Got 3k, what should we get?

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We have £3000 to spend (might be able to squeeze a little more :o)

Here is a list of cars me and the girlfriend have been looking at so far:

Audi A4 (Y/01 plate on) A6 1.8T/2.0
Audi A3 5 door 1.8T

BMW 3 series 1.9. Girlfriend likes the coupe? I prefer the saloon or even estate.

VW Passat 2.0 51/52 plate.

Ideally looking for something with average miles, FSH and nice alloys. Not fussed about leather. We are willing to travel for the right car.

Can anybody offer some advice on the above cars? :cool:
 
The old A3 1.8T is disappointing car to drive IMO. Fairly quick, but its a scrabble wagon and feels wooden. However, it looks good for its age/price but there don't seem to be that many around in good condition. Think you'll also struggle to find a 5 door, average mile car for £3k since the 5dr came out towards the end of the lifecycle for that particularly car.

As for the 3 series, a £3k E46, a 1.9 is going to be a waste of time. It's also going to be OLD and slow, and also likely to need some money spent on it. You could pick a 6cyl E46 for that sort of money but it won't be average miles, unless you're referring to average miles being 12k x each year since registration, in which case you'll be looking at a 100k plus car....

You'll definitely stuggle to find a B6 1.8T for £3k.

For this sort of money, you need to be looking at Mondeos and Mazda 6s. For £3k you will a lot of car for your money - the Mazda6 in particular is v.good value at this price point. For example:-

2003 03 Reg MAZDA Mazda6 2.0 TS2

Price:
£2,990
* 90,619 miles
* Manual
* BLUE
* Petrol
* Hatchback
* 1999 CC

5 Doors, Manual, Hatchback, Petrol, 90,619 miles, Metallic BLUE. ABS, Adjustable seats, Adjustable steering column/wheel, Alloy wheels, Climate Control, Computer, Cruise control, Driver airbag, Electric mirrors, Electric windows, Front armrest, Lumbar support, Immobiliser, Passenger airbag, Power assisted steering, Rear armrest, Remote locking, Side airbags, Radio/CD Multichanger, Rear headrests, Traction control, 9 months MOT, Direct from company, superb condition, Totally original, Anti theft system, CD, Heated seats, Leather seats, Leather upholstery, Metallic paintwork, Full Service History. Insurance Group:9, £2,990 p/x welcome

'Direct' company car, full history, leather, bodywork looks umblemished, paintwork still glossy etc. With a bit of haggling you could knock off £200-£300 off the asking price. That's a heck of a lot car for £2800 and you'll also get that famed Mazda reliability which is going to be useful for a high mileage car.

http://pictures.autotrader.co.uk/ATD_web/servlet/media?id=808444760
http://pictures.autotrader.co.uk/ATD_web/servlet/media?id=808444863
http://pictures.autotrader.co.uk/ATD_web/servlet/media?id=808444813
 
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MarkDavis said:
The old A3 1.8T is disappointing car to drive IMO. Fairly quick, but its a scrabble wagon and feels wooden. However, it looks good for its age/price but there don't seem to be that many around in good condition. Think you'll also struggle to find a 5 door, average mile car for £3k since the 5dr came out towards the end of the lifecycle for that particularly car.
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Really? I'm not overly keen on them anyway.

MarkDavis said:
As for the 3 series, a £3k E46, a 1.9 is going to be a waste of time. It's also going to be OLD and slow, and also likely to need some money spent on it. You could pick a 6cyl E46 for that sort of money but it won't be average miles, unless you're referring to average miles being 12k x each year since registration, in which case you'll be looking at a 100k plus car....
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Which engine is the 6cyl? 100k is fine, not looking for anything higher.

MarkDavis said:
You'll definitely stuggle to find a B6 1.8T for £3k.
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Seen a 2.0 52 plate for £3500, was thinking about making an offer.

MarkDavis said:
For this sort of money, you need to be looking at Mondeos and Mazda 6s. For £3k you will a lot of car for your money - the Mazda6 in particular is v.good value at this price point. For example:-

2003 03 Reg MAZDA Mazda6 2.0 TS2
Click to expand...

Never ever thought about this car, seems allot of car for the money, why so cheap?
 
I genuinely would have an E39 for this budget. This gets a decent 528i saloon with leather and some trimmings.
 
Why are these cars so cheap?
Because there just isn't a market for cars anymore.

If you have any kind of money, now is the time to buy a car - or wait untill the new year when they will be even cheaper.
 
Jez said:
I genuinely would have an E39 for this budget. This gets a decent 528i saloon with leather and some trimmings.
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Have you seen any you could suggest please?

jongeeone said:
Why are these cars so cheap?
Because there just isn't a market for cars anymore.

If you have any kind of money, now is the time to buy a car - or wait untill the new year when they will be even cheaper.
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We need a car by the weekend :( supposed to be going to Manchester next week :eek:

Peter Diffey said:
Because it is a blandmobile.

They are actually very good cars however
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I dunno, there's a yellow one on AT that looks nice - http://pictures.autotrader.co.uk/imgser-uk/servlet/media?id=16896726
 
CaSh_MoNeY said:
Which engine is the 6cyl? 100k is fine, not looking for anything higher.
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320, 323, 325, 328 etc. But your £3k will turn into £4k easily because if you've got any sense, you'll budget for at least £1k just to bring car back up to shape. A 100k used BMW of that age isn't going to give you several years of cost free motoring.

CaSh_MoNeY said:
Seen a 2.0 52 plate for £3500, was thinking about making an offer.
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It's not a 1.8T, but fair enough - though I don't reckon he'll knock £500 off the price. Just bear in mind its not cheap car to run - particularly in terms of labour costs and parts - and again, it would be sensible to set aside £1k for the cost of replacement parts or unexpected work

CaSh_MoNeY said:
Never ever thought about this car, seems allot of car for the money, why so cheap?
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The bottom's fallen out of used car values for any cars with an engine in it. Unless of course, you're in the market for 750cc Kia Picanto or similar
 
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But as MarkDavis has correctly pointed it out it'll need money spending to bring it up to par and money continually spending to keep it there. Thats the problem with cars like this at this end of the market. The purchase price is just the start.

Whereas a used Mazda6 just.. works.
 
While the Mazda6 works, wouldnt you be thinking that it so wasnt worth saving the running costs every time you either look at it, drive it, or sit in it? :p
 
I would yes, hence my choice of car. But then I'm well aware of the moneypit potential of used BMW's and have a contigency as a result. Whereas if you have £3k to spend on a car and spend all of that £3k on one you probably wont have.
 
Whats the hourly rate for an Audi dealer nowadays? And how much would they charge to change a cambelt / waterpump? :p

No idea how many decent Audi indies are down in Cornwall, but if it were me, I'd want to check that out before looking at cars with four rings on the grille...

Ditto BMW.
 
Seems a bit low, but okay, throw in the cost of all the suspension components that are likely to be worn on a 100k plus, 10 year BMW/Audi. What's the running total now?
 
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