I should buy a barge (or should I?)
Discussion
Hilarious cat memes aside, I've been thinking about getting a barge for a while now and it might be about time. We have the other half's Golf GTI and my Boxster but lack a truly B&Q / Tip worthy vehicle.
Being in the countryside as well I've considered buying an older 4x4 of some description but would probably prefer an estate.
Needs to be Auto, have an indy garage at the end of the road so at least should have cheap bodging available to me should it go pear shaped.
Current crop of candidates:
BMW 2.8 528i SE Touring
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202208088...
Volvo V70 2.3 T5
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202210010...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202210130...
Land Rover Freelander 2.0 TD4 S 5dr
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202204275...
Any other barge suggestions?
Petrol
530i Touring
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/2022092501...
Lexus IS300 sportcross
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/2022092802...
Saab 9-3 estate
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/2022081889...
Diesel
V50 (D5)
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/2022072581...
Xtype Jag
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/2022092300...
E220 cdi
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/2022092902...
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/2022100303...
Leftfield options
Chrysler 300c Estate
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/2022060364...
Subaru Outback
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/2022100604...
530i Touring
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/2022092501...
Lexus IS300 sportcross
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/2022092802...
Saab 9-3 estate
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/2022081889...
Diesel
V50 (D5)
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/2022072581...
Xtype Jag
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/2022092300...
E220 cdi
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/2022092902...
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/2022100303...
Leftfield options
Chrysler 300c Estate
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/2022060364...
Subaru Outback
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/2022100604...
Edited by eleveneleven on Friday 14th October 16:19
Edited by eleveneleven on Friday 14th October 16:22
Why are barges cheap?
Because they still carry all the same sky-high running costs as when they were new.
I know someone who's just sent a BMW 728i to scrap following a list of MOT issues, several of which were electrical/technical and far beyond the capabilities of an "all makes" oil-changer.
At the end of the day if you want a cheap car it's best to buy a car that was always cheap.
Because they still carry all the same sky-high running costs as when they were new.
I know someone who's just sent a BMW 728i to scrap following a list of MOT issues, several of which were electrical/technical and far beyond the capabilities of an "all makes" oil-changer.
At the end of the day if you want a cheap car it's best to buy a car that was always cheap.
Panamax said:
Why are barges cheap?
Because they still carry all the same sky-high running costs as when they were new.
I know someone who's just sent a BMW 728i to scrap following a list of MOT issues, several of which were electrical/technical and far beyond the capabilities of an "all makes" oil-changer.
At the end of the day if you want a cheap car it's best to buy a car that was always cheap.
You're correct, however occasionally it's fun to roll the dice.Because they still carry all the same sky-high running costs as when they were new.
I know someone who's just sent a BMW 728i to scrap following a list of MOT issues, several of which were electrical/technical and far beyond the capabilities of an "all makes" oil-changer.
At the end of the day if you want a cheap car it's best to buy a car that was always cheap.
eleveneleven said:
I don't need a barge but that IS300 looks bloody tempting. Shame about the VED I guess,. I'm currently in a similar boat so might as well tag along to this thread for now instead of creating my own (but can't promise I won't create one when I'm actually ready to go through with things!)
I currently have a 2003 Volvo S60 2.0T and a 2006 L322 4.4 petrol as my daily drivers (in addition to my Z4) and am very quickly becoming aware that two dailies is simply not a sustainable proposition for me. I also very much wouldn't be able to afford to run solely the L322 as a daily (11mpg around town will do that!), but the Volvo takes a mild hit in the practicality stakes as an "ideal daily" thanks to it's saloon boot and manual gearbox.
Not that that really matters for the overwhelming majority of the year - I'm a single guy with no children/pets and only really get the practicality benefits when I either do a big tip run or go camping.
Now, I obviously need to do the sensible thing first and get a damn sight more use out of both of these cars before I get rid of either, with hopefully minimal spend along the way. The Volvo currently runs me at 65p/mile (albeit with basically everything on it sorted now, expecting to basically spend nothing on it now beyond maybe a wheel alignment til its MOT in April) and the Range Rover at 58p/mile (with a fair amount of work still needing doing).
Both calcs assume zero depreciation which is obviously a pipe dream but that's the thing with depreciation - it doesn't actually become a cost until you get rid!
