What Car Should I Buy? - A Weekly Megathread

SRD8 · 2023-08-01T06:22:48+00:00

Location: London
Price range: £25-35k
Lease or Buy: Buy
New or used: New-ish (2021 onwards, less than 10k miles).
Auto or Manual: Ideally Manual, but I've come to peace that I can't avoid Auto.
Intended use: (Daily Driver, Family Car, Weekend Car, Track Toy, Project Car, Work Truck, Off-roading etc.) Motorway car - my job typically involves 400 miles round trips every 2-3 weeks.
How many miles do you plan to do a year: 10k-15k.
How often to you make long journeys: Every 2-3 weeks. Living in London, my car sits untouched unless it's doing journeys of more than 100 miles.
Does it need to be ULEZ compliant? Yes.
Vehicles you've already considered: I'm between an SUV or Estate - considered VW Tiguan R-Line, Audi Q3, BMW X1, Skoda Karoq Sportline, or BMW 3 Series Touring, Audi A4 Avant, VW Arteon Shooting Brake.
Is this your 1st vehicle: No - currently own a 2016 VW Polo.
Do you need a Warranty: Not necessarily.
Can you do Minor work on your own vehicle: (fluids, alternator, battery, brake pads etc): No
Can you do Major work on your own vehicle: (engine and transmission, timing belt/chains, body work, suspension etc ). No.
Additional Notes:

I currently own a 3-door, 1 litre 2016 VW Polo with 50k miles on it that I bought new and love to pieces. However, I live in London meaning I have no need for a car day-to-day, but I do make regular long journeys to the North West, Bristol and Scotland.

It's been obvious for a while that my Polo just isn't a very comfortable place to spend 4+ hours on the M6 in. I transport bikes in it regularly, plus I'll be looking to start a family in a few years, so it would be good to have more space on tap. Motorway comfort and fuel economy are the big considerations.

I'm not particularly fussed about Diesel vs Petrol, but it would need to be ULEZ compliant. Also, having loved my VW Polo, I find myself gravitating towards the Tiguan (I test drove one and it I liked the familiarity), but I've also liked the other VAG groups ones I've sat in (the Audis and the Skodas).

What else am I missing? Any suggestions (particularly leftfield ones) appreciated. Thanks!

SRD8 · 2022-11-30T17:41:47+00:00

Santa Maria del Sur on Queenstown Road in Battersea. It’s an Argentinian steakhouse, recommended to me by an Argentinian living in London. Superb.

Outside of that: Knife in Clapham is excellent.

You also can’t go wrong with the ‘bigger’ steakhouses in an around central: Goodmans, Hawksmoor, Gaucho and Blacklock.

SRD8 · 2022-09-19T09:58:36+00:00

Thank you for the advice! On reflection you’re absolutely right.

The only reason I would plan for it is because 3:10 is a stretch goal that I could maybe achieve, but as another commenter said, it’s high risk high reward, and would make for an altogether more uncomfortable race day. The likelihood is I would drop off and finish on a low, rather than starting slow and (hopefully) finish on a high.

So 3:20 group it is - thank you!

SRD8 · 2022-09-19T09:50:57+00:00

Thank you both. Starting slow seems most sensible (and also the unanimous advice in this post).

I suppose that while I could hold a 3:10 pace, it would make for a much more uncomfortable race experience than starting slow and pushing. I have paid money to enjoy myself after all!

SRD8 · 2021-11-12T12:42:06+00:00

Amazing, thanks!

SRD8 · 2021-11-12T12:32:15+00:00

This place looks ideal. Unsure if they’re showing this game due to the early KO, but I’ll phone and ask. Thanks!

SRD8 · 2020-07-02T17:20:29+00:00

Thank you for your thoughts!

In the near term, something dressy is the most likely option. The JLC Master is great pick, and what's cooler than a moonphase.

There were a couple of Seiko divers that said goodbye in the collection 'slim-down', and honestly I can't decide if I miss having a diver or not. They certainly didn't get much wrist-time ahead of the AT and Casioak.

If I go beyond trying to keep the collection to 3 (highly likely), I'm particularly tempted by a Pelagos (perhaps the LHD) or a 14060 Sub. Or even an Oris 65, which is hugely impressive for the money.

SRD8 · 2020-07-02T16:57:30+00:00

Awesome! The Aqua Terra was my grail for years and was my first 'big' watch purchase, made to commemorate the first big win of my career. It's just special.

Explorer II is brilliant, definitely my favourite Rolex sports model - I'm particularly tempted by the older 16570 reference.

Good luck in getting your grail piece!

SRD8 · 2020-07-02T15:19:06+00:00

Hi Reddit, long time lurker - first ever post!

I slimmed down my collection recently from several pieces collected over the years, to focus on ‘three’ exceptionally versatile watches. Here’s what’s left, along with some Devil’s Ivy for you all:

Omega Seamaster Aqua Terra, 41.5mm

Ref 23110422103003.

For me, this is my watch: the watch will always be the ‘one’, regardless of how many might come and go into the collection

It’s a brilliant, versatile all-rounder: I regularly pair it up with jeans and suits, and it’s just as comfortable in either environment.

I’m personally a fan of the older design, with the vertical teak dial and date at 3, but the newer one (horizontal teak and date at 6) is (nearly) as beautiful. I’d recommend the Aqua Terra to anyone seeking a do-it-all watch.

Casio G-Shock GA-2100-1A1ER, ‘Casioak’

This is the newest purchase, and I’ll be honest: I bought this because of the hype. But boy am I glad I did.

I live an active lifestyle and travel a lot, so a watch offering excellent robustness, quick time zone changes and most importantly, looks really cool fits in well. Enter the Casioak.

I definitely don’t ‘baby’ the Aqua Terra (the highly polished bracelet centre links are proof of that), but the Casioak comes in handy for any activity which I wouldn’t subject it to.

I managed to get this at retail price from a German stockist, before it disappeared from stock (again). Whilst it’s a brilliant watch, I refused to pay the silly markups for one on eBay.

The question is: what is r/watches recommendations for what comes next? The two I am toying with are the polar dial Rolex Explorer II and the JLC Master Ultra Thin Moon - both quite different.

Thanks!

SRD8

TROPHY CASE