Inspire me.. (With a hint of a dreaded what car)
Discussion
simoid said:
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.
babybmw.net has a few that come up. For ref I paid £6750 with about 70K on the clock.
300bhp/ton said:
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.
I want something that's quick, flies under the radar to most, but to those who know them respect them, and sounds quite nice (I'm not sure what a GTi would sound like, but an R32 would sound better, and they seem to creep into budget for an early one!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.
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.
Running costs are low considering. I averaged 28-29 in mine and didn't hang aboout. Here's the thread on it
That's a great thread, I'm still reading through it! It certainly opens up the idea quite a little bit! Running costs are low considering. I averaged 28-29 in mine and didn't hang aboout. Here's the thread on it
Edited by yonex on Friday 20th November 16:29
Blanchimont said:
As an aside, what's peoples views on the Golf Edition 30?
I'm sure it's a perfectly average car. But a bit too dull for my tastes.It fits the balance perfectly of not really being all that exciting, but perfectly capable.
For me I'd want a car with a bit more pizazz and personality.
For example, if you don't have your foot down, I honestly don't believe an edition 30 would be any noticeable different to a base model Golf to drive. This is either good, or hugely bad depending on your point of view.
300bhp/ton said:
I'm sure it's a perfectly average car. But a bit too dull for my tastes.
It fits the balance perfectly of not really being all that exciting, but perfectly capable.
For me I'd want a car with a bit more pizazz and personality.
For example, if you don't have your foot down, I honestly don't believe an edition 30 would be any noticeable different to a base model Golf to drive. This is either good, or hugely bad depending on your point of view.
What car would feel special at 20-30 mph? I can't think of manyIt fits the balance perfectly of not really being all that exciting, but perfectly capable.
For me I'd want a car with a bit more pizazz and personality.
For example, if you don't have your foot down, I honestly don't believe an edition 30 would be any noticeable different to a base model Golf to drive. This is either good, or hugely bad depending on your point of view.
Blanchimont said:
What car would feel special at 20-30 mph? I can't think of many
Depends what you want. Most cars that do will be a compromise elsewhere.As I alluded to earlier, that's the issue I have with my Impreza. It's a hugely capable car, but despite the cat back exhaust and lovely purr the the Boxer 4 makes, the bonnet scoop and the bucket style seats. It somehow still feels perfectly ordinary when driving slow/normal road conditions.
My Roadster on the other hand always feels like an event. It's brilliant when pressing on, but you simply don't need to press on to enjoy it.
I think it's the very low lay down driving position that does it. Plus being a very different kind of car.
On the flip side, I have never not enjoyed driving my Range Rover. It's a different kind of fun, but any speed in it is likewise always an event. It somehow always feels special to be in.
cerb4.5lee said:
TVR`s do! 
I agree not many cars do though and that was one of the big criticisms I had with my M3 in that at slow speeds it just felt like any other 3 series does.
I'd love a TVR, especially a Cerbera. Unfortunately, the house fund is more important at the mo so I can't sink 15k into a tidy one, when I'd need another car for the weekdays anyway! I agree not many cars do though and that was one of the big criticisms I had with my M3 in that at slow speeds it just felt like any other 3 series does. 
The M3 is worth a look though! Is it worth the premium over a 330Ci?
Blanchimont said:
The M3 is worth a look though! Is it worth the premium over a 330Ci?
Better? Absolutely, unreservedly yes.I know I said earlier that there are better cars to commute in (and I stand by that), and that the 330ci might be the better car for spending 90% of your time in traffic. But the M3 is a much, much better car when you're in the mood for a good thrash. Seriously quick, and very capable.
Is a good M3 (£10k) worth 2.5x as much as a good 330ci (£4k), as well as higher running costs? If you're mostly commuting, probably not.
The 330 is a good compromise if you needed something to use every day; something that wouldn't judder your bones every time a 19" rim and stiffer suspension hit a pothole, or wouldn't break the bank should something go wrong.
