4k and a trade in, whats best for a Car fan?

[stedaley]

New Job starts soon and ill be looking to treat myself to a new(er) car!

set my self 4000 and the cost of the current on trade in (Around 2000).

always had a keen interest in cars and would love to be able to experience something that is considered a good drivers car at that price.

Petrol is covered by the company, as its a mix of driving, would like it to have creature comforts (a/c cc etc) but not essential. Been looking at a good few reviews but its nice to hear from a few guys in the real world.

6000 sterling to spend, throw me some ideas!!

[stedaley]

rix said:

E46 M3?

Mixed things have been heard about the e46. Not a real bmw fan either...

[stedaley]

OpulentBob said:

Difficult question, I think.

Have a read here:

http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...

And here:

http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...

before taking the plunge on anything.



I was planning on using a work bonus to scratch a 996 itch, but now I'm not too sure. I then thought E46 M3, but again, there's a lot of disappointed owners out there. And there's not too much scope to go and try a car first, beyond a 2 mile test drive for bumps and knocks - people (especially on here) say "go and try one" but realistically you'd want to get in it every day for a week to really get a feel for it - and no dealer will lend you a 6kGBP "fun" car for a week just to try and see if you like it or not...

It's a hard decision to make.

I agree! Ill be using it every day and while i can afford to spend on a fun car before i have to grow up i thought it may be prevalent to try and enjoy my self whilst i can! Fortunately none of the cars ive looked at are on any of those lists!!

[stedaley]

ZX10R NIN said:

What are your other factors in this purchase? Will it be a daily if so can you live with heavy fuel consumption do you need an all rounder? etc

With 6k if you wanted a good all rounder I'd look at R230 Megane

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

Or an ST

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

Something a bit more focused S2000

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

4WD

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

Ill be using it to go to work, but petrol is covered so id be looking at 20mpg+ probably. If the cars enjoyable enough i wouldnt mind the extra fuel costs.

[stedaley]

Putting in 6k in autotrader bring ups a few..

197 Clio
225 megane
Golf GTI
Seat Leon Cupra
Mini cooper S
Fiesta St
Focus St
Twingo 133
Suzuki Swift
VXR Corsa
Audi A3

In a perfect world id love the new Fiesta ST, but needs must and i can stump up over 10k for it.

A few mates have said look into honda Intergra type R? Any one on here owned one?

[stedaley]

Craikeybaby said:

MX-5? You should get a decent mk3 for your budget - they handle well (if it doesn't get the wheels aligned) and a livable with as a daily driver, unless you need more seats.

Or what about a 350Z?

I was planning on saving the convertible itch until i can get year round use of it in america, when i eventually move over there!!

[stedaley]

elephantstone said:

You can take Audi A3 off that list if you want a drivers car. I have one. It is great for hammering up and down the motorway, looks good/smart with my company logo on it and i genuinely can get an average mpg of 63 but its boring. Everytime i get in it i miss my two MX5s, MGB and V8 jag..

Its a shame i didnt have 40grand to get the new rs3...

[stedaley]

DS197 said:

I was in the same position as you OP, and even wanted a Fiesta ST but couldn't justify it. As you can tell I ended up with a 197 as I could get one with decent mileage, decent spec (AC, CC, Xenons, sunroof), and it wouldn't cost a bomb if something went wrong. But here's what I personally think of the cars available:

197 Clio - Needs to be revved to make progress but is great fun
225 megane - The one I would have got if insurance wasn't a bh
Golf GTI - MK5? Also great cars if you don't mind the high mileage
Seat Leon Cupra - Great tunability and space, but looking a bit dated now
Mini cooper S - don't even ask...
Fiesta St - 2.0 N/A isn't bad. With a few mods can get to 180 bhp. Looks alright and parts should be cheap
Focus St - If you're after space and speed this is the one. Not the best handling unless you're willing to spend money
Twingo 133 - Fun but not that fast
Suzuki Swift - as above
VXR Corsa - love these but stories of wheel bearings and radiators (along with 4th piston) put me off
Audi A3 - A bit bland if I'm honest. More of a car to impress other people

197 has been offered and thought about. Just not sure as i have the same shape clio just the 1.4 so i think im feeling like a change of car scene.

Gti golf mk5/6 looks a good option. Vw relability could get me a good few years out of it! And the cupra is the cousin of this so again quite interested. Saw a edition 30 gti today infact...

The twingo and swift were my first thoughts as i could save 2k on buying the car for around 4... And save 2.

Regarding the st, i dont know if i would ever want to never own the car. Its sort of renting the car and limits what you can do with the car. Its so far ahead of the rest of the hot fwd in terms of all roundness i think id want to own it. Id have to tune that gorgeous peice of engineering under the bonnet.

Skoda octavia vrs?

