Help! Decisions, decisions...
Discussion
To butcher a famous movie quote, "help me PH, you're my only hope".
Some background. During lockdown, both me and my wife have been home working. We've always been a 2 car household, but around Sep'20, got rid of one (10 years old, due a service/MOT, few probs needed sorted). One car has been fine, but I'll soon need to get a car with a phased return to hybrid office working.
I've intended to get one for ages, but lack of new supply, and insane used prices have made me hold off as long as possible, but looks like I finally need to take the plunge.
Budget is flexible. Ideally £30k - £40k (no finance req.), But could stretch higher of necessary. Absolute max would be £60k, with some finance.
I've considered cars all over the spectrum.
- Mustang (ICE ver), but used prices are extremely high and availability is slim
- Tesla Model 3. Doesn't seem worthwhile unless you're a company car driver. Not sure about depreciation as battery tech improves rapidly.
- Mercedes C or E class coupe. Decent looking, nice interiors, but a bit obvious and dull.
- Maserati Granturismo. Brave pill, caution to the wind, max budget. Can't see any of the 2018 face lift cars in budget though
- Maserati Ghibli. Feel with a Maserati you can't go diesel, but most models seem to be either diesel, or the lacklustre hybrid model (trofeo kills the budget)
- Alfa Romeo Giulia. But different and less beige than a Mercedes. Could easily get a decent Veloce, but concerned about Alfa's reliability and depreciation record...? Also think I'd constantly wish for a Quad, which could take another brave pill for an older model.
- Porsche Cayman. Would have to be above 4 cylinders, ruling out the lower end 718 models. Again, used prices are bonkers just now.
As you can see, ranges from electric to gas guzzler, 2 seater to saloon.
We have a Kia Sportage for family duties, so really the door is open to anything for a 2nd car. I have a 30 mile each way commute, but only likely 2 days a week, so not fussed about MPG. About my only criteria is wanting something a bit different/special (i.e. not a BMW which, even at M-perf level is about as exciting to me as a wet weekend in Skegness), and reliable. Don't mind used, maybe max. 4 years old, but ideally younger.
Pretty vague, but I'd welcome suggestions and ideas from the PH community, and also any experiences.re: reliability. I don't buy cars often, so want to make sure it's the "right" one, whatever that means...
Thanks all.
Some background. During lockdown, both me and my wife have been home working. We've always been a 2 car household, but around Sep'20, got rid of one (10 years old, due a service/MOT, few probs needed sorted). One car has been fine, but I'll soon need to get a car with a phased return to hybrid office working.
I've intended to get one for ages, but lack of new supply, and insane used prices have made me hold off as long as possible, but looks like I finally need to take the plunge.
Budget is flexible. Ideally £30k - £40k (no finance req.), But could stretch higher of necessary. Absolute max would be £60k, with some finance.
I've considered cars all over the spectrum.
- Mustang (ICE ver), but used prices are extremely high and availability is slim
- Tesla Model 3. Doesn't seem worthwhile unless you're a company car driver. Not sure about depreciation as battery tech improves rapidly.
- Mercedes C or E class coupe. Decent looking, nice interiors, but a bit obvious and dull.
- Maserati Granturismo. Brave pill, caution to the wind, max budget. Can't see any of the 2018 face lift cars in budget though
- Maserati Ghibli. Feel with a Maserati you can't go diesel, but most models seem to be either diesel, or the lacklustre hybrid model (trofeo kills the budget)
- Alfa Romeo Giulia. But different and less beige than a Mercedes. Could easily get a decent Veloce, but concerned about Alfa's reliability and depreciation record...? Also think I'd constantly wish for a Quad, which could take another brave pill for an older model.
- Porsche Cayman. Would have to be above 4 cylinders, ruling out the lower end 718 models. Again, used prices are bonkers just now.
As you can see, ranges from electric to gas guzzler, 2 seater to saloon.
We have a Kia Sportage for family duties, so really the door is open to anything for a 2nd car. I have a 30 mile each way commute, but only likely 2 days a week, so not fussed about MPG. About my only criteria is wanting something a bit different/special (i.e. not a BMW which, even at M-perf level is about as exciting to me as a wet weekend in Skegness), and reliable. Don't mind used, maybe max. 4 years old, but ideally younger.
