Looking for new toy £30k-40k - advice needed
Discussion
Hi All,
New to the forums. I'm in the market for a new toy, especially wanting to take advantage of the current downturn of the used car market before it bounces back up. I've been car obsessed all my life, but not actually owned a car since I sold my first car (2009 Seat Ibiza 1.2 S) basically 10 years ago. I've been living and working in central London since then so it's not been easy to justify the cost and hassle of a toy in the city given it's a 100% evening and weekend fun thing only.
I'm recently 30 and am wanting to buy something again finally after 10 years not owning a car. Having spent weeks in spreadsheets and modelling various funding methods out, I've decided (for now at least) that this will be a part cash + personal loan purchase, rather than a PCP, HP or lease. I'm looking in the £30k-40k region at used cars and am pretty much decided on 2 finalists, quite different cars admittedly and one is definitely a head purchase, one is heart purchase:
- F87 BMW M2 Comp (head)
- Jaguar F-Type S or R old gen pre-facelift (heart)
Wanted to ask if anyone knows of any huge red flags, either in annual running costs / maintenance, residuals and depreciation, insurance, theft / security, or anything else that which means I should totally avoid either one? I know the F-type will likely be more expensive to run and might go wrong more, the M2 is better car objectively all around, the tech inside is newer etc - just didn't realise I could get into an F-Type at that cost with not too many miles, and there's a semi sentimental reason for the F-Type which I won't bore anyone with on here.
I'm sure anyone reading might be screaming at me saying "Why not a Cayman"? It's a very fair question - I do like the Cayman and it's an objectively great car, but for my budget looking on Autotrader I couldn't see any decent examples of the larger engine & more power that I would like, I could only see very high mileage, 2.7L, sub 300 bhp very old ones. It seems the amount of M2 comp you can buy for the same money seriously outweights a similarly priced Cayman.
Again - appreciate if anyone has any insights before I start making serious enquiries on some listings.
Many Thanks
New to the forums. I'm in the market for a new toy, especially wanting to take advantage of the current downturn of the used car market before it bounces back up. I've been car obsessed all my life, but not actually owned a car since I sold my first car (2009 Seat Ibiza 1.2 S) basically 10 years ago. I've been living and working in central London since then so it's not been easy to justify the cost and hassle of a toy in the city given it's a 100% evening and weekend fun thing only.
I'm recently 30 and am wanting to buy something again finally after 10 years not owning a car. Having spent weeks in spreadsheets and modelling various funding methods out, I've decided (for now at least) that this will be a part cash + personal loan purchase, rather than a PCP, HP or lease. I'm looking in the £30k-40k region at used cars and am pretty much decided on 2 finalists, quite different cars admittedly and one is definitely a head purchase, one is heart purchase:
- F87 BMW M2 Comp (head)
- Jaguar F-Type S or R old gen pre-facelift (heart)
Wanted to ask if anyone knows of any huge red flags, either in annual running costs / maintenance, residuals and depreciation, insurance, theft / security, or anything else that which means I should totally avoid either one? I know the F-type will likely be more expensive to run and might go wrong more, the M2 is better car objectively all around, the tech inside is newer etc - just didn't realise I could get into an F-Type at that cost with not too many miles, and there's a semi sentimental reason for the F-Type which I won't bore anyone with on here.
I'm sure anyone reading might be screaming at me saying "Why not a Cayman"? It's a very fair question - I do like the Cayman and it's an objectively great car, but for my budget looking on Autotrader I couldn't see any decent examples of the larger engine & more power that I would like, I could only see very high mileage, 2.7L, sub 300 bhp very old ones. It seems the amount of M2 comp you can buy for the same money seriously outweights a similarly priced Cayman.
Again - appreciate if anyone has any insights before I start making serious enquiries on some listings.
Many Thanks
M2 would be better at pretty much everything and yet it is just so utterly plain and unexciting when compared to the F-Type.
