Taking a sabbatical from work, need to trade down
Discussion
I’m thinking of taking 6–12 months off work, if I do, I will partly need to fund it with a little of the cash from selling my current car. It’s an M8 Gran Coupe.
What do I replace it with? I would have a budget of between 20-45k and would spend at either end of that if there is a good reason to do so. While I’m accepting I’m not going to be able to have all out power, I still want it to have a bit of petrol head about it. But instead of the power being the main drawer, I’m focusing on the other aspects I enjoy or need:
As luxurious as can be had
Good sound system
Not too old, probably 5 years absolutely max.
Probably a larger car as I’m not a fan of small things. But probably not an SUV unless one of them ticks all the boxes.
Rear doors for child seat access
Comfy, maybe even a bit wafty but looking for options.
Not too fussed on mileage as long as it’s not sky high for it’s years
Something that’s not going to kill me in resale when the time comes (but I’m not expecting an investment)
Other than that, I don’t have any specifics. I have had I think 7-8 BMWs recently and would like a change but it’s not a must.
Appreciate that’s a wide set of options but any help would be great.
What do I replace it with? I would have a budget of between 20-45k and would spend at either end of that if there is a good reason to do so. While I’m accepting I’m not going to be able to have all out power, I still want it to have a bit of petrol head about it. But instead of the power being the main drawer, I’m focusing on the other aspects I enjoy or need:
As luxurious as can be had
Good sound system
Not too old, probably 5 years absolutely max.
Probably a larger car as I’m not a fan of small things. But probably not an SUV unless one of them ticks all the boxes.
Rear doors for child seat access
Comfy, maybe even a bit wafty but looking for options.
Not too fussed on mileage as long as it’s not sky high for it’s years
Something that’s not going to kill me in resale when the time comes (but I’m not expecting an investment)
Other than that, I don’t have any specifics. I have had I think 7-8 BMWs recently and would like a change but it’s not a must.
Appreciate that’s a wide set of options but any help would be great.
Alfa Giulia Quadrifoglio
510 ps/ 600nm
same 'ring time (to the second) as the M8 (would probably be faster on a UK road)
as comfortable and docile as a stock 3 series in comfort mode.
superb for "fast road" in the mid "Dynamic" mode
absolutely mental in Race mode (no torque limiting or traction control),
smaller (narrower at least) than M3/4 and new M2, it seems to shrink around you, while still offering good space inside.
Interior is not class leading, but is classy and like the car as a whole, the money has been spent where you'll feel it most. All the things you interact with are high quality.
Outstanding engine.
Class leading front end, with ultra quick steering rack.
Superbly supple, yet firm suspension.
Arguably the best super saloon ever.
A good bit better than anything coming out of Germany at present
510 ps/ 600nm
same 'ring time (to the second) as the M8 (would probably be faster on a UK road)
as comfortable and docile as a stock 3 series in comfort mode.
superb for "fast road" in the mid "Dynamic" mode
absolutely mental in Race mode (no torque limiting or traction control),
smaller (narrower at least) than M3/4 and new M2, it seems to shrink around you, while still offering good space inside.
Interior is not class leading, but is classy and like the car as a whole, the money has been spent where you'll feel it most. All the things you interact with are high quality.
Outstanding engine.
Class leading front end, with ultra quick steering rack.
Superbly supple, yet firm suspension.
Arguably the best super saloon ever.
A good bit better than anything coming out of Germany at present
Edited by zippy3x on Wednesday 18th October 23:38
I'll do the recommend my own car thing.
Jaguar XFS, petrol 3.0 v6 supercharged, 380bhp. I paid £25k from a main dealer with 28k miles on it. I've had it for a year now and it's probably the first time in a LONG time that after 6-12 months I'm not looking for something else.
Just does everything well.
And will leave you a much bigger pot for your year off.
Jaguar XFS, petrol 3.0 v6 supercharged, 380bhp. I paid £25k from a main dealer with 28k miles on it. I've had it for a year now and it's probably the first time in a LONG time that after 6-12 months I'm not looking for something else.