[stedaley]

DS197 said:

I was in the same position as you OP, and even wanted a Fiesta ST but couldn't justify it. As you can tell I ended up with a 197 as I could get one with decent mileage, decent spec (AC, CC, Xenons, sunroof), and it wouldn't cost a bomb if something went wrong. But here's what I personally think of the cars available:

197 Clio - Needs to be revved to make progress but is great fun
225 megane - The one I would have got if insurance wasn't a bh
Golf GTI - MK5? Also great cars if you don't mind the high mileage
Seat Leon Cupra - Great tunability and space, but looking a bit dated now
Mini cooper S - don't even ask...
Fiesta St - 2.0 N/A isn't bad. With a few mods can get to 180 bhp. Looks alright and parts should be cheap
Focus St - If you're after space and speed this is the one. Not the best handling unless you're willing to spend money
Twingo 133 - Fun but not that fast
Suzuki Swift - as above
VXR Corsa - love these but stories of wheel bearings and radiators (along with 4th piston) put me off
Audi A3 - A bit bland if I'm honest. More of a car to impress other people

197 has been offered and thought about. Just not sure as i have the same shape clio just the 1.4 so i think im feeling like a change of car scene.

Gti golf mk5/6 looks a good option. Vw relability could get me a good few years out of it! And the cupra is the cousin of this so again quite interested. Saw a edition 30 gti today infact...

The twingo and swift were my first thoughts as i could save 2k on buying the car for around 4... And save 2.

Regarding the st, i dont know if i would ever want to never own the car. Its sort of renting the car and limits what you can do with the car. Its so far ahead of the rest of the hot fwd in terms of all roundness i think id want to own it. Id have to tune that gorgeous peice of engineering under the bonnet.

Skoda octavia vrs?

[stedaley]

WarnieV6GT said:

Have one of these, found in a 147/156 GTA, ph3 GTV or my personal favourite the GT and experience one of, if not the best V6's ever made.You can fit a wizard exhaust for it to sound truly exotic, and if you buy right depriciation will be pretty much none existant.

The gaffer tape is aftermarket and a nice touch I think. Note to self to stop being a tight arse and fork out the £80 to replace it.....

Whats the mpg like? And power?

It looks lovely and i must say im very interested in one...

3.2 v6 must sound lovely, any things to look for? Not the usual alfa breaking down with these then? (What ive heard)

[stedaley]

Spantney said:

Alfa 147 GTA? Here's one for 6k:

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2004-Alfa-Romeo-147-3-2-...

Try and get one with a Q2 diff too

Anything in your opinion to look for? Spec wise how are they?

[stedaley]

WarnieV6GT said:

Power is quoted as 240bhp for the GT and 250bhp for the GTA. The reality is that they both tend to kick out around 245 - 250, a £250 remap will see 260-270bhp. Mpg - short trips late teens, long trips I've had low thirties, but the reality is that the throttle response and the sound will see you low to mid twenty's as you just can't help yourself. It's like sticking your foot in a big tub of double cream it's that smooth and creamy, and above 4500-5000rpm they scream like a race car. It's an engine that you have to experience as they are getting thin on the ground now, hence why if you buy right and look after one the lack of depreciation will cancel out the running costs.

I have the GT but was looking at 147 and 156gta's as well, I'm on my 5th Alfa now, so am fully aware of the preventative maintenance needed to run one. The problem is, is that Alfa's get under your skin big time, especially the V6's, you will become obsessed and you will spend money you don't have on it and when you sell one and move on, you realise that it's rare to find cars that make you feel the same and therefor regret it big time before getting another. Yes there's better cars out there, faster one's, one's that handle better, but if you want something rare that looks lovely, sounds better that many exotic cars and will hold it's value than get one.

I dont think it would be possible to lose money if properly maintained!

Anyone around the northwest have one of these to look at?

I know it would cost alot to maintain, what sort of stuff needs doing on these?
And what are bits to look for that already would of been done? And how many miles from a tank?

[stedaley]

rb5er said:

Impreza,R26,focus ST,350z.

You might get a ropey dc5 or M3 for that money but well....ropey.

ThaTs prime money for a dc5...
I have had a few mates with these and apparently bulletproof and decent for the age of the car. Very much a top pick so far, for what i can afford anyways!

[stedaley]

raceboy said:

Not read any need for the practicality of a hatchback only the 'driving feel' and so I'd be looking at proper sports cars too, if you don't want a cab there's the Nissan 370z, BMW Z4 Coupe and probably a few more.....or just don't put the roof down of all the 2 seater cabs that are a whole lot better to drive, and more 'special' than any warmed over hatch back.

I think id need to have the back seats just incase, thats why i havent been looking at 2 seaters! I would love one, but not practical enough

[stedaley]

rb5er said:

Really? £6k? Think you should check again. None on ebay or autotrader for that sort of money.

Sorry i was referring to the 147 gta i was linked at a little higher than the 6k

Such as http://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/h...

[stedaley]

DS197 said:

If that's the case, a link to a some would be nice. Perhaps that way I can sell my car to the OP and buy a DC5 instead

I was referring to the 147 pricing! Sorry! Around 7k is dc5 territory