A fun but semi-practical second car?
Discussion
Thinking of selling my Z4 as now we have a toddler it's hardly getting used.
We have a family F30 BMW so the fast efficient safe cruiser is covered.
The Z4 replacement needs to be:
Old ish so I can tinker. But also fun and nice to tinker with. Think BMW of 2005 vintage, not a Peugeot of any vintage haha!
Depreciation fairly flat... I'm happy to spend money to keep something's value, but not to spend money on it AND it lose value (not too much)
Able to carry a kiddie in the back on fun runs out with the family, but also good as a backup family car (if the other needs servicing etc)
Also good for an occasional commute run for my wife (rural, 30 min each way, all year round)
Budget maybe £15,000 to £20,000 tops.
Running costs need to be reasonable, so no sub 20mpg cars or super-exotic cars with silly insurance.
So far I've thought as far as an E46 M3 and it seems to fit everything I want, basically something a bit like the Z4 but with back seats.
But am I missing something else?
The only other things I quite fancy is something like an original RS4, but it's so close to just replacing the family car we already have it'd not make much sense.
Does any Porsche 911 even start to work with decent child seats in the back at this price point these days?
Thanks for any advice to help with my Autotrader browsing
We have a family F30 BMW so the fast efficient safe cruiser is covered.
The Z4 replacement needs to be:
Old ish so I can tinker. But also fun and nice to tinker with. Think BMW of 2005 vintage, not a Peugeot of any vintage haha!
Depreciation fairly flat... I'm happy to spend money to keep something's value, but not to spend money on it AND it lose value (not too much)
Able to carry a kiddie in the back on fun runs out with the family, but also good as a backup family car (if the other needs servicing etc)
Also good for an occasional commute run for my wife (rural, 30 min each way, all year round)
Budget maybe £15,000 to £20,000 tops.
Running costs need to be reasonable, so no sub 20mpg cars or super-exotic cars with silly insurance.
So far I've thought as far as an E46 M3 and it seems to fit everything I want, basically something a bit like the Z4 but with back seats.
But am I missing something else?
The only other things I quite fancy is something like an original RS4, but it's so close to just replacing the family car we already have it'd not make much sense.
Does any Porsche 911 even start to work with decent child seats in the back at this price point these days?
Thanks for any advice to help with my Autotrader browsing
I'll have to take a look at a mk2 TTS for the back seats then.
I'm not sure if the TTS is special enough from a driving and depreciation proof (ish) kinda perspective yet?
996 Coupe is certainly one I could/should look at, IF, I can get a decent baby seat in the back and it's easy to get the little one in and out of... though in a years time he'll probably be getting in/out himself anyhow.
I like the idea of a C4 996.2 with the GT3 esque kit on them (factory). I looked at one once. And a 996 C4S. In 2012 the values were really good for 996s... I know they've all gone up now but not sure how much.
Main thing with the 996 is the engine (RMS/IMS?) and back seats then...
Monaro. I'd briefly considered but didn't know the first thing about actual running costs like maintenance and then also how good they were on depreciation. Maybe I need to do some reading then.
Before we bought our 335Xd I was considering a saloon V8 M3 as it kinda ticked a load of boxes all at once, but the idea of a softer, diesel, awd, but still brisk and ok to drive 'family' car with low costs was an easy one for the wife to go along with.
So as much as I do look at E46 M3 and then the V8 ones for not much more, it does feel like I'd be buying almost the same kinda car as what we have in the proper 'family' car. I think my wife would be like WTF haha!
C63 I'd looked at too... a friend had an estate one, got nicked. But it was pretty damn stunning. I've often Autotrader fancied a silver PPK (iirc?) saloon with the 19" multi-spokes.
But haven't they built a shed load of these? And they're still quite new so potential to depreciate? And maybe a bit too 'normal' enough to be covered by what we already have, leaving the wife saying WTF again?
The 996 is certainly a contender then if the rear seats are workable and there is enough space for day trips or a single night away type breaks.
Monaro maybe too, because it's just a bit different and bonkers enough to make my wife not see it as similar to what we already have. Maybe.
Is there nothing Japanese that might work? I'll admit I'm crap with the Japanese cars. I know the GTR has rear seats but it's a bit out of my budget
I'm not sure if the TTS is special enough from a driving and depreciation proof (ish) kinda perspective yet?
