Arr yes budget, well I don’t have a budget per say but not getting new, it would be used up to around £20,000 max prefably less if possible. I’ve looked at the depreciation rates of all three and all are very much the same. The BMW losses the most in the first year but after that the cost of all of them is almost identical up to 4 years old. I plan to try and keep it for much longer than that though, my first car was a brand new focus I got in 2002, 1.6 zetec had it until only a year ago with 185k on the clock, be nice for my next car to last as long.
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In view of your last post and what you want from the car, definitely go for the Lexus.
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Would a petrol Hybrid Lexus last as long as a straight diesel though? I know it's hard to say as they are pretty new and I don't know anything about Hybrids as I've never had one.
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Prius is turning out to have 90's Diesel reliability and durability, how Lexus hybrids are doing i don't know, a perusal on HJ's reviews above and then a Lexus forum should reveal how good or bad, GS450h and RX400h have now been around long enough to have presented some killer bills if they are going to.
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Prius is turning out to have 90's Diesel reliability and durability, how Lexus hybrids are doing i don't know, a perusal on HJ's reviews above and then a Lexus forum should reveal how good or bad, GS450h and RX400h have now been around long enough to have presented some killer bills if they are going to.
Thanks I'll have a look and see what I can see.
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If buying used and keeping it out of warranty you may like to check out the link in this post
www.honestjohn.co.uk/forum/post/index.htm?t=112764
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My tuppenny worth, hope it helps;
I had a test drive of a Lexus IS 300h, and a BMW 3, BMW 5 estate, Merc new C class. But I (for reasons unmentioned here) wanted new. I really preferred the Lexus, loved the electric techy stuff but SWMBO over ruled that!
Then I tested a Mazda 6 3rd gen facelift 2.ltr petrol manual, and resulted in buying that. It was that good IMHO. I chose the top model, sport, mica paint and stone leather finnish as extras (black leather standard on sport). Price for all this was just over £20K (on line), to get the same goodies on the others would have been £10K'ish plus on top!!!
The only downside is no spare wheel, so sorted that by buying elsewhere, but it takes up boot space, which is no problem for us, the boot is massive anyway.
I think the Audi is not a 'looker' and the BMW is too common on the roads (the new mondeo man car replacement?). Lexus is nice though but not quite sure on the front grill yet :-)
Nailit.
Edited by nailit on 25/01/2016 at 11:49
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My tuppenny worth, hope it helps;
I had a test drive of a Lexus IS 300h, and a BMW 3, BMW 5 estate, Merc new C class. But I (for reasons unmentioned here) wanted new. I really preferred the Lexus, loved the electric techy stuff but SWMBO over ruled that!
Then I tested a Mazda 6 3rd gen facelift 2.ltr petrol manual, and resulted in buying that. It was that good IMHO. I chose the top model, sport, mica paint and stone leather finnish as extras (black leather standard on sport). Price for all this was just over £20K (on line), to get the same goodies on the others would have been £10K'ish plus on top!!!
The only downside is no spare wheel, so sorted that by buying elsewhere, but it takes up boot space, which is no problem for us, the boot is massive anyway.
I think the Audi is not a 'looker' and the BMW is too common on the roads (the new mondeo man car replacement?). Lexus is nice though but not quite sure on the front grill yet :-)
Nailit.
Thanks for the input, I'm sold on the looks of the Lexus it is for me the best looking inside and out of the three closely followed by the BMW which is great on the outside but no frills bland and dull on the inside like a typical German car. Unfortunatly the Audi is as dull on the outside as it is on the inside for me also. I'm attracted to the Lexus for it's uncommonness but I don't want that to be the reason why I get it. The toss up is the engine and drive at the mo. I already know the BMW feels better to drive but I can cope with a less exiting drive if the Lexus is the right choice overall. It's mainly down to the engines, I don't know if I will get much benefit from the hybrid given the fact I never get stuck in traffic and drive on mainly B country roads which will murder the long term efficency and make the BMW the better choice, or will it? At around 32 miles a day two trips will the diesel even get warm enough to reach maximum efficently. Also the nearest Lexus dealer is over 60 miles away where as the BMW dealer is only about 18-19 miles away. I'm going to BMW tonight anyway to have a chat to them and pick up my missuses car that's in for some work done and MOT. If the work costs a bomb it may just swing it for me. I'll probably test drive the BMW anyway so at least I had a go and then the Lexus after so I can finally come to a decision.
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It's a very personal thing choosing a car that is 'right' for you, and good luck. A lot of what you are going through is the same as I went through, but it sounds to me that you would be better with a petrol or the lexus, as I think you said BMW diesel. So if it was me, well you know the answer, you should really look at the latest mazda 6 sport petrol as you can get brand new as opposed to second hand - that new leather smell and all :-) and it's a looker, never had so many stares from peeps. (no wise cracks pls)
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never had so many stares from peeps.
Thats self survival wariness kicking in, they're worried if its a now infamous Diesel version and might suddenly start to consume its own oil and self destruct in cloud of smoke..:-)
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As with any german car , you can be asured the are bottom for reliability & customer service these days. For a solid car you still have to look at Japanse offerings. Sad but true and only statics so there is the odd bad apply in the Japanse camp too.
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Yep - if only Mazda could make a decent, relaible diesel, they'd be raking in the £££s! I actually prefer the look of the newest 6 over the 3 - just a shame its too big for my needs. I suspect its not upmarket enough for the OP, and the mileage will probably dictate a diesel for the performance he probably wants. Oh well...back to the original 3 I guess.
