[R0B]

We have just one car as my business is in London and I commute by train. I have a small satellite office in my local town. And I work from home. I quite like not being in the same place. I digress.

The station is not far away - a mile or so. And the local office two miles. I love walking but walking at 11pm with a heavy briefcase and in a suit or smarts isn't fun.

So I need a second car that won't really go far. I want to keep it in beer money territory - say 2k.

My view is to get the opposite of what we have - which for those who don't know or care is an F15 X5 30d. That covers relatively fast driving and posh controls. And moving shit to the tip.

I've seen a few 05 plate 3 series convertibles that are quite clean. Not bothered about engine size as I don't want more running costs. A 318ci can be had and at least gives us some slow but relaxed roof down in the summer.

It needs to have four seats as I would still use the X5 to visit a customer or whatever, so Mrs and two kids need seats to use Car 2 on occasion.

My brother is a relatively top-end detailer so I can make anything look good again and I'm happy to refurb some wheels.

Any thoughts?

Edit: title was supposed to be Snotter car. Andy would appreciate though.

[1966-TR4]

MkV Golf. For that money, probably a 1.6, 2007 or 2008. Comfortable, reliable, cheap to run.

[Broncho]

Discovery 2, probably wouldn’t fill much of the brief but I’m going to buy one to rag across some fields......hopefully!

[R0B]

Originally Posted by Broncho

Discovery 2, probably wouldn't fill much of the brief but I'm going to buy one to rag across some fields......hopefully!

You can borrow the X5. As long as the field is dry and flat and made of concrete then it should be fine.

[Broncho]

Originally Posted by R0B

You can borrow the X5. As long as the field is dry and flat and made of concrete then it should be fine.

Yeah my brother has the same as you Rob, it's not the best off-roading vehicle not on standard tyres!

There's lease stuff for around £100 a month, just saying like.....

[KCH1984]

Watching with interest as I'm pretty much in the same boat (same X5 30d which is mainly the missus') but was thinking along the lines of first gen 'new' mini, fiesta, golf or similar.

[JustChris]

Snorter car?

1980s 911 Turbo City Trader edition

[isleaiw1]

An old convertible will leak. The roof might get slashed at the station or in a car park. I would go focus or Astra. Nobody looks twice at them. Do what you need. Cheap to fix.

On more pressing matters, does your brother live locally? I have my new car booked in for ceramic but chap who does it is about to be a dad so getting a fixed date is challenging...

[F30Andy]

Originally Posted by R0B

We have just one car as my business is in London and I commute by train. I have a small satellite office in my local town. And I work from home. I quite like not being in the same place. I digress.

The station is not far away - a mile or so. And the local office two miles. I love walking but walking at 11pm with a heavy briefcase and in a suit or smarts isn't fun.

So I need a second car that won't really go far. I want to keep it in beer money territory - say 2k.

My view is to get the opposite of what we have - which for those who don't know or care is an F15 X5 30d. That covers relatively fast driving and posh controls. And moving shit to the tip.

I've seen a few 05 plate 3 series convertibles that are quite clean. Not bothered about engine size as I don't want more running costs. A 318ci can be had and at least gives us some slow but relaxed roof down in the summer.

It needs to have four seats as I would still use the X5 to visit a customer or whatever, so Mrs and two kids need seats to use Car 2 on occasion.

My brother is a relatively top-end detailer so I can make anything look good again and I'm happy to refurb some wheels.

Any thoughts?

Edit: title was supposed to be Snotter car. Andy would appreciate though.

Rolls Royce Ghosts have airplane style tables behind the front seat which I have snorted off many a time.

For £2k you can get yourself many a decent shitbox to use as a second car.

The E90 idea you came up with is not a bad shout.

[Watsey]

Originally Posted by 1966-TR4

MkV Golf. For that money, probably a 1.6, 2007 or 2008. Comfortable, reliable, cheap to run.

You beat me to it.

