Cars with good liquidity - 15k

[I.miss.my.old.cars]

Hello all,
I need to get a car as someone decided to write off my current one.
The plan was to linger on my current/ex car until a possible promotion planned for 12 months which would come with a company car.
So I have to car shop whilst not wanting to - unprecedented situation for me.
Whilst I want something to get me around in a year, I also want something nicer than a Focus/Golf/Astra, but also need to be quick to sell.
Budget is 12.5k with some margin - thinking of going for a 3 series as they seem to be popular on the used car market.
Any other cars I should be looking at?
And for the 3 series - any versions to avoid - liquidity wise? I'd like a petrol, but driving 13k/yr I could make a 320d work.

Former cas was a 2018 Insignia estate (I know, but it was an Elite Nav so it was decent to live with)

[Wilmslowboy]

For years my go to car for stop gaps was a Golf GTI.

Plenty around to be able to buy a good one, and pretty well spec'ed from the factory so no issues with 'missing options' (come resale time).

[ZX10R NIN]

I.miss.my.old.cars said:

Hello all,
I need to get a car as someone decided to write off my current one.
The plan was to linger on my current/ex car until a possible promotion planned for 12 months which would come with a company car.
So I have to car shop whilst not wanting to - unprecedented situation for me.
Whilst I want something to get me around in a year, I also want something nicer than a Focus/Golf/Astra, but also need to be quick to sell.
Budget is 12.5k with some margin - thinking of going for a 3 series as they seem to be popular on the used car market.
Any other cars I should be looking at?
And for the 3 series - any versions to avoid - liquidity wise? I'd like a petrol, but driving 13k/yr I could make a 320d work.

Former cas was a 2018 Insignia estate (I know, but it was an Elite Nav so it was decent to live with)

Get another Insignia they're good family cars & sell well, find another Elite Nav/SRI VX Line Nav in 2/0d form & you'll be fine:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202402066...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202407121...

But if you want a petrol the 1.6T petrol is the pick at this price point:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202307109...

[fido]

Those Lexus hybrid hatchbacks - they seem to do massive mileage so unlikely to depreciate much more.

[Mogul]

ZX10R NIN said:

But if you want a petrol the 1.6T petrol is the pick at this price point:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202307109...

Not sure that one meets the liquidity brief - it’s been listed for over a year!

[I.miss.my.old.cars]

Another insignia? Not sure I'm ready for that, but haven't thought about it!

A4 Avants are catching my eye - not sure if they are quick to sell if needed?

Also I was offered a 2010 Octavia for £500. Car is sound, might need a clutch. Completely unexpected, but it's on consideration...

Thanks all.

[Jayho]

Left field man math incoming.

Since a "free" car is essentially coming in 12 months time, why not buy a toy? Any expenses which you usually have with running your own daily car can be spent on a toy. 12 Months of toy only motoring and then it can be used for when you want to enjoy yourself a bit.

£12k can get you into an early 987 Cayman / Boxster. Recently found it can also get you into early ND Mazda MX5's. Have 12 months of fun in it, then keep it as a toy when company car arrives.

If it's back to your initial brief, I do find Golf GTI's and GTD's in good unmodified examples seem to disappear from your usual FB Marketplace etc very quickly. I guess a difficulty would be that if you're buying from a garage now, you won't get garage prices for when you sell.

[Evil.soup]

I.miss.my.old.cars said:

Another insignia? Not sure I'm ready for that, but haven't thought about it!

A4 Avants are catching my eye - not sure if they are quick to sell if needed?

Also I was offered a 2010 Octavia for £500. Car is sound, might need a clutch. Completely unexpected, but it's on consideration...

Thanks all.

When I first read your thread I did wonder why you wanted to spend such a large figure and risk higher depreciation on a short term car. I was in a similar situation many years ago, I had part exchanged my MR2 at the time for a new Impreza, but there was a wait of around 8 months. I could have held onto the MR2 until the car was ready, but the garage figured I would lose around £1000 in the part exchange value in this time given it was a convertible and would be going in winter. So I put the car in and decided to get the cheapest daily I could find to fill the gap.

