€20,000 budget - What would you buy?

PaddyofNine

Considering buying a new car this summer. Now a man can spend hours adjusting sliders on carzone.ie but advice counts for a lot as well, so I said I'd ask the people in the know.

I'm 27, no kids to lug around. Car would be mainly for the work commute and whatever I get up to at weekends. I'd be willing to spend €15,000 - €20,000 and this car will do me for about 3 or 4 years... I'd be looking for a 07 reg or newer. Anyone any ideas or reccomendations? What would you buy in my situation and given that budget...

I was considering a BMW 3 Series but would prefer the coupe version. I've also been looking at Audi A4's - I'd love an A5 but I don't think I'd get one with that budget!

Any advice appreciated...

cjmcork

PaddyofNine wrote: »

Now a man can spend hours adjusting sliders on carzone.ie

that is my favourite thing to do on the web!

Midnight_EG

http://www.carzone.ie/search/Skoda/Octavia/RS-2.0-C/201016197668350/advert?channel=CARS

Got here first

copacetic

You could import a 320d coupe for 20k or so. Might even get an 08.

cjmcork

didn't I see a thread lately re those yokes robbed to order???? nice machine though

1948Wolseley

http://www.carzone.ie/search/Porsche/911/Carrera-/201014197503608/advert?channel=CARS

Yes, it's older than '07, but it is in budget...

PaddyofNine

The Porsche is ok, the Skoda's a bit... meh!

cjmcork

1948Wolseley wrote: »

http://www.carzone.ie/search/Porsche/911/Carrera-/201014197503608/advert?channel=CARS

Yes, it's older than '07, but it is in budget...

savage mileage though..............

Zonda999

Its a porsche though, not a ferrari, they will go forever with proper maintenance

pajero12

PaddyofNine wrote: »

Considering buying a new car this summer. Now a man can spend hours adjusting sliders on carzone.ie but advice counts for a lot as well, so I said I'd ask the people in the know.

I'm 27, no kids to lug around. Car would be mainly for the work commute and whatever I get up to at weekends. I'd be willing to spend €15,000 - €20,000 and this car will do me for about 3 or 4 years... I'd be looking for a 07 reg or newer. Anyone any ideas or reccomendations? What would you buy in my situation and given that budget...

I was considering a BMW 3 Series but would prefer the coupe version. I've also been looking at Audi A4's - I'd love an A5 but I don't think I'd get one with that budget!

Any advice appreciated...

5 series
http://www.carzone.ie/search/BMW/5-Series/520d-LOO/200937195188119/advert?channel=CARS

cjmcork

Zonda, I take your point re porsche and maintenance..........Pajero, he's 27 not 47, to be fair, the 5 series looks the part, but anyone that fancies him will think he's driving his dad's car!:p

bazz26

Should be able to pick up a 09 VW Scirocco like these:

http://www.carzone.ie/search/Volkswagen/Scirocco/SCIROCCO/201013197415494/advert?channel=CARS

http://www.carzone.ie/search/Volkswagen/Scirocco/SCIROCCO/201012197327761/advert?channel=CARS

cjmcork

bazz26 wrote: »

Should be able to pick up a 09 VW Scirocco like these:

http://www.carzone.ie/search/Volkswagen/Scirocco/SCIROCCO/201013197415494/advert?channel=CARS

http://www.carzone.ie/search/Volkswagen/Scirocco/SCIROCCO/201012197327761/advert?channel=CARS

that's nice in the blue..............

j14

The 5 Series also has plus VRT in the description. So probably over budget when that's factored in. I'd love a 320d myself.

Berty

pajero12 wrote: »

5 series
http://www.carzone.ie/search/BMW/5-Series/520d-LOO/200937195188119/advert?channel=CARS

+ VRT which is another €5852 as per VRT Website. Assuming its a 520d M but if not then the VRT would be €5381 for an SE

Berty

Midnight_EG wrote: »

http://www.carzone.ie/search/Skoda/Octavia/RS-2.0-C/201016197668350/advert?channel=CARS

Got here first

+ 1 on this.

pajero12

cjmcork wrote: »

Zonda, I take your point re porsche and maintenance..........Pajero, he's 27 not 47, to be fair, the 5 series looks the part, but anyone that fancies him will think he's driving his dad's car!:p

ok fair enough...
This any better?
http://www.carzone.ie/search/Audi/A4/1.9-TDI-/201016197729412/advert?channel=CARS

pajero12

Berty wrote: »

+ VRT which is another €5852 as per VRT Website. Assuming its a 520d M but if not then the VRT would be €5381 for an SE

Oh **** didnt notice the vrt..My bad:o

Berty

pajero12 wrote: »

ok fair enough...
This any better?
http://www.carzone.ie/search/Audi/A4/1.9-TDI-/201016197729412/advert?channel=CARS

Dealer knows his cars. Very rare for somebody to make reference to clear lenses which are hard to find and difficult to do yourself as a DIY job.

