Newbie that needs help

[GMac1]

New to piston heads & looking for some help.
I'm currently looking at changing my car which is a Jaguar F Pace.
Frustrated with commute to work and losing a fortune on depreciation which I'm sure affects most people.
I average around 18,000 miles per year.
The Jag is ok but I've driven Audi's & Porsche's for the past 15-20 years and prefer them. (Open to trying something different as I did with the Jag)
I'd prefer a car that looks good but is economical to run, around 40 mpg as a minimum. Family of 4 and need 4/5 door and decent boot.
Had been thinking of maybe running a cheap 4k high mileage Audi A5 sportback as a daily and save the rest and put towards a nice 2nd car.
If sticking to one car, then possibly a Porsche Panamera.
Budget is around 20k.
I will be looking at this as a 3 year plan.
Can anyone help?

[ZX10R NIN]

I'd go the two car route because as you're aware of spending 20k on a premium product & then adding 54k+ to the mix isn't a good recipe when it comes to the resale value.

I'd spend a decent amount on a good daily simply because you're going to spending the bulk of your miles in it so it has to be reliable & comfortable, in this vein a high mile A5 isn't where I'd be looking infact I'd be looking for a ULEZ compliant daily to keep for 4-5 years, that'll mean a less restrictive budget for the weekend car.

So with this in mind I'd be looking at these:

Mondeo Titanium 180 as much space as the A5, a better steer too well equipped & will see another 90k with ease.

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202011296...

508SW GT 180

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202008022...

DS5 DStyle well appointed & proven drivetrain will see you comfortably through the next 4-5 years

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202011186...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202002177...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202011025...

CC R Line 180

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202011166...

Or haggle hard & buy (somewhere between 8-9k) this Cat S & run it until it drops.

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202010315...

[elanfan]

Why not get a cheap Nissan Leaf, 72 miles a day average is easy. Cheap motoring, no congestion charge if applicable to you. Save your money for something nice

[GMac1]

Thanks for the feedback. Feels like I need the 2 car option. Still want some kerb appeal with a daily driver so maybe worth going up in price as you say. I don't need to worry about congestion charge. I drive mainly on the motorway around Glasgow.
Daily would need cruise control, heated seats, comfort rather than speed, economical. You have gave some good choices that I hadn't though about.
The second car could then become the dream. I've been driving for 33 years and never owned a V8. It's been my life passion to own a V8 but never been able as I've always usually drove one car and needed something efficient for work. The closest I got was an old Porsche 996 but that cost a lot to run but I didn't have to travel as far.Time ticking with electric on the way not that I have anything against electric.They seem a great option if we see more charging points. None in my small village.
The 2 car option would really open up more opportunities for the 2nd car as I wouldn't need to worry about using it everyday.

[ZX10R NIN]

EverythingI listed above has Heated Seats Xenons & Cruise plus more, now if there no potential ULEZ on the horizon then your daily options get even better & in some cases cheaper.

E350 Coupe (yes I'm bias) everything you liste plus Orthopedic seats.

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202009143...

Saloon

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202012066...

DS5

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202009214...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202010275...

XF Portfolio

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202011146...

S Premium Luxury

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202010225...

Premium Luxury

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202010245...

3.0d Infiniti M S Premium Adaptive Cruise Air Cooled & Heated Seats as well as 360 degree cameras/Curb cam to save any alloy scrapes.

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202008232...

Q70 Sport Facelift version of the above but with the less torquey Mercedes 2.1d drivetrain but it'll give you MPG:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202010024...

Q50 (Same drivetrain as the Q70 but C Class Size) Sport/Sport Tech

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202010245...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202011116...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202009143...



Diesel Hybrid

DS5

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202007221...

508 Allure

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202011095...

[GMac1]

Some good choices, the E350 interior looks the business.
I've parked up my Jag whilst it's up for sale and started using my daughter's car for the short term as she won't be able to use it till after the new year. Think this will help me understand if the 2 car option is really the way forward for me.
Her car's an Audi A1 S line, tidy car but not what i'd pick as my daily. I'm 6ft so her car is on the small side but i'm finding out now what i'd want in terms of spec when doing the daily motorway run by using her car.
The past couple of days have been good to come home and see the shinny Jag sitting but i've not been tempted to use it, maybe different with a dream car sitting.

