Car Strategy - Help!
Discussion
Hi All,
Like many of us petrol heads I am constantly on the hunt for the next car, however, I am currently stuck on how to approach the family automotive line up.
I have just sold my W204 C63, my 'back up' car is an L320 Range Rover Sport (AJV8) which is now my daily car. My wife has a Honda CRV which is great for her and the children, but I cannot stand driving it.
Apart from commuting to the station my main driving is taking my children out at weekends, they are young but budding petrol heads and love the noise and acceleration so I'd like the next car to be capable of comfortably accommodating them.
We live in a village with next to no public transport so a car is essential for getting to the station/school every day, I like to have a third car of some sort in case of break downs/no courtesy car etc.
The C63 was great, the engine is a work of art. I did find the seats very uncomfortable and very little in the way of leg room for my two sons in the back. (I'm 6ft 4 and 17st). Before this was a B8 S4 which I loved.
Next year I will be going on a road trip to Scotland with friends and would like a car capable of being fun for this.
I have the current cars and £20k to add in, I've never financed a car and often wonder if I'm missing a trick. Id imagine the L320 isn't worth much say £4k and the CRV about £8k.
The above is as clear as mud so in summary
- I have a 2006 L320 and 2016 Honda CRV plus £20K
- I'd like three cars, one for my wife that is practical and reliable for the school run, a back up car and something fun to drive that can fit the kids in but capable of being a good tool for a road trip/possible occasional track day.
Having written the above I probably need to keep the CRV as my wife's car, man up and drive it when required. Keep the L320 as a back up car. Get an E90 saloon m3/rs4 type car.
I have had great advice on here before and at pistonheads so thought it would see what people think!?
Thanks and apologies for waffling
Like many of us petrol heads I am constantly on the hunt for the next car, however, I am currently stuck on how to approach the family automotive line up.
I have just sold my W204 C63, my 'back up' car is an L320 Range Rover Sport (AJV8) which is now my daily car. My wife has a Honda CRV which is great for her and the children, but I cannot stand driving it.
Apart from commuting to the station my main driving is taking my children out at weekends, they are young but budding petrol heads and love the noise and acceleration so I'd like the next car to be capable of comfortably accommodating them.
We live in a village with next to no public transport so a car is essential for getting to the station/school every day, I like to have a third car of some sort in case of break downs/no courtesy car etc.
The C63 was great, the engine is a work of art. I did find the seats very uncomfortable and very little in the way of leg room for my two sons in the back. (I'm 6ft 4 and 17st). Before this was a B8 S4 which I loved.
Next year I will be going on a road trip to Scotland with friends and would like a car capable of being fun for this.
I have the current cars and £20k to add in, I've never financed a car and often wonder if I'm missing a trick. Id imagine the L320 isn't worth much say £4k and the CRV about £8k.
The above is as clear as mud so in summary
- I have a 2006 L320 and 2016 Honda CRV plus £20K
- I'd like three cars, one for my wife that is practical and reliable for the school run, a back up car and something fun to drive that can fit the kids in but capable of being a good tool for a road trip/possible occasional track day.
Having written the above I probably need to keep the CRV as my wife's car, man up and drive it when required. Keep the L320 as a back up car. Get an E90 saloon m3/rs4 type car.
I have had great advice on here before and at pistonheads so thought it would see what people think!?
Thanks and apologies for waffling
As you say keep everything & then maybe finance another 5k to add to your 20k budget & they go & find the best E/CLS63/M5/6 you can find tor your budget.
The reason I say these over an M3/4 is that rear legroom won't be great in this segment of car whereas the cars above hit the brief perfectly.
5.5 E63:
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202505192...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202510086...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202510107...
CLS:
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202510157...
M6 GC:
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202507314...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202508205...
M5:
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202510097...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202509306...
The reason I say these over an M3/4 is that rear legroom won't be great in this segment of car whereas the cars above hit the brief perfectly.
5.5 E63:
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202505192...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202510086...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202510107...
CLS:
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202510157...
M6 GC:
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202507314...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202508205...
M5:
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202510097...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202509306...
If the W204 is too small in the back, that suggests you need quite a bit of space in the 'fun' car, which is always tricky to achieve.
