4 seat fun for under 10k

4 seat fun for under 10k

Author
Discussion

nunpuncher

Original Poster:

3,384 posts

125 months

Monday 18th August 2014
quotequote all
Looking for something that is fun to drive, relatively quick, has 4 seats and costs less than 10k. The caveat is that it can't be potentially ruinous. I quickly fall out with cars that break and I don't sleep well with potential time bombs sat on the drive. Ideally I'd also like something with a bit more occasion about it than a golf, focus etc.

I know this subject gets covered every once in a while but times move and so do prices. Any suggestions appreciated.

kambites

67,568 posts

221 months

Monday 18th August 2014
quotequote all
E46 M3? You should be able to get one with enough to spare for a few years' warranty if you're scared of potential bills. smile

Maybe an Integra DC5?

tomsugden

2,235 posts

228 months

Monday 18th August 2014
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My S4 cabriolet ticks all those boxes, and is currently in the classifieds.

SturdyHSV

10,096 posts

167 months

Monday 18th August 2014
quotequote all
Just thought I'd mention Monaro, although if 'fun to drive' means balancing between understeer and lift off oversteer at 8,000rpm then yeah, maybe an Integra is a better bet.

For rolling burnouts and a sense of occasion when you turn the key though... hehe

Welshbeef

49,633 posts

198 months

Monday 18th August 2014
quotequote all
E60 M5/E39 M5
c5 RS6
W211 E55 K AMG

Fast yes
Presence yes
Ruinous - well these are super cars and at least one is an icon.


What's the worst that can happen? Just do it

tenpenceshort

32,880 posts

217 months

Monday 18th August 2014
quotequote all
Welshbeef said:
E60 M5/E39 M5
c5 RS6
W211 E55 K AMG

Fast yes
Presence yes
Ruinous - well these are super cars and at least one is an icon.


What's the worst that can happen? Just do it
What about a 944?

Welshbeef

49,633 posts

198 months

Monday 18th August 2014
quotequote all
tenpenceshort said:
Welshbeef said:
E60 M5/E39 M5
c5 RS6
W211 E55 K AMG

Fast yes
Presence yes
Ruinous - well these are super cars and at least one is an icon.


What's the worst that can happen? Just do it
What about a 944?
Since when so they have 4 seats ? OP wants a fun fast car with 4 seats sub £10k.

Defcon5

6,183 posts

191 months

Monday 18th August 2014
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My first thought was an S4 - might be able to get a facelift 4.2 for 10k too

rallycross

12,791 posts

237 months

Monday 18th August 2014
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Bmw 335i £10k gets you a 2007 with reasonable mileage, 300 bhp.
These are available as Coupe, Saloon, estate or convertible.

nunpuncher

Original Poster:

3,384 posts

125 months

Monday 18th August 2014
quotequote all
Welshbeef said:
E60 M5/E39 M5
c5 RS6
W211 E55 K AMG

Fast yes
Presence yes
Ruinous - well these are super cars and at least one is an icon.


What's the worst that can happen? Just do it
I end up with a rather expensive paper weight. All great cars but pretty sure I'd never sleep with any of those on the drive.

First reply (E46 or DC5) were the 2 cars that i'd arrived at and was struggling to get beyond. I've had stable mates of both and have enjoyed them. I worry i'm a bit old to be driving something that looks like the DC5. Not sure i should care about that if it ticks every box.

This is a more difficult purchase than it should be for some reason.

kambites

67,568 posts

221 months

Monday 18th August 2014
quotequote all
If you want something a bit less... youthful than an Integra, how about a Corrado VR6? It'll be older but they're simple cars so there's not much to go wrong. You should get an exceptional one well under your budget. More "GTish" in setup than the Integra but arguably just as good to drive in its own way.

maffski

1,868 posts

159 months

Monday 18th August 2014
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Monaro? Running gear should be solid but fuel might be costly.

nunpuncher

Original Poster:

3,384 posts

125 months

Monday 18th August 2014
quotequote all
Pah, fuel!

