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Wed 4 Aug 2010 00:13

you tell me - Interesting second car - Optimus Prime

Once I've got a suitable family car sorted out then I've got an opening for a second car that can be garaged for most of the time, but is needed at the weekends and for occasional trips. Because of the occasional use I want minimal depreciation, and because I might have to take one or two kids occasionally it has to have rear seats (shame). Because of the once a week use I'd prefer something that's reliable, but the fuel efficiency doesn't matter too much. I live in Scotland, with terrible pitted roads, so don't want anything too insane - no supercars! Ideally don't want to spend more than £6-7k

It'd be nice if I could get something that I really liked and was interesting, that had something other than being a tool. I've got quite a wide range of what i think is interesting, ranging from Audi A2 through to Jag XJ (DB7 would be nice, but don't think that I can bear to spend £15k+), and lots in between.

Just looking for ideas - let me know what you think.

Cheers,

Optimus.

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Wed 4 Aug 2010 01:29

you tell me - Interesting second car - Avant

Maybe a Mini Cooper? Or a Skoda Fabia vRS (Mark 1 - the turbodiesel) or a bigger-engined SEAT Leon or Audi A3?

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Wed 4 Aug 2010 22:22

you tell me - Interesting second car - Optimus Prime

Thanks - yes, I'd thought of a Mini Cooper or an Audi A3. Other cars that had crossed by mind were original Lexus IS200, Audi A4 convertible, Vauxhall Astra SRi turbo (200 bhp version), Jaguar X-type 2.5, Honda Accord Type-R, Honda Accord 2.4 Type-S, maybe a Fiat 500. I'm trying to work out if there's any major obvious ones that I've missed. I've had a Clio 172 before (which was fun), so maybe another hot hatch. But I do love the X-type, the R-type and the IS200 shapes....

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Thu 5 Aug 2010 02:07

you tell me - Interesting second car - Lygonos

Low mileage anticipated ... room in the back ... a bit 'special' ...

How about a 3.0 litre, 24v, VVT sports saloon with 4wd, all the toys, and grin-cracking performance ?

Easy: http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201030364602354

Even gets under the top tax rate since it's a 2005 car.

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Thu 5 Aug 2010 10:23

you tell me - Interesting second car - SteveLee

Mazda RX8, early ones are pretty cheap now - cracking sports coupe for the money, relatively comfy too. Another option, MG ZT 260 (RWD Mustang engined 4.6 litre) you can get a minter for £7K - easy to service, reliable, oozes character - bound to be a future classic.

Edited by SteveLee on 05/08/2010 at 10:24

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Thu 5 Aug 2010 11:17

you tell me - Interesting second car - gordonbennet

You seem to like performance Honda's Optimus but you missed out one of the prettiest and best, Integra DC5.

Cadillac CTS, several posters bought them couple of years ago when the recession started (it's not even into it's first phase yet) and report trouble free performance motoring, different too wish i'd taken the gamble.

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Thu 5 Aug 2010 13:22

you tell me - Interesting second car - Jonesy127

Mk1 Audi TT? You might be able to squeeze the kids in the back, when you need to...

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Thu 5 Aug 2010 23:39

you tell me - Interesting second car - Optimus Prime

I'd thought about a TT. Bit worried about the reliability though. By all accounts the worst car that Audi ever built.

I've just had a Subaru Legacy in the US for 2 years. REally liked it but could never get fully comfortable for a long slog, so wary of getting one here. Shame as it was super reliable, nice interior, looked nice, good safety. Perfect apart from didn't fit my leg length and body length.

I like Mazda RX-8s but the fuel consumption is horrible, so a bit worried about resale price - I think that they will depreciate a lot further.

MG ZT 260 is quite appealing - will have to do more research.

Thanks for all the suggestions. keep em coming if you've got more ideas.

Thanks,

Optimus

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Fri 6 Aug 2010 18:04

you tell me - Interesting second car - SteveLee

You did say fuel isn't an issue!

PS I spotted you mentioned the Jag XJ, £4-5K will buy your a very nice XJ8 with FSH, £7K nice XK8, for the XJ go for the 4 litre as it's just as economical as the 3.2 but much quicker and they have more kit. Ignore any Jag V8 before 2000 to avoid water pump/camchain tensioner and nikasil bore problems, 2000 onwards engines are bulletproof. All XK8s are 4 litre or 4.2 depending on age.

£7K will also buy you a peach of a XJR, this is the supercharged version, 370 bhp, almost supercar performance (0-60 in 5.1 secs) with that wonderful cosseting Jag ride, servicing, tyre and fuel costs are obviously higher than the normally aspirated engines. Supercharger bearings usually need doing at about £70K miles, this will cost £2K at Jaguar but there are specialists who do them far cheaper.

XK8/XJ8s can go on forever, front wishbones need replacing every 70Kish miles (a shimmer at the steering wheel at motorway speeds is the give away) costing £1200 at a Jaguar dealer. Other than that they are remarkably reliable, routine servicing is surprisingly competitive, much less than equivalent BMWs and Mercs. At constant 70mph V8 Jags will return 28-30mpg! They are superb engines.

Have the gearbox serviced at a transmission specialist (such as www.stephensengineering.co.uk/index.html ) when you buy the car and then every 50K miles thereafter, these are apparently "sealed for life" actually it means "sealed for death" as the box will go at around 150K miles or 8-10 years if it doesn't get a fluid change, this is not a DIY job as electronic gadgetry is required to put the right amount of fluid in. Ditto for any large Merc or BMW which share the same 'box. Regularly serviced, these 'boxes can last 250K miles.

I have owed loads of Jags, the XJ8 and XJR are simply the best cars I've ever owned. They combine supreme comfort, excellent handling and wonderfully crafted interiors, the leather interiors are beautifully made compared to the German competition. Yes they are snug, but I like the cockpit feel around the driver. I'm well over 6 foot BTW. XK8 convertibles (the car which will depreciate the least) do have limited headroom, however I doubt if you'd find a post 2000 rag-top in your budget.

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Fri 6 Aug 2010 18:17

you tell me - Interesting second car - SteveLee

PPS Like all large executive cars they'll end up bottoming out at about £2K in value while they are still numerous only recovering decades later when exclusivity kicks in. The MGZT260 is already rare and could actually appreciate in the shorter term. If depreciation is a concern - don't buy a car! :-)

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Sun 8 Aug 2010 11:15

you tell me - Interesting second car - Optimus Prime

Thanks for the advice - I have always loved the look of the XJ and I'm aware that they are exceptionally well built and reliable cars (these days), so they are high on my list. Two big issues for me are 1. will they fit in my garage (need to check the length)? and 2. does the size of them mean that they are difficult to manoeuvre in town and around car parks?

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Sun 8 Aug 2010 18:26

you tell me - Interesting second car - Harry Boy

Yes of course an XJ will fit your garage, provided your garage is big enough.

Little old ladies drive them in the congested South East, so a competent driver should have no problems in Scotland.

Good luck in your quest but I can't help feeling you are a bit of a dreamer:)

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Mon 9 Aug 2010 00:01

you tell me - Interesting second car - Avant

With a Mini and a Jaguar XJ both on your list, it might help you if you think what specifically you want your fun car to do. In my case, it had to be a convertible (I've got an old Z3) as my Octavia does everything else I need and is itself fun to drive.

So short or long journeys? Town or country? Fast and furious or relaxed? Large or small? Etc.

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