England: Miata vs Mustang

[sportyaccordy]

I am honestly shocked that the Mustang got so many votes

Too big for British roads
Too thirsty for British gas taxes
Too American for British sensibilities

And needing a whip to get one's beak whet

OP will regret bringing the Mustang within his first month. Bring the right car for the job.

[ChrisV]

Brits love yank cars, too, he said he'd be buying gas on base at American prices, and the British roads accomodate Range Rovers and Rolls Royces and large trucks/busses too. yeah, they're more fun in smaller cars, but they can indeed accomodate a Mustang.

[SVT666]

Surpringly, I voted Miata.  However, now that I think about it more, having a Vert in a place that rains so much may not make the most sense.  Oh well.  Mustang is definitely too bug for driving in the city in England.  All other roads are fine, it's just in the old parts of the towns that are hundreds of years old.

[ChrisV]

I have to say, the main problem will be learning where you are on the road, regardless of size of car you're in. Mentally there are challenges to moving to the opposite side of the road, especially with cars not made for that side of the road.

[Rich]

I have to say, the main problem will be learning where you are on the road, regardless of size of car you're in. Mentally there are challenges to moving to the opposite side of the road, especially with cars not made for that side of the road.

I drove in Japan for 2 years

I'll be selling the Mustang..


...Mike was right... I could be earning interest on that money instead of having a car sitting around that my Dad would need to care for and I'd have to insure/register.

I don't know when I'll be coming back to the US anyway.  And since I'll be living off base, I can pick up a second car (hot hatch?) to use in the winter/rainy spring.


Something else that's intangible is that I'll get to drive around Europe in a car I drove around the US.

[SVT666]

What will you be listing the Mustang for?

[Raza]

Fucking sell both and get something over there.  Exporting a Miata to a country that has Miatas is stupid enough as is, but then when you add on the fact that they drive on the opposite side and their cars are RHD, it's even fucking dumber. 

[SVT666]

I think you're holding back.  Why don't you tell him how you really feel?

[Rich]

I think you're holding back.  Why don't you tell him how you really feel?

What Raza doesn't understand is that there is a lot less hassle involved in shipping a Miata than buying a car there.

With shipping, I don't have to pay road tax or the sales tax.  And then I don't have to take any depreciation hit when I sell the car when I leave England... just ship my baby back.

[Rich]

What will you be listing the Mustang for?

Edmunds lists the private sale value at 28.5K.  I'm going to start listing at 33-35K and about June or so drop it down to 28-30K.  I'd like to hang onto it as long as can since I'll have to ship the Miata about 1 June, and I won't leave until late July.

[SVT666]

You can buy a new one for that price.

[Raza]

You can buy a new one for that price.

A new V6 maybe.  I just priced one out at 33K.

[Raza]

What Raza doesn't understand is that there is a lot less hassle involved in shipping a Miata than buying a car there.

With shipping, I don't have to pay road tax or the sales tax.  And then I don't have to take any depreciation hit when I sell the car when I leave England... just ship my baby back.

No, I considered that.  Selling the Mustang and keeping the Miata is less dumb than what you were planning to do, but still, selling both and sampling one of the cars that they don't sell here that's towards the end of its depreciation cycle is a much better plan.  Road tax and the ?500 you're going to lose in depreciation is nothing compared to experiencing something you may never get another chance to experience.

[Eye of the Tiger]

A new V6 maybe.  I just priced one out at 33K.

That has to be every option, plus convertible.

[Raza]

That has to be every option, plus convertible.

It was highly optioned, but not loaded, and a coupe.

[SVT666]

$39,880 for the exact Mustang I would want, and I bet I could get $3000 knocked off that.  So for just under $37,000, I could get a brand new Mustang exactly the way I want it.

[Eye of the Tiger]

It was highly optioned, but not loaded, and a coupe.

V6 with the performance package is $25K, $26.6K with Recaro seats. I wouldn't want anything else. You can get a GT for $31K.

[Cookie Monster]

$39,880 for the exact Mustang I would want, and I bet I could get $3000 knocked off that.  So for just under $37,000, I could get a brand new Mustang exactly the way I want it.

I think his has some options, too, and getting a year old car for 28-30k isn't too bad...

[Rich]

I think his has some options, too, and getting a year old car for 28-30k isn't too bad...

I have a feeling I'll have to go lower than 28K, but we'll see.  This will be my first time ever really selling a car.

[nickdrinkwater]

If I moved the US I'd drive an American car just for the experience

[Rich]

What are some uniquely British/European cars that I should be looking at?

I've looked at autotrader for cars 3K pounds or less with a manual... a lot of econoboxes... and a lot of RX-8s.  

Found this: ?2,9942005 Seat Leon 1.8 20V 225 R Cupra 5dr Hatchback..  looks pretty cool

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201217467138491/sort/pricedesc/usedcars/fuel-type/petrol/price-to/3000/transmission/manual/page/35/radius/40/postcode/cb17qq?logcode=p

Reading from some other military that have PCS'd there... they really liked bringing the pony/muscle cars over there.  Just not sure if I want to try and navigate the small streets with the Mustang.  Looks like I'll only be able to pull down about 25K for the Mustang, which is horrid.  I'd rather hang onto it at that price.