Having only one car means that you need to make compromises, I suppose. The question: Can you put up with the M3 for 90% of its use and higher costs, on the basis that the 10% will be much more enjoyable than the 330ci?
Blanchimont said:
The M3 is worth a look though! Is it worth the premium over a 330Ci?
There seems to be two camps...those who think the M3 is worth the premium over a 330 and those who don't.For me the M3 isn't... as it's twice the cost to insure/tax/service compared to a 330 yet it's Not twice the car.
cerb4.5lee said:
Blanchimont said:
The M3 is worth a look though! Is it worth the premium over a 330Ci?
There seems to be two camps...those who think the M3 is worth the premium over a 330 and those who don't.For me the M3 isn't... as it's twice the cost to insure/tax/service compared to a 330 yet it's Not twice the car.
C70R said:
cerb4.5lee said:
Blanchimont said:
The M3 is worth a look though! Is it worth the premium over a 330Ci?
There seems to be two camps...those who think the M3 is worth the premium over a 330 and those who don't.For me the M3 isn't... as it's twice the cost to insure/tax/service compared to a 330 yet it's Not twice the car.
The M3 wouldn't be a car I would choose for a Sunday blast either though...I would choose a car that was built to thrill in the first place rather than one that's based on a family car but that's just me.
C70R said:
Better? Absolutely, unreservedly yes.
I know I said earlier that there are better cars to commute in (and I stand by that), and that the 330ci might be the better car for spending 90% of your time in traffic. But the M3 is a much, much better car when you're in the mood for a good thrash. Seriously quick, and very capable.
Is a good M3 (£10k) worth 2.5x as much as a good 330ci (£4k), as well as higher running costs? If you're mostly commuting, probably not.
The 330 is a good compromise if you needed something to use every day; something that wouldn't judder your bones every time a 19" rim and stiffer suspension hit a pothole, or wouldn't break the bank should something go wrong.
Having only one car means that you need to make compromises, I suppose. The question: Can you put up with the M3 for 90% of its use and higher costs, on the basis that the 10% will be much more enjoyable than the 330ci?
Do agree with this I know I said earlier that there are better cars to commute in (and I stand by that), and that the 330ci might be the better car for spending 90% of your time in traffic. But the M3 is a much, much better car when you're in the mood for a good thrash. Seriously quick, and very capable.
Is a good M3 (£10k) worth 2.5x as much as a good 330ci (£4k), as well as higher running costs? If you're mostly commuting, probably not.
The 330 is a good compromise if you needed something to use every day; something that wouldn't judder your bones every time a 19" rim and stiffer suspension hit a pothole, or wouldn't break the bank should something go wrong.
Having only one car means that you need to make compromises, I suppose. The question: Can you put up with the M3 for 90% of its use and higher costs, on the basis that the 10% will be much more enjoyable than the 330ci?
300bhp/ton said:
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.
So you are yet again talking "facts" about a car you have absolutely no experience of. Would you like me to find that thread again so you can read it properly as most people got mid 20s or better. Tuned ones that are driven around like the drivers pants were on fire got lower. Mine for driven hard..result...26mpg. You have literally no experience of the car.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.
Blanchimont said:
I'd love a TVR, especially a Cerbera. Unfortunately, the house fund is more important at the mo so I can't sink 15k into a tidy one, when I'd need another car for the weekdays anyway!
I wasn't brave enough to run a Cerbera as my only car...it let me down many times as my weekender and that was bad enough!You are spot on and its best to run another car just to maintain sanity.
I adore TVR`s but they are a pain in the backend and believe me a house fund is the better option rb5er said:
So you are yet again talking "facts" about a car you have absolutely no experience of. Would you like me to find that thread again so you can read it properly as most people got mid 20s or better. Tuned ones that are driven around like the drivers pants were on fire got lower. Mine for driven hard..result...26mpg. You have literally no experience of the car.
Yes please do. But do you have a dictionary at hand, as you seem to be ignoring some of the words in my post. I assume you don't know what they mean and are thus losing the context of what I said. But please carry on. Gassing Station | General Gassing | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff