So the wife and I have been in Netherlands for almost 3 years and we're starting to feel the limitations of the bicycle and train system as a mode of transport.
We are looking to buy a car. The last car I owned was a 2003 BMW 525i which I loved but sold when we moved.
I am looking for a second hand car, mid sized with a hatchback, a bit sporty but more or a practical machine for doing a mixture of around town driving and maybe 1-2 hour runs at the weekend.
I found after looking for an hour or 2 at several options, I have absolutely no clue what cars do these days other than drive. I hire cars, and every car I hire has 100 more features than my old perfectly acceptable BMW. Like shutting off at the traffic lights, hybrid engines, different gear boxes, bluetooth!
Is anyone on the forums a car lover who can give me a bit of advice, or suggestions? Maybe 3 years old is a decent age to balance the cost with features.
I'm a big fan of reliability.
Any suggestions appreciated.
Bert
Sounds like you want a hot hatch :)
VW Golf (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Volkswagen_Golf_Mk7) sounds great for your needs, modern yet classic, plenty of room, not too big or small, both representative and sporty, definitelly practical.
European car of the year 2013 and NA car of the year 2015
Chances of not being picked up by the police in this are pretty slim. http://www.topgear.com/car-news/hot-hatch/ford-has-rallycross-ed-focus-rs
I think I would drop the Hot part Toby. What year is the Toby-Mobile? I quite like being a passenger in that old beast :D
This seemed like a nice one: https://www.autoscout24.com/offers/-284578237
I bet in the UK it's about half the price. Road Tax for this is over â,¬600 per year.
Also Skoda Octavia RS or Rapid RS version could be cheaper and fun option.
Golf GTD
A bit sporty with excellent fuel economy and low road tax (UK).
My 3 serries is a 04 plate mate
Quote from: BrotherTobious;412031My 3 serries is a 04 plate mate
Bloody good condition for 04. I loved my 03 BMW.
How about a Tesla3 around late 2017?
It's going to be around $35k, which is a similar price point of a WV Golf. You might get it for less if your government provides rebates for electrical cars.
Couple of solar panels at home and you're driving for "free".
I wasn't planning on spending money at that level, talking a 5-6 year old car :D
Quote from: albert;412036I wasn't planning on spending money at that level, talking a 5-6 year old car :D
Also remember he is Scottish :)
I would have a look at a BMW M135i as a mid size sporty hatch.. 3.0l turbocharged straight six, 320 bhp and RWD, a great car. At 3-4 years old a quick look on Auto trader shows them around £16-18k, lot of car for the money and that straight six sound... :racing:
Quote from: BrotherTobious;412037Also remember he is Scottish :)
And what small percentage for â,¬40K was you're giloppy laughing boy? :woot2:
I was looking at the pics of the Telsa3, expected here 2018, outside is good enough but the inside looks odd with every single dash control on a huge tablet (although I have only seen one pic)
That gilopy as you put it was enough thank you and is also been a very cheap form of transport. Do you see network rail working for cheese. :)
Quote from: BrotherTobious;412044That gilopy as you put it was enough thank you and is also been a very cheap form of transport. Do you see network rail working for cheese. :)
Hey, all I can say is when asked what you'd like for being so kind as to chauffeur me to the LAN, the answer was a block of aged cows milk product (debatable whether good old English Mature Cheddar is a nicer cheese anyways), cheap waffle things even the Dutch don't eat and my winning personality and hilarious gags during the trip. Happy to oblige!
Quote from: Snokio;412043I was looking at the pics of the Telsa3, expected here 2018, outside is good enough but the inside looks odd with every single dash control on a huge tablet (although I have only seen one pic)
I actually like the dash. It's clean. Would have preferred a windscreen projection of the speedometer though..
QuoteInterestingly, a prospective Model 3 buyer over the weekend asked Elon Musk about the lack of a traditional dash. Musk coyly responded, “It will make sense after part 2 of the Model 3 unveil.â€
^Might be pointing to something of the sort. Unless it's on the steering wheel itself.
--
As for VW, the Polo line is also good, and at a much cheaper price than the Golf. Have to be careful with VW's right now though, due to that scandal. Road tax for them might shoot upwards.
Quote from: albert;412048Hey, all I can say is when asked what you'd like for being so kind as to chauffeur me to the LAN, the answer was a block of aged cows milk product (debatable whether good old English Mature Cheddar is a nicer cheese anyways), cheap waffle things even the Dutch don't eat and my winning personality and hilarious gags during the trip. Happy to oblige!
And yet this LAN you have decided to use someone else :(
Quote from: BrotherTobious;412052And yet this LAN you have decided to use someone else :(
You can meet me at Stansted if you like mate, I just chose that because the flight is cheaper and I no longer have to use BA (no points left) to LHR.
Ninja has already grabbed you for the lift from what I remember it all good :)
The Tesla's are great cars. Add that you get free charging in dutch land and if you want a go in one, get a taxi at the airport. Superb.
Failing that buy something subtle like a SRT Jeep. MPG above 10 is for non gender specific insults.....just ask Fatbob.
From what you are describing, if I was after a car like that, and didn't live in Norway. I would buy the new Civic Type-R. Reliable and fun.
If that's not your cup of tea, the BMW 1 series is quite good. Not as reliable as a Jap car, but those two are the only ones that measure up in my book.