Which ‘interesting’ used car for £40k

Blackfibreman

Original Poster

15 posts

107 months

[report]

[news]

Friday 27th April 2018

First time poster here so please be gentle!

Currently driving an E220 saloon as a company car, been offered £750 per month cash option. At the moment decided to get a new Tiguan for work duties (need to do 25k per annum) rules are less than 6 years old and must have 4-5 doors.
The missus and I work at the same place so she will drive the Tiguan when I’m not away on business.
The question is what to get as a second car, I need a car that will take the kids occasionally, is fast, reliable and interesting and must not depreciate to aggressively. Mileage is expected to be 8-10k per year so economy not to big an issue but needs to be considered.
After years of saving I have an additional toy fund that could be used towards this (25k) plus the spare cash from the cash scheme so thinking budget around 40k.
At the moment my thoughts are;
BMW 1m
BMW E90 M3
Lancia delta EVO 2 (Reliability 😳)
Escort mk1
Audi RS5 (depreciation?)
997 911
GTR (i’m 47 so bit old for this maybe!)

I’ve been pondering this for so long and cannot make my mind up.
Now looking for wisdom and additional ideas/options from the font of all knowledge that is the Pistonheads forum!

Any help much appreciated

MFR_TT

214 posts

98 months

[report]

[news]

Friday 27th April 2018

This is a lot lower than budget, but for me this is motoring perfection if you have a family:

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

Blackfibreman

Original Poster

15 posts

107 months

[report]

[news]

Friday 27th April 2018

Wow quick response thank you.

Clearly budget does not have to be spent, interesting choice, not considered before. Do love the look of this. only concern would be the horror stories reference the cost of engine/gear box problems. Whats your view on the future depreciation?

Gruber

6,313 posts

227 months

[report]

[news]

Friday 27th April 2018

Blackfibreman said:

First time poster here so please be gentle!

Currently driving an E220 saloon as a company car, been offered £750 per month cash option. At the moment decided to get a new Tiguan for work duties (need to do 25k per annum) rules are less than 6 years old and must have 4-5 doors.
The missus and I work at the same place so she will drive the Tiguan when I’m not away on business.
The question is what to get as a second car, I need a car that will take the kids occasionally, is fast, reliable and interesting and must not depreciate to aggressively. Mileage is expected to be 8-10k per year so economy not to big an issue but needs to be considered.
After years of saving I have an additional toy fund that could be used towards this (25k) plus the spare cash from the cash scheme so thinking budget around 40k.
At the moment my thoughts are;
BMW 1m
BMW E90 M3
Lancia delta EVO 2 (Reliability ??)
Escort mk1
Audi RS5 (depreciation?)
997 911
GTR (i’m 47 so bit old for this maybe!)

I’ve been pondering this for so long and cannot make my mind up.
Now looking for wisdom and additional ideas/options from the font of all knowledge that is the Pistonheads forum!

Any help much appreciated

From that list, and given your requirements, I'd be looking at one of the two BMWs. A Mk 1 Escort or Delta wouldn't be my choice for 8-10k p.a. The Audi is a bit dull from a driving dynamics perspective, IMHO. And fitting kids in the back of a 911 may require the use of a hacksaw...

The 1M is a great little car - very useable, properly nimble and they feel quick. I owned one for a year and enjoyed every journey. And they continue to hold firm from a pricing perspective and running costs are very reasonable, so it's not a bad place to put your savings (relatively speaking).

The e92 M3 (coupe) or e90 (saloon) has an amazing engine: a proper "M" top-end screamer. I've owned two - the first a pre-facelift manual and the second a post-facelift DCT. I personally think DCT suits the engine better - purely personal preference. They get a bit of flack from some on here for a lack of bottom-end torque. I never found it to be a problem, but if you're coming from a diesel Merc then no doubt you'l notice the difference. The top end more than makes up for it though.

