6k, big engined, fast, classy

[GreenArrow]

Bit leftfield this one, but Lexus GS450h.... very fast, a bit different and not likely to blow up or break down., also without the image problems you often get with the big german cars...check the owner reviews on Parkers, the owners love them!

...talking of german cars. What about an Audi A6 4.2 Quattro? Or the S6. Loads of grunt and 4WD to keep you on the road in winter!

[skyrover]

Can be picked up for very reasonable money

Not a great deal of power (only about 320hp), but decent enough

[sam1176uk]

Alfa Romeo GT 3.2 V6

[csampo]

TheAngryDog said:

Cemesis said:

E39 M5?

Chances are it could be a bit leggy / ropey at that price range.

+1, a good one is double his budget, and even then it will probably need a few thousand spending on suspension / brakes / corrosion etc. to get it driving as new. M / AMG cars are fun to own because of the way they drive; that's lost if the controls are tired and then what's the point?

A big Lexus 430, BMW e39 540i or a well loved Jag would get my vote.

[TheAngryDog]

csampo said:

TheAngryDog said:

Cemesis said:

E39 M5?

Chances are it could be a bit leggy / ropey at that price range.

+1, a good one is double his budget, and even then it will probably need a few thousand spending on suspension / brakes / corrosion etc. to get it driving as new. M / AMG cars are fun to own because of the way they drive; that's lost if the controls are tired and then what's the point?

A big Lexus 430, BMW e39 540i or a well loved Jag would get my vote.

Not strictly true. I know of one for sale with no rust, suspension, rod bearing, timing chain etc etc work carried out for £7k. Miles are average, but its in a rare colour, big brakes, well looked after. There are bargains out there, but its finding them.

One I am looking at has a bit of rust (2 tiny bits), but less miles, the colour I want and has had a lot of the suspension work done, well looked after and will be under £10k. Some owners know the real value of their cars, others are chancing what will get paid.

[Denaris]

I'm pretty much in the same situation, same requirements as OP, so I'm interested to see what suggestions pop up.

personally I would consider;

- CLS500 but I think at the moment 6-7k is a more realistic price for a good one. Plus, 2 spark plugs per cylinder, £300 to change them all!
- 540i Sport is at the front of the list and 5k would get a sorted one.
- 750i, possibly a bit too big, complicated and too much to go wrong?
- 645ci, again a strong possibility, few scare stories about oil leaks, top of budget to get a decent one. But there are lots to choose from.

[Denaris]

GreenArrow said:

Bit leftfield this one, but Lexus GS450h.... very fast, a bit different and not likely to blow up or break down., also without the image problems you often get with the big german cars...check the owner reviews on Parkers, the owners love them!

...talking of german cars. What about an Audi A6 4.2 Quattro? Or the S6. Loads of grunt and 4WD to keep you on the road in winter!

I've been seriously considering a GS450h for a few months now, The only reservation is for 6k you would only get a high mileage one and I'm a bit nervous about battery issues at 100k+ Miles. To get one below that you'd be looking at £7-8k. Also the looks, The GS has the weird trait of looking both lovely and bland at the same time. I think the more you look at it the more it grows on you though! I'm not sure how I'd get on with the CVT box but 0-60 in 5.8 seconds and 30+ mpg is very tempting.

[rockford22]

Was in the same situation as OP - picked up a 645i a few months ago (although a little over OP budget as I wanted one with lots of kit) and its fantastic.

Scare stories exist on all these types of cars, I viewed four 6 series' and three of them were total dogs with patchy service and one was even standing over a pool of oil! Buy on your gut instinct, give the car a good inspection and accept that you can't run these on a shoestring.

I got 25mpg average but if the mood takes me then it can shift very well, all with a nice V8 sound.

Stick some money aside for repairs, stick a private plate on it (if that floats your boat) and I'd go with any of the suggestions on this thread so far...although biased towards a 6er ofcourse.

[WarnieV6GT]

sam1176uk said:

Alfa Romeo GT 3.2 V6

Don't wish one of these on him, it will take over his life to the point his wife and kids will hate him and he will spend a fortune on upgrades and preventative maintenance, so nothing major can go wrong with his 'baby'.

Or is that just me? Mine even gets a rug to drive in on in the garage so it's little rubber feet can stay warm away from the nasty cold concrete at night.

As for the op, again an Alfa but I would be looking for a 166 3.2 v6 facelift. Stunning cars and a lovely place to sit, and for me second only to the masser Quattroporte in looks and sound for a big saloon.

[WarnieV6GT]

That'll do.

Or a 640/645i

[WarnieV6GT]

Always wanted one of these as well .

300ce amg.

[TheAngryDog]

WarnieV6GT said:

That'll do.

The face lifted version (in your pic) is soooooooooo much better than the pre face lifted one.

[Willy Nilly]

Why do people think (hope?) that putting a personalised plate on an old (knackered) barge will instantly make it's age a mystery to all and sundry?

[ZX10R NIN]

The answer is a CLK 500/55


These have the lowest Bork factor, plus they look good IMO finding a 55 will be hard they're rare compared to an M3 etc I'd look at a 500 306bhp smart & quick or if you want to be stealth get a E500.

You can go two ways spend around £4500 on a pre face lift 500 & spend a little bit on upping the power or you can get a facelift CLK 500 & leave it stock.

Face lift CLK 500 over budget but haggle
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2015...

CLK 500
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2003-MERCEDES-CLK-500-AV...

The E500 are properly stealth & benefit from a 7 Speed box here's a good one well in budget with 55K on the clock.
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Mercedes-E500-5-0-V8-AMG...

CLS 500
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2015...

BMW wise the 6 is a good call but I'd take the CLK but I am bias

[giblet]

Interesting thread. My vote would be for a X350 XJR. I'm toying with the idea of selling my current car (Galant VR4, ~300bhp and a 0-60 of sub 6s) and getting an X350 XJR. Had a X308 a couple of years back and it was brilliant.

[justanother5tar]

ZX10R NIN said:

The answer is a CLK 500/55

That particular car in the photo looks absolutely stunning.

For my money though, i'd have a 6er.

[daytona365]

https://youtu.be/xvQPB3M-cO4 This.

[ZX10R NIN]

justanother5tar said:

That particular car in the photo looks absolutely stunning.

For my money though, i'd have a 6er.

The 6's that are for sale are big miles, if it had to be a BMW I'd look at a 5 but not the best eye candy wise.

645
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2004-BMW-645-CI-AUTO-BLA...

545
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2015...

Audi S4
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2014...

Alpina B10
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2015...

I'd still pick the Merc I think they look better than the other options.

[Ghost91]

So a strange choice here but how about a Subaru Legacy 3.0R. 260 odd bhp, lovely interiors with leather, looks like a real sleeper apart from the two stainless exhausts poking out the back.

It maybe looks a little bland but subtle and well made. One over takes me on the way to work every day and It always makes me want one. The first time I saw it fly past I didn't know what it was, it certainly doesn't look like it can go like that!

Under budget, still looks quite modern and enough left to send it to the garage for a good going over and a decent private plate, and change too I'd imagine!

Edited by Ghost91 on Sunday 5th July 21:59

[dazzalse]

Daimler Super V8