[ZX10R NIN]

I have a Mondeo Vignale for my daily duties & then my two garage queens which I enjoy driving as they're far apart from my daily, in that vain something like a DS5 as your daily & then your weekend toy being far removed from the daily makes both enjoyable.

[GMac1]

ZX10R NIN said:

I have a Mondeo Vignale for my daily duties & then my two garage queens which I enjoy driving as they're far apart from my daily, in that vain something like a DS5 as your daily & then your weekend toy being far removed from the daily makes both enjoyable.

Cheers for the help.
Will work on getting the Jag sold now. Think i've pitched the price a bit on the high side as usually get stupid offers to start with. I've only had 2 dealers offering lowball for it so far. Going to take some better pictures today and drop the price slightly.

[GMac1]

So, now had time to think further & i've decided to go with the 2 car option.
Looking at the daily driver options, I've finally managed to convince myself to ditch the badge snob factor.
I'm now being pulled towards a Ford Mondeo top spec model, something I would never consider before after the recommendation.
Not keen on the look but I have to remain practical about what I'm trying to achieve.
With doing a long motorway run daily then comfort is the priority not the look of the car. It needs to be cheap tax, cheap fuel, cheap insurance, cheap running costs, 5 door, large boot, sat nav if possible, heated seats, cruise control, prefer the alcantara half leather seats.
The mondeo ticks all the boxes.
Not sure whether to go for a newer model with higher miles or older model with low miles.
Even feel the estate might be an option.
Only other cars coming in to consideration is maybe Volvo or Citroen. The DS5 seems to get a bad review on ride quality but looks great.
I need to keep the price around 5k.
2nd car will take a little longer to source.

[ZX10R NIN]

Test drive a DS5 because they're a decent car & are a great value for money pick, I've found the ride to be decent, use reviews as a guide tohow a car is only you can decide what works for you.

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202009063...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202012046...

In reality sat nav wise you'll be better off with your phone or a Garmin as they'll be more up to date.

The Mondeo is a great pick it's a good reliable pick, Titanium X spec is the best mix of age/mileage.

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202011136...

But personally I'd live with the older Tiitanium X Sport & the Air cooled seats are a worthwhile extra too.

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202012106...

You won't get a V40 for your budget.

Leftfield is the Laguna Coupe with TomTom (so you can just take the SD Card out & update it

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202010305...

[GMac1]

ZX10R NIN said:

Test drive a DS5 because they're a decent car & are a great value for money pick, I've found the ride to be decent, use reviews as a guide tohow a car is only you can decide what works for you.

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202009063...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202012046...

In reality sat nav wise you'll be better off with your phone or a Garmin as they'll be more up to date.

The Mondeo is a great pick it's a good reliable pick, Titanium X spec is the best mix of age/mileage.

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202011136...

But personally I'd live with the older Tiitanium X Sport & the Air cooled seats are a worthwhile extra too.

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202012106...

You won't get a V40 for your budget.

Leftfield is the Laguna Coupe with TomTom (so you can just take the SD Card out & update it

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202010305...

I would easily have driven around in any of the cars you've mentioned, however after chatting to the wife & kids it's them that are the badge snobs not me! "What will the neighbours say" I've had to compromise, so now looking at a BMW touring or similar estate.

[ZX10R NIN]

GMac1 said:

I would easily have driven around in any of the cars you've mentioned, however after chatting to the wife & kids it's them that are the badge snobs not me! "What will the neighbours say" I've had to compromise, so now looking at a BMW touring or similar estate.

Just show the wife a quick google search on 320d's of this era & explain you'll happily buy one but that when the chain plays up that you'll want no complaints from the accounts department

At this price point if it has to have a badge the only pick imo is the C Class (I'd take her to sit in one of these & then a DS5/508GT) 220/320:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202012036...

