This money is burning a big hole in the pocket.

[Wafflesmk2]

After weeks of searching (and failing) at getting the right 330d (e90) in the right spec, i've started looking at so many other cars on the internet, it just gets frustrating.

For my E90 budget, i can get an average Evo X, a good evo 7/8/9, an average 5 series, a newish S-line A4 (with a crap engine), an average VXR8, a poor Jag XF, an average c-class sport, a really st x5/disco/RR/RRRS etc etc, the list goes on...

I've even looked at stupid things like a hummer

The choices are killing me!

Anyone else started looking for something, and bought something else totally different?

[David87]

Yes. I went out to buy a Mk1 MX-5 and came back with an Alfa Romeo 156 V6. How very PH.

[NiceCupOfTea]

Got fed up looking for an e36 328 Sport that wasn't a rusty barried shed and bought a Saab 9000 instead!

[V8Wagon]

I went looking for a BMW 330i and ended up with a Honda Accord.

[V88Dicky]

Think yourself lucky.

I went for a pub lunch five years ago and ended up buying a Monaro.

Still got it

[Ray Luxury-Yacht]

This game can be fun if you're looking for a car with a fairly low budget - i.e a grand or two. Sometimes the original criteria goes right out the window and you end up buying something completely different.

BUT I would say that if your budget is a big sum of money, and you've set your heart on a particular car in a particular spec - for whatever reason, then I would stick to keep on searching. You only need to read the 'Cars you've instantly regretted buying' thread to see that it's easy to make a mistake.

For example I had 30 large to drop on a Porsche a few years back - massive money for me to spend on a car. I had a pretty narrow window WRT spec - nothing else would do and I knew I'd be disappointed if I had to compromise.

So it took me SIX MONTHS of daily searches to find my dream spec. Yes, I had itchy fingers and money burning a hole - but I was determined not to play the 'swayed by something else' game.

Funnily enough, I found it one Saturday morning, when I logged on with barely 20 minutes spare before I had to go out. Many hours in the evening spent looking failed, but a quick casual look and I stumbled on 'my car' out of the blue!

It was sold to me within 24 hours

[MattyB_]

In exactly the same boat.

Looking for VXR8, struggling to get a good 6.2 in the colour I want. I know they're out there (as I've missed 3) and I refused to pay what dealers currently want for them.

So I've been looking elsewhere - I think "settling" for something just for the sake of it is something you'll end up regretting, especially when your ideal car crops up and your not in a position to move on it!

[rallycross]

Buy a 335i petrol instead of the DERV.

[mike9009]

David87 said:

Yes. I went out to buy a Mk1 MX-5 and came back with an Alfa Romeo 156 V6. How very PH.

What great taste in motors...... Mike

[Wafflesmk2]

V88Dicky said:

Think yourself lucky.

I went for a pub lunch five years ago and ended up buying a Monaro.

Still got it

I'll have a Monaro with the scampi please!