New (to me) car suggestions

blindside88

Hi Guys,

I’m 90% sure I’m going to hand back my company car in April and take a car allowance as I’m doing very little business mileage now and getting wracked with high BIK, if I don’t do it now my NCB will run out also.

I don’t have huge criteria, all are flexible enough for the right car. Budget up to €15k, ideally I’d like automatic (leather if possible), a bit of flash would be nice, ideally don’t want to go below 2012. Veering towards diesel, even though I don’t do big mileage I do regular long trips and could do the odd long work trip also. Would consider petrol, hybrid, electric also.

Either the above or toyed with the idea of going for a fairly new electric but not really looking to spend €30k. Thanks in advance

Heres Johnny

blindside88 wrote: »

Hi Guys,

I’m 90% sure I’m going to hand back my company car in April and take a car allowance as I’m doing very little business mileage now and getting wracked with high BIK, if I don’t do it now my NCB will run out also.

I don’t have huge criteria, all are flexible enough for the right car. Budget up to €15k, ideally I’d like automatic (leather if possible), a bit of flash would be nice, ideally don’t want to go below 2012. Veering towards diesel, even though I don’t do big mileage I do regular long trips and could do the odd long work trip also. Would consider petrol, hybrid, electric also.

Either the above or toyed with the idea of going for a fairly new electric but not really looking to spend €30k. Thanks in advance

You're into my favourite territory here, you have your pick of 2012/13 premium saloons for 15k, 5 series, a6, e class, jag xf.... Or their little brothers 3,series,a4 etc....

Of course you can newer with other cars but this is the type of car I'd spend my money on with your criteria

blindside88

Heres Johnny wrote: »

You're into my favourite territory here, you have your pick of 2012/13 premium saloons for 15k, 5 series, a6, e class, jag xf.... Or their little brothers 3,series,a4 etc....

Of course you can newer with other cars but this is the type of car I'd spend my money on with your criteria

That’s what I was thinking alright, going to test drive an e class during the week. Any preference or insight into which of them you’d pick and why

Heres Johnny

blindside88 wrote: »

That’s what I was thinking alright, going to test drive an e class during the week. Any preference or insight into which of them you’d pick and why

I bought a 530d in mid 2018 and the fiance bought herself an a6 in December 2018, both the sporty models. She drove the A6 f**k all as I knew she would but she always liked them so git herself one. I drove both cars equally and couldn't really pick a favourite between them. In the end I got a great offer on the 530d and sold it, kept the A6 and she got a smaller car.
A6 nicer car inside, 5 series possibly better driver but it's subjective.
So it's preference really. I don't like the e class from that era I prefer the one before it and definitely the one after it.

RoscommonTom

be careful with the mercs and the likes of them of that age, stuff starts going wrong in them and they cost a fortune to fix,

blindside88

RoscommonTom wrote: »

be careful with the mercs and the likes of them of that age, stuff starts going wrong in them and they cost a fortune to fix,

That’s what I was wondering about alright, don’t want to end up with a money pit either

blindside88

I assume I’d be looking at hefty bills on the horizon for the likes of a 2012/2013 E Class, 5 series, Range Rover Evoque etc would I?

Heres Johnny

blindside88 wrote: »

I assume I’d be looking at hefty bills on the horizon for the likes of a 2012/2013 E Class, 5 series, Range Rover Evoque etc would I?

All different cars there.... I've had loads of 5 series and I had a good honest mechanic that knew them inside out so was no more expensive than any other car. Just don't go near the dealers.
I still feel a range rover would ruin me, they're too big and heavy. Tyres huge, suspension under a lot of stress. I toyed with idea of x5 a few times but for same reason I stuck with 5 series and glad I did.

bazz26

blindside88 wrote: »

I assume I’d be looking at hefty bills on the horizon for the likes of a 2012/2013 E Class, 5 series, Range Rover Evoque etc would I?