Pretty vague, but I'd welcome suggestions and ideas from the PH community, and also any experiences.re: reliability. I don't buy cars often, so want to make sure it's the "right" one, whatever that means...
Thanks all.
Pierre2k said:
To butcher a famous movie quote, "help me PH, you're my only hope".
- Maserati Ghibli. Feel with a Maserati you can't go diesel, but most models seem to be either diesel, or the lacklustre hybrid model (trofeo kills the budget)
Thanks all.
I'm about to sell my V6S 400+ bhp. Pure petrol.- Maserati Ghibli. Feel with a Maserati you can't go diesel, but most models seem to be either diesel, or the lacklustre hybrid model (trofeo kills the budget)
Thanks all.
Thoroughly recommend them.
Tesla Model 3 Performance. I know its hard to understand EV's but I find it a fun car to drive and it costs peanuts to run once you've bought it. No more stupid servicing costs, no chimney, no belts, tappets/cam followers to adjust/shim, no spark plugs or ignition system etc etc. What else can you buy at that budget that does 0-60 in 3.1seconds and can cover 280-300 miles for a tenner?
https://youtu.be/tLcCPsnLlaE
https://youtu.be/tLcCPsnLlaE
You'll be able to go electric at any point, so I'd go for something a bit special while they're still being made.
Lexus RC-F a car that gets under your skin & it has a very sweet V8 plus keep it serviced by Lexus & you'll be able to have a factory warranty for (from date of registration) 10 years:
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202110208...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202201101...
Or the even rarer the GS-F this is a car that I'd call a modern take on a VXR8/Quattroporte they'rs a good steer & when was the last time you saw one:
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202201111...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202111129...
VXR8 GTS a riot of a car
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202108176...
Your budget will land you a nice GT Sport (the second one would be my pick) which imo are special cars:
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202112210...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202201161...
F Type R
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202111249...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202112150...
Ghibli S not as much theatre as the cars above but still a good swift steer:
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202108176...
GT R now these are proper drivers cars
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202112160...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202201071...
Now if you want a sweet fun steer under budget the 370Z Nismo is a great option & comfortably under budget:
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202110288...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202110048...
As you can see there are some great options that aren't German & you don't see them everywhere.
Lexus RC-F a car that gets under your skin & it has a very sweet V8 plus keep it serviced by Lexus & you'll be able to have a factory warranty for (from date of registration) 10 years:
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202110208...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202201101...
Or the even rarer the GS-F this is a car that I'd call a modern take on a VXR8/Quattroporte they'rs a good steer & when was the last time you saw one:
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202201111...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202111129...
VXR8 GTS a riot of a car
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202108176...
Your budget will land you a nice GT Sport (the second one would be my pick) which imo are special cars:
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202112210...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202201161...
F Type R
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202111249...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202112150...
Ghibli S not as much theatre as the cars above but still a good swift steer:
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202108176...
GT R now these are proper drivers cars
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202112160...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202201071...
Now if you want a sweet fun steer under budget the 370Z Nismo is a great option & comfortably under budget:
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202110288...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202110048...
As you can see there are some great options that aren't German & you don't see them everywhere.
interstellar said:
Send me the details fflump. I might be interested in that being an S
I specifically got it both as is an 'S' and also has new enough to have the latest larger touch screen centre console (though being Maserati you can also still operate it using the rotary controller!).Message sent.
Some great suggestions by ZX & Co. so far, and fflumps Maser is lovely!
Here are some ideas from me
Kia Stinger GTS
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202112290...
Jagaur XE-S
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202111209...
Lexus RC-F
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202112170...
Here are some ideas from me
Kia Stinger GTS
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202112290...
Jagaur XE-S
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202111209...
Lexus RC-F
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202112170...
The Lexus 'relax' warranty has yet to be tested in the real world. In fact the assumption amongst owners is that it will be a downgrade on the previous 'paid for warranties'.