Of course, it's also costing me nearly twice as much fuel-wise to do miles in the RR. 18.5mpg combined in the RR vs 32.5 in the Volvo (OBC readings, unverified)
So, with that said - I'd be looking for a not-too-needy daily to do 10k ish miles pa with the following characteristics to hit that blend between the two but could possibly make some compromises:
- Estate or hatchback
- Automatic
- 5 or more cylinder petrol engine
- Good parts availability at reasonable prices (I'm happy with the prices for OE/OEM Volvo parts and using Autodoc to procure them)
- 20mpg urban, 30mpg+ extra urban. My M135i averaged 27 over mixed driving, I'd be happy with that.
- not top insurance/tax bands (post-2006)
- comfortable ride with a modicum of handling and heated seating
- decent quality interior
- decent factory sound system
- cruise control
- parking sensors
Budget is flexible all the way up to £15k at the moment - I'd be happy to pay more for something in good condition that'd hold it's value. But I'm also happy to buy something at the lower end of the market and put a bit of money into bringing it up to scratch.
I'm currently thinking the likes of:
S211 V6 petrol (rare and most are seemingly E350s in top 2006-on tax bracket)
P2 V70 T5 (maybe a bit too similar to my S60 which is no bad thing but I'd probably not feel amazing doing all the same jobs on the V70 that I've done on the S60 this year)
P3 V70 T6 (rare-ish and probably a bit too thirsty)
Pushing the boat out for a B8.5 S4 Avant
BMWs are probably a no-go because of the absolute nightmare that they are finding the right one spec-wise.
I currently have a 2003 Volvo S60 2.0T and a 2006 L322 4.4 petrol as my daily drivers (in addition to my Z4) and am very quickly becoming aware that two dailies is simply not a sustainable proposition for me. I also very much wouldn't be able to afford to run solely the L322 as a daily (11mpg around town will do that!), but the Volvo takes a mild hit in the practicality stakes as an "ideal daily" thanks to it's saloon boot and manual gearbox.
Not that that really matters for the overwhelming majority of the year - I'm a single guy with no children/pets and only really get the practicality benefits when I either do a big tip run or go camping.
Now, I obviously need to do the sensible thing first and get a damn sight more use out of both of these cars before I get rid of either, with hopefully minimal spend along the way. The Volvo currently runs me at 65p/mile (albeit with basically everything on it sorted now, expecting to basically spend nothing on it now beyond maybe a wheel alignment til its MOT in April) and the Range Rover at 58p/mile (with a fair amount of work still needing doing).
Both calcs assume zero depreciation which is obviously a pipe dream but that's the thing with depreciation - it doesn't actually become a cost until you get rid!
Of course, it's also costing me nearly twice as much fuel-wise to do miles in the RR. 18.5mpg combined in the RR vs 32.5 in the Volvo (OBC readings, unverified)
So, with that said - I'd be looking for a not-too-needy daily to do 10k ish miles pa with the following characteristics to hit that blend between the two but could possibly make some compromises:
- Estate or hatchback
- Automatic
- 5 or more cylinder petrol engine
- Good parts availability at reasonable prices (I'm happy with the prices for OE/OEM Volvo parts and using Autodoc to procure them)
- 20mpg urban, 30mpg+ extra urban. My M135i averaged 27 over mixed driving, I'd be happy with that.
- not top insurance/tax bands (post-2006)
- comfortable ride with a modicum of handling and heated seating
- decent quality interior
- decent factory sound system
- cruise control
- parking sensors
Budget is flexible all the way up to £15k at the moment - I'd be happy to pay more for something in good condition that'd hold it's value. But I'm also happy to buy something at the lower end of the market and put a bit of money into bringing it up to scratch.
I'm currently thinking the likes of:
S211 V6 petrol (rare and most are seemingly E350s in top 2006-on tax bracket)
P2 V70 T5 (maybe a bit too similar to my S60 which is no bad thing but I'd probably not feel amazing doing all the same jobs on the V70 that I've done on the S60 this year)
P3 V70 T6 (rare-ish and probably a bit too thirsty)
Pushing the boat out for a B8.5 S4 Avant
BMWs are probably a no-go because of the absolute nightmare that they are finding the right one spec-wise.
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