How do you go about choosing your next car?
Discussion
Anyone who has seen my posts may be aware I've been looking for my next car for a while. I find the whole process of looking for new cars so painful due to the ridiculous amount of options and permutations that are possible.
Even if you have a specific model you want you can end up choosing different engines, endless different trim levels and "packs" yet are often left with very dull uninspiring colour options.
How do people generally go about it. Those who consider a few options, how many do you then test drive. Does anyone have any decision methodologies that help them. Is there anything that instantly rules out one car over another?
From a personal point of view I can't decide if I want to go down the more fun and engaging drive of a Giulia veloce, 330i or m340i, go for more comfort like a 530d or a7 or just join the ever going trend of SUV drivers and enjoy the luxury of an X5 or try some middle ground sq5 etc. (I have thought at one point, f
k it get the 8 series)
Worth adding I have two young boys and so life is that bit more unpredictable at the min. Weekends are often spend in the area we live in as we live near a national trust and the boys don't like the car so much. However this could change in the next few years so have to be factored in.
Even if you have a specific model you want you can end up choosing different engines, endless different trim levels and "packs" yet are often left with very dull uninspiring colour options.
How do people generally go about it. Those who consider a few options, how many do you then test drive. Does anyone have any decision methodologies that help them. Is there anything that instantly rules out one car over another?
From a personal point of view I can't decide if I want to go down the more fun and engaging drive of a Giulia veloce, 330i or m340i, go for more comfort like a 530d or a7 or just join the ever going trend of SUV drivers and enjoy the luxury of an X5 or try some middle ground sq5 etc. (I have thought at one point, f
k it get the 8 series)Worth adding I have two young boys and so life is that bit more unpredictable at the min. Weekends are often spend in the area we live in as we live near a national trust and the boys don't like the car so much. However this could change in the next few years so have to be factored in.
Edited by anonymous-user on Sunday 15th September 15:23
For me it's very simple as we are going down to 2 new cars: one for road use and by road I mean the patchy bits of tarmac between pot holes so it has to have small wheels, ballon tyres and as much soft suspension travel as possible, and be as practical and roomy as possible in as small a footprint as possible so a small crossover / SUV like the Karoq is perfect.
The other has to be able to take as much track abuse as possible while being able to do some commuting in some sort of comfort. Which narrows it down to a Megane RS Cup arriving in 2 weeks.
I always try to buy zero options to minimise depreciation or lease cost.
The other has to be able to take as much track abuse as possible while being able to do some commuting in some sort of comfort. Which narrows it down to a Megane RS Cup arriving in 2 weeks.
I always try to buy zero options to minimise depreciation or lease cost.
It's easier these days as I only buy BMWs so I understand the options/colours where to get a deal and what that should look like, I do think of other cars but I've had 12 BMWs and have a good relationship with the dealer and haven't had anything else for the last 10 years since a had a 911.
I'm not that bothered about a test drive unless it's a series I haven't driven before but will generally have one as part of the process but often after I've agreed the deal.
The only time I've let myself down was buying a 335d xdrive without a test drive at any point, I knew as I drove off the dealers forecourt I'd made a massive mistake.
Wills2 said:
It's easier these days as I only buy BMWs so I understand the options/colours where to get a deal and what that should look like, I do think of other cars but I've had 12 BMWs and have a good relationship with the dealer and haven't had anything else for the last 10 years since a had a 911.
I'm not that bothered about a test drive unless it's a series I haven't driven before but will generally have one as part of the process but often after I've agreed the deal.
The only time I've let myself down was buying a 335d xdrive without a test drive at any point, I knew as I drove off the dealers forecourt I'd made a massive mistake.
Why was it a mistake? 2.5 years in, and my 335d just gets better (19” to 18” wheels helps).I'm not that bothered about a test drive unless it's a series I haven't driven before but will generally have one as part of the process but often after I've agreed the deal.
The only time I've let myself down was buying a 335d xdrive without a test drive at any point, I knew as I drove off the dealers forecourt I'd made a massive mistake.
Petrolsniffed said:
Anyone who has seen my posts may be aware I've been looking for my next car for a while. I find the whole process of looking for new cars so painful due to the ridiculous amount of options and permutations that are possible.
Even if you have a specific model you want you can end up choosing different engines, endless different trim levels and "packs" yet are often left with very dull uninspiring colour options.
How do people generally go about it. Those who consider a few options, how many do you then test drive. Does anyone have any decision methodologies that help them. Is there anything that instantly rules out one car over another?
From a personal point of view I can't decide if I want to go down the more fun and engaging drive of a Giulia veloce, 330i or m340i, go for more comfort like a 530d or a7 or just join the ever going trend of SUV drivers and enjoy the luxury of an X5 or try some middle ground sq5 etc. (I have thought at one point, fk it get the 8 series)
Worth adding I have two young boys and so life is that bit more unpredictable at the min. Weekends are often spend in the area we live in as we live near a national trust and the boys don't like the car so much. However this could change in the next few years so have to be factored in.
Why not go for something in the middle like the S6/7 (practical whilst having some pace):Even if you have a specific model you want you can end up choosing different engines, endless different trim levels and "packs" yet are often left with very dull uninspiring colour options.
How do people generally go about it. Those who consider a few options, how many do you then test drive. Does anyone have any decision methodologies that help them. Is there anything that instantly rules out one car over another?
From a personal point of view I can't decide if I want to go down the more fun and engaging drive of a Giulia veloce, 330i or m340i, go for more comfort like a 530d or a7 or just join the ever going trend of SUV drivers and enjoy the luxury of an X5 or try some middle ground sq5 etc. (I have thought at one point, f
k it get the 8 series)Worth adding I have two young boys and so life is that bit more unpredictable at the min. Weekends are often spend in the area we live in as we live near a national trust and the boys don't like the car so much. However this could change in the next few years so have to be factored in.
Edited by Petrolsniffed on Sunday 15th September 15:23
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
E43
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or the S500 coupe:
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
M6 GC
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
Pica-Pica said:
Wills2 said:
It's easier these days as I only buy BMWs so I understand the options/colours where to get a deal and what that should look like, I do think of other cars but I've had 12 BMWs and have a good relationship with the dealer and haven't had anything else for the last 10 years since a had a 911.
I'm not that bothered about a test drive unless it's a series I haven't driven before but will generally have one as part of the process but often after I've agreed the deal.
The only time I've let myself down was buying a 335d xdrive without a test drive at any point, I knew as I drove off the dealers forecourt I'd made a massive mistake.
Why was it a mistake? 2.5 years in, and my 335d just gets better (19” to 18” wheels helps).I'm not that bothered about a test drive unless it's a series I haven't driven before but will generally have one as part of the process but often after I've agreed the deal.
The only time I've let myself down was buying a 335d xdrive without a test drive at any point, I knew as I drove off the dealers forecourt I'd made a massive mistake.
Petrolsniffed said:
Anyone who has seen my posts may be aware I've been looking for my next car for a while. I find the whole process of looking for new cars so painful due to the ridiculous amount of options and permutations that are possible.
Even if you have a specific model you want you can end up choosing different engines, endless different trim levels and "packs" yet are often left with very dull uninspiring colour options.
How do people generally go about it. Those who consider a few options, how many do you then test drive. Does anyone have any decision methodologies that help them. Is there anything that instantly rules out one car over another?
Prior to buying my ST, with Fords I always went for Zetec trim level (I had both a Focus Zetec and a Fiesta Zetec). My Fiesta ST only came in 3 trim levels, and to get the half leather Recaros you needed either the ST-2 or ST-3 (I have the ST-2). The Caterham Seven I have on order did have infinite options, but after test driving the 270 and 310 engine options as well as the S and R packs I knew what I wanted (a 310R of course). I also went over all the other options at Caterham South which had a great selection of cars to look at, and spent a lot of time poring over the configurator, including getting the paint spec right. That's one thing with Caterhams - colour options are definitely not dull or uninspiring Even if you have a specific model you want you can end up choosing different engines, endless different trim levels and "packs" yet are often left with very dull uninspiring colour options.
How do people generally go about it. Those who consider a few options, how many do you then test drive. Does anyone have any decision methodologies that help them. Is there anything that instantly rules out one car over another?
Edited by Gulf7 on Sunday 15th September 21:37
On a whim generally, I don’t like to overthink car purchases.
I always liked the S3 when I was in my early twenties so as soon as I could afford one I got one. I spotted an RS5 one day on the way home from work and my local dealer had one so I bought that, 2 years into owning that I decided I still wanted a V8 and Audi were doing a decent deal on new RS4s so I bought one in the colour I wanted the RS5 but couldn’t get easily. Still didn’t want to ditch the NA V8 but was bored of Audi’s so went for a mustang after a brief test drive. I’ve always had a soft spot for RRS’ (I know I know) so I ordered one because a decent deal popped up for the P400e and I didn’t really want to run the mustang through winter again. I didn’t test drive the RS4 or the RRS and I didn’t test drive an auto mustang before ordering that.
