New but interesting daily. Opinions?

[whenindoubtpowerout]

I am coming to the end of my PCP agreement (Golf GTI) and have decided I would rather buy my next car. As I am going to buy it I would like it to be something interesting that has either mostly depreciated or might hold its value.

I currently have a V8 Classic Range Rover, not really practical for the daily commute! I am fairly mechanically minded, I'm 26, no kids, drive around 500 miles a week, and have a budget of around £15k max but would happily spend less. I like older cars because I can work on them but also need some reliability. Fast cars are always good but I also like off roading so always like 4x4s.

Current thoughts are a L322 Range Rover (face-lift), 80 series land crusier, an MGB GT (I have an Rover V8 I would like to put in one), or a RHD Datsun 240Z (very hard to find).

Please give me some other inspiration!

[Canon_Fodder]

whenindoubtpowerout said:

... 500 miles a week, ... but also need some reliability.

.. an MGB GT (I have an Rover V8 I would like to put in one), or a RHD Datsun 240Z (very hard to find).

[whenindoubtpowerout]

Canon_Fodder said:

whenindoubtpowerout said:

... 500 miles a week, ... but also need some reliability.

.. an MGB GT (I have an Rover V8 I would like to put in one), or a RHD Datsun 240Z (very hard to find).

I know, not usually car brands you'd hear next to 500 miles and reliability haha, maybe pipe dreams but I do like them! Maybe take them as indication of what I like instead.

[Canon_Fodder]

The landcruiser would probably work for you

but it's quite a wide / vague remit to cover both a Range Rover to a 240Z

Maybe refine into 'must haves' and 'nice to haves'?

This sort of thing any good? A6 Allroad

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202110278...

Edited by Canon_Fodder on Thursday 3rd February 16:08

[ZX10R NIN]

whenindoubtpowerout said:

I am coming to the end of my PCP agreement (Golf GTI) and have decided I would rather buy my next car. As I am going to buy it I would like it to be something interesting that has either mostly depreciated or might hold its value.

I currently have a V8 Classic Range Rover, not really practical for the daily commute! I am fairly mechanically minded, I'm 26, no kids, drive around 500 miles a week, and have a budget of around £15k max but would happily spend less. I like older cars because I can work on them but also need some reliability. Fast cars are always good but I also like off roading so always like 4x4s.

Current thoughts are a L322 Range Rover (face-lift), 80 series land crusier, an MGB GT (I have an Rover V8 I would like to put in one), or a RHD Datsun 240Z (very hard to find).

Please give me some other inspiration!

You already have the 4x4 so why not have something different:

If you want a V8 then the CLK55 AMG is a good shout, it's a modern classic that you can work on & they're pretty much bulletproof:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202201151...

A more modern version of the above is the E500 coupe:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202201161...

Leftfield.

Infiniti G37 Coupe:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202201081...

Edited by ZX10R NIN on Friday 4th February 19:27

[whenindoubtpowerout]

Canon_Fodder said:

The landcruiser would probably work for you

but it's quite a wide / vague remit to cover both a Range Rover to a 240Z

Maybe refine into 'must haves' and 'nice to haves'?

This sort of thing any good? A6 Allroad

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202110278...

Edited by Canon_Fodder on Thursday 3rd February 16:08

I have always liked the land cruisers.

I know I have quite a wide range of taste in cars!

Must haves:
• Enough power to actually accelerate up a hill, obviously depends on car size what's required, dont want something gutless though
• Manual box unless on a 4x4 then I don't mind so much
• Rear wheel drive if sporty
• Available parts, and easy enough to work on

Nice to haves:
• Aftermarket parts for some light customising
• Novelty, I like cars that you don't see on the road much.

I'm sure there are some other things but sort of looking for inspiration!

[whenindoubtpowerout]

ZX10R NIN said:

You already have the 4x4 so why not have something different:

If you want a V8 then the CLK55 AMG is a good shout, it's a modern classis that you can work on & they're pretty much bulletproof:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202201151...

A more modern version of the above is the E500 coupe:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202201161...

Leftfield.

Infiniti G37 Coupe:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202201081...

Those mercs are nice, didn't realise that they were available at that sort of price. Any idea on common issues in the higher milage cars?

Not sure about the looks of the Infiniti to be honest, nice sounding engine though!