996 Coupe is certainly one I could/should look at, IF, I can get a decent baby seat in the back and it's easy to get the little one in and out of... though in a years time he'll probably be getting in/out himself anyhow.
I like the idea of a C4 996.2 with the GT3 esque kit on them (factory). I looked at one once. And a 996 C4S. In 2012 the values were really good for 996s... I know they've all gone up now but not sure how much.
Main thing with the 996 is the engine (RMS/IMS?) and back seats then...
Monaro. I'd briefly considered but didn't know the first thing about actual running costs like maintenance and then also how good they were on depreciation. Maybe I need to do some reading then.
Before we bought our 335Xd I was considering a saloon V8 M3 as it kinda ticked a load of boxes all at once, but the idea of a softer, diesel, awd, but still brisk and ok to drive 'family' car with low costs was an easy one for the wife to go along with.
So as much as I do look at E46 M3 and then the V8 ones for not much more, it does feel like I'd be buying almost the same kinda car as what we have in the proper 'family' car. I think my wife would be like WTF haha!
C63 I'd looked at too... a friend had an estate one, got nicked. But it was pretty damn stunning. I've often Autotrader fancied a silver PPK (iirc?) saloon with the 19" multi-spokes.
But haven't they built a shed load of these? And they're still quite new so potential to depreciate? And maybe a bit too 'normal' enough to be covered by what we already have, leaving the wife saying WTF again?
The 996 is certainly a contender then if the rear seats are workable and there is enough space for day trips or a single night away type breaks.
Monaro maybe too, because it's just a bit different and bonkers enough to make my wife not see it as similar to what we already have. Maybe.
Is there nothing Japanese that might work? I'll admit I'm crap with the Japanese cars. I know the GTR has rear seats but it's a bit out of my budget
It's funny, I'm now looking at 996 and 997.
I actually think the 996 has aged well, the 997 less so.
Even the interior! I never thought I'd say it but I don't think I'd go for a 997 because of looks.
On 996s, plenty around. Oh how I'd like to stretch to a C4S Coupe manual.
But cripes, talk about bland colours. Almost everything out there is between silver or black!
Then I drifted to Turbos haha. One day.
I actually think the 996 has aged well, the 997 less so.
Even the interior! I never thought I'd say it but I don't think I'd go for a 997 because of looks.
On 996s, plenty around. Oh how I'd like to stretch to a C4S Coupe manual.
But cripes, talk about bland colours. Almost everything out there is between silver or black!
Then I drifted to Turbos haha. One day.
Mr Whippy said:
I'll have to take a look at a mk2 TTS for the back seats then.
I'm not sure if the TTS is special enough from a driving and depreciation proof (ish) kinda perspective yet?
996 Coupe is certainly one I could/should look at, IF, I can get a decent baby seat in the back and it's easy to get the little one in and out of... though in a years time he'll probably be getting in/out himself anyhow.
I like the idea of a C4 996.2 with the GT3 esque kit on them (factory). I looked at one once. And a 996 C4S. In 2012 the values were really good for 996s... I know they've all gone up now but not sure how much.
Main thing with the 996 is the engine (RMS/IMS?) and back seats then...
Monaro. I'd briefly considered but didn't know the first thing about actual running costs like maintenance and then also how good they were on depreciation. Maybe I need to do some reading then.
Before we bought our 335Xd I was considering a saloon V8 M3 as it kinda ticked a load of boxes all at once, but the idea of a softer, diesel, awd, but still brisk and ok to drive 'family' car with low costs was an easy one for the wife to go along with.
So as much as I do look at E46 M3 and then the V8 ones for not much more, it does feel like I'd be buying almost the same kinda car as what we have in the proper 'family' car. I think my wife would be like WTF haha!
C63 I'd looked at too... a friend had an estate one, got nicked. But it was pretty damn stunning. I've often Autotrader fancied a silver PPK (iirc?) saloon with the 19" multi-spokes.
But haven't they built a shed load of these? And they're still quite new so potential to depreciate? And maybe a bit too 'normal' enough to be covered by what we already have, leaving the wife saying WTF again?
The 996 is certainly a contender then if the rear seats are workable and there is enough space for day trips or a single night away type breaks.
Monaro maybe too, because it's just a bit different and bonkers enough to make my wife not see it as similar to what we already have. Maybe.
