £5000 a year to run and maintain.
She was thinking about changing but loves her car!!
If she were to change her car it would have to be a really good car. It would need to be 2 seater or 2+2, diesel or super efficient petrol plus relatively cheap on tax/insurance.
I know that sounds very contradictary but is it possible to have a fuel efficient sporty looking car?
Only ones I've thought of are:-

• Alfa Brera or GT diesel
• BMW 330d convertible
• CLK diesel

views?

[Fartgalen]

Keep the Boxster.

[Crusoe]

what about small petrol, french but the renault wind or similar might suit? Claims 44mpg though only 99bhp, but looks sporty and keeps the 2 seater roadster.



MR2 or MX5 might also be options?

[SpunkyMonkey]

Elises are fairly good on fuel, or if you're more interested in just the sporty look then you could try to Honda CR-Z hybrid?

[flattotheboards]

BMW 330i's are meant to be quite efficient, or how about a 135i?

[GenePoolReject13]

Pug RCZ? I think they do a 163bhp hdi version. They look pretty good but no idea if they are good to drive though.

[GreatGranny]

Scirroco TDi even the TSi would be alot cheaper than the Boxster.

Cousin had a TT TDi and he was pretty impressed and he came from a WRX STi thingy.

[theboss]

flattotheboards said:

BMW 330i's are meant to be quite efficient, or how about a 135i?

Absolutely, it would be sacrilege to buy a 330d convertible instead of the 330i, when the latter isn't as far off on fuel consumption as you'd think

[ColinM50]

I'd echo the Scirroco TDi and the Elise. And what about a Smart roadster?

[Petrol Eddie]

If she loves the Boxster then keep the Boxster. The cost of replacing a car buys you a load of petrol and insurance.

[pilchardthecat]

flattotheboards said:

BMW 330i's are meant to be quite efficient, or how about a 135i?

The 135i will be thirstier than her boxster. The claimed 30mpg is laughable, 22 is more like it.
If she still likes the boxster, has she factored in all the depreciation/cost to change/etc of getting something else?

[hornetrider]

The new TT 2.0 TFSi is very efficient. Guy I know is swapping his 987S for one based on the running costs. I wouldn't - but then I love Porsche!

[mikefacel]

Petrol Eddie said:

If she loves the Boxster then keep the Boxster. The cost of replacing a car buys you a load of petrol and insurance.

+1 Do your sums. Depreciation's a bh.

[falkster]

Depreciation is probably the only thing we've not thought about - bit stupid really. We've always tried to buy cars that will lose as little as possible. Looking at most cars they won't be as good as the boxster for depreciation but if gaining £2-3k per year in running costs, wouldn't that ofset and then some?
If it's too close to call she might aswell keep it.

[geeteeaye]

£5k a year to run a Boxster seems a heck of a lot, does she do high miles or have very expensive insurance?

[theturbs]

geeteeaye said:

£5k a year to run a Boxster seems a heck of a lot

I thought this as well.

[alcovrugbyfan]

convert the boxster to LPG.

[Vladimir]

£5k a year to run is daft unless that includes fuel?

In my experience "downsizing" your car very rarely saves money unless you go for a shed.

Might not be popular but a decent MX5 or even last shape MR2 would cost very little to run and be very nearly (of not more) fun to drive.

[falkster]

Sorry, £3500 of that is petrol. That's purely cost to get to work though.

[pilchardthecat]

falkster said:

Sorry, £3500 of that is petrol. That's purely cost to get to work though.

I spend about the same on fuel.

Previously I had a BMW diesel which did 50mpg, and saved me £2,000/yr on fuel

It depreciated by £5,000 a year though