What to do?

[T84]

Looking at getting a new car as there are a few niggling problems on my old Focus which would add up to quite a bit to fix.

Not too sure what to do though, I run a motorbike as well as my car so I have that for a bit of excitement, and I can imagine if I get a fast car as well I'm going to be paying a fortune to keep both running.

So what do you think? Something boring to run alongside the bike? Or something a bit better...

It would be used as a daily driver and trips out with the missus, interior quality would be important but I'm not too sure on the budget... I was looking at finance with whatever I can get for my Focus as a deposit (Maybe around £1kish)...

I went to look at a Focus ST-3 this weekend and as lovely as it was I don't really want to spend £10,000 on a car when I've got a bike that would be infinitely more fun!

I don't think bangernomics are for me either as all the niggly things just piss me off...

Any thoughts? I do about 8,000 miles a year so derv power isn't really something that I'm interested in...

[T84]

Edit to add that I quite like:

ST220
330Ci
Focus ST
Volvo C70

Would something like this list be a good shout?

As said before, I don't NEED a powerful engine as I have a bike, but I don't want something dull as ditchwater either

[soad]

Test drive a few or some from those on your shortlist?
Perhaps will make it easier to decide then.

[T84]

I've driven an ST220 and really liked it, I just don't know if there's any point in getting one if I've got a bike that will kill it dead anyway, damn decisions!

[pilchardthecat]

T84 said:

Edit to add that I quite like:

ST220
330Ci
Focus ST
Volvo C70

Would something like this list be a good shout?

As said before, I don't NEED a powerful engine as I have a bike, but I don't want something dull as ditchwater either

The 330 has a nice straight 6, and is RWD so it's an obvious choice out of those 4

[soad]

To be fair, fast motorbikes would outperform most things on the road - I wouldn't worry about that.

[pilchardthecat]

soad said:

To be fair, fast motorbikes would outperform most things on the road - I wouldn't worry about that.

Yeah but they're really dangerous and you get wet and cold and stuff

/runs away

[T84]

soad said:

To be fair, fast motorbikes would outperform most things on the road - I wouldn't worry about that.

Aye, I'm just not sure if it's pissing money away for nothing though, because that's two lots of servicing, parts, etc, for two powerful-ish vehicles.

[TommyBuoy]

BMW would be my choice - as above, your bike will leave them all for dead so that shouldn't worry you.

How about a convertible, that way you won't get wet and cold when it rains!

• Follows Pilchard out of the building**

ETA - does your car need to be practical?

Edited by TommyBuoy on Monday 6th September 15:31

[T84]

TommyBuoy said:

ETA - does your car need to be practical?

No more practical than say, a Fiesta, reasonable boot space, room for 4, not into 2 seaters

Edited by T84 on Monday 6th September 15:46

[Mr Will]

Since you have a bike there is only one logical option...

Barge!

[T84]

Mr Will said:

Since you have a bike there is only one logical option...

Barge!

Barge sounds good to me! I don't want to get completely ruined on running costs though, which is what puts me off a barge

[Mr Will]

T84 said:

Mr Will said:

Since you have a bike there is only one logical option...

Barge!

Barge sounds good to me! I don't want to get completely ruined on running costs though, which is what puts me off a barge

A 530 won't cost any more to run than a 330, but will get you more space, comfort, toys, etc.

You can always drop your budget a little and keep some as a reserve fund if you want to take a bit more of a gamble. What is your annual mileage?

[soad]

Mr Will said:

What is your annual mileage?

T84 said:

I do about 8,000 miles a year so derv power isn't really something that I'm interested in...

[T84]

I suppose the big question that I keep going back to in my head is "Do I really need to spend money on a new car"

But if we only bought what we needed, I suppose it would be a dull existance indeed...

[Steameh]

I'd steer clear of a 330 BMW. Vastly overrated in my opinion.

[T84]

Right ignore that, ST220's are still stupid money to insure, so 330Ci's and stuff are likely to be as well...

Are Diesels cheaper to insure? Looking for bang for buck really...

[anonymous-user]

How about a 325i?

Will do 0-60 in about 7 seconds but should be a fair amount cheaper to insure than a 330i

[T84]

Think if an ST220 is going to cost loads then anything RWD will!

Tempted just to get a 2.0 diesel Focus...

[GreatGranny]

This

http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/2020315.htm

Waft - tastic!