50k, 2nd car, 2 isofix in the back - suggestions?

[Richard-20d86]

Hi all,

My first post here but always come here for research purposes over the years. I have decided after 7 years with 12 year old my e91 330i m-sport auto (wish it was manual) to find the next car. My car is now the 2nd car in the household so only does around 6k miles per year. I am keen to get something really fun but still need to fit two kids in the back in their isofix car seats. If it has a proper bench rear seat I could even fit our 3 seat multimac (currently in family tank) for all 3 kids! Budget is about 50k and my wife has said GTR's and cars "like that" are not allowed :-( She prefers subtle but fast cars.

Current thinking is used M3 competition pack (ideally LCI 2), Alfa Gulia QV or maybe new M2 Competition but feel like I might be missing better ideas. Pretty sure I would like a manual but my wife would like an automatic of some sort. Whilst I am lucky enough not to need to worry about depreciation too much I'd be interested to see what people think might depreciate less and meet these needs. I guess the isofix tends to suggest more modern cars.

Also would love to hear from anyone who has run an Alfa Gulia for more than a few months as do worry about reliability when compared to M3 etc. Would anyone consider paying cash for one or is everyone leasing? This one is gorgeous; https://www.targafloriocars.com/used/cars/alfa-rom...

Look forward to seeing what people suggest.

Cheers.

[mikey P 500]

Given you have a £50k budget. I would not let the constraint of buying 2 new car seats stop you from any car. For example a porsche 997 would be a good choice but requires different child seats in the rear as only front is fix (only about £40 each though).

[Richard-20d86]

That's true. I should have probably said I need some sort of reasonable boot so I think a 911 might be a bit too tight. Also should have said it will be a daily drive for 18 mile round trip. 997 probably a much more sensible financial decision than a newer super saloon I guess.

[ZX10R NIN]

The Giulia QV is proving very reliable so far with no major issues, I've sourced 7 so far & no warranty claims so far, the M3 Competition Pack cars will be the ones to have as they're a bit rarer than the M4.

I'm going to put some left field options.

Maserati GranTurismo (don't go for the MC Shift go for the full auto version if you're going to use it commuting) Sport/S:

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

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

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

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

Infiniti Q60 this is a sensible option but they're an interesting car & not lacking in the go department as well as being AWD, it also fits the Q car brief well.

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

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

Lexus RC-F

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

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

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

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

Vauxhall VXR8 GTS

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

Mustang GT

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

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

I'd probably go for the Giulia with the Maserati second & RC-F third.

Edited by ZX10R NIN on Saturday 29th September 04:06

[Richard-20d86]

Wow, thank you. Going through those will entertain me this evening. Definitely options I hadn't thought of. I do like the idea of the Italian cars, that little bit more special than an M3.

Good to hear no major worries so far with the Guilia. Might see if I can find time to see one this weekend. Wonder how their value will hold out.

[ZX10R NIN]

They're so far proving to be on the same depreciation curve as their rivals so you'll be no better or worse off.

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

They're a great drive & feel a bit more special then the M3, the GranTurismo is a very special car & will put a smile on your face on start up alone, I still miss mine also if you can test drive the Lexus do so as that N/A V8 is a peach it has to be worked but that is just part of the enjoyment.

[Richard-20d86]

Thanks. I do like the sound of the Maserati. Very different car I guess but love the idea of a big NA V8. Hoping to get to a garage today that has the Guilia, an M3 and a Gran Cabrio to help get a feel for what I might prefer.

[Richard-20d86]

So I went to see an M3, Alfa and also an M2 yesterday briefly. Got a 5 min spin in the M3 which felt great but definitely need a proper test drive. Going to test of all three back to back in the next week or two.

[JonChalk]

What about an RS7 or RS5?


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

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

[ZX10R NIN]

Richard-20d86 said:

So I went to see an M3, Alfa and also an M2 yesterday briefly. Got a 5 min spin in the M3 which felt great but definitely need a proper test drive. Going to test of all three back to back in the next week or two.

Have you managed to find a Maserati near you? Was the M3 a Comp Pack model? That's the only one to go for the regular one is lacking & was the reason mine only managed to stay on my drive 3 months before I decided it was too disappointing.

