What car, 4-5k, no I'm not sorry :-)

[The101]

Evening all

I've been agonising over this car choice for a while which is never healthy, I need to just buy something.

But here lies my dilemma...

Currently have a boring car and niggly bits are going wrong all the time, the dash creaks and every time I sort it a new creak pops up, it's coming up to needing tyres and now sounds like a wheel bearing is on its way out, plus perhaps some bushes. I dislike spending any time in this car at this point, and I'm nearing the stage where I cannot put off either spending some money on it or getting something else. As you can tell at this point, I want something else so I don't want to spend money on it and have to keep it for longer. The problem is, what.

Now, I can't decide whether to get something fun like an mx5, or get something comfortable like a mercedes or jag, or even a big 4x4 (just cause, really. No reason to have one, the dog is small and doesn't mind the passenger footwell). The Inbetween cars like the 330 bmw's and the like will no doubt be better to drive and have a more well made interior than my current car, but just don't do much for me as every young lad who wants a bit of a flash car on a budget has one, and drives it badly, or so it would seem.

Who's made this choice for their daily driver and how has it worked out? Have you bought something fun that you enjoy ragging to work, or do you regret it after a long day as all you want is a nice comfy chair and nice cruise home? Did you buy for comfort and are now bored of driving it?

My other requirements are preferably petrol, no real requirement for good luggage space or rear seats but don't mind them all the same, and reasonably reliable and not extortionate to get fixed. I do like driving of course, so if it is the comfort option, some speed would be nice to keep things interesting. Nothing too old man ish though, lexus for example, certain jags.

Grateful for any thoughts on this you may have so I can finally crack on and take action! Ta

[dojo]

Mazda 6 MPS

[Mr Tidy]

BMW 130i - job done!

[Ghost91]

This may not help but I'd split the budget in two and buy an MX5/MR2, and a waftier car as well, Lexus LS would be a good shout but you've said no to lexus.. E class perhaps.. Plus you didn't say what MPG is acceptable. This way you won't be bored.... But then two lots of car bills isn't always practical.

MK5 Golf GTI perhaps - it's good at everything really, although I think it's terribly dull, others seem to disagree though

Edited by Ghost91 on Saturday 29th August 23:49

[The101]

dojo said:

Mazda 6 MPS

Interesting, they must be quite rare as I don't think I've ever actually seen one! There's a few for sale in budget so that's worth a look, good value by the looks of it unless they have some ruinous problems i should be aware of but being mazda I can't see that being the case

[The101]

Mr Tidy said:

BMW 130i - job done!

I wouldn't mind a rwd 6cyl hatch, it sounds fun but my budget won't get me one will it surely?

[The101]

Ghost91 said:

This may not help but I'd split the budget in two and buy an MX5/MR2, and a waftier car as well, Lexus LS would be a good shout but you've said no to lexus.. E class perhaps.. Plus you didn't say what MPG is acceptable. This way you won't be bored.... But then two lots of car bills isn't always practical.

MK5 Golf GTI perhaps - it's good at everything really, although I think it's terribly dull, others seem to disagree though

Edited by Ghost91 on Saturday 29th August 23:49

Two cars are out of the question for me really as my mrs has her own car and another one to tax and insure just doesn't make sense for us, although that sounds like an ideal solution to me! Mx5 and the other extreme of massive barge combo is a winner.

I'm sure the gti is great at being practical and fast and probably good at comfort and refinement too but it does absolutely nothing for me I'm afraid

[Mr Tidy]

The101 said:

I wouldn't mind a rwd 6cyl hatch, it sounds fun but my budget won't get me one will it surely?

Well I was stretching it a bit, but I got an alert from AT last week for a 130i SE (so no Sport seats, but it had full leather) for less than £5,500 so you never know!

And if you do get one of them please let us know what you think of it! (Biased as I quite fancy one myself)!

[moebiusuk]

I'm looking to sell my 130i MSport for £5k sometimes soon

It's an amazing machine. The engine is probably one of BMW's best ever. But I don't need the boot or the seats anymore so I'm looking to sell for something traditionally sporty like a coupe or convertible.

But anyway, I would highly recommend a 130i. 6cyl, RWD, 270hp, 0-60 in 6s = fun.