Just does everything well.
And will leave you a much bigger pot for your year off.
Jamescrs said:
BMW 4 series?
I'd say an M4 but it might be too much like your M8 but downgraded?
Maybe a 440i Grancoupe with the B58 engine?
Funnily enough when I was browsing cars at the weekend I went to a bmw dealer and sat in one of these. They had kind of completely passed me by but I actually really liked it. And the B58 is a great engine. Yes it’s another bmw but it’s a possibility for sure I'd say an M4 but it might be too much like your M8 but downgraded?
Maybe a 440i Grancoupe with the B58 engine?
mcflurry said:
Wouldn't 2 sets of dealer margins, or costs to change, eat up the savings if it's only 6 to 12 months, vs keeping your current car?
It did cross my mind, but really I need to sell to be in a better position to be off, just in case. It might cost me in the long run but I think it's necessaryTechnoholic said:
Funnily enough when I was browsing cars at the weekend I went to a bmw dealer and sat in one of these. They had kind of completely passed me by but I actually really liked it. And the B58 is a great engine. Yes it’s another bmw but it’s a possibility for sure
Before I got my S5 SB I was looking at 440i GC and the Kia Stinger 3.3T funnily enough - all those listed above. The 440i I felt looked old, the F series came out in 2011 and the facelifts helped but against the next gen I felt it was dated for the money. That said, they were the cheapest of the 3 and a well specced individual was definitely a contender.
The Stinger I never looked at in person, unknown residuals put me off a bit, especially when the long warranty expired.
The S5 had the most spec as standard but there were a lot of dogs to sift through first. The next gen (facelift) of S5 is diesel, and the previous gen has a DCT box, so it's the sweet spot for me with CarPlay, virtual cockpit, ambient lighting, matrix LEDs , B&O stereo, comfort access etc.
joropug said:
Before I got my S5 SB I was looking at 440i GC and the Kia Stinger 3.3T funnily enough - all those listed above.
The 440i I felt looked old, the F series came out in 2011 and the facelifts helped but against the next gen I felt it was dated for the money. That said, they were the cheapest of the 3 and a well specced individual was definitely a contender.
The Stinger I never looked at in person, unknown residuals put me off a bit, especially when the long warranty expired.
The S5 had the most spec as standard but there were a lot of dogs to sift through first. The next gen (facelift) of S5 is diesel, and the previous gen has a DCT box, so it's the sweet spot for me with CarPlay, virtual cockpit, ambient lighting, matrix LEDs , B&O stereo, comfort access etc.
So which generation are you talking about, the one up to around 2019? If it had all those options it's a serious contender. The 440i I felt looked old, the F series came out in 2011 and the facelifts helped but against the next gen I felt it was dated for the money. That said, they were the cheapest of the 3 and a well specced individual was definitely a contender.
The Stinger I never looked at in person, unknown residuals put me off a bit, especially when the long warranty expired.
The S5 had the most spec as standard but there were a lot of dogs to sift through first. The next gen (facelift) of S5 is diesel, and the previous gen has a DCT box, so it's the sweet spot for me with CarPlay, virtual cockpit, ambient lighting, matrix LEDs , B&O stereo, comfort access etc.
With regards to the 440, I actually realised what I sat in was the newer M440 gran coupe, which is quite nice both outside and inside. But yeah, the older 440 is probably a little dated for me.
Audi still looking like a good choice but there are some interesting options above that I had not considered.
Technoholic said:
So which generation are you talking about, the one up to around 2019? If it had all those options it's a serious contender.
With regards to the 440, I actually realised what I sat in was the newer M440 gran coupe, which is quite nice both outside and inside. But yeah, the older 440 is probably a little dated for me.
Audi still looking like a good choice but there are some interesting options above that I had not considered.
https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&f=47&t=2006366With regards to the 440, I actually realised what I sat in was the newer M440 gran coupe, which is quite nice both outside and inside. But yeah, the older 440 is probably a little dated for me.
Audi still looking like a good choice but there are some interesting options above that I had not considered.
And any excuse:
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