Thinking of changing car, what would be a good buy for a budget of £20k?

StateOfPlay

StateOfPlay

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I have an Audi A4 Cab 1,8T sport, 2008, and want to get a more "comfortable" car, a saloon so probably an A4.

I would like the comfort, but also a little bit of sport to it. I like the Cab as it has a bit of poke, but also because it drives so well. It is a dream to drive.

I had a nose around my local Audi dealer earlier, they only had 2 A4 for sale, the rest were either Allroads or A5 and A6, and with a budget of £20k they didn't have a lot of choice for me.

What do you reckon?
 
Audi RS4/6
BMW M3
Porsche 996 Turbo

The list could go on, what type of car are you after?
 
I don't think I can afford the insurance on an RS4.

I lost my no claims this year.

Maybe something a bit more standard, but with a bit of welly, not a lot of welly!
 
jojo said:
£20k RS4s will be a high miler, and remember roadtax is £445 a year, but hey, you only live once!
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I pay £460 for mine, and its only an S4! Having said that StateOfPlay, you could get an immaculate, low mileage S4 saloon for that sort of cash! Insurance isnt as bad as you may think, nor or the running costs.....for a 4.2 V8!
 
4.2 litre!!! That will cripple me on fuel alone!

I want a family saloon, but I am also worried about fuel costs, so need to be more sensible.

Cars I like:

Audi a4
Audi Allroad
VW Passat
Merc E class
Freelander
 
Am I being daft but why not an A4 T Sport you should easily get into a nice one with a 20k budget. Just checked AT and their are a few low mileage 2008 FSi T 160PS S Line for 17 - 18k.

Also what about a Golf GTi as clarkson said about the Mk5 its all things to all men. Failing that an Audi A3 sportback
 
Yeah, the Golf Gti looks good, not keen on the A3. I looked at A4, is S Line good, and some had another name after them, can't remember it, but sounded fancy.
 
To be honest I dont know too much about the S Line spec but reading up it seems to be sporty with extra luxuries thrown in. I found this link The New Audi A4 S Line Models

Regarding the Golf you will never go wrong with the GTi keep it nice and you always get a buyer for it.
 
Thanks for the link. Basically the S Line just makes it look a bit sporty, but doesn't add to performance. So £2500 extra for some detailing and a bit of leather. Hmmm does look cool though.

I have never driven a Golf, so I should go and test one out. I have owned, in order from when I was a lad:

Escort Mk2
Escort Mk3
Rover 216 VDP
Astra 1.4
Metro GtA
Mondeo 1.6l
Vauxhall Omega 2.5 V6
Vauxhall Vectra (company car)
Mercedes C Class (company car)
Mercedes C Class new shape ( company car)
Audi A4 1.8t Cab

Out of all of them, the best drive has been the A4. I have the Auto, with flappy paddle, and it shifts like siht off a shovel, but cruises like a luxury car as well.

So I reckon I have been spoilt now that I have had an Audi, and wonder if the Golf will be a let down?
 
I'll be honest and say, if it has to be an Auto, you should get the Merc. My opinion is that Mercedes make the best auto's out there, and they are usually comfortable on the ride side aswell. Saying that, I've not driven an Audi petrol Automatic, I did try a B7 A4 2.0 TDI Multitronic a few weeks ago which was nice, but the Merc 220CDI Auto I testdrove felt smoother and quicker.
 
I have owned and driven several golfs and always loved them like I say Clarkson absolutely raved about the Mk5. I loaned a Mk5 Golf TDi 170bhp with the DSG auto box and I genuinely thought it was awesome. The gearchanges are almost seamless and so quick its amazing I had a few guys try to outdrag me from the lights but honestly nothing could touch me.
 
Both the Mercs I had were smooth, but I was not impressed with handling. The A4 grips the road tighter the faster you go, the Mercs rocked like a rowing boat and I didn't feel in control. Fine around town, great on a straight road, but on country lanes a very poor second to the A4.

Could I be so bad as to look at a Korean or Japanese car?
 
Yeah, they do look like a can of beans with a spray job and a set of wheels.

Got some serious thinking to do. Want to be economical and sensible, but also still want a speedy motor.

The A4 looks like the first choice, but I will look at the Golf, and maybe even a Freelander! Gosh.
 
Looking at your list I'd be buying a Passat.
 
StateOfPlay said:
Both the Mercs I had were smooth, but I was not impressed with handling. The A4 grips the road tighter the faster you go, the Mercs rocked like a rowing boat and I didn't feel in control. Fine around town, great on a straight road, but on country lanes a very poor second to the A4.

Could I be so bad as to look at a Korean or Japanese car?
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I drove a Sport spec C220, infact, all the other Mercs I've driver are Sport spec, they seemd ok on the handling side, but with a FWD chassis like an A4, then yes, I guess it could carry more speed into a corner under power.

a3tdi2001 said:
Looking at your list I'd be buying a Passat.
Click to expand...

For practicality and rear legroom, I'd go Passat, but if he wants a sporty drive, I don't think it would cut it. They are amazing value for the space and spec though.
 
Well yer man said he wanted comfort and sport. Passat tdi 170 would be a hard package to beat.
 
mercs have gone downhill in recent years both on build quality n aftersales personaly id stay well clear of them. Audis Auto's are not very good at all great when they working fine but very costly when they go wrong as said above, if u wana take the chance on one mind id got for the A4 avan 3.0tdi with remap if ur worried about fuel costs awesome torque gains from them. but if u can get over the fuel worries n with 20k burning a hole in my back pocket id go for something like this 2007 JAGUAR XJ 4.2 V8 XJR Supercharged 4dr Auto Saloon
 
a3tdi2001 said:
Well yer man said he wanted comfort and sport. Passat tdi 170 would be a hard package to beat.
Click to expand...

Cant disagree with that, big car though especially if the wife is driving it too. No offence intended to lady drivers.

I still think a Golf GTi/TDi will do everything OP needs.
 
Just a bit more info, we have 2 cars, my wife has a 206. I need to change my car as my wife has got rheumatoid arthritis and it is getting worse. She is only 34, has been registered disabled because of another disability as well, but we don't want a car that would be chosen by the older people that live in the bungalows on the other side of our street.

1) The Jag would be fantastic, but it is far too big for the wife, and too big for me to justify when I am asking work for a payrise :)

2) The 335d M is a great performance car, but I really don't like the front styling on any BMW since the 5th edition came in 2005. I think the 3rd generation was the best looking, the 4th not far behind.

3) Looks like I should be going to a VW dealer then. Can I ask, does a VW handle/drive as well as my A4 sport?

Thanks for all your advice so far guys, appreciate it.
 
Morning buddy
Very sorry to read of your wifes illness I know from speaking to my wife who is with the NHS that its tough and worse still than arthritus by itself.

Re the golf handling as I mentioned I have driven a few you wont be disappointed,

Just found the Clarkson video where he can describe it better than I. Also below is the 5th gear review with DSG

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BxWQ1BcNwxk


Fifth gear DSG review - YouTube
 
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Get a honda accord estate for a daily (cheap and bulletproof) and with the change get a lotus elise for a weekend toy.
 
StateOfPlay said:
2) The 335d M is a great performance car, but I really don't like the front styling on any BMW since the 5th edition came in 2005. I think the 3rd generation was the best looking, the 4th not far behind.

3) Looks like I should be going to a VW dealer then. Can I ask, does a VW handle/drive as well as my A4 sport?
Click to expand...

I have to agree with you RE the BMW, I've not been a fan of the 3 series since the E36 shape.

I think it's fair to say that a Mk6 Golf does all things good, it's a great all rounder, I'd even consider an 8P A3 Sportback if you need 5 doors, but it's going to be replaced soon, so you will be owning an old model.
 
StateOfPlay said:
Just a bit more info, we have 2 cars, my wife has a 206. I need to change my car as my wife has got rheumatoid arthritis and it is getting worse. She is only 34, has been registered disabled because of another disability as well, but we don't want a car that would be chosen by the older people that live in the bungalows on the other side of our street.

1) The Jag would be fantastic, but it is far too big for the wife, and too big for me to justify when I am asking work for a payrise :)

2) The 335d M is a great performance car, but I really don't like the front styling on any BMW since the 5th edition came in 2005. I think the 3rd generation was the best looking, the 4th not far behind.