If I brought the mustang I could pick up a cheap 'vert for the summers... if I bring the Miata, I'd like to pick up a cheap 4Dr sedan or 2Dr 4 seat coupe.  

[CJ]

BRING THE MUSTANG.

[nickdrinkwater]

What are some uniquely British/European cars that I should be looking at?

I've looked at autotrader for cars 3K pounds or less with a manual... a lot of econoboxes... and a lot of RX-8s. 

Found this: ?2,9942005 Seat Leon 1.8 20V 225 R Cupra 5dr Hatchback..  looks pretty cool

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201217467138491/sort/pricedesc/usedcars/fuel-type/petrol/price-to/3000/transmission/manual/page/35/radius/40/postcode/cb17qq?logcode=p

Reading from some other military that have PCS'd there... they really liked bringing the pony/muscle cars over there.  Just not sure if I want to try and navigate the small streets with the Mustang.  Looks like I'll only be able to pull down about 25K for the Mustang, which is horrid.  I'd rather hang onto it at that price.

If I brought the mustang I could pick up a cheap 'vert for the summers... if I bring the Miata, I'd like to pick up a cheap 4Dr sedan or 2Dr 4 seat coupe. 

Our roads aren't THAT small!  It's only the really old towns/Cities that have the tight streets and even then normally only right in the centre.  Your Mustang will be fine.  I doubt it's much bigger than very popular cars like Vectras, Insignias, 5 Series Bimmers etc. 

Lots of convertibles to choose from so no problem there but you will struggle to find a 4-door sedan in anything smaller than a 5 Series BM.  Most cars here are hatchbacks or wagons.   Same with 2 door coupes, you're looking at 3 Series, Alfa GT and above unless you want a big search.

MG TF -- a small roadster, dirt cheap albeit bit more of a risky buy
Audi cabriolet/A4 cabriolet -- eg http://pistonheads.com/sales/3613827.htm -- you probably know these from the states
BMW Z3 -- http://pistonheads.com/sales/list.asp?s=136

If you're feeling really brave you can have a Mazda RX-8 for under 3k.

The Cupras are good cars but I'd be wary about buying "the cheapest in the country" and no mention of full service history in that ad.  But you're on the right track.  They're like a cut-price Golf GTi really.

If you can give us an idea of what size you are looking for I can give you some more suggestions.

In terms of buying advice, the forum at www.pistonheads.com/gassing is probably the biggest chat board so you always get someone knowledge to help even despite a few idiots.  I'd recommend looking on there as there are countless posts of people looking for what you are.  they also have ads at www.pistonheads.com/sales/

Depending on what your price range is there are checks to make on history, previous damage etc, but not worth worrying about until nearer the time.

[Rich]

Thanks.. and if I bought a car there I don't want to get one I could buy in the US.. so Audis, BMWs, VWs are out for the most part (I know we didn't get some models)

The MG TF looks ungainly, but that's where I'm kinda going with this.  Distinctly euro stuff that we don't get in the US, but since they didn't come here, I don't know what'd good or bad.

Honestly, I'd love an E30 3 series to go with the Miata... but I know they sold them in the US too...

a Mini would be fun, too. But then I'd have 2 "gay" cars... and neither one could carry much

After I made the post above I was thinking about autoX and track days.. and I'm all set for that w/ the Miata since I have summer/winter tires and wheels.  I'd have to do the same for the Mustang which would be $$$$.  So I've basically talked myself out of the Mustang again

I can't WAIT to get on track at brands hatch, silverstone, rockingham, donnington park, etc... and they are all within 4 hrs drive!!!!

[CALL_911]

Get something French or Italian. An Alfa would be cool.

[Secret Chimp]

Thanks.. and if I bought a car there I don't want to get one I could buy in the US.. so Audis, BMWs, VWs are out for the most part (I know we didn't get some models)

The MG TF looks ungainly, but that's where I'm kinda going with this.  Distinctly euro stuff that we don't get in the US, but since they didn't come here, I don't know what'd good or bad.

Honestly, I'd love an E30 3 series to go with the Miata... but I know they sold them in the US too...

a Mini would be fun, too. But then I'd have 2 "gay" cars... and neither one could carry much

After I made the post above I was thinking about autoX and track days.. and I'm all set for that w/ the Miata since I have summer/winter tires and wheels.  I'd have to do the same for the Mustang which would be $$$$.  So I've basically talked myself out of the Mustang again

I can't WAIT to get on track at brands hatch, silverstone, rockingham, donnington park, etc... and they are all within 4 hrs drive!!!!

E30 waggin

[AutobahnSHO]

Leave both cars at home, buy a RHD car in the UK.

Take Miata if you want to actually drive it. Take Mustang and you might sell at the end and make a profit.

But definitely definitely be careful. You can't see to pass, so DON'T. and definitely definitely pickup a RHD car.