[ZX10R NIN]

whenindoubtpowerout said:

ZX10R NIN said:

You already have the 4x4 so why not have something different:

If you want a V8 then the CLK55 AMG is a good shout, it's a modern classis that you can work on & they're pretty much bulletproof:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202201151...

A more modern version of the above is the E500 coupe:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202201161...

Leftfield.

Infiniti G37 Coupe:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202201081...

Those mercs are nice, didn't realise that they were available at that sort of price. Any idea on common issues in the higher milage cars?

Not sure about the looks of the Infiniti to be honest, nice sounding engine though!

There are no major issues with either Mercedes obviously with higher mileage you'll need to check the suspension bushes, on the CLK the front of the rear arches gets hit by the stones from the rear tyres so can start bubbling with light rust (it's a £150 fix for both sides) the gearboxes on both needs servicing every 40k if it's not been done budget £250-300 to get it done.

On the CLK the spark plug service isn't cheap as there are 16 of them but if you're handy with the spanners it is something you can do yourself, the E500 has 8 plugs.

If you're doing 500 miles a week both come with orthopedic seats. There's a readers car thread on someone who has just bought a CLK55.

[RoVoFob]

whenindoubtpowerout said:

Current thoughts are a L322 Range Rover (face-lift), 80 series land crusier, an MGB GT (I have an Rover V8 I would like to put in one), or a RHD Datsun 240Z (very hard to find).

Please give me some other inspiration!

How does this look? Older car, so simple. 80s Nissan, so reliable. Interesting, very cheap at £2,990 and no doubt fully depreciated. Fast enough and similar ingredients to the 240Z.

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202202042...

[ChrisH72]

RoVoFob said:

How does this look? Older car, so simple. 80s Nissan, so reliable. Interesting, very cheap at £2,990 and no doubt fully depreciated. Fast enough and similar ingredients to the 240Z.

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202202042...

That is certainly interesting. It’d take a brave man to do 500 miles a week in a 34 year old Nissan though.

[Cambs_Stuart]

How about a subaru forester STI? Manual, 4WD, plenty of power, good parts availability, easy to work on, aren't depreciating, masses of aftermarket stuff and not that common.
Also, quite good fun to drive.


https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2006-Subaru-Forester-ST...

Edited by Cambs_Stuart on Saturday 5th February 14:10

[whenindoubtpowerout]

Thank you for the replies, this might sound picky but I am not a huge fan of the looks of those cars! Rear end of the nissan and the front end of the subaru put me off haha. I think curves for sports cars, boxes for 4x4s.

[QBee]

500 miles a week will kill most decent but special cars.That's the problem here.
I agree about the 4x4 and fast car thing, but the easiest way of achieving that is to buy two cars rather than try to do both with one.
As already said.

I am a lot older than you, so not trying to compare your choices with mine.
For the last 20 years I have always towed stuff, but you have that covered.
Now I no longer tow 2 horses in a horse trailer (2.4 tonnes) I have traded down weight-wise to a diesel X Trail.
Good economy and tows well. Early ones are under £3k. Will also deal with the mileage

On the non-depreciating sports car front, my TVR Chimaera has suited my needs perfectly for the last 10 years.
4.6 V8, mine has a turbo as well. Huge fun and comes complete with a decent fan club.
Decent cars are now between £10-20,000
Worth more now that I paid for it in 2012. Won't deal with the mileage for long, but will be fun when you want fun.

[GreatGranny]

I used to do 500 miles a week commuting pre Covid and even on modern cars it's a hard life.

I did use my E36 318is when I first started commuting that distance and it did take the miles really well.
Didn't let me down once in 3 years but I kept on top of everything which sounds like something you'd be ok with.

Therefore I would go for an 80s/90s Beemer or Merc.

840i

https://www.carandclassic.com/car/C1421582

E34 535i

https://www.carandclassic.com/car/C1413264

190E 2.6

https://www.carandclassic.com/car/C1421586

E220 Coupe

https://www.carandclassic.com/car/C1380744

[whenindoubtpowerout]

Thank you for the replies, and sorry for the slow response. The TVR is extremely tempting, it is a lovely looking car, however as you say it wouldn't handle the milage for long I expect, maybe when I can afford to have my dream 5 car garage!

The mercs and BMWs are all really nice, the 190e is probably my favourite, possibly minus the wheels (contentious I know haha)

Certainly given me some inspiration, I will be trawling car and classic now. Any other ideas are welcome as well, I am currently trying to talk myself out of daily driving my range rover classic!