How To Find the Right First Car

[DM94]

Hi guys,

So I'm 23 and have been driving (as a named driver only) since I was 20. I passed my test over 2 years ago and I'm getting to that point where I really want my own car rather than having to use the busy trains to commute.

I absolutely loathe the thought of getting a typical 'first car' - Corsa, Fiesa etc. (even the VXR and ST varients).

Love it or hate it, I love every about BMW. I'm not looking for a new one. In fact I am actually completely set on getting an E46 330ci. If I really could not find the right one I would consider going for a 325ci but realistically I'd rather get the one I want first and not have to deal with the regret of getting the less powerful model.

So here's the problem. I am REALLY sick of getting the train and am at the point where I really want to start driving all the time - I want to have a car that makes me want to go out and drive for the sake of it at the weekend. I have been a named driver on 3 cars in total; a 2000 Vectra, 2011 Fiesta, 2011 Astra.

My issue is that I am so particular. I'm looking for the perfect 330ci (which is extremely difficult considering the facelift models are 11-14 years old) with the right milage, spec, MOT history, FSH etc.

How do I make it easier to find the right car? I look on AutoTrader, PistonHeads, Gumtree, eBay multiple times per week. I am also in sunny Scotland which doesn't make it any easier - the majority of the better examples are in England!

I don't really have a budget but let's say a maximum of £7k. RWD is pretty much a must. LSD preferable (I know only E46 M3s came with them), decently powerful, a fun/drivers car. Coupé preferred.

What do I do? What other cars can you recommend? (I love the idea of an NB MX-5 but can't get the whole 'hairdresser' car thing out of my head (call me insecure...))

This post doesn't even make sense anymore! I'm posting it anyway!!!

Cheers!

[talksthetorque]

Have you run an insurance quote?
Put yourself as the main driver ( or esel it's fronting and illegal)
Also add low risk drivers to the policy, parents, grandparents if they're under 70 ( only pick people with no claims or points) as this can bring the price down.
But yes, E46 330 lovely first car.
not too much to look out for, rusty arches aside.

[DM94]

talksthetorque said:

Have you run an insurance quote?
Put yourself as the main driver ( or esel it's fronting and illegal)
Also add low risk drivers to the policy, parents, grandparents if they're under 70 ( only pick people with no claims or points) as this can bring the price down.
But yes, E46 330 lovely first car.
not too much to look out for, rusty arches aside.

I've had a look at insurance before but have just had another look. With 3 years named driver experience I'm looking at about £920 or with 3 years NCB it's about £890 (as far as I'm aware a lot of insurance companies can take named driver experience as NCB providing it's within the same company?).

As you said, I think a well sorted 6 cylinder 3 series would be good. There's just nothing else that I'm interested in which is really annoying...

[ANJ91]

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2016...

[Strudul]

How about a 350Z instead?

- £3k to £10k depending on year / spec / condition
- RWD
- LSD
- 300bhp
- Lots of fun
- Coupe
- Definitely not a hairdressers car
- My insurance at 22 was £741 (license for 2 years, but 0 NCB)
- Much more reliable and cheaper to maintain than a BMW

[ZX10R NIN]

I 2nd the 350Z but if your heart is set on a 330i then look to spend 5k, then you've got 2k to but your diff/do any small jobs it might need doing/get it detail cleaned/any small dents removed etc so it's as good an example it can be.

Don't be afraid to travel to get the right car jump on a plane/train have a few you might want to view if your first choice isn't upto your expectations.

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

330ci Clubsports have a following so that could be the one to pick:

https://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/...

https://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

[DM94]

Thanks for the advise chaps. I'm open to other ideas but I just feel that a 330ci is everything I'm looking for - providing I can find a nice enough example that isn't going to turn into a money pit.

I've thought about the 350Z and like the idea of it but I'm not a huge fan of it's looks. The rear of the car is just a big bulky for my liking. Other than that it pretty much ticks all the boxes - more so that the 330ci in fact as it has an LSD.

I don't want to end up getting a new car on finance as you end up paying through the nose for something that is going to depreciate rather quickly. If I was to look at 'new' car that can be bought from big dealerships I like the idea of a BRZ/GT86 (ticks all the boxes but lacks power).

[Strudul]

DM94 said:

I've thought about the 350Z and like the idea of it but I'm not a huge fan of it's looks. The rear of the car is just a big bulky for my liking. Other than that it pretty much ticks all the boxes - more so that the 330ci in fact as it has an LSD.

S2000 would be a viable alternative then and some come with hardtops if you don't want a vert.

[Integroo]

Strudul said:

DM94 said:

I've thought about the 350Z and like the idea of it but I'm not a huge fan of it's looks. The rear of the car is just a big bulky for my liking. Other than that it pretty much ticks all the boxes - more so that the 330ci in fact as it has an LSD.

S2000 would be a viable alternative then and some come with hardtops if you don't want a vert.

Would be expensive for him to insure and run.

[DM94]

Integroo said:

Strudul said:

DM94 said:

I've thought about the 350Z and like the idea of it but I'm not a huge fan of it's looks. The rear of the car is just a big bulky for my liking. Other than that it pretty much ticks all the boxes - more so that the 330ci in fact as it has an LSD.

S2000 would be a viable alternative then and some come with hardtops if you don't want a vert.

Would be expensive for him to insure and run.

I just had a look on compare the market. 350Z is starting at £1000 and S2000 is starting at £1100.

I actually do like the idea of a well sorted S2K but to get a good example that isn't a high miler I would be looking at £10k+ - that's getting into E46 M3 money.

[Integroo]

DM94 said:

Integroo said:

Strudul said:

DM94 said:

I've thought about the 350Z and like the idea of it but I'm not a huge fan of it's looks. The rear of the car is just a big bulky for my liking. Other than that it pretty much ticks all the boxes - more so that the 330ci in fact as it has an LSD.

S2000 would be a viable alternative then and some come with hardtops if you don't want a vert.

Would be expensive for him to insure and run.

I just had a look on compare the market. 350Z is starting at £1000 and S2000 is starting at £1100.

I actually do like the idea of a well sorted S2K but to get a good example that isn't a high miler I would be looking at £10k+ - that's getting into E46 M3 money.

I've spent a bit of time this week seriously considering buying an S2K. They are expensive for the age of car, no doubt.

[Strudul]

Best option is to suck it up and learn to love the 350Z then because it's arguably a beautiful car with a timeless shape

[Integroo]

Strudul said:

Best option is to suck it up and learn to love the 350Z then because it's arguably a beautiful car with a timeless shape

Thing that put me off is the £505 tax bill! Also the mpg...

[Strudul]

Integroo said:

Thing that put me off is the £505 tax bill! Also the mpg...

Never understood the tax argument, it's a very small expense in the grand scheme of things, and if you think about it, it's only ~£1.50 per day - a cup of coffee costs more than that...

Alternatively you can get a pre-06 with cheaper tax (£305pa).

As for mpg:
> 22 in the city or when blasting about
> 25-45 on motorways depending on speed

(I average around 30, but my commute is usually reasonably traffic-free and limited to 30/40/50 with a lot of speed cameras)

Edited by Strudul on Thursday 21st September 00:14

[Zetec-S]

Strudul said:

Integroo said:

Thing that put me off is the £505 tax bill! Also the mpg...

Never understood the tax argument, it's a very small expense in the grand scheme of things, and if you think about it, it's only ~£1.50 per day - a cup of coffee costs more than that...

Alternatively you can get a pre-06 with cheaper tax (£305pa).

As for mpg:
> 22 in the city or when blasting about
> 25-45 on motorways depending on speed

(I average around 30, but my commute is usually reasonably traffic-free and limited to 30/40/50 with a lot of speed cameras)

Edited by Strudul on Thursday 21st September 00:14

I think a lot of people only think about tax when the reminder comes through, so all of a sudden have to find a big lump of cash in one go. Although at least now you have the option of monthly direct debits.

Back to the OP, if you don't like the 350z I think the 3 series coupe is probably the best choice. I still think it looks pretty modern and fresh compared to some of it's rivals at the time. However, just to throw in some alternatives (appreciate insurance might rule some out, but you never know)

Mazda RX8
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2017...

Mercedes CL600 (ok, I know it'll be a money pit )
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2017...

Supercharged Jag XKR
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2017...

Vauxhall Monaro
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2017...

[DM94]

Zetec-S said:

I think a lot of people only think about tax when the reminder comes through, so all of a sudden have to find a big lump of cash in one go. Although at least now you have the option of monthly direct debits.

Back to the OP, if you don't like the 350z I think the 3 series coupe is probably the best choice. I still think it looks pretty modern and fresh compared to some of it's rivals at the time. However, just to throw in some alternatives (appreciate insurance might rule some out, but you never know)

Mazda RX8
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2017...

Mercedes CL600 (ok, I know it'll be a money pit )
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2017...

Supercharged Jag XKR
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2017...

Vauxhall Monaro
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2017...

I'd previously thought about an RX8... don't know much about them, I believe the R3 is the one to get?

I'll just have to keep looking for the right car I guess... like everyone else!

[Integroo]

DM94 said:

Zetec-S said:

I think a lot of people only think about tax when the reminder comes through, so all of a sudden have to find a big lump of cash in one go. Although at least now you have the option of monthly direct debits.

Back to the OP, if you don't like the 350z I think the 3 series coupe is probably the best choice. I still think it looks pretty modern and fresh compared to some of it's rivals at the time. However, just to throw in some alternatives (appreciate insurance might rule some out, but you never know)

Mazda RX8
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2017...

Mercedes CL600 (ok, I know it'll be a money pit )
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2017...

Supercharged Jag XKR
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2017...

Vauxhall Monaro
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2017...

I'd previously thought about an RX8... don't know much about them, I believe the R3 is the one to get?

I'll just have to keep looking for the right car I guess... like everyone else!

If you don't know much about RX8s, don't buy one. They have a tendency to go pop if mistreated.