Buying a new car
Discussion
OK so I’ve been spent the best part of 2 years looking for a new car but for a complex mix of fear, circumstance and downright motivation this has proved unsuccessful. Till now.
See I’ve just got a loan of 10k for a new (well, used) car (it was an arbitrary figure that sounded affordable and for some reason I can’t bring myself to commit to PCPs). I’ve been pondering what to get and have come full circle so was wondering what u guys thought?
It’s tough and here’s why…
The background
I inherited my dad’s BMW 316i 4 years ago as my first car and that’s the only car I’ve owned hence not had to buy/sell. I do about 10k a year and it’s been very reliable (almost 160k now) and hence not really felt a need to change it. It gets an independent specialist service every year and the last couple of bills have come at about 800 each which has started to grate as the car is not even worth that! But it does keep working so I can’t really complain.
I don’t know a helluva lot about cars. I like it to start on a winter morning and to push off at a roundabout without feeling on the precipice of death. I know it needs fuel when I’m told and watering is a rather arbitrary exercise but so far it seems to be timely (you can tell I’m a connoisseur!). but couldn’t tell you if the cam belt was off or clutch needed adjusting etc. she does 400miles roughly on a full tank – but I don’t know if that’s good or bad really (given the age I can’t tell how much efficiency it’s dropped so can’t exactly work out the mpg and i can't think in gallons anyway...). could probably work out the engine shouldn’t be inside the passenger cabin but other than such gross structural anomalies I fear a dealer could probably sell me a dud. Having said that ironically I do like the driving experience and a bit of luxury wouldn’t hurt I say.
Hence I need ur help on options!
The plan
I’ve had this bug for owning a corrado for the fact I think it’s a rare car that looks good and kinda classy… and yes, reliable. For the last couple of years but it’s been difficult to narrow one I want down. The engine is obviously awesome but sometimes I wonder if I should get a car the same age as mine – if that is really progress you know! And please don’t hate me for saying this but the inside just doesn’t feel exciting. But def a good car. I’ve had a vehicle inspector have a look at one I had my eye on to level the playing field so we’ll see. I also saw one for 6000 (50,000 miles) - sounds amazing a car that old with such low mileage. But wonder whether I should pay a bit extra for a younger car what do u guys think? Suppose my fear is niggles going wrong more frequently than I can afford time wise.
options
Had also looked at porsches (cheaper than I thought but maintenance won’t be so forgiving on price) – space issues too. looked at a couple of mustangs actually (no I’ve not sunk so low to think that the handling is a god send but it is a bit different don’t u think?) but engines of 4 liters sound like expensive fuelling, road tax – and it’s a ford which doesn’t sound super reliable. Also looked at the A3 quattro – road tax is double which I wasn’t happy with (and still can't work out how far a full tank will get me compared to my current car!) but didn’t look like a bad car at all. Ruled out the 1987 SL500 on ageing grounds and big engine(and I hate wood finishes)- though again looks good. Friend just got a 350z – very jealous but again space and fuel cost and as much as I support labour I’ve got a gripe about road tax!!!
So does anyone see my problem?! What’s out there that’s reliable, a bit different, nippy and won’t cost bomb to run?? And won’t make me look like a boyracer, pornstar, footballer or just a allround w****r?! Don’t want my patients to lose confidence in me or my taste!
Many thanks!!
See I’ve just got a loan of 10k for a new (well, used) car (it was an arbitrary figure that sounded affordable and for some reason I can’t bring myself to commit to PCPs). I’ve been pondering what to get and have come full circle so was wondering what u guys thought?
It’s tough and here’s why…
The background
I inherited my dad’s BMW 316i 4 years ago as my first car and that’s the only car I’ve owned hence not had to buy/sell. I do about 10k a year and it’s been very reliable (almost 160k now) and hence not really felt a need to change it. It gets an independent specialist service every year and the last couple of bills have come at about 800 each which has started to grate as the car is not even worth that! But it does keep working so I can’t really complain.
I don’t know a helluva lot about cars. I like it to start on a winter morning and to push off at a roundabout without feeling on the precipice of death. I know it needs fuel when I’m told and watering is a rather arbitrary exercise but so far it seems to be timely (you can tell I’m a connoisseur!). but couldn’t tell you if the cam belt was off or clutch needed adjusting etc. she does 400miles roughly on a full tank – but I don’t know if that’s good or bad really (given the age I can’t tell how much efficiency it’s dropped so can’t exactly work out the mpg and i can't think in gallons anyway...). could probably work out the engine shouldn’t be inside the passenger cabin but other than such gross structural anomalies I fear a dealer could probably sell me a dud. Having said that ironically I do like the driving experience and a bit of luxury wouldn’t hurt I say.
Hence I need ur help on options!
The plan
I’ve had this bug for owning a corrado for the fact I think it’s a rare car that looks good and kinda classy… and yes, reliable. For the last couple of years but it’s been difficult to narrow one I want down. The engine is obviously awesome but sometimes I wonder if I should get a car the same age as mine – if that is really progress you know! And please don’t hate me for saying this but the inside just doesn’t feel exciting. But def a good car. I’ve had a vehicle inspector have a look at one I had my eye on to level the playing field so we’ll see. I also saw one for 6000 (50,000 miles) - sounds amazing a car that old with such low mileage. But wonder whether I should pay a bit extra for a younger car what do u guys think? Suppose my fear is niggles going wrong more frequently than I can afford time wise.
options
Had also looked at porsches (cheaper than I thought but maintenance won’t be so forgiving on price) – space issues too. looked at a couple of mustangs actually (no I’ve not sunk so low to think that the handling is a god send but it is a bit different don’t u think?) but engines of 4 liters sound like expensive fuelling, road tax – and it’s a ford which doesn’t sound super reliable. Also looked at the A3 quattro – road tax is double which I wasn’t happy with (and still can't work out how far a full tank will get me compared to my current car!) but didn’t look like a bad car at all. Ruled out the 1987 SL500 on ageing grounds and big engine(and I hate wood finishes)- though again looks good. Friend just got a 350z – very jealous but again space and fuel cost and as much as I support labour I’ve got a gripe about road tax!!!
So does anyone see my problem?! What’s out there that’s reliable, a bit different, nippy and won’t cost bomb to run?? And won’t make me look like a boyracer, pornstar, footballer or just a allround w****r?! Don’t want my patients to lose confidence in me or my taste!
Many thanks!!
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