Downgrading Audi S3 8V, ideas? - Page 1 - Car Buying

Original Poster

36 posts

99 months

Monday 11th February 2019

Hi all

My car insurance is up for renewal next month, completley forgot about it so ive just done a search online only to find after gaining a years driving experience and no claims its gone up ~£300 to £1600 a year! Im 24, 6 years no claims, 7 years driving experience and I have an Audi S3 8V.

With a job change recently, I only actually do 8 miles a day to/from a train station so i dont really want to be paying ~£500 a month for a car for it to sit on a car park 8 hours a day and only be used on a weekend. I was thinking of downgrading slightly anyway to purchase a first house so this may have made my mind up.

Therefore, does anyone have any recommendations for a new car, maybe £6k-£10k? Id be looking for a 3 door, no older than 10 years old with mileage less than 80K (although i only do 8 miles a day so as long as it was fully serviced/good condition wouldnt matter as much). I also wouldnt want something less than maybe 140bhp

Thanks!

nunpuncher

3,647 posts

146 months

Monday 11th February 2019

Might want to narrow the search criteria a bit otherwise the list is endless. For example, do you need a big boot, 4 seats, 4wd, rwd, fancy a convertible, manual only etc

Original Poster

36 posts

99 months

Monday 11th February 2019

nunpuncher said:

Might want to narrow the search criteria a bit otherwise the list is endless. For example, do you need a big boot, 4 seats, 4wd, rwd, fancy a convertible, manual only etc

Too be honest i dont really require anything specific such as big boot etc. The main things i am looking for is 3 door, petrol, good spec, 140+ bhp, hatchback/saloon/coupe. Rarely have any passengers so cars just needed to commute to train station and weekend use.

JS2808

194 posts

106 months

Monday 11th February 2019

Megane RS 250 Cup, I had a Golf R and cant fault the Megane - in fact I find it more fun to drive. its just not as quick.

Also goes round corners like an S3 can only dream of (my brother has one)

Original Poster

36 posts

99 months

Monday 11th February 2019

JS2808 said:

Megane RS 250 Cup, I had a Golf R and cant fault the Megane - in fact I find it more fun to drive. its just not as quick.

Also goes round corners like an S3 can only dream of (my brother has one)

Thanks for the recommendation, ill take a look!

Kewy

1,464 posts

115 months

Monday 11th February 2019

For that money you could import an Integra DC5, Accord Euro R, JDM EP3?

Car's that are most likely going to appreciate and are a real occasion to drive. Also, taking advantage of some of the last generation of 4 pot NA engines now that everything seems to be turbo'd biggrin

The Cardinal

1,375 posts

273 months

Monday 11th February 2019

If you like VAG products, then there are plenty of 6-10-year-old ones like the Mk5 GTI, R32, A3, S3, VRS and Cupra models that could fit the bill. I would only caution that these older cars will tend to cost more cash to run, depending on what level you want to maintain them to. This needs to be balanced against the lower depreciation.

If improving cashflow (rather than reducing total cost) is your main criteria, then consider a lease from the bottom end of the market or possibly even re-financing your S3 over a longer term.

964Cup

1,592 posts

258 months

Monday 11th February 2019

May I be the first to point out that a four-mile journey would be better done by pushbike (e-bike, perhaps)?

964Cup

1,592 posts

258 months

Monday 11th February 2019

May I be the first to point out that a four-mile journey would be better done by pushbike (e-bike, perhaps)?

Moonpie21

591 posts

113 months

Monday 11th February 2019

Your BHP requirements cause troubleish, but ignoring that...

I loved my twinair 500 better than my Mini Cooper, so I reckon one of these would be great:

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

Always wanted one but I reckon it would be too special, plus it's 4 door and higher miles but...:

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

Loads of stuff out there, it's a bit impossible. If it's your only car don't go 2 seats it'll slowly drive you nuts when you are young and can't fit an emergency 3rd person in the car.

964Cup

1,592 posts

258 months

Monday 11th February 2019

May I be the first to point out that a four-mile journey would be better done by pushbike (e-bike, perhaps)?

Moonpie21

591 posts

113 months

Monday 11th February 2019

964Cup said:

May I be the first to point out that a four-mile journey would be better done by pushbike (e-bike, perhaps)?

Yes but that would suck at weekends or should they want to take their partner away or get shopping or well anything that having just a bike makes hard.

I realise you could rent a car for all of those occasions, but it's always a chore to do that and nice to have something you can call your own.

sja360

58 posts

128 months

Monday 11th February 2019

964Cup said:

May I be the first to point out that a four-mile journey would be better done by pushbike (e-bike, perhaps)?

While I wouldn't suggest the above although it is financially sensible and eco friendly.

I don't get why your thinking of spending 6-10K on a new car if you're thinking of buying a house? Am I missing something? Surely just pay for the insurance on the S3? How much is the S3 roughly worth of you sold it ?

nunpuncher

3,647 posts

146 months

Monday 11th February 2019

If you want to retain the nice Audi interior then you'll get a decent MK2 TT for that money.

ZX10R NIN

29,873 posts

146 months

Monday 11th February 2019

Original Poster

36 posts

99 months

Tuesday 12th February 2019

sja360 said:

I’d say ~£20k maybe. I have the deposit required for the house, that figure is just what I’d have left after settling finance and any extra I had.

I managed to get my current insurer to Atleast honour what I’m paying currently so I always have that option now

Blanchimont

4,089 posts

143 months

Tuesday 12th February 2019

I'd second the Megane 250 thing. I've had an M135i BMW, Fiesta ST-3, EP3 Type R, Abarth engined Punto's and a few more. I'm now on my third Megane RS. They get under you skin like like nothing else.
If you enjoy driving, the not much will come close to the Megane for the money.

The interior isn't completely terrible, and it's well screwed together and other than a few common faults (which aren't major) they're pretty tough. They also take power and abuse well if that's your thing. You see a lot on trackdays for a reason.

The way you can cover ground with them though is nothing short of astonishing. I've cornered at speeds barely believeable, and have been able to keep up with much more expensive metal on trackdays.

troika

2,063 posts

172 months