What to buy? Too many choices and variables.

I think I have come to the conclusion I want a convertible. I don't want a mainstream hatch - it may sound snobby but Vauxhall, Ford, Renault, Peugeot et al are major turn offs - mainly because of the way they market their vehicles.

Right now, it is looking like an MX-5 of some variety. Insurance is less expensive than my Fiesta!

I can comfortably afford the payments on the MX-5 over the summer, to the point I am incredibly tempted to get into one for the summer and unload it in the winter if it becomes impractical in London (if I end up there).

PS.

I would love a new Z4 - but this isn't even a consideration. Maybe one day but right now I am a long way off.

I'd get a Abarth 500.

Or a year old Twinair and avoid the Boris tax

Why not the current Z4? The folding hard top is solves the soft top-in-London issue, and there are some good deals to be had on nearly-new sDrive23i with the 2.5 inline 6.

Insurance costs won't be excessive and it will easily do 38-40mg.

I think it looks just that bit more special than the 1-Series Coupe - and the interior is miles better.

For those interested in the MX-5, I believe similar deals are available nationwide. The car quoted was a Kendo soft top.

The idea of buying 8 to 10 year old Porsche terrifies me. I am looking to go newer than my current car and keep it for a number of years.

I actually really like Smart roadster-coupes, but they are all about 6 years old and have an appalling gearbox - plus a decent one is about £8k!!!

This is all speculative - this is 12 months away and is dependent on employment. I have also been looking at positions in NY which would end this discussion right away.

On a side note, I have no desire to buy another Ford, if I wasn't to replace it with something substantially different I would just run the Fiesta into the ground.

In terms of keeping a classic or any car with my parents - this is entirely possible, there is plenty of storage but they would have no desire to share this experience with me and they live in the depths of the Peak District.

Hi, FELIX_NCL. There's no such thing as too many choices! I visited East Germany a couple of times before the Wall came down and there one had a choice of a Trabant or not... (Only a slight exaggeration.) Anyway, I met a couple at a Christening yesterday. They've just bought an immaculate, dark blue 2003 Boxster S with 50,000 miles on the clock for £8,250. Yes, not a misprint - £8,250. If I were in your position I'd be seriously tempted to look in that direction. I see that your original post was over two months ago, though, so perhaps you've already got something - if so, what?

Kind of agree, why spend a lot on a nice car while living in London?,touch parking,generally unfriendly attitudes,more chance of being nicked or vandalised by some jealous moron!,maybe you should just buy another Fiesta?

25 - living in London (considering parking and actually permitted to drive!!) and keeping your insurance costs way down - and economical. Everyone directing you towards MX5 which is cute but...insurance is too high, and it isnt that economical either. Only one other person came up with the right package and you seem to have closed your mind to it. The Smart Brabus !! It is a total whizz, very SMART, designer friendly, economical, get around the London congestion thingy and believe me the lasses will love you just as much as an MX5 - the French stuff leave it alone. A Focus RS would be nice but only ticks the "performance" box - nope - The Brabus has enough street cred to make you proud and smile. Go for a test drive, dont deny yourself at least the experience of checking it out.

Providing you can cope with the ups and downs of the job market,and you secure a good position, why not lease a new car of your choice?,something you won' mind handing back if the recession drags on a few more years,up to ten grand can put you in a lot of serious metal,so, take your time ,do the Math, i'm sure you will get it right.

I know you probably don't want to hear this, but the people I know who lived in central London after graduation just did not use a car. Given parking issues and insurance costs they can end up a millstone and restrict your accommodation choices. One friend hit on the perfect solution and by wild speculation you may be in the same boat (given a new fiesta at the start of Uni). He had pretty wealthy folks who lived out of London so shared a classic car with his parents. Used it on weekends when out of London and when he was central it was garaged at home. Insurance was dirt cheap, bills are pretty big but depreciation is zero if looked after.

Care to let me know which dealer that is? I'd be very interested in that deal!