Car Shopping - 10k budget - help! - Page 1 - Car Buying

Tuesday 3rd April 2018

Hello all,
I’m currently looking for a car, and have been for a while. Have been a bit indecisive in the past, and not a huge amount of second hand dealers where I live (South East England) so sometimes hard to rule out some options and narrow the choices.

This is the brief:
Budget: 10k (ish, can be flexible for something good)
I want something with a bit of utility, so have been looking at estates, SUV’s and at a pinch saloons with folding rear seats. I need something to fit toys in (bikes, surfboards, skis…).

Would like it to do 0-62 in sub 8 seconds (but this isn’t the most important bit)

MPG: not too bothered, but more than 30-35 on a cruise would be nice

Milage: preferably not more than 100k

Fuel: Petrol ideally, but a good diesel would be ok (probably).

Age: Not too bothered, but ideally no more than 10 years.

I’m not going to do many miles in it, 6k max likely. A few long trips will be the main use.

Ideally an automatic. Had manuals and auto in the past, and for this type of thing, an auto is favourable.

I’ve been looking at fast Audi A4 Avants, 3/5series touring, VW Touareg (MkII is nearly affordable it seems); and just can’t decide, partly because it’s tricky to test drive due to lack of dealers/car sales nearby.

Would rather a German car or that style, but I am open to suggestions.

Does anyone have any ideas as to what you would go for in my position?

2wheelsjimmy

620 posts

118 months

Tuesday 3rd April 2018

I just got a E61 5 series bmw, at half your budget. It's nice an big inside.

A 530i would be a good option, but perhaps harder to find in estate. Most estates are diesel, but you should go petrol with the low miles.

Could do E series merc.

With roof bars you'd get surfboard on roof happily, depending on length might well fit in with seats down.

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

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2010-10-MERCEDES-BENZ-E...

Edited by 2wheelsjimmy on Tuesday 3rd April 10:40

Original Poster

17 posts

95 months

Tuesday 3rd April 2018

Thanks for the links, am looking at now.

Not really been a huge mercedes fan, but that autotrader one looks nice.

Any issues or advice in relation to your 5 series? What engine?

Original Poster

17 posts

95 months

Tuesday 3rd April 2018

Those Mercedes do look nice, would love to drive one, but they are both several hours away, which is part of the difficulty I'm finding.

I can go an hour or so easily, but many more hours than that and it's just not that enticing!

2wheelsjimmy

620 posts

118 months

Tuesday 3rd April 2018

Ace Face said:

Thanks for the links, am looking at now.

Not really been a huge mercedes fan, but that autotrader one looks nice.

Any issues or advice in relation to your 5 series? What engine?

Nothing beyond what you can’t find easily from a google. I got a 530d.

Your profile doesn’t say where you’re based?

Original Poster

17 posts

95 months

Tuesday 3rd April 2018

I'm in Brighton.

Lots of car dealers around, but most are franchised and sell cars starting from 17k.

Not really many large second hard car dealers around that I know of!

xcseventy

433 posts

97 months

Tuesday 3rd April 2018

If you tap all that (your requirements) into AT there are only 19 cars that match your requirements within a 60 mile radius of London. Surprised at that.

Of those 19, the top picks would be:
- Audi A4 2.0TFSi
- Audi S4
- BMW 325i
- BMW 530i
- Audi A6 3.0TFSI

Original Poster

17 posts

95 months

Tuesday 3rd April 2018

Thanks for your searching!

I like the A4's. Think that will be the first port of call.

You see the dilemma I'm in - not a huge amount nearby. They all seem to be in the North West!

29,833 posts

146 months

Tuesday 3rd April 2018

Original Poster

17 posts

95 months

Tuesday 3rd April 2018

ZX10R NIN said:

Wow! You've done some good homework. Currently ploughing through them. Really appreciate the left-field choice too. What would be your pick?

Some of those too far away to look at (the 5 series in scotland I like the look of but... travel).

29,833 posts

146 months

Tuesday 3rd April 2018

You live in the SE as do I just find a similar car and test drive it going to a car supermarket makes life easier Car Giant is a one stop shop although you can't drive them far, find a model with the same drivetrain & you'll have a better idea of what floats your boat.

If you like it then get on a train/plane to view the right cars, at the end of the day you're spending 10k why not get the best car for your 10k rather than one that's close to home.

Petrol wise this is my top 3.

E350cgi
4.2 XF
528i

Diesel

Facelift S350cdi
A8 3.0tdi
E350cdi

Overall

S350cdi
E350cgi Estate
4.2 XF Premium Luxury

Original Poster

17 posts

95 months

Wednesday 4th April 2018

Fair point! Thanks. Am searching around...

29,833 posts

146 months

Wednesday 4th April 2018

Looking at it again I'd be sorely tempted by that CTS I reckon 7-7.3k lands it, check on spares availability the electrics will be the same as on the Insignia so they shouldn't pose a problem.

Original Poster

17 posts

95 months

Wednesday 4th April 2018

Unfortunately saying it's similar to a vauxhall will just put me off!

It's certainly something to behold just looking at it, but it's a bit much. £555 tax a year, too...

29,833 posts

146 months