New Car 20k budget

Scottland · 24 Feb 2006 at 20:52

Velocity said:
I know what you are saying. I'm probaly being daft. I mean I think with the discount we get I can get a New Golf GTI for 16k which is a bit of a steal.

That is a steal, or an Octavia vRS for about 12k - that is a steal! I'd be getting one if I could pick up a brand new one for that.

Infact, I reckon with the VW; you could keep it 2/3 years and harldy lose anything on it.

cymatty · 24 Feb 2006 at 20:52

Gilly said:
lol, thats weak dude

Not as weak as editing your posts to be right.

Gilly · 24 Feb 2006 at 20:53

cymatty said:
Not as weak as editing your posts to be right.

I didn't edit anything

Velocity · 24 Feb 2006 at 20:54

Scottland said:
That is a steal, or an Octavia vRS for about 12k - that is a steal! I'd be getting one if I could pick up a brand new one for that.

Infact, I reckon with the VW; you could keep it 2/3 years and harldy lose anything on it.

Thats what I am thinking. The Skoda would loose more money than a GTI. I am seriously toying with the idea of a GTI, seems like a good option. Especially with discount.

cymatty · 24 Feb 2006 at 20:55

Gilly said:
I didn't edit anything

Ok.

Yeah get some sort of 6cyl BMW 3 series coupe.

Del Lardo · 24 Feb 2006 at 20:57

In your position I would buy something like an Elise/VX220/MR2/MX-5 for £10-£12k (depending on which one takes your fancy) and another £4k on a sensible car like a Mondeo.

You get the best of both worlds, a sports car when you want one and a practical, well specced car for longer journeys.

saitrix · 24 Feb 2006 at 20:58

If i was you then i would get an Elise/Exige ideally. Then it would be S2000/RX8 if i wanted more comfort. Then if i wanted lots of comfort then it would be a 3 or 5 series, probably 5 as if i recall correctly you can get more for your money with them.

Velocity · 24 Feb 2006 at 20:58

Del Lardo said:
In your position I would buy something like an Elise/VX220/MR2/MX-5 for £10-£12k (depending on which one takes your fancy) and another £4k on a sensible car like a Mondeo.

You get the best of both worlds, a sports car when you want one and a practical, well specced car for longer journeys.

The only problem with that being x2 Insurance wear and tear etc Tax

Hilly · 24 Feb 2006 at 21:02

Noxis said:
Dont be silly.

Behave, it's a quality car

Vertigo · 24 Feb 2006 at 21:06

hilly said:
Behave, it's a quality car

Quality is relative - he's used to driving Audis

Del Lardo · 24 Feb 2006 at 21:06

Velocity said:
The only problem with that being x2 Insurance wear and tear etc Tax

Well the overall mileage would remain roughly the same and if anything he could save money. Driving a new/nearly new Golf GTi 200 miles is going to cost you a fair bit in depreciation and maintenance. The same trip in a 4 year old Mondeo (as an example) would cost you less.

Some insurance companies now allow you to insure 2 cars on the policy so insurance would be less of an issue.

At the end of the day if you can afford to spend £20k on a car then the running costs and insurance shouldn't really be an issue, even at 21. If they are an issue then I'd question if the OP can really afford to spend anywhere close to £20k.

NickXX · 24 Feb 2006 at 21:08

Velocity said:
I am quite keen on a BMW. Id be interested to see what MrFox has to say. I mean if i can pick up the car that fits for 10k then excellent.

You can pick up a high mileage facelift e46 BMW 330i Sport Saloon for 10k. I got my 2002 e46 BMW 330d Sport Saloon for £12k, can post pics if you want.

For £15k, you should be able to pick up a nice 330i Coupe Sport.

saitrix · 24 Feb 2006 at 21:09

Accually i forgot about having 2 cars. I went in PeterNem's 2.5 v6 Ghia X mk3 Mondeo and it was really good for just £6500 i think he picked it up for. That would leave you with at least £12500 (that includes taking £1000 out for extra insurance cost) for the VX220/Elise.

