Thinking practically about getting a new(er) car.

[Tension]

Definitely don't buy a new car!!

You lose a few grand just by driving it out of the showroom.

If you insist on buying a new car, get one thats a few months old and had all the niggling problems fixed.  You would save a fortune, and may still get some good deals with warranty etc.

Get a Volvo 850R.

Beautiful and you'd get a mint one for 2 grand.

[Tension]

Finally, someone who agrees with me that REAL cars are diesels. I get sick of people buying these cute little cars that are lucky to even last 100k. I mean come on diseal is much more reliable. And, they are better on the environment, and have more torque. You can get 500k out of a good diseal. People say they are noisy and that they stink, but my response is I am noisy and stink and you seem to be okay with it.

get a volvo 850

[Tension]

Aren't Volvo 850s the old brick shaped estates? I'd have to google images to confirm... They're too old to be on my list, and besides I don't tow caravans!

They're the last of the 'Proper' Volvos, made before Ford bought them, raped them, and sold the carcass to the Chinese.

Beautiful.