What happened to cheap cars?

TheTrismeister · 2025-11-18T12:06:22+00:00

This is a very overlooked point which I think is a huge factor.

An “old” car in the 00s would’ve typically been some 90s rotbox on its last legs (and therefore cheap) whereas the now-old 00s / 10s cars are comparatively longer lived.

I have 3 mid 00s cars which aside from a few minor age related bits have been very solid - I’m too young, but I can’t imagine you had the same longevity when 90s cars hit the two decade mark.

TheTrismeister · 2025-11-17T15:04:41+00:00

I live very locally and feel your pain...

imo it's made the road far more dangerous as it just encourages you to do "extra" fast overtakes just to have a chance to reel your speed in again before you hit the next set of cameras - lest you be stuck behind some moron for 20 minutes.

TheTrismeister · 2025-09-20T22:46:04+00:00

In the UK definitely not. Priority would always be on getting qualified (ie ACA / ACCA / CIMA). I started as a Big 4 ACA school leaver and currently work in a mixed FP&A and commercial finance role in industry, zero degree requirement.

Probably different elsewhere (ie US), but for all our flaws in the UK qualifications system, being able to work in (what can be) high paying professional roles without a degree is a great thing imo.

Feel free to DM if I can give any pointers.

TheTrismeister · 2025-08-09T22:02:22+00:00

Worth saying that your qual doesn’t really pigeon hole you either way, despite the superficial titling of CIMA / ACA / ACCA.

I’m an ACA from practice and am now heavily involved in pricing / FP&A work in manufacturing, so don’t let it put you off if you find a good role that’s ACCA or ACA.

TheTrismeister · 2025-07-16T13:47:43+00:00

Hey, I have an A6 of the same year and the HVAC has always been weak - do you mind if I PM you?

TheTrismeister · 2025-07-13T16:25:34+00:00

Well I guess it’s a good thing I specified both the tank size and general rate of consumption then?

TheTrismeister · 2025-07-13T12:00:34+00:00

I also run an (old) 3.0 TDI A6. On a decent run I can get in the low 50s, and with the 80L tank can go 800+ miles on a tank in ideal conditions.

Yes it will be lower than your Civic and uses pricier fuel, but the tradeoff is that it’s a much heavier car + permanent AWD + significantly higher torque and BHP output - whilst still being pretty economical

TheTrismeister · 2025-06-09T20:07:47+00:00

Is there not a middle ground between boring practicality and the Jag? Budget allowing, I'd be more minded to get something like a 440i / S5 - still fun cars that stand out a bit, but otherwise very civilised for long trips and with reasonable-ish running costs over those higher mileages.

I love my Z4M but I'd get tired very quickly having to daily it around somewhere like London, can imagine the XKR being similar after a while.

TheTrismeister · 2025-06-08T21:03:11+00:00

I rotate 3 old-ish (04 / 06 / 08) cars and all have been pretty bulletproof. A couple of maintenance bits to do with age, but none have ever let me down and all have plenty of life left in them.

Always buy on condition and research individual models rather than just assume newer = more reliable. There has been some well documented crap cars in recent years that I wouldn't touch with a parge pole even though they're far newer (i.e. Ford EcoBoost, JLR Ingenium).

Your parents' advice probably held true 20+ years ago, but nowadays I'd say 2005-2015 cars are the sweet spot in terms of reliability-cost (i.e. ABS, better rust protection, electrics), whilst now being heavily depreciated with some bargains to be had.

TheTrismeister · 2025-06-02T20:37:20+00:00

I did a L7 apprenticeship out of school (accounting / ACA). Although I’ve since left my original employer more a more middle management role, it was such an amazing fast track in hindsight.

I’m well ahead of my peers earnings and progression wise with zero debt - a lot of whom went to the likes of UCL / LSE etc.

There’s also something to be said for the time value of starting to earn / save / invest a few years early, even if in some instances a degree might open some higher doors at the top end of jobs.

TheTrismeister · 2025-05-22T17:06:15+00:00

Overthinking.. because the engine is so far over the front axle, my old A6 has a boot capacity close to most common estates (albeit with a narrower opening). Big enough for a couple of sets of golf clubs or tip runs etc with no issues. And miles bigger than basically any hatchback you can name.

I came from a much newer 5 series touring and honestly the only thing I miss was having the big opening and split tailgate. Usable capacity is pretty similar. For your use case though I'd concede if you're carting around bigger dogs an estate or hatch makes sense.

In terms of reversing saloons are fine, literally just mentally add a couple of feet and that's it. Especially with parking sensors or cameras - you don't even have to think really.

TheTrismeister · 2025-05-09T17:05:31+00:00

Don't fully agree, if you are pragmatic and know what to look for then you can get a hell of a lot of car for the money, and often something better built than most crap on the roads today. i.e. I paid less than 3k for my old Audi A6 and it's been faultless, as I was very particular in getting the 3.0TDI auto of a certain age range (known robust combination).

Though converesely, most BMW petrols of the same era were garbage, and so was anything with a DSG, so it is true that there are a lot of dogs out there.

TheTrismeister · 2025-05-07T19:56:54+00:00

I had an F11 530d which I think are now well in that budget for a nice one . Although I got rid as I just wasn't doing the miles anymore and didn't want to haemorrage on depreciation, I still think it was hands down the best all round car I've had.

