One Car to Do It All or Two?

[Seeker UK]

Hello Pistonheaders, I'm after some advice,

I've had my current car, a BMW F10 540d M Sport for about a year now and I'm looking for a new car. There's nothing intrinsically wrong with it, it's just I'm looking for something a bit more, erm, sporty.

I have been very, very lucky and saved up enough to afford a car up to £35k. If I traded in the 530d, that would give me another £15k. Now herein lies the question. I want to buy a bonkers-quick car as a mid-life crisis buy and last hurrah before I have to buy an EV / hybrid. ISTM I have two options:

1 - Sell the 530d and buy something that is both sporty and usable as a daily driver for £50k (I drive about 250 miles a week): 997.2, 991, 981 Cayman S, RS5, TTRS.

2 - Keep the 530d as a daily driver and buy something for £30k (M4, M6, RCF, S5, CLS 63, XK-R, Vantage, R8) to run for high days and holidays.

What would you do?

Thanks in advance.

[ninjag]

A 5.0 V8 supercharged F-Type can be had for under £35k.

Or an XFR-S would do it all and leave plenty to spare.

[paradigital]

I’d rather have something more compromised for the weekend/nice days, and a nice daily.

Taking the roof off always makes a drive seem more special, so I’d probably keep the 530d and get a special convertible for the occasions.

Perhaps something like a Maserati GranCabrio.

[Truckosaurus]

Seeker UK said:

...What would you do?

As someone who has only ever had parking for one car, I dream of being able to get a dull, reliable, practical car along with a nice 2 seater sportscar.

Or even the other way round. Get a cheap MX5 and nice barge 'daily driver'.

I suspect trying to get 2 nice cars on a one car budget would lead to compromises for both that would be disappointing.

[GreatGranny]

Seeker UK said:

........and last hurrah before I have to buy an EV / hybrid.

We're decades away from this stage.

ICE cars will be available to buy and drive for years so stop being dramatic!

It's called the 2nd hand market

[grumbledoak]

Seeker UK said:

...

1 - Sell the 530d and buy something that is both sporty and usable as a daily driver for £50k (I drive about 250 miles a week): 997.2, 991, 981 Cayman S, RS5, TTRS.

2 - Keep the 530d as a daily driver and buy something for £30k (M4, M6, RCF, S5, CLS 63, XK-R, Vantage, R8) to run for high days and holidays.

I can't make any sense of keeping a 530d and buying a fast saloon.

250 miles a week is nothing - you could do that in a sports car. So it comes down to how much you need the seats and the boot space. If you don't, sell the 530d and get a Cayman. If you do, keep the 530d and get an MX-5.

[Trevor555]

A 530d doesn't hang about.

Some on your list wont feel bonkers quick to you I'm afraid.

RCF laggy gearbox, very little low down torque, quick once moving.

TTRS clever launch control will see you hitting 60 sub 4 secs, great party trick. But without the launch trick itll be a shade under 5 secs. Mid range isn't as grunty as youd expect.

The Merc will feel quick, and the sound will make you giggle.

What to you really need for your daily?

I only ask as mine is a lowly Seat Mii. I love it every time I drive it.

£20 Rfl, beautifully simple, cheap to run/service, easy to park, dont have to worry about where I'm leaving it, just a wonderful tool as a forever daily.

And makes you appreciate the sports car even more at the weekend.

I'd pick two cars every time.

Edited by Trevor555 on Monday 27th February 10:11

Edited by Trevor555 on Monday 27th February 10:13

[Seeker UK]

GreatGranny said:

We're decades away from this stage.

ICE cars will be available to buy and drive for years so stop being dramatic!

It's called the 2nd hand market

No drama here just a realization that over the next few years, VED and fuel duty may be, ahem, enhanced significantly (to pay for all of those on-street charging points we need) and ULEZ zones will grow like topsy for the same reasons. To the point that it stops making economic sense to run an ICE. I'm not sure when that will be (my crystal ball is a bit useless), but I know it won't be the next two or three years, hence making this purchase now.

[cerb4.5lee]

Trevor555 said:

I'd pick two cars every time.

Same.

[Seeker UK]

ninjag said:

A 5.0 V8 supercharged F-Type can be had for under £35k.

Or an XFR-S would do it all and leave plenty to spare.

Thanks for the suggestions. I had an XF before and, although it was a 2.2d (I know), the niggly reliability problems (electrics, not engine) I had with it makes me wary of having another. TBH, if I was buying a faster saloon, I'd be looking M5.

[Seeker UK]

Truckosaurus said:

As someone who has only ever had parking for one car, I dream of being able to get a dull, reliable, practical car along with a nice 2 seater sportscar.

