[Closed] What new car for £30k?

his & hers Dacia Duster

you can get an AMG sport (not the proper amg) A class 250 for 27k

RenaultSport Megane! Mmmmmmm

Is your wife's prejudice based on driving one? Any chance of persuading her to go and have a shot in a M135?

New Octavia VRS with toys and some change?

I think it would be wrong to not properly look at the M135 as it is supposed to be a cracking car. Missing out on the best car due to your wife's prejudice is just so wrong!!

"Young professional couple" eh? what does that actually mean? do they have certain physical differences to non professional couples? or is this a " i can buy a £30K car" troll... not sure will keep watch on this one.... 😉

Would definitely suggest having a good long look at the GT86 - had mine for nearly a year and it still makes me smile every time I drive it. Getting an average of 35 mpg, and is surprisingly practical as a day-to-day vehicle. Has been absolutely faultless to date, and purchasing experience from dealer was also good.

Mrs just got a M125d. God it's good. I was anti BMW too until I got in the thing. Her colleague got the 135i, what a noise it makes. I'd visit a garage for sure.

you is well rich

Pictures of the Subaru BRZ looks pretty cool, not seen one on the road yet.

Innit...

Don't buy so new and get a Bentley Continental GT - really show up those that live on the new build estate with you and your professional friends 😉

Cripes, that Titus isn't doing anything for your image!
Buy an audi second hand and get a carbon spesh to put on the roof. You'll be well in.

2nd hand 911

tony can you get a bike in a gt86?

Depends what you want in a car. If you want some thing normal with big engine get the S3 ie not the best handling. if you want a capable fwd get the Golf. If you want a refined sports car get the BMW. If you want a fantastic handling car with smiles per mile get the GT86.

A Class AMG is just a tarted up A class.

Your not far of baby Aston Martin tertiary, or a nice Boxter/911.

Edit - I was looking at GT86, but you cant put a roof rack on one, and I couldn't see a boot rack going on either. I would get my full susser in the boot, its very narrow opening though.

IMO the Boxter is more practical.

But you are after a fun car, you need to go and drive them all and make your own mind up.

Elshalimo +1

I was going to say GTi. Pedals are better placed for heel-and-toe than in Audi cars, for me.

I was quite interested in a GT86 for the RWDness, but lost interest as soon as I sat in one.

Golf every time - manual, performance pack, sorted 😈

Personally I would go for 135i or 125d - I recently went through the same exercise and nothing I drove had the same quality feel combined speed.

But personally if I were to buy a car today it would be the new 335d xdrive with no options at £414 @ 3.9% a month direct from BMW. Its a beast 320hp (0-60 in sub 5sec) and real world 45mpg.

But personally if I were to buy a car today it would be the new 335d xdrive with no options at £414 @ 3.9% a month direct from BMW. Its a beast 320hp (0-60 in sub 5sec) and real world 45mpg.

Interesting. Will a 3 saloon take bikes easily enough? I'm looking at the 3GT just so I can keep them inside - it's massive.

[i]Don't buy so new and get a Bentley Continental GT[/i]

Yep, my thought exactly having seen one for sale yesterday. Otherwise I'd be looking at a used 535d or equivalent.

But tbh when last in your position we nearly bought a used Porsche (Cayman 3.4S tip), until the wife spent it on a Fiat instead (Horsebox) 🙂

£4k on a Mazda Bongo, £26k on adventures.

[IMG] [/IMG]

Dorset what put you off the GT86. It feels much more like a proper sports car when you sit inside it than any BMW will do.

I saw a Golf R last night, looked and sounded very nice, but a bit over £30k.

I was going to say the new A class is pants, Audi is dull and Golf is just too theftworthy but I'll go with my original thought: £30,000 for a car? Spend less and save more.

The US - Someone buys a nice car, everyone else says, "Wow, nice car! Good for you"
The UK - Someone buys a nice car, everyone else* says, "Wharrawanchor! You should buy a second hand piece of shit instead"

*Well, not everyone else, just the usual chippy so and sos. 🙂

I used to chop & change cars like crazy, and have been through all the usual RWD, FWD, 4WD, Coupe's, Convertibles blah blah - so I can potentially bore for Britain on this one!

TBH, from what you've said, I'd recommend the Golf GTI. IMO and experience, the 3 door looks nicer, but 5 door is easier if you're going to put a bike inside the car - oh, and the suspension is a bit more UK road surface friendly than the Audi and BMW's on runflat tyres.

