Caution Long Post ~ Bullet pointed at end:
I recently posted on here with a somewhat similar topic but the budget has changed as has my initial ideas.
Recap from previous thread: Learning to drive age 28, enjoying it and looking forward to the freedom of driving, family home being sold, buying a flat and car.
Without going into detail due to family pressure and the simple fact when I buy something I tend to keep it for a long while (with a car likely 5+ years assuming the repairs aren't ridiculous) a budget of £12k+ .The + is up to me really, the 12k is set and any money saved from that will not be available to me otherwise, the only exception buying a silly car I really want and having a few thousand set aside for repairs, I will however have a few extra £ around if something really catches me, and this money would otherwise go towards large speakers, vibrating Lazy-boys etc so for the purpose of this situation - disposable income and I would appreciate my car more.
A few key things I wasn't aware of and has changed things for me:
Insurance quotes are much cheaper than I first thought. For reference an 09 2L BMW Z4 is £1050, Fiesta 10 plate £700, Toyota GT86 £800. Up to £1.1k a year insurance is fine for me and much cheaper than I was expecting. The cars above are random examples just to give an idea to a point. To begin with I was quite unhappy about the idea of having a hatchback for 5 years + as I simply dislike them, visually they have never appealed to me and due to this I have made the decision that despite it being my first car I want a car I like the look of and the insurance costs aren't stopping me.
I like coupe's and saloons but would like to stick to coupes simply as they are generally smaller and I don't have the need for a big car. However, I don't need 4 doors, 4 seats would be nice but is not a necessity if it was the right car. And believe it or not I would like it to be fairly economical, I am not expecting hatchback levels but I like the look of the BMW 1 Coupe 120i. I only do about 5000 miles per year (4 mile round trip to work, general trips but look forward to starting some long drives although 5000 is a safe estimate for a few years) so I am looking for petrol and manual.
I know it is a very odd situation and I would just go for a cheap run around at least at first if the money could be saved for a later date but it won't be so I will spend what is available now and I will get something I like. I don't want a ridiculously powerful car. I think 2.0L would be about the maximum. I want it to be comfortable on short and long journey and ideally min 30 mpg on urban journeys and although its attached to the mpg in most cases i'd rather not pay over £250~ tax per year simply because.
I have looked over many options, some worth considering some ridiculous and have got quotes on most for insurance. I am also hoping that the manufacturer warranty is similar to that of something like BMW where it can be bought additionally and generally do what it says, I know horror stories vary from make to make but I am hoping for as few problems as possible and reliability.
Bullet Pointed version:
I have looked at a vast range of ideas, as I said stupid to possible:
BMW 120i Coupe - I like how it looks, small, economical, enough power if I need it but not too much. 12k nets me a 2010 sub 45k miles example, £1k more would hopefully get me leather interior which I would like as well as bluetooth/Idrive. £715 insurance
Nissan 350z - Looks lovely, can get a very nice example and can keep a few k in the bank for repairs. But definately too much power for a first time driver, insurance is about £1150 lowest so right at the top end. Also not comfortable on long journeys, poor MPG. I could go to a 370z but honestly prefer the below if I was looking to spend that kind of money.
Toyota GT86 - This will obviously require me to spend extra but I can afford it at around £18k. Looks lovely, not that powerful (which is a complaint by most peoples standards), Toyota 5 year warranty so any war will have around 3.5 years warranty left, reliable non turbo engine, Insurance is about £815 but I don't really want to spend another £6k.
I have considered Boxters but have never been keen on Porsche's as well as too powerful, service costs being well above the norm etc etc
I have looked at Celica's, RCZ, CLC, many Z4's (am keen but trying to be sensible), don't like MX5's.
So there you go, weird situation but hopefully some ideas or decision making posts will come of it.
Thanks for any help!
I recently posted on here with a somewhat similar topic but the budget has changed as has my initial ideas.
