Retirement treat up to £30k
Discussion
Recently retired and thought this would be easy…
I had two company cars and could keep one on a retiree scheme. We’ve kept my wife’s car on the scheme and I handed the other one back. I’ve bought my mum’s smart ForTwo so I do at least have transport
I’ve had a company car since 1994 (my first was a Nightfire Red Rover 620Si!) and have had toys as well most of the time. It’s been a lovely perk never having to worry about anything other than fuel. Now, I need to worry about all the other expenses and reliability. My company cars rarely exceeded 15,000 miles before changing, so looking at used cars with 50,000+ feels a bit strange.
I’m comfortable spending up to £30k, but am a bit lost as to what to buy.
I’ve always promised myself a 911 but I worry about their ability to get very expensively wrong at this process level.
So I thought Boxster, but not sure this works as a daily driver.
I think I want
- Petrol
- Two door (can be four seat)
- Characterful engine (so maybe not a four cylinder)
- Good for long Euro trips
- Reasonable economy
- Reliable
Looked at a Merc E350 Coupe which looked amazing and had all the kit, and ticked most boxes (it’s a four cylinder) but what else should I consider?
I had two company cars and could keep one on a retiree scheme. We’ve kept my wife’s car on the scheme and I handed the other one back. I’ve bought my mum’s smart ForTwo so I do at least have transport
I’ve had a company car since 1994 (my first was a Nightfire Red Rover 620Si!) and have had toys as well most of the time. It’s been a lovely perk never having to worry about anything other than fuel. Now, I need to worry about all the other expenses and reliability. My company cars rarely exceeded 15,000 miles before changing, so looking at used cars with 50,000+ feels a bit strange.
I’m comfortable spending up to £30k, but am a bit lost as to what to buy.
I’ve always promised myself a 911 but I worry about their ability to get very expensively wrong at this process level.
So I thought Boxster, but not sure this works as a daily driver.
I think I want
- Petrol
- Two door (can be four seat)
- Characterful engine (so maybe not a four cylinder)
- Good for long Euro trips
- Reasonable economy
- Reliable
Looked at a Merc E350 Coupe which looked amazing and had all the kit, and ticked most boxes (it’s a four cylinder) but what else should I consider?
What is the wifes car? if you are both retired and that is a sensible car then it gives you a bigger scope as retirees rarely need two practical cars. Personally I would avoid anything that is saloon based like the Mercedes you mention because I would focus on a practical fun car. Cayman rather than the Boxster for example. I would be looking at stuff like that which has enough space for a couple of decent sized bags. I used to be able to fit three gym bags and a large check in size case in my Cayman.
Thanks - Maybe the Boxster / Cayman is the answer then!
I pasted my exact text into ChatGPT (I've got the 'Plus' subscription, but not sure that matters here). It agrees. The RC F is an interesting one
I pasted my exact text into ChatGPT (I've got the 'Plus' subscription, but not sure that matters here). It agrees. The RC F is an interesting one
ChatGPT said:
So my test-drive order for you would be
1. Porsche Cayman 981 2.7 PDK
The one I suspect you'll fall for.
2. BMW 440i M Sport Coupé
Your benchmark. If everything else feels like unnecessary complication after driving this, buy it.
3. Lexus RC F 5.0
Potential surprise winner. Your SLK55 history makes me particularly interested in your reaction to this one.
4. Mercedes E400 4MATIC Coupé
Not the E350. I think the V6 E400 is much closer to your stated brief.
5. Jaguar F-Type V6 S Coupé
Purely because life is too short not to drive one before deciding.
And then I'd drive a £30k 997.2 Carrera.
Because once you've driven all six, I think the answer will become remarkably obvious.
My prediction before you do any of that: you'll end up choosing between a Cayman 981 and a 440i. The BMW will win your head; the Porsche will win everything else.
1. Porsche Cayman 981 2.7 PDK
The one I suspect you'll fall for.
2. BMW 440i M Sport Coupé
Your benchmark. If everything else feels like unnecessary complication after driving this, buy it.
3. Lexus RC F 5.0
Potential surprise winner. Your SLK55 history makes me particularly interested in your reaction to this one.
4. Mercedes E400 4MATIC Coupé
Not the E350. I think the V6 E400 is much closer to your stated brief.
5. Jaguar F-Type V6 S Coupé
Purely because life is too short not to drive one before deciding.
And then I'd drive a £30k 997.2 Carrera.
Because once you've driven all six, I think the answer will become remarkably obvious.
My prediction before you do any of that: you'll end up choosing between a Cayman 981 and a 440i. The BMW will win your head; the Porsche will win everything else.
Wills2 said:
I think the a Boxster would be great, you mention the e class coupe and they are lovely cars an 18 plate e53 coupe is around your budget, not a boxster in terms of handling etc..but that era of e class are very underrated cars and make lovely GTs
There's something really special about an E-Class Coupe - I love the frameless doors and the huge open area with the rear windows down (not sure if it is nice to drive like this!). I looked at an E350 (4-cylinder MHEV) and it was very, very nice. I'm not convinced by some of the ChatGBT suggestions, which are probably pulled from PH threads anyway. I suspect a £30k 997.2 will be pretty ropey.
I had a Boxster S as my daily driver years ago and think it's a great choice. For lower running costs maybe an M2. Noting you liked the Merc, I'm pleasantly surprised how good the C43 AMG cabriolet, I've bought as a stopgap car, is proving to be.
I had a Boxster S as my daily driver years ago and think it's a great choice. For lower running costs maybe an M2. Noting you liked the Merc, I'm pleasantly surprised how good the C43 AMG cabriolet, I've bought as a stopgap car, is proving to be.
SFTWend said:
I'm not convinced by some of the ChatGBT suggestions, which are probably pulled from PH threads anyway. I suspect a £30k 997.2 will be pretty ropey.
I had a Boxster S as my daily driver years ago and think it's a great choice. For lower running costs maybe an M2. Noting you liked the Merc, I'm pleasantly surprised how good the C43 AMG cabriolet, I've bought as a stopgap car, is proving to be.
I didn't post the while response, just the summary - here's the rest. Makes a lot of sense to meI had a Boxster S as my daily driver years ago and think it's a great choice. For lower running costs maybe an M2. Noting you liked the Merc, I'm pleasantly surprised how good the C43 AMG cabriolet, I've bought as a stopgap car, is proving to be.
ChatGPT said:
here's the difficulty.
At £30k, you're shopping at the bottom end of 997.2 ownership, whereas at £25–28k you're shopping near the top of the 981 Cayman 2.7 market.
For your first privately owned daily car in 32 years, I'd much rather see you with:
£26,000 Cayman + £4,000 contingency
than:
£30,000 911 + fingers crossed.
Unless the 911 itch genuinely won't go away.
Because if you've promised yourself one for decades, buying three substitutes over the next five years could ultimately cost more than simply buying the right 911.
At £30k, you're shopping at the bottom end of 997.2 ownership, whereas at £25–28k you're shopping near the top of the 981 Cayman 2.7 market.
For your first privately owned daily car in 32 years, I'd much rather see you with:
£26,000 Cayman + £4,000 contingency
than:
£30,000 911 + fingers crossed.
Unless the 911 itch genuinely won't go away.
Because if you've promised yourself one for decades, buying three substitutes over the next five years could ultimately cost more than simply buying the right 911.
leef44 said:
SLK55 AMG 
A bit biased, I've had a R172 one for ten years now and intend to keep it.
I had an R171 a few years ago - Utterly brilliant thingA bit biased, I've had a R172 one for ten years now and intend to keep it.
https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...
595Heaven said:
SFTWend said:
I'm not convinced by some of the ChatGBT suggestions, which are probably pulled from PH threads anyway. I suspect a £30k 997.2 will be pretty ropey.
I had a Boxster S as my daily driver years ago and think it's a great choice. For lower running costs maybe an M2. Noting you liked the Merc, I'm pleasantly surprised how good the C43 AMG cabriolet, I've bought as a stopgap car, is proving to be.
I didn't post the while response, just the summary - here's the rest. Makes a lot of sense to meI had a Boxster S as my daily driver years ago and think it's a great choice. For lower running costs maybe an M2. Noting you liked the Merc, I'm pleasantly surprised how good the C43 AMG cabriolet, I've bought as a stopgap car, is proving to be.
ChatGPT said:
here's the difficulty.
At £30k, you're shopping at the bottom end of 997.2 ownership, whereas at £25 28k you're shopping near the top of the 981 Cayman 2.7 market.
For your first privately owned daily car in 32 years, I'd much rather see you with:
£26,000 Cayman + £4,000 contingency
than:
£30,000 911 + fingers crossed.
Unless the 911 itch genuinely won't go away.
Because if you've promised yourself one for decades, buying three substitutes over the next five years could ultimately cost more than simply buying the right 911.
At £30k, you're shopping at the bottom end of 997.2 ownership, whereas at £25 28k you're shopping near the top of the 981 Cayman 2.7 market.
For your first privately owned daily car in 32 years, I'd much rather see you with:
£26,000 Cayman + £4,000 contingency
than:
£30,000 911 + fingers crossed.
Unless the 911 itch genuinely won't go away.
Because if you've promised yourself one for decades, buying three substitutes over the next five years could ultimately cost more than simply buying the right 911.
ETA this was posted on another thread
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202608225...
Edited by Josemartinez on Wednesday 9th September 13:11
My not so shortlist for similar parameters was as below. Obviously budget constrains the age so some will be pretty older models, perhaps too unreliable. Personal preference really but for 30k ish fun and comfortable for Euro trips Merc or BMW would be my choice. Second to those an F-Type, despite how highly regarded caymans are. Hope you enjoy whatever you end up with! (I'm sure a Cayman would be great too).
Aston Martin
- V8 Vantage
Audi
- R8 V8
- RS5
Bentley
- Continental GT (old)
BMW
- M6, M4, M2
- 840i
Ford
- Mustang GT 5.0
Jaguar
- F-Type V8
Lexus
- RC F
Maserati
- GranTurismo
Mercedes-Benz
- S63, E63, C63 Coupe
Porsche
- 997 Carrera 4S
- Cayman S
- 996 Turbo
Aston Martin
- V8 Vantage
Audi
- R8 V8
- RS5
Bentley
- Continental GT (old)
BMW
- M6, M4, M2
- 840i
Ford
- Mustang GT 5.0
Jaguar
- F-Type V8
Lexus
- RC F
Maserati
- GranTurismo
Mercedes-Benz
- S63, E63, C63 Coupe
Porsche
- 997 Carrera 4S
- Cayman S
- 996 Turbo
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