Is there nothing Japanese that might work? I'll admit I'm crap with the Japanese cars. I know the GTR has rear seats but it's a bit out of my budget
I've seen a few TTRS's for under £20k. That's a bargain if you like the looks and the practicality is enough? Depreciation wise who knows where they will go, but gut feel suggests they wouldn't drop much below other RS'sI'm not sure if the TTS is special enough from a driving and depreciation proof (ish) kinda perspective yet?
996 Coupe is certainly one I could/should look at, IF, I can get a decent baby seat in the back and it's easy to get the little one in and out of... though in a years time he'll probably be getting in/out himself anyhow.
I like the idea of a C4 996.2 with the GT3 esque kit on them (factory). I looked at one once. And a 996 C4S. In 2012 the values were really good for 996s... I know they've all gone up now but not sure how much.
Main thing with the 996 is the engine (RMS/IMS?) and back seats then...
Monaro. I'd briefly considered but didn't know the first thing about actual running costs like maintenance and then also how good they were on depreciation. Maybe I need to do some reading then.
Before we bought our 335Xd I was considering a saloon V8 M3 as it kinda ticked a load of boxes all at once, but the idea of a softer, diesel, awd, but still brisk and ok to drive 'family' car with low costs was an easy one for the wife to go along with.
So as much as I do look at E46 M3 and then the V8 ones for not much more, it does feel like I'd be buying almost the same kinda car as what we have in the proper 'family' car. I think my wife would be like WTF haha!
C63 I'd looked at too... a friend had an estate one, got nicked. But it was pretty damn stunning. I've often Autotrader fancied a silver PPK (iirc?) saloon with the 19" multi-spokes.
But haven't they built a shed load of these? And they're still quite new so potential to depreciate? And maybe a bit too 'normal' enough to be covered by what we already have, leaving the wife saying WTF again?
The 996 is certainly a contender then if the rear seats are workable and there is enough space for day trips or a single night away type breaks.
Monaro maybe too, because it's just a bit different and bonkers enough to make my wife not see it as similar to what we already have. Maybe.
Is there nothing Japanese that might work? I'll admit I'm crap with the Japanese cars. I know the GTR has rear seats but it's a bit out of my budget
R33 GTR ? Surprisingly usable , and wont depreciate
Something like this
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
Something like this
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Vauxhall-VXR8-6-0i-V8-L...
This one is a tad over your budget, but it won't depreciate much now, especially as Holden has folded...
This one is a tad over your budget, but it won't depreciate much now, especially as Holden has folded...
surely a BMW E63 650i would fit the bill.....?
|https://thumbsnap.com/UQDw22MF[/url]
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
|https://thumbsnap.com/UQDw22MF[/url]https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
Edited by mattman on Tuesday 16th January 17:07
I can personally recommend one of these mines a keeper prices are pretty firm, they're a rare sight & they have one of the best V8's ever made underneath the bonnet (you'll just see 20's around town) you'll be lucky to see another.
I've only ever seen two when out & about.
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
Just starting it puts a smile on your face, then when you drop all the windows open the sunroof & listen to it underload (it's at this point the MPG might go to pot
) the smile turns into a grin.
I've only ever seen two when out & about.
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
Just starting it puts a smile on your face, then when you drop all the windows open the sunroof & listen to it underload (it's at this point the MPG might go to pot
) the smile turns into a grin.2006 Mustang GT ticks all the boxes, there’s a few on eBay and on PH at the moment (mine included).The boot is big, it has ISOFIX points in the back for a child seat and if my experience is anything to go by costs hot hatch money to run (bit thirstier mind) and it is something a little different to the usual cars you see around. Most servicing and tinkering can be done at home with a pair of ramps and a jack.
And before you ask, no LHD is not currently and never has been a problem, the only way it might get irritating is if you use toll roads that are archaic enough not to use a tag/ANPR system and though it appears to be a big car it really isn’t.
Returns 20mpg unless you are kicking its teeth in daily
0-60 in a sniff over 5.5 seconds,
40 - 90mph in the length of an HGV
Glorious V8 sound track
What’s not to love?
And before you ask, no LHD is not currently and never has been a problem, the only way it might get irritating is if you use toll roads that are archaic enough not to use a tag/ANPR system and though it appears to be a big car it really isn’t.
Returns 20mpg unless you are kicking its teeth in daily
0-60 in a sniff over 5.5 seconds,
40 - 90mph in the length of an HGV
Glorious V8 sound track
What’s not to love?
Edited by SpamCan on Wednesday 17th January 13:13
Gassing Station | Car Buying | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff