Help me decide... (buy, don't buy, wait, what to buy)
Discussion
So, the title of this thread is a little all over the place, so is my head. A little of my car history and current situation might help so I guess that's the best place to start.
Right now, I've got a 2016 Audi S3 S-Tronic Saloon. I do really like the car, I've certainly gelled with it more than I have any of my previous brand-new purchases (it's the only car I didn't feel some kind of buyers-remorse towards after the fact). It's going to be 4 years old in October and I was (back in February) getting my facts together in preparation for replacing it with... something. I wasn't 100% sure on what.
I've also currently got a 2004 MK1 Audi TT 3.2 V6 DSG Convertible, and the wife has got a Skoda Yeti 1.2TSI DSG (yes, I prefer automatics or semi-automatics over manuals these days, I've got a bad left-ankle and the wife has health problems that make a manual more of a chore - though not unusable). We tend to take the Yeti on family days out or domestic holidays, and I use the TT almost every time it's not raining and I'm the only passenger. The S3 has been seldom used in the last 12 months - and I guess this is one of the sticking points with replacing it, do I even need to?
In January I started a new role at a new company, they offer free on-site electric vehicle charging (11kW) with 10 chargers available at any one time, there are only 3 other electric car owners, so I'd be pretty much guaranteed a parking spot with a charger. This started me down the route of looking at elextric cars. I certainly didn't need anything large (the Yeti covers that just fine), so had been looking at the Mini Electric, the BMW i3S, and I've got a autumn order slot available for an ID.3. I had also considered larger electric cars (like the Kia eNiro and Hyundai Kona, but ultimately I just can't get on with the low-rent cabin and touch-points, especially for the not-so-Korean prices that these things now seem to command. I'd also considered a Model 3 (both Standard Range Plus and Long Range - the Performance, as quick as it is, seems to be massively price-hiked in comparison to the other models), but ultimately the complete lack of *anything* in the cabin is a massive turn off, and I really REALLY dislike touch-screens in cars, tactile feedback and the ability to use it without looking (so buttons that don't move depending on what screen you are on!) are the order of the day. The i3S was on-top (on paper), and I had arranged to go take a test drive, then COVID-19 hit. Oh and for clarity, I've also got the luxury of getting a charger fitted at home, I won't "need" to rely on public chargers at all.
I've been working from home almost exclusively since 19th March, and can count on both hands the number of times I've been into the office since then. There is HR talk of not making people who are successfully working from home return to the office in any official capacity (although my role would likely see 2 to 3 times a week become "normal"). A round trip is 32 miles, so using 2.5 days a week as the average, that sees me doing a whopping 3,520 commuting miles a year. This leaves me with a conundrum, the mileage means that even a short-range electric vehicle is fine, however the mileage also means that I wouldn't really feel the fueling and running costs of a large capacity petrol engine either.
I had also been considering condensing both of my cars (S3 and TT) down into a single 4-seater convertible, something like a 2012 640i or 650i, but neither seem like the least-problematic of engines. I'd also looked at E93 M3 convertibles of the same age.
TLDR: I currently see these as the broad "options":
1) Get rid of the S3 and just use the TT for now until the future becomes a little clearer
2) Keep the S3 and the TT and carry on as-is for now until the future becomes a little clearer
3) Replace the S3 with a brand-new "something" electric, as the use-case fits. Keep the TT for the open-roof and noise.
4) Replace both the S3 and TT with a 3-7 year old "something" that is either a folding tin-top or a soft-top.
Any input appreciated, even if it's just other angles to consider.
Right now, I've got a 2016 Audi S3 S-Tronic Saloon. I do really like the car, I've certainly gelled with it more than I have any of my previous brand-new purchases (it's the only car I didn't feel some kind of buyers-remorse towards after the fact). It's going to be 4 years old in October and I was (back in February) getting my facts together in preparation for replacing it with... something. I wasn't 100% sure on what.
