Reliable (sexy) car for £3k?
Discussion
The missus drives 30 miles a day to work in her little Z4 (E85) and I know she's getting edgy, as would I, at the prospect of doing this in winter.
I'd like to be all heroic and buy/run her a second car that's:
a) Auto
b) Got heated seats
c) mildly chic for a pretty 54 year old woman
d) won't kill me in maintenance
Any experience of anything that fits the bill?
I'd like to be all heroic and buy/run her a second car that's:
a) Auto
b) Got heated seats
c) mildly chic for a pretty 54 year old woman
d) won't kill me in maintenance
Any experience of anything that fits the bill?
Edited by Bear-n on Tuesday 10th June 20:11
Billy_Whizzzz said:
Cheers, but it's already on fresh Uniroyal Rainsport 5's. I think she'd just feel happier with a bit more metal around her - as would I. You might squeak in a high mileage VW Golf convertible for £3000. The trouble with that price bracket is its either going to be old/high mileage, or small/very small economy car (I'd class Fiat as economy car, alongside Dacia, Skoda, some Renaults, some Nissans, Citroen/Peugeot, etc). Probably worth taking a risk on an older, higher mileage.
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/2025060531...
4wd too if she wants to feel safe but not sure if they have heated seats.
4wd too if she wants to feel safe but not sure if they have heated seats.
Edited by interstellar on Tuesday 10th June 20:48
A Z4 on winter tyres should be fine, but my daily is an E90 330i that I put on winters every year.
For a bit more "chic" maybe an E92/E93 would be a good option although heated seats were only an option not standard. My car is an early one with the N52 engine as the later N53 seems prone to some expensive issues with injectors and HPFPs.
For a bit more "chic" maybe an E92/E93 would be a good option although heated seats were only an option not standard. My car is an early one with the N52 engine as the later N53 seems prone to some expensive issues with injectors and HPFPs.
Just had a Volvo C70, they feel very much of a previous generation, but that in itself has appeal for some I guess. They are very heavy for their size; and not that small either (make sure you get one with parking sensors). Also, the boot is almost completely useless when the roof is down, not because of the lack of space (there's like a suitcase-sized space) but the access is a 3" slot. There's a complex mechanism to raise the folded roof slightly, it does a lot of whirring and hydraulic actuations and adds only another couple of inches! All hard top convertibles have an enormous boot if you forego putting the roof down though. They are all just slightly too young so the petrols are top tax. The diesels are cheaper (not much though) on tax.
Once again, avoid Powershift. Go for the Geartronic auto, which is a proper torque converter auto transmission.
Once again, avoid Powershift. Go for the Geartronic auto, which is a proper torque converter auto transmission.
paul_c123 said:
Just had a Volvo C70, they feel very much of a previous generation, but that in itself has appeal for some I guess. They are very heavy for their size; and not that small either (make sure you get one with parking sensors). Also, the boot is almost completely useless when the roof is down, not because of the lack of space (there's like a suitcase-sized space) but the access is a 3" slot. There's a complex mechanism to raise the folded roof slightly, it does a lot of whirring and hydraulic actuations and adds only another couple of inches! All hard top convertibles have an enormous boot if you forego putting the roof down though. They are all just slightly too young so the petrols are top tax. The diesels are cheaper (not much though) on tax.
Once again, avoid Powershift. Go for the Geartronic auto, which is a proper torque converter auto transmission.
Not all - the Mx5 MK3 folding roof doesn't take up any boot space at all Once again, avoid Powershift. Go for the Geartronic auto, which is a proper torque converter auto transmission.
How about a VW EOS?
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202411196...
Or Saab 93 convertible
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202506093...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202411196...
Or Saab 93 convertible
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202506093...
If it's a hatch, my first thought is above and the Mini Cooper
Not sure what they're like, but you also have the Mercedes GLC
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202505272...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202505222...
Not sure what they're like, but you also have the Mercedes GLC
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202505272...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202505222...
Bear-n said:
The missus drives 30 miles a day to work in her little Z4 (E85) and I know she's getting edgy, as would I, at the prospect of doing this in winter.
I'd like to be all heroic and buy/run her a second car that's:
a) Auto
b) Got heated seats
c) mildly chic for a pretty 54 year old woman
d) won't kill me in maintenance
Any experience of anything that fits the bill?
aware it's been mentioned already (and more cars are better than fewer), but you could get a hardtop for the Z4 and some good all season/winter tyres and that would do the job?I'd like to be all heroic and buy/run her a second car that's:
a) Auto
b) Got heated seats
c) mildly chic for a pretty 54 year old woman
d) won't kill me in maintenance
Any experience of anything that fits the bill?
Edited by Bear-n on Tuesday 10th June 20:11
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