Another 'what car' - £10k
Discussion
Got around £10K to spend. Sold my 350Z not so long ago. Previous cars DC5 Type-R, EP3 Type-R, DC2 Type-R, Fiat Coupe 20vT, MkII Golf GTi.
I would have dearly loved to have kept the Z but just had my first born - the Z doesnt have the ability to disable the front airbags... it may aswell have been a motorbike. Albeit the other half has a CRV for all the baby karting, we could never go out as a family.
I only clock up around 4,000miles a year - I work 3miles from home.
Thus far, I have shortlisted:
E46 M3 Coupe
+RWD
+343bhp
+Great sound
+Speed, comfort and luxury
-Long in the tooth/newer shape out
-Expensive to run and maintain
-Less practical
Focus ST-3
+Cheaper to run/service
+Cheap to modify (300bhp achievable c.£1.5k)
+Nice sound
-Its still a Focus (but I think I can live with that)
-Build quality
Mk5 Golf GTi
+Good residuals
+Good build quality
+Trick DSG system
-Nasty seats, unless full leather
-Very common
-Lacks character
Ideally, I would love to be in the RWD deparment again, the sheer grins I got from driving sideways! I have contemplated a 130i, but at 16st and 6'3" its a little too small. Dont want an FN2 Civic. I do the occasional track day, but not for a while now. Is there a car that Ive overlooked? Any other recommendations would be greatly received! Thanks,
Scary
I would have dearly loved to have kept the Z but just had my first born - the Z doesnt have the ability to disable the front airbags... it may aswell have been a motorbike. Albeit the other half has a CRV for all the baby karting, we could never go out as a family.
I only clock up around 4,000miles a year - I work 3miles from home.
Thus far, I have shortlisted:
E46 M3 Coupe
+RWD
+343bhp
+Great sound
+Speed, comfort and luxury
-Long in the tooth/newer shape out
-Expensive to run and maintain
-Less practical
Focus ST-3
+Cheaper to run/service
+Cheap to modify (300bhp achievable c.£1.5k)
+Nice sound
-Its still a Focus (but I think I can live with that)
-Build quality
Mk5 Golf GTi
+Good residuals
+Good build quality
+Trick DSG system
-Nasty seats, unless full leather
-Very common
-Lacks character
Ideally, I would love to be in the RWD deparment again, the sheer grins I got from driving sideways! I have contemplated a 130i, but at 16st and 6'3" its a little too small. Dont want an FN2 Civic. I do the occasional track day, but not for a while now. Is there a car that Ive overlooked? Any other recommendations would be greatly received! Thanks,
Scary
Firstly, congratulations!
Have you tried out the 130i? I am a similar height / build and fit into my 123d OK. It may be a bit tight for all the baby gear though.
The e39 M5 would be at the top of my list.
The Audi V8 S4 Avant can be had for around £10k now and is nice.
The Alfa 156 GTA SW would be useful, and can be had for around £7k now.
Have you tried out the 130i? I am a similar height / build and fit into my 123d OK. It may be a bit tight for all the baby gear though.
The e39 M5 would be at the top of my list.
The Audi V8 S4 Avant can be had for around £10k now and is nice.
The Alfa 156 GTA SW would be useful, and can be had for around £7k now.
The Avant and Touring - I dont want an estate. I would only ever consider the M5 or the RS6 and they are way out of my budget.
M5 E39 - a little long in the tooth and expensive to run. Also going to scratch the M3 E46, its in the same boat and finding a decent one below £11K (my max budget) is impossible.
As for the Mercs listed; both are a little old man-ish. Im a young 30yr old!
I do like the Mk5 Golf GTi... I wish I could afford an extra ommpph Edition 30, but the vanilla has got no soul to it.
I really do think that I will opt for a Focus ST-3. I just cant help thinking they are a little chavvy, but I would opt for one of the discrete colours and rip off any of those Viper stipes.
Im not a fan of the Subaru Impreza or Mitsubishi Evo's... but just seen one of those RB-320s at the local petrol stations - wow! Also liked the WR1 ltd ed. Im a sucker for exclusivity I guess!
M5 E39 - a little long in the tooth and expensive to run. Also going to scratch the M3 E46, its in the same boat and finding a decent one below £11K (my max budget) is impossible.
As for the Mercs listed; both are a little old man-ish. Im a young 30yr old!
I do like the Mk5 Golf GTi... I wish I could afford an extra ommpph Edition 30, but the vanilla has got no soul to it.
I really do think that I will opt for a Focus ST-3. I just cant help thinking they are a little chavvy, but I would opt for one of the discrete colours and rip off any of those Viper stipes.
Im not a fan of the Subaru Impreza or Mitsubishi Evo's... but just seen one of those RB-320s at the local petrol stations - wow! Also liked the WR1 ltd ed. Im a sucker for exclusivity I guess!
This: http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/1043116.htm
It's not going to be mega mileage by the time you come to sell, as your annual is pretty low. Similarly fuel isn't an issue and the performance is pretty damn good. Also plenty of space for your clobber and rwd fun.
Awesome performance, but dunno if the looks will float your boat.
http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/1064533.htm
Extremely quick straightline speed, practical and below budget.
http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/1042935.htm
It's not going to be mega mileage by the time you come to sell, as your annual is pretty low. Similarly fuel isn't an issue and the performance is pretty damn good. Also plenty of space for your clobber and rwd fun.
