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.
Good post, OP, nice and specific.
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.
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.
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. 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?
Could also consider a Countryman or Paceman if you wanted 4WD?
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?
vladcjelli said:
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.
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?
To be fair I can't comment on the reliability of the earlier models, we've only ever owned 2017+ models (with no issues so far)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?
The Countryman/Paceman models are obviously bigger, but relatively speaking are still quite small compared to most vehicles on the road these days. We parked our new Countryman next to the 1st gen model recently and the older one looked tiny in comparison.
These always look good value to me.
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/2023080103...
Or an Abarth Comp just comes into budget.
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/2023071095...
The Scirocco idea is a good one though.
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/2023080103...
Or an Abarth Comp just comes into budget.
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/2023071095...
The Scirocco idea is a good one though.
vladcjelli said:
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. If you dont need 4wd then I personally like e82/e88 genre bmw coupe or cabrio, great calue with 3L six- 125i or 135i
ChrisH72 said:
used to cost 4-5k pre-pandemic. These should be £3-4k now.In true Pistonheads style, how about a bit of budget creep?
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202306068...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202306068...
What about something like this?
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202305197...
A set of all-season tyres would easily sort out the winter driving issues.
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202305197...
A set of all-season tyres would easily sort out the winter driving issues.
vladcjelli said:
67Dino said:
Good post, OP, nice and specific.
Can’t tell if sarcasm?Whilst I’m here, if you felt proper radical you could get a Lancia Beta HPE for that which would be different…
vladcjelli said:
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.
Infiniti G37 convertible not cheap to tax but it's distinctive: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.
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202306299...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202301253...
Giulietta Sportiva:
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202308010...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202307049...
TTS:
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202308030...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202307280...
SLK200 AMG Sport:
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202305177...
SLK350:
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202308281...
RCZ GT:
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202308241...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202308100...
Edited by ZX10R NIN on Tuesday 29th August 22:22
Jiebo said:
ChrisH72 said:
used to cost 4-5k pre-pandemic. These should be £3-4k now.Gassing Station | Car Buying | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff