Sub 20k, everything daily
Discussion
Hi all
My Abarth 124 Spider is being sold very soon (I basically only use it for commuting and I can't justify that expense on a car which does one thing for me), so I'll be tooling around in my old Toyota Avensis estate, with 253000 miles. It does the job of a car better than any of the other 3 cars I've owned/own (transporting people and things from A-B, obviously). However it is also incredibly boring, I find myself zoning out driving it, getting to the destination and not being able to remember a single part of the journey. So, my plan would be to replace it with something interesting, a bit faster, but can also carry more than a single person and a carrier bag (like the Abarth).
Must haves:
Petrol
Sunroof
Coupe, saloon or estate. I will not be spending that level of money on a hatchback, I have an irrational dislike of them.
Sporty drive, the Toyota wallows and floats, so you can't have much fun in it
As fast/quick as the 124 Spider
Non-black interior
Bluetooth connectivity
Ability to fit a roof rack
Nice to have
Manual, would accept an auto if the car suited it more than the manual
Special feel. The Abarth makes you feel good, I really want the new car to do that as well.
Possible for OEM+ Apple carplay/Android auto retrofitting (like the Porsche infotainment system they brought out for older models). Would be quite happy if it was also an enthusiast developed modification
The car I keep coming to is the BMW E92 335i. However I would need a manual with that car and a nice, late one of them with a non-black interior is not an easy car to find!
Any suggestions?
Note the Toyota will also be leaving once this car is purchased, as I'll be moving out my parents place soonish (being 24) I can't justify the expense of 2 lots of insurance/tax/MOT etc.
My Abarth 124 Spider is being sold very soon (I basically only use it for commuting and I can't justify that expense on a car which does one thing for me), so I'll be tooling around in my old Toyota Avensis estate, with 253000 miles. It does the job of a car better than any of the other 3 cars I've owned/own (transporting people and things from A-B, obviously). However it is also incredibly boring, I find myself zoning out driving it, getting to the destination and not being able to remember a single part of the journey. So, my plan would be to replace it with something interesting, a bit faster, but can also carry more than a single person and a carrier bag (like the Abarth).
Must haves:
Petrol
Sunroof
Coupe, saloon or estate. I will not be spending that level of money on a hatchback, I have an irrational dislike of them.
Sporty drive, the Toyota wallows and floats, so you can't have much fun in it
As fast/quick as the 124 Spider
Non-black interior
Bluetooth connectivity
Ability to fit a roof rack
Nice to have
Manual, would accept an auto if the car suited it more than the manual
Special feel. The Abarth makes you feel good, I really want the new car to do that as well.
Possible for OEM+ Apple carplay/Android auto retrofitting (like the Porsche infotainment system they brought out for older models). Would be quite happy if it was also an enthusiast developed modification
The car I keep coming to is the BMW E92 335i. However I would need a manual with that car and a nice, late one of them with a non-black interior is not an easy car to find!
Any suggestions?
Note the Toyota will also be leaving once this car is purchased, as I'll be moving out my parents place soonish (being 24) I can't justify the expense of 2 lots of insurance/tax/MOT etc.
ZX10R NIN said:
As far as I am aware (going off a work mate who has a Sportback, diesel version) the A5 is not type approved for a roof rack. They don't have mounting points on the roof nor do they have the threaded holes under the roof, due to the frameless doors.Of course there is always the SeaSucker option, which would seriously be considered. I would go for an S5 though, the running costs on an RS product scare me.
ingenieur said:
Can you wait until you're 25 for the cheaper insurance?
I probably could, it would be a year wait as I've just turned 24. However that would involve putting some money into the Toyota to get it though it's next MOT. Also, the insurance dive at 25 isn't as much of a thing these days, from talking to slightly older workmates. It goes down, but it isn't a massive drop like it has been historically.There is also the fact I'm a very logical person, I'd probably use the car money for the house if I had it in the bank.
Shermanator said:
As far as I am aware (going off a work mate who has a Sportback, diesel version) the A5 is not type approved for a roof rack. They don't have mounting points on the roof nor do they have the threaded holes under the roof, due to the frameless doors.
Of course there is always the SeaSucker option, which would seriously be considered. I would go for an S5 though, the running costs on an RS product scare me.
I did not know that, if that's the case & if the S5 is a consideration then I'd take a good look at the E400 coupe which I know does have roof rack mountings but it's bloody hard to find one with a non black interior:Of course there is always the SeaSucker option, which would seriously be considered. I would go for an S5 though, the running costs on an RS product scare me.
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202301153...
