Inspire me.. (With a hint of a dreaded what car)
Discussion
I can't decide, so PH people, what's your suggestions?!
The criteria:
200hp +
Practical
4/5 Seats
Decent boot.
Manual.
25+ MPG in the real world.
Petrol only, no Diesels.
2003 or newer.
Sub 100k.
For around 7k, may be able to stretch to 8 for the right example.
So far, I've thought of the Focus ST, but I prefer the Post facelift, and they're all out of budget. But that engine! But the fuel economy!
Mk5 Golf GTI, they're nice, but I don't like those wheels (but I could always swap them!)
E46 330Ci?
I can't decide!
The criteria:
200hp +
Practical
4/5 Seats
Decent boot.
Manual.
25+ MPG in the real world.
Petrol only, no Diesels.
2003 or newer.
Sub 100k.
For around 7k, may be able to stretch to 8 for the right example.
So far, I've thought of the Focus ST, but I prefer the Post facelift, and they're all out of budget. But that engine! But the fuel economy!
Mk5 Golf GTI, they're nice, but I don't like those wheels (but I could always swap them!)
E46 330Ci?
I can't decide!
Crusoe said:
e46 M3 if you can find a nice one or a nice 130i if you need lower running costs.
The 130i is on the options list, I think the M3 will be out my price range for a good one, I need a tidy one as it'll be a daily.trickywoo said:
E60 545i
There are manuals about but very rare otherwise all your boxes ticked.
With dynamic drive they are miles away from being barge like.
That's an option, will they do 25+ mpg?There are manuals about but very rare otherwise all your boxes ticked.
With dynamic drive they are miles away from being barge like.
ratbert said:
Over my maximum budget I'm afraid.C70R said:
Blanchimont said:
I can't decide, so PH people, what's your suggestions?!
The criteria:
200hp +
Practical
4/5 Seats
Decent boot.
Manual.
25+ MPG in the real world.
Petrol only, no Diesels.
2003 or newer.
Sub 100k.
For around 7k, may be able to stretch to 8 for the right example.
So far, I've thought of the Focus ST, but I prefer the Post facelift, and they're all out of budget. But that engine! But the fuel economy!
Mk5 Golf GTI, they're nice, but I don't like those wheels (but I could always swap them!)
E46 330Ci?
I can't decide!
There's a rare manual BMW 550i Sport on Autotrader at £7k at the moment, which would be hard to pass up at this kind of money. Economy should just about squeak past requirement, provided you aren't doing all your miles around town. A 4.8L V8 with a manual box and BMW practicality/comfort is hard to pass up...The criteria:
200hp +
Practical
4/5 Seats
Decent boot.
Manual.
25+ MPG in the real world.
Petrol only, no Diesels.
2003 or newer.
Sub 100k.
For around 7k, may be able to stretch to 8 for the right example.
So far, I've thought of the Focus ST, but I prefer the Post facelift, and they're all out of budget. But that engine! But the fuel economy!
Mk5 Golf GTI, they're nice, but I don't like those wheels (but I could always swap them!)
E46 330Ci?
I can't decide!
trickywoo said:
Good value that. If all is as it seems I don't think it'll hang around long.
I get 26/27 mpg from an auto 545i without trying. If you cruise above 85mph this will be lower. I get better economy from A / B road runs than M-Way.
Don't rule out the auto. They are very responsive and in sport mode transform the car very effectively from cruise to hoon.
That V8 noise! I get 26/27 mpg from an auto 545i without trying. If you cruise above 85mph this will be lower. I get better economy from A / B road runs than M-Way.
Don't rule out the auto. They are very responsive and in sport mode transform the car very effectively from cruise to hoon.
That's worth knowing. My commute is 5/6 miles of DC at about 55mph, but I get hammered coming back the other way as it's nose to tail, so my car "apparantly" does 42mpg, I can get 36, so it's not too bad.
boobles said:
The Integras, whilst gorgeous cars and have presence on the roads, as it parks on the road at night I would like something a little more subtle. If it wasn't my only car, I would definately look at getting one. 300bhp/ton said:
I honestly think that 25mpg from an ST is an unrealistic goal "real world" unless you only cruise on dual carriage ways. And if so, do you really need over 200hp to do that?
Not knocking the ST's, I like the look and noise they make. But read any mpg thread about them, and they seem pretty hopeless. Some people even quoting in the teens.
24mpg or under seemed to be the trend whenever I've looked at a varied dater set.
Now remember, it's a turbo car, personally I'd want to run it on superunleaded and that would be a must if you remapped it. So real world pence per mile running costs are -2mpg from whatever it really does.
For instance, my Impreza did 25.7mpg on the last tank. Now you can fool yourself into thinking that's 26mpg.
But the reality is, it runs on superunleaded. And for the same cost to cover the same distance a car on 95 RON only needed to do around 23mpg.
Maybe it's not a massive, but if it's all boarderline and you do a fair few miles. Then maybe it makes a difference.
My current car is turbocharged and remapped, and consequently run exclusively on super unleaded, and know the realistic difference between it cost/mpg wise. I normally go buy how many miles I get to a tank, and how much it costs to fill. I find it easier to budget and work out how much more it will cost per month to run that way. Not knocking the ST's, I like the look and noise they make. But read any mpg thread about them, and they seem pretty hopeless. Some people even quoting in the teens.
24mpg or under seemed to be the trend whenever I've looked at a varied dater set.
Now remember, it's a turbo car, personally I'd want to run it on superunleaded and that would be a must if you remapped it. So real world pence per mile running costs are -2mpg from whatever it really does.
For instance, my Impreza did 25.7mpg on the last tank. Now you can fool yourself into thinking that's 26mpg.
But the reality is, it runs on superunleaded. And for the same cost to cover the same distance a car on 95 RON only needed to do around 23mpg.
Maybe it's not a massive, but if it's all boarderline and you do a fair few miles. Then maybe it makes a difference.
boobles said:
Practical you say 
Not sure about the MPG though
http://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/c...
Striking! But (imo) certainly not a looker! There's one in the carpark in work currently, and it looks alright, but huge! Not sure about the MPG though
http://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/c...
andy-xr said:
4.5 S petrol engine, 2006, under 100k miles for £9935 (I'm sure you'd get the £8k + your Punto to add up)
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2006-Porsche-Cayenne-4-5...
I don't like the look of Cayennes, I like Macans, but budget limits and no place of my own yet! http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2006-Porsche-Cayenne-4-5...
Edited by andy-xr on Thursday 19th November 15:21
The RX8s are amazing cars with a fascinating engine, but I couldn't live with sub 20 mpg. I'm also saving for a house (car first, priorities in order!) but I know things would be tight for the first year, so I can't spend loads on fuel a month, at the expense of food or something similar for the house.
It sucks growing up!
It sucks growing up!
deltashad said:
http://www2.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
May struggle with the mpg but it's a big like from me.
Can't see it May struggle with the mpg but it's a big like from me.
C70R said:
Truthfully, £7k doesn't get you a tidy manual M3. There are only three on AT at this price with under 90k miles, and two of these are insurance write-offs.
£9k seems to be where the manual M3 market starts to get interesting, and there are a lot of convertibles in there at this time of year. The best cars are still starting around the £10k mark, but you might get into a convertible for slightly less cash during winter.
I don't like convertibles £9k seems to be where the manual M3 market starts to get interesting, and there are a lot of convertibles in there at this time of year. The best cars are still starting around the £10k mark, but you might get into a convertible for slightly less cash during winter.
Edited by C70R on Friday 20th November 11:16
I quite like the idea of a blobeye Impreza, but is the STi better day to day than the WRX?
I think the Focus ST is dropped, a pre facelift car is nice, but I much prefer the facelift which is out of budget, so the Focus is gone.
So it's narrowed down to mainly:
Mk5 GTI
Mk4 R32
Subaru Impreza WRX/STI (Blobeye)
Jag XJR
BMW 130i
I'm gonna say no to the Alfa GTA as I'm not struck on the styling of them.
Keep the suggestions coming, It is all appreciated!
So it's narrowed down to mainly:
Mk5 GTI
Mk4 R32
Subaru Impreza WRX/STI (Blobeye)
Jag XJR
BMW 130i
I'm gonna say no to the Alfa GTA as I'm not struck on the styling of them.
Keep the suggestions coming, It is all appreciated!
300bhp/ton said:
I'm an Impreza fan, have a Turbo 2000 classic. But tbh, unless you are driving it above 3000rpm (which there is no need too in normal traffic and could get pretty illegal easily when roads are clear). It's really not the most interesting of cars.
In fact, pottering about it's quite mundane. The AWD is nice in winter, not just for snow, but it does let you make use of the power on days when I wouldn't be driving my Camaro or TR7 V8 hard.
But don't get one if you are wanting to spice up a commute that won't give you chance to open it up. I honestly think for 'normal' driving, I'd enjoy an XJR/XJ8 more so, they are a pleasure no matter the speed. Even if not as adrenaline rushing when really on it.
I suspect the Golfs would be similar.
I want something that's quick, flies under the radar to most, but to those who know them respect them, and sounds quite nice (I'm not sure what a GTi would sound like, but an R32 would sound better, and they seem to creep into budget for an early one!In fact, pottering about it's quite mundane. The AWD is nice in winter, not just for snow, but it does let you make use of the power on days when I wouldn't be driving my Camaro or TR7 V8 hard.
