Older and awesome or newer and humdrum

[8Ace]

A dilemma really. My Jag was a stopgap car bought 9 years and 100,000 miles ago. It's now on 211k and, frankly, it's knackered. There's lots wrong with it and it's got to the stage that I just can't be bothered to spend a lot of time and money fixing all the issues.

Therefore I need something else. Budget is a man-maths derived £10k. There is absolutely no scope for creep, it has already crept, considerably.

I commute c. 20 miles each day on a mix of motorways and b-raods. I need an automatic, something comfy, yet fun enough for the twisty bits so I don't die of boredom. A decent chassis, switchable / flappy paddle auto box and a ride that connects you to the rode but insulates you too.

I want something that's preferably rear wheel drive, less than 7-seconds to 60 (the Jag is a 3.2 and always felt too slow) and at least 4, but preferably 5 in the back (hence ruling out things like 6-series, Jag XKs etc)

I'm torn at the moment. For £10k I can get a really nice 2008 Jaguar XF SV8. But it's nearly 10 years old. As my budget is stretched, I can't really afford for it to go wrong. But it'as awesome. As is a E60 550i.

On the other hand, I can get something like a 2.0 ecoboost Mondeo on a 62 / 13 plate. Much newer. I'm sure it's fine.

But do I really want to drive something that's fine?

Any thoughts would be helpful as I'm back and forth in my decision and it's driving me nuts. I'm well aware that I got lucky with my Jag, bought at 13 years old and 100k miles for £2200 and erally, nothing's gone wrong outside routine servicing. I'm inluikely to get that again if I get an oldie.

[John Laverick]

Nothing wrong with a good well maintained 10 year old car (I've no experience of Jags personally though).

I've just bought my brothers 2007 BMW 330d Touring off him, it's a well maintained example with FSH plus recent brakes and tyres. It's on 122k, I drive it 400 miles a week and it feels solid as a rock.

I'd put money on it achieving 200k without much sweat.

Buy the car you want in my opinion!

[designforlife]

Older and awesome every single time.

[Olivergt]

designforlife said:

Older and awesome every single time.

+1

Have you looked at BMW's either a 5 series or 7 series, all should be in your budget, just make sure it's a six cylinder (petrol or diesel)

If you don't mind something less involving then look at a Lexus, totally bulletproof and apparently quite nice places to waft around in.

There should be something in either camp within your budget.

[MarcelM6]

Older and awesome, I would take the purchase budget down by a bit and put the balance into a 'repairs' fund.

Also worth looking at Mercedes CLS, got one as a daily beater and its fantastic. Get one with steel springs rather than air suspension. Well within the £10K budget

Sorry - just spotted the requirement for 4 in the back, CLS can't do that.

I'll put another vote in for 7series BMW E65/66 model. Superb cruiser, handles well and can do 5 big ones in the back.

Edited by MarcelM6 on Tuesday 26th September 11:20

[MorganP104]

designforlife said:

Older and awesome every single time.

+2

Also, grab yourself a coffee, get comfortable, and properly delve into ZX10R NIN's post above.

It will be the best 15 minutes you spend today.

[ZX10R NIN]

There are some great cars for your budget I wouldn't discount FWD either, do you want luxury or do you want a good B Road machine?

Also age wouldn't be a problem for me as long as the car has lots of receipts to show the car has been well maintained.

Mercedes E55 AMG now these are pretty much bulletproof the suspension is a potential bork point but it's not the wallet breaker it used to be.

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

C55 AMG non supercharged engine & springs rather than air ride they're also holding their money well & are a rare sight on the road plus who doesn't like a V8

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

Jaguar XF SV8

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

XF 4.2 non Supercharged Premium Luxury

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

Audi S6 5.2 V10 these are pretty reliable but like most performance N/A Audis it suffers from the need to be decoked from time to time so keep this in mind, there's a readers car thread on this car so that should give you some pointers.

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

Audi S4 (with the very expensive job of the changing the timing chain already being carried out) I know this & the S4 are 4WD but I'm just offering options.

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

Passat R36 Budget for the timing chain to have to be replaced (also as a side bar I would never recommend buying from the link below)

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

Saab Carlsson 2.8T

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

Insignia Elite 2.8T (look at this as a VXR light case)

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

BMW 335i M Sport (The turbos can be troublesome so do some checks)

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

330i M Sport N/A no real issues for B Road fun you might want to visit AC Schnitzer/Birds for some springs.

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

BMW 550i M Sport

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

With fun as the priority then it has to be the Renaultsport Clio:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

Ford Mondeo Titanium X Sport

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

There are no bad cars these days so only test drives & your personal taste will help you decide.

Hope this helps.

Here's the S6 thread,

https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?t=16...

[jsims1]

That's an S8 thread there ninja. You got the wrong thread or muddled up on cars?

[danlightbulb]

First car on the list. £10k for a 2003!!!!!!!!!!!

That is a 14 year old car. Fourteen years old. Total joke.

OP's requirements are similar to my own. Incredibly frustrating when you are presented with prices like those for OLD cars.

A car that is 14 years old should cost a couple grand. Five grand for an 8 year old car. Ten grand for a 5 year old car. That is sensible linear realistic pricing.

[RSTurboPaul]

danlightbulb said:

A car that is 14 years old should cost a couple grand. Five grand for an 8 year old car. Ten grand for a 5 year old car. That is sensible linear realistic pricing.

I'm looking forward to picking up an Aston for £2k!

[JS2808]

I would go BMW 335d personally, very quick and reliable.

[Integroo]

danlightbulb said:

First car on the list. £10k for a 2003!!!!!!!!!!!

That is a 14 year old car. Fourteen years old. Total joke.

OP's requirements are similar to my own. Incredibly frustrating when you are presented with prices like those for OLD cars.

