Buying help!! Something fun for weekends and weekly commute?
Discussion
Hey, this is my first post on the forum so sorry if this is in the wrong area!
I am 25 and am looking to buy a car. I travel to and from my home in Chichester to Goodwood Motor Circuit Monday to Friday which is roughly 5 miles a day. Takes me about 10 minutes and is some dual carriageway and stop/start driving. I also will be driving around town and will be doing more miles at the weekend. I want something fairly modern as I like all the tech and screens and BT audio etc.
So firstly I was going to go for a mk7 Fiesta ST but I truly hate the interior/ride and decided not to go for that.
My next thought was a 116i or 118i between 2013-2015 but I have heard mixed reviews on the manual gearbox but I do really like them.
I also am a fan of the Golf GTI but cant find anything decent with the spec I want for under 15k.
Thirdly I was looking at an m135i, 2013-2015 again. Ideally automatic.
I want something fairly economical but I know it's not going to be great with a performance car and only doing 5 milesish a day. And no I am not willing to get a bike or cycle!
Originally I was going to spend around 8k cash on a 116/8i. But since I have been thinking about the m135i which are around 14-15k I could potentially go to that, or get it on finance.
At the same time, I don't want to lose too much money just in case I decide to sell in a years time or so.
Just want to see what peoples thoughts are on these cars, and whether it is best to pay cash or finance too?
Thanks!
I am 25 and am looking to buy a car. I travel to and from my home in Chichester to Goodwood Motor Circuit Monday to Friday which is roughly 5 miles a day. Takes me about 10 minutes and is some dual carriageway and stop/start driving. I also will be driving around town and will be doing more miles at the weekend. I want something fairly modern as I like all the tech and screens and BT audio etc.
So firstly I was going to go for a mk7 Fiesta ST but I truly hate the interior/ride and decided not to go for that.
My next thought was a 116i or 118i between 2013-2015 but I have heard mixed reviews on the manual gearbox but I do really like them.
I also am a fan of the Golf GTI but cant find anything decent with the spec I want for under 15k.
Thirdly I was looking at an m135i, 2013-2015 again. Ideally automatic.
I want something fairly economical but I know it's not going to be great with a performance car and only doing 5 milesish a day. And no I am not willing to get a bike or cycle!
Originally I was going to spend around 8k cash on a 116/8i. But since I have been thinking about the m135i which are around 14-15k I could potentially go to that, or get it on finance.
At the same time, I don't want to lose too much money just in case I decide to sell in a years time or so.
Just want to see what peoples thoughts are on these cars, and whether it is best to pay cash or finance too?
Thanks!
I'm the same age as you and have roughly the same commute to work.
I wanted (and am still considering) an M135i, I love everything about the car on paper, and some of my favourite cars have been BMW's (17 cars so far). The issue for me is I'm worried about their depreciation still. Because there have been such good lease deals and big discounts from new, there's a constant stream of cars coming onto the market. Obviously the bonus is it doesn't take too long to get the spec you'd want, but the prices are going to continue to fall relatively quickly, I cant justify huge losses in depreciation when I do so few miles.
I just bought another car and again when down the route of buying something older that is relatively sought after and therefore shouldn't depreciate much if anything at all. I bought a Great condition E46 M3. It's certainly not the best thing to drive when its warming up in the morning, however, it's about as good as anything else i've owned at the weekend duties.
Im not saying an M3 is the answer, but maybe consider other desirable cars if depreciation is really a consideration for you. Then in a few years time, you'll be selling a car that's not lost any money when the M135i has lost maybe 10% a year.
That's my man maths anyway
I wanted (and am still considering) an M135i, I love everything about the car on paper, and some of my favourite cars have been BMW's (17 cars so far). The issue for me is I'm worried about their depreciation still. Because there have been such good lease deals and big discounts from new, there's a constant stream of cars coming onto the market. Obviously the bonus is it doesn't take too long to get the spec you'd want, but the prices are going to continue to fall relatively quickly, I cant justify huge losses in depreciation when I do so few miles.
I just bought another car and again when down the route of buying something older that is relatively sought after and therefore shouldn't depreciate much if anything at all. I bought a Great condition E46 M3. It's certainly not the best thing to drive when its warming up in the morning, however, it's about as good as anything else i've owned at the weekend duties.
Im not saying an M3 is the answer, but maybe consider other desirable cars if depreciation is really a consideration for you. Then in a few years time, you'll be selling a car that's not lost any money when the M135i has lost maybe 10% a year.
That's my man maths anyway
Thanks for your input.
Haha, don't work at Goodwood do you?!
Yeah thats exactly my issue, the depreciation part. I wouldn't buy brand new and am looking at 2013-15, do you think even them will still depreciate 10% per year?
As much as I love the E46 M3, I do just want something more modern mainly because I have been spoilt with driving/borrowing pretty much new cars (currently borrowing a 18 plate Polo Beats).
Whats your MPG like on the commute you're doing with the M3?
Haha, don't work at Goodwood do you?!
Yeah thats exactly my issue, the depreciation part. I wouldn't buy brand new and am looking at 2013-15, do you think even them will still depreciate 10% per year?
