Frank Hovis Posted January 17, 2009 Share Posted January 17, 2009 I'll try and get all the relevant bits into this first post, so apologies if "too much information". Starting point is: I have got up to £28k to spend from cashing in my premium bonds due to the interest rate falls. As there is no obvious home for that money then buying a decent car looks like a good way of enjoying it. I have previously driven Fords & Vauxhalls and, whilst perfectly satisfied with them, fancy something a bit different this time. What I am trying to get is a shortlist of half a dozen cars to look at in the £12k - £28k bracket. I'm after a good value quality car, not worried whether it's new or used. Open minded as to the type (sports, 4x4, saloon). And as my car history suggests I'm not worried about the badge on the front. I was looking to get a Defender last year but the advice from this forum was that it wasn't a good idea, so that's off the list. Saved me wasting £18k! Criteria: I drive 200 - 300 miles a week, mainly A roads. No very short trips. Occasional long motorway trips. Some narrow lanes so I can't have anything too big. Not too worried about running costs, but nothing astronomical like an old Ferrari or really obscure that I will struggle to find parts for. And whilst fuel economy isn't a big deal once it starts heading down much below 20 mpg that's a bit strong for me. Not that bothered about big luggage space, and two seats would be fine. I'm 6'1" which would make a 911 or an Elise uncomfortable to drive. I'm really after a car I will enjoy driving, enjoy looking at, but won't bring a lot of grief along with it. Suggestions please! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fully Detached Posted January 17, 2009 Share Posted January 17, 2009 How about a Lexus IS220d? It's got a bit of class without being overly ostentatious, excellent spec, and pretty good fuel economy. 15k should get you a pretty newish one where someone else has paid the VAT and taken the big depreciation hit. Or alternatively, shove it back in the bank and stop doing what Gordon wants you to do... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
the-sign-jacker Posted January 17, 2009 Share Posted January 17, 2009 a ford KA sport. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hilltop Posted January 17, 2009 Share Posted January 17, 2009 Just because you have the dosh do not feel compelled to spend it all. Get plenty of bangs for your bucks and keep some money back for opportunities (they should be coming along in these turbulent times). Being of a certain age and too poor to indulge myself before, when some cash came my way three years ago I bought a Mazda MX5. I got a low mileage, older Mk2. It has been very good. Fun but not frightening, remarkably cheap to run. The downside is a boot like your back pocket. But nice, very and probably depreciated very little over the period - until now anyway. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
abaxas Posted January 17, 2009 Share Posted January 17, 2009 How about a Lexus IS220d? It's got a bit of class without being overly ostentatious, Quote of the week. What planet are you on. Lexus is the height of distasteful bling, makes BMW M3 drivers look like nice people. Gold badge INNIT Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
m4rk Posted January 17, 2009 Share Posted January 17, 2009 bmw 330d, having driven almost every car under the sun this one really stood out to me. i was amazed at how it handled felt cornered even was pretty quick. should be loads kicking about. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Spark Posted January 17, 2009 Share Posted January 17, 2009 Sporty: Nissan 350Z Sensible: Top of the range Skoda Superb (new model just come out with 3.6 litre engine and 4x4. If wanting to save a few pounds I would look at the old model 2.5TDi one. 4x4: Would look at Toyota Landcruiser, Nissan Patrol or Pathfinder. You could negotiate hard and get 10% asking price as nobody wants large 4x4's now. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Frank Hovis Posted January 17, 2009 Author Share Posted January 17, 2009 I accept I am being a bit of a Gordon Brown stooge here but I have plenty saved so I'm trying to start enjoying some of it. I'm trying to avoid a mistake like I nearly made with the Defender! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fully Detached Posted January 17, 2009 Share Posted January 17, 2009 Quote of the week.What planet are you on. Lexus is the height of distasteful bling, makes BMW M3 drivers look like nice people. Gold badge INNIT In your opinion maybe - there's plenty of cars further up on my list of distasteful. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lander Posted January 17, 2009 Share Posted January 17, 2009 Buy a good 944 and spend the rest on gold or hookers Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Spark Posted January 17, 2009 Share Posted January 17, 2009 bmw 330d, having driven almost every car under the sun this one really stood out to me. i was amazed at how it handled felt cornered even was pretty quick. should be loads kicking about. I forgot about the BMW 330D. A colleague has a 2005 one. Plus point is the engine is amazing - quiet (for a diesel) and pulls like a train and still gives around 40MPG. Bad point is it doesn't have many extras as standard. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
