Buy a car for 10-12k or finance / lease?

[Pig benis]

Hello folks

I'm in the market for a new car and I'm really struggling on this decision. My requirements for a car are -

- RWD or AWD
- Special engine (4 cylinders need not apply)
- Must have a nice exhaust noise
- Reliable
- Fast (300hp +)
- Trackable

I haven't really seen anything which takes my fancy for my price range, apart from a BMW E46 M3. But these are old cars now and I'm concerned they will become a money pit. But happy to be proven wrong here, as they fit my criteria perfectly.

On the other hand, I have been looking at financing a BMW M3 2018 for circa £450pm. It is a 2-year-old car and will come from a main dealer, so I have zero worries for it going wrong. But after a test drive I really didn't like the sound it made, but I love how the car looks.

I really don't know what to do. I would prefer to spend 10-12k on a car, but I really don't like anything which I've looked at for my budget.

Which other cars would you guys look at?

Thanks all
PB

[jdizz]

Seat Leon Cupra?

[MDMA .]

How long would the BMW finance be? Apart from BMW, there not much else out there in that price range without 4 cylinders. Only other option would be a TTRS but not sure I'd want one at 10-12k.

[Pig benis]

jdizz said:

Seat Leon Cupra?

Not really my thing I'm afraid, but thanks for the suggestion

[Pig benis]

MDMA . said:

How long would the BMW finance be? Apart from BMW, there not much else out there in that price range without 4 cylinders. Only other option would be a TTRS but not sure I'd want one at 10-12k.

The term was 3 years + 10% deposit and 5% APR. I'm sure I could beat the interest rate elsewhere, but I'm not entirely convinced on an F80 M3 as they sound like a farty wet blanket.

Decisions, decisions

[MDMA .]

Pig benis said:

MDMA . said:

How long would the BMW finance be? Apart from BMW, there not much else out there in that price range without 4 cylinders. Only other option would be a TTRS but not sure I'd want one at 10-12k.

The term was 3 years + 10% deposit and 5% APR. I'm sure I could beat the interest rate elsewhere, but I'm not entirely convinced on an F80 M3 as they sound like a farty wet blanket.

Decisions, decisions

So £16200 plus deposit and hand back after 3 years? Why not just borrow £20000 over 5 years @ £375 a month and at least have a car worth £10000 after the 5 years? £20k will get you into something a bit nicer.

[ZX10R NIN]

If you have 12k to spend why not just get a loan of upto 10K then the world is your oyster, how many trackdays do you plan on doing?

I'd say take a good look at the 370Z Nismo very much a brivers car with a bulletproof engine & Nissan servicing costs, the Gen1's are a bit rawer but both are great steers:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202009093...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202009023...

Gen2

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202009284...

Or if it's going to be a tack car maybe look at a Cat car obviously get it thoroughly checked out but you could land a nice fun/track toy for close to you're 12k budget.

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202006019...

E92 M3 you'll have to do your checks & try to find one with some of the preventative work done

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202008142...