I've also currently got a 2004 MK1 Audi TT 3.2 V6 DSG Convertible, and the wife has got a Skoda Yeti 1.2TSI DSG (yes, I prefer automatics or semi-automatics over manuals these days, I've got a bad left-ankle and the wife has health problems that make a manual more of a chore - though not unusable). We tend to take the Yeti on family days out or domestic holidays, and I use the TT almost every time it's not raining and I'm the only passenger. The S3 has been seldom used in the last 12 months - and I guess this is one of the sticking points with replacing it, do I even need to?
In January I started a new role at a new company, they offer free on-site electric vehicle charging (11kW) with 10 chargers available at any one time, there are only 3 other electric car owners, so I'd be pretty much guaranteed a parking spot with a charger. This started me down the route of looking at elextric cars. I certainly didn't need anything large (the Yeti covers that just fine), so had been looking at the Mini Electric, the BMW i3S, and I've got a autumn order slot available for an ID.3. I had also considered larger electric cars (like the Kia eNiro and Hyundai Kona, but ultimately I just can't get on with the low-rent cabin and touch-points, especially for the not-so-Korean prices that these things now seem to command. I'd also considered a Model 3 (both Standard Range Plus and Long Range - the Performance, as quick as it is, seems to be massively price-hiked in comparison to the other models), but ultimately the complete lack of *anything* in the cabin is a massive turn off, and I really REALLY dislike touch-screens in cars, tactile feedback and the ability to use it without looking (so buttons that don't move depending on what screen you are on!) are the order of the day. The i3S was on-top (on paper), and I had arranged to go take a test drive, then COVID-19 hit. Oh and for clarity, I've also got the luxury of getting a charger fitted at home, I won't "need" to rely on public chargers at all.
I've been working from home almost exclusively since 19th March, and can count on both hands the number of times I've been into the office since then. There is HR talk of not making people who are successfully working from home return to the office in any official capacity (although my role would likely see 2 to 3 times a week become "normal"). A round trip is 32 miles, so using 2.5 days a week as the average, that sees me doing a whopping 3,520 commuting miles a year. This leaves me with a conundrum, the mileage means that even a short-range electric vehicle is fine, however the mileage also means that I wouldn't really feel the fueling and running costs of a large capacity petrol engine either.
I had also been considering condensing both of my cars (S3 and TT) down into a single 4-seater convertible, something like a 2012 640i or 650i, but neither seem like the least-problematic of engines. I'd also looked at E93 M3 convertibles of the same age.
TLDR: I currently see these as the broad "options":
1) Get rid of the S3 and just use the TT for now until the future becomes a little clearer
2) Keep the S3 and the TT and carry on as-is for now until the future becomes a little clearer
3) Replace the S3 with a brand-new "something" electric, as the use-case fits. Keep the TT for the open-roof and noise.
4) Replace both the S3 and TT with a 3-7 year old "something" that is either a folding tin-top or a soft-top.
Any input appreciated, even if it's just other angles to consider.
1 or 4 & if it's 4 then seeing as you seem to like Audi's what about an RS5 Convertible:
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/202...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/202...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/202...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/202...
Edited by ZX10R NIN on Tuesday 21st July 22:32
Seems a definite trend on the direction to take.
I'm not really interested in the RS5, I've had a B8 platform A4 before, and whilst I know an RS is a world apart, it's too similar 90% of the time, so that's out. I'd been contemplating an early R8, but I think the purchase cost would leave me with the bottom of the barrel, and maintenance might be a step above what I'm after (though I guess I could be wrong here), I at least would make the concession to not "need" a convertible if I went down the route of something like an R8.
Mercs I've never really considered, I've never been the biggest fan of the styling both inside and out.
BMW would be a return to type as before my last string of Audis I had an e36 325i followed by an e46 330d, I just don't know if I can bring myself to get an E9x, my brother had one (only a lowly 320i) and it just felt cheap and nasty compared to my e46.
I really don't want another Japanese car, or at least a mainstream one, after realizing that they tend to rust away around the still working mechanicals, I'm steering clear. My MX5 was literally becoming a pile of dust, and friend's Civics are doing the same. Seems Japanese and corrosion prevention are mutually exclusive, plus I hate to say it, but I tend to prefer more "premium" cabins.