Car is bulletproof. I had a 1.9 2006 A4 S-line(ish) and had 198,000km before it moved on.

shamrock105

http://www.carzone.ie/search/Alfa-Romeo/159/1.9-TURI/201016197736750/advert?channel=CARS

thats what my silly side would go for

http://www.carzone.ie/search/Ford/Mondeo/NT-ZETEC/201010197189502/advert?channel=CARS

What I'd actually buy. the old man has one and I love it.

cjmcork

pajero12 wrote: »

ok fair enough...
This any better?
http://www.carzone.ie/search/Audi/A4/1.9-TDI-/201016197729412/advert?channel=CARS

it's nice, but still a bit dad-rep type.........that said, I wouldn't say no to one (the car, not the fella in it!):D

Marty McFly

bazz26 wrote: »

Should be able to pick up a 09 VW Scirocco like these:

http://www.carzone.ie/search/Volkswagen/Scirocco/SCIROCCO/201013197415494/advert?channel=CARS

http://www.carzone.ie/search/Volkswagen/Scirocco/SCIROCCO/201012197327761/advert?channel=CARS

do u not think the sirrocco will age badly? i already dont think its looks as good when it first came out.

How bout these,

http://www.carzone.ie/search/Alfa-Romeo/GT/Alfa-Rom/201014197542410/advert?channel=CARS

http://www.carzone.ie/search/Honda/Accord/Type-S/201014197542961/advert?channel=CARS

http://www.carzone.ie/search/SEAT/Leon/2.0-TFSI/200840190275321/advert?channel=CARS

http://www.carzone.ie/search/Mazda/Mazda6/MPS-2.3L/201017197784580/advert?channel=CARS

PaddyofNine

luvbulmers01 wrote: »

do u not think the sirrocco will age badly? i already dont think its looks as good when it first came out.

Interesting comment re: Sciroccos. I agree that they already don't have the look they did a year ago! I like BMW's but I think the 5-series is a bit older-exec alright for me....

DUBLINHITMAN

heading over to the uk next week
finally decided on wha car to get
(juffys) want 12grand and my evo ix for a 2007 320d msport coupe
rang 5 different garages in the uk and i,ve to give them between £2000 -£2500
and my evo for a 2007 320d m sport coupe
+ 4200 vrt works out around €6500
with the ferrys + petrol + diesel on the way back i doubt it will come anywhere near
(juffys) 12 grand

cp9a

Have a look at a Toyota Caldina GT4 or GT-T. Savage looking rare car with bags of power around 250bhp and you'l have alot of change from €20,000 and not look like Mr. Executive with the usual Audi or BMW.

Atomic Pineapple

DUBLINHITMAN wrote: »

heading over to the uk next week
finally decided on wha car to get
(juffys) want 12grand and my evo ix for a 2007 320d msport coupe
rang 5 different garages in the uk and i,ve to give them between £2000 -£2500
and my evo for a 2007 320d m sport coupe
+ 4200 vrt works out around €6500
with the ferrys + petrol + diesel on the way back i doubt it will come anywhere near
(juffys) 12 grand

Is your evo 9 on English plates? If it wasn't and vrt had been paid on it then trading it in to a uk garage would be a serious loss!

DUBLINHITMAN

Yeah it's on Irish plates
not going to sell it here there's more demand for them over there
don't really see the loss when I could sell the e92
quicker than I could sell my evo

bmw535d

Berty wrote: »

+ VRT which is another €5852 as per VRT Website. Assuming its a 520d M but if not then the VRT would be €5381 for an SE

its not an msport 5 series just an se with a shoddy front lip and 535d wheels..poor fella at least he tried to join the m club:L

Absurdum

DUBLINHITMAN wrote: »

heading over to the uk next week
finally decided on wha car to get
(juffys) want 12grand and my evo ix for a 2007 320d msport coupe
rang 5 different garages in the uk and i,ve to give them between £2000 -£2500
and my evo for a 2007 320d m sport coupe
+ 4200 vrt works out around €6500
with the ferrys + petrol + diesel on the way back i doubt it will come anywhere near
(juffys) 12 grand

Have you looked anywhere else besides Joe Duffy? Their trade-in prices are stupidly low.