Whilst the whole market is dropping a bit at the moment, I'm seeing a lot of nice F-Types appearing for sale on the owners clubs and a nice AWD V8 can be picked up for well under your top end budget.
If you went the F-Type route I would strictly look at AWD models, the positioning of the bonnet vents on the original RWD models meant that water tended to sit in the engine bay and seized injectors are a relatively costly and common issue for these. Whilst AWD might sound like it'll take away too much fun, I've happily had mine be tail-happy when pushed correctly. It's one of the few cars to have managed to put a smile on my face on just about every drive I've taken in it.
I genuinely wouldn't say that the F-Type would be any more expensive to run than an M2, the M premium paid on servicing and parts is just as, if not more, punishing as using a Jag main dealer for the F. Consumables will all be similar and items like the supercharger belt are only replaced every 8years. Whilst I wouldn't want to run one on a shoe string, it hasn't cost me anything near what I'd expected when taking it on.
Whilst the whole market is dropping a bit at the moment, I'm seeing a lot of nice F-Types appearing for sale on the owners clubs and a nice AWD V8 can be picked up for well under your top end budget.
If you went the F-Type route I would strictly look at AWD models, the positioning of the bonnet vents on the original RWD models meant that water tended to sit in the engine bay and seized injectors are a relatively costly and common issue for these. Whilst AWD might sound like it'll take away too much fun, I've happily had mine be tail-happy when pushed correctly. It's one of the few cars to have managed to put a smile on my face on just about every drive I've taken in it.
I genuinely wouldn't say that the F-Type would be any more expensive to run than an M2, the M premium paid on servicing and parts is just as, if not more, punishing as using a Jag main dealer for the F. Consumables will all be similar and items like the supercharger belt are only replaced every 8years. Whilst I wouldn't want to run one on a shoe string, it hasn't cost me anything near what I'd expected when taking it on.
I think most will agree that the M2 is an exceptional sports saloon. Much has been documented on here about what great value they are following a big drop in Q4, which appears to be insurance premium related.
The F Type is a thoroughbred sports/GT car, rather than a hot saloon, and was considerably more expensive when new. If you don't need to compromise, for me, it has to be the Jag.
The F Type is a thoroughbred sports/GT car, rather than a hot saloon, and was considerably more expensive when new. If you don't need to compromise, for me, it has to be the Jag.
gc301 said:
Hi All,
New to the forums. I'm in the market for a new toy, especially wanting to take advantage of the current downturn of the used car market before it bounces back up. I've been car obsessed all my life, but not actually owned a car since I sold my first car (2009 Seat Ibiza 1.2 S) basically 10 years ago. I've been living and working in central London since then so it's not been easy to justify the cost and hassle of a toy in the city given it's a 100% evening and weekend fun thing only.
I'm recently 30 and am wanting to buy something again finally after 10 years not owning a car. Having spent weeks in spreadsheets and modelling various funding methods out, I've decided (for now at least) that this will be a part cash + personal loan purchase, rather than a PCP, HP or lease. I'm looking in the £30k-40k region at used cars and am pretty much decided on 2 finalists, quite different cars admittedly and one is definitely a head purchase, one is heart purchase:
- F87 BMW M2 Comp (head)
- Jaguar F-Type S or R old gen pre-facelift (heart)
Wanted to ask if anyone knows of any huge red flags, either in annual running costs / maintenance, residuals and depreciation, insurance, theft / security, or anything else that which means I should totally avoid either one? I know the F-type will likely be more expensive to run and might go wrong more, the M2 is better car objectively all around, the tech inside is newer etc - just didn't realise I could get into an F-Type at that cost with not too many miles, and there's a semi sentimental reason for the F-Type which I won't bore anyone with on here.