[Richard-20d86]

Hi, M3 was comp pack but not latest face lift. I think if I decide to go M3 I will try and get an LCI 2 comp pack as they don't seem any more expensive than the LCI 1 cars for the same miles. There are a couple of Maserati's nearby so will try to see one. One is the blue auto linked above and the other is an MC shift car. Need to research these but assume from above the Auto is better for some reason? My wife is very keen on a saloon but if I could get her to hear one....

[S9JTO]

E63 Saloon/Wagon?
RS6 Avant?

[ZX10R NIN]

Richard-20d86 said:

Hi, M3 was comp pack but not latest face lift. I think if I decide to go M3 I will try and get an LCI 2 comp pack as they don't seem any more expensive than the LCI 1 cars for the same miles. There are a couple of Maserati's nearby so will try to see one. One is the blue auto linked above and the other is an MC shift car. Need to research these but assume from above the Auto is better for some reason? My wife is very keen on a saloon but if I could get her to hear one....

The reason I specified the auto is because you said you'll be doing an 18 mile commute, if this involves a decent amount of traffic this can accelerate the wear on the MC Shift models which is why I recommended the full auto, if your commute is light then by all means go for the MC Shift.

[Richard-20d86]

Thanks for further suggestions. Lots to try and see. I suspect I need to figure out if I mind a larger car (Maserati, A7, E Class etc) or if I want to keep it smaller. Even the M3 felt quite big compared to my current e91, suspect it's the extra width. For those that have driven them does much fun come in the corners from the bigger (heavier) performance cars or just straight line acceleration? Never even been in one myself so all a learning curve at this point!

[Jag_NE]

ZX10R NIN said:

The Giulia QV is proving very reliable so far with no major issues, I've sourced 7 so far & no warranty claims so far, the M3 Competition Pack cars will be the ones to have as they're a bit rarer than the M4.

I'm going to put some left field options.

Maserati GranTurismo (don't go for the MC Shift go for the full auto version if you're going to use it commuting) Sport/S:

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

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

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

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

Infiniti Q60 this is a sensible option but they're an interesting car & not lacking in the go department as well as being AWD, it also fits the Q car brief well.

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

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

Lexus RC-F

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

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

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

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

Vauxhall VXR8 GTS

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

Mustang GT

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

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

I'd probably go for the Giulia with the Maserati second & RC-F third.

Edited by ZX10R NIN on Saturday 29th September 04:06

I am most likely buying a new car in December (but potentially February) and I am relishing the ZX10R list of recommendations more so than the new car itself!!

[Jag_NE]

I’d go for a Golf R and a motorbike

[Richard-20d86]

Ha, I suspect I wouldn't last more than an hour on a motorbike before a certain death incident. Golf R is what I should buy if being sensible. However a friend had a Golf R but despite being incredibly fast he got bored with it and bought a Caterham and an old Volvo! I had a Focus St Mkii at the same time which seemed to have more character to me despite being older, fwd and much much slower. I think it was the 5 pot noise and lack of traction, stupid I know! I'm keen to find something that has a similarly lovable character. I think this is why the Italian cars appeal.

[ZX10R NIN]

Richard-20d86 said:

Thanks for further suggestions. Lots to try and see. I suspect I need to figure out if I mind a larger car (Maserati, A7, E Class etc) or if I want to keep it smaller. Even the M3 felt quite big compared to my current e91, suspect it's the extra width. For those that have driven them does much fun come in the corners from the bigger (heavier) performance cars or just straight line acceleration? Never even been in one myself so all a learning curve at this point!

The Maserati won't be as agile as the M3 but it just feels more special when you're driving it yes you're travelling more slowly but it's more of an occasion, the M3 is a great car when pushing on but a bit meh when just going about your business.

I had mine (it was an early one) the comp pack didn't exist, I couldn't stand the exhaust note & pumped in noise (I changed the exhaust & turned off the fake noise) the lack of traction was an issue all in all it felt less special than the CLK63 it was supposed to replace so I sold the M3.

In Comp Pack form they're much improved but the Giulia is still the car I'd choose out of the two if you need four doors otherwise it would be the best GT I could find.

[Richard-20d86]

That is sort of what I was expecting to hear. I really like the idea of the Guilia as 4 doors would be helpful but need to drive one asap. Finding the time between work and child care is the challenge!

Watched the Guilia Nurburgring record lap video last night. Absolutely bonkers, apparently faster than some incredible cars! Link for anyone that hasn't seen it; https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5gEdJmIVqLY

[SHutchinson]

How about an RS3? They're very subtle but very quick, decent drive too.