But don't get one if you are wanting to spice up a commute that won't give you chance to open it up. I honestly think for 'normal' driving, I'd enjoy an XJR/XJ8 more so, they are a pleasure no matter the speed. Even if not as adrenaline rushing when really on it.
I suspect the Golfs would be similar.
yonex said:
130i is a good option. In fact it's the one you should buy. Fantastic engine and feels far more darty than a 330. Nice inside and if you find one with options generally a great car. You'll want to upgrade the suspension, at least the run flats for a start. I'd happily go back to one, and may still do so.
Running costs are low considering. I averaged 28-29 in mine and didn't hang aboout. Here's the thread on it
That's a great thread, I'm still reading through it! It certainly opens up the idea quite a little bit! Running costs are low considering. I averaged 28-29 in mine and didn't hang aboout. Here's the thread on it
Edited by yonex on Friday 20th November 16:29
300bhp/ton said:
I'm sure it's a perfectly average car. But a bit too dull for my tastes.
It fits the balance perfectly of not really being all that exciting, but perfectly capable.
For me I'd want a car with a bit more pizazz and personality.
For example, if you don't have your foot down, I honestly don't believe an edition 30 would be any noticeable different to a base model Golf to drive. This is either good, or hugely bad depending on your point of view.
What car would feel special at 20-30 mph? I can't think of manyIt fits the balance perfectly of not really being all that exciting, but perfectly capable.
For me I'd want a car with a bit more pizazz and personality.
For example, if you don't have your foot down, I honestly don't believe an edition 30 would be any noticeable different to a base model Golf to drive. This is either good, or hugely bad depending on your point of view.
cerb4.5lee said:
TVR`s do! I agree not many cars do though and that was one of the big criticisms I had with my M3 in that at slow speeds it just felt like any other 3 series does.
I'd love a TVR, especially a Cerbera. Unfortunately, the house fund is more important at the mo so I can't sink 15k into a tidy one, when I'd need another car for the weekdays anyway! I agree not many cars do though and that was one of the big criticisms I had with my M3 in that at slow speeds it just felt like any other 3 series does. The M3 is worth a look though! Is it worth the premium over a 330Ci?
The M3 is one of my favourite cars of all time. But my main concern is that I doubt that i'll be able to use all of the performance on offer, as there aren't many nice roads by me, and those that are have 5939542919691 Honda Jazz's doing 33mph. Although, castle coombe isn't that far away from me...
The 130i however has enough power to make overtaking easy, a great noise, not M car running costs, is RWD, rarer than the M3 (so I'm told) and is subtle to all but those who know about them.
The ED 30 though makes a case as it's got basically a detuned S3 engine in it, whilst looking the same as a normal GTI, and being turbocharged I like the power delivery of turbo'd cars, and these are known to map to well over 300hp. So it can be quite a stealthy package, plus it's the only one that has a Dual clutch, which may be worth trying?
All offer different reasons for buying them, and I'm genuinely baffled.
The 130i however has enough power to make overtaking easy, a great noise, not M car running costs, is RWD, rarer than the M3 (so I'm told) and is subtle to all but those who know about them.
The ED 30 though makes a case as it's got basically a detuned S3 engine in it, whilst looking the same as a normal GTI, and being turbocharged I like the power delivery of turbo'd cars, and these are known to map to well over 300hp. So it can be quite a stealthy package, plus it's the only one that has a Dual clutch, which may be worth trying?
All offer different reasons for buying them, and I'm genuinely baffled.
I will admit that the 130i is becoming a better proposition. Is it worth getting a facelift (I believe these had oil temp gauges?) over a non?
And as I've owned 2 cars (1 N/A with no power, and 1 turbo'd car) is all the power at the top end, or do they have useable torque too? (I understand that dropping a gear or two will make the progress quicker, I'm just curious about where the torque is)
And as I've owned 2 cars (1 N/A with no power, and 1 turbo'd car) is all the power at the top end, or do they have useable torque too? (I understand that dropping a gear or two will make the progress quicker, I'm just curious about where the torque is)
yonex said:
It's actually better IMO to go for the pre facelift (LCI) as you have slightly better steering. The lack of oil temp isn't an issue really. They are supposed to be slightly better on fuel, I wouldn't know. The N52 is very smooth and totally linear, it sounds lovely at the top. Lots of torque and they feel quite a bit more lively than the 3 series.
Hmm, It may have to be a 130 then, I wanted something that sounded better than a 4cyl, which was why I was initially drawn to the the Focus ST over something like a Mk1 Leon Cupra R, because of the noise it made! But I know that 225hp isn't a huge step up, and that I would end up getting the mountune kit, taking it to 270, which incidentally the BM has already. Plus it's RWD and more fuel efficient than the ST.Edited: To make sense!
Edited by Blanchimont on Tuesday 24th November 16:10
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