What are car people buying for 50 to 60k these days?

[EDManual]

I've never spent that much myself before, but here I am able to. (and probably wanting 2nd hand)

I have had lots of dual cab utes etc, and really cant be bothered with something like that. Our other car is a VW Touareg which is great for towing and holidays etc.

I do about 25 to 30,000 a year.

I'm thinking:

Ex cop 2019 G30 530d MSport with about 100 to 120,000km (5.7 secs to 100)
2016ish Audi A6 or A7 biturbo diesel (5.1 sec to 100) with 50,000km
2016ish Audi SQ5 with the same engine as above with about the same km.
These are good choices I think.

Or maybe an E92 M3 manual... which would use twice the fuel, but not depreciate so much if at all. But have about 130,000km.

I dont want a dual clutch car of any type, just dont trust them. All the diesels above are 8 speed strong normal autos.

Has anyone had any of these?

I had a look at a 530d and it sure has all the technology, but the leather was really poor compared to what I'm used to in our Touareg (higher end version). Was surprised by that being a 100k car!

Any other suggestions?

[Polyal]

I would do the Audi, but yeah as everyone knows prices are pretty high so if you can hold off for another 12-24 months I would.

Mate but a i30N and it was near $50k...WTF

Golf R at $65k....WTF

[martyk54]

Originally Posted by EDManual

Or maybe an E92 M3 manual... which would use twice the fuel, but not depreciate so much if at all. But have about 130,000km.

Any other suggestions?

I'd be careful in choosing any of those cars out of warranty with 100,000kms(ish) with the intent to put many, many more kms on them.

Example - The E92 M3, especially if it's over 100,000kms and you intend to put many, many more kms on it could cost a lot to maintain (rod bearing replacement one known issue). Very fun car, but be cautious. Lots of these have had harsh lives too. The E92 V8 is known to be more so in the unreliable bracket.

I'd leave myself perhaps more room than what you're used to financially in maintaining any of these cars. They will all have issues, servicing and maintenance isn't cheap, can be expensive or very expensive.

I'd also wait. The second hand car market is just a horrible place to be at the moment and will only get better for buyers considering the world economic situation. Example - I was looking at BMW M140i (up to 2019) the other day, they are selling for their RRP! Out of warranty, some with 50,000kms. Completely ridiculous.

If I had to buy now I'd buy new ideally, or try and find a performance car 12-18 months old, low kms, still under warranty. You'll potentially spend considerably more owning one of those cars you've mentioned for 5yrs, as opposed to something much newer (though prob not Euro). Spend more upfront for something newer. In my opinion, older performance Euros are best kept as weekend or 'fun' cars you're not intending to put many kms on.

[Hulsty]

Rav4 Hybrid.

[fiestaz]

Originally Posted by Polyal

I would do the Audi, but yeah as everyone knows prices are pretty high so if you can hold off for another 12-24 months I would.

Mate but a i30N and it was near $50k...WTF

Golf R at $65k....WTF

I30N is at the cheaper end of that segment (and seems to be the best).

Golf R for $65k? Not anymore, you’ll get a GTI for a touch under that, Golf R is over $73k drive away now.

[Polyal]

Originally Posted by fiestaz

I30N is at the cheaper end of that segment (and seems to be the best).

Golf R for $65k? Not anymore, you’ll get a GTI for a touch under that, Golf R is over $73k drive away now.

Its just crazy, agreed on your points.

65k for any Golf is madness.

Also the dollar has dipped so we will see how that goes.

[Franco Cozzo]

Originally Posted by Polyal

Its just crazy, agreed on your points.

65k for any Golf is madness.

Also the dollar has dipped so we will see how that goes.

Worlds gone to ****, $65K/$73K Golf

Would never have happened if we still made our own cars

[roKWiz]

Originally Posted by Franco Cozzo

Worlds gone to ****, $65K/$73K Golf

Would never have happened if we still made our own cars

Man, that's a lot of working truck I can buy for that coin.

[FTE217]

Gluton for punishment is all I see by those choices especially with the k's.....
Sure bang for buck but for how long.
Low k's under 40 your half safe for a period of time but with your high annual k's honeymoon would be over pretty quick.
Audi's pick any of them how many gearbox's have needed rebuilding even from 50thou k's.
Bro inlaw A4 Sline since new box gone under 40thou klm's.
I wouldn't touch an Audi unless I had WTY.
BM i got in my sig few years ago, great low buy for a 2016 with 37thou k's, nearing 80thou k's, been fine but gonna flip it later this year before it bites me.
E92 I'd be wary of any at your budget but its your call.