3) Looks like I should be going to a VW dealer then. Can I ask, does a VW handle/drive as well as my A4 sport?

Thanks for all your advice so far guys, appreciate it.
Click to expand...

Right up to the point where I read this post, I was going to recommend a Jaguar XF 3.0TDi, which is likely to be my next car, albeit not for a couple of years at least.
 
I think the golf Gti is probably what you and the wife will love .They hold value and are comfy to drive .
 
If you can't afford RS4 insurance and are put off the running costs of big engines I would question why you are about to spend 20k on a car? You can get alot of car for 10k, and this allow you plenty of budget for running costs over the new few years?

Failing that, if there is some reason why the car purchase cost isn't relevant - I would go and drive a BMW 335d or 535d. That twin turbo diesel engine is out of this world. And will still return 40+ mpg on a good run.
 
Even the 330d is a nice motor. 335 or 535d's are amazing machines to be fair!! What about a 3.0tdi Audi a4? 20k is an awesome amount to spend on a motor! If your not bothered about age get a b7 2.0T
 
AudiSport said:
If you can't afford RS4 insurance and are put off the running costs of big engines I would question why you are about to spend 20k on a car? You can get alot of car for 10k, and this allow you plenty of budget for running costs over the new few years?

Failing that, if there is some reason why the car purchase cost isn't relevant - I would go and drive a BMW 335d or 535d. That twin turbo diesel engine is out of this world. And will still return 40+ mpg on a good run.
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Well, it is about value for money really. I have 25 years of car ownership behind me, and most of the cars I have owned have been over 3 years old at time of purchase. They have then cost me money in maintenance costs that I have always struggled to pay.

When I was in a position to buy nearly new, which was this current car, a year old at purchase, I have had no issues at all apart from new tyres, which is fair enough.

So I suppose what I am doing is "topping" it up, buying another nearly new car for around £20k. It all depends on how much I get for my current motor, so it could be a lot less than £20k!!!

I don't want to buy a car that is going to be a fortune to run and maintain, as that is dead money. A car that is going to run without additional cost, and low insurance and car tax and fuel is only right in this world we live in. I should go for one of those LPG heaps, but I ain't built that way. At the same time, I don't want to be queuing at the petrol station every week either!

I don't know what to do, all I know is the car I own is sweet. it drives so well, it is clearly the best car I have ever driven, but I cannot keep it any longer as my wife is struggling with it.

When we park up in disabled bays with it, we get people staring and muttering. It doesn't "look" like a car a disabled person would drive, as in it is not really practical for someone with limited physical ability.

This is my car, she is the best car I ever drove:

IMG_4446_edited-1.jpg
 
Lingy. said:
Let them mutter !
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Why let strangers make you feel uncomfortable about what you own or drive? So long as you are happy that you are in the right, ignore what everyone else thinks!

Why not buy the same but in Saloon/Estate form, since you like the drive? I'd keep it personally.
 
Don't worry about the comments of others.. Keep the car, it sound like you love it. Failing that, how about an A4 3.0L TDi Quattro? It will feel the same as your current car but with loads more power and still return an acceptable MPG. I actually have a remapped (Revo) 2.0T Quattro A4 and that is plenty quick enough! ; )
 
I would recomend a A4 DTM, Ive had a few Audi A4 S Line's previously with one 07 plate Special edition with a very good spec, but the DTM is miles ahead, the ride is perfect and the spec is spot on, sure lots will disagree but similar to a RS4 but without the wide arches and the 4.2 engine, and the £20,000+ price tag, the 2.0T is enough for me with good economy and descent power, also the RARE FACTOR is nice! Brilliant spec.
I may be persuaded to part with mine, Its a immaculate phantom black 2006 A4 DTM just turned 40k miles, had full cambelt and major service last week, SAT nav, 4 new Pirelli P ZERO'S, unmarked throughout, never seen paint, unkerbed alloys, one of the best available! the car is standard apart from uprated headlight's which have the R8 sidlights built in and projector headlights which have had HID's fitted, really compliments the car. standards lights here too.
 
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