Am I missing anything obvious that should also be on my radar?
I'm not really interested in the RS5, I've had a B8 platform A4 before, and whilst I know an RS is a world apart, it's too similar 90% of the time, so that's out. I'd been contemplating an early R8, but I think the purchase cost would leave me with the bottom of the barrel, and maintenance might be a step above what I'm after (though I guess I could be wrong here), I at least would make the concession to not "need" a convertible if I went down the route of something like an R8.
Mercs I've never really considered, I've never been the biggest fan of the styling both inside and out.
BMW would be a return to type as before my last string of Audis I had an e36 325i followed by an e46 330d, I just don't know if I can bring myself to get an E9x, my brother had one (only a lowly 320i) and it just felt cheap and nasty compared to my e46.
I really don't want another Japanese car, or at least a mainstream one, after realizing that they tend to rust away around the still working mechanicals, I'm steering clear. My MX5 was literally becoming a pile of dust, and friend's Civics are doing the same. Seems Japanese and corrosion prevention are mutually exclusive, plus I hate to say it, but I tend to prefer more "premium" cabins.
Am I missing anything obvious that should also be on my radar?
Like other posters, I'd go with the first option - before possibly option 4. It sounds like you have all the bases covered with the Yeti and TT at your disposal.
One thing I didn't pick up on in the above was whether the S3 was owned outright or financed. If the former, then liquidating an asset could be useful as you do refer to the uncertainties of the world at present. Likewise, if the latter, then it could be beneficial to have no ongoing commitment.
One thing I didn't pick up on in the above was whether the S3 was owned outright or financed. If the former, then liquidating an asset could be useful as you do refer to the uncertainties of the world at present. Likewise, if the latter, then it could be beneficial to have no ongoing commitment.
Returning to this thread as I’m now edging closer and closer to the end of term with the S3. And to answer the above, yes it’s financed.
In the last couple of months, the trade in/sell to a car buying service valuation has gone up almost £3k, so I’m glad I haven’t acted just yet, though the incremental updates in price have been slowing so I guess we are reaching some kind of peak.
So with that in mind I think now is looking as good a time as any to sell up and then make the decision what to go at my leisure. Pretty convinced now that £35k give or take would be about the limit, and I’d likely be paying part cash and part bank loan rather than some kind of car specific finance package.
In the last couple of months, the trade in/sell to a car buying service valuation has gone up almost £3k, so I’m glad I haven’t acted just yet, though the incremental updates in price have been slowing so I guess we are reaching some kind of peak.
So with that in mind I think now is looking as good a time as any to sell up and then make the decision what to go at my leisure. Pretty convinced now that £35k give or take would be about the limit, and I’d likely be paying part cash and part bank loan rather than some kind of car specific finance package.
What about a big old barge like a 740e? Absolutely brilliant value for money thanks to depreciation.
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/202...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/202...
Edited by CJ1 on Saturday 8th August 16:23
CJ1 said:
What about a big old barge like a 740e? Absolutely brilliant value for money thanks to depreciation.
As great as they are (and I've contemplated a 7-series in the past), I don't think my use case for a vehicle is going to necessitate a barge for the foreseeable.I've been looking at 997s but engine problems are scaring me off.
S3 is now gone (well, deal agreed, it’s currently sat on my drive until the V5C returns having removed my plate), just shy of £24k which wasn’t bad at all given advertised values of similar aged, specced and mileage cars.
No rush to replace, but have been toying with the idea of a Maserati GranCabrio.
Still like the idea of a 997 Targa or Convertible (certainly less likely to lose a chunk of value compared to the GranCabrio), but I need to do some SERIOUS reading into engines, issues and proven repairs (like Hartech).
No rush to replace, but have been toying with the idea of a Maserati GranCabrio.
Still like the idea of a 997 Targa or Convertible (certainly less likely to lose a chunk of value compared to the GranCabrio), but I need to do some SERIOUS reading into engines, issues and proven repairs (like Hartech).
Edited by paradigital on Sunday 16th August 11:10
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