Budget €20-25k used sports coupe advice

hardybuck

Hi folks,

I'm looking to invest in a used sports coupe in 2016, possibly halfway through the year. I'm looking to spend roughly €20-25k on a three to four year old model. I'm also quite prepared to travel to the UK if the deal is right.

I'm currently driving a Golf TDI which has given me a number of years of happy motoring. While I'm quite happy with the diesel, I'm not doing heavy mileage so I could easily be driving petrol.

I've been doing some browsing and the BMW 3 series has cought my eye, as has the Audi A5. My initial concerns around the BMW are some potential issues around reliability, which is something I'd value and one of the reasons behind choosing my Golf. Initial concerns about the A5 would be the size of it moving from a Golf!

So, I was wondering if anyone could advise on experiences with the 3 series, and potential things I might need to watch out for.

I would also greatly appreciate if people could recommend suitable alternatives. I heard good things about the Peugeot RCZ. However I'm more of a shaper than a true petrolhead, so I am looking for that element of prestigue!

Thanks

Duke O Smiley

You could probably buy a Toyota GT86 with €25k

hardybuck

Duke O Smiley wrote: »

You could probably buy a Toyota GT86 with €25k

Yeah saw that car recommended somewhere.

Just looking at that Peugeot again and there is basically no back seats in it either which is a bit of a disadvantage.

colm_mcm

How about a 1 series coupe or 2 series.

bazz26

Toyota GT86 is within budget:

http://www.driving.ie/used-cars/Toyota/GT86/2DR/200914468305170240/

Soarer

Invest is definitely the wrong word!

hardybuck

colm_mcm wrote: »

How about a 1 series coupe or 2 series.

2 series looks OK, wouldn't be keen on the 1 series at all. What would be the advantages of a 2 series? Would appear to be a newer model and maybe just outside my budget even midway through next year.

bazz26

The 2 Series Coupe replaced the old 1 Series Coupe. The same way the 4 Series replaced the old 3 Series Coupe.

Tea 1000

The GT86 is a petrol head car, don't go for it if you're someone who'd be happy driving an A5!
How about a TT?

colm_mcm

Think OP wants usable back seats though.

Would you consider a shporty saloon?

hardybuck

Tea 1000 wrote: »

The GT86 is a petrol head car, don't go for it if you're someone who'd be happy driving an A5!
How about a TT?

I was looking at it and thinking that myself. Probably a bit too much of a racer for me!

In relation to the TT - sure. I remember previous versions looking a bit tacky, but the newer model looks visually quite appealing. I must check a few reviews and see what the craic is with it practically. I see the prices for a 2011 model are currently starting around the 30k mark so might come into my budget next year.

hardybuck

colm_mcm wrote: »

Think OP wants usable back seats though.

Would you consider a shporty saloon?

Yeah it's one of those things, generally at the moment I'm only using the back seats every few weeks, but I'd certainly prefer to have the option of back seats rather than having none.

I would consider a schporty saloon, but coming from a Golf and living in Dublin I like having something reasonably compact.

I hope I'm not coming across as wanting to have my cake and eat it!

bazz26

What about a Golf GTi?

ejabrod

Go for an Evo X and have done with it

bazz26

Or even a Fiesta ST:

http://www.driving.ie/used-cars/Ford/Fiesta/ST-2/201414436405886720/

hardybuck

bazz26 wrote: »

What about a Golf GTi?

Hoping to upgrade slightly. Golf was my 20s car, this upgrade is my 30s member of management and joining a golf club but my life isn't over yet car. Sigh...

bazz26

Well it's hard to see anything in between the hot hatch size cars and the A5 coupe size cars especially if you need to use the rear seats occasionally.

Crasp

1 series coupe is horrific looking imo

A VW golf is not a sports coupe, it's a family hatchback

Options are TT, C class, 325i/335i, gt 86, maybe an SLK.

Idbatterim

How about a 1 series coupe or 2 series.

coming from a bmw driver, I stood in the local supervalu the other day with the brother laughing at the joke that is the 2 series coupe! ( I then go to check the price online, from E33,000, I then look at the brothers 01 530 m sport that we had just put through the nct that he picked up for E1600, put it through the nct with 141,000 miles on her and after sitting up for 3 years and it fails on a gaiter, thats it) Get at least the 3 series if going for a bm... Id probably go for an 06 or 07 335 or similar aged M3 and use the money saved on purchase price towards the running cost or you could go for a middle ground and import a 325 or 330 E92 coupe, the facelift m sport ones are pretty nice...

cian1500ww

I recently changed from a 3 series saloon to an A5 coupe. Seats in the back are quite cramped but are fine for short trips. Lots of stuff standard on them like heated seats, xenon lights, auto lights/wipers etc. which is quite nice and leaves you with plenty of options when looking for a used one.

Coming from the 3 series the A5 feels a good bit bigger (it's only a few inches longer and wider though) and is definitely more comfortable on the road but not as nice in car parks!

The 3 series never gave me any trouble in the ~18 months I had it apart from needing 4 glow plugs. I've only had the A5 for a few weeks so can't say much with regards to reliability on it.

Idbatterim

I also like the e class coupes from 2010 on...

smash

If you're looking to invest then get a series 1 Elise. They're only going up in value. It will cost less than €25k so you'd still have money for a 4 seater if you need one.

colm_mcm

A3 saloon, s line or something?

Know it doesn't meet the requirements it he opening post, but subsequent posts suggest it might do the trick.