Time for a laugh - First Car £12k+ - Age 28 - Coupe

PMKeates said:
By less than 3 inches...!
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Thats really not the point dude...

I said i'd like a Coupe because they are smaller than Saloons, which in large part is correct, Fox chooses 3 series Coupe to get a 3 series in there, knowing that I dislike saloons due to their size but in retrospect the coupe is actually bigger then the saloon, regardless by how much size, so either way is just not the kinda car I wanted. Good? Cool. :p
 
MilanoChris said:
+1 for the Scirocco or similar hot hatch. I don't think a powerful RWD 6cyl is a wise choice for a first car.
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Why? It's not like it's going to be a Tickford Capri. Most modern RWD 6cyl cars are in a sense 'unbinnable' - lots of grip, lots of safety systems.
 
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Richeh said:
Thats really not the point dude...

I said i'd like a Coupe because they are smaller than Saloons, which in large part is correct, Fox chooses 3 series Coupe to get a 3 series in there, knowing that I dislike saloons due to their size but in retrospect the coupe is actually bigger then the saloon, regardless by how much size, so either way is just not the kinda car I wanted. Good? Cool. :p
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It's generally not correct though, the 3 series isn't a special case, almost every coupe is the same or greater length than the saloon on which it's based, if it's based on one.

They simply have a longer door and longer rear quarter panel in place of the rear door.

The Scirrocco isn't a coupe, it's a hatchback.

If you want something notability smaller than a saloonit's generally going to need to be a hatchback. 1 series coupe is fairly unique in the market.
 
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[TW]Fox;26189958 said:
It's generally not correct though, the 3 series isn't a special case, almost every coupe is the same or greater length than the saloon on which it's based, if it's based on one.

They simply have a longer door and longer rear quarter panel in place of the rear door.

The Scirrocco isn't a coupe, it's a hatchback.

If you want something notability smaller than a saloonit's generally going to need to be a hatchback. 1 series coupe is fairly unique in the market.
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I know a lot of the BMW fans here aren't keen on the 1 coupe but I like it. Do you have any idea on the BMW warranty prices for the 1 series?

Cheers for the help it is all appreciated. I've always liked cars due to my dad being a petrol head when he was younger but like to think I'm sensible enough to not buy the most powerful car I can afford but that I can grow into.
 
If I was the OP, I would be looking at an A3 or the Scirroco personally. I would forget the coupe idea really, it would be nice enough, but realistically, there isn't one I would recommend for a first motor.

I would be going for for the 2.0T or 2.0 TDI also in the above motors. You should be able to pick up a decent one within budget, then budget for a couple years warranty out of your pocket and you will have a nice motor, with predictable expenses. The diesel will get you the empeegees your looking for in town, and if you find you love driving so much it will be reasonable on runs too. The 2.0T less so, but will be a bit more fun.

Just because you're being given the money, doesn't mean you should blow it on something unsuitable. Just get the right car for your current circumstances (relatively small with reasonable fuel consumption), and in a few years, when it's time to change, then you can get the motor you really want / need based on your circumstances then.
 
Hades said:
SLK? It's a small convertible but has a hardtop of course, turning it into a coupe (kind of).
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Would I be right in a comparison by comparison basis that the Mercs tend to be higher to service but don't actually provide the ride quality BMW and to an extent say Audi do?

I've been reading the entire internet about cars over the last couple of weeks trying to make the right decision but can always use some confirmation.
 
p1RATE said:
just for the sake of being different a 2006/7 ford mustang. Seriously cool coupe and a stand out first car.

I think a 350 would be fine and i wouldn't be too concerned about the power as a first time driver.
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Wouldn't that be left hand drive only? If so I'd have thought that was potentially a bit of an issue for a new driver to get used to. I'd agree they look quite good and they're unusual enough here to make it stand out but I wouldn't be convinced that it's great for a first time driver in this country.
 
What are you after, the coupe looks, the performance or both?

There are more sedate coupe's out there if you just want the looks of a coupe.
 
More the looks although I don't want it to be a pitifully powered car if you understand my meaning as I will hopefully 'grow' into it over the next few years but by nature am not a risk taker so will be cruising along at a steady 30mph most days but hopefully on the weekends as down on the south coast plenty of scenic country routes that I would like to enjoy whilst still being sensible but stretching the cars legs. Things such as track days etc do interest me but at this stage in my driving its simply not worth thinking about. Which is why in my opening post I was thinking 2L maximum. I'm not against more but wouldn't see the need unless the car was lovely.

The BMW above is what I was looking at although the 120i but again that example has 72k miles on it so wouldn't the BMW warranty be significantly more?

And again to re-iterate this is car I will keep for the next few years, if I buy a cheap car now for 3k or so then it has to last 5 years and I won't be saving up 12k for another car in that time, hence just biting the bullet and putting the funds available into it now, if in 5+ years I fancy/need a change then the car will at least have some value with likely no more than another 25k miles on the clock. And then if that's not quite enough to get the next car I would add some savings.

For 12k what should I be looking for in a BMW 120i/125i Coupe, mileage, age, gadgets wise? I really do like the GT86 as it seems perfect for what I want and looks like I want but as they are so new the cheapest i've seen is about 17k which is more than I want to add and I think there are plenty of cheaper options which should accommodate. The 350z is similar in looks but a 3.5L engine and not comfortable on longer journeys isn't ideal, the 370z admittedly I am not an experienced driver but I have read/seen videos that suggest it is actually a poorer car in comparison?

Please stop talking about the Mustang as I know its in my price range but the insurance would make me pass out and power/size and opposite seating position of it would be a lot to manage first go :p
 
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Richeh said:
Would I be right in a comparison by comparison basis that the Mercs tend to be higher to service but don't actually provide the ride quality BMW and to an extent say Audi do?

I've been reading the entire internet about cars over the last couple of weeks trying to make the right decision but can always use some confirmation.
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I don't own either a merc or BMW but I believe the servicing on mercs can be higher.
 
I presume you have no children, no major commitments and no requirement to commute.

So as insurance isn't a huge issue, for 12k I'd be looking at a Boxster.
 
Bug One said:
I presume you have no children, no major commitments and no requirement to commute.

So as insurance isn't a huge issue, for 12k I'd be looking at a Boxster.
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It's his first car, he expresses concerns about running costs, is reluctant to pick a car with high road tax and explains how performance isn't actually that important as long as its not slow.

And you recommend a used Porsche?! :p
 
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