Or even the other way round. Get a cheap MX5 and nice barge 'daily driver'.

I have considered doing it all on a £15k budget like an MX5 and GS300 and then I'd lose less cash every time I traed in (I tend to swap every 12-18 months). It remains an option - I can spend the rest on sweets.

Truckosaurus said:

I suspect trying to get 2 nice cars on a one car budget would lead to compromises for both that would be disappointing.

Really? I would have thought I could avoid a lot of disappointment @ £50k for two cars.

[Seeker UK]

grumbledoak said:

I can't make any sense of keeping a 530d and buying a fast saloon.

Indeed - that's why the focus would be on a coupe (which I always prefer over a saloon anyway.

grumbledoak said:

250 miles a week is nothing - you could do that in a sports car. So it comes down to how much you need the seats and the boot space. If you don't, sell the 530d and get a Cayman. If you do, keep the 530d and get an MX-5.

With the price differential for diesel and petrol, I think you're right. The only thing that brings me back to oil burners is that low-down torque which I'd miss in most petrols.

[Trevor555]

Seeker UK said:

With the price differential for diesel and petrol, I think you're right. The only thing that brings me back to oil burners is that low-down torque which I'd miss in most petrols.

You'd absolutely hate the RCF

[Seeker UK]

Trevor555 said:

A 530d doesn't hang about.

Some on your list wont feel bonkers quick to you I'm afraid.

RCF laggy gearbox, very little low down torque, quick once moving.

TTRS clever launch control will see you hitting 60 sub 4 secs, great party trick. But without the launch trick itll be a shade under 5 secs. Mid range isn't as grunty as youd expect.

The Merc will feel quick, and the sound will make you giggle.

What to you really need for your daily?

I only ask as mine is a lowly Seat Mii. I love it every time I drive it.

£20 Rfl, beautifully simple, cheap to run/service, easy to park, dont have to worry about where I'm leaving it, just a wonderful tool as a forever daily.

And makes you appreciate the sports car even more at the weekend.

I'd pick two cars every time.

Edited by Trevor555 on Monday 27th February 10:11

Edited by Trevor555 on Monday 27th February 10:13

Thanks for the response. I was going to get to the "so what to buy?" bit once I'd got through the one vs two car issue, but all advice is good advice and some food for thought. I know the 530d is no sluggard, but it doesn't exactly score high on the grin factor either from a driving nor ownership perspective.

When I say "daily", currently that means a 250 mile round trip once a week (2 x 125 mile journeys), plus weekend shopping, tip runs etc and that will change to that plus 3 x 20 mile round trips to the station. So the overriding need is a comfy car (bad back here) for the that will give me 35+ mpg and I can put two overnight bags or a week's shopping in it.

[Seeker UK]

Thanks all so far for the inputs / suggestions. Please keep 'em coming.

Just one thing. If you're recommending a car to buy, please, no ragtops. I don't like them. Never have.

[Trevor555]

Seeker UK said:

Thanks for the response. I was going to get to the "so what to buy?" bit once I'd got through the one vs two car issue, but all advice is good advice and some food for thought. I know the 530d is no sluggard, but it doesn't exactly score high on the grin factor either from a driving nor ownership perspective.

Grin factor, a very important part of owning a sports car.

Dont rule out cars with less power.

I went from a few powerful motors down to an Abarth 124 Spider. Rwd with limited slippery diff. And a pure delight to take down a country road.

Grin factor was high.

Or keep the 530d and get a caterham/Elise

Edit... sorry, wrote that before I saw your above post re ragtops.

But hardtops available for some ragtops.

124 Spider looks the nuts with the carbon hardtop

Edited by Trevor555 on Monday 27th February 10:47

[Ash_]

Keep the beemer and buy a VX220 with a supercharger fitted. Or if you're a badge snob pay more for a slower and more common Elise.

[SmithCorona]

Many things will feel a step down in build and usablity from a 5 series.

If you want one car to do great dynamics, comfort and practicality, whilst feeling special:

Panamera ST.
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202301233...

ETA: in my mind I read that price as 50k, not 60!

[keo]

I was going to say get a Caterham/ Elise but then saw your update. How about an Evora?

Two cars are good however sometimes I think it’s a bit pointless having a lot of money sat in the garage doing nothing.

[CABC]

keo said:

Two cars are good however sometimes I think it’s a bit pointless having a lot of money sat in the garage doing nothing.

but then I'd say 2 is too few
depreciation far more of an issue on new saloons than lightly used s/h sports cars. not that op mentioned any sports cars!! Vantage the only interesting car listed.