[73henny]

Civic Type R
SAAB 9-3 vert
CLK vert

Or a Golf....

[R0B]

Originally Posted by isleaiw1

An old convertible will leak. The roof might get slashed at the station or in a car park. I would go focus or Astra. Nobody looks twice at them. Do what you need. Cheap to fix.

On more pressing matters, does your brother live locally? I have my new car booked in for ceramic but chap who does it is about to be a dad so getting a fixed date is challenging...

Sorry for the delay. Yes he covers local - from Oxford up to Herts and Bucks. I'll ping you his details.

[TodmordenLad]

I'd get a Ford Focus or Fiesta - cheap to run & maintain, okay to drive

[isleaiw1]

Originally Posted by R0B

Sorry for the delay. Yes he covers local - from Oxford up to Herts and Bucks. I'll ping you his details.

Ta!

[RogHer]

Originally Posted by R0B

We have just one car as my business is in London and I commute by train. I have a small satellite office in my local town. And I work from home. I quite like not being in the same place. I digress.

The station is not far away - a mile or so. And the local office two miles. I love walking but walking at 11pm with a heavy briefcase and in a suit or smarts isn't fun.

So I need a second car that won't really go far. I want to keep it in beer money territory - say 2k.

My view is to get the opposite of what we have - which for those who don't know or care is an F15 X5 30d. That covers relatively fast driving and posh controls. And moving shit to the tip.

I've seen a few 05 plate 3 series convertibles that are quite clean. Not bothered about engine size as I don't want more running costs. A 318ci can be had and at least gives us some slow but relaxed roof down in the summer.

It needs to have four seats as I would still use the X5 to visit a customer or whatever, so Mrs and two kids need seats to use Car 2 on occasion.

My brother is a relatively top-end detailer so I can make anything look good again and I'm happy to refurb some wheels.

Any thoughts?

Edit: title was supposed to be Snotter car. Andy would appreciate though.

Similar situation to a friend. Has a 911 turbo for high days and dry days. Has a 15 yo 328i convertible for every day use. The old beemer has cleaned up beautiful. iIRC has around 70k on clock.

Go for it!

[RobUK]

I've always gone down the route of buying runarounds off people I know, who have generally treated them well by getting them serviced and not ragging them. Know anyone who's got an older motor they might want to get shot of?

Got a 10yr old Astra off my other half's sister (was great until it got vandalised to the tune of more than I paid for the car). Also picked up a beautiful E46 Coupe off the other half's mum for beer money and gave it to my sister. Wish I'd kept it in same ways.

[C320]

Originally Posted by isleaiw1

On more pressing matters, does your brother live locally? I have my new car booked in for ceramic but chap who does it is about to be a dad so getting a fixed date is challenging...

If you don't have any luck there, I used this guy to ceramic coat my X6 M, he's based near Heathrow but covers most of West London: https://www.tikidetails.co.uk/

In terms of a snotter car, the 3 series cab idea isn't bad. I'd consider an old 3er, 5er or a Merc. We have a 2001 W203 C320 (petrol), bought it for a charity event but it's just too useful to have around that I haven't parted with it yet. It's also ULEZ exempt too so even more of a bargain!

[MashinBenzin]

Civic, of the cold or lukewarm petrol variety. It won't get attention, it won't let you down, it won't cost much to keep going and it will probably be a reasonable little thing to drive.

[isleaiw1]

Originally Posted by C320

If you don't have any luck there, I used this guy to ceramic coat my X6 M, he's based near Heathrow but covers most of West London: https://www.tikidetails.co.uk/

In terms of a snotter car, the 3 series cab idea isn't bad. I'd consider an old 3er, 5er or a Merc. We have a 2001 W203 C320 (petrol), bought it for a charity event but it's just too useful to have around that I haven't parted with it yet. It's also ULEZ exempt too so even more of a bargain!

Thanks, I could wait for my guy but using people connected to those you know is always my preferred approach.