Another "What car" thread - 6K budget

Another "What car" thread - 6K budget

Author
Discussion

zmarkon

Original Poster:

21 posts

124 months

Saturday 18th April 2015
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Hello,

Been a lurker on these forums for quite some time and done a lot of digging around the forums to find my answers but I'm still none the wiser as to what to do for.

Have a budget of 6K max for a car, I'm looking something around the 200bhp mark that is fun to drive. From people i've spoke to all they tell me is to go for a diesel, I hate diesels and don't do that many miles to get the most out of one. Some I have looked at -

Astra VXR - Just coming in around budget, too much power for a fwd car? Interior isn't that nice.
Corsa VXR - They are everywhere
Civic Type R - Hear great things about them but only like the FN2 styling which is above my budget.
Mazda 3 MPS- Something different but not too sure on their reliability
Clio 197- Hear they have great handling but the interior is terrible.
Subaru Impreza WRX- Love these only downside is I am afraid of the costs if something goes wrong on one. Anyone have one that has had any problems?

Open to more suggestions but thats the list I have so far and need peoples feedback smile Want something that is reliable which is why I'm afraid of the subaru I love them and know they are reliable but if something does go wrong I know it costs a bomb.

Feedback biggrin

Defconluke

309 posts

153 months

Saturday 18th April 2015
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There are a few FN2 Type R's in the PH classifieds within budget.

A couple of other options may be:

Leon Cupra R - http://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/s...
Mk5 Golf GTI - http://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/v...

zmarkon

Original Poster:

21 posts

124 months

Saturday 18th April 2015
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Golf GTi I'm a fan of but the shape is just starting to look a bit old to me now

junglie

1,911 posts

216 months

Saturday 18th April 2015
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Something from BMW with a 6 cylinder petrol:

130i
330i (E90)

JJ55

648 posts

114 months

Saturday 18th April 2015
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A properly looked after wrx shouldn't give you any major troubles. subarus are great fun to drive & unbelievably capable machines. As someone else said 3.0l bmw engines are a joy. The only other one I'd go for on your list would be the Renault Clio.

zmarkon

Original Poster:

21 posts

124 months

Saturday 18th April 2015
quotequote all
Love the BMW 330i, pretty hard to find in my area tho, one added to the list. Thats what i'm thinking with the WRX, as long as I get on with full service history and well looked after surely it shouldn't give me any problems?

JJ55

648 posts

114 months

Saturday 18th April 2015
quotequote all
Indeed. It's pot luck with any used car but there's plenty of choice in your 6k budget for wrx's.

I would look for something unmodified & full service history. They are out there! I had similar worries when looking for my sti, but took my time & found a fantastic example. previous owners had both been older & the car has never wanted for anything in its life. I'd prob go as far to say it's one of the best in the country. It's been faultless since I bought it & it's off to be spoiled with its yearly service next wk. just don't buy a black one as you'll be cleaning it constantly!

If you can manage with 2 seats a 3.0 z4 might be in budget. I had one for a couple of years & loved it.

zmarkon

Original Poster:

21 posts

124 months

Sunday 19th April 2015
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Bump

zmarkon

Original Poster:

21 posts

124 months

Monday 20th April 2015
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Things that have caught my eye recently after seeing some in the flesh

Impreza WRX ( could listen to that flat 4 all day)
Astra VXR
FN2 Type R

Which would be best in the long run? Hassle free as long as I look after it? Opinions?

PompeyPaul

519 posts

182 months

Tuesday 21st April 2015
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zmarkon said:
Things that have caught my eye recently after seeing some in the flesh

Impreza WRX ( could listen to that flat 4 all day)
Astra VXR
FN2 Type R

Which would be best in the long run? Hassle free as long as I look after it? Opinions?
All are the sort of cars that COULD have been abused, but then again then are built to be driven enthusiastically. Just check them over fully / take someone with you that is good at doing so any all three should be reliable and hassle free as long as you look after them. I had an Impreza WRX STI PPP and absolutely loved it, but have been in a mates WRX and that was fab too.

R2T2

4,076 posts

121 months

Tuesday 21st April 2015
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What about something a little older?

Nissan Silvia S15/200SX

Matt UK

17,649 posts

199 months

Tuesday 21st April 2015
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350z in budget?

If not a nice BMW e46 330i in any body shape you fancy.

Dannbodge

2,160 posts

120 months

Tuesday 21st April 2015
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If the e9x 330i is hard to find, have a look at the e9x 325i.
Same 3L 6pot just not quite as powerful.

Matt UK

17,649 posts

199 months

Tuesday 21st April 2015
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If £6k is the max budget, you'll be scraping the bottom of the e90 barrel...

culpz

4,881 posts

111 months

Tuesday 21st April 2015
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Very surprised either of these haven't been mentioned yet but MK2 Focus ST or Renaultsport Megane 225/230 F1?

zmarkon

Original Poster:

21 posts

124 months

Tuesday 21st April 2015
quotequote all
I thought the S15 and 200SX were all imports?

Focus ST i knew I was missing something quite like them except for the seats in some of them. The megane I've heard is great but just not a fan of the shape of the car.

The idea of the impreza means I get a car I like and can pay off my insurance in full too. Only thing is if something goes wrong it will cost me.

The rest Astra VXR, Type R and ST is a more expensive car but more reliable? maybe? but also means paying my insurance every month along with it. My area has some nice examples of Astra VXRs and Subaru WRX which is why im leaning more towards them.

R2T2

4,076 posts

121 months

Wednesday 22nd April 2015
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zmarkon said:
I thought the S15 and 200SX were all imports?

Focus ST i knew I was missing something quite like them except for the seats in some of them. The megane I've heard is great but just not a fan of the shape of the car.

The idea of the impreza means I get a car I like and can pay off my insurance in full too. Only thing is if something goes wrong it will cost me.

The rest Astra VXR, Type R and ST is a more expensive car but more reliable? maybe? but also means paying my insurance every month along with it. My area has some nice examples of Astra VXRs and Subaru WRX which is why im leaning more towards them.
There were a few UK 200SX's I think, but AFAIK all S15 Silvia's are imports.
Is that such a game-changer?

culpz

4,881 posts

111 months

Wednesday 22nd April 2015
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TBh i'm in a very similar position to you on what to get after my lease is up next year. Definitely want a hot hatch of some sort. Think my budget will be around the 8K mark which will certainly get a good condition example of most of the cars you've mentioned but would be ideally after spending less. Think the main 2 i'd be looking at is Mk2 Focus ST and FN2 Civic Type R. Both known to be pretty robust strong. Love the interior of the Civic but the 5 pot noise from the Focus is hard to ignore.

Boydie88

3,283 posts

148 months

Wednesday 22nd April 2015
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Surely a 350Z?

The Flying Ox

400 posts

172 months

Wednesday 22nd April 2015
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Skyline 350GT/Infiniti G35 Coupe

Pretty much a 350z but with back seats. The engine is a peach, I've never heard a bad word about Infiniti, and they're certainly a rarity. Bit more than 200bhp, but if it were my £6k...

The Infinitis are generally cheaper than the Nissans for some reason, despite being the same car (as far as I can tell).