What is life like with your car? Let us know and win £500 in John Lewis vouchers | No thanks
Taking a barth
When my husband died I was left with his 10-year-old SLK Kompressor and my own Abarth. An ideal combination. Unfortunately a recent illness has made it impossible for me to drive anything other than an automatic car and so I had to sell the Abarth (5 months old £3,000 loss). The Mercedes is a wonderful car; it has only done 29,000 and is in perfect condition but I need four seats. So, my question is, what car should I buy (or lease?) to replace the above
which was, for me the perfect duo. My thoughts are around a BMW 1 Series cabriolet; Audi A3 cabriolet or Mercedes CLC sports coupe. After my re-sale experience with the Abarth I am reluctant to have new. Fuel economy would be a novel addition but I'm not sure about diesel. Once again I would really value your opinion.
which was, for me the perfect duo. My thoughts are around a BMW 1 Series cabriolet; Audi A3 cabriolet or Mercedes CLC sports coupe. After my re-sale experience with the Abarth I am reluctant to have new. Fuel economy would be a novel addition but I'm not sure about diesel. Once again I would really value your opinion.
Asked on 10 April 2010 by S.R., via e-mail
Answered by
Honest John
If you had a 5-month-old Abarth 500 you did not have to take a bath on it at all. Certainly not at a £3,000 loss. These cars are very difficult to get with a long waiting list. If whoever you sold it to has now re-sold
it, they could well have made £4,000 on the deal. Why didn't you ask me first? (This isn't getting at you. It's to warn anyone else in a similar situation.) You need auto. The jury is still out on VAG's DSG. So I'd say it has to be the 1 Series. Just be careful to buy one on sensible 16" or at worst 17" wheels. Buy one on 18" or 19" wheels and you will pay for it with twitchy handling, a rock hard ride, and total lack of control in snow.
it, they could well have made £4,000 on the deal. Why didn't you ask me first? (This isn't getting at you. It's to warn anyone else in a similar situation.) You need auto. The jury is still out on VAG's DSG. So I'd say it has to be the 1 Series. Just be careful to buy one on sensible 16" or at worst 17" wheels. Buy one on 18" or 19" wheels and you will pay for it with twitchy handling, a rock hard ride, and total lack of control in snow.
Similar questions
My wife broke her leg 5 months ago and can no longer drive a manual car.
I have a new Landrover on order but the leadtime is 5 months.
I would like to buy a small automatic for <£4K which I can sell again...
I have an 07-registered Mitsubishi Colt CZ1 (3dr, Black, Air Con, 18,000 miles, petrol, manual). I want to downgrade to something a little older say 2004/2003 (Nissan Micra, Honda Jazz) but would like...
My retired mother is looking at selling her immaculate 1995 Mercedes-Benz C180C auto with 50,000 miles on the clock. She wants a smaller, more economical and manoeuvrable car for her short suburban journeys....
Related models
.jpg?width=115&height=75&rmode=crop)
Transforms the Fiat 500 into an eager little sportscar with great handling and steering feel.
Elsewhere on 
.jpg)