Velocity · 24 Feb 2006 at 21:15

NickXX said:
You can pick up a high mileage facelift e46 BMW 330i Sport Saloon for 10k. I got my 2002 e46 BMW 330d Sport Saloon for £12k, can post pics if you want.

For £15k, you should be able to pick up a nice 330i Coupe Sport.

In your opinion how would you go about picking up a nice one

I have never purchased a car, I have driven company supplied vehicles since I was 18, so I'm happy to be a bit of a noob.

For a BM would you go via main dealer/private?

NickXX · 24 Feb 2006 at 21:21

Velocity said:
In your opinion how would you go about picking up a nice one

I have never purchased a car, I have driven company supplied vehicles since I was 18, so I'm happy to be a bit of a noob.

For a BM would you go via main dealer/private?

Ditto - I had been driving a company car last year, was my first car.

I only had £12k to spend and wanted a 330d Sport, so things were pretty limited for me. I went to Car Giant and got lucky. Ended up getting a November 2002 330d Sport with 97k on the clock. FBMWSH at Sytner's BMW, and seems like a very sound car so far (only had it 2 weeks).

You have more money, so I would recommend going to a dealer and getting something with a less mileage which you will get a dealer warrantee with. Car Giant are superb value for money, and the cars are generally very sound. However, they are usually high mileage and won't come with any warrantee.

If you do decide to slash your budget, then Car Giant is the place to go for absolute value for money, and cars with a history.

In terms of insurance, expect to pay a fair bit if you've not got a NCB. I'm 22 and had to cough up £1,600 for the privilage.

Velocity · 24 Feb 2006 at 21:24

NickXX said:
Ditto - I had been driving a company car last year, was my first car.

I only had £12k to spend and wanted a 330d Sport, so things were pretty limited for me. I went to Car Giant and got lucky. Ended up getting a November 2002 330d Sport with 97k on the clock. FBMWSH at Sytner's BMW, and seems like a very sound car so far (only had it 2 weeks).

You have more money, so I would recommend going to a dealer and getting something with a less mileage which you will get a dealer warrantee with. Car Giant are superb value for money, and the cars are generally very sound. However, they are usually high mileage and won't come with any warrantee.

If you do decide to slash your budget, then Car Giant is the place to go for absolute value for money, and cars with a history.

In terms of insurance, expect to pay a fair bit if you've not got a NCB. I'm 22 and had to cough up £1,600 for the privilage.

Ok mate thanks.

I have maximum no claims and I am the same age as you at 22.

I will take a visit to the dealer to see what they have on offer. When you have been driving company cars all your driving life its a pretty scary in a way buying a new car.

I intend to do my research and get the right one.

Hilly · 24 Feb 2006 at 21:28

Vertigo1 said:
Quality is relative - he's used to driving Audis

Until you've been in one, you can have no relevant opinion

Velocity · 24 Feb 2006 at 21:31

LoL... tbh whenever I drive anything else but Audi's. Leon/Golf/Octavia I always feel back at home in my Audi. It's bliss.

Hmm checking out some 5 series at the mo

NickXX · 24 Feb 2006 at 21:36

Velocity said:
Ok mate thanks.

I have maximum no claims and I am the same age as you at 22.

I will take a visit to the dealer to see what they have on offer. When you have been driving company cars all your driving life its a pretty scary in a way buying a new car.

I intend to do my research and get the right one.

With 5 years NCB insurance will be very easy going even on the 330i Sports for you.

It is scary, especially when you're shelling out a good few thousand. Company cars are all so much easier - "What car do you want?", "ok, sign here" being the only questions you need to think about

I did a fair bit of research before going, but didn't really know what to look out for when I was looking. Car Giant however has loads of 330's so I compared them to each other to identify the wheat from the chaff - before finally deciding on the one that I wanted.

I think I got lucky with my purchase, but getting something from a dealer will provide peace of mind, albeit at a premium.

Vertigo · 24 Feb 2006 at 21:39

hilly said:
Until you've been in one, you can have no relevant opinion

I've sat in one thanks and, although good and a definite step up from the old Focus, it's not up to Audi standards I'm afraid, although personally I think it's more than a match for VW's latest.