No Pan Roof but a Maserati Ghibli S is a lovely place to be as well as a bit special:
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202306218...
ZX10R NIN said:
I did not know that, if that's the case & if the S5 is a consideration then I'd take a good look at the E400 coupe which I know does have roof rack mountings but it's bloody hard to find one with a non black interior:
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202301153...
No Pan Roof but a Maserati Ghibli S is a lovely place to be as well as a bit special:
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202306218...
I've done some further research, apparently the A5 Sportback is roof-rackable. That is definitely on the list. My sensible side would probably come in and I'd buy a slightly cheaper for age etc A/S4 over the 5.https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202301153...
No Pan Roof but a Maserati Ghibli S is a lovely place to be as well as a bit special:
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202306218...
Maserati is a definite no. I personally hold Maserati at a level below Audi, Mercedes and BMW. I think the quality is terrible for the price tag, although I will concede I've never driven one.
An E-Class is a very nice car, but I just don't see myself driving it. Not a significant reason to to discount them, I'm aware.
Jag XE?
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202307119...
Auto but I think it suits it and all Jags are auto now I think.
Interior is a bit marmite but it's majority non black
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202307119...
Auto but I think it suits it and all Jags are auto now I think.
Interior is a bit marmite but it's majority non black
GreatGranny said:
Jag XE?
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202307119...
Auto but I think it suits it and all Jags are auto now I think.
Interior is a bit marmite but it's majority non black
Good call. Here's another, and that interior is certainly not black.. https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202307119...
Auto but I think it suits it and all Jags are auto now I think.
Interior is a bit marmite but it's majority non black
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202306218...
DUBS73P said:
I had an E92 M3 at 24 and fits all of your must have requirements
Higher running costs but depreciation will be less of a consideration.
just sold me e93 M3 and lost 10k on it in just over a year. Coupe is certainly a better option. I would certainly consider DCT over manual for a daily option. You won't get a sunroof though - so 335i wins there. Higher running costs but depreciation will be less of a consideration.
I would also say that the engine makes the car that bit more special BUT in 90% of occassions the 335i will be fast in real world activities as the M3 really needs to be wound up to feel like its going quickly.
As for running costs, the 335i would likely win there too. I averaged 15mpg in the M3 and was filling up twice a week using it as a daily with town driving mostly and a motorway jaunt at the weekends, equated to a monthly fuel bill of roughly £800-900 on 99ron fuel. Add to that the premium you pay for parts etc.
Don't get me wrong. Its a fantastic car, i've had a few of them and I loved each one but honestly the running costs are very high for what you get - 9/10 you just feel like you are in a 3series.
Sadly as you have stated, your brief mainly fits the "hot hatch" bracket.
The Audi TTs or RS probably makes a good argument in this bracket though. Its a good all rounder. Great all weather grip. Bit numb granted but for most driving occasions you likely won't notice it all that much. You can both in your budget. Obviously a newer TTS vs RS but the RS is a hell of a car and they do take a roof box. The engine makes them feel quite special and you can certainly get a manual, the dsg is rarer in the earlier cars.
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202307260...
Another car that i'd suggest is the 370z Nismo - not sure if any has mentioned them but -
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202307280...
Those feel quite special. Bit on heavy side but a fantastic handling car and certainly ticks all your other boxes asides perhaps interior but its a compromise I could live with.
Good luck with your search.
SWoll said:
Was going to suggest the Alfa Giulia but as the Ghibli has been thrown out I'd imagine that's a no.
M240i?
Manual is obviously going to be a struggle as I'm sure you appreciate.
Alfa Giulia is a consideration. I'd need to get a Veloce though, limits options but I'm still open to it. Don't think you get them with a sunroof though?M240i?
Manual is obviously going to be a struggle as I'm sure you appreciate.
Edited by SWoll on Tuesday 1st August 22:12
2 series is, logically, the perfect car which meets all my requirements. However it is ugly, the glass house is far to tall for the rest of the car, instantly discounting it from contention.
SWoll said:
GreatGranny said:
Jag XE?
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202307119...
Auto but I think it suits it and all Jags are auto now I think.
Interior is a bit marmite but it's majority non black
Good call. Here's another, and that interior is certainly not black.. https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202307119...
Auto but I think it suits it and all Jags are auto now I think.
Interior is a bit marmite but it's majority non black
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202306218...
stevekoz said:
just sold me e93 M3 and lost 10k on it in just over a year. Coupe is certainly a better option. I would certainly consider DCT over manual for a daily option. You won't get a sunroof though - so 335i wins there.
