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What car for my retirement?

Had a company car for last 35 years and about to retire, always been a petrol head but 3 years ago switched to a Mazda 6 2.2 diesel and now love it.
Looking for a new or nearly new replacement @ £20K - £25K, BMW 3 series saloon or possibly tourer but other premium cars would be considered.

Usually only 2-3 passengers but three times a year I do a booze cruise to France and a few weekends away so extra space is useful, but the same boot capacity as Mazda 6 would suffice.

Mileage is 12,000 a year so should I get diesel or petrol? (I do like the torque in a diesel engine though!) good handling and sub 9.0 secs to 60mph are required.

Is the latest 3 series worth buying as a new car as opposed to a 12-18 month old car?

Asked on 21 October 2012 by Leicester Stig

Answered by Honest John
The latest F30 3-Series is fantastic. All the faults of the E90 corrected. But from £28,000 for a 320dED. Alternatively, the new Mazda 6 Skyactiv: www.honestjohn.co.uk/road-tests/mazda/mazda-6-2013.../
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