Inspire me.. (With a hint of a dreaded what car)

[C70R]

300bhp/ton said:

Personally not really sure or convinced how an M3 would be frustrating daily... but nor am I convinced they are special enough for weekend only use either.

Certainly in agreement with the second part, perhaps apart from the CS/CSL.

Regarding the first part, with the car stationary you would be pushed to tell you weren't in a normal 'Sport' model, as it's comfortable and sensibly laid-out. However, on the move damping/comfort on the 19s is very poor on urban roads, and the SMG gearbox is just a bit too coarse/jerky to be genuinely easy in town. Truly great for the occasional thrash, and probably not a bad 'one size fits all' solution if you need a bit of practicality from time to time, but it probably wouldn't be my choice for a commuter. No idea where people found the idea that it's low on torque though; I found the engine to be hugely tractable at low revs, and ballistic above 5krpm.

[Blanchimont]

I thought all the tidy M3's were over 10k! This may change things

[C70R]

Blanchimont said:

I thought all the tidy M3's were over 10k! This may change things

Truthfully, £7k doesn't get you a tidy manual M3. There are only three on AT at this price with under 90k miles, and two of these are insurance write-offs.
£9k seems to be where the manual M3 market starts to get interesting, and there are a lot of convertibles in there at this time of year. The best cars are still starting around the £10k mark, but you might get into a convertible for slightly less cash during winter.

Edited by C70R on Friday 20th November 11:16

[xRIEx]

Evo or Impreza?

A 2003/04 WRX would be a lot less than £7k, my 2006 PPP was about £8k 3 years ago with 60k-ish on the clock. My fuel spreadsheet says it's averaging about 26/27mpg, loads of space in the boot, 4.5 seats, lovely and practical.

[Blanchimont]

C70R said:

Truthfully, £7k doesn't get you a tidy manual M3. There are only three on AT at this price with under 90k miles, and two of these are insurance write-offs.
£9k seems to be where the manual M3 market starts to get interesting, and there are a lot of convertibles in there at this time of year. The best cars are still starting around the £10k mark, but you might get into a convertible for slightly less cash during winter.

Edited by C70R on Friday 20th November 11:16

I don't like convertibles

I quite like the idea of a blobeye Impreza, but is the STi better day to day than the WRX?

[300bhp/ton]

Blanchimont said:

I quite like the idea of a blobeye Impreza, but is the STi better day to day than the WRX?

That probably deserves it's own thread. Not a quick answer.

[Blanchimont]

300bhp/ton said:

That probably deserves it's own thread. Not a quick answer.

Akin to comparing apples and pears?

[300bhp/ton]

C70R said:

Truthfully, £7k doesn't get you a tidy manual M3. There are only three on AT at this price with under 90k miles, and two of these are insurance write-offs.
£9k seems to be where the manual M3 market starts to get interesting, and there are a lot of convertibles in there at this time of year. The best cars are still starting around the £10k mark, but you might get into a convertible for slightly less cash during winter.

Edited by C70R on Friday 20th November 11:16

I dunno, I get two pages of manual cars, coupes on autotrader for £8k or under.

I honestly don't believe there isn't a viable one to buy. I also wouldn't get too hung up on indicated mileage. Condition is more important IMO.


EDIT:

It seems most M3 owners must be numpties or the Autorader site shocking. Some of the these "manual" cars are SMG ones... shame.

Still I can't see the harm in considering them. Spending more money is no guarantee of a better car.

[rb5er]

300bhp/ton said:

I honestly think that 25mpg from an ST is an unrealistic goal "real world" unless you only cruise on dual carriage ways.

We have been through this before and you are wrong. I used to average 26mpg in my Focus ST and I dont drive slowly. Slightly better mpg than my impreza. They can coax 32mpg on a run at 80 no problem.

[300bhp/ton]

rb5er said:

300bhp/ton said:

I honestly think that 25mpg from an ST is an unrealistic goal "real world" unless you only cruise on dual carriage ways.

We have been through this before and you are wrong. I used to average 26mpg in my Focus ST and I dont drive slowly. Slightly better mpg than my impreza. They can coax 32mpg on a run at 80 no problem.

Yes we have been through this before, it normally ends up with you posting a link to thread where are people discuss mpg for ST's.

But if you read the thread you linked too, it never supports your claims.

Happy to do it again if it makes you feel better though


For the record, 26mpg on superunleaded is sub 24mpg equiv for 95RON in pence per mile.

And of course, as there are plenty of claims of people getting lower mpg, there is no forgone conclusion that the op would attain the same mpg as you. Hence why I specifically said "unrealistic" rather than impossible.