Awesome performance, but dunno if the looks will float your boat.
http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/1064533.htm
Extremely quick straightline speed, practical and below budget.
http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/1042935.htm
paoloh said:
You cannot compare a Focus or Golf with an M3!!
The M3, even if long in the tooth beats the other two in ALL departments.
Agreed, Id love an M3, this will be my next car, the focus is all very well but it wouldnt even be on my radar to be honest,The M3, even if long in the tooth beats the other two in ALL departments.
correct me if im wrong but you did say you wanted something special when you get in it right? a Focus?
having said that what about an S4 saloon rather than an avant? I suppose you couldnt call them special when you get in either, but I adore their undrstated style, I seriously considered one when I last changed my car, but the mrs put the kybosh on it because she said it looked to boring! I tried to explain that those in the know, would, well.. know, and that when I put my foot down she would know about it as well but she wasnt having any of it.
Judging by what you have said previously you would probably consider the 2.7 twin turbo "a bit long in the tooth" but you should just about be able to get a newer 4.2 V8 for your budget.
ok its over budget, but they can be had for less, pure understated style with 344bhp and a V8 howl:
http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/994747.htm
Right on budget, don't know if its your cup 'o tea though?
http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/1041047.htm
http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/1041047.htm
Wow - thanks for all the comments and recommendations!
Monaro - not allowed one. Mrs knows about them, as chap across the road has one, she also knows that it has a 5.7 and decribed it as being a bigger Laguna in the looks department (think its the headlights).
Not a Jag man unfortunately.
The reason for the ST is that its a good all rounder, but as stated, Im sure I wont get that wow factor everytime I fire it up, nor will I get the random erge to take it for a blast - but it is something that will tie me over until the Mrs is back at work and I can spend some more money.
On another thread, some people have just been talking about DC5 TypeRs... that made me realise that theres also the FD2 CTR (JDM). I can get one imported for £15K. £15k buys a lot of other cars; so Im going to cease right there... in fact, not sure why I mentioned it. The £5k would come from savings and I should keep it there.
The M3 and S4 are going to cost too much to run; Id prefer an M3. Its the scary major inspections and unknown costly failures, as everyone has stated - for my money I wont be getting one that would have an extended warranty. Major inspection services are c.£650 at an indy. I would hate to get one and not give it the loving attention it deserves... unlike most of the chavs that are driving around on the early plates. Sure I could find the cash, but with the Mrs taking a year out and very large mortgage, I need to put things into perspective - Im not 21 anymore!
Oh, what to do!
Monaro - not allowed one. Mrs knows about them, as chap across the road has one, she also knows that it has a 5.7 and decribed it as being a bigger Laguna in the looks department (think its the headlights).
Not a Jag man unfortunately.
The reason for the ST is that its a good all rounder, but as stated, Im sure I wont get that wow factor everytime I fire it up, nor will I get the random erge to take it for a blast - but it is something that will tie me over until the Mrs is back at work and I can spend some more money.
On another thread, some people have just been talking about DC5 TypeRs... that made me realise that theres also the FD2 CTR (JDM). I can get one imported for £15K. £15k buys a lot of other cars; so Im going to cease right there... in fact, not sure why I mentioned it. The £5k would come from savings and I should keep it there.
The M3 and S4 are going to cost too much to run; Id prefer an M3. Its the scary major inspections and unknown costly failures, as everyone has stated - for my money I wont be getting one that would have an extended warranty. Major inspection services are c.£650 at an indy. I would hate to get one and not give it the loving attention it deserves... unlike most of the chavs that are driving around on the early plates. Sure I could find the cash, but with the Mrs taking a year out and very large mortgage, I need to put things into perspective - Im not 21 anymore!
Oh, what to do!
Skylines - again, scared by running costs and what if it goes pop mentality.
Stop calling me Shirley
Im thinking White ST-3, get them nasty looking wheels powder coated black, some springs, light tints, decent CAI, ECU flash and exhaust w/ sport cat.. maybe an IC and thats not a bad looking car with c.300bhp... ok, ok at the front wheels, I know! But at least it will tide me over until some more money is coming back in.
Lets not close the case just yet though!
Stop calling me Shirley
Im thinking White ST-3, get them nasty looking wheels powder coated black, some springs, light tints, decent CAI, ECU flash and exhaust w/ sport cat.. maybe an IC and thats not a bad looking car with c.300bhp... ok, ok at the front wheels, I know! But at least it will tide me over until some more money is coming back in.
Lets not close the case just yet though!
i would say M3 but then trying to put baby in seat is going to be tricky .
me persnoaly would be something like a audi a6 or a 330d bmw mapped giving sensible maintance and there is a bit of go when needs be plus rwd ticks all the boxs realy apart from been a deisel but the m-tec one is quite nice .
me persnoaly would be something like a audi a6 or a 330d bmw mapped giving sensible maintance and there is a bit of go when needs be plus rwd ticks all the boxs realy apart from been a deisel but the m-tec one is quite nice .
sam303 said:
I was in the "330i too slow, M3 too expensive to run" dilemma, until I found the Alpina B3S (for exactly ten grand).
Good suggestion!!! (you found one for £10k !?!??! WHERE??)very tempted by these myself... the S's seem very rare though, and I HATE cream-leather/wood, which lots of the B3's come with...
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