Second car- fun, comfortable with a bit of practicality
Discussion
New car time and rather stuck on what to get..
With COVID and new work structure, I've only covered 2,000 miles this year. Current white goods car is dull and with a service and MOT due in the next 4 months I want to swap. I'd rather put the money into something I'd enjoy. We've got a Nissan Cashcow as a family wagon.
Criteria;
- Fun; I've had various hot hatches (Fiesta ST mk3, Polo GTI, etc.), so something that is or feels 'nippy'. I prefer the feel of a turbo, rather than revving it out. I'd like to be able to use most of the power on the back roads, rather than just 3/10ths.
- Comfortable: The fiesta was so crashy it gave me a headache. I sold it because of this in the end. Needs to be more softly sprung.
- Little bit practical; I ride MTBs & kayak a lot, so needs to take a roof rack. I also need a little boot space for work/shopping/life when needed. Ideally 5dr.
- Reliable; I just want to turn the key and go. Not interesting in fettling and spending free time under the car.
- Mileage; I'll do around 2,000 miles base plus whatever social/fun I can fit in, COVID pending, so up to 5,000 miles.
- Budget; £8-20k.. with the little mileage I do I'd rather not sink too much into it, unless it's fun and has less depreciation.
Current thoughts;
- UP GTI; supposedly fun and all you need and softly sprung
- Focus ST Mk3/.5; More grown up, but is it as crashy and uncomfortable as the Fiesta?
- BMW 135/140i; too much car and apparently a little dull to drive(?), plus BMW running costs.
- Polo GTI (new shape); softly sprung, DSG, and a little more mature than the UP
- Toyota GT86; little cramped and too compromised with a weak engine?
- Golf GTI mk7 or Octavia VRS; maybe too sensible and dull, plus a little more expensive.
- Leon Cupra; I imagine this maybe a little too capable and dull.
Bad ideas?
- BMW m3 E90-92; I imagine the running costs far outstrip the depreciation, but with the little mileage I do it should do okay?
- Gold GTI Edition 30; always loved the look of these, but getting a little old now and higher running costs.
So, completely stuck! I've spent too much time on Autotrader so could do with some ideas, man maths & alternatives.
With COVID and new work structure, I've only covered 2,000 miles this year. Current white goods car is dull and with a service and MOT due in the next 4 months I want to swap. I'd rather put the money into something I'd enjoy. We've got a Nissan Cashcow as a family wagon.
Criteria;
- Fun; I've had various hot hatches (Fiesta ST mk3, Polo GTI, etc.), so something that is or feels 'nippy'. I prefer the feel of a turbo, rather than revving it out. I'd like to be able to use most of the power on the back roads, rather than just 3/10ths.
- Comfortable: The fiesta was so crashy it gave me a headache. I sold it because of this in the end. Needs to be more softly sprung.
- Little bit practical; I ride MTBs & kayak a lot, so needs to take a roof rack. I also need a little boot space for work/shopping/life when needed. Ideally 5dr.
- Reliable; I just want to turn the key and go. Not interesting in fettling and spending free time under the car.
- Mileage; I'll do around 2,000 miles base plus whatever social/fun I can fit in, COVID pending, so up to 5,000 miles.
- Budget; £8-20k.. with the little mileage I do I'd rather not sink too much into it, unless it's fun and has less depreciation.
Current thoughts;
- UP GTI; supposedly fun and all you need and softly sprung
- Focus ST Mk3/.5; More grown up, but is it as crashy and uncomfortable as the Fiesta?
- BMW 135/140i; too much car and apparently a little dull to drive(?), plus BMW running costs.
- Polo GTI (new shape); softly sprung, DSG, and a little more mature than the UP
- Toyota GT86; little cramped and too compromised with a weak engine?
- Golf GTI mk7 or Octavia VRS; maybe too sensible and dull, plus a little more expensive.
- Leon Cupra; I imagine this maybe a little too capable and dull.
Bad ideas?
- BMW m3 E90-92; I imagine the running costs far outstrip the depreciation, but with the little mileage I do it should do okay?
- Gold GTI Edition 30; always loved the look of these, but getting a little old now and higher running costs.
So, completely stuck! I've spent too much time on Autotrader so could do with some ideas, man maths & alternatives.
If you want something with compliant suspension but also the ability to make A roads enjoyable but also have slow depreciation along with very sensible maintenance costs then the Monaro:
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/VAUXHALL-MONARO-CV8-5-7...
6.0 VXR this will hold it's money better than the regular Monaro, so the higher purchase price is justified:
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2005-Vauxhall-Monaro-6-...
The other pick is this very clean C55 AMG
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2005-Mercedes-Benz-C-Cl...
C32 AMG
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202009113...
All the above have pretty much done all of their depreciating & apart from using more fuel than a hot hatch maintenance costs will be close on both .
All three have sensible purchasing prices, with your low annual mileage all four of these become a sensible purchases, although if had to pick one (the lower purchase price means it edges out the Holden) it would be the C55 followed by the VXR then the C32.
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/VAUXHALL-MONARO-CV8-5-7...
6.0 VXR this will hold it's money better than the regular Monaro, so the higher purchase price is justified:
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2005-Vauxhall-Monaro-6-...
The other pick is this very clean C55 AMG
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2005-Mercedes-Benz-C-Cl...
C32 AMG
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202009113...
All the above have pretty much done all of their depreciating & apart from using more fuel than a hot hatch maintenance costs will be close on both .
All three have sensible purchasing prices, with your low annual mileage all four of these become a sensible purchases, although if had to pick one (the lower purchase price means it edges out the Holden) it would be the C55 followed by the VXR then the C32.
ka90 said:
Interesting alternatives, cheers all!
The merc look nice, but isn't a old Merc V8 ruinous?
Nope it's a bulletproof N/A engine, the big expense is the Spark Plug change mainly because there are 16 of them, rocker covers can weep but it's not an expensive fix & one you'll see & smell straight away.The merc look nice, but isn't a old Merc V8 ruinous?
The Edition 30 is nice but I wouldn’t call it that exciting, they have a strange mix of owners that either like to modify too much or do it just right.
I bought one back in March as I’d always fancied one and had a budget of £7k, it has a stage 1 tune, is a lively thing and serves me well as my daily.
The Type R could fit the bill if you could stomach the looks or if you fancied a V8 those Monaros sound glorious.
I bought one back in March as I’d always fancied one and had a budget of £7k, it has a stage 1 tune, is a lively thing and serves me well as my daily.
The Type R could fit the bill if you could stomach the looks or if you fancied a V8 those Monaros sound glorious.
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