Second car to the Elise

[Stu_00]

Hi All,

I would not normally post such questions but need some "out of box" suggestions on a second car purchase from an elise owners perspective, I am looking at spending up to 7.5K but ideally around the 6K mark, I am looking for something that will

• Crunch motorway miles with ease and with good mpg;
• Be ok on the occasional back round;
• Be ok to put a bike in the back;
• Non Chav car;
• Nice interior and hopefully leather;

I have a 118d company car to do the above, but its going next month and need a replacement that is in the same vein but more interesting, but not too interesting that it takes over from the Elise job!

Considerations so far

Alfa GT 1.9JTD
Alfa 147 GTA / but more likely JTD
BMW 120d - High miles example
BMW 320d (2003/04) - After Oct 2003 due to Turbo problems
Fiat Grande Punto Sporting 1.9JTD
Renaultsport 182 Trophy - but concerned that it is not refined and too much fun

Edited by Stu_00 on Tuesday 1st September 16:28

[Scuffers]

if we are talking personal money then that rules out Alfa's, Fiat's and Renault's (as in they will be worthless in minutes)

Not a fan of BMW's, but you get what you pay for, surprised not to see a Golf or the like in that list?

what sort of money and mileage (as in per annum) are you looking at?

[Stu_00]

Scuffers said:

if we are talking personal money then that rules out Alfa's, Fiat's and Renault's (as in they will be worthless in minutes)

Not a fan of BMW's, but you get what you pay for, surprised not to see a Golf or the like in that list?

what sort of money and mileage (as in per annum) are you looking at?

LOL, actually did well with both my Fiat(x2) and Renault in the past, so would not rule them out. Plus the Alfa GT is really good car, but I know what you mean it could cost €€€!

Around 12K a year but maybe more, and not really a great fan of the Golf but had crossed my mind..

[Stephanie Plum]

I have a 3.0 Subaru Legacy Sports Tourer - AWD and bargains at the moment. Bloody good cars.

[Stu_00]

Good idea!! Not thought of that!

[james S]

Get somethnig good but completly opposite. I had a V8 jag for years as a partner to a series of Porsches. You can buy them for next to nothing, though they cost a bit to keep running, but they are a genuinly brilliant cruiser, full of character and you always get 20+ mpg (well nearly always)

Don't go boring - its a sin

[Scuffers]

I guess at 12K a year, fuel consumption is not that great a consideration?

(difference between 30 and 40Mpg is ~450L)

I have an Audi A4 Quattro 2.0TFSi, and whist it's not the fastest car on the roads, it's great for just tooling about, has way more grip than power, and is a proper 4 door/seat car, although it;s someway bigger than your suggested list.

[TIPPER]

As Scuffers says, surprised not to see a Golf on the list.
Anything from the VAG family is worth looking at (we've had an A3 tdi from new and its on 130k miles and only needed an injectof sorted outside of regular servicing. Far from the most interesting drive but torquey engines make them a lazey drive. Skoda Octavia RS worth thinking about.
With 7.5k I'd go for a Jag x-type estate.

[boobles]

I hear alot of people saying how boring BMW's are etc which is fine, but after selling my Elise i have owned a Z3M which was awsome in every way & now have a 328 coupe which is a pleasure to drive. If it's going to be a second car then in my opinion, a BMW will better than most things for 7k.

[Stu_00]

boobles said:

I hear alot of people saying how boring BMW's are etc which is fine, but after selling my Elise i have owned a Z3M which was awsome in every way & now have a 328 coupe which is a pleasure to drive. If it's going to be a second car then in my opinion, a BMW will better than most things for 7k.

After even having the 118d I fancy another of Munich's finest, Might have a look at Coupe...

[boobles]

Stu_00 said:

boobles said:

I hear alot of people saying how boring BMW's are etc which is fine, but after selling my Elise i have owned a Z3M which was awsome in every way & now have a 328 coupe which is a pleasure to drive. If it's going to be a second car then in my opinion, a BMW will better than most things for 7k.

After even having the 118d I fancy another of Munich's finest, Might have a look at Coupe...

For build quality & reliability, nothing will come close in all honesty. Goodluck.

[Stu_00]

boobles said:

Stu_00 said:

boobles said:

I hear alot of people saying how boring BMW's are etc which is fine, but after selling my Elise i have owned a Z3M which was awsome in every way & now have a 328 coupe which is a pleasure to drive. If it's going to be a second car then in my opinion, a BMW will better than most things for 7k.

After even having the 118d I fancy another of Munich's finest, Might have a look at Coupe...

For build quality & reliability, nothing will come close in all honesty. Goodluck.

Cheers!, the search continues.....

[Gad-Westy]

Stu_00 said:

boobles said:

Stu_00 said:

boobles said:

I hear alot of people saying how boring BMW's are etc which is fine, but after selling my Elise i have owned a Z3M which was awsome in every way & now have a 328 coupe which is a pleasure to drive. If it's going to be a second car then in my opinion, a BMW will better than most things for 7k.

After even having the 118d I fancy another of Munich's finest, Might have a look at Coupe...

For build quality & reliability, nothing will come close in all honesty. Goodluck.

Cheers!, the search continues.....

I reckon a E46 330d (touring would be perfect for throwing a bike in) or one of the 6-cylinder petrol models would be ideal for your criteria.

[braddo]

boobles said:

I hear alot of people saying how boring BMW's are etc which is fine, but after selling my Elise i have owned a Z3M which was awsome in every way & now have a 328 coupe which is a pleasure to drive. If it's going to be a second car then in my opinion, a BMW will better than most things for 7k.

I think it's more that it's the choosing of a BMW which is considered boring/predictable, rather than the cars themselves being boring. They are a boring choice because everyone has one, but everyone has one because they are very good cars.

If the OP doesn't mind something a bit bigger look at a nice late W124 Benz estate like this:

http://www.w124.co.uk/actions/carsforsale.taf?page...

Bulletproof engineering, decent performance etc.

Brad

[kambites]

I was thinking of getting a bike engined Seven as a second car to my Elise.

Edited by kambites on Wednesday 2nd September 12:10

[Stu_00]

kambites said:

I was thinking of getting a bike engined Seven as a second car to my Elise.

Edited by kambites on Wednesday 2nd September 12:10

Good Effort!!!!!

[TVR Tommy]

Get a VOLVO! Stu that would be perfect, but only a T5R mind. Nice and fast and a good Q car. http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/1133524.htm

[Stu_00]

TVR Tommy said:

Get a VOLVO! Stu that would be perfect, but only a T5R mind. Nice and fast and a good Q car. http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/1133524.htm

Can you really see my in a Volvo lol! But yes good value!

Oh dear I can see the second car turning into a mad second car .....

[kazste]

What about a 7 series stupidly cheap at moment was looking for a mate and found him a 2003 with 124k miles I drive leather tv satnav ets for £7.5k!!! Surely there would be no depreciation on this

[kambites]

kazste said:

What about a 7 series stupidly cheap at moment was looking for a mate and found him a 2003 with 124k miles I drive leather tv satnav ets for £7.5k!!! Surely there would be no depreciation on this

No depreciation?!? It'll be worth 500 quid in a few years time.