£7k or £2k car. What would you do?

[Prohibiting]

A new job in 2 months time means that I will now have to commute to work (it's only 20 miles each way but it's all motorway basically)... something that I've never had to do before, therefore the 19 year old Turbo Impreza must go. It's worth £4.5-5k and I would use this to help fund a new car at the top end.

I have narrowed it down to my 2 ideal choices. A budget vs a top end spend. I want a saloon as it's a little more grown up and good for the occasional passengers too.

A) 2005ish Volvo S60 D5 SE, manual (£2k).
B) 2010ish BMW 320d M Sport Plus, automatic (7-7.5k).

Basically 45+mpg with 0-60 speed of 8 seconds for a bit of ooomph.

Considering I like to save money and enjoy driving too, I'm torn. I'd love to be able to stick the £5k I don't spend into savings by purchasing a cheaper car but on the other hand, I'd love to buy a modern decent car for once!

Edited by Prohibiting on Wednesday 12th September 18:50

[GreatGranny]

I predict 95% will say S60 and they will be correct.
It will be ideal for your commute and won't cost the earth to run.

[Ryan_T]

Volvo. You’ll have more fun with the remaining 5k than 320d ownership would grant you.

[rsbmw]

Or you could head over to the bargain barge thread and find some luxury wafting v8!

[Prohibiting]

Ryan_T said:

Volvo. You’ll have more fun with the remaining 5k than 320d ownership would grant you.

Exactly my thoughts if I'm being honest to myself.

[Ryan_T]

Prohibiting said:

Exactly my thoughts if I'm being honest to myself.

Yeh I’ve got an ‘01 V70 as a winter shed (albeit Petrol and worth even less) and it’s just so damn good. Not a single squeak or rattle, ridiculously comfy, and just feels so solid.

Think I’ll struggle to ever justify replacing it.

[Trevor555]

I'd go for the Volvo.

I buy/inspect cars for dealers and I've seen far too many large repair bills on BMW's lately of that era.

[Eden1968]

Surely a 20 mile daily motorway commute would be perfect to keep an Impreza in fine fettle. You would have a car you know, whose history you know and a car you clearly enjoy.

[67Dino]

Come on, got to be the BMW. Life is too short not to drive the nicest motor you can’t really afford. Or put another way, if you’ve got to spend an hour a day commuting, might aswell enjoy it.

Disclaimer: This does not constitute financial advice. The price of cars may go down aswell as up. Spending money on cars may damage your wealth. Always ask the other half for permission before buying a car. Offer not valid outside the UK. Etc

[rsbmw]

67Dino said:

Come on, got to be the BMW. Life is too short not to drive the nicest motor you can’t really afford. Or put another way, if you’ve got to spend an hour a day commuting, might aswell enjoy it.

He said 2 litre diesel, not 911 Turbo!

[ZX10R NIN]

These would be my pick:

C270cdi

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

C320cdi

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

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

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

2.7d S Type

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

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

XJ

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

[Prohibiting]

Good comments so far, interesting stuff!

^Surely those Mercedes are just waiting to throw up some big bills??

[ZX10R NIN]

Nope they are nigh on bulletproof especially the 270 the 320 is very reliable the gearboxes need the fluid & filters changed every 40k they're both good cars I've run both drivetrains in CLK's & put around 180k between the two, the 270 cost me an Injector refresh & an alternator.

The 320 cost me nothing.

[BugLebowski]

I don't think a 2010 320d would be a £5k nicer place to spend a commute in than a s60. I think that age of Volvo probably comes with a decent sound system and probably heated leather. Perfect comfortable commuter.

Plus you could spend the change on something entertaining for the weekends!

[DJP]

Eden1968 said:

Surely a 20 mile daily motorway commute would be perfect to keep an Impreza in fine fettle. You would have a car you know, whose history you know and a car you clearly enjoy.

That^^.

Failing which, Volvo.

[anonymous-user]

40 miles a day is 9,600 miles a year assuming you work mon-fri and take no holidays.

I reckon you'll save £3 a month changing to diesel.

[JZZ30]

Volvo. Find one with the premium sound system if you enjoy music. Perfect commuter car.

[67Dino]

rsbmw said:

67Dino said:

Come on, got to be the BMW. Life is too short not to drive the nicest motor you can’t really afford. Or put another way, if you’ve got to spend an hour a day commuting, might aswell enjoy it.

He said 2 litre diesel, not 911 Turbo!

[Mr Tidy]

BugLebowski said:

I don't think a 2010 320d would be a £5k nicer place to spend a commute in than a s60. I think that age of Volvo probably comes with a decent sound system and probably heated leather. Perfect comfortable commuter.

Plus you could spend the change on something entertaining for the weekends!

Probably not but in March I bought a 2006 BMW 325i Touring with heated leather for less than £3K, and I don't think an S60 will ever handle like a BMW.

But there would still be change for a weekend toy!

[alabbasi]

I had an S60 T5 for a short period of time. It was not a fun car to own and had several issues. Why not source a E46 diesel? Beautiful cars, nice drive.