60k cars can still be 60k cars to fix even when they are bought for a fraction of that price years later. It doesn't mean all of them are money pits but you need have some money in reserve for maintenance in the event of a large nasty bill.

drunkmonkey

Wouldn't be my choice of colour, but it's a nimbler car that holds it's value well and is cheap to run considering the performance.
https://www.donedeal.ie/cars-for-sale/golf-gti-2-0-tsi-manual-220bhp-5dr/23958342
Drive one and a Golf R (not an R line) while your out looking for something. The 5 series and A6 etc will feel like boats.
It's a car that gets lots of compliments and you can join the GTI thread https://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=2057328552&page=225# Clarkson had one as his daily car.

blindside88

drunkmonkey wrote: »

Wouldn't be my choice of colour, but it's a nimbler car that holds it's value well and is cheap to run considering the performance.
https://www.donedeal.ie/cars-for-sale/golf-gti-2-0-tsi-manual-220bhp-5dr/23958342
Drive one and a Golf R (not an R line) while your out looking for something. The 5 series and A6 etc will feel like boats.
It's a car that gets lots of compliments and you can join the GTI thread https://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=2057328552&page=225# Clarkson had one as his daily car.

Love the idea of a gti but don’t think it’d give the right impression. I’m an investment manager and will sometimes meet with clients at their home or place of business. Some won’t care what I drive and some will. I had thought about maybe buying something sensible and buying an older gti for summer and weekends

drunkmonkey

blindside88 wrote: »

Love the idea of a gti but don’t think it’d give the right impression. I’m an investment manager and will sometimes meet with clients at their home or place of business. Some won’t care what I drive and some will. I had thought about maybe buying something sensible and buying an older gti for summer and weekends

It gets respect across the board don't think there's gti snobs out there, I'm self employed and I've no worries rocking up to any meeting in it, usually sparks a conversation, can sit there between the Porsches and Bentleys without blushing.
There's a 15 silver one for sale for a good while, would they take 15 for it.. https://www.donedeal.ie/cars-for-sale/golf-gti-2015/23086482
I wouldn't drive a white one think it gives off the wrong impression.

punisher5112

Audi TTs.....

blindside88

drunkmonkey wrote: »

It gets respect across the board don't think there's gti snobs out there, I'm self employed and I've no worries rocking up to any meeting in it, usually sparks a conversation, can sit there between the Porsches and Bentleys without blushing.
There's a 15 silver one for sale for a good while, would they take 15 for it.. https://www.donedeal.ie/cars-for-sale/golf-gti-2015/23086482
I wouldn't drive a white one think it gives off the wrong impression.

Might try give one a try over the weekend. The other criteria I didn’t put in was a boot big enough for golf clubs which this would also suit for. Thanks for the suggestion. Something to consider

blindside88

punisher5112 wrote: »

Audi TTs.....

Are the considered a bit of a hairdressers car? Sorry if I’m offending anyone

drunkmonkey

Lol you beat me to it.

Whocare

You could get nice vw cc

blindside88

Whocare wrote: »

You could get nice vw cc

I had forgotten about them. They look very nice actually and seem to come with decent spec

drunkmonkey

blindside88 wrote: »

Might try give one a try over the weekend. The other criteria I didn’t put in was a boot big enough for golf clubs which this would also suit for. Thanks for the suggestion. Something to consider

If you can fit a nuclear warhead in it I'm sure the clubs will fit.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3VwgvIqXg3A

drunkmonkey

punisher5112 wrote: »

Audi TTs.....

Whocare wrote: »

You could get nice vw cc

Get a room

bazz26

Sensible option:

https://www.carsireland.ie/detail.php?ad_id=2456412&r=s.php%3Fm%5B%5D%3D94%26o%5B%5D%3D849%26f%3D2%26t%3D2%26pp%3D50%26g%3D0

Idbatterim

Bit of flash ? ( the one directly below other than alloys looks class, high ish mileage though)

https://www.donedeal.ie/cars-for-sale/mercedes-s350-facelift-lwb/23645340

https://m.carzone.ie/used-cars/Mercedes-Benz/S-Class-S350-Bluetec/201912155352226

punisher5112

blindside88 wrote: »

Are the considered a bit of a hairdressers car? Sorry if I’m offending anyone

They once were but not now.