QuartzDad

2,543 posts

135 months

[report]

[news]

Friday 27th April 2018

I'm in a very similar position, have trouble looking past either of these two:

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

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

ZX10R NIN

28,985 posts

138 months

[report]

[news]

Friday 27th April 2018

Blackfibreman

Original Poster

15 posts

107 months

[report]

[news]

Friday 27th April 2018

Thanks Guys, awesome response so far, will take a while to work through, 💕 the DB9, back seat will be an issue I think similar to the 911 though, again M5 good shout, thought about the same model but depreciation would be too heavy.
Given that i need to get a car for work (As stated a new shape Tiguan is favourite atm) and that it will be doing 25k per annum I’m going to take a depreciation hit on this, don’t really want to take a further hit on ‘my’ car if possible.

Blackfibreman

Original Poster

15 posts

107 months

[report]

[news]

Friday 27th April 2018

The Grandturismo would be lovely, does anyone have experience of annual running costs?
Just got back from the states and couldn't help but admire the mustangs and Camaro's had the discussion with my 18 year old son and we both agreed whilst they look awesome in the Florida sun, not sure they would look the same in rainy Devon.
The E class is the first Mercedes I have owned and I have to say it has impressed me, thought briefly about an E63 AMG, but the depreciation put me off although could still be a contender, like the CLK but other than the Black series I think looks a bit dated ad hasn't quite yet made it into classic status (Although I'm sure it will).
M6GC, a friend recommended having a look at these, not sure on the looks, a used 6 series represents great value for money but not sold on the looks.
Tried a GS before I got the Merc, again lovely car but just did not connect with it, the 'F' may be different.
Really like the CL's trouble is I've seen the S class coupe and severely want one, but currently out of budget. Irrational I know as the depreciation would be rampant, but such a beautiful car.
M3 saloon, a contender both in E90 and F80 format, some feedback on the future depreciation of both would be welcomed, I really like the look of the F80 and have a test drive booked to try one, the one reported to get is the competition pack but out of budget atm. I like the ubiquity of the E90, unless you know cars, it looks like a normal 3 series, low volume, manual (Sorry auto fans) RWD NAV8 saloon, probably not going to repeated, should be a good buy reference low depreciation but previous E36 4 door now available (If you can find one) pretty cheap.
In-terms of the left field options, Jag XJ is stunning. should have been on my original list, had an XF before the Merc and really enjoyed, 3 years and 80k mile, only let me down once. Only thought against it is that its a bit 'Company car' and I'm looking for something with a bit more interest.
I've been tied to a 4/5 door for 25 years with company cars, happy to have a 4 door but needs to be different to the more normal corporate cars.

cholo

1,147 posts

248 months

[report]

[news]

Friday 27th April 2018

Well, this is certainly fast, interesting and will not depreciate, although £5k over budget, so you may have to haggle a bit!

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/1999-FERRARI-456-5-5-AU...

strath44

1,365 posts

161 months

[report]

[news]

Friday 27th April 2018

QuartzDad said:

I'm in a very similar position, have trouble looking past either of these two:

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

funny I had a quick look at that M5 on Sunday - its sitting at the road, it looked a bit strange, are those the right alloys? Its a strange dealership to have that car surrounded by dacias!

ZX10R NIN

28,985 posts

138 months

[report]

[news]

Friday 27th April 2018

Blackfibreman said:

The Grandturismo would be lovely, does anyone have experience of annual running costs?
Just got back from the states and couldn't help but admire the mustangs and Camaro's had the discussion with my 18 year old son and we both agreed whilst they look awesome in the Florida sun, not sure they would look the same in rainy Devon.
The E class is the first Mercedes I have owned and I have to say it has impressed me, thought briefly about an E63 AMG, but the depreciation put me off although could still be a contender, like the CLK but other than the Black series I think looks a bit dated ad hasn't quite yet made it into classic status (Although I'm sure it will).
M6GC, a friend recommended having a look at these, not sure on the looks, a used 6 series represents great value for money but not sold on the looks.
Tried a GS before I got the Merc, again lovely car but just did not connect with it, the 'F' may be different.
Really like the CL's trouble is I've seen the S class coupe and severely want one, but currently out of budget. Irrational I know as the depreciation would be rampant, but such a beautiful car.
M3 saloon, a contender both in E90 and F80 format, some feedback on the future depreciation of both would be welcomed, I really like the look of the F80 and have a test drive booked to try one, the one reported to get is the competition pack but out of budget atm. I like the ubiquity of the E90, unless you know cars, it looks like a normal 3 series, low volume, manual (Sorry auto fans) RWD NAV8 saloon, probably not going to repeated, should be a good buy reference low depreciation but previous E36 4 door now available (If you can find one) pretty cheap.
In-terms of the left field options, Jag XJ is stunning. should have been on my original list, had an XF before the Merc and really enjoyed, 3 years and 80k mile, only let me down once. Only thought against it is that its a bit 'Company car' and I'm looking for something with a bit more interest.
I've been tied to a 4/5 door for 25 years with company cars, happy to have a 4 door but needs to be different to the more normal corporate cars.

