£5k ,4 Seats, and Fast!

[Tyler Durden]

I know there are plenty of "What Car Shall I Buy" threads, but here's mine anyway!

I want something fun to drive, but can generally be thought to be pretty reliable.

Budget is around £5k and I'm a sucker for a low miler, and don't fancy going for anything older than about 10 years, so nothing too long in the tooth.

Thanks

[CB2152]

I know this answer is becoming about as standard as 'MX5' but... Saab 9-5 Aero? £5k should get a relatively low mileage example with money to spare. 250 (260 for the "Dame Edna") horsepower and a good slug of torque.

If you want faster, use the money left over for either a simple 'stage 1' remap, or go a bit further and get a 'stage 3' remap with some basic hardware changes.

Stage 1 is 275hp/290 (I think) ft lbs, and Stage 3 is 290ish HP with around 440NM (320ish ft lbs) of torque.

Or maybe a Volvo S60R? Not sure about low mileage, but 300hp 5 pot engine, and 4wd grip means they're quite good to drive...

Edit: on second thoughts, the S60's won't be low mileage, and will be older than you'd like at this price...

Edited by CB2152 on Thursday 26th March 23:07

[IanMorewood]

Until you mentioned reliable RX8 was right up there.

Some sort of BMW 3 series is almost certainly the answer.

[Evanivitch]

Scooby WRX, £5,250.

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2015...

[lewisf182]

Mazda 6/3 mps? Not sure what they are like to drive but definitely fast and reliable. £5k should see you in under 10 years old too.

[Tyler Durden]

Thanks guys, some interesting suggestions. Keep them coming!

[phey708]

BMW E46 330 in manual. 4 doors with M-Sport trim and 0-60 in 6.3 seconds. Whats not to like?

Or

If your feeling brave get a Legnum VR4, GTO Twin Turbo or a 300zx Twin Turbo.

[techniques]

'05 Premier Edition EP3. 51k

fun to drive, tick. Reliable, tick. 10 years old. tick. okayish mileage. Do it OP. Because I am once I get 2/3rds of your budget.
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2015...

[ZX10R NIN]

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2015...

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2015...

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2015...

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2015...

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2015...

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2015...

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2015...

[Tyler Durden]

Some more food for thought thanks.

I hadn't considered mamy of those, so I'll be doing a bit more research.

I had considered a TT 3.2 V6, and had thought about upping my budget a bit for a 130i.

Thoughts?

[ZX10R NIN]

Tyler Durden said:

Some more food for thought thanks.

I hadn't considered mamy of those, so I'll be doing a bit more research.

I had considered a TT 3.2 V6, and had thought about upping my budget a bit for a 130i.

Thoughts?

To get a decent 130i you'll be looking at a budget of nearer 7k for something with around 70k on the clock for that money I'd take a look at the following.

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2015...

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2015...

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2015...

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2015...

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2015...

Golf R32 power wrapped in a plain exterior.
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2015...

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2014...

As you can see the choice is extensive & if you don't mind some thing older but looked after there are these.

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2015...

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2015...

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2015...

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2015...

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2015...

[vtecyo]

ZX10R NIN said:

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2015...

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2015...

Jesus. Had no idea the Focus ST is so cheap now!

[Emeye]

E92 325i Coupe - 218bhp. 4 comfy seats. Great driving and looking car. The earlier <2008 preLCi version with the more reliable 2.5 litre engine. You might need a little more than your budget - worth getting an SE with the Msport interior. Strangely this sounds very similar to mine that may be going up for sale soon......

[blearyeyedboy]

I'm not going to suggest a car, but an age.
Don't forget that some cars suggested (eg, the Mazda 6 MPS) are high CO2 emitters. If you're looking at them, seek out one on a 55 plate (or very early 06 plate) that will miss out on the £485 annual levy.

Or turn that on its head and use it as a bargaining chip on a 56 or 07 plate car you like, being aware that £485 a year could be manageable spread out over 12 months of direct debit...

[Tyler Durden]

That's very useful information thanks. So as a general rule, any powerful car I'm better off getting a 55 plate or an early 06, than a later 06 or a 56 plate.

[CTO]

Emeye said:

E92 325i Coupe - 218bhp. 4 comfy seats. Great driving and looking car. The earlier <2008 preLCi version with the more reliable 2.5 litre engine. You might need a little more than your budget - worth getting an SE with the Msport interior. Strangely this sounds very similar to mine that may be going up for sale soon......

I might be interested in that. Deja vu as I bought the OH's R53 MCS from
ArsE92 from these fair parts and also up your way

Feel free to PM me.

[blearyeyedboy]

High emitting cars registered on or after 23rd March 2006 are liable for higher rates of tax. But unless the car you're searching for is in the top two groups (Bands L or M), it doesn't matter. See https://www.gov.uk/vehicle-tax-rate-tables

[ZX10R NIN]

Any 06 will be subject to higher road tax than a 55 plate

[blearyeyedboy]

ZX10R NIN said:

Any 06 will be subject to higher road tax than a 55 plate

Nearly, but not quite. A few 06 cars (from 1st March 2006 onwards, remember) were registered on or before 22nd March 2006. Those cars are eligible for the lower rate.

[Killer2005]

Evanivitch said:

Scooby WRX, £5,250.

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2015...

That's very reasonably priced