Turmoil deciding on which car

[JB33]

Hi,

I came from an M140i and sold last month as I worried about depreciation on it as it was paid for and used only as a weekend toy and the odd drive. I looked at it and felt I wasnt getting the most use out of it hence the sale. I ended up taking a dealership offer of £17,200 for it
After now selling, I have some regret, considering another M140, but also not unaware of the fact that I just sold one .... but it's a hard car to replace. Should I avoid it for the reasons I sold my original and get something cheaper, more fun and more sense of occasion? A few options below that i've boiled down to. Also, im not into a Cayman or anything along those lines and pretty firm on it being one of the 3 listed below, just need some help and opinions on which might be the better move? £20k is my absolute top end but would prefer to spend less.


Car 1:

Club Series Orange Edition GT86, 67 plate (facelift), 1 owner, full dealer history, immaculate condition inside and out, 22,500 miles. Haggled price to £18,000

Car 2:

Red, base version Toyota GT86, 2015 plate, 1 owner, full history (not all dealer), good condition inside and out, 48,000 miles. Fixed price of £13,299 but comes with 2 years warranty from Toyota. a few services were late, one missed by 4 months.

Car 3:
Red BMW M140i, manual, 1 owner, approved stock, 10,000 miles, full BMW history and decent spec, £20,200. I actually think the M140 is cheaper to run the the above two as well ... servicing, tax, MPG.


It’s a cash sale too, if that helps and all prices shown are bottom prices after haggling.

I like the idea of the M140 build, refinement and engine, but then acted like a hooligan in it most of the time and surprised I still have my license tbh. I also like the idea of when you sit in the GT86 you immediately feel it's amazing driving position, low center of gravity and sporty setup. It does have some rattles though which might bug me ... but it's also cheaper and a bit more "sense of occasion" in my opinion.

I also dont have kids at the moment and have use of another car so practicality isnt a huge concern.


Really appreciate thoughts please?

[The spinner of plates]

Sounds like you want another 140i, so get one of them.

[Rivenink]

Have you resolved that whatever of those 3 cars you will get, that it will depreciate, and you will lose money on it?

If you can find out the expected depreciation of the cars, work out how much you're predicted to lose over the expected ownership time, and decide if thats what you want to spend on "fun", then that's your choice to make on whether its worth it By this I mean, people have expensive pastimes... like cruising holidays, or sailing, or stamp collecting. It's fun and worth it for them... don't feel guilty about spending money to enjoy yourself as long as your happy to do so.

If you're gonna spend every moment that your not driving the things worrying about how much money they're losing you, try going for a cheaper "fun" car that's closer to the end of the depeciation curve, or just will lose less money overall

Edited by Rivenink on Monday 7th September 10:01

[anonymous-user]

I have to ask why you would buy a heavily discounted mainstream car as a weekend car? i think that was the issue. If you are worried about depreciation i would lease.

[Muzzer79]

If I'd just sold an M140 last month because I wasn't using it, I couldn't spend another £3k to buy another one now - out of sheer principle.

Look at something else. Audi S3? or even something completely different.

[cerb4.5lee]

In your situation I'm not sure if I'd go back to a M140. I do like the GT86 idea though or something else.

All cars lose money so it is better to just enjoy them rather than reflect on how much money they are losing(easier said than done though!).

[talksthetorque]

I remember your thread.
Weren't you saying you were constantly thinking about the depreciation it was costing you/
Now you're looking to get back in the same car for 20k
This is basically you paying £3k in depreciation to NOT own one for a few weeks.

Just buy something less than 10k and fun or something that's at the bottom of it's depreciation curve, and see if you can put up with the "slightly less new and shiny".
Otherwise you will always wonder.

[illmonkey]

I love the M140i's, but as a weekend car?! No

Go get a S2k or Z4M or something a bit more different.

[The spinner of plates]

illmonkey said:

I love the M140i's, but as a weekend car?! No

Go get a S2k or Z4M or something a bit more different.

Yeah sorry, missed bit that in the OP - M140i or GT68 as a weekender?
They're both good daily drivers if you want a decent steer and interior space isn't your priority.

But I wouldn't have either as a fun occasional car.

[drgoatboy]

Of those 3 the cheapest gt86. Gt86 depreciate slowly, spend less money to start with less to depreciate.
You would be mental to go back to a 140!!

[The Cardinal]

I can't remember whether it was in the OP's thread or not, but I commented along the lines of "think carefully before selling your M140i because buying back in will be expensive if you change your mind".

Quite.

There was a reason you wanted to liquidate £17k, so personally I'd sit tight for a few weeks before making a similar commitment... or just have confidence and buy carefully at a lower price point. (I did something similar a few months ago, although I didn't like my previous car).

[stevekoz]

I am not sure that the GT86 will give you a sense of occassion. They are very underwhelming. Just my honest opinion.

If you are missing the 140i and are worried about depreciation.

Pick yourself up a used m135i. circa 12k mark will get you a tidy, well maintained mid mileage car. Gives you everything you want from the 140i and you don't need to worry about depreciation.

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202007171...

If you want something for an occassion and it appears you don't mind 2 seats (the gt86 does not have room in the back for anything bar luggage).

Then i would go for a used Porsche Cayman. You'd pick up a nice (albeit older) car for circa 20k (or less tbh) and it feels a lot more special than a GT86 and its a hell of a lot more entertaining.

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202009043...

[KungFuPanda]

So you were worrying about depreciation. You crystallised that depreciation and made it real by selling the car. Now you want to buy the same car at a higher price than you sold yours at?

Also, you have no intention of buying two, possibly three of those cars yet you’ve negotiated on the prices already?

[ZX10R NIN]

Take a look at the 370Z Nismo it's somewhere in between the two you're considering & is a cracking steer you also don't see many prices are steady & you get to enjoy what will be one of the last N/A drivers sports car, handling wise it'll give something like a Z4M a run for it's money.

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202008303...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202007151...

[Jamescrs]

The GT86 is not going to keep you happy I don't think coming from a 140i, I think it will quickly feel very underpowered. If you do have your heart set on one then I'd say look for one with a Supercharger conversion.

I wouldn't go for another 140i because you will be in the same position again in 6 months worrying about depreciation.

[paradigital]

Having recently chopped in my S3 for much the same reasoning (got £23.5k for it), I think I’m pretty settled on getting a 997.2. I don’t think they’ll depreciate much now, they seem pretty close to bottom of the barrel pricing, will still offer a great all-round package, and I can use it daily should I need to.

[johnnyBv8]

You sold the 140i to reduce stress/anxiety about owning a depreciating car....I'd try to remember how that felt, and not buy into the same (or worse) situation again. Maybe buy a cheaper/older car that you can enjoy without the stress.