Spec me a 13.5k car

Adsta

Adsta

Adsta

Soldato
Joined
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Hey all,

I hardly ever visit this part of the forums as I am not a car wizard :p But anyways my work has given me a grant of £13.5k to buy a car so I can commute.

At the moment I drive a hyundai coupe 2L SE (1998 plate :( ) which has been a fun drive and quite reliable the last 4 years. I have had a little browse around but really I have no idea what I am looking for. So I thought I would ask the OCUK car wizards. The only thing I do not want is a 4x4/SUV type. I would like it to have a bit of power. But otherwise I am not fussy.

I don't really know what other details I should post so if I have missed something out let me know.

So OCUK spec me a car for ~ £13.5K
 
Mileage - mmm roughly 8k a year maybe a bit less.

Will be mainly for commuting but would like a fun drive. I don't need space in the car so like 2 seaters are an option if I can afford it.
 
Ability to pay running costs?

You can buy a Kia for £13.5k or a Porsche for £13.5k but they will have totally different running costs.
 
Running costs are not a problem. I did look at a couple of Porsche Boxsters, oddly enough I looked at your thread Peerzy when you got yours which seems a nice car.

But I don't want to get tunnel vision and think I want THAT car and nothing else. So I want to keep my options open.
 
Adsta said:
Running costs are not a problem. I did look at a couple of Porsche Boxsters, oddly enough I looked at your thread Peerzy when you got yours which seems a nice car.

But I don't want to get tunnel vision and think I want THAT car and nothing else. So I want to keep my options open.
Click to expand...
does this mean that power is high on the priority list?

if yes, then whats the benchmark?
 
Not really I don't really have an benchmarks either :p I just want something that will not start shaking when I hit 80-90mph (on the track ofc..)

I just want something that will go when required and look nice :p I know 13.5k is not a great deal but hey its free money from work so I might as well make the most of it.
 
£13.5k is short for a Boxster (987) if you ask me, plus not sure how happy work would be with you turning up in a 2 seat sports car!

You could get a top spec lovely Mk4 Mondeo 2.5T for that money.

Take your pick of a current 3yr/50k BMW 3 series, Audi A4 or Merc C Class with a 2litre engine I'd imagin.

A range of 1 year old hot hatchbacks such as Golf GTi, Honda Civic Type R etc....

I'd say put aside a Saturday morning, spend Friday ringing round and booking test drives of 5/6 different cars and then drive loads. You'll soon realise if you want a hot hatch, sensible saloon, sports car etc....
 
Is it a grant or is it a company car? What rules are in place for the cars you are allowed to choose? Are there any tax implications?
 
Ok so I have driven.... and M3 (yes I saw the blue text :p) my Hyudai Coupe, Renault Clio and Rover 25.

I'd prefer a Petrol as thats what I have always driven although again not really fussed. Age wise meh doesn't matter, it will have to go through a road worthyness test, and I quote from the rules set out at work "The certificate must be obtained from an independent qualified engineer. It should state that the vehicle is in good mechanical condition and able to withstand a further three years' use" - Work will pay for this btw.

It's sort of a bonus for taking on a new job (can't really post more details than that) Tax implications, none on my behalf work will deal with all of that.

As for the car choice. It is totally up to me, if I want a 2 seater sports car then thats what I will buy it will make no difference to them just as long as they see an invoice to show that I have bought a car and not just banked the 13.5K.
 
Can you buy a £20k car and just pay the difference? Who would own the car if the leave the job?

I cannot stress highly enough that for this type of choice the best bet is for you to book 5-10 test drives in 1 day and just go out and do it. You'll like them all as they are all nice newish cars but a few should stand out, then you can start looking for the right engine, spec, price, options etc and settle on a choice.

No point me singing the praises of a MK4 Mondeo if you drive it and much prefer a 3 series you can afford.
 
The car would belong to me and be registered in my name. Yes there is the option to as you mentioned spend 20K and pay the difference. Although I would personally rather save the cash and just spend the 13.5k being given. I might sway an extra grand or two if it really is worth it.

I think you are right I will need to set a day aside and just do some test drives but I wanted to come on here just for some ideas.
 
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