What car: ca. £28k; 4 seats; 300+ HP

What car: ca. £28k; 4 seats; 300+ HP

Author
Discussion

bobsavage789

Original Poster:

647 posts

53 months

Sunday 7th June 2020
quotequote all
EvoSid said:
why no 4dr M3 or 2dr M4 as a candidate ?
I would love either of these, but am concerned about the potential quality of examples that come in budget and also running/servicing costs (M tax etc.).

If running an M2 is comparable to those on my shortlist, that would be great!

Mammasaid

3,778 posts

96 months

Sunday 7th June 2020
quotequote all
Baby = Safety = Volvo surely?

This'll do > https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/202...


jimmydash

275 posts

120 months

Sunday 7th June 2020
quotequote all
BMW 6 convertible. I’ve had 4, took them all to 96k, never missed a beat. Fast, comfortable, I use specialist servicing. My current one has loads of extras my favourite is the B&O sound system.

Saleen836

11,061 posts

208 months

Sunday 7th June 2020
quotequote all
bobsavage789 said:
Saleen836 said:
The idea of a V8 Mustang is very appealing, but I’m told the back seats are essentially just for show...
Can't comment on the new RHD models as mine is a LHD '06 model, you can always ask in the Mustang section on here or pop in to a local dealer that has one so you can assess for yourself smile

bobsavage789

Original Poster:

647 posts

53 months

Sunday 7th June 2020
quotequote all
Mammasaid said:
Baby = Safety = Volvo surely?

This'll do > https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/202...
I think I’m a few years of being ground down by children away from a Volvo, despite the T6 engine. I’m unconvinced by the excitement that can be generated by a V90, I’m afraid; lovely, comfortable cars they may be.

bobsavage789

Original Poster:

647 posts

53 months

Sunday 7th June 2020
quotequote all

jimmydash said:
BMW 6 convertible. I’ve had 4, took them all to 96k, never missed a beat. Fast, comfortable, I use specialist servicing. My current one has loads of extras my favourite is the B&O sound system.
Interesting suggestion: what’s it like for practicality? Boot space and back seat space are important for me unfortunately...

ZX10R NIN

27,494 posts

124 months

Sunday 7th June 2020
quotequote all
bobsavage789 said:
Very good point: I’ll look into that, as it’d certainly open up my options.
If you went for something like the RC-F Lexus will offer a Warranty on it for up to 10 years.

Wills2

22,669 posts

174 months

Sunday 7th June 2020
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Merc E43 4matic? They are probably around the 30k mark.

dunc69

687 posts

246 months

Sunday 7th June 2020
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Bob, I went through a similar list, ended up narrowing it down to 540i xDrive and Kia Stinger GTS.

Also seriously considered Superb 280 AWD and Golf R estate. Looked at Audi AS4 and VW Arteon 280 too.

Ended up with the Kia.

7 year warranty, every toy included, rarity factor (get asked about it a lot!), rear drive handling, easily enough power for me and the £145 tax (just sneaks under the luxury car tax band) were some of the important factors. Very happy with my choice.

If you can stretch to an updated ‘68 or ‘19 car, you will have a significantly improved exhaust note, upgraded infotainment screen, updated gearbox software (will remain in manual when selected in Sport mode), more info in the HUD and ambient lighting.

Good luck choosing, comparing and test driving. It’s a lot of fun! Happy to answer any questions.

Edited by dunc69 on Sunday 7th June 14:56

Downward

3,490 posts

102 months

Sunday 7th June 2020
quotequote all
Brand new virtually Cupra lux.

300 miles 20 plate.

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/202...

Or the Estate version for a few hundred pound more with 300bhp and 4wd

Edited by Downward on Sunday 7th June 13:31

Downward

3,490 posts

102 months

Sunday 7th June 2020
quotequote all
bobsavage789 said:
Mammasaid said:
Baby = Safety = Volvo surely?

This'll do > https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/202...
I think I’m a few years of being ground down by children away from a Volvo, despite the T6 engine. I’m unconvinced by the excitement that can be generated by a V90, I’m afraid; lovely, comfortable cars they may be.
V60 T6 367bhp and 0-60 in 4.5 secs. Just £24k too

Dift

1,620 posts

226 months

Sunday 7th June 2020
quotequote all
I'm in a similar position and have looked at a few options.

