At your price bracket, you NEED (not want, but NEED) reliable. First, second, third ... all the priorities.

So an Alfa fitted with the 1.9 diesel engine would be a terrible move, as you were told the other day.

So would an 18 year old 3 series convertible.

If you want something stylish and opentop, then an MX-5 probably would be a decent bet. They are reliable if well maintained. But it's only 2 seater, obviously. You don't say what you need a car to be able to do (passengers, fuel economy, etc)

Whatever you buy, there are 2 approaches.

1. Buy the best you can. Because if you buy cheap, then you'll be paying for repairs.

2. Buy something so cheap that you're happy to scrap it if something goes wrong.

Thats fair enough, nothing wrong with liking cars from a slightly previous era, i do too, in fact its a job to name anything i'd buy new now, if i had unlimited funds, like our mod say :-) and decided on new i'd probably grey import something American Japanese or Australian which we don't normally find here.

If you like the Beemer would you consider something like a Honda Accord circa 2004/7, i'm probably (undoubtably) a lot older than you but to me this was the last Accord which i would describe as quietly handsome before they tried to outsteroid Mazda, if you find a well miantained one it should last well.

Not sure if you'd get one in £5k budget, but Lexus is250? just looked, well in budget.

Beemers are ok, Mercs are ok, all good cars but unless you can do at least basic maintenance yourself and only need a garage for more intensive work then these German cars will be expensive to look after make no mistake.

Just to give you an outline, i've got a '96 merc E320 W124 coupe, just gone over 100k, i've had it 14 years 2nd owner, i have the services of one of the best indies for the marque out there, it's cost me around £3000 in intensive maintenance in the last 3 years, it had a wiring loom failure (they really do do that sir) around 12 years ago which took out the ECU as well, if that had been at the merc dealer it would have cost me over £2500, as it was i got away with around £1200, thats obviously plus normal servicing (which my indy does for little more than i could) and i usually replace brakes and batteries and bulbs etc myself as and when needed, so add another £3/4000, then add several visits over the years to my handy little bodyshop to keep on top of things, another £2000 probably, oh and don't forget 3 x rear laminated screens @ around £500 a pop, if those had been at main dealer or at any old indy garage that fits new parts till they eventually find the fault the bills would have probably been three times what they have been.

It was a £50k car in '96 therefore its a £50k car to look after, and thats why people tell you to be wary of older cars like Beemers and Mercs, i've had the funds to look after mine well (its been a labour of love, i'll never see it back), but most cars when they fall into 3rd 4th 5th etc ownership get between none and minimal maintenance, these cars will not stand neglect and they will bit you in the behind if you're the one left holding it when the music stops.

Edited by gordonbennet on 15/03/2017 at 17:09

Edited by SLO76 on 15/03/2017 at 17:33