Looking for a second car

[freeman3030]

Hi all,
I'm after some advice and also some suggestions.
Currently my partner and I commute to work together as we work for the same company. However my partner has been offered a new job 15 miles in the opposite direction.
I've wanted a new car for a while and this is the perfect opportunity.
Ideally looking for a convertible automatic. However I only really want to spend 3k...
I started to look around on eBay/autotrader and was surprised at what's around but really not sure what to look out for when buying a 15+ year old car. The cars I've been looking at are:
Volvo C30
BMW Z4
Mercedes SLK

I'm really impressed with the Volvo, it's a massive car and if they're as reliable as I'm led to believe... This is surely a no brainer? I've always bought cars that are a year or so old so haven't really been to concerned about reliability, but I wouldn't mind giving an old car a punt and see how long I can get out of it.

[16v stretch]

C30? Do you mean the C70?

If you're looking ultimate "cheap" running, I'd pick something with a decent amount of spares availability, as 15 years is generally when OEM's phase off spares production. Something like an Audi TT should be pretty cheap to run, and repair, should there be any issues.

Just have a google for model + common faults and it'll give you an idea.

[ZX10R NIN]

The things to look out for will be any signs of rust, make sure everything works, have the gearbox services been done if not then negotiate that off the price.

My first & bias pick would be the CLK they're a good reliable smart set of wheels the

CLK 280 Sport Especially this one as it's low road tax

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

CLK 320 Avantgarde

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

BMW 320i Sport

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

Saab 9-3 Aero

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

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