Recap from previous thread: Learning to drive age 28, enjoying it and looking forward to the freedom of driving, family home being sold, buying a flat and car.
Without going into detail due to family pressure and the simple fact when I buy something I tend to keep it for a long while (with a car likely 5+ years assuming the repairs aren't ridiculous) a budget of £12k+ .The + is up to me really, the 12k is set and any money saved from that will not be available to me otherwise, the only exception buying a silly car I really want and having a few thousand set aside for repairs, I will however have a few extra £ around if something really catches me, and this money would otherwise go towards large speakers, vibrating Lazy-boys etc so for the purpose of this situation - disposable income and I would appreciate my car more.
A few key things I wasn't aware of and has changed things for me:
Insurance quotes are much cheaper than I first thought. For reference an 09 2L BMW Z4 is £1050, Fiesta 10 plate £700, Toyota GT86 £800. Up to £1.1k a year insurance is fine for me and much cheaper than I was expecting. The cars above are random examples just to give an idea to a point. To begin with I was quite unhappy about the idea of having a hatchback for 5 years + as I simply dislike them, visually they have never appealed to me and due to this I have made the decision that despite it being my first car I want a car I like the look of and the insurance costs aren't stopping me.
I like coupe's and saloons but would like to stick to coupes simply as they are generally smaller and I don't have the need for a big car. However, I don't need 4 doors, 4 seats would be nice but is not a necessity if it was the right car. And believe it or not I would like it to be fairly economical, I am not expecting hatchback levels but I like the look of the BMW 1 Coupe 120i. I only do about 5000 miles per year (4 mile round trip to work, general trips but look forward to starting some long drives although 5000 is a safe estimate for a few years) so I am looking for petrol and manual.
I know it is a very odd situation and I would just go for a cheap run around at least at first if the money could be saved for a later date but it won't be so I will spend what is available now and I will get something I like. I don't want a ridiculously powerful car. I think 2.0L would be about the maximum. I want it to be comfortable on short and long journey and ideally min 30 mpg on urban journeys and although its attached to the mpg in most cases i'd rather not pay over £250~ tax per year simply because.
I have looked over many options, some worth considering some ridiculous and have got quotes on most for insurance. I am also hoping that the manufacturer warranty is similar to that of something like BMW where it can be bought additionally and generally do what it says, I know horror stories vary from make to make but I am hoping for as few problems as possible and reliability.
Bullet Pointed version:
- 28 Years Old - First time driver - Insurance up to £1.1k (Z4 - £1050 - 350z £1150).
- £12k spend with extra money available - how much depends on the car.
- 5000 miles per year - comfortable on short and long journeys - avg 30 mpg.
- Coupe 2 or 4 door - 4 seats preferable but not a necessity - reliable - warranty?
I have looked at a vast range of ideas, as I said stupid to possible:
BMW 120i Coupe - I like how it looks, small, economical, enough power if I need it but not too much. 12k nets me a 2010 sub 45k miles example, £1k more would hopefully get me leather interior which I would like as well as bluetooth/Idrive. £715 insurance
Nissan 350z - Looks lovely, can get a very nice example and can keep a few k in the bank for repairs. But definately too much power for a first time driver, insurance is about £1150 lowest so right at the top end. Also not comfortable on long journeys, poor MPG. I could go to a 370z but honestly prefer the below if I was looking to spend that kind of money.
Toyota GT86 - This will obviously require me to spend extra but I can afford it at around £18k. Looks lovely, not that powerful (which is a complaint by most peoples standards), Toyota 5 year warranty so any war will have around 3.5 years warranty left, reliable non turbo engine, Insurance is about £815 but I don't really want to spend another £6k.
I have considered Boxters but have never been keen on Porsche's as well as too powerful, service costs being well above the norm etc etc
I have looked at Celica's, RCZ, CLC, many Z4's (am keen but trying to be sensible), don't like MX5's.
So there you go, weird situation but hopefully some ideas or decision making posts will come of it.
Thanks for any help!
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