Absurdum

Also, OP buy the Porsche 911 and stop wasting precious driving time listening to the OAPs here.

daveharnett

pajero12 wrote: »

5 series
http://www.carzone.ie/search/BMW/5-Series/520d-LOO/200937195188119/advert?channel=CARS

I've never understood this. You can buy the e60 with the best diesel engine of the decade, and people choose not to.

Erren Music

daveharnett wrote: »

I've never understood this. You can buy the e60 with the best diesel engine of the decade, and people choose not to.

Better off buying an 08 one. F all VRT and low tax, you can buy one here for 24 or 25 or bring one in for low 20's

Appleguy

I'd be buying this and keeping €9000 in my pocket.

Atomic Pineapple

DUBLINHITMAN wrote: »

Yeah it's on Irish plates
not going to sell it here there's more demand for them over there
don't really see the loss when I could sell the e92
quicker than I could sell my evo

How much are you getting for your Evo in sterling from the guk garages?

PaddyofNine

Some of these are the right job but I'm sure that after expenses, VRT and so on I'd be closer to €25,000 than €20,000!

MetzgerMeister

Paddy, you could get a high-spec 231bhp '07 Mazda RX-8 with that budget and money left over. Have you considered these??

http://www.carzone.ie/search/Mazda/RX-8/231-PS/201018197841068/advert?channel=CARS

http://www.carzone.ie/search/Mazda/RX-8/sport/201015197580620/advert?channel=CARS

NinjaTruncs

PaddyofNine wrote: »

Some of these are the right job but I'm sure that after expenses, VRT and so on I'd be closer to €25,000 than €20,000!

Closer to 30K i think, converting 20K sterling to Euro will cost 24K and then VRT + expenses.

PaddyofNine

Those RX-8's are quite nice aren't they? Was considering them but thinking the styling hasn't been updated since 2003 - there's a new 2010 version out, with an even more aggressive looking R3 variant but guess what they've discontinued it in Ireland. Typical!

bazz26

PaddyofNine wrote: »

Those RX-8's are quite nice aren't they? Was considering them but thinking the styling hasn't been updated since 2003 - there's a new 2010 version out, with an even more aggressive looking R3 variant but guess what they've discontinued it in Ireland. Typical!

You can thank the Greens for that, as it would cost around €2k to tax per year.

How about an Audi TT?

http://www.driving.ie/usedcars/index.cfm?fuseaction=car&carID=201016197721712

-Corkie-

How about a top of the range passat 07 with the 170 bhp diesel engine for 16k.

af_thefragile

Alfa Romeo Brera.

Look no further.

fifth

Honda accord

MarkN

20k? Probably this.

http://pistonheads.com/sales/1673131.htm



or this

http://pistonheads.com/sales/1543311.htm

galwaytt

bazz26 wrote: »

How about an Audi TT?

If I didn't have one too many coupe's at the mo, I'd buy the TT belonging to a guy at work: 270 bhp, fabulous, for €8k.

MarkN wrote: »

20k? Probably this.

Seeing as you brought P-cars up, naturally I'd say this is fab, for 9.5k......but I would, wouldn't I........:D

...mmmm...

PaddyofNine

This is nice...

galwaytt

PaddyofNine wrote: »

This is nice...

...oh wow, yes it is.

PaddyofNine

Been looking up reviews too - those RX8's go like the clappers. Jeremy Clarkson gave one high praise indeed!

MetzgerMeister

PaddyofNine wrote: »

Been looking up reviews too - those RX8's go like the clappers. Jeremy Clarkson gave one high praise indeed!

Yes indeed! Especially if it's the 231 model. Also there's ample room for improvement from stock in the ECU

vintagevrs

I have an 07 e92 320d. If you are going for one of these, try to get an 08. €500 difference in tax between the 08 and 07 per year will really hamper resale value on the 07:(

And because this does not apply to the cars in the UK as there tax laws changed years ago their prices are not inflated between 07 and 08 where as they are here.

Will normally make sense in the long run unless your getting exactly what you want at a really good price.

Good luck with it

dudara

I drive an older 3-series and although I love it - I'll be giving serious consideration to Porsche next time around. Life's too short to be thinking if only...

PaddyofNine

Although it's a bit exec-y, I like this - pity it's sold!