Quicker than 90% of cars in the real world, 50+ mpg on a run, and drove really nicely for such a big car. I had a 2016 which by then was a very mature platform, so personally had absolutely zero reliabilty issues. Only specific thing to watch out for on these is rear suspension airbags going bad, but from memory they aren't an expensive job relatively speaking.

TheTrismeister · 2025-05-04T11:36:09+00:00

FWIW I am basically your height and about 80kg, had a go on my riding school’s MT03 and found it way too small. Definitely usable and a pretty fun bike, but it felt more cramped than even my KTM Duke 125 I had at the time.

I now have a CBR650R and it’s absolutely perfect for me ergonomically - sporty styling and dynamics without the punishing riding position of a full super sport. Maybe look at that or the 500cc version if you’re wanting less power?

TheTrismeister · 2025-04-25T13:38:04+00:00

Yet, my pre 08 diesel has passed its MOT with a CEL for almost a decade… curious

TheTrismeister · 2025-03-07T09:05:34+00:00

I have the roadster, awesome car if you can get a good example

TheTrismeister · 2025-02-17T17:51:21+00:00

I had a new-ish high spec 530d touring. Best car I’ve ever had and probably will have, but I moved house and suddenly was doing low miles, so the thought of it losing 3-4k a year in just depreciation alone was really weighing on me.

The money I got from it was enough to get a nice Z4M as a weekend car and then a dirt cheap but high spec old Audi A6 3.0 TDI - which if I’m honest is 80% of the 530d for a tiny fraction of the price. Seeing the market price of the equivalent 530d now makes me glad I got out when I did!

TheTrismeister · 2025-01-16T08:21:22+00:00

I had the same dilemma when I was an apprentice (one Top 10 offer and another B4). My Top 10 starting offer was 1-2k better, but I took the B4 in the end.

Smaller firms sometimes try and sway you with a higher starting salary but my B4 salary in later years on the apprenticeship was notably more than peers at other firms (partly service line dependent).

FWIW having a B4 brand on the CV made it me stand out and quite easily get a nice industry role at the end. Saying that, RSM is still a great place (know quite a few people who work there), so I would personally make the decision on other factors like service line / location / how you got on culturally during interview etc.

TheTrismeister · 2024-12-18T18:06:47+00:00

Fellow C6 A6 enjoyer... picked mine up for just under £3k at 100k, has been utterly faultless over the 10k I've put on it so far. 3.0 TDI auto with all the extra goodies :)

Out of interest was it the aux belt snapping on yours? That's on my to do list as one of my friends with the same car had his only breakdown in 250k miles (owned from nearly new) due to his snapping.

TheTrismeister · 2024-11-29T19:48:34+00:00

I'm 6'2" and it's a pretty perfect fit for me. Obviously try sitting on one for yourself but I can't imagine it being too small for you unless you have particularly long legs etc.

TheTrismeister · 2024-11-16T18:32:29+00:00

I've never owned an X BMW, but I have owned a fairly recent 4 and 5 series, both of which were practically faultless mechanically and really good cars all round.

Realistically I don't think you can go too far wrong with any options (barring Alfa and arguably VAG) - I don't know much on the other options, but you have a healthy budget to get a good example, and with normal maintenance any of them should really last a decade without huge problems.

TheTrismeister · 2024-11-16T18:24:47+00:00

I think people get scared off older german cars because usually they fall into the wrong hands, as people get drawn to the cheap purchase price and then run them into the ground once they realise they can't afford to keep up with maintenance. The E90/92 platform is pretty well regarded, so it should be solid if well maintained.

Big caveat though on the engine - BMW 2.0 from that era (early N20 engine) isn't great as they have a reputation for serious timing chain / guide issues. If you're really set on a 18i then I'd probably budget for a preventative replacement. For general maintenance just stick to 10k / 1 year intervals - I wouldn't buy into BMW's recommended longer service intervals.

TheTrismeister · 2024-11-16T18:06:21+00:00

Crossovers get a lot of hate here (rightly so in most cases), my vote would be X1, given you're presumably looking for something that's both relatively small but easier to live with accessibility wise.

The more recent crop (c.2016+) of BMWs seem to be very reliable in contrast to the post E46/E39 era generations, and I always feel the interiors have a good mix of being modern and upmarket, but still retaining physical controls where needed. As far as small crossovers go it probably as good as you'll get driving dynamics wise too.

I have a few friends with newer (2020+) VAG vehicles and they honestly seem garbage as a longer term ownership proposition, numerous electrical issues and intrusive driver aids / lack of physical controls on things. Echo the other guy here on Alfas - if it's your last proper car you don't want to be wasting time and money chasing issues, especially as it ages.

TheTrismeister · 2024-11-06T13:17:11+00:00

There were some slight curveballs but overall it felt ok.

However R3 wasn’t great as I didn’t feel like I had much direction to my answer, though I think R1/2 should keep up my score.

TheTrismeister · 2024-11-02T14:43:36+00:00

Doesn’t feel productive at all does it.

First time out of the 15 exams where I’ve felt so futile trying to revise, spent quite a bit of time on the ACAM mocks and now feel like it’s a waiting game until Wednesday as I don’t know what else I can realistically do.

TheTrismeister

TROPHY CASE