2 car driveway for 35k

[KaoGeorge]

So current situation is that my girlfriend and both need new cars for various reasons. Currently I have a megane rs 250 with a couple mods and she has a 2019 Mercedes A class. Ideally would like to keep the same sort of set up with one fun car and one practical car. Budget for both combined is 35k. Would need one of them to be big enough for a Labrador and as we both need cars to commute to work, spending the whole budget on a fast estate isn't really an option. Only other issue is that we are 23 and 21 so insurance is something that we need to consider.

Any ideas would be appreciated.

Thanks

[joshcowin]

That is a big budget and a massively wide criteria.

Got any more info? How far are the commutes, what do the cars have to have?

Volvo xc60 or v60 for £16k-£20k and spending the rest on something cool.

S2000, decent 3.2s boxter, 3.0i z4, 350z or 370z

[KaoGeorge]

The more practical car needs to be fairly modern with decent levels of tech otherwise it will feel like a massive downgrade from the merc. Both commutes are sub 5 miles so fuel economy isn't a huge issue. For the fun car i'd still like it to be a decent size so golf GTI/focus ST size rather than a fiesta or smaller. Don't really have any specific requirements other than that just trying to get some ideas.

[joshcowin]

KaoGeorge said:

The more practical car needs to be fairly modern with decent levels of tech otherwise it will feel like a massive downgrade from the merc. Both commutes are sub 5 miles so fuel economy isn't a huge issue. For the fun car i'd still like it to be a decent size so golf GTI/focus ST size rather than a fiesta or smaller. Don't really have any specific requirements other than that just trying to get some ideas.

Alfa giulietta is a great golf sized car, I have the diesel one but the petrol will suit your needs well and free up more money for the fun car.

My 35kg lab fits in the boot and on the back seats no worries, the seats fold in the rear and it has isofix so future proof!

[stevekoz]

You state you need "new" cars for various reasons.

It's hard to pick two cars for £35k that don't already match what you've got.

I mean the Megane RS is probably one of the most fun all round cars you can get personally and you have an A-Class which is a premium brand hatch likely already fairly well spec'd.

Really difficult to pick something to replace those two. However. In the hope of trying to help out

The practical one - I would go for a BMW 330d. Practical. Quick. Great drive. Frugal. Cheap to insure. Lots of toys if you find one well spec'd. It's hard to beat in that kind of bracket in my humble opinion. The 3.0 lump is lovely and very punchy. I have the 435d and having test driven a 330d at the time of buying, i went with the 435d for the fact i didn't need the boot of the Touring - else it would have been that one.

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202111059...

You could go for a 35d xdrive -

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202111099...

And honestly, its a cracking engine. I am averaging 38mpg out of mine. On a run, its in the mid 40's and honestly the ZF auto is a really great box. Shifts are crisp, quick. It certainly doesn't hang around.

That would leave you circa £15k for your fun car.

I mean the sensible choice has to be the Golf R - it has all the kit, power, handling - but for me its just too numb. However, can see why so many would buy one in this bracket as there is not a lot to compete.

But you'll have to pay over the odds for a lower mile car - cus VW.

The GTi is a good shout. I think its more fun overall than the R and honestly, better looking too. Which is odd as they are basically the same car, but the styling of the GTi is just that bit more playful and stands out. Many Golf owners i talk to, say exactly the same thing. The design ques are just better.

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202111029...

You could go for the one brand drive and get yourself a M135i -

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202109257...

Lot of fun to drive, and the engine is fairly characterful, the handling is ok though with a bit of work can be made much better.

Honestly, though for the £15k i am still finding it hard to beat an RS Megane in terms of "fun" and do it all everyday. Maybe pocket the £15k and keep the Megane??

[KaoGeorge]

Keeping the megane is an option. I've driven a few different cars now, m240i, m140i, i30n, golf gti etc and nothing really feels the same, especially with it remapped. I've thought about a focus RS as well but not got round to driving one yet.

[SKM1984]

I'd be keeping the meg and getting a 30d as mentioned above

a mapped 30d with the auto box is a perfect daily

[Luke-36]

I've got a Duster Prestige and a Supercharged Elise. Perfect combo if you ask me


Dacia Duster: https://www.pistonheads.com/buy/listing/12310354
Lotus Elise: https://www.pistonheads.com/buy/listing/12390013
or Vx220 if the Elise is too much but Elise holds the money much better, and looks better IMO
VX220: https://www.pistonheads.com/buy/listing/12188343 (you'll be able to get a cheaper one, just one i found that looks alright)

[ZX10R NIN]

I think this is easy, you keep the Megane & add some upgrades, I'm pretty sure you have a wish list somewhere.

That will leave you a healthy budget for the OH's car.

Lexus NX300h Sport

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202109177...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202111069...

BMW X1 XLine

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202111029...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202110098...

Seat Ateca

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202109237...

Edited by ZX10R NIN on Tuesday 16th November 16:36

[edc]

I was going to suggest an X1 or Ateca for circa £15k leaving £20k for a 987.2 Boxster if you really want to change the Megane for something different and the other hatches you've tried don't do it for you.

[greygoose]

SKM1984 said:

I'd be keeping the meg and getting a 30d as mentioned above

a mapped 30d with the auto box is a perfect daily

I wouldn't be buying a diesel for a 5 mile commute.

[PTF]

M2

Volvo V70 stbox

[Wagonwheel555]

Forget a diesel, a 5 mile commute is going to bring DPF issues eventually and you are not going to get anything resembling decent fuel economy for that sort of journey.

Its hard to recommend anything specific, I know what I would have but my requirements are different to yours.

We have two cars worth around that figure on the driveway, a 330D and 430D but we both do 10-12k miles a year each.

Looking at getting a Seat Leon Cupra estate for her next as we have a dog like you do and for £22-23k you can pickup a decent one with lower miles. That would leave £12-13k for a second car.

[Pica-Pica]

First glance at headlines, I thought ‘that’s a lot to pay for a driveway to be laid’. I thought you’d been ripped off by a door-knocking team of casual labourers.