£10k budget for reliable luxury car enough?
Discussion
Hi all,
So a while back, before I bought my current car, I asked around on a few forums about purchasing a BMW/Merc Audi etc and was told that with the budget I had (£5k) I was just asking for trouble purchasing a luxury car on that budget. So I guess the question is would a 10k budget be enough to avoid having to fork out thousands in repair costs if we're to look at say a 3 series, C class, A4 etc? I ask as I can't seem to find a definite, although I guess nothing is definite with cars..
Commute is a 40 mile round trip 5x a week.
Cheers.
So a while back, before I bought my current car, I asked around on a few forums about purchasing a BMW/Merc Audi etc and was told that with the budget I had (£5k) I was just asking for trouble purchasing a luxury car on that budget. So I guess the question is would a 10k budget be enough to avoid having to fork out thousands in repair costs if we're to look at say a 3 series, C class, A4 etc? I ask as I can't seem to find a definite, although I guess nothing is definite with cars..
Commute is a 40 mile round trip 5x a week.
Cheers.
All cars need upkeep. Bigger / heavier / more expensive cars cost more each visit as a general rule - and that can accelerate as they age and wear and tear starts to bite.
It all depends on your attitude to risk and spend.
Many will buy a £5k barge and then chuck £3k/yr at it without blinking to keep it healthy.
Others buy a £10k car and never expect to do anything other than put air in the tyres, they put the cheapest tyres on as a grudge purchase once in a while and consider the MOT "the service".
Often the purchase price on an older car is simply your green fee.
So knowing your annual £££ allocation will help.
It all depends on your attitude to risk and spend.
Many will buy a £5k barge and then chuck £3k/yr at it without blinking to keep it healthy.
Others buy a £10k car and never expect to do anything other than put air in the tyres, they put the cheapest tyres on as a grudge purchase once in a while and consider the MOT "the service".
Often the purchase price on an older car is simply your green fee.
So knowing your annual £££ allocation will help.
Yes it ahould be enough but you have to buy with your eyes open, there will be great cars at that price and some dogs too.
All those brands of cars have potential to throw an expensive bill.
Id also say having a prestige badge on the front doesnt guarantee luxury but thats another debate.
All those brands of cars have potential to throw an expensive bill.
Id also say having a prestige badge on the front doesnt guarantee luxury but thats another debate.
Some cracking 5 series BMW's or or Merc E class's for 10k
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2020...
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2020...
I'd be all over the Lexus LS460 personally. Much like this one...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202009284...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202009284...
Bought and used thoughtfully then yes, £10k should be more than sufficient.
I've run a ancient V8 XJ that was bought for a third of the OP's budget back in 2011 and have doubled the mileage on it since then with no subsequent drama at all. The biggest bills its run up have been for a pair of timing chain tensioners, several bulk containers of lube oil and two sets of part worn tyres.
Insurance is pocket money at a smudge over £100 a year but it's now getting close to have cost me more in VED than it did to originally buy.
I've run a ancient V8 XJ that was bought for a third of the OP's budget back in 2011 and have doubled the mileage on it since then with no subsequent drama at all. The biggest bills its run up have been for a pair of timing chain tensioners, several bulk containers of lube oil and two sets of part worn tyres.
Insurance is pocket money at a smudge over £100 a year but it's now getting close to have cost me more in VED than it did to originally buy.
samoht said:
Must.Pay.
More.
Attention.
In.
Class.
As the OP is talking about C class/3 series/A4 I think he has a different perception of "luxury" car from most people who have responded so far.
Whatever your budget buying a German badge will mean you are likely to get an older or higher mileage vehicle than one with comparable comfort/space/equipment but no German badge. On average it won't be any more reliable than anything else and parts may be more expensive, however there is a good chance it will lose money more slowly than some similar cars.
In my opinion £10,000 could buy you a perfectly reasonable example of the cars you refer to, and if they are the sort of vehicle you are attracted to then I'd start thinking about what specification you might like - petrol, diesel, 4 cylinders or 6, saloon or estate and so on.