[Mr Tidy]

moebiusuk said:

I'm looking to sell my 130i MSport for £5k sometimes soon

It's an amazing machine. The engine is probably one of BMW's best ever. But I don't need the boot or the seats anymore so I'm looking to sell for something traditionally sporty like a coupe or convertible.

But anyway, I would highly recommend a 130i. 6cyl, RWD, 270hp, 0-60 in 6s = fun.

Sounds great - please PM me when the time comes - I am currently running a Z4C with the N52 engine as a toy and a 325ti Compact as a daily, but a 130i might cover both options..

[dojo]

The101 said:

Interesting, they must be quite rare as I don't think I've ever actually seen one! There's a few for sale in budget so that's worth a look, good value by the looks of it unless they have some ruinous problems i should be aware of but being mazda I can't see that being the case

A few issues, road tax been one! Then people talk about the VVTI belt is potentially weak and the diff mounts on the rear if you're into hard launches (I think 6000rpm stuff)
As a daily with some extra power for a bit of fun when needed they're great. Full leather interior, good stereo, Cruise control, 4x4.
All good stuff. I wanted a 130 but budget wouldn't allow at the time and when the snow came 2 weeks later was glad of the 4wd!

[pointedstarman]

You don't say if auto is out but if you're happy with one try a Murano maybe. Nice car, 4x4 but a bit of fun.

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

Also good value and pre March 05 means decent road tax.

[Poopipe]

You'd get a very decent classic STi at that money. If you can stomach the fuel costs and arent fussed about heated bk rests etc. They make a pretty sound case as the perfect vehicle.

[The101]

dojo said:

A few issues, road tax been one! Then people talk about the VVTI belt is potentially weak and the diff mounts on the rear if you're into hard launches (I think 6000rpm stuff)
As a daily with some extra power for a bit of fun when needed they're great. Full leather interior, good stereo, Cruise control, 4x4.
All good stuff. I wanted a 130 but budget wouldn't allow at the time and when the snow came 2 weeks later was glad of the 4wd!

I've been looking at some online and I have to say it looks like a contender. I know what you mean about the 4wd, it's nice for it to be good in all weathers. I think it may be a case of waiting for a good one to come up as there aren't too many out there

[The101]

pointedstarman said:

You don't say if auto is out but if you're happy with one try a Murano maybe. Nice car, 4x4 but a bit of fun.

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

Also good value and pre March 05 means decent road tax.

Another interesting choice, I'd never of thought of these really. They look quite nice, just as new looking as most cars out at the moment... Nice interior, looks comfy! Am I right in thinking these have the same engine as the 350z?

[The101]

Poopipe said:

You'd get a very decent classic STi at that money. If you can stomach the fuel costs and arent fussed about heated bk rests etc. They make a pretty sound case as the perfect vehicle.

I do quite like them, the thing is though I'd struggle to know what's a 'good' one really as every advert I see has a list of stuff that the owner has done to them. Standard is what I'd be looking for really and they seem like hens teeth

[Ghost91]

The101 said:

Another interesting choice, I'd never of thought of these really. They look quite nice, just as new looking as most cars out at the moment... Nice interior, looks comfy! Am I right in thinking these have the same engine as the 350z?

Check out the reviews on auto trader - all very positive for these!

[garycat]

The101 said:

dojo said:

Mazda 6 MPS

Interesting, they must be quite rare as I don't think I've ever actually seen one! There's a few for sale in budget so that's worth a look, good value by the looks of it unless they have some ruinous problems i should be aware of but being mazda I can't see that being the case

Just make sure the VVT chain/actuator has been replaced. Otherwise good reliable car, tax high, insurance low.

[pointedstarman]

The101 said:

pointedstarman said:

You don't say if auto is out but if you're happy with one try a Murano maybe. Nice car, 4x4 but a bit of fun.

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

Also good value and pre March 05 means decent road tax.

Another interesting choice, I'd never of thought of these really. They look quite nice, just as new looking as most cars out at the moment... Nice interior, looks comfy! Am I right in thinking these have the same engine as the 350z?

I think so yes, though I haven't compared power outputs to see if tuning is the same. Friend had one for 3 years and loved it. Very nice sounding engine.

[The101]

garycat said:

Just make sure the VVT chain/actuator has been replaced. Otherwise good reliable car, tax high, insurance low.

There are so few for sale that id probably have to just try and budget for doing this myself...

They look great for the money but I reckon I'd struggle to find one