Hi, it's been a while since my last, 'need a new car' thread. But it’s coming up to the time when I want something new. Current car is a Mini Cooper S with 215BHP, so I am looking for something that’s faster and handles better. My choices have been whittled down to the new Audi S3, A3 V6, Lotus Elise 111R and BMW Z4 (though from the specs it’s not quite as quick as my MCS, the 3.0 litre may just barely edge ahead though, but I may settle for the 2.5 if only for economy and a cheaper price).
Comfort I guess has a role, but coming from the very bare MCS (air-con and 6 CDC was the best the car offered, oh and them nasty half leather cloth seats), anything is a step up, especially with its bone jittering ride. I am looking to break away from the FWD scene as I have had about as much fun as I want from them without the need to thrash the hell out of it (VTECs are not really even being considered.)
Another big factor is depreciation, I don’t want something that with drop £2-3K in a single year (approx how long I tend to keep cars.) Safety is also a factor, and since I have been FWD for so long I may get into trouble with the RWD Elise, but I love the looks and am keep to learn. Likelihood of track days is nil, for insurance reasons and the fact it doesn't appeal to me really, though I do like fast, tight country road driving. Economy also plays a role but I guess with 23MPG from the MCS doesn't take much to beat it.
So based on these specs, though with or experience of the cars listed above, which is likely to hit the nails on the head, the Z4, 111R, A3 V6 or the S3. My budget will be 10K on top of my current MCS so approx 21-22k, but obviously spending less would be better, 2 yrs old min age (want manufacturer’s warranty), with preferably terrestrial mileage, with min of Air-con (soft tops are only of use when there’s no sun showers, which we tend to have a lot of these days). Oh and I am looking to buy after the summer, in hope that I can beat the current price hikes for the 2 convertibles specified.
Another question is about which is best method of purchasing, I have the cash to buy the car outright, but then I am left with the task of how to sell it on when I am bored of it, what’s the best finance option. So I only spend the depreciation of the car for the first year, or perhaps a few hundred more (I’d assume as a premium.)
Comfort I guess has a role, but coming from the very bare MCS (air-con and 6 CDC was the best the car offered, oh and them nasty half leather cloth seats), anything is a step up, especially with its bone jittering ride. I am looking to break away from the FWD scene as I have had about as much fun as I want from them without the need to thrash the hell out of it (VTECs are not really even being considered.)
Another big factor is depreciation, I don’t want something that with drop £2-3K in a single year (approx how long I tend to keep cars.) Safety is also a factor, and since I have been FWD for so long I may get into trouble with the RWD Elise, but I love the looks and am keep to learn. Likelihood of track days is nil, for insurance reasons and the fact it doesn't appeal to me really, though I do like fast, tight country road driving. Economy also plays a role but I guess with 23MPG from the MCS doesn't take much to beat it.
So based on these specs, though with or experience of the cars listed above, which is likely to hit the nails on the head, the Z4, 111R, A3 V6 or the S3. My budget will be 10K on top of my current MCS so approx 21-22k, but obviously spending less would be better, 2 yrs old min age (want manufacturer’s warranty), with preferably terrestrial mileage, with min of Air-con (soft tops are only of use when there’s no sun showers, which we tend to have a lot of these days). Oh and I am looking to buy after the summer, in hope that I can beat the current price hikes for the 2 convertibles specified.
Another question is about which is best method of purchasing, I have the cash to buy the car outright, but then I am left with the task of how to sell it on when I am bored of it, what’s the best finance option. So I only spend the depreciation of the car for the first year, or perhaps a few hundred more (I’d assume as a premium.)
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