Would love the quattro TTs.

Audi A6, Skoda Superb, vw Passat cc or if budget allows areon.

Some really nice cars.

blindside88

Idbatterim wrote: »

Bit of flash ? ( the one directly below other than alloys looks class, high ish mileage though)

https://www.donedeal.ie/cars-for-sale/mercedes-s350-facelift-lwb/23645340

https://m.carzone.ie/used-cars/Mercedes-Benz/S-Class-S350-Bluetec/201912155352226

Hadn’t thought I’d get a S class within budget. Thanks for that. Lovely looking cars

punisher5112

blindside88 wrote: »

Hadn’t thought I’d get a S class within budget. Thanks for that. Lovely looking cars

Once you can take the hit for repairs....

blindside88

Might go in the middle ground and go for a slightly newer c class

Ikozma

Those golf gti's are a bit dull looking, the jag xf is nice alright and would give a good impression, not sure about reliability though

blindside88

Would be very interested in something like this

https://www.donedeal.ie/view/23950828

Seems to have a good mix of practicality and flash for the money.

bazz26

Someone bastardized that by sticking a M Sport front bumper onto it. Personally I'd pass.

What about this, don't get more flash than a Jag and the XF estate is a handsome car imo:

https://www.carsireland.ie/detail.php?ad_id=2424196&r=s.php%3Fm%5B%5D%3D36%26o%5B%5D%3D1390%26f%3D2%26b%3D3%26t%3D2%26yn%3D2013%26yx%3D2015%26pp%3D50%26g%3D0

colm_mcm

Perspex German plates....

blindside88

colm_mcm wrote: »

Perspex German plates....

Likely won’t be that car as I won’t be changing until April. Anything (besides the sh*t plates) to look out for on those?

blindside88

bazz26 wrote: »

Someone bastardized that by sticking a M Sport front bumper onto it. Personally I'd pass.

What about this, don't get more flash than a Jag and the XF estate is a handsome car imo:

https://www.carsireland.ie/detail.php?ad_id=2424196&r=s.php%3Fm%5B%5D%3D36%26o%5B%5D%3D1390%26f%3D2%26b%3D3%26t%3D2%26yn%3D2013%26yx%3D2015%26pp%3D50%26g%3D0

I like the XF and I’m going to have a drive of one, not mad on it I’m estate though. If I’m getting one of those it’ll likely be the saloon version

colm_mcm

blindside88 wrote: »

Likely won’t be that car as I won’t be changing until April. Anything (besides the sh*t plates) to look out for on those?

Timing chain is probably the biggest issue.
Maintenance is a little saucy on them too, but it is a premium car. Don’t underestimate it though.

blindside88

Hi all,

Just to update. I took the plunge today after driving a few of the suggestions plus others. Drove an A5 Quattro, A6 in 2.0 and 3.0 diesel, 520d, E class, Jag XF and an Octavia VRS. Went a 2014 E class. For some reason I can’t post a pic.

Thanks everyone for the suggestions

punisher5112

No pic but what year and spec. Nice car.

blindside88

141 Blue efficiency Avantgarde. Red with cream leather

blindside88

Every time I try to upload a pic it tells me the file size is too large. Any suggestions?

punisher5112

blindside88 wrote: »

Every time I try to upload a pic it tells me the file size is too large. Any suggestions?

Get a image resize app or send it on WhatsApp and use it from WhatsApp folder.

Lovely car, enjoy.

Idbatterim

the jag that was linked to, looked nice, but 10.9 0-100 in a 2.2L?! my god!

blindside88

Here is a compressed photo, doesn’t do the colour justice

blindside88

Compressed version of interior

maddness

blindside88 wrote: »

Here is a compressed photo, doesn’t do the colour justice

Love the red, great to see a bit of colour in a sea of grey (I’ve a grey car too unfortunately).

blindside88

maddness wrote: »

Love the red, great to see a bit of colour in a sea of grey (I’ve a grey car too unfortunately).

I probably would have gone for grey as well but the car was in good nick from a reputable dealer with a good service history so couldn’t pass it by