What car would you buy with around 12k? - Page 1 - Car Buying

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Minimini

Original Poster

19 posts

92 months

Sunday 16th February 2020

I'm looking to make my first 'proper' biggish car purchase after owning my first car, a 2006 Mini one seven for the last three years. It now appears to be on its last legs so it's time for something new.

I've been looking at a BMW 2 series and 3 series and it looks like i would get around a 2014 plate for my budget. I would love a 4 series but sadly a decent one is a bit over my budget. I'm just a bit concerned that they are at an age where they will be starting to throw up big bills. I could get something newer i suppose but it would be less 'interesting'. I am a 23 year old woman so i would like to drive something a bit fun before i no doubt have to resort to driving something more child friendly (probably a mum bus!) in a few years time

I'm paying cash so I can purchase privately or from a garage. I have looked at leasing but i'm a bit uninspired at what I can get for my monthly budget and my circumstances are likely to change in the near future so it wouldn't be wise to take on a big monthly commitment.

Thanks!

Minimini

Original Poster

19 posts

92 months

Sunday 16th February 2020

I forgot to add that i only drive locally with the occasional road trip so engine size and efficiency not really a worry.

Caddyshack

14,694 posts

235 months

Sunday 16th February 2020

Porsche Boxster s, 2005 onwards. Very good car imo.

Miserablegit

4,440 posts

138 months

Sunday 16th February 2020

Get something fun- Boxster as above or a Mercedes SLK if you want the security of a hard top.

Z4 BMW as well

chrisch77

890 posts

104 months

Sunday 16th February 2020

How about a newer MINI if you like the old one? You could have a good choice of current model F56 Cooper Ss in your budget.

swisstoni

23,875 posts

308 months

Sunday 16th February 2020

What I find useful, if I haven’t any particular car in mind, is to put the few parameters I do know into something like Autotrader’s search function and see what it throws up.

If nothing else, it will help narrow things down a bit.

3,075 posts

81 months

Sunday 16th February 2020

For 12k I’d probably go for a mk7 golf Gti.

But my needs would be different to yours so as others suggest if you don’t need practicality at the moment you should be looking at 2 seat convertibles. Do it while you can.

Can you get the latest mx5 for that money yet?

3,075 posts

81 months

Sunday 16th February 2020

Regarding the BMW, yes I’d say that a 6 year old one could start throwing expensive problems. If you’re looking at petrol it’d be a 220i or 228i at that money which both share the same 4 pot turbo engine. It doesn’t have a great reputation so an aftermarket warranty would be advisable.

vixen1700

28,930 posts

299 months

Sunday 16th February 2020

Bit of a curve-ball here if you fancy something fun with character:

https://www.carandclassic.co.uk/car/C1180131

Cheap classic insurance too. smile

TameRacingDriver

20,529 posts

301 months

Sunday 16th February 2020

I’ll be, potentially, in a similar boat (unless I decide just to go for something cheap), and I’m drawn towards the F56 Cooper S. Ticks a lot of boxes, fun, fairly quick, good build quality, not too old.

Others I’m considering include a Mk3.5 MX5 (with a Turbo), Megane Renault Sport, GT86.

Xcore

1,510 posts

119 months

Sunday 16th February 2020

M135i

Nyloc20

865 posts

92 months

Sunday 16th February 2020

Not so sure about a Boxster if you only do occasional long trips. Mine was great on a long Euro trip last year but I don't enjoy short trips and narrow roads so much.

egor110

17,674 posts

232 months

Sunday 16th February 2020

What do you actually want ?

Hot hatch , something with really good handling , something good on long journey?

ZX10R NIN

30,521 posts

154 months

Sunday 16th February 2020

samoht

7,206 posts

175 months

Monday 17th February 2020

Seems a lot of not-that-interesting cars being suggested here.

I like the Boxster and GT86 suggestions, you could also consider a Honda S2000, or a Vauxhall VX220 if you're willing to put up with squeezing in and out.

Mr Tidy

31,211 posts

156 months

Monday 17th February 2020

It really depends on what you want!

In your budget you could get a BMW Z4M Roadster, or possibly stretching a bit a Z4M Coupe.

But if you need rear seats a Z4 isn't an option. laugh

Nemophilist

3,210 posts

210 months

Monday 17th February 2020

I would suggest Z4 too

Otherwise a newer Mini Cooper s

I like my Golf Mk7, but I only have it as it’s a practical car for the family whilst still having some speed but it’s nothing close to being as fun to drive as a mini or a roadster

3,075 posts

81 months

Monday 17th February 2020

I don't think it's worth bothering with more suggestions unless the OP comes back with her thoughts. There are 240000 cars on AT for under 12k, anything from a Jag xkr to a year old fiesta st-line, either of which could be considered fun.

I suggested the Mk7 golf GTi because the question was what would you buy with 12k.

If she is moving from a mini and looking at 2/4 series BMW then my guess is that some kind of posh coupe would be right.

vtecyo

2,122 posts

158 months

Monday 17th February 2020

ZX10R NIN said:

C350 Coupe

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/202...

One of these came up for sale near me and before I could even get out to make a phone call about it it had gone. Lovely car and very rare.

3,075 posts

81 months

Monday 17th February 2020

Agree about the Merc, it's lovely.

I have looked at them as well but sadly a fair bit over my budget and I'm quite sure it'd cost more to maintain than my BMW. It's very nice though.

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