£20k quick daily driver, one car that does everything?

[Magnum0]

I’m on the hunt for a new car possibly in the next 6-12 months.
I currently drive a P38 Range Rover vogue as my daily, with a lovely Mk1 Golf GTI as my weekend toy.
Due to my garage rental situation it might be best for me to return to just owning one car I can daily drive rather than renting a garage to keep the Mk1 Golf nice! I absolutely love it but I don’t use it as much as I’d like.

My car history is as follows:
1987 VW Mk1 Caddy
1997 Volvo V70 T5 manual
1998 Volvo V70r auto
2003 Ford Focus RS 370bhp
2008 C63
1999 BMW Z3 2.8
2001 BMW M3
1999 VW Lupo GTI
1981 VW Mk1 Golf GTI
1989 VW Mk2 Golf GTI 1.8t
2000 Range Rover Vogue

I only do about 4000 miles a year so MPG is not really much of a concern, although sub teens might become boring. I usually get about 160 miles to £50 worth of petrol in the p38 and my c63 wasn’t far off this. My wife drives an Up! GTI which is great on fuel so for longer trips we always have that.

I’d like to be able to live with some actual boot space so perhaps a 911 isn’t something I should consider, plus it would be nice to be able to fit my 2 year old daughter in the back of whatever chosen car for the occasional family trip.

Most of my driving is to and from work which is a 20 mile round trip with a mix of 30-50mph roads, usually early in the morning.

I’m struggling between the choice of either a sporty fast car or a luxury fast car. I know that my p38 is dated but it’s so relaxing to drive and I love the driving position. I get to work and feel genuinely relaxed, but sometimes I wish I had that feeling of being pushed back in my seat.

Some of the things I have been considering are:
Audi RS/s models, rs4 and s4 (b8 s4 being more realistic with my budget), c6 rs6, c7 s6, s8.
I’ve been looking at the Mk2 Focus RS because I loved my Mk1, the only trouble is they seem like a lot of money for not that much car although they hold their money so depreciation wouldn’t be a concern.
The Maserati Granturismo is absolutely beautiful and sounds amazing, surprisingly these are now within my reach too.
Could even get a Bentley Continental GT within budget.
I could get a 5.0 supercharged Range Rover because I love the driving position in my p38.
With the same engine as the 5.0 Range Rover I could go for a Jag XJL, XK, XF.

I’m not set on spending the £20k, £15-18k stretching to £20k would be realistic, I definitely can’t be spending over £20k because I always like to consider maintenance on top of purchase price.


Any suggestions would be welcomed!

[cerb4.5lee]

For me there isn't a car that does everything and I always favour the more than 1 car option. However the Maserati Gran Turismo is jumping out at me from your list!

[romeodelta]

I’d go Masser too.

But I think you’d also like the Jeep GC SRT8.

[Pablo16v]

What about a V8 M3 Saloon?

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

[Welshbeef]

https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...


I would say lots of PistonHeads forum members clearly believe a 320d is all the car you’d ever need. So there you go.

[Magnum0]

Welshbeef said:

https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...


I would say lots of PistonHeads forum members clearly believe a 320d is all the car you’d ever need. So there you go.

Many things in life are more about a want than a need

[Baldchap]

Be aware that Bentleys come with Bentley sized bills. For example, if it has the carbon brakes, you're looking at £20k for a set of discs, and given their pace and weight, they do go through them. That's your purchase price all over again for a service item.

I wouldn't even consider anything like it unless you have a big pot of money set aside.

[Magnum0]

Baldchap said:

Be aware that Bentleys come with Bentley sized bills. For example, if it has the carbon brakes, you're looking at £20k for a set of discs, and given their pace and weight, they do go through them. That's your purchase price all over again for a service item.

I wouldn't even consider anything like it unless you have a big pot of money set aside.

I looked into them before and thought the discs were about £1300 for the fronts.
The c6 rs6 had carbon brakes as an optional extra but I think I’d try to avoid them when looking for a car.

To be honest I usually only keep cars for a year or two at the most, I like to try and experience different things

[trickywoo]

Hyundai i30n performance.

[JJ55]

From your list the masser

[MissChief]

Have to say the Maserati has been one of my favourite looking cars since is was released and they sound absolutely epic. Be aware though they’re a design that’s a decade old and certainly don’t come with many of the mod cons that even a new Fiesta now comes with.

[Baldchap]

Magnum0 said:

Baldchap said:

Be aware that Bentleys come with Bentley sized bills. For example, if it has the carbon brakes, you're looking at £20k for a set of discs, and given their pace and weight, they do go through them. That's your purchase price all over again for a service item.

I wouldn't even consider anything like it unless you have a big pot of money set aside.

I looked into them before and thought the discs were about £1300 for the fronts.
The c6 rs6 had carbon brakes as an optional extra but I think I’d try to avoid them when looking for a car.

To be honest I usually only keep cars for a year or two at the most, I like to try and experience different things

When we had our Supersport they were bonkers money - fortunately we didn't need any in the time we had it (wasn't a daily driver). Granted it was going back a bit (we had it from 2010-2015) so there may be cheaper ones in the aftermarket.

I suppose my point is that a £100k car comes with £100k car sized bills that only increase as the car gets older.

[ZX10R NIN]

From your list the Maserati is the pick but (you'll be looking at a 4.2) they aren't cheap to run (but they're great to own I still miss mine) the first thing to check for is has the Cam Variator work been carried out if not then negotiate accordingly (if the works been carried out by a good Indy it'll also be registered with Maserati) then next expensive fix is the front suspension so any knocks or squeaks & expect a four figure bill.

I'd actually go for a Gransport or 4200 at this price point as you'll get a better car imo:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/202...

or a 4200 at this price point as you'll get a better car imo:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/202...

GT

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/202...

The car that will tick most of your boxes is the Mercedes CL500 in 4.7TT V8 form you get all the luxury & then if you want to get a lick on you get a load of pace (especially if you remap it as it puts you in CL63 territory) too, running costs are sensible & you'll land a very nice one within your budget:

CL500

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/202...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/202...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/202...

Next for me would be the XKR you can get a great one for sensible money & they're a robust swift set of wheels.

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

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

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/202...

DB9 but make sure you can fit comfortably first

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/202...

Another forgotten car is the Panamera which are great cars & normally very well appointed:

4.8S

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/202...

4.8 4S

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/202...

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


If you like your SUV's then the SRT8:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/202...

Cayenne GTS

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

or X5M may be more up your street:

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

Edited by ZX10R NIN on Sunday 14th June 15:06

[Magnum0]

Thank you ZX10R for your detailed reply. Definitely a couple of options there I haven’t already considered.

I didn’t get along with my c63 at all. I was happy with the reliability of it and lack of common faults, other than the fuel economy it wasn’t expensive to run. Even front discs would’ve only been £160 which is amazing for such a car. I hated the interior quality, it was like being in a van. The Cl500 looks like it’s head and shoulders above the c63 in terms of quality so that’s definitely something I’d have a look at. In hindsight I should’ve bought an e63 instead.

I do like the x5m, I’d like to see one in the flesh and see how it compares to a 5.0 Range Rover.

Porsche Panamera is a car I’ve always liked the look of. I know it was always controversial when it came out. I could be even more interested if my brother gets the mechanics job at Porsche he’s after soon.

[ZX10R NIN]

The CL is head & shoulders above the C Class I have an E500 coupe with the same engine as the CL's above & it's still a clear (my uncle & dad have CL500/63) step up in class to a CL.


You can get a 63 for your budget but it would be the older pre facelift model.