[MajorMajor76]

Golf R32?
X350 XJR?
147/156 GTA?
9-5 Aero?

[deltashad]

Blanchimont said:

deltashad said:

http://www2.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

May struggle with the mpg but it's a big like from me.

Can't see it

My copy paste doesn't seem to work on my tablet too well. Do a search for the alfa on autotrader and you can see it.
It's black with tan momo leather, looks like full spec car with less than 50k miles. 4wd. With an aftermarket exhaust it would sound fantastic.

[Blanchimont]

I think the Focus ST is dropped, a pre facelift car is nice, but I much prefer the facelift which is out of budget, so the Focus is gone.

So it's narrowed down to mainly:

Mk5 GTI
Mk4 R32
Subaru Impreza WRX/STI (Blobeye)
Jag XJR
BMW 130i

I'm gonna say no to the Alfa GTA as I'm not struck on the styling of them.

Keep the suggestions coming, It is all appreciated!

[C70R]

300bhp/ton said:

Still I can't see the harm in considering them. Spending more money is no guarantee of a better car.

Of course not. But a higher budget gives you more choice, and less chance of picking a stter.

[300bhp/ton]

C70R said:

Of course not. But a higher budget gives you more choice, and less chance of picking a stter.

I don't think most/any of them on Autotrader look like stters tbh.

[300bhp/ton]

Blanchimont said:

I think the Focus ST is dropped, a pre facelift car is nice, but I much prefer the facelift which is out of budget, so the Focus is gone.

So it's narrowed down to mainly:

Mk5 GTI
Mk4 R32
Subaru Impreza WRX/STI (Blobeye)
Jag XJR
BMW 130i

I'm gonna say no to the Alfa GTA as I'm not struck on the styling of them.

Keep the suggestions coming, It is all appreciated!

I'm an Impreza fan, have a Turbo 2000 classic. But tbh, unless you are driving it above 3000rpm (which there is no need too in normal traffic and could get pretty illegal easily when roads are clear). It's really not the most interesting of cars.

In fact, pottering about it's quite mundane. The AWD is nice in winter, not just for snow, but it does let you make use of the power on days when I wouldn't be driving my Camaro or TR7 V8 hard.

But don't get one if you are wanting to spice up a commute that won't give you chance to open it up. I honestly think for 'normal' driving, I'd enjoy an XJR/XJ8 more so, they are a pleasure no matter the speed. Even if not as adrenaline rushing when really on it.

I suspect the Golfs would be similar.

[cerb4.5lee]

trickywoo said:

Blanchimont said:

Found it. That looks freaking awesome! (the silver 56 plate?)

Good value that. If all is as it seems I don't think it'll hang around long.

I had a quick look at that as I love rare cars and its a lovely engine and I love a manual, but a MOT check says it was on 132k miles in November 2014...yet it shows pic of the dash in the advert showing 97k miles...

[anonymous-user]

Blanchimont said:

I can't decide, so PH people, what's your suggestions?!

The criteria:

200hp +
Practical
4/5 Seats
Decent boot.
Manual.
25+ MPG in the real world.
Petrol only, no Diesels.
2003 or newer.
Sub 100k.

For around 7k, may be able to stretch to 8 for the right example.

So far, I've thought of the Focus ST, but I prefer the Post facelift, and they're all out of budget. But that engine! But the fuel economy!
Mk5 Golf GTI, they're nice, but I don't like those wheels (but I could always swap them!)
E46 330Ci?

I can't decide!

130i is a good option. In fact it's the one you should buy. Fantastic engine and feels far more darty than a 330. Nice inside and if you find one with options generally a great car. You'll want to upgrade the suspension, at least the run flats for a start. I'd happily go back to one, and may still do so.

Running costs are low considering. I averaged 28-29 in mine and didn't hang aboout. Here's the thread on it

Edited by anonymous-user on Friday 20th November 16:29

[simoid]

I like 130s, am I looking in the wrong place to find one in the OP's budget/requirements? There seems to be one suspiciously cheap one at under £7k (albeit from a dealer) then stuff at £8k is >90k miles.

[cerb4.5lee]

yonex said:

130i is a good option. In fact it's the one you should buy. Fantastic engine and feels far more darty than a 330. Nice inside and if you find one with options generally a great car. You'll want to upgrade the suspension, at least the run flats for a start. I'd happily go back to one, and may still do so.

Edited by yonex on Friday 20th November 16:26

I really like the 130i and I have only driven a 116d but I liked that and to me from behind the wheel it felt like a 3 series, only its a bonus that its smaller and lighter and I would imagine with the N52 engine its a belting car.