We are going for an 16/17 SQ5 plus, slightly aged interior infotainment but great sound system, 335bhp and 700+nm of torque.

Currently Audi are offering 2 year warranty on approved used which is a big factor in our decision

bobsavage789

Original Poster:

647 posts

53 months

Sunday 7th June 2020
quotequote all
Wills2 said:
Merc E43 4matic? They are probably around the 30k mark.
Can’t see any in budget, unfortunately. Love the interiors on these; especially with the dual screen setup.

bobsavage789

Original Poster:

647 posts

53 months

Sunday 7th June 2020
quotequote all
dunc69 said:
Bob, I went through a similar list, ended up narrowing it down to 540i xDrive and Kia Stinger GTS.

Also seriously considered Superb 280 AWD and Golf R estate. Looked at Audi AS4 and VW Arteon 280 too.

Ended up with the Kia.

7 year warranty, every toy included, rarity factor (get asked about it a lot!), rear drive handling, easily enough power for me and the £145 tax (just sneaks under the luxury car tax band) were some of the important factors. Very happy with my choice.

If you can stretch to an updated ‘68 or ‘19 car, you will have a significantly improved exhaust note, upgraded infotainment screen, updated gearbox software (will remain in manual when selected in Sport mode), more info in the HUD and ambient lighting.

Good luck choosing, comparing and test driving. It’s a lot of fun! Happy to answer any questions.

Edited by dunc69 on Sunday 7th June 14:56
Thanks, Dunc.

Yes, I’ve followed your Stinger thread with great interest: the Stinger looks like a fabulous package. There’s only one facelift example under £30k within 100 miles on AT, so let’s hope there are some more on the market over the next few weeks.


Jag_NE

2,949 posts

99 months

Sunday 7th June 2020
quotequote all
540i x drive has to be a superb all rounder.

bobsavage789

Original Poster:

647 posts

53 months

Sunday 7th June 2020
quotequote all
Downward said:
Brand new virtually Cupra lux.

300 miles 20 plate.

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/202...

Or the Estate version for a few hundred pound more with 300bhp and 4wd

Edited by Downward on Sunday 7th June 13:31
Excellent value for money, but my fear is the interior feels like too much of a step down from my current Golf GTI (the wife had a Leon not too long ago, and whilst functional, it felt like it was built to a budget).

bobsavage789

Original Poster:

647 posts

53 months

Sunday 7th June 2020
quotequote all
Dift said:
I'm in a similar position and have looked at a few options.

We are going for an 16/17 SQ5 plus, slightly aged interior infotainment but great sound system, 335bhp and 700+nm of torque.

Currently Audi are offering 2 year warranty on approved used which is a big factor in our decision
Is it a diesel? The only petrols I could find were over budget.

bobsavage789

Original Poster:

647 posts

53 months

Sunday 7th June 2020
quotequote all
Jag_NE said:
540i x drive has to be a superb all rounder.
Yep: sounds like a front runner currently.

bobsavage789

Original Poster:

647 posts

53 months

Sunday 21st June 2020
quotequote all
First (unaccompanied) test drive yesterday: a 540i.

Pros:
- very comfortable and roomy: a great car in which to cover long distances, I’d imagine.
- The exhaust/engine note, whilst nothing outrageous, is pleasingly purposeful.
- from behind the steering wheel, it doesn’t feel as large on roads as it seems on the inside; quite Tardis-like in that respect.
- plenty fast enough

Cons:
- despite the ‘Tardisness’, it still feels large going down country roads and through residential streets, although this would probably be something I’d get used to. It still limited my enjoyment of the country lanes I took it down l though.
- the most expensive on my shortlist to insure.


Next weekend I’m planning on trying out a 440i GC: I’ll report back then.

Jonnychloe

10 posts

114 months

Sunday 21st June 2020
quotequote all
Hi,

I am due to sell my 18 plate black M2 if you are interested, looking for £29k.

18 plate (lci model light update)
30k Miles
2 main dealer services
Black pack grilles
Paint GuardX
Harmon Karden etc.

Let me know if you would like to discuss more,

Regards

Jonny