Which car to replace the thrill of a motorbike?
Discussion
So... this may be a little long, sorry!
I was/am a motorbiker, I absolutely love the torque and instant acceleration available on motorbikes. However having recently been driven into by a geriatric who didn't see me and forced me onto the opposite side of the road where I took a trip up a Vectra's bonnet (broken femur, wrists etc) it looks like I'm going to need to knock it on the head for quite a while...
So, here's the car question: what second hand car is going to give me that same smile that the the instantly available torque on motorbikes used to give me? Here are some rather generic requirements:
1) Torque, oh man I love the torque. Have I mentioned torque? I want it to pull from low down, high up etc
2) Not fussed about two seat/cabriolet/etc
3) Petrol is fairly essential as an my pattern of driving is 90% < 10 miles per journey
4) Reliability would be nice
5) Couldn't give a monkeys about top speed
6) I do enjoy gadgets: satnav, bluetooth etc
7) DON'T MOCK ME but if it comes in a decent automatic option (STOP LAUGHING) then I'd be up for that
So, what car do I want? I have £20k to spend.
Thanks.
I was/am a motorbiker, I absolutely love the torque and instant acceleration available on motorbikes. However having recently been driven into by a geriatric who didn't see me and forced me onto the opposite side of the road where I took a trip up a Vectra's bonnet (broken femur, wrists etc) it looks like I'm going to need to knock it on the head for quite a while...
So, here's the car question: what second hand car is going to give me that same smile that the the instantly available torque on motorbikes used to give me? Here are some rather generic requirements:
1) Torque, oh man I love the torque. Have I mentioned torque? I want it to pull from low down, high up etc
2) Not fussed about two seat/cabriolet/etc
3) Petrol is fairly essential as an my pattern of driving is 90% < 10 miles per journey
4) Reliability would be nice
5) Couldn't give a monkeys about top speed
6) I do enjoy gadgets: satnav, bluetooth etc
7) DON'T MOCK ME but if it comes in a decent automatic option (STOP LAUGHING) then I'd be up for that
So, what car do I want? I have £20k to spend.
Thanks.
Several possibilities come to mind, depending on your requirements - I am potentially looking to sell the bike and have spent some time wondering what to get next.
The simple 'replace two wheels with four' answer is Caterham/Westfield etc., rapid, agile, very similar sensation to riding a bike.
Next up would be a Scooby/Evo saloon - very 'point and squirt' quick and torquey. Very chavvy, difficult to be discreet and sure to attract the attention of the BiB at some point.
Then - and the first of the auto options - a Merc AMG SLK or CLK or similar with a large V8. Torque? They redefine the word and go like thunder on a good 'A' road.
And to the extreme - like a tidal wave on four wheels - a Jaguar XJR supercharged. 500bhp in a wafty saloon. Disgracefully quick and well camouflaged; actually - 20k would also get you and XKR too if you don't mind the 'golf club' connotations!
The simple 'replace two wheels with four' answer is Caterham/Westfield etc., rapid, agile, very similar sensation to riding a bike.
Next up would be a Scooby/Evo saloon - very 'point and squirt' quick and torquey. Very chavvy, difficult to be discreet and sure to attract the attention of the BiB at some point.
Then - and the first of the auto options - a Merc AMG SLK or CLK or similar with a large V8. Torque? They redefine the word and go like thunder on a good 'A' road.
And to the extreme - like a tidal wave on four wheels - a Jaguar XJR supercharged. 500bhp in a wafty saloon. Disgracefully quick and well camouflaged; actually - 20k would also get you and XKR too if you don't mind the 'golf club' connotations!
+1 on the Evo/Impreza route.
A very nice Evo 8 or 9 is well within your budget, a few choice mods and your at 400bhp and 400 lbts. Running that it punches way above its weight.
My only concern would be with such a short journey (10 miles), you would only just get her warmed up before you arrive!
If you want paddle shift you'll need to go Evo 10
A very nice Evo 8 or 9 is well within your budget, a few choice mods and your at 400bhp and 400 lbts. Running that it punches way above its weight.
My only concern would be with such a short journey (10 miles), you would only just get her warmed up before you arrive!
If you want paddle shift you'll need to go Evo 10
Anything with little weight and decent power - Caterham 7 for example
http://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/c...
http://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/c...
I would say a good MkIV Supra (a well sorted single turbo with 550+ bhp would be my choice)
A Jag XKR.
Having owned both a Supra and an XK8, although not the big power versions, they have given me a similar sort of acceleration thrill as a bike. Both have been quick enough to frustrate me if a biker filters up next to me at lights and doesn't gun it away making me have to hold back.
The downside to getting bike like torque and acceleration is going to be fuel, don't plan on seeing much over 20mpg.
A Jag XKR.
Having owned both a Supra and an XK8, although not the big power versions, they have given me a similar sort of acceleration thrill as a bike. Both have been quick enough to frustrate me if a biker filters up next to me at lights and doesn't gun it away making me have to hold back.
The downside to getting bike like torque and acceleration is going to be fuel, don't plan on seeing much over 20mpg.
I would say a good MkIV Supra (a well sorted single turbo with 550+ bhp would be my choice)
A Jag XKR.
Having owned both a Supra and an XK8, although not the big power versions, they have given me a similar sort of acceleration thrill as a bike. Both have been quick enough to frustrate me if a biker filters up next to me at lights and doesn't gun it away making me have to hold back.
The downside to getting bike like torque and acceleration is going to be fuel, don't plan on seeing much over 20mpg.
A Jag XKR.
Having owned both a Supra and an XK8, although not the big power versions, they have given me a similar sort of acceleration thrill as a bike. Both have been quick enough to frustrate me if a biker filters up next to me at lights and doesn't gun it away making me have to hold back.
The downside to getting bike like torque and acceleration is going to be fuel, don't plan on seeing much over 20mpg.
No replacement for displacement, c5/c5 corvette or vxr8
http://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/c...
http://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/c...
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