As I don't like to carry my bike on the outside of my car, I recently bought a Skoda Octavia VRS estate - nearly got a Golf GTI, but am so glad I didn't, as I saved enough money to get a new Santa Cruz! I'm very pleased with the VRS - I love the understated look, and it's bonkers fast 😀 If you're spending your own money and go in and haggle hard, you'll get a top spec and plenty of change from your 30K. My VRS has full leather and all the gizmos, and TBH, apart from the badge on the steering wheel, you could be sitting in a Golf GTI. The seats, instruments, wiper stalks, A/C, satnav etc are the same as a Golf MK6 (I keep recognising Golf GTI parts:))

If you do end up going for a VAG car and are planning to keep it longer than the warranty, I wouldn't bother with the DSG box, go for manual. A pal has had an absolute nightmare with the DSG on his Audi.

LOL @ Tom B.

Yep.

I can't believe that anyone would waste £30,000 on a rapidly depreciating means of transport that is only really being justified in order to make a statement to the neighbours. Just buy a cheap banger and two really nice watches 😆

The US - Someone buys a nice car, everyone else says, "Wow, nice car! Good for you"
The UK - Someone buys a nice car, everyone else* says, "Wharrawanchor! You should buy a second hand piece of shit instead"

*Well, not everyone else, just the usual chippy so and sos.

Yup.

Does it really have to be new? I mean, £30k will get you pretty much anything you want if you'll consider second hand. You obviously don't want the lecture on depreciation and all that, but at least answer this:
Do you have £30k in cash/loan ready to put down on the car of your choice, or are you looking at PCP on a £30k car? There's a huge difference in what cars can be suggested dependent on the answer to this question.

For my money, and having squeezed bikes into (yes, into, not on) any number of tiny cars - MR2, MX5, RX7, for example - I'd buy a £30k car with the sole requirement of it being a massive hoot to drive. Sod the bike space, because if you really want to you [i]will[/i] make it fit.
I choose.... this:
[url= http://img.pistonheads.com.s3-eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/Fullsize/tvr/t350/others/tvr-t350-others-S678370-2.jp g" target="_blank">http://img.pistonheads.com.s3-eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/Fullsize/tvr/t350/others/tvr-t350-others-S678370-2.jp g"/> [/img][/url]

Thanks for the entertaining and informative answers chaps 🙂

Its not like I actually have 30K cash lying about, please see the previous thread we had on how on earth people afford nice cars!

(yeah flying ox PCP, the world would be my oyster with 30K cash)

ok WANT
http://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/ferrari/456/ferrari-456-gta-m/1205196

But cant have 🙁

How do people afford nice cars?

Either by working hard, or doing something illegal, choice is yours..

[i]Either by working hard, or doing something illegal, choice is yours.. [/i]

You missed been lucky and/or inheritance.

Either by working hard, or doing something illegal, choice is yours..

You missed been lucky and/or inheritance.

Sometimes, by working hard [i]and[/i] doing something illegal you can come into an inheritance. But you can only keep it by being lucky 😈

PCP

G37 coupe would be my choice. Same engine as the Nissan 370z (i.e. brilliant), 2+2 seating, decent boot, exuding luxury, one of the best dealer aftermarket customer care programs going. Nice looking to boot.
[img] [/img]

You've got 30k and no ties?

TWO cars IMO:

Lotus Elise
AND
Audi A3 2.0T. This way if your situation changes in a year you can easily jettison the Elise.

But personally if I were to buy a car today it would be the new 335d xdrive with no options at £414 @ 3.9% a month direct from BMW. Its a beast 320hp (0-60 in sub 5sec) and real world 45mpg.
Interesting. Will a 3 saloon take bikes easily enough? I'm looking at the 3GT just so I can keep them inside - it's massive.

You'll get one in the back but really you'd want to go rack or roof option. I am kicking myself as much as I like my new 1 series I wouldn't have hesitated for the 335d which wasn't available at the time. My dealer said bmw are doing a pre release offer hence the great price right now....cheaper than a 330d and as as much torque as a m3

what's the payement on a pcp for £30k?? im no professional but I bet its a lot!!, funny how as you get older and could buy it cash you really don't see the point.. 😉 I prefer potato wedges to chips btw... 🙂

Inheritence?

NO way I'd spend 30k cash on a car. Car allowance, cunning lease or classic depreciation-free popular in-vogue model.

Actually, 6yr old RangeRover?

£30,000 for a car? Spend less and save more.

For all you know they're on 200k a year and are saving 5k a month.

they've got 30k to spend, they should be able to spend it, and get advice without pious comments like that.