As much as I love the E46 M3, I do just want something more modern mainly because I have been spoilt with driving/borrowing pretty much new cars (currently borrowing a 18 plate Polo Beats).
Whats your MPG like on the commute you're doing with the M3?
maxwelltay said:
Thanks for your input.
Haha, don't work at Goodwood do you?!
Yeah thats exactly my issue, the depreciation part. I wouldn't buy brand new and am looking at 2013-15, do you think even them will still depreciate 10% per year?
As much as I love the E46 M3, I do just want something more modern mainly because I have been spoilt with driving/borrowing pretty much new cars (currently borrowing a 18 plate Polo Beats).
Whats your MPG like on the commute you're doing with the M3?
It's definitely eye opening going back to older cars, I've just sold a Megane 265 2013 model, so losing all of the modern stuff like keyless entry, keyless go, Bluetooth and stuff like that is tough. In reality the depreciation on that was only £350 (2.9%) in a year so another good example of cars that hold their value if specce'd well.Haha, don't work at Goodwood do you?!
Yeah thats exactly my issue, the depreciation part. I wouldn't buy brand new and am looking at 2013-15, do you think even them will still depreciate 10% per year?
As much as I love the E46 M3, I do just want something more modern mainly because I have been spoilt with driving/borrowing pretty much new cars (currently borrowing a 18 plate Polo Beats).
Whats your MPG like on the commute you're doing with the M3?
My whole journey is through the town so my MPG has been terrible on all of my cars really. The Trip Computer says im doing about 20.5mpg including weekends, My Megane was almost identical being 11 years newer and only a 2L.
The M135i still likes a drink in town driving so i don't imagine i would save too much on that front, and for some reason insurance is cheaper on my M3 than the M135i im looking at with Pro Nav, ZF Auto and MPE.
Im fairly sure i read that the M135i are predicted to lose around 10% at that age, i was looking at a 63 plate personally. I could be slightly out though!
I would definitely recommend any of the Renaultsport products if fun is the main concern, and sticking to 5+ years old should limit the depreciation
If you want to spend around 8k on a swift daily I have a few recommendations:
1.4T Giulietta in Sportiva trim is a good shout it's more of a warm hatch but it's still a good steer.
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
Or if you fancy something hotter then the Cloverleaf is a good shout:
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
Or what about the 350Z these are very much a drivers car:
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
Obviously a Renault RS of some kind is an answer.
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
1.4T Giulietta in Sportiva trim is a good shout it's more of a warm hatch but it's still a good steer.
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
Or if you fancy something hotter then the Cloverleaf is a good shout:
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
Or what about the 350Z these are very much a drivers car:
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
Obviously a Renault RS of some kind is an answer.
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
You could always look at a BMW 130i which would be well within your outright purchase budget, and they don't seem to be depreciating much!
OK, you won't get keyless entry (but then it won't get stolen as easily, and how difficult is it to press a button on the key anyway) but Bluetooth was an option and can be retro-fitted.
The engine is fantastic - one of the last naturally aspirated straight sixes.
But I might be biased as I've got a couple of them.
OK, you won't get keyless entry (but then it won't get stolen as easily, and how difficult is it to press a button on the key anyway) but Bluetooth was an option and can be retro-fitted.
The engine is fantastic - one of the last naturally aspirated straight sixes.
But I might be biased as I've got a couple of them.
I’m also 25 in the exact same boat, well, sort of, i want something petrol and fun but my problem is that I’ve already bought a new (year old at the time) shiny car and I’ve lost enough money on it to not do the same thing for a while so I find myself going round in circles of looking at older cars such as M135i’s and E90 M3’s but I come to the conclusion that the amount of money I’d spend extra on fuel and insurance along with a slush fund for problems ends up being close to the depreciation on another new ish car over the space of 2 years if bought sensibly. My 4 series has lost 9 grand in 2 years.
Ideally I’d like to go for a manual E46 M3 cab but I don’t know if I can live with the rattles and creaks when the roof is up (brothers 330CI cab was a real pain) and I’m not sure I can live without the HK, infotainment and the comfort of my 4 series. Some will say get a Coupe but I think the cabs looks so much nicer and they’re a lot cheaper.
OP, I have an idea, if you want something fun, depreciation proof and reliable, why not try a FN2 Civic Type R Mugen or the FD2, both modern enough for creature comforts with a screaming engine. Matt Watson has a video on YouTube comparing all Civic models and the look on his face when driving the Mugen sells it!
Ideally I’d like to go for a manual E46 M3 cab but I don’t know if I can live with the rattles and creaks when the roof is up (brothers 330CI cab was a real pain) and I’m not sure I can live without the HK, infotainment and the comfort of my 4 series. Some will say get a Coupe but I think the cabs looks so much nicer and they’re a lot cheaper.
OP, I have an idea, if you want something fun, depreciation proof and reliable, why not try a FN2 Civic Type R Mugen or the FD2, both modern enough for creature comforts with a screaming engine. Matt Watson has a video on YouTube comparing all Civic models and the look on his face when driving the Mugen sells it!
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