domo Posted January 17, 2009 Share Posted January 17, 2009 So you decided to make a thread about how you want to buy a boring middle priced middle of the road car? Thanks for spicing up my Saturday afternoon Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LuckyOne Posted January 17, 2009 Share Posted January 17, 2009 Buy a Caterham for fun and a Polo diesel for everything else ...... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
the end is a bit nigher Posted January 17, 2009 Share Posted January 17, 2009 bmw 330d, having driven almost every car under the sun this one really stood out to me. i was amazed at how it handled felt cornered even was pretty quick. should be loads kicking about. nice cars but nowhere near the quality of a Porsche - you can EASILY get a 2 year old cayman or boxster for less than £28k and then you could spend the rest on the women you pick up with the car Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LuckyOne Posted January 17, 2009 Share Posted January 17, 2009 I'm 6'1" which would make a 911 or an Elise uncomfortable to drive. I am a bit taller. The Elise is a squeeze but the 996s and 997s actually quite comfortable. The offset pedals in the 993 made an already uncomfortable situation worse. What about an Audi S4 ?? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LuckyOne Posted January 17, 2009 Share Posted January 17, 2009 nice cars but nowhere near the quality of a Porsche - you can EASILY get a 2 year old cayman or boxster for less than £28k and then you could spend the rest on the women you pick up with the car Just a bit too tight for anyone over 6' .... Otherwise perfect ..... A Cayman is a better car to drive than a 911 .... Some say that it shouts " I can't afford a 911" ... I say that it shouts "This is a better car to drive than a 911 and I couldn't care less what you think about me for not having a more powerful and expensive but otherwise inferior 911" ...... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
R K Posted January 17, 2009 Share Posted January 17, 2009 nice cars but nowhere near the quality of a Porsche - you can EASILY get a 2 year old cayman or boxster for less than £28k and then you could spend the rest on the women you pick up with the car Don't you mean men? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nicholas Cage Posted January 17, 2009 Share Posted January 17, 2009 Citroen C6 maybe http://images.google.co.uk/images?hl=en&am...sa=N&tab=wi Or for those with style (saw this a year ago and still for sale) may have a low mpg though it is a RHD V8 with low mileage and exclusive. 1971 AMC AMBASSADOR BROUGHAM RHD 5.9 Litre 360 cu. in.V/8 http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/RAMBLER-RIGHT-HAND-D...%3A1|240%3A1318 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LuckyOne Posted January 17, 2009 Share Posted January 17, 2009 I'm 6'1" which would make a 911 or an Elise uncomfortable to drive.I'm really after a car I will enjoy driving, enjoy looking at, but won't bring a lot of grief along with it. Suggestions please! I just noticed that post #993 for you is in this thread. The 993 is the ultimate 911 model according to some Porsche people. Cute or co-incidence? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
deadman Posted January 17, 2009 Share Posted January 17, 2009 BMW 535D Sport (more torque than an M5) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
deadman Posted January 17, 2009 Share Posted January 17, 2009 Actually it's got more torque than a Ferrari 360 too. Astonishing. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Being_Patient Posted January 17, 2009 Share Posted January 17, 2009 Audi TT Coupe new version (less than 2 years old)? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wol Posted January 17, 2009 Share Posted January 17, 2009 Audi S5. But I'd wait 12 months. You look like a c0ck, but what a c0ck. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
brocken spectre Posted January 17, 2009 Share Posted January 17, 2009 Get an old Rolls Royce 7k. Bit of luck it won't brake down for 6 months. Down the Pub "Credit Crunch my *rse!" Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shedfish Posted January 17, 2009 Share Posted January 17, 2009 there's plenty of room in boxsters and 911s for a big feller. your budget would get you a fabulous low mileage 911 - 996/997 with all the bells, and i am jealous. there isn't any other car on the list, for me Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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