Having been in a VW golf, I can honestly say it is not very well suited to the UK roads. Far too stiff and unforgiving. A work colleague has one and although the fit and finish is good, he preferred a focus for comfort, which when the golf arrived, has no choice for 3 years now. Passat is a big car , but seems to ride nicer. I had an Elise and it was not very good, very overhyped. Better build quality on kit cars and overpriced parts for a box of mix and match parts. Not sure where your £30 k will send you in car buying, but just my 2p's worth.

they've got 30k to spend, they should be able to spend it, and get advice without pious comments like that.

Massive +1.

Thanks for the entertaining and informative answers chaps

Its not like I actually have 30K cash lying about, please see the previous thread we had on how on earth people afford nice cars!

(yeah flying ox PCP, the world would be my oyster with 30K cash)

Yer daft. Go buy a car you can afford.

Flashy and warton +1. Well done OP, wish I had that kind of money to spend but kids has well and truly put an end to that!

I've no recent experience but did own a 2001 S3 and absolutely loved it, broke my heart when I sold it. I haven't seen the new ones but mine was very well kitted out, comfortable (no run flats!), looked great, and was great fun. Drove a few GTIs around the same time and much preferred the S3, but things change no doubt.

You should definitely at least try the bimmer, I'm now driving a 10 year old 320d touring (M Sport, woohoo) and it's a great car.

I'd not buy brand new though but I guess the whole PCP thing rules out second hand.

ok I'll fess up the Mrs has just spent that on a new kitchen/utility and downstairs bathroom and I'd rather have spent it on a car... 🙁 still at least I can now get boiling water on demand apparently...

I would literally need to be shitting pound coins before I'd consider spending 30k on a car.
But if you really had to you could get an awesome 2nd hand motor for a less, in fact I quite like to 2 motor option posted above. You'll soon have kids then you're ****ed 🙂

people have different tastes, to me its important and I want to spend some of my income on. We are talking around £420 of my pay check here for something I will truly value and enjoy

others may disagree, you are welcome to 🙂

I would literally need to be shitting pound coins before I'd consider spending 30k on a car.

like

buys his bike from on one
yet spends 30k on a car?

(ill wait for stoner to appear)

Have to confess I'm stunned £30k gets you "just" an Golf GTI or an A3, result of the £ taking a hammering these past 5 years. It's been 6 years but that's what I paid for an A6 2.7 tdi Quattro Avant, leather interior etc.

Both very good cars. Personally I don't like the new A3 dash so I'd go for the Golf for better interior room. Can you get an A3 Quattro (non S) for that money or do they even do one ?

Instead of all the b1tching just let people spend their money how they wish, they'll be giving the tax man £6k so it's hard to complain about that right ?

[i]We are talking around £420 of my pay check here for something I will truly value and enjoy [/i]

Sorry, but you are committing to spend £420 x 36 (or 48) months, so between £15k and £20k with nothing to show at the end of it.

Been there, didn't do it.

Instead I bought a cracking older 5 series with a super-smooth V8 for what you'll spend on your deposit.

Buy a Focus for £10k and use the £20k for a massive round the world trip?

The only reson I'm amazed that threads like this appear (including a pistonheads link!) is because its a cyclist website.
I have nothing else to say (and no chip).

So, someone who likes cycling isn't allowed to like cars now?

matt_outandabout - Member
Buy a Focus for £10k and use the £20k for a massive round the world trip?

this ^^^^^

Sorry, but you are committing to spend £420 x 36 (or 48) months, so between £15k and £20k with nothing to show at the end of it.

How much have you spent on bikes? Why didn't you go to Halfords, it's cheaper?!

(I agree with your sentiment by the way, and wouldn't do it myself, but that's irrelevant)

Not sure what [i]"now"[/i] is supposed to mean... but it does surprise me that a cyclist type is so into cars as to spend 30k on one. Maybe it doesn't surprise you, so be it.

Jaguar

titusrider - Member
people have different tastes, to me its important

Joking/trolling/stwing aside.... important to have a £30k car?

I don't think you need to be particularly into cars to spend £30k these days. I've got mates who spend upwards of £50k on them and change every few years at least. Boggles my mind but they've got the disposable income so fair play to them. One of them even rides bikes too!

Titusrider. What if you have an unexpected baby?

You are locked into such things as leases. Im 18months into a 2yr lease and boy I want out.

Plus youll get bored of the car. At least straight finance on a nearly new you can get out of it.

All the power to you. Enjoy cars whilst you have the disposable income.