I do a lot of window shopping on autotrader though just as I do the same with houses on Rightmove. I’m not entirely sure why!
I always liked the S3 when I was in my early twenties so as soon as I could afford one I got one. I spotted an RS5 one day on the way home from work and my local dealer had one so I bought that, 2 years into owning that I decided I still wanted a V8 and Audi were doing a decent deal on new RS4s so I bought one in the colour I wanted the RS5 but couldn’t get easily. Still didn’t want to ditch the NA V8 but was bored of Audi’s so went for a mustang after a brief test drive. I’ve always had a soft spot for RRS’ (I know I know) so I ordered one because a decent deal popped up for the P400e and I didn’t really want to run the mustang through winter again. I didn’t test drive the RS4 or the RRS and I didn’t test drive an auto mustang before ordering that.
I do a lot of window shopping on autotrader though just as I do the same with houses on Rightmove. I’m not entirely sure why!
Welshbeef said:
Wills2 said:
I didn't like it at all, kept it 6 months and traded in for an M5.
It’s fine for what it does but it’s never a sports car. I’ve finally swapped out of the 535d and now into a S205 C63 which is an utter animal in comparison + the noise cloud 9
Petrolsniffed said:
Anyone who has seen my posts may be aware I've been looking for my next car for a while. I find the whole process of looking for new cars so painful due to the ridiculous amount of options and permutations that are possible.
1. Get bored of current car / decide now is a good time to sell it on due to age / mileage2. Decide what I want in the new car (engine power, features etc.)
3. Find makes & models where said features can be found, including commonly chosen options / packs as required to meet my spec. Decide what I can compromise on.
4. Work out which model(s) have best deals.
5. Read lots of reviews
6. Pull the trigger when the right car (6-9 months old) comes up.
7. Travel half way across UK to pick it up.
8. With luck, enjoy my drive home. I’ll know by the end if I made a mistake or not...
6cyl diesel auto because of annual mileage
Comfort - seats and ride, no low profile tyres or runflats
Xenon or LED headlamps
Decent size boot with usable floor space and practical shaped aperture - saloon or estate inevitably
Budget up to £x.... - always used, mileage irrelevant, proper service history/invoices essential
Cheers,
Chris
Comfort - seats and ride, no low profile tyres or runflats
Xenon or LED headlamps
Decent size boot with usable floor space and practical shaped aperture - saloon or estate inevitably
Budget up to £x.... - always used, mileage irrelevant, proper service history/invoices essential
Cheers,
Chris
Petrolsniffed said:
How do people generally go about it. Those who consider a few options, how many do you then test drive. Does anyone have any decision methodologies that help them. Is there anything that instantly rules out one car over another?
I think people get too hung up on a car which they think they'll need rather than a car which they want. So long as any critical requirements are ticked the I look for something which I'll enjoy otherwise driving can become rather laborious.Budget aside, for me the critical requirement was space for the dog (and some load carrying ability) so no saloons and ideally an estate. I was sick of mediocre Honda cars and wanted decent performance so this left me with a reasonable selection of cars to choose from and I went forward knowing that if looking at anything premium then I'd have to be prepared for the odd big bill - but it's worth it in my opinion if driving is to be something enjoyable. The only downside with my current car is that it's an ECU out job for a remap, but that's not the end of the world.
My next car will hopefully be the same critical criteria but petrol this time.
Budget is usually the first factor, now I've stopped working. 
I don't get too fixated on colours or options when I'm buying used - you just have to take with what is available, although I'd never want black paint with black seats again. I did it once, but it always seemed a bit gloomy!
As I want a bit of performance and don't need to bother about economy too much my current preference is for RWD, a naturally aspirated 6 cylinder engine and a manual gearbox.
So then it's just a case of which early 2000s BMW to look for.
I don't get too fixated on colours or options when I'm buying used - you just have to take with what is available, although I'd never want black paint with black seats again. I did it once, but it always seemed a bit gloomy!
As I want a bit of performance and don't need to bother about economy too much my current preference is for RWD, a naturally aspirated 6 cylinder engine and a manual gearbox.
So then it's just a case of which early 2000s BMW to look for.
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