Next car trouble (featuring girlfriend)

[Alexnorthlondon]

I bought a new property back in October during lockdown and didn't really have the excuse of still owning my car - so, with a heavy heart, it was sold. Since then, I've been pottering around in my girlfriends '03 KA, which is on death's door and not the last word in fun.

Fast forward, and I'm settled into the property and will be going back into the office once a week - a 100-and-something mile round trip.

Since selling my last car, I've always wanted an M235i, but now that the KA is about to die I've got to get something that my girlfriend can also use. So now I find myself in a predicament, something fun yet partner-friendly.

As always, it seems like the MK 7 GTI is the answer. However, my previous cars include a Fiesta ST, Cupra 280 and Guilietta, which are all front wheel drive. For that reason, I think it's time for RWD, but it does make it harder to tick all the boxes.

My budget is flexible, but around the £10k mark. However, with the current state of the used market, I'm also open to a lease - but it must be under £300 and no more than 2/3 years.

If it helps, I'm 27 years old, no kids.

Thanks in advance.

[ZX10R NIN]

You do understand a lease will be on a new car, now you can get finance on a used model but you'd be better off applying for a personal loan as you'll normally get a better rate of interest.

Your girlfriend will be able to drive anything you want if it's to be RWD then you still have decent options:

370 GT

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202103240...

Infiniti G37

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202107024...

E350 Sport

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202105112...

330i

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202103130...

135i

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202103170...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202104181...

428i

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202106274...

335i

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202106183...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202103099...

Now if the OH doesn't like any of those options I'd take out a small loan & drop her into one of these.

DS3 DStyle Plus

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202106224...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202106244...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202106173...

DSport 150

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202107034...

208 Allure

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202006180...

[Tyre Smoke]

MX5

Obviously.

[Belle427]

Get the 235 and educate her on how to use her right foot!

[liner33]

You won't get a 235 for £10k

What about the Octavia vrs petrol or diesel really

[DodgyGeezer]

350 SLK would seem quite s good option. Coupe/convertible, decent performance/economy, comfortable, well sized..... get one before kids arrive

[JS2808]

Why can't she drive a 235i?

[edthefed]

In order to make an informed decision photos of said girlfriend are required......

[Alexnorthlondon]

JS2808 said:

Why can't she drive a 235i?

The size is fine, but she's never driven something powerful before. I also think that the insurance would be too much for her. I have looked at the 228i etc for this reason, but I'm not sure how I would feel knowing I didn't have the one I truly wanted - although I've heard good things about it.

[Alexnorthlondon]

Tyre Smoke said:

MX5

Obviously.

Of course! This is actually her favourite choice at the moment. I lean more towards the GT86 for a little more power, but the MX5 is a bit more refined.

[Monkeylegend]

I see this thread is already living up to the "Overused PH cliche" thread

[sociopath]

Alexnorthlondon said:

JS2808 said:

Why can't she drive a 235i?

The size is fine, but she's never driven something powerful before. I also think that the insurance would be too much for her. I have looked at the 228i etc for this reason, but I'm not sure how I would feel knowing I didn't have the one I truly wanted - although I've heard good things about it.

pH member in sexism shocker.

[pb8g09]

Hardly sexism. If his Dorris has been driving around in a Ford Ka with as much power as a lawnmower with a manual gearbox, then she will be in for a shock ramming her right foot down in the same manner in an auto with 320bhp+. The fact it’s a she and not a he is irrelevant, you’d say the same if it were a man.

[ScoobyChris]

A 235i is pretty dosile unless you drive it with lead boots and ham fists and turn off all the driver aids (and she’ll only do that the once ).

Sure she’ll be fine!

Chris

[sociopath]

pb8g09 said:

Hardly sexism. If his Dorris has been driving around in a Ford Ka with as much power as a lawnmower with a manual gearbox, then she will be in for a shock ramming her right foot down in the same manner in an auto with 320bhp+. The fact it’s a she and not a he is irrelevant, you’d say the same if it were a man.

Why would she ram her foot down? Because she's a woman with a small brain?

It's only a BMW he's talking about, not particularly powerful or lightweight.

I bet she'd use the indicators properly too

[Alexnorthlondon]

sociopath said:

pH member in sexism shocker.

Her words, not mine. No one should go from a small 1 litre FWD to over 300hp RWD. It's plain dangerous.

[liner33]

ScoobyChris said:

A 235i is pretty dosile unless you drive it with lead boots and ham fists and turn off all the driver aids (and she’ll only do that the once ).

Sure she’ll be fine!

Chris

Only on ph would a coupe with 350hp and 245 rear tyres be called docile .

[aizvara]

Alexnorthlondon said:

Her words, not mine. No one should go from a small 1 litre FWD to over 300hp RWD. It's plain dangerous.

Not quite the same but I went from FWD learner driver corsa ecoflex diesel to a moderately (200ish) powerful 3 series (with extra low grip tyres) RWD 3 series as a first car.
I think in normal driving RWD feels different but not enough to require major changes to driving style. 300hp is obviously noticeable, but most cars aren't twitchy, binary throttle nightmares.
My current 350z is really easy to drive fast or slow for anyone and will let you know that you are pushing too hard - which takes conscious effort. A BMW would be even easier I reckon.
The biggest difference is going to be how to react when you lose control - ice or similar - but that's something that only comes with practice regardless of car configuration and power.

TLDR: I reckon normal RWD cars of the last fifteen to twenty years with 300hp are not difficult to drive.

[Pica-Pica]

Alexnorthlondon said:

JS2808 said:

Why can't she drive a 235i?

The size is fine, but she's never driven something powerful before. I also think that the insurance would be too much for her. I have looked at the 228i etc for this reason, but I'm not sure how I would feel knowing I didn't have the one I truly wanted - although I've heard good things about it.

Driven properly, a more powerful car keeps you out of trouble, rather than gets you into. Examples, are changing lanes, exiting junctions, using roundabouts, etc.

[Chainsaw Rebuild]

Can you not get the car of your choice and leave her to her KA?

Then you could have say an MX5 for fun and she could have the KA for when you need a bit more space.