What car thread - Volume 6543

[ayman82]

Another thread for this kind of thing! I'm sure there are 5,000 threads on this subject already.

My father is looking at getting a new (to him) car, the parameters are as follows:

Up to £12k (but less would be preferred)
Auto
Small hatch/saloon/convertible
No estates
Premiumish, German, but would probably have a Lexus, just not Toyota.
VED rate doesn't really matter
MPG doesn't really matter.
Nothing too low as they have a ramped driveway
They don't do many miles - maybe 5k max per year.

Background on him:

He's just turned 70 and has just retired from the NHS.
He wants a 'good' car before he buys something 'special' - I've already recommended a 911 C4S or GT3 for that.
Current cars are B5 S4 (which he is keeping) and a Fiat Panda 100hp, which he'll be selling.

My mother will be using it too, she's 65, so no manuals please.

I have suggested to him - SLK280 (3.0) or an E46 330ci, they were both £5k
He was saying something like a 3 series for £10k would be good, but I'd prefer to push him towards something cheaper that's a little older.
Why get a £12k 320i Auto when he could get a 330i for £5-6k>?

I'm hoping ZX10R NIN will be right in with a couple of choices!

[ZX10R NIN]

Going older & cheaper brings the potential of rust into the mix but spending a healthy amount of the budget they'll get a good car & then they can go for it on the special car.

Infiniti EX GT Premium great spec age/fit/finish & spec the driveway will be cinch & it'll leave a decent bit of change:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202106294...

Or the G37 saloon:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202011166...

[georgeyboy12345]

Alfa Romeo Giulietta 1.4 TB TCT
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202107215...


Audi A3 1.8 TFSI Sportback S-tronic
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202106023...


Audi A5 2.0 TFSI Sportback Quattro S-tronic
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202011206...


Lexus IS250
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202106183...


Mercedes A200
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202108116...


Mercedes C180
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202106093...


Not sure on those E90 BMWs from that period you were suggesting, they have the N52 and N53 engines that had quite a few problems, plus they'll be old as well. I wouldn't get a newer F30 320i either unless it's a post-2016 B-series engine, which will be over budget.

[ayman82]

ZX10R NIN said:

Going older & cheaper brings the potential of rust into the mix but spending a healthy amount of the budget they'll get a good car & then they can go for it on the special car.

Infiniti EX GT Premium great spec age/fit/finish & spec the driveway will be cinch & it'll leave a decent bit of change:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202106294...

Or the G37 saloon:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202011166...

Good options - thanks, I'll put the G37 Saloon forward to see what he thinks.

[ayman82]

georgeyboy12345 said:

Alfa Romeo Giulietta 1.4 TB TCT
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202107215...


Audi A3 1.8 TFSI Sportback S-tronic
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202106023...


Audi A5 2.0 TFSI Sportback Quattro S-tronic
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202011206...


Lexus IS250
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202106183...


Mercedes A200
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202108116...


Mercedes C180
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202106093...


Not sure on those E90 BMWs from that period you were suggesting, they have the N52 and N53 engines that had quite a few problems, plus they'll be old as well. I wouldn't get a newer F30 320i either unless it's a post-2016 B-series engine, which will be over budget.

Thanks for those options, the Giulietta looks the nicest out of those. I can't believe how expensive that IS250 is! They can be had for like £5k, so wouldn't be a good move to go for one at nearly £10k. You can get early F30s in the price range, but they're a little too boring.

[ZX10R NIN]

ayman82 said:

Good options - thanks, I'll put the G37 Saloon forward to see what he thinks.

There is another option to the G37 & that's the Infiniti M35h which is a hybrid with the 3.5 from the 350Z they're very reliable with the same interior as the G37 but with lower running costs:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202108065...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202108166...