Car Dilema - Help - What to do ?????

[simonigrale]

I'm in this dilemma at the minute and its driving me mad.

I have always had a company car and a toy whilst the Mrs. has usually had what she wants. I've done the Car for the Mrs' commute and a weekend toy for me (Clio 182 and Focus RS) and didn't really enjoy it that much because the car can never be that special.

I went back to weekend cars after that (VX220 Turbo and Ferrari 348tb) whilst the Mrs just ran a normal car.

Since then we have got 2 dogs (1 quite big) and had a baby who is now 9 months old. My wife runs a 2002 Alfa 156 Saloon and I run a new Lexus CT200h as a company car. Ideally I would like to buy a Mercedes C63 AMG Estate for the wife so she can get to work (3 miles away / 3 days a week) and drop off our daugter and the dogs at my parents. I would then have a nice car for the weekend with no issues if we had to go anywhere as a family incl. Dogs. Then use the Lexus for work and mundane trips like into town ect...

Problem for me is the C63 is big money to tax, insure, fuel and it will depreciate like a stone - at the end of the day its a Merc Estate!

Thing is we do need out of the Alfa this year as its a bit of a banger and we definately need a bigger car. So, do I bite the bullet and get the great all rounder, the C63 or get 12 grands worth of E55, C55 Estate which will be cheaper to tax, insure ect. and then in a year or so put something really special in the garage for high days ???

I could probably tax and insure a C55 and a Ferrari F355 for the same price as a C63, M5 Touring, Audi S6.....

On top of all this we are in the process of doing a house up and currently trying to sell ours which is giving the bank ballance a clobbering!!!

So guys, what would you do ????? - A good all rounder or a cheaper estate and a toy ?????

Any ideas are more than welcome

[MrC986]

I'd take the cheaper/vfm daily hack & a toy....there are some incredible value premium estate cars around which are mega safe/reliable - FWIW, I now have a 170k mile V70 T & would replace it with another younger car without hesitation. I wouldn't use a main dealer for servicing & spend the extra money on your shiny new toy! I see my V70 as a recycling scheme & it sports a personal plate etc & if it gets dirty inside or the odd parking ding,so what. SWMBO is also happier as I dont moan about it like a £40k 4x4. The recession has actually provided me with an insight into how much we can waste on a car & for our 'significant others' they will treat them just the same whether £40k or £4k IMHO

[Nigel Worc's]

simonigrale said:

I'm in this dilemma at the minute and its driving me mad.

Any ideas are more than welcome

Dear sir/madam.

I am sat here worrying about work, will my wifes job still be there after the local council review, how will we cope on one income if it isn't, I have plenty of work at the moment but I'm earning the same as I was in 1999 etc etc etc.

Many people have lost their jobs, rising costs, wage cuts etc etc etc

But,............. all that is nothing to worry about ..... can you afford to run a Ferrai and a new Merc, or will you have to settle for an M5 touring ?

Would you be offended if my idea was that you take your head from up your arse ?

This must be one of the worst "look how wealthy I am" posts I've ever seen.

[simonigrale]

Nigel Worc's said:

simonigrale said:

I'm in this dilemma at the minute and its driving me mad.

Any ideas are more than welcome

Dear sir/madam.

I am sat here worrying about work, will my wifes job still be there after the local council review, how will we cope on one income if it isn't, I have plenty of work at the moment but I'm earning the same as I was in 1999 etc etc etc.

Many people have lost their jobs, rising costs, wage cuts etc etc etc

But,............. all that is nothing to worry about ..... can you afford to run a Ferrai and a new Merc, or will you have to settle for an M5 touring ?

Would you be offended if my idea was that you take your head from up your arse ?

This must be one of the worst "look how wealthy I am" posts I've ever seen.

Just want to remind you that this is a car forum - I'm sorry to hear that you are worried about the future.

I wasn't in a great financial position 2 years ago but luckily for me and after lots of hard work, an idea and business oppertunity paid off.

Again this is a car forum where likeminded enthusiasts talk about their cars and ideas about swapping their cars.

Why don't you take Your head out of Your arse and go onto the ferrari, maserati and lamborghini forum. There are lots of people that chat on there that are much, much wealthier than me and your can take your issues out on them instead.

Look at the second post, he is offering sound advice.

Again sorry if I've affended you but I don't post on here to talk about the economy.

