Another 'what car' - £10k
Discussion
Got around £10K to spend. Sold my 350Z not so long ago. Previous cars DC5 Type-R, EP3 Type-R, DC2 Type-R, Fiat Coupe 20vT, MkII Golf GTi.
I would have dearly loved to have kept the Z but just had my first born - the Z doesnt have the ability to disable the front airbags... it may aswell have been a motorbike. Albeit the other half has a CRV for all the baby karting, we could never go out as a family.
I only clock up around 4,000miles a year - I work 3miles from home.
Thus far, I have shortlisted:
E46 M3 Coupe
+RWD
+343bhp
+Great sound
+Speed, comfort and luxury
-Long in the tooth/newer shape out
-Expensive to run and maintain
-Less practical
Focus ST-3
+Cheaper to run/service
+Cheap to modify (300bhp achievable c.£1.5k)
+Nice sound
-Its still a Focus (but I think I can live with that)
-Build quality
Mk5 Golf GTi
+Good residuals
+Good build quality
+Trick DSG system
-Nasty seats, unless full leather
-Very common
-Lacks character
Ideally, I would love to be in the RWD deparment again, the sheer grins I got from driving sideways! I have contemplated a 130i, but at 16st and 6'3" its a little too small. Dont want an FN2 Civic. I do the occasional track day, but not for a while now. Is there a car that Ive overlooked? Any other recommendations would be greatly received! Thanks,
Scary
I would have dearly loved to have kept the Z but just had my first born - the Z doesnt have the ability to disable the front airbags... it may aswell have been a motorbike. Albeit the other half has a CRV for all the baby karting, we could never go out as a family.
I only clock up around 4,000miles a year - I work 3miles from home.
Thus far, I have shortlisted:
E46 M3 Coupe
+RWD
+343bhp
+Great sound
+Speed, comfort and luxury
-Long in the tooth/newer shape out
-Expensive to run and maintain
-Less practical
Focus ST-3
+Cheaper to run/service
+Cheap to modify (300bhp achievable c.£1.5k)
+Nice sound
-Its still a Focus (but I think I can live with that)
-Build quality
Mk5 Golf GTi
+Good residuals
+Good build quality
+Trick DSG system
-Nasty seats, unless full leather
-Very common
-Lacks character
Ideally, I would love to be in the RWD deparment again, the sheer grins I got from driving sideways! I have contemplated a 130i, but at 16st and 6'3" its a little too small. Dont want an FN2 Civic. I do the occasional track day, but not for a while now. Is there a car that Ive overlooked? Any other recommendations would be greatly received! Thanks,
Scary
The Avant and Touring - I dont want an estate. I would only ever consider the M5 or the RS6 and they are way out of my budget.
M5 E39 - a little long in the tooth and expensive to run. Also going to scratch the M3 E46, its in the same boat and finding a decent one below £11K (my max budget) is impossible.
As for the Mercs listed; both are a little old man-ish. Im a young 30yr old!
I do like the Mk5 Golf GTi... I wish I could afford an extra ommpph Edition 30, but the vanilla has got no soul to it.
I really do think that I will opt for a Focus ST-3. I just cant help thinking they are a little chavvy, but I would opt for one of the discrete colours and rip off any of those Viper stipes.
Im not a fan of the Subaru Impreza or Mitsubishi Evo's... but just seen one of those RB-320s at the local petrol stations - wow! Also liked the WR1 ltd ed. Im a sucker for exclusivity I guess!
M5 E39 - a little long in the tooth and expensive to run. Also going to scratch the M3 E46, its in the same boat and finding a decent one below £11K (my max budget) is impossible.
As for the Mercs listed; both are a little old man-ish. Im a young 30yr old!
I do like the Mk5 Golf GTi... I wish I could afford an extra ommpph Edition 30, but the vanilla has got no soul to it.
I really do think that I will opt for a Focus ST-3. I just cant help thinking they are a little chavvy, but I would opt for one of the discrete colours and rip off any of those Viper stipes.
Im not a fan of the Subaru Impreza or Mitsubishi Evo's... but just seen one of those RB-320s at the local petrol stations - wow! Also liked the WR1 ltd ed. Im a sucker for exclusivity I guess!
Wow - thanks for all the comments and recommendations!
Monaro - not allowed one. Mrs knows about them, as chap across the road has one, she also knows that it has a 5.7 and decribed it as being a bigger Laguna in the looks department (think its the headlights).
Not a Jag man unfortunately.
The reason for the ST is that its a good all rounder, but as stated, Im sure I wont get that wow factor everytime I fire it up, nor will I get the random erge to take it for a blast - but it is something that will tie me over until the Mrs is back at work and I can spend some more money.
On another thread, some people have just been talking about DC5 TypeRs... that made me realise that theres also the FD2 CTR (JDM). I can get one imported for £15K. £15k buys a lot of other cars; so Im going to cease right there... in fact, not sure why I mentioned it. The £5k would come from savings and I should keep it there.
The M3 and S4 are going to cost too much to run; Id prefer an M3. Its the scary major inspections and unknown costly failures, as everyone has stated - for my money I wont be getting one that would have an extended warranty. Major inspection services are c.£650 at an indy. I would hate to get one and not give it the loving attention it deserves... unlike most of the chavs that are driving around on the early plates. Sure I could find the cash, but with the Mrs taking a year out and very large mortgage, I need to put things into perspective - Im not 21 anymore!
Oh, what to do!
Monaro - not allowed one. Mrs knows about them, as chap across the road has one, she also knows that it has a 5.7 and decribed it as being a bigger Laguna in the looks department (think its the headlights).
Not a Jag man unfortunately.
The reason for the ST is that its a good all rounder, but as stated, Im sure I wont get that wow factor everytime I fire it up, nor will I get the random erge to take it for a blast - but it is something that will tie me over until the Mrs is back at work and I can spend some more money.
On another thread, some people have just been talking about DC5 TypeRs... that made me realise that theres also the FD2 CTR (JDM). I can get one imported for £15K. £15k buys a lot of other cars; so Im going to cease right there... in fact, not sure why I mentioned it. The £5k would come from savings and I should keep it there.
The M3 and S4 are going to cost too much to run; Id prefer an M3. Its the scary major inspections and unknown costly failures, as everyone has stated - for my money I wont be getting one that would have an extended warranty. Major inspection services are c.£650 at an indy. I would hate to get one and not give it the loving attention it deserves... unlike most of the chavs that are driving around on the early plates. Sure I could find the cash, but with the Mrs taking a year out and very large mortgage, I need to put things into perspective - Im not 21 anymore!
Oh, what to do!
Skylines - again, scared by running costs and what if it goes pop mentality.
Stop calling me Shirley
Im thinking White ST-3, get them nasty looking wheels powder coated black, some springs, light tints, decent CAI, ECU flash and exhaust w/ sport cat.. maybe an IC and thats not a bad looking car with c.300bhp... ok, ok at the front wheels, I know! But at least it will tide me over until some more money is coming back in.
Lets not close the case just yet though!
Stop calling me Shirley
Im thinking White ST-3, get them nasty looking wheels powder coated black, some springs, light tints, decent CAI, ECU flash and exhaust w/ sport cat.. maybe an IC and thats not a bad looking car with c.300bhp... ok, ok at the front wheels, I know! But at least it will tide me over until some more money is coming back in.
Lets not close the case just yet though!
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