Which car to replace the thrill of a motorbike?

[andyukguy]

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.

[Rovinghawk]

For you want I'd suggest something with a good turbo & a remap, but if most of your journeys are <10 miles nothing you drive will warm up enough for the thrills you seek.
Also auto doesn't really fit with thrills, no matter how much you want it to.

[Captain Muppet]

I've got an Elise, but it's nothing like my ZX7R. Neither of them has the huge amounts of instant torque you require.

It seems some kind of turbo diesel would suit you.

[Pwig]

What about an EVO or Impreza?

You could get an RB320 or FQ360 for that money easily.

I've certainly looked at them to replace my bike fix.

[littleredrooster]

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!

[anonymous-user]

Audi RS4?

Toys, grunt and noise.

[Session8]

+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

[METHS]

TVR/Caterham/elise

Edited by METHS on Tuesday 17th September 12:01

[Dr Interceptor]

MINI Cooper S...

Turbo engine, quite torquey, will pull well from 1500rpm all the way to the red line. Can be loaded with all the gadgets you require, and can even be had as an auto if you so wish.

Fun to chuck about, and as reliable as any other newish car out there.

[Monty Python]

Anything with little weight and decent power - Caterham 7 for example

http://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/c...

[ImpossiblyDaft]

Captain Muppet said:

I've got an Elise, but it's nothing like my ZX7R. Neither of them has the huge amounts of instant torque you require.

Would the VX220 Turbo be more suited in that regard, maybe?
Still not exactly loaded with gadgets, though.

[SirSamuelBuca]

evo or impreza would be good

or an audi rs4 remapped would be nice

maybe a focus rs mk2

or a bmw m5 v10

if it was my 20k id buy a tuned escort cosworth or a r33 GTR pushing 600+bhp

[prout]

Speaking as one who knows, NOTHING can replace it.

[AnimalMkIV]

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.

[AnimalMkIV]

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.

[RobGT81]

The silliest Caterham you can find for £20k.

[Pwig]

prout said:

Speaking as one who knows, NOTHING can replace it.

+ 1

I was/am in the same situation and the above statement is correct.

[Fire99]

Close to the top of the budget but Porsche 996 Turbo. That will go like the wind.

[Crusoe]

No replacement for displacement, c5/c5 corvette or vxr8
http://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/c...

[jon-]

5 litre V10 BMW M6.

Toys, power, comfort. Good "auto" box (don't let people put you off until you've driven the SMG box, it's as close to a bike box as you'll find on a car)