[simonigrale]

MrC986 said:

I'd take the cheaper/vfm daily hack & a toy....there are some incredible value premium estate cars around which are mega safe/reliable - FWIW, I now have a 170k mile V70 T & would replace it with another younger car without hesitation. I wouldn't use a main dealer for servicing & spend the extra money on your shiny new toy! I see my V70 as a recycling scheme & it sports a personal plate etc & if it gets dirty inside or the odd parking ding,so what. SWMBO is also happier as I dont moan about it like a £40k 4x4. The recession has actually provided me with an insight into how much we can waste on a car & for our 'significant others' they will treat them just the same whether £40k or £4k IMHO

Sounds like the best way to go. Same as I have done before.

I quite like the Alfa 156 GTA Sportwagon but they're getting a bit long in the tooth and from my understanding the boots are quite small for an estate.

I might have a look at the V70s

[Nigel Worc's]

simonigrale said:

Just want to remind you that this is a car forum - I'm sorry to hear that you are worried about the future.

I wasn't in a great financial position 2 years ago but luckily for me and after lots of hard work, an idea and business oppertunity paid off.

Again this is a car forum where likeminded enthusiasts talk about their cars and ideas about swapping their cars.

Why don't you take Your head out of Your arse and go onto the ferrari, maserati and lamborghini forum. There are lots of people that chat on there that are much, much wealthier than me and your can take your issues out on them instead.

Look at the second post, he is offering sound advice.

Again sorry if I've affended you but I don't post on here to talk about the economy.

Good point, I'll behave, I don't watch the ferrari maserti porshe etc forums.

Bit of a tight time, touch of jealousy (or more probably envy) I guess, I retract my sentiments, good luck to you, and thankyou for replying in such a nice way.

[simonigrale]

We are all car enthusiasts and its nice to talk on PH to share ideas, thoughts and scenarios as to what to do / buy ect.

Lets do it in good spirit

[MrC986]

More common sense!? The power of petrol prevails....you can still have fun even in a recession & the OP has a dilemma but just with a larger budget than some of us! Our pleasures are though all similar & equally gratifying & I appreciate more my toy now than ever particularly when it is so dearly fought for.

OP, a hi spec V70 in a dark colour is an interesting ride on the m'way at speed as many think it is the BIB & it is also a very classless way of travelling in comfort - god bless the Swedes ehh? Good luck with your shopping as the dealers should be keen to see you at this time of year. A friend of mine bought a 360 spider last year in February & it is still worth what he paid for it (even in a recession) & he sees it as his duty to get as many of his friends to experience the noise of it being spanked on a dry day!

[simonigrale]

I like the idea of the undercover cop theme - Nottingham Vice

My mate who had done a bit of racing ran a 99 V70 tdi as a tow car, I think he had re mapped it but it went like the clappers. I remember a spirited run from Mallory Park to the Pf international Kart circuit in Lincolnshire. The Volvo was dark blue and I seem to remember everyone did move out of the way !!!

[MrC986]

I drive my V70 with the satisfaction that the replacement cost is far less than I have lost annually on many previous cars in deprecation terms. I would almost be brave enough to buy an ex police V70 now as you know it is maintained regardless of cost & serviced when it needs it & driven by well trained people!? The challenge will be though that many forces now run diesel cars & few have leather interiors though for what you pay, you would always have budget to swap the interior for a full leather one! Petrol V70s will with the right remap apparently run 300bhp if you have the big turbo engine

[Loui]

If your serious about the Merc options might be worth messaging Donut on here if he's still about

[YKB]

Hi Simon, the cars you're looking for are a V70 and a Cerbera! I ran a V70 T5 until recently for the last six years and it was excellent, very rarely a problem, even pretty OK on fuel, and a great fast family car. The Cerbera is very fast, looks and sounds great, not too bad to keep as a toy and you can get the family in it.

Good luck with you search.
Tony

[simonigrale]

Hi Tony, the V70 idea is something I'm really starting to warm to. Chris sort of sold it to me on this thread. The problem is I really fancy some sort of AMG Merc. I've been looking at the C55 and E55 on about an 04, 05 that fall into the lower road tax category and are priced around 10 - 14k. The estate is the car I need to buy first, whilst we are renovating the new house and the current house sells. With me using the new Lexus to go up and down the M42 for work and very rarely at the weekend, the estate car needs to double up as a fun weekend toy to enjoy with the family but also be versatile for the better half in the week. The Toy will have to come along in the next 18 months probably when the house (and garage) is completed. I was having a little brouse at Cerberas yesterday along with the T350 which I really like and nearly bought one about 5 years ago before I bought the VX200 Turbo as the safe choice. 996 C4S' seem to be fetching low 20s and there is a nice 348 Spider for sale which got me thinking, but I've been there before!
I have always fancied a Maserati Gransport but my old man bought one last August so I don't want to be a copycat!!!
I might take up Golf and try to forget about cars

[projectgt]

A bit of an out there suggestion, if you do decide against the Merc options, how about a spec b Subaru Legacy? I have not owned one but understand them to be reliable, cheap and spacious with some performance. Much like the Volvo, this would allow you more funds for the weekend toy.

