Dilemma! - What car to buy - Saving for a house and wedding

[skot4th]

For the last 7 years I've owned BMW's, firstly a 330d and now a 635d (mapped to 340BHP).

Prior to that I was a Vauxhall lad owning 3 astra's, including 1 VXR and a V6 DERV Vectra, with a brief stint in a yellow R26 Renaulsport Megan.

My other half and I are saving for our first house which was going well until I proposed on holiday, so now we also have a wedding to save for. Prior I was looking at new cars anyway as I'm quickly approaching my mileagelimit on my PCP and don't want to end up owning the finance company, or having lots of neg equity in the car when PX'ing.

As I'm now having to save like crazy (looking to save £40k in 3 - 4 years between us) I'm thinking a "sensibe" car is better, opposed to another newish BMW, however I have no idea what to go for.

My issue is I don't want to / can't be driving around in a boggo spec 1.6 generic hatchback as;
A) I'd be bored stupid, and
B) work wouldn't allow it. I'm a fairly senior manager in my department and have my own space a couple of spaces down from the MD's 911 / S Class / Range Rover so can't turn up in a 2006 astra club.

Therefore I need something which still has that fun factor. When I put my foot down I want some excitement. I also need it to be subtle / mature. I.e. nothing bright yellow or orange.

I'm toying with the idea of a Ford Focus ST ('09ish) or a Vauxhall Vectra VXR as I've never owned either, however I'm unsure on the issues these could suffer. I've also never owned a golf, but I'm unsure if I could drive one?

I'm really in need of suggestions / help / advice from people who've been in similar situations.

TL/DR - Proposed to girlfriend, need to pay for wedding and buy a house - What fast / fun / respectable car to buy for under / around the £8 - £9k mark?

[briang9]

Octavia vRS....

[CountZero23]

Buy a Porsche.

You'll win your bosses admiration and you may not get another chance. As soon as you've got the house you'll have kids on the way

[Marvtec]

How sad to be buying a car based on how it compares in the car park. That being the case though, how is a Focus any better than an Astra?

[WonkeyDonkey]

Why spend so much on a car when you're apparently saving for 2 very costly things?

Also if you've had hideous looking cars like bmws in the past I doubt an Astra will be any worse.

[akirk]

buy older / classic but in good shape - minimal depreciation, looks good in the carpark, and doesn't cost a lot...

[flight147z]

Alfa 147/159/GT

[Glasgowrob]

A mint Omega MV6


Bank the other 7 1/2 grand

Comfy big exec barge that will do 150 mph makes the right noises cheap to fix and values are only going one way.

[anonymous-user]

Marvtec said:

How sad to be buying a car based on how it compares in the car park. That being the case though, how is a Focus any better than an Astra?

I have known managers drive old mercs. Even with a space no one will give a st as if it was that important they would offer you a company car.

[The Mad Monk]

skot4th said:

TL/DR - Proposed to girlfriend, need to pay for wedding and buy a house - What fast / fun / respectable car to buy for under / around the £8 - £9k mark?

May I respectfully suggest that you get married in the UK? Do not get mad with any item, whether that be dresses for women, or suits for the men, or outfits for the bridesmaids/pageboys.

Simple is cheaper, and better.

Car? Audi something. Don't get hung up over a car.

[anonymous-user]

Bentley of course. I’d also suggest trading in the suit for a velvet smoking jacket.

https://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/...

[Monkeylegend]

skot4th said:

B) work wouldn't allow it. I'm a fairly senior manager in my department and have my own space a couple of spaces down from the MD's 911 / S Class / Range Rover so can't turn up in a 2006 astra club.

You are missing a trick here. Turn up in the 2006 Astra Club, tell the MD that's all you can afford on the paltry salary they are paying their senior managers and bingo, one pay rise or Company car coming up.

[justinio]

lol @ "Work wouldn't allow it"

Get a new job. One where you don't have to work for superficial, shallow knobends.

Don't waste thousands £££'s on one day.

Don't worry about what other people think of you. Be happy in yourself.

Here endeth todays sermon.

[tonyb1968]

Renault Megane RS 250, it *just about* falls into your price bracket (lower end about 9k) and its fun, track friendly and has enough room in the boot for shopping

[DoubleD]

Monkeylegend said:

skot4th said:

B) work wouldn't allow it. I'm a fairly senior manager in my department and have my own space a couple of spaces down from the MD's 911 / S Class / Range Rover so can't turn up in a 2006 astra club.

You are missing a trick here. Turn up in the 2006 Astra Club, tell the MD that's all you can afford on the paltry salary they are paying their senior managers and bingo, one pay rise or Company car coming up.

Can they even legal tell you what car you can or cant own? Unless they are funding it of course.

[Pistonheader101]

12 plate mercedes c class.

13 plate 320d

13 plate audi a4

[Monkeylegend]

DoubleD said:

Monkeylegend said:

skot4th said:

B) work wouldn't allow it. I'm a fairly senior manager in my department and have my own space a couple of spaces down from the MD's 911 / S Class / Range Rover so can't turn up in a 2006 astra club.

You are missing a trick here. Turn up in the 2006 Astra Club, tell the MD that's all you can afford on the paltry salary they are paying their senior managers and bingo, one pay rise or Company car coming up.

Can they even legal tell you what car you can or cant own? Unless they are funding it of course.

Unless it's in the contract I wouldn't have thought so.

We had a senior managers car park at the last place I worked and for some reason, possibly tax implications, they numbered the car park spaces. The MD was obviously allocated No1, but after that I have never seen so much froth from a group of so called intelligent people arguing over what number they thought they should be allocated based on their perceived seniority and importance.

Seems like OP works with a similar group of people and is in fact one of them

[ZX10R NIN]

Firstly congratulations I hope you have a great day, spend as much as you want as it's your day, now down to the cars,

The Vauxhall is a decent car but the Ford is better in this case, yes it's a bit down on power compared but it's a better steer.

I'd say look away from the hot hatches as they command a premium but look for the same engine in a repmobile loaded with kit low miles whilst still not being to old & you'll be smiling, also the Vectra VXR is a bit maintenence heavy I'd say stretch to the Insignia VXR also remember they're £535 road tax.

My picks:

2011 Mondeo Titanium X Sport 2.0T 240bhp (they're hard to find)

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

200bhp Version

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

Vauxhall Options:

2011 Insignia Elite 2.8T 260bhp

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

2009 VXR 320bhp

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

2012 Elite 2.0T 220bhp

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

2009 Saab 9-3 2.8T 280bhp

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

2009 Passat R36 (very rare to see one for sale) 3.6 300bhp

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

None of the above will be on par with Porsches etc but they'll be good reliable steers while you're saving.

Or if you don't mind something older:

330i M Sport

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

2009 Audi A5 2.0t 210bhp

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

C230 Sport

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

C350 Elegance

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

[VAGLover]

I’m confused, please confirm OP
Either you can’t afford a good car and wedding and house, or you are a senior manager at a company where other managers drive 911’s?? Doesn’t compute to me

[oldmanbm]

My boss earns £120k + bonuses and drives an eleven year old Volvo XC90. What you drive may be more important to you than the boss!