That said you probably couldn't go wrong with an RCF but would advise a test drive. To get any poke out of that NA V8 requires sport / red line mode. I get more poke in my B58 in comfort mode with a slight press of the peddle.
That said you probably couldn't go wrong with an RCF but would advise a test drive. To get any poke out of that NA V8 requires sport / red line mode. I get more poke in my B58 in comfort mode with a slight press of the peddle.
DT1664 said:
The Lexus 'relax' warranty has yet to be tested in the real world. In fact the assumption amongst owners is that it will be a downgrade on the previous 'paid for warranties'.
That said you probably couldn't go wrong with an RCF but would advise a test drive. To get any poke out of that NA V8 requires sport / red line mode. I get more poke in my B58 in comfort mode with a slight press of the peddle.
I find that surprising, a 5L n/a V8 with 400 torques would normally provide pretty effortless grunt.That said you probably couldn't go wrong with an RCF but would advise a test drive. To get any poke out of that NA V8 requires sport / red line mode. I get more poke in my B58 in comfort mode with a slight press of the peddle.
Thanks everyone, some excellent suggestions and great to get the input of the PH community! Appreciated.
Some initial thoughts:
Fflump – I note you reference a 5 year warranty on a Guilia QF? Do they all have this or was it just certain years? Certainly be interested in consider one if I knew it still had, say, 2 years of warranty left to run. Also, that is a truly stunning Ghibli. Pretty much my ideal spec (V6 petrol, cream leather, Blu Emozione paint, sport trim, rather than lusso etc). About the only thing I’d have personally chosen differently is I like contrasting red brake calipers, but they aren’t everyone’s cuppa, and I think that interior is one of the best I’ve seen. Beautiful vehicle. How old is it, and how have you found general build quality/reliability?
LordFiathead – Like the look of the Model 3 performance, though as ZX10RNIN says below you, there is part of me that fancies this last chance to get something a bit special with an ICE engine. A good shout though.
ZX10RNIN – Had never considered a Lexus RCF, but nice looking car. To be honest, Lexus doesn’t massively do it for me as a marque, but I can easily see the appeal. Nice looking car, and presumably incredibly solid Japanese build quality. The F-Type is a great suggestion I hadn’t looked at much. I know it again probably puts me in the minority, but I significantly prefer the headlights on the facelift, which puts me off the old version a bit, but still gorgeous. The 370z Nismo is a total left field choice, but a great option to consider at the cheaper end.
Georgeyboy12345 – Thanks for the suggestions. The Kia Stinger is an interesting one. I’ve been really impressed by our currently Sportage overall, it’s incredible warranty, fully loaded features compared with rivals, solid build etc. Makes this a particularly interesting choice. I’ll admit to total brand snobbery here, but I just wonder if it’s intangibly “special” enough, and I say that as someone more than happy to recommend Kia in general to anyone.
Overall, my thinking (read: heart, not necessarily head), draw me towards a Ghibli or Guilia Quad. The Guilia Quad with 1+ years warranty remaining would be really interesting. The Maserati has some definite kerb appeal for me, so I’ll see what’s out there. I’d love a Maserati Granturismo, but I really prefer the 2018 onwards face lift, and whilst they were in budget (just), when I got rid of my old car back in Sep’20, they are well out of reach now (if they weren’t I’d probably have one on the drive already). The Jag f-type is probably the other main contender for me, if only the 2020 facelift cars, in V8 P450 form, would drop below the £60k mark (though slightly nervous about depreciation/reliability on JLR products, rightly or wrongly). Thanks for everyone’s input so far.
Some initial thoughts:
Fflump – I note you reference a 5 year warranty on a Guilia QF? Do they all have this or was it just certain years? Certainly be interested in consider one if I knew it still had, say, 2 years of warranty left to run. Also, that is a truly stunning Ghibli. Pretty much my ideal spec (V6 petrol, cream leather, Blu Emozione paint, sport trim, rather than lusso etc). About the only thing I’d have personally chosen differently is I like contrasting red brake calipers, but they aren’t everyone’s cuppa, and I think that interior is one of the best I’ve seen. Beautiful vehicle. How old is it, and how have you found general build quality/reliability?
LordFiathead – Like the look of the Model 3 performance, though as ZX10RNIN says below you, there is part of me that fancies this last chance to get something a bit special with an ICE engine. A good shout though.
ZX10RNIN – Had never considered a Lexus RCF, but nice looking car. To be honest, Lexus doesn’t massively do it for me as a marque, but I can easily see the appeal. Nice looking car, and presumably incredibly solid Japanese build quality. The F-Type is a great suggestion I hadn’t looked at much. I know it again probably puts me in the minority, but I significantly prefer the headlights on the facelift, which puts me off the old version a bit, but still gorgeous. The 370z Nismo is a total left field choice, but a great option to consider at the cheaper end.
Georgeyboy12345 – Thanks for the suggestions. The Kia Stinger is an interesting one. I’ve been really impressed by our currently Sportage overall, it’s incredible warranty, fully loaded features compared with rivals, solid build etc. Makes this a particularly interesting choice. I’ll admit to total brand snobbery here, but I just wonder if it’s intangibly “special” enough, and I say that as someone more than happy to recommend Kia in general to anyone.
Overall, my thinking (read: heart, not necessarily head), draw me towards a Ghibli or Guilia Quad. The Guilia Quad with 1+ years warranty remaining would be really interesting. The Maserati has some definite kerb appeal for me, so I’ll see what’s out there. I’d love a Maserati Granturismo, but I really prefer the 2018 onwards face lift, and whilst they were in budget (just), when I got rid of my old car back in Sep’20, they are well out of reach now (if they weren’t I’d probably have one on the drive already). The Jag f-type is probably the other main contender for me, if only the 2020 facelift cars, in V8 P450 form, would drop below the £60k mark (though slightly nervous about depreciation/reliability on JLR products, rightly or wrongly). Thanks for everyone’s input so far.
Pierre2k said:
Fflump – I note you reference a 5 year warranty on a Guilia QF? Do they all have this or was it just certain years? Certainly be interested in consider one if I knew it still had, say, 2 years of warranty left to run. Also, that is a truly stunning Ghibli. Pretty much my ideal spec (V6 petrol, cream leather, Blu Emozione paint, sport trim, rather than lusso etc). About the only thing I’d have personally chosen differently is I like contrasting red brake calipers, but they aren’t everyone’s cuppa, and I think that interior is one of the best I’ve seen. Beautiful vehicle. How old is it, and how have you found general build quality/reliability?
As noted above >summer 2018 the Alfas switched to 5 yr warranty.Re my Ghibli. It is Dec '16 so would be a bit cheaper than your ideal price range.
Reliability has been faultless, and find the build quality to be excellent. Lovely thud when the (frameless) doors shut, double glazed windows, supportive heated electric memory seats, adjustable lumbar support etc. Nice Alcantara headlining, no annoying rattles. These are very expensive cars new so you'd expect a decent interior. Definitely worth getting the S version for extra power.
fflump said:
As noted above >summer 2018 the Alfas switched to 5 yr warranty.
Re my Ghibli. It is Dec '16 so would be a bit cheaper than your ideal price range.
Reliability has been faultless, and find the build quality to be excellent. Lovely thud when the (frameless) doors shut, double glazed windows, supportive heated electric memory seats, adjustable lumbar support etc. Nice Alcantara headlining, no annoying rattles. These are very expensive cars new so you'd expect a decent interior. Definitely worth getting the S version for extra power.
As above these are very good cars & worth at least a test drive, the Giulia is the better drivers car out of the two but the Ghibli interior is a clear step ahead of the Giulia in terms of interior quality.Re my Ghibli. It is Dec '16 so would be a bit cheaper than your ideal price range.
Reliability has been faultless, and find the build quality to be excellent. Lovely thud when the (frameless) doors shut, double glazed windows, supportive heated electric memory seats, adjustable lumbar support etc. Nice Alcantara headlining, no annoying rattles. These are very expensive cars new so you'd expect a decent interior. Definitely worth getting the S version for extra power.
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