I'm sure anyone reading might be screaming at me saying "Why not a Cayman"? It's a very fair question - I do like the Cayman and it's an objectively great car, but for my budget looking on Autotrader I couldn't see any decent examples of the larger engine & more power that I would like, I could only see very high mileage, 2.7L, sub 300 bhp very old ones. It seems the amount of M2 comp you can buy for the same money seriously outweights a similarly priced Cayman.
Again - appreciate if anyone has any insights before I start making serious enquiries on some listings.
Many Thanks
Are you on street parking?New to the forums. I'm in the market for a new toy, especially wanting to take advantage of the current downturn of the used car market before it bounces back up. I've been car obsessed all my life, but not actually owned a car since I sold my first car (2009 Seat Ibiza 1.2 S) basically 10 years ago. I've been living and working in central London since then so it's not been easy to justify the cost and hassle of a toy in the city given it's a 100% evening and weekend fun thing only.
I'm recently 30 and am wanting to buy something again finally after 10 years not owning a car. Having spent weeks in spreadsheets and modelling various funding methods out, I've decided (for now at least) that this will be a part cash + personal loan purchase, rather than a PCP, HP or lease. I'm looking in the £30k-40k region at used cars and am pretty much decided on 2 finalists, quite different cars admittedly and one is definitely a head purchase, one is heart purchase:
- F87 BMW M2 Comp (head)
- Jaguar F-Type S or R old gen pre-facelift (heart)
Wanted to ask if anyone knows of any huge red flags, either in annual running costs / maintenance, residuals and depreciation, insurance, theft / security, or anything else that which means I should totally avoid either one? I know the F-type will likely be more expensive to run and might go wrong more, the M2 is better car objectively all around, the tech inside is newer etc - just didn't realise I could get into an F-Type at that cost with not too many miles, and there's a semi sentimental reason for the F-Type which I won't bore anyone with on here.
I'm sure anyone reading might be screaming at me saying "Why not a Cayman"? It's a very fair question - I do like the Cayman and it's an objectively great car, but for my budget looking on Autotrader I couldn't see any decent examples of the larger engine & more power that I would like, I could only see very high mileage, 2.7L, sub 300 bhp very old ones. It seems the amount of M2 comp you can buy for the same money seriously outweights a similarly priced Cayman.
Again - appreciate if anyone has any insights before I start making serious enquiries on some listings.
Many Thanks
The bmw is a scroat magnet and a way higher prospect to return to and find its missing its lights, bodykit/bumpers, seats steering wheel, wheels etc.
So I’d go F Type. But I’d also drive a Mustang GT before buying.
I had a pax ride in a Type R V8 recently.
I can't remember the last time I got out of car laughing so hard at how utterly ridiculous and fun it was. Absolute and unadulterated theatre.
An M2 will be a better all rounder and handle better... But it won't make you smile as much.
The unknown is whether the theatre gets old?
TBH with that budget though... 911 with sports exhaust.
I can't remember the last time I got out of car laughing so hard at how utterly ridiculous and fun it was. Absolute and unadulterated theatre.
An M2 will be a better all rounder and handle better... But it won't make you smile as much.
The unknown is whether the theatre gets old?
TBH with that budget though... 911 with sports exhaust.
Thanks for everyone's replies. Had a few days to mull over and read various forums both on PH but also on the respective M2 / F-Type forum sites as well. I'm likely going for the F-Type R. An AWD would be the preference due to above said concerns with the bonnet vent issues, though for now it seems Autotrader doesn't have hardly any AWD R's in my preferred spec (either white, red or grey, pan roof) for much under 40k.
So trying to weigh up if it's much of a problem to pick up an earlier RWD V8 car for up to 8-10k less.
To answer 2 questions asked:
- I've run insurance quotes on the F-Type R, whilst it's a high sum it's not a shock and is an amount I've already priced in and budgeted for
- The car will be stored in secure underground parking under my apartment block.
Thanks all for inputs!
So trying to weigh up if it's much of a problem to pick up an earlier RWD V8 car for up to 8-10k less.
To answer 2 questions asked:
- I've run insurance quotes on the F-Type R, whilst it's a high sum it's not a shock and is an amount I've already priced in and budgeted for
- The car will be stored in secure underground parking under my apartment block.
Thanks all for inputs!
Just to add another option....
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202401205...
Alfa Romeo 4C. Looks and goes like a mini supercar. Rare. Reliable and relatively easy to maintain.
Fabulous little cars
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202401205...
Alfa Romeo 4C. Looks and goes like a mini supercar. Rare. Reliable and relatively easy to maintain.
Fabulous little cars
gc301 said:
Thanks for everyone's replies. Had a few days to mull over and read various forums both on PH but also on the respective M2 / F-Type forum sites as well. I'm likely going for the F-Type R. An AWD would be the preference due to above said concerns with the bonnet vent issues, though for now it seems Autotrader doesn't have hardly any AWD R's in my preferred spec (either white, red or grey, pan roof) for much under 40k.
So trying to weigh up if it's much of a problem to pick up an earlier RWD V8 car for up to 8-10k less.
To answer 2 questions asked:
- I've run insurance quotes on the F-Type R, whilst it's a high sum it's not a shock and is an amount I've already priced in and budgeted for
- The car will be stored in secure underground parking under my apartment block.
Thanks all for inputs!
In general, when the posts around seized injectors pop up on the owners' groups the consensus tends to be that it's a £2-3.5k job, not ideal but also not something ruinous. The most common scenario in which this seems to happen is vehicles which are kept outside, uncovered and only used occasionally. Water is able to sit in the engine bay for longer periods of time as less usage means less heat cycles to evaporate the water. This is where people get stung occasionally with low mileage, good condition cars and then it turns the injectors are completely seized and it's a pain.So trying to weigh up if it's much of a problem to pick up an earlier RWD V8 car for up to 8-10k less.
To answer 2 questions asked:
- I've run insurance quotes on the F-Type R, whilst it's a high sum it's not a shock and is an amount I've already priced in and budgeted for
- The car will be stored in secure underground parking under my apartment block.
Thanks all for inputs!
I use mine year round and so, aside from the injector issue, AWD was also something I was wanting for the practicality aspect and I enjoy the driving experience. If that doesn't bother you and your usage also wouldn't follow the above example where the seized injectors tend to occur then I'd certainly go for it.
Based on what's currently on AT with your criteria, I'd be looking at this one: https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202401165...
Dependant on how much you care for the machine gun-esque soundtrack out of the rear, you could also go for a facelifted V8 F-Type within your budget and get a more refined interior with less VNH on longer drives: https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202401035...
That white pre-facelift one is basically my perfect spec (although missing a pan roof). I'm not as keen on the newest facelift with the new lights (personally) - so the above is absolutely in my target list.
I've got the chrome plugin that shows price changes on the listings with their dates, this is a new listing and it's priced highly compared to some others from dealers that have the pan roof (but in less desirable colours), so will monitor the price tracker on this one to see if they're unable to shift it and have to bump the price down
Thanks
I've got the chrome plugin that shows price changes on the listings with their dates, this is a new listing and it's priced highly compared to some others from dealers that have the pan roof (but in less desirable colours), so will monitor the price tracker on this one to see if they're unable to shift it and have to bump the price down
Thanks
Sorry, I missed the pano roof.
Despite being quite short myself, the pano roof was an absolute must-have for my spec, the cabin felt quite claustrophobic without it and having experienced both on test drives it was an area I wasn't willing to compromise on.
Best of luck on the hunt, if I see any nice R's pop up on the owners' groups I'll send them over to you.
Despite being quite short myself, the pano roof was an absolute must-have for my spec, the cabin felt quite claustrophobic without it and having experienced both on test drives it was an area I wasn't willing to compromise on.
Best of luck on the hunt, if I see any nice R's pop up on the owners' groups I'll send them over to you.
Gassing Station | Car Buying | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff