A bit of flash for not much cash - what car

[PhilThePower]

An opportunity for me to think about a new car purchase some time in the very near future. Newly single and my current shed doesn't quite cut it for taking out young ladies for nice dates. Shallow as it sounds, but it is in a pretty bad state. Cue the comments about any girl who cares what you drive isn't worth it, but I'm not interested in settling down with anyone for a while now, so a bit of flash is exactly what's needed here.

So let's say the flashiest/perhaps coolest (sticker bombed ancient VW need not apply) looking car with a bit of go for let's say 2-5k. Will be able to upgrade after a short while, but break ups can be a tad expensive! Not the best budget but got to be an improvement on my daily heap at the moment.

I'm aware Porsche Boxsters can be had for cheap these days, but I would like something a bit more suited to 15-20k miles per year - or I could always keep my shed as well I suppose. My other thoughts include a merc CLK as they're pretty cheap now and not *too* dated. Do they drive like boats though?

Something not too horrendous on insurance being 24, but most things are okay now since I've got some no claims etc and a modicum of reliability and reasonable-ish servicing costs. Not fussed on auto or manual, petrol preffered. Never been that keen on hot hatches.

Any ideas? I'm struggling a bit at this low budget

Edited by PhilThePower on Sunday 21st August 22:07

[T16OLE]

6-series or TT

[Ved]

E39 540i Touring. Frankly astonishing value.
http://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/b...

[Farmer Geddon]

The newest Audi or BMW you can find for the money.

[Grodecki]

350Z? Or is that not flashy enough.

[battered]

3 series. Young women love them, and none of them can decode the model number or would care what it meant if they bothered to.

[T16OLE]

Ved said:

E39 540i Touring. Frankly astonishing value.
http://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/b...

I'm a fan, but, they're too dated now

[CX53]

battered said:

3 series. Young women love them, and none of them can decode the model number or would care what it meant if they bothered to.

Yep. Could probably get the oldest of the e90 shape which was 2005ish I think, it could be a 318i for all they'd care, the badge would probably be enough to impress - and try and find one in white! Still look reasonably modern too, same with the e60 5 series. Fairly reliable, and not bad to drive either.

[Levin]

BMW 7-Series with the biggest engine / best spec in your price range? You might be able to score a V12 (probably not). It might not qualify as 'not much cash' if it breaks, though.

[Trabi601]

I know it's a PH cliche, but a Mk3 MX5 is in budget - flash enough, but cheap and reliable.

CLKs (correction... I mean SLK! - always get them mixed up!) are a good call, too - but I went with the Boxster instead (it's a 2nd / 3rd car, though!). No reason a 986 wouldn't cope, in reality.

As a leftfield choice, the 916 shape Alfa Spider is a good call - keep on top of cambelts on the TS and they're well capable of doing big mileages.

Edited by Trabi601 on Sunday 21st August 22:36

[E36Ross]

W220 S Class Merc, (Facelift)
Buy a good one and fit a dateless plate.

Black and get it detailed, Will look like royalty!

Leather, Electric Everything and Heated seats.

[Monkeylegend]

XJ.

[rottie102]

BMW Z4, no better flashiness plus reliability for little money.

[CX53]

E36Ross said:

W220 S Class Merc, (Facelift)
Buy a good one and fit a dateless plate.

Black and get it detailed, Will look like royalty!

Leather, Electric Everything and Heated seats.

Hmm, not a bad shout

[Monkeylegend]

To all those suggesting 2 seaters, the guy wants to pull the birds and maybe have a bit of fun in the back seats.

What's wrong with you?

[Vitorio]

rottie102 said:

BMW Z4, no better flashiness plus reliability for little money.

That's what i was thinking, right badge for impressiveness, and a two seater sportscar is always a good thing. RWD + good engine is lots of PH points as well.

Bonus points if you can find a coupe!

[Vitorio]

Monkeylegend said:

To all those suggesting 2 seaters, the guy wants to pull the birds and maybe have a bit of fun in the back seats.

What's wrong with you?

Good point, recommendation amended from a Z4 to a V70 with a matres in the back

Seriously though, OP is newly single at 24, time to establish a minimalist looking bachelor pad to take the ladies home to, having a grope in the back of a car is rather "nah, cant go home to my place luv, well wake me parents up"

[jamesh764]

A woman worth having is not going to give a stuff what car you drive. If anything, they are put off by a bit of flash.

For the eleven years I have been with my wife people have been telling me I've married above my league. You know the sort of thing - "how did someone as stupid and ugly as you end up with such an intelligent and attractive wife?"

When I first met her, I had a Fiat Uno 1.0.

[battered]

Monkeylegend said:

To all those suggesting 2 seaters, the guy wants to pull the birds and maybe have a bit of fun in the back seats.

What's wrong with you?

Nothing, the man has a bed and hopefully a place of his own to keep it in, so that he doesn't have to introduce every potential new GF to his parents.

[PhilThePower]

Thanks for the suggestions!

I actually like every single suggestion bar the MX5 and 540 touring, which are both great, but perhaps not for this situation.

Ones I particularly like and am currently looking in to and searching on eBay:

S Class
350z, totally forgot about that,
Audi TT
3, 5 and 6 Series
Alfa suggestion was brilliant, didn't even give them a thought. Always wanted a red 156 with the big rear spoiler.
CLK

Z4's look nice but I think the ride might be a bit harsh, as I do a lot of miles.