'Special' daily driver for £20K

[Ecosseven]

Suggestions please.....

I currently drive a diesel Mondeo. I’ve had the car over 6 years and it’s been a faithful servant. I’m keen to get something a bit special for my next car and keep changing my mind about what I want so thought I’d ask the PH masses for advice. I have some slightly unusual criteria for choosing a car which I’ve listed below.

1. Coupe, hatchback, or saloon bodystyle.
2. 4, 5, or 2+2 seating. I don’t have any kids but like the practicality of the extra seats.
3. Must have clean styling. I really hate tacky bodykits and massive spoilers. Don’t mind subtle lip spoilers but want to avoid big side skirts and anything OTT.
4. 25 MPG minimum.
5. Insurance not a major concern as I have full NCB, live in a low crime area and I am 36.
6. Car must be reliable and comfortable. I’m looking for a good compromise between handling and ride quality. I have a Caterham for weekend fun so don’t need something ultra sharp as a daily driver although I don’t want something that handles like a boat in a gale either.
7. Steering must have reach and rake adjustment. As a daily driver a comfortable driving position is a must.
8. Equuipment list is not critical. Not too fussed about having sat nav.
9. Budget up to £20K.
10. Manual gearbox preferred.

I’ve consider all the usual suspects including the Clio 200, Golf GTI, Audi S3 etc but am also drawn to V6 and V8 coupes such as the jaguar XK (post 2006), Audi TT 3.2, BMW 1 series and 3 series. In fact if the jag had a manual ‘box it would be perfect as I love the styling and feel good factor of owning a luxury V8 coupe.

Thanks in advance.

Edited by Ecosseven on Monday 27th February 11:57

[Ecosseven]

TTwiggy said:

Jaguar XF in diesel?

Doesn't feel or look special enough.

[Ecosseven]

JVaughan said:

Lotus Charlton ?? for that money you could pick up a cracking example with change.

ok it does have spoilers etc but its one hell of a car !

A bit too old but a good shout. Running costs could be on the high side as well although depreciation will be very low.

[Ecosseven]

ikarl said:

Monaro?

Anotehr good shout. I'll do some research on these.

[Ecosseven]

kambites said:

hornetrider said:

E92 M3?

E46 M3 CS?

I can't believe either of them fit the criteria of "25mpg minimum"?

I suppose a 911 might get close (it would probably need to be a 997 C2 to meet the mpg requirements, can you get one of them for 20k yet?)

A higher mileage 997 is a good option although there I've heard a lot of stories of engines going bang. The styling is lovely and they do tick all the boxes.

[Ecosseven]

kambites said:

Ecosseven said:

A higher mileage 997 is a good option although there I've heard a lot of stories of engines going bang. The styling is lovely and they do tick all the boxes.

What problems does the 997's engine have? I know there were RMS/IMS problems with some of the earlier water-cooled 911s, but I thought they were all fixed by the time the 997 came out?

Same issues as the 996 engines have. The gen 2 997's didn't come out until 2009 and these are well over budget.

[Ecosseven]

Thanks for all the suggestions. I'm tempted to save a little bit more and but some money into a petrol fund so that I can afford to run one of these!






It ticks all the boxes except the manual gearbox. In a few years affordable V8 coupes won't exist.

Edited by Ecosseven on Monday 27th February 12:43

Edited by Ecosseven on Monday 27th February 12:43

[Ecosseven]

I would happily spend 10K on a clio but if I'm going to push the boat out and spend up to 20K I'm looking for something a bit different. Although a manual box would be nice, the front runner is probably an XK at the moment. Beautiful V8 coupe thats worth the relatively poor MPG.