Typical First Car What Car

[DM94]

Hello!

I know you're all sick to death of these 'what car?' threads but this is the Car Buying section after all.

I'm 23 years old and don't currently own a car but I'm insured on both of my parents' cars and have clocked up a decent amount of miles (I passed my test almost 2 years ago). I finally have permanent work so I'm now looking to get my first car.

My ideal (dream) car would be an E46 M3 (with some tasteful mods). I'm in the position where I could buy, insure and maintain one but with best non-black box insurance quotes being around £1.6k and the cost of Inspection 1 and 2 services I think I might be better off buying something less 'fancy' (so to speak).

So this is where I need help from you lot.

I wouldn't want to spend much more than £5k. Generally I'm looking for a 2 door that isn't a convertible (sorry Miata), that's preferably not FWD and isn't sluggish. It must have a manual transmission option. LSD is desirable but not a requirement and it would preferably be quite reasonable to insure.

So far I've been looking cars such as the Mk2 MR2, Celica GT4, Mk4 Golf VR6, E46 3 Series (325ci+), S3 8L (you get my drift - reasonably brisk cars that aren't too expensive).

So what do you think I should do? Any responses are appreciated and I look forward to reading them.

Cheers!


DM94

Edited by DM94 on Tuesday 28th February 19:35

[Joeguard1990]

RX8 with a recent engine rebuild and proven compression test

Ignore the horror stories. Meets all of your requirements except the 2 doors. Keep your eyes on the oil, service when required and upgrade the coils if it already doesn't have the D585s or similar.

Anything from 1.5-5K depending on what year you buy but i'd go for one that's had an engine rebuild already.

http://www.rx8ownersclub.co.uk/forum/viewtopic.php...

[InitialDave]

I think a 3-series is probably a pretty good option, if nothing else, you'll see how you feel about the car in general (interior etc), and so be in a more informed position if you decide to move up to an M3.

[caelite]

MX5 with a hard top. MK2 facelift (01 onwards) comes with a LSD from the factory is some skews (the ones with 6 speed manual have LSD).

I may be bias as I just bought one yesterday.

[GreatGranny]

E46 330i CS?

You will also not lose any money of these either.

http://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/b...

[DM94]

Thanks for the advice chaps. I do like the idea of going with either a 325ci or 330ci. I have the money to properly maintain them and have a BMW/Mini specialist literally 60 seconds drive away. They're also cheap enough to the point where I would feel happy doing bits of work myself on them (oil changes and filter replacements etc.).

[C70R]

I've had a couple of 330ci's, and while they aren't the last word in sporty driving and handling, they are about the best all-rounders I can think of in the £3-4k range. If you like the E46, it's a bit of a no-brainer.

[DM94]

Yeah, I guess it ticks all my boxes with regards to RWD, 2 door and so on, and is the car below that car I really want, which as InitialDave said, it let's me get used to the E46 chassis. The only worry I have about buying a used BMW is that there is always so much negativity about them online. Loads of people say they are a nightmare to own, having to repair them all the time, yet others say that if properly maintained and not neglected they are completely bulletproof (the engines at least - I know the E46 and even the E36 chassis has it's fair share of issues). Maybe I should just take the 'risk'.

[C70R]

Over the period that I've had two (both bought for less than £2500, with good options and <100k miles), and the 15k or so that I've covered, the only failure was the autobox - reverse gear failure is common on one of the box types. A refurbished one was fitted relatively inexpensively, and they've been faultless aside from that.
Buy smartly at the outset, and cover yourself for the inevitability of a 15+yr old car failing (as they all will eventually).

[DM94]

I've been doing more thinking and looking at other, perhaps, more reliable options. Can pick up 2005-2008 MK5 Golf R32s for around £7k. They're about 250hp compared the the 338hp of the E46 M3s. For me to insure the M3 it would cost around £1.6k. For a Golf R32 it would cost me £1.5k! That doesn't even make any sense! The R32 is prominently a FWD car that can put power to the rear if traction is lost at the front - so it's safer than the M3 which is solely RWD, and it makes almost 90 less hp!

[condor]

You could buy a very cheap car and use it to build up your car insurance history.
If you want a fun car, have a kit car

[ZX10R NIN]

Some options insurance dependant:

BMW 335i

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

125i

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

645i don't laugh the insurance might be cheaper than you think.

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

Mercedes CLC230

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

325i M Sport

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

3.2 Audi TT

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

[DM94]

condor said:

You could buy a very cheap car and use it to build up your car insurance history.
If you want a fun car, have a kit car

Well those quotes are with 2 years NCB. As far as I'm aware, named driver NCB is transferable within the same insurer (currently Admiral and esure) and perhaps even transferable to others.

I'm also kind of at the point where I just want my own car no matter what it is. If insurance is as high as it is currently for the 'performance' models then rather than spending £5k on a car that's cheaper to insure and that I don't really want, I should maybe just buy something at £2-3k until the insurance cost of the cars I do want comes down.

[DM94]

In fact, I've just added my Dad to my details on Compare the Market and it's brought the quotes for the M3s down from £1.7k to £1.3k. Hmmmmm...