Distinctive second car - £8000
Discussion
Our small car is coming to the end of its lease (around April next year).
It was a decent deal, circa £160pm. As it stands, there aren’t many lease deals to be done at that price point, certainly not anything with even the smallest dash of midlife crisis. Personal loans for a similar monthly amount should release about £7500-£8000.
Back to the used market we go. Been out of the loop for a good few years because leasing.
I have decided we need to get something interesting. Not necessarily fast, as such, but have no objection to a bit of go.
We still ferry our older teens and a small dog about, so it needs four seats, not necessarily full back seat comfort, we have a sensible estate for longer family duties.
It needs to be auto as the primary driver, Mrs Cjelli, has a dicky left knee and clutch work aggravates it.
Early searches have thrown up several options. If it was for me, I like the idea of something like a large coupe, something more wafty than focussed. The article on the BMW 630 recently sent me down this route.
Mrs C feels a bit more hatchback. A bit more nimble for popping into our nearest big town, multi storey car parks etc. Also, her commute is mainly narrow country lanes, so prefers something more wieldy. We were both teenagers when the VW Corrado came out and we quite like the Scirocco as it’s spiritual successor. I was surprised when she told me she expected me to come at her with a handful of Corrados to consider, but I haven’t got anywhere to tinker with a much older car like that and don’t know if I could do one justice.
Not essential, but where she works has a special little microclimate all of its own and is always the first and last place to get snow. She likes the idea of 4wd, but this isn’t a deal breaker.
In essence then, something for up to £8k with a bit of panache above and beyond the normal shopping trolleys, whether that’s the drive train, the styling, a nicer place to sit or a combination of everything.
Make of that what you will, I am curious to see where we go.
It was a decent deal, circa £160pm. As it stands, there aren’t many lease deals to be done at that price point, certainly not anything with even the smallest dash of midlife crisis. Personal loans for a similar monthly amount should release about £7500-£8000.
Back to the used market we go. Been out of the loop for a good few years because leasing.
I have decided we need to get something interesting. Not necessarily fast, as such, but have no objection to a bit of go.
We still ferry our older teens and a small dog about, so it needs four seats, not necessarily full back seat comfort, we have a sensible estate for longer family duties.
It needs to be auto as the primary driver, Mrs Cjelli, has a dicky left knee and clutch work aggravates it.
Early searches have thrown up several options. If it was for me, I like the idea of something like a large coupe, something more wafty than focussed. The article on the BMW 630 recently sent me down this route.
Mrs C feels a bit more hatchback. A bit more nimble for popping into our nearest big town, multi storey car parks etc. Also, her commute is mainly narrow country lanes, so prefers something more wieldy. We were both teenagers when the VW Corrado came out and we quite like the Scirocco as it’s spiritual successor. I was surprised when she told me she expected me to come at her with a handful of Corrados to consider, but I haven’t got anywhere to tinker with a much older car like that and don’t know if I could do one justice.
Not essential, but where she works has a special little microclimate all of its own and is always the first and last place to get snow. She likes the idea of 4wd, but this isn’t a deal breaker.
In essence then, something for up to £8k with a bit of panache above and beyond the normal shopping trolleys, whether that’s the drive train, the styling, a nicer place to sit or a combination of everything.
Make of that what you will, I am curious to see where we go.
bennno said:
Depending on the size of your teens an Audi TT, Audi A5 or a BMW 3 series coupe.
TT a bit too small in the back. A5 and 3er handsome, but a bit ubiquitous.67Dino said:
Good post, OP, nice and specific.
Can’t tell if sarcasm?67Dino said:
It may be too obvious, but if you liked the original, how about a third generation VW Scirocco (2008-17)? You see very few around, attractive styling and good practicality, with £8k a good price point.
My other choices personally would be an Audi TT, or for a slightly less practical choice, a Jag XK8.
I like the Scirocco, that was the one I meant in my post. It ticks a lot of boxes. Not sure if it whiffs a bit of baseball cap, if you know what I mean.My other choices personally would be an Audi TT, or for a slightly less practical choice, a Jag XK8.
Jag feels a bit big, but small inside. Possibility of Jag sized bills frightens me a bit.
fflump said:
An Alfa Brera 3.2 V6 AWD Q-tronic would be something different.
Had a quick look for one of these, but a bit hens teeth. Will redouble my efforts. Zetec-S said:
Marmite styling, but have you considered the 1st generation MINI Clubman? You don't see that many around, and would probably work quite well as an "all-rounder" 2nd car with enough room for 4 on short journeys, dogs, shopping, etc, while still staying small and nippy around town.
Could also consider a Countryman or Paceman if you wanted 4WD?
A couple of fellas I used to work with had 1st (I think) gen minis. One went through multiple gearboxes, one had a mystery oil leak which the main dealer could not fix and the third got rid of his for ongoing issues. Could also consider a Countryman or Paceman if you wanted 4WD?
Put me off them a bit, but happy to be corrected. Like the way they look, and apparently they drive well.
The 4wd ones appeal, but they seem quite chunky?
mersontheperson said:
Before my original post, I had already rushed over, ipad in hand to show her this very listing, but was told this was not the car we would be buying.If I knew more about importing Japanese cars, I can think of a few oddities I fancy.
Sorry I’ve not fed back before now, I started a long post replying individually, but chrome ate it.
BMW 1er is out as that’s what we’ve got the eldest to learn in. Not with a big straight six admittedly, but his smugness if we “copied” him would be unbearable.
The Astra vxr looks like a smart option and a flying machine but I’ve had grandad spec Vauxhalls in the past and probably can’t get past it.
I’ve driven a mates diesel Giulietta before and have no real objections. Bit cramped would be my only criticism, but I hadn’t taken the time to adjust everything. Is the 1.4 petrol reliable even at the higher outputs? Same engine as 500 abarth?
The Nissan Lexus, sorry Infiniti options are tasty, especially the black drop top with the red leather interior. Will definitely be checking into these further.
Speaking of Lexus, are the hybrid hatchbacks, (think they were CT model?) any good?
The C-class coupe is a timely entry. I’ve been saying for years that a merc coupe should be Mrs Cjelli’s next car. This gained a bit of traction when Kevin Costner’s daughter in Yellowstone drove a more recent model and was commented on favourably. When I showed her the one posted above, she said it was a bit flashy. Was unwilling to comment further at the time, but I will press for clarification.
SLK out due to teen and dog issues. Remember when you could get these for £200pm on a lease.
I have looked briefly over the Pug coupes before. Not a favourite of hers. Reason being, we talked one of her closest friends to invest their first salary after qualifying from uni in a brand new 206cc back in 2001 I think it was. She didn’t really enjoy it and I think that impression of Peugeots has stuck.
When I said about A5’s, I admit they look well in decent spec. An RS5 was behind me as I took the eldest to college this morning and was very smart, if driven a little aggressively. Can you get a decent looking Quattro without risking it all on the V8?
And finally, my sons are 14 & 17, both about to have their next birthdays in the coming couple of months. I appreciate the sentiment, but I am convinced a TT is too compromised, despite being smart looking and many variants available.
BMW 1er is out as that’s what we’ve got the eldest to learn in. Not with a big straight six admittedly, but his smugness if we “copied” him would be unbearable.
The Astra vxr looks like a smart option and a flying machine but I’ve had grandad spec Vauxhalls in the past and probably can’t get past it.
I’ve driven a mates diesel Giulietta before and have no real objections. Bit cramped would be my only criticism, but I hadn’t taken the time to adjust everything. Is the 1.4 petrol reliable even at the higher outputs? Same engine as 500 abarth?
The Nissan Lexus, sorry Infiniti options are tasty, especially the black drop top with the red leather interior. Will definitely be checking into these further.
Speaking of Lexus, are the hybrid hatchbacks, (think they were CT model?) any good?
The C-class coupe is a timely entry. I’ve been saying for years that a merc coupe should be Mrs Cjelli’s next car. This gained a bit of traction when Kevin Costner’s daughter in Yellowstone drove a more recent model and was commented on favourably. When I showed her the one posted above, she said it was a bit flashy. Was unwilling to comment further at the time, but I will press for clarification.
SLK out due to teen and dog issues. Remember when you could get these for £200pm on a lease.
I have looked briefly over the Pug coupes before. Not a favourite of hers. Reason being, we talked one of her closest friends to invest their first salary after qualifying from uni in a brand new 206cc back in 2001 I think it was. She didn’t really enjoy it and I think that impression of Peugeots has stuck.
When I said about A5’s, I admit they look well in decent spec. An RS5 was behind me as I took the eldest to college this morning and was very smart, if driven a little aggressively. Can you get a decent looking Quattro without risking it all on the V8?
And finally, my sons are 14 & 17, both about to have their next birthdays in the coming couple of months. I appreciate the sentiment, but I am convinced a TT is too compromised, despite being smart looking and many variants available.
E63eeeeee... said:
I’ve had a hankering for a little 4x4 workhorse for a while, these, Daihatsu Terios, Panda 4x4.We visited a Suzuki dealership while shopping around a couple of cars ago, looked very hard at Swift 4x4, but ended up in a different direction.
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