320

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/201903276...

[GMac1]

ZX10R NIN said:

Just show the wife a quick google search on 320d's of this era & explain you'll happily buy one but that when the chain plays up that you'll want no complaints from the accounts department

At this price point if it has to have a badge the only pick imo is the C Class (I'd take her to sit in one of these & then a DS5/508GT) 220/320:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202012036...

320

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/201903276...

It's a 2010 318d, comes with an upgraded timing chain with a 2 year warranty from BMW & full documented service history.

[ZX10R NIN]

Go for it then you can't argue with peace of mind.

[Wagonwheel555]

GMac1 said:

It's a 2010 318d, comes with an upgraded timing chain with a 2 year warranty from BMW & full documented service history.

Go and test drive a 330D.

Put your foot down and test it properly.

You won’t be buying a 318D/320D after that.

Wife wanted a newer Fxx 3 series with £15k to spend. She had already driven a 320D and thought it was ok, we then went to look at a 330D which had a good spec but was £3k over budget. As soon as she drove it, she wanted it so we stretched out budget a little.

[GMac1]

Wagonwheel555 said:

Go and test drive a 330D.

Put your foot down and test it properly.

You won’t be buying a 318D/320D after that.

Wife wanted a newer Fxx 3 series with £15k to spend. She had already driven a 320D and thought it was ok, we then went to look at a 330D which had a good spec but was £3k over budget. As soon as she drove it, she wanted it so we stretched out budget a little.

Cheers, I'm not up to speed on BMW, been Audi for the past 10 years. Will have a look at the 330D. My wife won't be driving it as she has a Lexus CT200h company car. The deal is off on the one I was after as the guy is not willing to take my offer of the full asking price which I found very strange. He put it up by a grand. Can't travel to Belfast now anyway. New search now.

[pb8g09]

GMac1 said:

Cheers, I'm not up to speed on BMW, been Audi for the past 10 years. Will have a look at the 330D. My wife won't be driving it as she has a Lexus CT200h company car. The deal is off on the one I was after as the guy is not willing to take my offer of the full asking price which I found very strange. He put it up by a grand. Can't travel to Belfast now anyway. New search now.

Wife won’t be driving it, yet you’re letting her dictate what badge it is....

[covmutley]

My wife would be the same to be fair! Have you discussed 2nd car with her??

I bet if you were looking at something like a cayman (with private plate??!) She wouldn't care what the neighbours think about your mondeo?

Also, you said it was a 3 year plan, but I think its worth considering how the plan stacks up in 5, or even 10 years.

5k mondeos don't have much money to lose, and a 15k cayman, possibly none? Say a normal nice car loses 3k a year and the above combo loses 1k. Over 5 years, thats 10k better. Over 10, its 20k.

There's some good man maths in there im sure, but a 5k mondeo will be cheaper to run than a newer 335d

[GMac1]

covmutley said:

My wife would be the same to be fair! Have you discussed 2nd car with her??

I bet if you were looking at something like a cayman (with private plate??!) She wouldn't care what the neighbours think about your mondeo?

Also, you said it was a 3 year plan, but I think its worth considering how the plan stacks up in 5, or even 10 years.

5k mondeos don't have much money to lose, and a 15k cayman, possibly none? Say a normal nice car loses 3k a year and the above combo loses 1k. Over 5 years, thats 10k better. Over 10, its 20k.

There's some good man maths in there im sure, but a 5k mondeo will be cheaper to run than a newer 335d

Totally agree, a 5k daily will be cost effective for me over the 3 years or longer. It's a 5k BMW 3 series estate i'm now after. I'm in the process of selling off 3 private plates to add to my second car fund as I don't want finance.Will be quite happy with a daily runner on its own for a short period. The second car will be a V8.

[GMac1]

Finally bought my daily today. Well chuffed with it.
Had been getting the run around from the guy in Belfast so gave up on it.
As luck would have it a similar car was posted yesterday & I bought it today.
Even better result that is was only 20 minutes from my house!
Result.