Within a year of my son being born I eas paying 800 a month on nursery fees.

but it does surprise me that a cyclist type is so into cars as to spend 30k on one. Maybe it doesn't surprise you, so be it.

[img] [/img]

a young professional couple

Amazing. 😆

What kind of car would an amateur couple drive?

I don't give two s**ts how much it costs, but I do want something fast, which is a nice place to be, a reasonable size and that doesn't look ridiculous when I turn up at client sites in it.

Turns out 25-30 is the kind of money you need to spend on new cars for that these days....

hora - no babies even remotely on the horizon, and precautions in place!

So the OP doesn't actually have £30K but has the ability and desire to spend £400 odd a month for 3 or 4 years on a PCP agreement on a £30k car. I guess I could afford that if I changed a few priorities and REALLY wanted to. As it is I live relatively meagrely and save quite a bit (mainly so I can either retire early or afford to change career for my latter years) I could probably raid the piggy bank and buy one outright but I don't think I'd choose to.

The perceived wisdom is that it's far more financially efficient to save the money first and buy newish 2nd hand. It would be interesting to know how the numbers stack up. If I were to save for 2 years and buy a 2 yr old car that would have cost £30k when new and sell it 3 years later how much better off would I be than if I had 'jam today' and didn't bother saving and had 3 years with the same car on a PCP but had it from new?

Interesting thought convert.

I would just buy any of them, you don't seem very passionate about the car or even interested in it, just the image and the way it reflects on you. I'm not saying there's anything wrong with that, though it seems a bit mad to me. Makes me glad I merely have a bad Corrado/Mk2 GTi habit... Do post pics when you pick it up 🙂

Enjoy whatever you buy chap.

From reading this I'm staggered how [i]little[/i] £30k buys in terms of cars these days. 😯

I'm more amazed that people think you need to spend £30k to do this

something fast, which is a nice place to be, a reasonable size and that doesn't look ridiculous when I turn up at client sites in it.

BWD you make a good point, im not particularly passionate about any of them right now.

I am an alfa nut at heart and would love to justify a giulietta cloverleaf but having been slightly let down by the current alfa mito I have im struggling to want to live with one.

I will try some of the options for 'trading up' and if I don't get passionate about one of them then I'll stick with the devil I know.

legend - what would you recommend that fits that then? <7.5 0-60 at least

Nissan 370Z 16,000 miles - £19,999
Audi S6 43,000 miles - £17,000
Audi S3 33,000 miles - £19,000
Mercedes SL big enough engine to tow a ship - £pennies

and that's just with 2mins of looking and within 10miles of the house

or:
8 Renault Clio 182s
+ some barge for the client visits

Legend I appreciate your work but ON PCP (ie for significantly less than £500 a month and no more than £3000 down)

why does it have to be PCP? £14,000 loan over three years is £421/month with M&S + you actually own something at the end (which you are free to do whatever you want with)

Titus as Legend says you could easily spend a lot less and get an awful lot of car for the money...one that is properly quick. B7 RS4 avant circa £20k with a cracking soundtrack too. The interior is lovely too, OK it may guzzle fuel but it won't drop much cash over the next few years. They'll never make a car like this again.

Fair play for being in the position to drop £30k on a car...I love cars but would never spend this on a new car just because you could get something properly awesome. For not much more money, my step uncle has just bought an RS6. If you can afford £30k and want something quick, I'd stop mucking about with Golfs and S3's and buy something really quick.

If you do buy a new one, I'd strongly recommend looking at the M135 its a far better car than the Golf and has a proper engine not a pokey litter four pot. It'll drive better and sound ace...it's had great reviews too. Properly good reviews and are there are some great deals to have. Downside is that if its anything like the old 135 it'll depreciate an awful lot. The Golf to my eyes is a bit bland and the S3 will be quick but lack character and be numb.

For this amazed at how expensive new cars are, it's true...a top spec Mondeo is the best part of £30k list price. Even the new Octavia is hugely compared to the previous one; tick a few options and you won't get much change firm £30k. Yikes.

RS4 (Avant), now you're talking!

Good point on 4 pot, go for something that growls.

Edit: A mate had a '99 S4 (2.7 litre V6 IIRC) and it pished all over my '51 S3 in all aspects other than looks.

What's with the fascination with 0-60 times?

A fast car doesn't automatically mean good fun, unless your incredibly dull and just want buy a car that can go fast in a straight line.. aka VRs etc.

The OP has ruled himself out of one of the best cars mentioned above (GT86) because its 0-60 isn't fast enough.