I'd be tempted by the older gen M5/M6 with the V10, feels like these are closer to a sports car with space for four than the subsequent model.
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202510197...
The other one would be the Maserati GranTurismo, or perhaps Quattroporte if you really need more space
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202509236...
Finally the mk1 Panamera is ugly but meant to be a good drive, might be worth considering.
These are all brave pills, but kinda goes with the territory, and arguably the kind of risk/reward that the owner of an old Range Rover will take in his stride
I'd be tempted by the older gen M5/M6 with the V10, feels like these are closer to a sports car with space for four than the subsequent model.
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202510197...
The other one would be the Maserati GranTurismo, or perhaps Quattroporte if you really need more space
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202509236...
Finally the mk1 Panamera is ugly but meant to be a good drive, might be worth considering.
These are all brave pills, but kinda goes with the territory, and arguably the kind of risk/reward that the owner of an old Range Rover will take in his stride
Thank you both, great suggestions! I hadn’t even considered a CLS or M6 and the E60 M5 is a car I’ve always admired. Funnily enough I almost bought an F10 M5 once but a friends let go in spectacular fashion and put me off at the time.
I’m quite happy with the brave pills as long as I have a back up, even if it is the Range Rover, one has to work at a time surely!
I’m quite happy with the brave pills as long as I have a back up, even if it is the Range Rover, one has to work at a time surely!
What about this gorgeous Maserati Quattroporte GTS fitted with a 530 bhp variant of the Tipo F154 3.8 V8 twin turbo, as featured in the Ferrari SF90, F8 Tributo, 488, etc
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202509296...
Need more space, power and grip? Here's an Audi RS6 Avant
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202509246...
One more Italian - Alfa Romeo Giulia Quadrifoglio
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202510187...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202509296...
Need more space, power and grip? Here's an Audi RS6 Avant
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202509246...
One more Italian - Alfa Romeo Giulia Quadrifoglio
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202510187...
I guess it depends how much risk you’re prepared to take but I’d probably gravitate toward an e39 M5 over an E60. Both will require upkeep but I feel the e39 would be more predictable and dependable if bought well. Very special cars and plenty of space. There might be the odd E39/E60/F10 Alpina knocking around as well.
At the other end of the risk scale, Lexus GS-F’s are hovering around £30k now if some budget stretch is on the table.
Wild card option, jag x351 XJR? Proper brute in a suit.
At the other end of the risk scale, Lexus GS-F’s are hovering around £30k now if some budget stretch is on the table.
Wild card option, jag x351 XJR? Proper brute in a suit.
Thank you all, I have just spent a very enjoyable couple of hours watching reviews on YouTube and listings.
I had never considered the Alfa Romeo and it is definitely a strong contender now! I love the E39 M5 and had considered them out of range for a good one but there are a couple out there by the look if. I once drove a friend’s in Germany, it was very impressive.
RS6 also a very good call, I like the C7 which would require a little more saving for a good one.
The Maserati looks amazing, I know very little about these but am currently resolving this!
The Jaguar is good suggestion, maybe a little large for the road trips but has lead me to the XFR, I’ll take a look at both.
Going to get the calculator out and look at increasing the budget a bit!
I had never considered the Alfa Romeo and it is definitely a strong contender now! I love the E39 M5 and had considered them out of range for a good one but there are a couple out there by the look if. I once drove a friend’s in Germany, it was very impressive.
RS6 also a very good call, I like the C7 which would require a little more saving for a good one.
The Maserati looks amazing, I know very little about these but am currently resolving this!
The Jaguar is good suggestion, maybe a little large for the road trips but has lead me to the XFR, I’ll take a look at both.
Going to get the calculator out and look at increasing the budget a bit!
If you're going to up the budget then take a good look at the GS-F:
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202508055...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202507294...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202508055...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202507294...
samoht said:
Quattroporte V write-up / buying guide
https://www.evo.co.uk/maserati/quattroporte/6204/m...
I posted the later Quattroporte VI, not a V. Much more sorted in terms of engine, gearbox, suspension. https://www.evo.co.uk/maserati/quattroporte/6204/m...
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