2nd car for around 3k

[stewartcampbell]

Need a car for work in addition to family car, can't decide whether to go completely sensible and get a petrol honda accord, would just about get a high mileage mk8 or Ford focus 2l petrol. Or get something a bit better to drive like a BMW 120i or suzuki swift sport, even looked at lexus is250 but quite rare so recon parts could be expensive due to lack of aftermarket. Got a civic type r ep3 at the moment and other than corrosion reliability has been good for a 16 year old car and replacement probably won't be as much fun.

[ZX10R NIN]

2.0T Vauxhall Insignia SRI not as much fun as your EP3 but it'll do what you need:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202010235...

Saab Aero

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202011146...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202010124...

Vector Sport

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202010145...

[p1tse]

Does it need to return good mpg?

[WhiskyDisco]

I appreciate that you have set yourself a budget of £3k, but since you mention IS250 I thought I would highlight this car that was on my shortlist untiul buying a cheep runaround recently.

https://www.westdrivemotorsltd.co.uk/used-cars/lex...

Positives: one owner, condition, service history, MOT history
Negative: VED is £585 a year!

Back to reality...
Within your budget is this BMW 316ti with only 34k miles. Bidding starts at £2k
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/BMW-316-TI-SE-COMPACT/2...

I recently bought one of these for £1k but it does have a few "battle scars" on the exterior - interior is mint though (5 seats too).

Edited by WhiskyDisco on Saturday 14th November 18:40

[ZX10R NIN]

CLC180

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202010295...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202008283...

CLK200

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202011075...

[Mr Tidy]

If you were interested in a BMW 3 Series Compact this one might be a better option as it's a 318ti Sport with leather.

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202011136...

Mind you I sold my 52 plate 325ti Sport Compact for just under £1,500 in 2018.

Before I replaced it I asked my BMW Indy for some advice and he recommended 6 cylinders and petrol so I got an E91 325i Touring just within your budget.

If you like the idea of a Lexus IS250 I'm pretty sure I read somewhere that the auto is in the £330 a year tax band.

Good luck anyway.

[stewartcampbell]

ZX10R NIN said:

2.0T Vauxhall Insignia SRI not as much fun as your EP3 but it'll do what you need:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202010235...

Saab Aero

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202011146...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202010124...

Vector Sport

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202010145...

Trying to avoid turbos as just another expensive part to go wrong. I also hate vauxhall :-)

Edited by stewartcampbell on Sunday 15th November 00:24

[stewartcampbell]

p1tse said:

Does it need to return good mpg?

Preferable but at least combined of no less than 30mpg.

[stewartcampbell]

WhiskyDisco said:

I appreciate that you have set yourself a budget of £3k, but since you mention IS250 I thought I would highlight this car that was on my shortlist untiul buying a cheep runaround recently.

https://www.westdrivemotorsltd.co.uk/used-cars/lex...

Positives: one owner, condition, service history, MOT history
Negative: VED is £585 a year!

Back to reality...
Within your budget is this BMW 316ti with only 34k miles. Bidding starts at £2k
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/BMW-316-TI-SE-COMPACT/2...

I recently bought one of these for £1k but it does have a few "battle scars" on the exterior - interior is mint though (5 seats too).

Edited by WhiskyDisco on Saturday 14th November 18:40

That is250 is nice, the compacts are a little old, had an e46 about 8 years ago and it would of been about 12 years old and I had to do a bit of welding on it.

[stewartcampbell]

ZX10R NIN said:

CLC180

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202010295...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202008283...

CLK200

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202011075...

Heard to many horror stories about old mercs.

[stewartcampbell]

Mr Tidy said:

If you were interested in a BMW 3 Series Compact this one might be a better option as it's a 318ti Sport with leather.

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202011136...

Mind you I sold my 52 plate 325ti Sport Compact for just under £1,500 in 2018.

Before I replaced it I asked my BMW Indy for some advice and he recommended 6 cylinders and petrol so I got an E91 325i Touring just within your budget.

If you like the idea of a Lexus IS250 I'm pretty sure I read somewhere that the auto is in the £330 a year tax band.

Good luck anyway.

Maybe I'd be better considering a 325i.

[anonymous-user]

If you want reliability, just go Japanese.

The IS is a fine choice, you won't need many parts on a Lexus.

Parts may be easily available for a Vauxhall, but that's only good because you'll need them more often!

I'm in the world of company cars at the moment, but if I were buying a car for myself, I'd be buying a silly Japanese import like a Crown Athlete.

[ZX10R NIN]

stewartcampbell said:

Heard to many horror stories about old mercs.

Both of those are pretty bulletproof but if you want a good N/A option then I'd take a look at the 2.5 Mazda6:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202011075...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202010295...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202009123...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202011035...

They come in saloon/estate & hatchback form.