[MrC986]

It sounds like in the short-term you have the AMG 'itch'. Have you been looking at any of the following?:-

http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/3524565.htm
Autotrader also have 2 other E55 Estates if you set a hypothetical budget of £8-15k

I don't think a C class AMG would be big enough? ...sorry SWMBO says I can't help when people are looking for cars!

[simonigrale]

projectgt said:

A bit of an out there suggestion, if you do decide against the Merc options, how about a spec b Subaru Legacy? I have not owned one but understand them to be reliable, cheap and spacious with some performance. Much like the Volvo, this would allow you more funds for the weekend toy.

. I appreciate what you re saying about the legacy but I ve never really been a scooby fan, I know its not the imprezza but never the less I don t think they re for me. Thanks for the idea and I might have a look through the classifieds as I'm now intrigued.

[simonigrale]

MrC986 said:

It sounds like in the short-term you have the AMG 'itch'. Have you been looking at any of the following?:-

http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/3524565.htm
Autotrader also have 2 other E55 Estates if you set a hypothetical budget of £8-15k

I don't think a C class AMG would be big enough? ...sorry SWMBO says I can't help when people are looking for cars!

I fancy the c class more than the e. I know the e is faster and you re right the c maybe too small. I drove an e55 saloon about a year ago and couldn t believe how fast it was! I probably need to have a look and a go in a c55 to see how it compares. I remember the steering feel in the e55 was terrible. I was hoping the c55 was a bit more nimble and the difference in power didn t feel that signnificant because the c was lighter. Then again the e55 has a blower!!!

[Ace-T]

simonigrale said:

I like the idea of the undercover cop theme - Nottingham Vice

Hi Si! Slightly startled to hear your little one is 9 months old already! Blimey!

We experienced this with the 540 Touring, most amusing the way folk slowed down and moved aside. Until you pile by a real copper on the M1 at several leptons above what maybe the law says you should be doing... ... and to catch you he wheel spins it off the hard shoulder. Lucky for the 'un-named driver' (ahem, not me I might add!) that gave us time to lift off, get to the inside lane and look all innocent before he passed us. A waggle of an index finger was our punishment (and driving like Miss Daisy for the remainder of the journey cos our luck had all been used up!).

Bargetastic bangernomics is where we are playing at the moment - some very nice motors for bugger all cash can be had that will fit your requirements quite nicely!

Trace

[simonigrale]

Yep, shes 9 months already!!! Trouble is I'm hardly ever at home to see her.

[pikeyboy]

simonigrale said:

I like the idea of the undercover cop theme - Nottingham Vice

My mate who had done a bit of racing ran a 99 V70 tdi as a tow car, I think he had re mapped it but it went like the clappers. I remember a spirited run from Mallory Park to the Pf international Kart circuit in Lincolnshire. The Volvo was dark blue and I seem to remember everyone did move out of the way !!!

Wonder who that was?

Simon, modern mercs are tat these days, flakey trim etc, Volvos are nice and make the best estates, but you'd find it very boring to drive! as they are not at all sporty. Having said that though a V70 T5 is a good car though with oodles of room. BM or an Audi, well you know all about the BM's from back in the day, M5 or an alpina touring will be a great car not as big in side as a volvo or merc though. RS6 or s6 not a lot of experience of them apart from a guy I raced with used to tow his race car with a them

On a side note I just bought a cheap smoker - skoda octavia estate 4x4 turbo, what a hoot it is to drive, very well screwed together etc. I bet a VRs is great fun and the old bill use them too but it wont feel like an event when you get in it to go some where though, which i guess is part of the plan.

editied to add the default choice would normally be an RS2 and you know I've nearly bought one a couple of times but they are a bit old hat now and tiny inside for kids dogs stuff etc. Having said this they drive great and you wont do your brains one when you get bored of it

Edited by boy on Tuesday 10th January 07:42