Yet Another New Car (Well on order)
Posted: Fri May 10, 2019 11:43 am
On a half term break to Dorset earlier this year it became obvious that the M135i wasn't all that practical for carrying the OH, one child out of the two available, the dog, me and all our kit. Even with a large roof box I struggled to get everything in.
So the decision was made. OH will sell her Abarth and pay off the remaining finance on the BMW as she loves driving it and that will become her daily / dog taxi, I will get a more practical motor.
Personally, I am not a fan of big cars (Hence 1 series and Abarth) so the usual suspects under consideration were moving up to estate versions of a 340i, C43, Golf R, Seat Cupra. I even tried a Skoda Superb 272 Sportline Plus which whilst very spacious was anything but sporty. The BM & Merc were familiar territory nice 6 cylinder engines and plenty of the oomph I was used to. The VAG offerings were quick and capable but fuck me were they dull as ditchwater to be in. It was the same story with the Stelvio I tried. Basically, I was finding it hard to give up my 6 cylinder addiction so it was a choice between the BMW and Merc.
Well it was until I started getting quotes back from dealers with the spec I wanted. Even with apparently massive 'discounts' they were a serious chunk more per month than I thought was reasonable for what was on offer. They also wanted fairly hefty money up front. Back to the drawing board.
What I have ended up with has a V6, twin turbos, is correct wheel drive and isn't German but has a whiff of their input, 0-60 in a smidge over 4.5 seconds and near on 170mph flat out. Got every conceivable gizmo as standard the only thing I had to decide on was the interior and exterior colours.
The sales experience was also an absolute pleasure no bollocks and bullshit like most of the German brands. Fully maintained incl tyres and road tax very little up front compared to what others wanted and the same money per month as the 1'er. The way it goes and handles put an instant smile on my face like nothing any other car I tried did.
TL/DR I've bought a Kia!!!!
So the decision was made. OH will sell her Abarth and pay off the remaining finance on the BMW as she loves driving it and that will become her daily / dog taxi, I will get a more practical motor.
Personally, I am not a fan of big cars (Hence 1 series and Abarth) so the usual suspects under consideration were moving up to estate versions of a 340i, C43, Golf R, Seat Cupra. I even tried a Skoda Superb 272 Sportline Plus which whilst very spacious was anything but sporty. The BM & Merc were familiar territory nice 6 cylinder engines and plenty of the oomph I was used to. The VAG offerings were quick and capable but fuck me were they dull as ditchwater to be in. It was the same story with the Stelvio I tried. Basically, I was finding it hard to give up my 6 cylinder addiction so it was a choice between the BMW and Merc.
Well it was until I started getting quotes back from dealers with the spec I wanted. Even with apparently massive 'discounts' they were a serious chunk more per month than I thought was reasonable for what was on offer. They also wanted fairly hefty money up front. Back to the drawing board.
What I have ended up with has a V6, twin turbos, is correct wheel drive and isn't German but has a whiff of their input, 0-60 in a smidge over 4.5 seconds and near on 170mph flat out. Got every conceivable gizmo as standard the only thing I had to decide on was the interior and exterior colours.
The sales experience was also an absolute pleasure no bollocks and bullshit like most of the German brands. Fully maintained incl tyres and road tax very little up front compared to what others wanted and the same money per month as the 1'er. The way it goes and handles put an instant smile on my face like nothing any other car I tried did.
TL/DR I've bought a Kia!!!!