This change has come about as i've recently massively reduced my annual mileage to about 3k a year in terms of commuting, anything else is social/fun and you don't mind paying for that bit. Something stupid like a monaro could be the perfect way to clear the cobwebs of years of diesels.

kambites

67,568 posts

221 months

Monday 18th August 2014
quotequote all
If fuel consumption isn't an issue, how about an RX8?

Welshbeef

49,633 posts

198 months

Monday 18th August 2014
quotequote all
nunpuncher said:
I end up with a rather expensive paper weight. All great cars but pretty sure I'd never sleep with any of those on the drive.

First reply (E46 or DC5) were the 2 cars that i'd arrived at and was struggling to get beyond. I've had stable mates of both and have enjoyed them. I worry i'm a bit old to be driving something that looks like the DC5. Not sure i should care about that if it ticks every box.

This is a more difficult purchase than it should be for some reason.
YOLO - I took the plunge and love it. Its an itch I had to scratch, they are real quality cars (the leather is worlds apart from Dakota leather..). That said its nearly a year I've been in one and have got used to 18mpg - doesn't mean I'm happy about that level of consumption.



I am looking at the next option weighting up options and now with two little ones needs change.

Pepperami

328 posts

116 months

Monday 18th August 2014
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Welshbeef said:
Since when so they have 4 seats ? OP wants a fun fast car with 4 seats sub £10k.
944 has 4 seats. He didn't state that they all have to be capable of fitting the human form in the rears.

nunpuncher

Original Poster:

3,384 posts

125 months

Monday 18th August 2014
quotequote all
Welshbeef. What do you mean? You bought an E46? I've got 2 wee ones (ages 2 and 3) hence the 4 seats or a 2+2. It's rare they are in my car though and we do have 2 MPVs as well. My wife has actually said she would prefer me to get a 2 seater but I find it frustrating when i can't take the nicest car to drive on family days.

Kam, a lot of people aren't going to like this but i think the RX8 is a hateful thing. It's ageing terribly and as with all mazdas i think they leave the factory with tin worm. I've got a 10AE MX5 and it's about 40% rust. I also have a mate that used to work as a service manager for Mazda and he said they used to play "how many engines" every time they got one in. It doesn't fall into my ruinous category as you can pick a whole car up for £500. I just never got them when new and get them even less now. Sorry, I'm sure they drive well if the MX5 is anything to go by.

lewisf182

2,089 posts

188 months

Monday 18th August 2014
quotequote all
If you want something that's 90% of an M3 but a lot less ruinous to run how about a 130i? Obviously I'm a bit biased, but I've driven both and the M3 is a wonderful thing, but I avoided it in the end due to the difficulty of sourcing a good one for a decent price plus the on going running costs. 130i isn't THAT much slower and feels special in a different way due to the big engine little car thing. More than enough room in the rear if your kids are young.

Welshbeef

49,633 posts

198 months

Monday 18th August 2014
quotequote all
nunpuncher said:
Welshbeef. What do you mean? You bought an E46? I've got 2 wee ones (ages 2 and 3) hence the 4 seats or a 2+2. It's rare they are in my car though and we do have 2 MPVs as well. My wife has actually said she would prefer me to get a 2 seater but I find it frustrating when i can't take the nicest car to drive on family days.

Kam, a lot of people aren't going to like this but i think the RX8 is a hateful thing. It's ageing terribly and as with all mazdas i think they leave the factory with tin worm. I've got a 10AE MX5 and it's about 40% rust. I also have a mate that used to work as a service manager for Mazda and he said they used to play "how many engines" every time they got one in. It doesn't fall into my ruinous category as you can pick a whole car up for £500. I just never got them when new and get them even less now. Sorry, I'm sure they drive well if the MX5 is anything to go by.
Nope I've never had an E46 I drive an RS6 as a daily driver.

g3org3y

20,627 posts

191 months

Monday 18th August 2014
quotequote all
BMW 6 Series?

4 seater (though the rear seats aren't exactly huge), V8 engine and no M car tax.