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Quite agree Engineer Andy, the latest Mazda 6 is handsome in that quiet reserved way that was once the preserve of Honda Accords, well till the last one where it all went west, odd how these things come and go, Lexus are another one who's taken to beating their cars with the ugly stick.
Mazda Diesel fiasco wouldn't be so bad if they had adopted Toyota standards of customer service and standing by the product instead of doing as the Germans.
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OK, so I test drove the BMW 3 Series Saloon M-Sport today and thought it was OK, it diden't blow me away but it felt like a good solid well put together car apart from a few things. The inside is a bit bland and it had sports seats that were a bit narow and the wings of the seats stuck in my back a bit and I'm a slim guy.
The engine was very responsive and felt powerfull in sport mode and a bit lazy in comfort and eco mode as expected so no supprises there. The engine noise was more than bearable compared to what I'm used to but yet to try the IS300h which I'm expecting to be even quiter given its a hybrid petrol. The gear changes were smooth and efficent, the paint job very good and nice colour, etc, etc. It felt very German put it that way.
I'm in the process of trying to arange a test drive of the Lexus now so looking forward to that.
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Quite cabins and quality panels are trademarks of Lexus so expect it to excel in these areas.
I love BMW's but not a a big fan of M-Sport suspension as the SE suspension seams basically the same firmness as everyone elses sports. The added firmness and 1cm drop and bigger wheels makes big pot holes jarring.
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The added firmness and 1cm drop and bigger wheels makes big pot holes jarring.
Which you only find by taking your own test route, the dealers have their own preferred routes for good reason, designed not to highlight shortcomings and the car only in its best light.
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On test drives, I always ask the dealer to select a place with speed humps. And a car park to reverse in...
Most are happy to oblige..
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Had my spin in the new Kia Optima '3' 1.7 CRDI 139bhp 7-speed auto DCT ISG today. It's just like driving a 'top-end' Merc but keeping £10K in your pocket!
OTR price of just under £25K (the '4' is closer to £29K). There are some PCP/HP manufacturer offers but DTD seemingly already discounting by over £4K?
Guess it's going to suffer the same 'badge prejudice/stigma' that Skoda initially used to when compared to Beemers, Audis & Mercs, but it packs a lot of kit in as standard.
Worth a look?...
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>Had my spin in the new Kia Optima '3' 1.7 CRDI 139bhp 7-speed auto DCT ISG today. I>t's just like driving a 'top-end' Merc but keeping £10K in your pocket!
Wow love to know where you get a top end merc for35k. My merc was 60K with 5.5 V8 and 416bhp Auto. Arrr so not quite the same spec as a mighty Kia
While Kia/Hyundia have made mighty strides and basically are viable alternatines to the more established cars, so it seams have the prices inflated too. They now costing the same as the leaders like Mondeo or Skoda. What you get with Kia is more equipment but the alternatives have better rifinement/ride.
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While Kia/Hyundia have made mighty strides and basically are viable alternatines to the more established cars, so it seams have the prices inflated too.
When we bought our Ceed SW in 2010 the price and spec was very competitive (virtually the same price as a Focus Titanium estate after discounts but bigger and better specced) plus you got the 7 year garantee.
Currently researching a new car for later this year and quite fancy another Ceed SW but a petrol this time. The best price I have obtained so far (broker) for a 1.0 T-GDi is £18925 which is not exactly cheap.
We have looked a few alternatives and several stand out as being better value:
The Mazda 6 Tourer 2 litre petrol can be had for £17775 with 3 years 0% finance and is just as well equipped.
A slightly odd choice is the Volvo V60 2 litre turbo petrol can be had for £20015 with 3 years 0% finance. Its very well equipped but a bit smaller (still big enough).
Don't think I fancy or will be buying a 1 litre turbo Ceed for that money when there appears to be better cars and deals available.
7 year warranty no longer important as i intend to swap every 3 years in the future.
Kia need to be very careful.
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I have my doubts about the political future in Korea and how a war would cause at the very least problems with car spares etc. for Hyundai and Kia.
But maybe I worry too much......
Thinking of a second new car for SWMBO and perhaps I shall look to a Ford Fiesta? I did like the Hyundai i10 though.
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War in Korea is unlikely. If that happens, there would be more damaging effect on mobile phones/electronics market (Samsung, LG etc.) than car as European Kia's are built in Slovakia rather than Korea. Hyundai has a big plant in India too.
Yes, Kia has increased their prices! I recently bought a Ceed can feel about it. Although I bought approved used, so paid lot less than new car's price.
Even Kia dealers said Optima doesn't sell in big numbers. So you might negotiate a better price on that one.
Edited by movilogo on 27/01/2016 at 16:14
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Note that occasionally, some manufacturers have an over-supply problem (sometimes due to bad press generally or a specific car) which often continues past the time when the general or car-specific issue is fixed. VAG is a good example of this at present - I've seen brand new VW Golf GTs (the 1.4 TSi ACT model) on Motorpoint for £17k, down £6.5k from the list price.
You may find that, for your specific requirements for the car (features) may result in a non-standard model, which might not be so popular and one might've been flogged to a car supermarket like Motorpoint on delivery or low mileage and has a huge discount. Worth a look for some premium cars - you might be lucky and find a good'un! Perhaps even to coax you from your 'premium brand' lineup to the next level down but a range-topper for a knock-down price? Don't rule it out...
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