Buying advice please. Something fun, fast and reliable. Up to £32k

AnastieByte · 23 Mar 2019 at 06:59

Hi all

Im in the position to buy a second car and want something fast and fun. Im looking at new or less than a year old (as drive the deal has some great discounts on my shortlisted cars)

This is a bit of a one off purchase following retirement and spending this sort of money im wanting to get it right and hold on to it for a few years. My criteria is:

I want something fast, sounds decent if possible under acceleration, well made interior, reliable and low mileage. Prefer more than two seats (may be negotiable with wife!) I'm avoiding the diesel route as our second car is diesal and Ive owned diesels for the last 15 years.

Short list so far is:

Golf R

BMW M140i

Mercedes A35

Audi S3

Any other suggestions to add to my list?

tamzzy · 23 Mar 2019 at 07:46

PCP or "actually" owning the car?

Shoza · 23 Mar 2019 at 07:55

Mini JCW and spend the saving on some decent tyres.

mikeh501 · 23 Mar 2019 at 07:59

2nd car, retirement, pcp, keep for years..... thought about buying something a little older, perhaps a bit more special and you wont lose your shirt on depreciation? All those cars are daily drivers pretty much and you wont have the same criteria for a 2nd car which comes out on sundays etc.

porsche cayman/boxster?

AnastieByte · 23 Mar 2019 at 08:14

tamzzy said:
PCP or "actually" owning the car?

Imgoing to buy the car outright

Shoza said:
Mini JCW and spend the saving on some decent tyres.

I would love this option but Mrs AB hates mini's!!

AnastieByte · 23 Mar 2019 at 08:21

mikeh501 said:
2nd car, retirement, pcp, keep for years..... thought about buying something a little older, perhaps a bit more special and you wont lose your shirt on depreciation? All those cars are daily drivers pretty much and you wont have the same criteria for a 2nd car which comes out on sundays etc.

porsche cayman/boxster?

Sorry should have added it will be a daily driver for Mrs AB, well two days a week !

a1ex2001 · 23 Mar 2019 at 08:50

AnastieByte said:
Sorry should have added it will be a daily driver for Mrs AB, well two days a week !

Then just buy what ever the wife wants? Personally if i’d Just retired I woukdn’t Be dropping 30k plus on a fast depreciating asset. You could have some amazing experiences with 20k if that and still be driving round in a nice enough car.

AnastieByte · 23 Mar 2019 at 08:59

a1ex2001 said:
Then just buy what ever the wife wants? Personally if i’d Just retired I woukdn’t Be dropping 30k plus on a fast depreciating asset. You could have some amazing experiences with 20k if that and still be driving round in a nice enough car.

Thanks for taking the time to reply. So far what we both like are the cars I mentioned. However, youveall given me some additional things to consider hence posting. The idea of an older car such as a Boxster or Caymen are certainly cars i hadnt considered shortlisting due to how old they are. The depreciation been slower is tempting not to mention spending less than £31k if i can!

mccarf · 23 Mar 2019 at 09:04

Mustang?
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201903206076989

Simon · 23 Mar 2019 at 09:07

BMW M?

a1ex2001 · 23 Mar 2019 at 09:28

AnastieByte said:
Thanks for taking the time to reply. So far what we both like are the cars I mentioned. However, youveall given me some additional things to consider hence posting. The idea of an older car such as a Boxster or Caymen are certainly cars i hadnt considered shortlisting due to how old they are. The depreciation been slower is tempting not to mention spending less than £31k if i can!

Do you even need two cars now you are retired? Certainly something worth considering, the running costs could be put to something much better!

AnastieByte · 23 Mar 2019 at 13:04

a1ex2001 said:
Do you even need two cars now you are retired? Certainly something worth considering, the running costs could be put to something much better!

Yes as we will still be working part time called retire return

sigma · 23 Mar 2019 at 13:30

Think you’ve got it covered

fastwunz · 23 Mar 2019 at 13:33

Porsche boxter S - my dad has one and I drive it roof down during the spring on country roads around Berkshire when he lets me. It’s thrilling, sounds wonderful, looks great (larger Porsche alloys and wider) is fast (especially when it hits its sweet spot) and is very easy to drive.

It’s known as one of the best drivers cars for a very good reason and very good examples can be had for significantly less than your budget that have already depreciated but should be fully serviced and cared for - I would look through the Porsche owners club for adverts etc for tidy examples

Finglonga · 23 Mar 2019 at 13:36

Fast and fun? On the road I found the Golf R and RS3 boring as they were too fast and planted to be fun, my 335i was also too fast to be fun on public roads. Unless you are going to track the car then what would you class as fun?

AnastieByte · 23 Mar 2019 at 13:48

Some great advice thanks

sigma · 23 Mar 2019 at 13:54

fastwunz said:
Porsche boxter S - my dad has one and I drive it roof down during the spring on country roads around Berkshire when he lets me. It’s thrilling, sounds wonderful, looks great (larger Porsche alloys and wider) is fast (especially when it hits its sweet spot) and is very easy to drive.

It’s known as one of the best drivers cars for a very good reason and very good examples can be had for significantly less than your budget that have already depreciated but should be fully serviced and cared for - I would look through the Porsche owners club for adverts etc for tidy examples

£32k for one that’s less than a year old? Also, the requirement is for more than 2 seats...

fastwunz · 23 Mar 2019 at 16:53

sigma said:
£32k for one that’s less than a year old? Also, the requirement is for more than 2 seats...

haha! fair enough

Nasher · 23 Mar 2019 at 18:32

Fun and 4 usable seats, with posh interior doesn't leave a lot of choice.

Simon · 23 Mar 2019 at 18:32

Nasher said:
Fun and 4 usable seats, with posh interior doesn't leave a lot of choice.

M3 V8

Edit. Where did posh come from !?