A car that is 14 years old should cost a couple grand. Five grand for an 8 year old car. Ten grand for a 5 year old car. That is sensible linear realistic pricing.

The car cost the best part of, what, seventy grand new? I can't see your logic that just because it is foruteen years old it should cost only a couple of grand. Should a fourteen year old Mercedes E55 AMG be the same price as a fourteen year old Ford Fiesta?

[8Ace]

Thanks for the replies folks, in particular to ZX10 for taking the time to write such a detailed post.

I enjoyed looking through the cars.Have to admit I'd not really considered a SAAB and the Insignia was better than I'd expected - I was biased against them I suppose as I've never warmed to Vauxhalls.

Jags and BMWs - very nice. The 335i is worth a look, but I'm aware of the turbo issue. However, finding one where that's fixed would be an option and the smaller sizze of the 3 vs the 5 woudl make it more involving.

The s6 is amazing but I'm really put off with stories of catastrophic and ruinous failures.

The mondeos look really nice, and they're definitely on the short list, but then I imagine driving down the road and it going brrrrrm. And I might think "this shoudl go GgggrrrrrrrooooooooooooooooaaaaAHRRRRRGGHGHGHGHG!!!", like the SV8 would But the Mk 4.5 is supposed to be brilliant, and I haven't driven a ford that I've not enjoyed. Close call this one.

Glad to know I'm not the only one with this decision though

[Rosscow]

I'm similar to the OP, but I have the added pain in the arse of wanting an estate.

I came up with one of these

https://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/...

Unfortunately it's sold

So, I'll be keeping an eye out for something like an E39 540i touring.

[danlightbulb]

Integroo said:

The car cost the best part of, what, seventy grand new? I can't see your logic that just because it is foruteen years old it should cost only a couple of grand. Should a fourteen year old Mercedes E55 AMG be the same price as a fourteen year old Ford Fiesta?

No it shouldn't, and isn't. A 14 year old fiesta will be what, £500? If this car cost £70k new and the fiesta cost say £12k new then that's a multiplier of approx 6x making the Merc used price around £3k ish. £500 would be a fair price for a 14 year old fiesta and £3k is a fair price for a 14 year old Merc given that maintenance of it is going to be very costly.

Why would you spend £10k on an old Merc when you can get a 3 year old modern large car for that? The risk you take on an old car has to be reflected in the price of it. £10k is not throwaway money but an expensive repair could mean a throwaway car.

[idiotgap]

AMG tax

get an E500

[Rosscow]

danlightbulb said:

Integroo said:

The car cost the best part of, what, seventy grand new? I can't see your logic that just because it is foruteen years old it should cost only a couple of grand. Should a fourteen year old Mercedes E55 AMG be the same price as a fourteen year old Ford Fiesta?

No it shouldn't, and isn't. A 14 year old fiesta will be what, £500? If this car cost £70k new and the fiesta cost say £12k new then that's a multiplier of approx 6x making the Merc used price around £3k ish. £500 would be a fair price for a 14 year old fiesta and £3k is a fair price for a 14 year old Merc given that maintenance of it is going to be very costly.

Why would you spend £10k on an old Merc when you can get a 3 year old modern large car for that? The risk you take on an old car has to be reflected in the price of it. £10k is not throwaway money but an expensive repair could mean a throwaway car.

You could spend £10k on a newer car and have a costly repair which could mean a throwaway car.

At least if you spend good money on something that is desirable then you have a good chance (as long as you keep it in good nick) of selling it for a reasonable lump.

Spend £10k on a Mondeo and in 4 years you'll be lucky to get £2k for it.

[JS1500]

danlightbulb said:

No it shouldn't, and isn't. A 14 year old fiesta will be what, £500? If this car cost £70k new and the fiesta cost say £12k new then that's a multiplier of approx 6x making the Merc used price around £3k ish. £500 would be a fair price for a 14 year old fiesta and £3k is a fair price for a 14 year old Merc given that maintenance of it is going to be very costly.

Why would you spend £10k on an old Merc when you can get a 3 year old modern large car for that? The risk you take on an old car has to be reflected in the price of it. £10k is not throwaway money but an expensive repair could mean a throwaway car.

Are you on the right forum?
Maybe you're just one of those people to whom newer equals better.

OP, did you mean to type 4/5 seats in the back? If so, that rules out just about everything mentioned already.
Either way, old Volvo is the answer and danlightbulb will be happy that they are also cheap as old cars should be.

[Integroo]

danlightbulb said:

Integroo said:

The car cost the best part of, what, seventy grand new? I can't see your logic that just because it is foruteen years old it should cost only a couple of grand. Should a fourteen year old Mercedes E55 AMG be the same price as a fourteen year old Ford Fiesta?

No it shouldn't, and isn't. A 14 year old fiesta will be what, £500? If this car cost £70k new and the fiesta cost say £12k new then that's a multiplier of approx 6x making the Merc used price around £3k ish. £500 would be a fair price for a 14 year old fiesta and £3k is a fair price for a 14 year old Merc given that maintenance of it is going to be very costly.

Why would you spend £10k on an old Merc when you can get a 3 year old modern large car for that? The risk you take on an old car has to be reflected in the price of it. £10k is not throwaway money but an expensive repair could mean a throwaway car.

Supply and demand mate. If people didn't pay it, they wouldn't sell at ten grand. Just because you don't see the value, others do - they'd much rather spend ten grand on a fourteen year old E55 AMG than a three year old Mondeo.

[ZX10R NIN]

jsims1 said:

That's an S8 thread there ninja. You got the wrong thread or muddled up on cars?

Wrong thread sorry I can't find the S6 one but OP it's the same running gear so gives you an idea of running costs.