Ended up with a £490 diesel Fiesta, it was fine to use, not at all interesting but was quite nice owning a shed as I had no care or concern about it, in fact, the neighbour drove into the side of it and I can't say I was even bothered. The great thing was, I sold it for £500 when I got the Impreza.

Go cheap, don't lose any money and maybe even get something cheap and fun in the mean time as others have suggested.

[lawyered07]

i would either get something older say 15yrs plus but in good condition around the budget (a cayman or boxter would be perfect example if you dont need practicality) or go really cheap.

surely even something like a 3 series, if you put 13k miles on it then youre going to lose a decent chunk on resale. would cost more to run the porsche but very little depreciation and way more enjoyable than a 3 series

[pb8g09]

Jayho said:

Left field man math incoming.

Since a "free" car is essentially coming in 12 months time, why not buy a toy? Any expenses which you usually have with running your own daily car can be spent on a toy. 12 Months of toy only motoring and then it can be used for when you want to enjoy yourself a bit.

£12k can get you into an early 987 Cayman / Boxster. Recently found it can also get you into early ND Mazda MX5's. Have 12 months of fun in it, then keep it as a toy when company car arrives.

If it's back to your initial brief, I do find Golf GTI's and GTD's in good unmodified examples seem to disappear from your usual FB Marketplace etc very quickly. I guess a difficulty would be that if you're buying from a garage now, you won't get garage prices for when you sell.

This.

I’d get a 987 Cayman which has fully depreciated out. Give it a service in the 12 months and you’ll sell for what you bought it for or if you love it you’ll keep it for fun.

[I.miss.my.old.cars]

Thanks Lads, that's good advice, thanks!
As I'm the only driver in the house, I need a family car.
Just giving some feedback as you spent time to answer me:
Last car was on finance, a possible replacement would be too. But the £500 Octavia was offered and I'm taking it. The plan now is to start again the car ladder without finance. There's pros and cons in finance, and that's another discussion, but I'll try to restart the journey.

Good thing they paid more than expected on the insignia (2018 estate, 133k miles, Elite Nav 1.6D), so I'll settle the finance, buy the Skoda, give it some TLC...MOT is Feb/25, so will tun the shed till then.

The main thing is that the promotion with the company car is not certain, so I was thinking about getting something nice in case I have to stay longer with the car
Thanks all for the replies

Edited by I.miss.my.old.cars on Thursday 25th July 21:20

[Evil.soup]

I.miss.my.old.cars said:

Thanks Lads, that's good advice, thanks!
As I'm the only driver in the house, I need a family car.
Just giving some feedback as you spent time to answer me:
Last car was on finance, a possible replacement would be too. But the £500 Octavia was offered and I'm taking it. The plan now is to start again the car ladder without finance. There's pros and cons in finance, and that's another discussion, but I'll try to restart the journey.

Good thing they paid more than expected on the insignia (2018 estate, 133k miles, Elite Nav 1.6D), so I'll settle the finance, buy the Skoda, give it some TLC...MOT is Feb/25, so will tun the shed till then.

The main thing is that the promotion with the company car is not certain, so I was thinking about getting something nice in case I have to stay longer with the car
Thanks all for the replies

Edited by I.miss.my.old.cars on Thursday 25th July 21:20

Sounds like you have a good plan in mind. I spent many years financing cars but 18 years ago I made a cash purchase of a car I intended keeping and still own it today. I have always had second cars/daily drivers, but again, I have made a point of avoiding finance ever since. My mind set these days, if I can't afford to buy it, I just have to trade up to the point I can.

It does mean I have had some cars I assumed would be just mundane boxes that I actually enjoyed, 2006 1.4 zetec Fiesta being one example that surprised me, was sad to sell that one...

Good luck with the shedding!

[Gerradi]

I had this in April , some idiot rear ended me so had to get different car , didn't want to but ...
Anyway I am so glad I had to, I bought a really nice low 55k 2012 Lexus 450h. Reasonable on fuel , just popping about here & there 34.6 according to the computer, 3.5 V6 plus 2 electric motors goes quite well , surprised me . But it its the near silence when going along & everything just works !

They seem to have a following so I guess easy to sell but I'm smitten, I'm keeping it ... Parts are very expensive though , not had to buy anything but it only came with one key , smart key, went to Lexus £735 ..EEEK so yeah lovely car for me anyway , recommend.