What 50th car? Big motor, auto, 4 seats (£5-6k budget)

[mattman]

So currently running a TT 225 Coupe and while its fun, it really is a little on the small side with 2x growing teenagers. Its mainly a station car but needs to be available for occasional family use when the family car is busy.

Annual mileage is 6-8k so running costs not really an issue - would rather avoid the 490 VED though if i can.

This will be my 50th car so looking for something a little bit special - i've had everything from a talbot samba to a RR Evoque and lots of good and bad stuff in between - ideally looking for a bigger engine (v8 would be nice but north of 200bhp preferable), automatic IS A MUST, at least 4 seats - coupe, saloon or convertible, not fussy on age or mileage as long as condition is right - budget around £5-6K. Don't really want anything too modded, don't want a 2x seater and something else, just the 1x car please!

currently thinking along the lines of:
E31 BMW 840
Audi A4 Cabriolet 3.0
BMW 645 Coupe
Mercedes CLK 320+
Mercedes E500

What other gems have a missed?

[mattman]

thanks guys - really going round in circles here - do i go for a big barge like the Phaeton or XJ or a big coupe/cabriolet - just not seen anything that really takes my fancy enough yet.

I did look at the M3, but as you say slightly our of budget and i understand the SMG box can be a little iffy at times. I've had a E63 645 cab in the past and also wonder if a M3 would feel like a poor relation?? probably a daft thing to say before I get shot down

Even started looking at Lexus GS300 last night - 04/05 cars for sub £5k seem to have a lot of toys but not much in the way of fizz perhaps?

RR would be lovely, but wife has just taken delivery of a new Evoque and thinks 2x 4x4's is being silly

[mattman]

Tuvra said:

C70R said:

And also the fact that they cost almost double the budget for a decent example. Perhaps this is the only thread where "E46 M3" isn't the right answer?

To be honest, are you going to get top examples of ANY of the cars mentioned here for £6k?

I concede, the image may not be perfect with the M3, however, it looks better than an Audi A4 that gets a mention in the OP. As for the M3 SMG being "iffy", I'd rather run an SMG M3 over an L322 or a Mercedes that fizzes in the rain

I did think about mentioning a Lexus of some sort, but as you say, they do lack a certain fizz. How do you feel about S-Type's? The R would be a pretty good option if you don't mind the looks.

Another few off the top of my head:-

• Chrysler 300c 5.7
• Mercedes C32 AMG
• Mercedes S55 AMG
• Audi A/S6 4.2
• Saab HOT Aero / T5 Volvo of some sort and a whole lot of cash left in the bank?

Doesn't need to be a top example, as long it runs for longer than it spends in a garage that would be a plus!

Wife won't entertain a jag as its for "old men" although i am drawn to the 308 as stunning VFM

I love the look of the 300C was hoping the SRT would have dropped more significantly in price than it has, but its on the list I think but i need to check the interior is not made of playdough

is the E31 840 idea a complete non-starter? I can get an early (94-95) 840 CI for 6 ish - or am i opening myself up to a wallet raping?