I'd stretch or wait till you have more to spend for eg, M2 low k's
https://www.carsales.com.au/cars/det...gType=showcase
or manual
https://www.carsales.com.au/cars/det...12986649/?Cr=7

[EBSXR6]

A mate worked in the industry and he said you don't need to be Einstein to work out why Audi / VW appear to be such good value on the used market.

[Citroënbender]

Mate of mine will shortly be unloading a Frogmobile. It will go way cheaper than German or Asian tat because it’s French. But still; 75K, two doors, petrol V6 and six speed manual - be lucky to get equivalent year Corolla money for it. The market is strange, fickle!

Originally Posted by EBSXR6

A mate worked in the industry and he said you don't need to be Einstein to work out why Audi / VW appear to be such good value on the used market.

I believe some of the issue is “aspirational” buyers in this market segment. Can’t necessarily maintain proactively so there are creeping liabilities that stack up.

[roKWiz]

Originally Posted by EBSXR6

A mate worked in the industry and he said you don't need to be Einstein to work out why Audi / VW appear to be such good value on the used market.

Those mid 2000s Mercedes aren't far behind.

[Polyal]

Originally Posted by Citroënbender

Mate of mine will shortly be unloading a Frogmobile. It will go way cheaper than German or Asian tat because it’s French. But still; 75K, two doors, petrol V6 and six speed manual - be lucky to get equivalent year Corolla money for it. The market is strange, fickle!

I believe some of the issue is the “aspirational” buyers have n this market segment. Can’t necessarily maintain proactively so there are creeping liabilities that stack up.

I had a pretty good experience with a citroen, bought it at 70,000kms and drove it into the ground around 180,000..served us well and I got it for half the RRP of new.

[EDManual]

Originally Posted by FTE217

Gluton for punishment is all I see by those choices especially with the k's.....
Sure bang for buck but for how long.
Low k's under 40 your half safe for a period of time but with your high annual k's honeymoon would be over pretty quick.
Audi's pick any of them how many gearbox's have needed rebuilding even from 50thou k's.
Bro inlaw A4 Sline since new box gone under 40thou klm's.
I wouldn't touch an Audi unless I had WTY.
BM i got in my sig few years ago, great low buy for a 2016 with 37thou k's, nearing 80thou k's, been fine but gonna flip it later this year before it bites me.
E92 I'd be wary of any at your budget but its your call.

I'd stretch or wait till you have more to spend for eg, M2 low k's
https://www.carsales.com.au/cars/det...gType=showcase
or manual
https://www.carsales.com.au/cars/det...12986649/?Cr=7

Yes, I would not buy a small powerful car, those dual clutch transmissions scare me off, have heard the stories! That's why these particular cars all have normal autos. The biturbo diesels engines are the same as in my touareg but with 2 turbo and they are fantastic engines I think. Lots of tourers are hitting the high 200ks and still going so can't be that bad!

[EDManual]

The E92 v8s seem to be pretty bulletproof after having rod bearings replaced. And again, they have a dual clutch or manual, you would think a manual would be the way to go. Some are around the 200k mark and still they are wanting 50k!

[martyk54]

If it had to be a Euro and performance is your thing, I'd be looking at BMW, with:

- B58 (6cyl turbo) - seem to be as reliable as performance Euro engines get, wonderful engines. In the Supra too, BMW have had years to perfect it since N54 woes.
- ZF 8sp or manual (rare). The ZF is a dream match for the B58.

So looking for 340i, 440i if you're after a medium to larger car. These cars will do sub 5sec 0-100, have unbelievable rolling acceleration, RWD, can be a family car, comfortable, just so much fun on command.

You won't get an under warranty car at your price, shoot for a cared for example sub-50,000kms.

+ I dislike Audi (and VW for that matter) as performance cars for several reasons. Just my 2c.

[EBSXR6]

If you are prepared to go non euro Kia Stinger and you could probably get one with a bit of factory Warranty.

[Swordie]

If new I'd consider a FN Mustang 2.3. Doing 25-30K km per year I'd want a warranty and reliability. A new Mustang will have 5yrs warranty. It will be good on fuel and have enough power.

The Honda Civic Type R would be interesting to try out. It's a future classic.

Doing lots of kms if it was me I would like to have the tech. Such as Apple / Android auto.

If petrol and tech is not a priority I'd look at late model Aussies such as VF /VFII SS and FGX.

I would be careful with secondhand Euros with no warranty unless you had another 5k per year for servicing and repairs.

The E93 Manual will go up in value provided it doesn't have lots of kms.

My guess is the 530 would be a great car to drive. With no warranty and chances of it been an ex-cop car I'd be careful.

Buying new there's the wait times to consider.