Andy
Whatever your budget buying a German badge will mean you are likely to get an older or higher mileage vehicle than one with comparable comfort/space/equipment but no German badge. On average it won't be any more reliable than anything else and parts may be more expensive, however there is a good chance it will lose money more slowly than some similar cars.
In my opinion £10,000 could buy you a perfectly reasonable example of the cars you refer to, and if they are the sort of vehicle you are attracted to then I'd start thinking about what specification you might like - petrol, diesel, 4 cylinders or 6, saloon or estate and so on.
Andy
Thanks for all the advice!
I haven't made my mind up one way or another if I'm being honest. Originally I wanted an IS 300h but they seem to be right on the edge of the budget I'll have. Which worries me as I don't want to be buying the cheapest example.
The nicest car I've ever actually driven was a Volvo V40 D4, was fully loaded heated leather seats eyc, but it's a bit too small as a family car. I looked at the S60s as well and they're an option but I'm wary of owning a diesel and there aren't many petrols about.
It'd be financed likely whatever I buy, so I can't put some money away just incase.
In any event the BMW/Merc on a budget question is one I've always wanted to hear people's opinions on.
I haven't made my mind up one way or another if I'm being honest. Originally I wanted an IS 300h but they seem to be right on the edge of the budget I'll have. Which worries me as I don't want to be buying the cheapest example.
The nicest car I've ever actually driven was a Volvo V40 D4, was fully loaded heated leather seats eyc, but it's a bit too small as a family car. I looked at the S60s as well and they're an option but I'm wary of owning a diesel and there aren't many petrols about.
It'd be financed likely whatever I buy, so I can't put some money away just incase.
In any event the BMW/Merc on a budget question is one I've always wanted to hear people's opinions on.
Edited by dazl1212 on Tuesday 29th September 19:50
If you want a reliable luxury set of wheels then Infiniti's are hard to beat:
M35h GT Premium
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202009244...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202007301...
M30d S Premium these are fully loaded Adaptive Cruise/Air Cooled Seats/360 Cameras etc) with fit & finish to put most cars to shame
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202009244...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202009193...
2.2d Q50 Sport
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202009183...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202009294...
Lexus GS250 Luxury as above it's hard to beat these when it comes to luxury/age unless you consider the brand as part of that luxury.
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202009254...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202007191...
IS300 Luxury non hybrid
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202008212...
SE
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202009033...
Also look out for the Hyundai Genesis.
M35h GT Premium
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202009244...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202007301...
M30d S Premium these are fully loaded Adaptive Cruise/Air Cooled Seats/360 Cameras etc) with fit & finish to put most cars to shame
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202009244...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202009193...
2.2d Q50 Sport
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202009183...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202009294...
Lexus GS250 Luxury as above it's hard to beat these when it comes to luxury/age unless you consider the brand as part of that luxury.
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202009254...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202007191...
IS300 Luxury non hybrid
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202008212...
SE
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202009033...
Also look out for the Hyundai Genesis.
dazl1212 said:
The Infiniti's are beautiful cars and the brand doesn't put me off at all. I used to have an Almera and I absolutely adored it until rust took it away. The only concern I have with Infiniti's is getting parts for them with the brand being discontinued.
It's actually worked out better as now a lot of Nissan (this is something I think Nissan should've done from the start) dealerships have taken up the servicing (remember there only used to be 6 in the whole of the UK) parts are plentiful as they're still Nissan's (the Infiniti M/G's are just Skylines in Japan) the drivetrains are either Nissan or Mercedes depending on which car you choose so a good Indy will see you right.Edited by ZX10R NIN on Tuesday 29th September 23:19
dazl1212 said:
It'd be financed likely whatever I buy, so I can't put some money away just incase.
Unless your particular circumstances are unusual - why not? Taking a personal loan allows you to divide the sum any way you please and would normally work out cheaper than any dealer financing.Edited by dazl1212 on Tuesday 29th September 19:50
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