My Granturismo servicing was between £700-1200 by an Independent (big shout to Giallo Cars at Tonbridge) who provided faultless knowledgeable service.

Apart from that it ran perfectly & was an all round better car than the DB9 plus it had four useable seats.

I'd recommend driving the F Lexus's as they're very different from the (the IS isn't really depreciating at all) standard model in the same way the M3 is from a 320i.

The CL's would have suffered the worst of their depreciation & with the S Coupe being so expensive the CL's are sensible depreciation wise & no worse than the M5/RS6/7/M6 etc.

I really didn't like my (non Comp model) M4 so much so that it lasted 3 months but drive one & form your own opinion.

I did forget to add go for a GT-R they're a proper drivers car & an earlier one with a Litchfield Stage 1 conversion is where my money would be going:

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

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

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

Also worth a look is the EVO:

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

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

Subaru P1

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

Another leftfield option is a last of the line Megane RS with all the trimmings

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

2.5T Ford Focus RS with the Mountune 350/375 packages fitted:

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

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

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

Blackfibreman

Original Poster

15 posts

107 months

[report]

[news]

Friday 27th April 2018

Thanks for the feedback.

Maserati is certainly worth a look and a test drive.

I test drove a GTR a few years ago and was blown away by it, thought at 47 I might be a bit old and look a bit ‘mid lif crisis’ driving it but I’ll give it more thought.
Love the RS but definitely to old for one of those.

I’ll feedback once I’ve tried the F80 M3.

At the moment for test drive I think I’m at;
BMW 1m
F80 m3
E90 m3
GTR
Jag xj
Grand Turismo

Trevor555

4,637 posts

97 months

[report]

[news]

Friday 27th April 2018

I was in a similar predicament a few weeks ago, and I'm also 47.

I bought a Lexus RC-F, worth a look.

Now they're low to mid 30's they shouldn't depreciate too steeply.

The back seats are small, depends on how tall the driver is.

Build quality and reliability steered it for me, a 35k Aston or Maserati was just too scary for me, seen far too many big repair bills on those.

Edited by Trevor555 on Friday 27th April 21:28

ITP

2,209 posts

210 months

[report]

[news]

Friday 27th April 2018

RC-F is what i’d seriously look at. All it would cost you is fuel, tyres and servicing once a year.
Or if I was feeling more brave a 4.7 granturismo, whilst pretty robust, will cost considerable more to own.
German stuff, whilst good, is everywhere, and not nearly as interesting as a second car.
But if you want a manual, an M2 is the way to go.

Trevor555

4,637 posts

97 months

[report]

[news]

Friday 27th April 2018

ITP said:

RC-F is what i’d seriously look at. All it would cost you is fuel, tyres and servicing once a year.
Or if I was feeling more brave a 4.7 granturismo, whilst pretty robust, will cost considerable more to own.
German stuff, whilst good, is everywhere, and not nearly as interesting as a second car.
But if you want a manual, an M2 is the way to go.

So funny you should say that, the M2 was the other I nearly went for.

I think they'll hold their money reasonably well, many people are calling it one of the best M cars ever.

The M2 competition now with 400hp must be awesome.

Blackfibreman

Original Poster

15 posts

107 months

[report]

[news]

Friday 27th April 2018

I’ll check with the BMW dealer tomorrow on a test for an M2, see how it compares to the M3.

The Lexus was not on my rader at all, need to do some research and then see if I add it to my list.

Looking like a busy couple of months for test drives

Thanks for the ideas.

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