I would also say that the engine makes the car that bit more special BUT in 90% of occassions the 335i will be fast in real world activities as the M3 really needs to be wound up to feel like its going quickly.
As for running costs, the 335i would likely win there too. I averaged 15mpg in the M3 and was filling up twice a week using it as a daily with town driving mostly and a motorway jaunt at the weekends, equated to a monthly fuel bill of roughly £800-900 on 99ron fuel. Add to that the premium you pay for parts etc.
Don't get me wrong. Its a fantastic car, i've had a few of them and I loved each one but honestly the running costs are very high for what you get - 9/10 you just feel like you are in a 3series.
Sadly as you have stated, your brief mainly fits the "hot hatch" bracket.
The Audi TTs or RS probably makes a good argument in this bracket though. Its a good all rounder. Great all weather grip. Bit numb granted but for most driving occasions you likely won't notice it all that much. You can both in your budget. Obviously a newer TTS vs RS but the RS is a hell of a car and they do take a roof box. The engine makes them feel quite special and you can certainly get a manual, the dsg is rarer in the earlier cars.
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202307260...
Another car that i'd suggest is the 370z Nismo - not sure if any has mentioned them but -
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202307280...
Those feel quite special. Bit on heavy side but a fantastic handling car and certainly ticks all your other boxes asides perhaps interior but its a compromise I could live with.
Good luck with your search.
You've perfectly pointed out why I haven't got an M3 on the consideration list. Can't justify the massive extra expense for the less than 10% of the time it would be "worth" it. Hence the 335.I would also say that the engine makes the car that bit more special BUT in 90% of occassions the 335i will be fast in real world activities as the M3 really needs to be wound up to feel like its going quickly.
As for running costs, the 335i would likely win there too. I averaged 15mpg in the M3 and was filling up twice a week using it as a daily with town driving mostly and a motorway jaunt at the weekends, equated to a monthly fuel bill of roughly £800-900 on 99ron fuel. Add to that the premium you pay for parts etc.
Don't get me wrong. Its a fantastic car, i've had a few of them and I loved each one but honestly the running costs are very high for what you get - 9/10 you just feel like you are in a 3series.
Sadly as you have stated, your brief mainly fits the "hot hatch" bracket.
The Audi TTs or RS probably makes a good argument in this bracket though. Its a good all rounder. Great all weather grip. Bit numb granted but for most driving occasions you likely won't notice it all that much. You can both in your budget. Obviously a newer TTS vs RS but the RS is a hell of a car and they do take a roof box. The engine makes them feel quite special and you can certainly get a manual, the dsg is rarer in the earlier cars.
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202307260...
Another car that i'd suggest is the 370z Nismo - not sure if any has mentioned them but -
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202307280...
Those feel quite special. Bit on heavy side but a fantastic handling car and certainly ticks all your other boxes asides perhaps interior but its a compromise I could live with.
Good luck with your search.
Neither the Audi nor the Nissan have sunroofs. I can't go from the full convertible to a solid roof. The Toyota has a solid roof and I'm forever wishing I could get it open. For that reason, there out.
stevekoz said:
DUBS73P said:
I had an E92 M3 at 24 and fits all of your must have requirements
Higher running costs but depreciation will be less of a consideration.
just sold me e93 M3 and lost 10k on it in just over a year. Coupe is certainly a better option. I would certainly consider DCT over manual for a daily option. You won't get a sunroof though - so 335i wins there. Higher running costs but depreciation will be less of a consideration.
I would also say that the engine makes the car that bit more special BUT in 90% of occassions the 335i will be fast in real world activities as the M3 really needs to be wound up to feel like its going quickly.
As for running costs, the 335i would likely win there too. I averaged 15mpg in the M3 and was filling up twice a week using it as a daily with town driving mostly and a motorway jaunt at the weekends, equated to a monthly fuel bill of roughly £800-900 on 99ron fuel. Add to that the premium you pay for parts etc.
Agree with your comments though. A 335i Coupe with ZF8 would do pretty much the same day to day.
Having only recently experienced the Audi TT (in Mk1 form), I would now recommend you try an Audi TT.
Unless you need to carry more than 2 people.
I'm quietly surprised with how nice they are to drive. I used to think TTs were <insert your own usual generalisations and well-used clichés here>. I guess it's one of those things where you have to drive the car in order to get it.
Unless you need to carry more than 2 people.
I'm quietly surprised with how nice they are to drive. I used to think TTs were <insert your own usual generalisations and well-used clichés here>. I guess it's one of those things where you have to drive the car in order to get it.
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