[M&Ms]

I've always liked the Audi S3 Sedan personally. Once upon a time a new one was about $60k new, now they're about $80k+ with the '22 model. Might be worth looking into one that's a year or two old?
Hyundai have a come a long way IMO and I'd actually buy an i30N over a Golf GTi if I was in the market. Even the i30N Sedan looks great, as does the pocket rocket Kona N, running mid 13s and low 5s to 100. https://youtu.be/6DYLjZ3VXLE
Lexus IS350 would be nice, now discontinued unfortunately and used prices are through the roof there for the final model, unless you can find one that's not so exorbitant.
New Subaru WRX could be an option if you can get over the looks, I'd personally get the Wagon there.
Dunno about the Kia Stinger; I want to like it, but every time I see one on the road I automatically think DOUCHE!
Tough to choose, as the average luxury new car prices are up 20 - 30k in the last 3 years compared to when I was in the market.

[Vesper Martini]

I think the Ex cop 2019 G30 530d MSport would have to be good value. don't worry about the kilometers its just been run in.

They will be reliable, they are quick, parts & servicing does not have to be through BMW.

These things are common Globally, and if we keep using them as Cop cars here there should be a good supply of 2nd hand parts too.

[DK30RB]

I have a 530d Msport. Not an ex hwy car.

Ex Hwy cars miss a lot of features which are otherwise standard. No sunroof, no Harmon Kardon Sound, no auto boot lid, non hwy cars are usually optioned with better grades of leather.

Having said that - they are great to drive and surprisingly economical. Mines holding up well at about 60,000km.

I guess they must have good reliability since a lot come up at Pickles (ex HWY Patrol) that have over 150,000km...

[Sprintey]

double post

[Sprintey]

I'll suggest a Jaguar XE-S with the 3.0 supercharged petrol V6 (Ford DNA in the V8 it was derived from). Great sound, smaller sedan, supposed to handle quite well too, RWD.

No idea of reliability foibles but it's teamed with a ZF 8 speed I think.

https://www.caranddriver.com/news/a1...ers-redundant/

[Swordie]

Should you buy a BMW 5 Series? (PLUS Ex-cop car!) | ReDriven used car review:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o6n-RnCZQP4&t=817s

[DFB FGXR6]

Originally Posted by Sprintey

I'll suggest a Jaguar XE-S with the 3.0 supercharged petrol V6 (Ford DNA in the V8 it was derived from). Great sound, smaller sedan, supposed to handle quite well too, RWD.

No idea of reliability foibles but it's teamed with a ZF 8 speed I think.

https://www.caranddriver.com/news/a1...ers-redundant/

Brilliant car, handles like the 3-Series should!

[GasoLane]

Originally Posted by Swordie

Should you buy a BMW 5 Series? (PLUS Ex-cop car!) | ReDriven used car review:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o6n-RnCZQP4&t=817s

He certainly has an unusual driving position

[jpd80]

Originally Posted by Sprintey

I'll suggest a Jaguar XE-S with the 3.0 supercharged petrol V6 (Ford DNA in the V8 it was derived from). Great sound, smaller sedan, supposed to handle quite well too, RWD.

No idea of reliability foibles but it's teamed with a ZF 8 speed I think.

https://www.caranddriver.com/news/a1...ers-redundant/

The J/LR 3.0 V6 wasn’t derived from a Ford V8 engine, it came from the J/LR AJ V8 that shares nothing with Coyote V8.

[Tassie f100]

Originally Posted by DK30RB

I have a 530d Msport. Not an ex hwy car.

Ex Hwy cars miss a lot of features which are otherwise standard. No sunroof, no Harmon Kardon Sound, no auto boot lid, non hwy cars are usually optioned with better grades of leather.

Having said that - they are great to drive and surprisingly economical. Mines holding up well at about 60,000km.

I guess they must have good reliability since a lot come up at Pickles (ex HWY Patrol) that have over 150,000km...

So it should be still good at 60,000kms. 260,000 kms will tell the story as to how good a car it really is

[DFB FGXR6]

Originally Posted by jpd80

The J/LR 3.0 V6 wasn’t derived from a Ford V8 engine, it came from the J/LR AJ V8 that shares nothing with Coyote V8.

I only recently discovered this, but these later Jaguar V6's, distinct from the Ford Duratec based versions during the 2000's, are literally a Jag V8 with two cylinders blanked off.







So while it loses two cylinders, it still carries the weight of a V8. Such a bazar engine.

[Tassie f100]

Originally Posted by DFB FGXR6

I only recently discovered this, but these later Jaguar V6's, distinct from the Ford Duratec based versions during the 2000's, are literally a Jag V8 with two cylinders blanked off.

image

image

image

So while it loses two cylinders, it still carries the weight of a V8. Such a bazar engine.

Do you mean a bizarre engine?